JP2007133885A - Image editing apparatus, image editing method, image editing program and automatic photographic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image editing apparatus capable of easily drawing a text phrase in a plurality of lines, in a free layout, on an image. <P>SOLUTION: The image editing apparatus displays a photographic image on an editing area 202 in an editing operation monitor. Characters in a selected lyrics phrase are drawn one by one in the order of array along the track of a touch pen 42 after the touch pen 42 touches the photographic image until it is detached from the photographic image. When the touch pen 42 is detached from the photographic image, a character after the last character of the character string drawn in the lyric phrase is specified as a starting character of drawing. When the touch pen 42 touches the photographic image again, the characters in the lyrics phrase are drawn one by one starting from the specified starting character of drawing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image editing apparatus, an image editing method, an image editing program, and an automatic photography apparatus, and more particularly, to an image editing apparatus, an image editing method, an image editing program, and an automatic photography apparatus that draw a sentence phrase on an image. About.

  An amusement facility such as a game center is equipped with an automatic photo shooter that takes a user as a subject and shoots it with a camera and prints the photograph on a sticker sheet for sale. These automatic photo-taking devices are a photo-taking device that takes a picture of a user and obtains a photo image, and an image that displays the shot image on a tablet display, etc., and edits the image by entering characters and figures with the included touch pen. Those equipped with an editing device have become common. An image (edited image) such as a character or a figure input by the image editing apparatus is combined with a photographic image, and the combined image is printed on a sticker sheet by a printer and provided to the user.

  In such an automatic photo-taking apparatus, not only the user's appearance in the finished photo but also the richness of image editing functions such as input of characters and figures affect the popularity. This is because the user wants to create a more original image by inputting characters or figures (so-called graffiti or drawing). For this reason, an automatic photographing apparatus including an image editing apparatus having various functions is disclosed.

  For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-37813 (Patent Document 1) discloses a method for editing and decorating the color and shape of a line drawing drawn with a touch pen, such as “smudge pen”, “crayon pen”, and “edge marker”. It is disclosed. Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-274422 (Patent Document 2) discloses a method of continuously drawing a plurality of composite images according to the movement trajectory of a touch pen.

  As one of such image editing functions, an image editing apparatus capable of drawing a sentence phrase on an image has also appeared. For example, as shown in FIG. 24, an image editing apparatus capable of drawing a short sentence phrase 301 (for example, “Futana Hanayoshi”) on a line along the movement locus of the touch pen 300 touched on the display screen, As shown in FIG. 25, an image editing apparatus has appeared that can add a message stamp 302 for displaying a long sentence phrase over a plurality of lines to a designated position on the image.

  However, when the sentence phrase 301 is drawn along the movement locus of the touch pen 300, as shown in FIG. 26A, when the character string “Futariha” in the sentence phrase is drawn, the touch pen 300 is once released from the screen, When touched again, the sentence phrase 301 is drawn again from the first character “fu” as shown in FIG. 26B. Therefore, the text phrase 301 cannot be drawn over a plurality of lines.

  In addition, the message stamp 302 can add a long sentence phrase extending over a plurality of lines to a designated position on the image, but since the layout of the sentence phrase is fixed, the space between the lines of the sentence phrase extending over a plurality of lines can be increased, The layout cannot be changed by changing the position of each line or changing the number of characters in each line.

Therefore, if a long phrase is to be drawn in a free layout over a plurality of lines, the phrase must be written by hand using the touch pen 300.
JP 2003-37813 A JP 2004-274422 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image editing apparatus, an image editing method, and an image editing program capable of easily drawing a text phrase on an image with a free layout over a plurality of lines.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  An image editing apparatus according to the present invention includes display means, input means, drawing means, and designation means. The display means has a display screen. The input means touches the display screen and designates an arbitrary position on the display screen. The drawing means sequentially draws characters in a predetermined sentence phrase as the input means moves until the input means touches the display screen and then leaves. The designation means designates the first character to be drawn next time from the sentence phrases based on the last character drawn by the drawing means when the input means is separated. Here, the input means is a pointing device such as a touch pen.

  The image editing apparatus according to the present invention sequentially draws characters in a sentence phrase as the input means moves. When the input means is released, the first character to be drawn next time is designated from the sentence phrases based on the last drawn character among the already drawn character strings. Therefore, when the input means is moved in contact with the next time, it is possible to draw a character string subsequent to the previously drawn character string in the sentence phrase. As a result, a long sentence phrase can be easily drawn over a plurality of lines.

  An image editing apparatus according to the present invention includes display means, input means, detection means, drawing means, and designation means. The display means displays an image. The input means designates a position on the image. The detecting means detects the designated position from when the input means starts to designate the position until it ends. The drawing means sequentially draws the characters in the sentence phrase in the order of arrangement from the drawing start character along the locus of the detected position. When the input unit finishes specifying the position, the designating unit designates, as a drawing start character, a character arranged next to the last character drawn by the drawing unit in the sentence phrase. Here, a sentence phrase means a unitary linguistic expression that expresses the thoughts and feelings of a speaker or writer, such as lyrics phrases, poetry phrases, passages of essays and novels, sayings, sayings, etc. It is composed of the characters.

  The image editing apparatus according to the present invention sequentially draws characters in a sentence phrase along the locus of the detected position from when the input means starts specifying the position until it ends. When the designation of the position is completed, the character arranged next to the last drawn character in the sentence phrase is designated as the drawing start character. Therefore, when the input means starts to specify the position next time, the image editing apparatus can draw a character string following the previously drawn character string in the sentence phrase. As a result, a long sentence phrase can be easily drawn over a plurality of lines. Further, the image editing apparatus draws a character string in the sentence phrase along the locus of the detected position. Therefore, the user can freely set the layout of the sentence phrase extending over a plurality of lines by designating the position on the image with the input means.

  Preferably, the drawing means is arranged next to the predetermined character in the sentence phrase when the length of the locus of the position detected after drawing the predetermined character in the sentence phrase is longer than the reference length. Draw the drawn character.

  In this case, each time a character is drawn, the drawing means determines whether or not the length of the locus of the position detected after the character drawing exceeds the reference length. If the length exceeds the reference length, the drawing means Next, the arranged characters are drawn. That is, as the movement locus of the detected position is extended, characters in the sentence phrase are successively drawn.

  Preferably, the designation means further designates a character selected from the sentence phrases as a drawing start character before the drawing means starts drawing the sentence phrase.

  In this case, when a sentence phrase is drawn, a character to be drawn first can be selected from the sentence phrases. Therefore, drawing can be started from a desired character in the sentence phrase.

  Preferably, the image editing apparatus further includes a storage unit and a phrase selection unit. The storage means stores a plurality of sentence phrases. The phrase selecting means selects a sentence phrase to be drawn on the screen from a plurality of sentence phrases.

  In this case, the user can select a desired sentence phrase from a plurality of sentence phrases.

  Preferably, the storage means further stores a plurality of sentences composed of a plurality of sentence phrases. The image editing apparatus further includes text selection means. The sentence selection means selects a desired sentence from a plurality of sentences. The phrase selecting means selects a sentence phrase to be drawn on the image from the sentences selected by the sentence selecting means.

  In this case, the user can select a desired sentence phrase from the selected sentences. Therefore, the user's original sentence phrase can be acquired instead of the sentence phrase prepared in advance.

  Preferably, the image editing apparatus further includes a deleting unit. The deletion unit deletes the character string drawn by the drawing unit in accordance with a user operation. When the drawn character string is deleted, the instruction means designates the first character of the deleted character string as the drawing start character.

  In this case, the user can delete the drawn character string. Furthermore, when a character is drawn again after deleting the character string, drawing can be started from the first character of the deleted character string. Therefore, even after the character string is deleted, the characters can be drawn in the order of the character phrases.

  Preferably, the image editing apparatus further includes a restoration unit. The restoring means restores the drawing of the deleted character string in accordance with a user operation. When the drawing of the character string is restored, the instruction means designates the character arranged next to the last character of the restored character string in the sentence phrase as the drawing start character.

  In this case, the user can restore the deleted character string after deleting the drawn character string. Further, when a character is drawn again after restoring the character string, the drawing can be started from the character following the last character of the restored character string. Therefore, even after restoring the character string, the characters can be drawn in the order of the character phrases.

  Preferably, the drawing means stops drawing the sentence phrase when the last character in the sentence phrase is drawn.

  In this case, even if the detection means continues to detect the designated position, if the last character in the sentence phrase is drawn, the drawing of the sentence phrase ends. Therefore, even if the detection means continues to detect the specified position, the sentence phrase is not repeatedly drawn.

  An image editing apparatus according to the present invention includes display means, designation means, input means, detection means, and drawing means. The display means displays an image. The designating unit designates a character selected from a sentence phrase in which a plurality of characters are continuously arranged as a drawing start character. The input means designates a position on the image. The detecting means detects the designated position from when the input means starts to designate the position until it ends. The drawing means sequentially draws characters in the sentence phrase in the order of arrangement from the designated drawing start character along the locus of the detected position.

  The image editing means according to the present invention can draw the characters in the sentence phrase sequentially on the image from the characters selected from the sentence phrases. In short, it is possible to freely select a character to start drawing from among a plurality of characters in the sentence phrase.

  In addition, if a character that follows a character string that has already been drawn among the sentence phrases is designated as a drawing start character, the subsequent character string can be drawn the next time the character is drawn. Therefore, a text phrase can be drawn in a free layout across multiple lines.

  An automatic photography apparatus according to the present invention comprises a photographing means for photographing a subject and acquiring an image showing the subject, the image editing apparatus, and a printing means for printing an image on which a text phrase is drawn by the image editing apparatus. Prepare.

  An image editing method according to the present invention is a method for operating the image editing apparatus, and an image editing program according to the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the method.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

<First Embodiment>
1. External Configuration Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an automatic photography apparatus 1 equipped with an image editing apparatus 8 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a photographing space 2 for photographing and editing of a photographic image obtained by photographing. The editing space 3 is divided into the following. In the imaging space 2, the imaging device 4 and the back panel 5 are installed facing each other, and in the editing space 3, an image editing device 8 is installed adjacent to the imaging device 4. The shooting space 2 and the editing space 3 are separated from the outside by a side curtain 9 or the like.

  A background curtain unit 6 is provided slightly ahead of the rear panel 5. A plurality of background curtains 7 are wound and stored in the background curtain unit 6. The background curtain 7 has various colors and patterns, and at the time of photographing, one desired sheet is lowered to form the background of the subject. The background curtain 7 may be automatically lowered by being rotated by a motor or the like, but may be drawn by a user's manual operation and lowered.

  On the side surface of the automatic photographing apparatus 1, there are a coin insertion slot 31 for inserting coins, and a print discharge opening 51 for printing an image shot in the shooting space 2 and edited in the editing space 3 on a sticker sheet and discharging it. Is provided.

  When using the automatic photographing apparatus 1, the user first inserts a coin into the coin insertion slot 31. When the coin is accepted, the automatic photo shooting apparatus 1 will inform the user if it is available. In accordance with the guidance, the user enters the imaging space 2 from the open rear side and performs an imaging operation toward the imaging device 4. After shooting, the user moves to the editing space 3 and performs image editing operations such as inputting a text phrase, a graffiti image such as a frame, a stamp, and a line drawing toward the image editing device 8 this time.

  Referring to FIG. 3, a camera 10 is provided at the front center of the photographing apparatus 4, a photographing operation monitor 11 is provided below the camera 10, and an illumination device 13 is provided around them.

  The camera 10 photographs a user as a subject, and a digital camera is generally used. A plurality of cameras 10 may be provided, or the camera 10 may be moved or adjusted in angle.

  The shooting operation monitor 11 displays the video shot by the camera 10 in real time. Further, a transparent touch panel 12 (see FIG. 5) is pasted on the screen, and the photographing operation monitor 11 accepts a user input operation on the touch panel 12.

  The illumination device 13 is provided on the top, bottom, left, and right of the camera 10 and the ceiling, and illuminates the subject from the front. The illuminating device 13 includes an ordinary lamp illumination such as a fluorescent lamp and a flash illumination (flash) such as a strobe. The strobe emits light at the moment when the start of shooting is instructed by the user and the image captured by the camera 10 is captured as a still image, and strongly illuminates the subject.

  In addition to the above, the illumination device is also provided on the side and rear of the subject to illuminate the subject from all directions.

  Referring to FIG. 4, image editing device 8 is installed back-to-back with imaging device 4. An editing operation monitor 40 is provided at the front center of the image editing apparatus 8.

  The editing operation monitor 40 displays one or more photographic images selected from photographic images taken by the camera 10. Further, a transparent touch panel 41 (see FIG. 5) is pasted on the screen, and the editing operation monitor 40 accepts a user input operation on the touch panel 41. On both sides of the editing operation monitor 40, touch pens 42 for inputting graffiti images such as frames, stamps, line writing, and sentence phrases on the touch panel 41 are provided. The touch pen 42 is provided with a side switch 421 used for image editing.

  The graffiti image and the sentence phrase are drawn on an edit image plane different from the photo image layer, and the edit operation monitor 40 displays the edit image plane so as to overlap the photo image layer.

  After the editing is completed, the automatic photographing apparatus 1 prints a composite image of the edited image and the photographic image on a sticker sheet, discharges it from the print discharge port 51, and provides it to the user.

2. Functional Configuration Referring to FIG. 5, the automatic photo shooting apparatus 1 includes a shooting computer apparatus 101 a that executes a shooting process, an image editing computer apparatus 101 b that executes an image editing process, and operating computer apparatuses 101 a and 101 b. And a control board 102 that receives various instructions and controls various devices connected thereto. The photographing computer device 101a and the image editing computer device 101b are connected to each other and exchange image data and the like on a peer-to-peer basis. These function as control means of the automatic photography apparatus 1.

  The computer apparatuses 101a and 101b have CPUs (Central Processing Units) 103a and 103b, a program for causing the apparatus to execute a predetermined process, graphic data necessary for the process, audio data, photographed photographic images, and input Hard disk drives (HDD) 104a and 104b for storing edited images and memories 105a and 105b serving as temporary work areas for programs are included.

  The photographing computer device 101 a executes photographing processing in the photographing space 2. Specifically, a control signal is transmitted to the control board 102 based on an instruction signal in accordance with an input operation received on the touch panel 12 by executing a shooting process program or touching a user's finger or the like. The photographing computer device 101a is connected to and controls the camera 10, the photographing operation monitor 11, and the control board 102.

  The image editing computer apparatus 101 b executes image editing processing and printing processing in the editing space 3. Specifically, the image editing computer apparatus 101 b executes an image editing program and a printing program, and transmits a control signal to the control board 102 in accordance with an input operation with the touch pen 42 on the touch panel 41. The image editing computer device 101b is connected to the printer 55, the editing operation monitor 40, and the control board 102 and controls them.

  The HDD 104b in the image editing computer device 101b stores an image editing program. The HDD 104b also stores a plurality of lyrics data. The HDD 104b further stores a lyrics database 120 shown in FIG. Information related to a plurality of lyrics data is registered in the lyrics database 120. Each record in the lyrics database 120 has a field for registering a record number, a field for registering a genre of lyrics (J-POP, j-indies, rock, pops, etc.), and a name for registering a singer name. A field and a field for registering the lyrics data ID (txt1 to txt). The lyrics database 120 is used when drawing lyrics phrases in the image editing process. The lyrics database 120 may have a field for registering the theme (for example, friendship, love, dream) intended by the lyrics in addition to the above-described fields.

  Referring to FIG. 5 again, the printer 55 prints a composite image of a photographic image and an edited image on a print medium such as sticker paper. The printer 55 of this embodiment prints an image on sticker paper, but the print medium is not limited to sticker paper and may be another print medium.

  The touch panel 12 is stacked on the photographing operation monitor 11. The touch panel 12 detects contact of a user's finger or the like, and transmits an instruction signal corresponding to the contact to the photographing computer device 101a. The imaging operation monitor 11 displays an image transmitted from the imaging computer device 101a, specifically, a photographic image captured by the camera 10, guidance for shooting, options, and the like.

  The touch panel 41 is stacked on the editing operation monitor 40. The touch panel 41 detects the contact of the left and right touch pens 42 and transmits an instruction signal corresponding thereto to the image editing computer device 101b. The editing operation monitor 40 displays the image transmitted from the image editing computer apparatus 101b, specifically, the lyrics phrase or the graffiti image (edited image) drawn during the image editing process, superimposed on the photographic image. To do.

  In addition to the computer devices 101a and 101b, the control board 102 includes a strobe control unit 110, a strobe 15, a fluorescent lamp 14, a service panel 113, a printing LED 52, a printing error LED 53, a coin control unit 112, a guidance display display 33, and audio. Connected to the control unit 111.

  A strobe control unit 110 is connected to the camera 10 and controls the strobe 15 to emit light according to the shutter timing of the camera 10. The audio control unit 111 is connected to the photographing computer device 101a and the image editing computer device 101b via the control board 102. The photographing speaker 16 is provided in the photographing space 2 and outputs guidance such as an operation method for photographing play, BGM, and the like based on an instruction signal provided from the photographing computer device 101a via the control board 102. The editing speaker 46 is provided in the editing space 3 and outputs guidance such as an operation method for editing play, BGM, and the like based on an instruction signal provided from the image editing computer apparatus 101b via the control board 102. .

  The image editing apparatus 8 includes the image editing computer apparatus 101b, the editing operation monitor 40, the touch panel 41, and the touch pen 42 in the above configuration.

3. Operation The operation of the automatic photography apparatus 1 described above is as follows.

3-1. Operation in shooting space (shooting process)
First, the operation of the automatic photo shooting apparatus 1 in the shooting space 2 will be described. The CPU 103a of the photographing computer device 101a implements this photographing process by reading the computer program stored in the HDD 104a into the memory 105a and executing it.

  Referring to FIG. 7, the CPU 103a displays a title demonstration screen that prompts the user to use the automatic photography apparatus 1 on the photographing operation monitor 11 (S11), and monitors coin insertion in the coin control unit 112 during that time (S12). . When a predetermined number of coins are inserted during the display of the title demonstration screen (YES in S12), the CPU 103a executes predetermined shooting (S13).

  The user performs photographing a plurality of times according to the guidance displayed on the photographing operation monitor 11. The CPU 103a determines whether or not the number of photographing has reached a predetermined number (S14). If the predetermined number of times has not been shot (NO in S14), the CPU 103a returns to step S13 and repeats the shooting. On the other hand, if a predetermined number of times of shooting has been taken (YES in S14), the CPU 103a transfers data of a plurality of photographic images obtained by shooting to the image editing computer device 101b (S15). The CPU 103a displays on the photographing operation monitor 11 guidance for editing the image in the editing space 3, and then returns to step S11 to display the title demo screen again.

  Although the number of times of shooting is limited here, the shooting time may be limited. Also, if there is still a predetermined shooting time limit after shooting a predetermined number of times, or if the previous user is still graffitiing in the editing space 3, the shooting play can be performed until they are finished. Also good.

3-2. Operation in editing space (image editing processing and printing processing)
Next, the operation of the automatic photographing apparatus 1 in the editing space 3 will be described. The CPU 103b of the image editing computer apparatus 101b implements image editing processing and printing processing by reading the image editing program and printing program stored in the HDD 104b into the memory 105b and executing them.

  Referring to FIG. 8, CPU 103b displays a standby screen for prompting to start from shooting play on editing operation monitor 40 (S21). When the photographing process shown in FIG. 7 is completed, the photographic image data is transferred from the photographing computer apparatus 101a to the image editing computer apparatus 101b. The CPU 103b accepts this (S22) and executes the image editing process. (S23).

  In the image editing process, the photographed photographic image is displayed on the editing operation monitor 40, and drawing of the lyrics phrase by the touch pen 42 is accepted on the touch panel 41. The image editing process is the greatest feature of the present invention. Details of the image editing process will be described later. In the image editing process, graffiti images such as stamps and frames are also accepted.

  While accepting drawing of a lyrics phrase or the like on the touch panel 41, the CPU 103b monitors whether image editing has been completed (S24). When the time limit is reached or the end button displayed on the screen is touched, the image editing process ends.

  When the image editing process ends (YES in S24), a composite image obtained by combining the photograph image with the edited image created by the image editing process is displayed side by side on the editing operation monitor 40 (S25). The user selects an image to be printed from the composite images displayed on the monitor. The CPU 103 determines an image to be printed based on the user's selection (S26).

  After determining the image to be printed, the CPU 103 selects a print layout in accordance with the user's operation (S27), applies the selected print layout, and prints the image with the printer 55 (S28). The sticker sheet on which the image is printed is provided to the user from the print discharge port 51.

4). Image editing process 4-1. Outline In the image editing process according to this embodiment, a user's favorite lyrics phrase can be easily drawn on a photographic image with a free layout over a plurality of lines. Hereinafter, transition of the screen of the editing operation monitor 40 in the image editing process will be described.

  In the image editing process, a lyrics phrase selection process in which the user selects a favorite lyrics phrase and a lyrics phrase drawing process in which the selected lyrics phrase is drawn on the image are executed.

[Lyrics phrase selection processing]
First, the transition of the screen in the lyrics phrase selection process will be described. First, the editing screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the editing operation monitor 40. In the editing screen, a plurality of photographic images taken by the photographing process are displayed, an image selection area 201 for selecting an image to be edited, and a photographic image selected from the image selection area 201 are enlarged and displayed. An editing area 202 for image editing, an editing tool 204 for selecting a plurality of editing functions for image editing, and a template 205 corresponding to each editing tool 204 are displayed.

  Further, lyrics txt1 to txt6 based on a plurality of lyrics data stored in the HDD 104b are displayed in the lyrics area 200 on the editing screen. The user looks at the lyrics area 200 and selects a favorite lyrics txt. If there is no favorite lyrics txt, a desired genre and / or singer name is selected from the genre combo box 221 and / or the singer name combo box 222 at the bottom of the lyrics area 200. In the lyrics area 200, a plurality of lyrics txt corresponding to the user's selection is displayed. The genre combo box 221 may list the genres of songs such as J-POP and rock, and may list the themes (friendship, love, dreams, etc.) intended by the lyrics.

  When the user selects a favorite lyrics (for example, lyrics txt1), only the lyrics txt1 is displayed in the lyrics area 200, as shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, the user looks at the lyrics txt1 displayed in the lyrics area 200, and selects a lyrics phrase to be used from the lyrics txt1. The user uses the touch pen 42 to select a desired lyric phrase (for example, “I've fallen into you again”) in brackets 224 or underline the lyric phrase that I want to use.

[Lyric phrase drawing processing]
Next, the transition of the edit screen in the lyrics phrase drawing process will be described. The user draws the lyrics phrase selected by the lyrics phrase selection process on the photographic image displayed in the editing area 202. First, the user selects the “phrase” tool 204 from the editing tool 204. At this time, a phrase template 205 corresponding to the phrase tool 204 is displayed. The phrase template 205 displays a plurality of type faces (character designs). The user selects a favorite typeface. The user further selects the character size. Specifically, a plurality of selectable character sizes are displayed in the phrase template 205, and the user selects a desired character size. Thereby, the type face and character size of the lyrics phrase drawn on the photographic image are determined. At this time, the user may set the character spacing in the lyrics phrase. Further, the character size and the character spacing may be automatically set based on the number of characters of the lyrics phrase selected by the lyrics phrase selection process.

  Subsequently, the user draws the selected lyrics phrase on the photographic image in the editing area 202. In the following drawings, the photographic images displayed in the editing area 202 will be omitted as appropriate.

  When the user touches (specifies) an arbitrary position on the photographic image in the editing area 202 with the touch pen 42, the selected lyric phrase “I was once again drowned at the touched (specified) position (reference position) P0. "Is also drawn (FIG. 11A).

  The touch pen 42 is moved to the right while touching the touch panel 41. When the length L1 of the locus of the touch pen 42 from the reference position P0 to the current position PC becomes longer than the reference length L0, the next character “U” is drawn (FIG. 11B). When the touch pen 42 is further shifted to the right, the characters “Iki Kimi ni” are sequentially drawn along the locus (FIG. 11C).

  Here, the user once separates the touch pen 42 from the touch panel 41 while pressing the side switch 421 provided on the side surface near the tip of the touch pen 42.

  When the user touches the desired position on the image again with the touch pen 42, the character “惚” following the already drawn character string “against you” in the selected lyrics phrase is at the touched reference position P0. It is drawn (FIG. 11D). When the touch pen 42 is further shifted to the right, the subsequent character string “Recha” has been sequentially drawn along the locus of the touch pen 42 (FIG. 11E).

  As described above, the character string “I am once again” is drawn along the first trajectory of the touch pen 42, and then the subsequent character string “I was drowning” is drawn along the new trajectory of the touch pen 42. Is done. In short, even if the touch pen 42 is once released from the touch panel 41 and touched again, the lyrics phrase can be drawn from the characters that follow the already drawn character string. Thus, the user can easily draw a favorite lyrics phrase on a photographic image with a free layout over a plurality of lines.

4-2. Processing Operation Details of the image editing processing described above will be described with reference to a flowchart.

[Lyrics phrase selection processing]
Referring to FIG. 12, the CPU 103b first displays a plurality of photographic images acquired by the photographing process in the image selection area 201 of FIG. 9 (S301). Based on the user operation, the CPU 103b selects a desired photographic image and displays it in the editing area 202 (S302).

  Subsequently, based on the lyrics database 120 shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 103b further displays lyrics (lyrics txt1 to txt6) registered in the record having the smallest record number among the plurality of lyrics in the lyrics area 200 (S303). ). When the display area of each of the lyrics txt1 to txt6 is small, the CPU 103b displays only an arbitrary lyrics phrase (for example, a chorus lyrics phrase) in each of the lyrics txt.

  When the user selects a desired genre and / or singer name from the genre combo box 221 and / or singer name combo box 222, the CPU 103b displays the lyrics txt corresponding to the selected genre and / or singer name in the lyrics database 120. And are displayed in the lyrics area 200.

  When the user touches the lyrics txt1, the CPU 103b selects the lyrics txt1 according to the user's operation, and displays the lyrics txt1 in the lyrics area 200 as shown in FIG. 10 (S304). Further, the CPU 103b selects a lyrics phrase in the lyrics txt1 according to the user's operation (S305). Specifically, the user selects the lyric phrase “I fell in love again” enclosed in parentheses 224.

  The CPU 103b creates the character database 121 shown in FIG. 13 based on the selected lyrics phrase (S306). The character database 121 has a character number field for registering character numbers, and a character information field for registering information about each character in the selected lyrics phrase. The CPU 103b stores the created character database 121 in the memory 105b.

  After creating the character database 121, the CPU 103b selects a character to start drawing (drawing start character) from the lyrics phrase (S307). When the user wants to draw from “惚” in the selected lyric phrase “I once again fell in love with you”, the user touches “惚” in the lyrics area 200 in FIG. 10 with the touch pen 42. To do. At this time, as shown in FIG. 14, “惚” in the lyrics phrase is displayed surrounded by a selection frame 225. The CPU 103b determines that the drawing start character has been selected (YES in S307), and designates the selected character “惚” as the drawing start character. Specifically, the character number n = 8 corresponding to the character “惚” is stored in the memory 105b (S308).

  On the other hand, when the drawing start character is not selected by the selection frame 225 by the user (NO in S307), the character number n = 0 is stored in the memory 105b (S309), and the lyrics phrase selecting process is terminated. In this case, the CPU 103b designates the first character “mo” of the lyrics phrase selected by the user as the drawing start character. When drawing the lyrics phrase, the CPU 103b starts drawing a character from the drawing start character designated in step S308 or step S309. Hereinafter, assuming that the character number n = 0 is stored in the memory 105b, the following lyrics phrase drawing process will be described.

[Lyric phrase drawing processing]
After completing the lyrics phrase selection process, the CPU 103b executes a lyrics phrase drawing process. Referring to FIG. 15, first, the CPU 103b monitors whether or not the touch pen 42 has started specifying the position on the image (S311). Specifically, it is monitored whether or not the touch pen 42 has touched (designated) an arbitrary position on the photographic image displayed in the editing area 202 via the touch panel 41.

  When the touch pen 42 touches an arbitrary position on the photographic image by the user's operation, the CPU 103b determines that the position designation is started (YES in S311). At this time, the touch panel 41 detects the position (coordinates) touched by the touch pen 42 in the photographic image, and the CPU 103b sets the detected position as the reference position P0 (S312).

  Subsequently, the CPU 103b reads the character number n = 0 stored in the memory 105b in step S309 (S313), refers to the character database 121, and corresponds to the read character number n = 0 as shown in FIG. 11A. The character “mo” is drawn at the reference position P0 (S314). In short, the CPU 103b starts drawing a character from the drawing start character.

  At this time, the character “MO” is drawn on the edit image layer different from the photo image layer, and the CPU 103b displays the edit image layer on the photo image layer. After drawing, the CPU 103b increments the character number n to n = 1 (S315).

  Subsequently, the user moves the touch pen 42 while keeping the touch pen 42 in contact with the touch panel 41. At this time, the touch panel 41 detects the position PC designated by the touch pen 42 every predetermined period, and the CPU 103b sequentially draws the characters in the lyrics phrase in the order of the character numbers along the locus of the position PC (S330).

  In step S330, first, the touch panel 41 detects the current position PC (S316). The CPU 103b stores the detected position PC in the memory 105b every time step S330 is executed. Subsequently, the CPU 103b calculates the length L1 of the locus from the reference position P0 to the position PC detected in step S316 based on the position PC stored in the memory 105b (S317), and the calculated length L1 is the reference length. It is determined whether or not the length is longer than L0 (S318). When the length L1 is shorter than the reference length L0, if the character “u” having the character number n = 1 is drawn, the character interval with the already drawn “mo” is not appropriate. Without drawing (NO in S318), the process returns to step S316.

  On the other hand, when the length L1 is longer than the reference length L0 (YES in S318), as shown in FIG. 11B, the CPU 103b draws the character “U” at the position PC at the tip of the locus (S319). After drawing, the position PC is set as the reference position P0 (S320), and the character number n is incremented to n = 2 (S321).

  After executing step S311, the CPU 103b determines whether or not the designation of the position has been completed (S322). In the present embodiment, the CPU 103b determines that the position designation has been completed when the touch pen 42 is separated from the touch panel 41. Therefore, if the touch pen 42 is in contact with the touch panel 41, it is determined that the designation of the position has not ended (NO in S322), and the process returns to step S316. In short, the CPU 103b repeats the process of step S330 from when the touch pen 42 starts specifying the position to when it ends.

  With the above operation, step S330 is executed every predetermined period, and the touch panel 41 detects the position designated by the touch pen 42. Then, the CPU 103b sequentially draws the characters in the lyrics phrase in the order of arrangement each time the length L1 of the locus of the detected position becomes longer than the reference length L0. That is, as the touch pen 42 moves, characters are successively drawn from the pen tip of the touch pen 42 one after another. Therefore, it is possible to give the user the impression that he / she is writing a character with the touch pen 42. In addition, since characters are sequentially drawn one by one, it is easy to achieve a layout according to the user's image.

  The user can determine the number of characters in the character string to be drawn by releasing the touch pen 42 from the touch panel 41 when the desired character is drawn. In short, it is easy to make a line break in a well-delimited phrase (character string) in the lyrics phrase. Therefore, the layout of the lyrics phrase can be facilitated.

  The reference length L0 is a value calculated according to the character size of the lyrics phrase and the selected typeface. The character size and typeface of the lyrics phrase can be selected by the user, and the CPU 103b calculates the reference length L0 based on the selected character size and typeface. The reference length L0 may be a preset value. Further, the reference length L0 may be different depending on whether the lyrics phrase is written vertically or horizontally. The reference length L0 is stored in the HDD 104b or the memory 105b.

  As shown in FIG. 11C, after the touch pen 42 is moved to draw the character string “again, you”, the user releases the touch pen 42 from the touch panel 41 while pressing the side switch 421. At this time, the CPU 103 increments the character number n = 7 corresponding to the character “ni” to n = 8 in step S321, and then determines that the position designation has been completed (YES in S322).

  Note that when the touch pen 42 is released, the CPU 103b registers in the memory 105b whether or not the side switch 421 has been pressed. Specifically, when the touch pen 42 is released while the side switch 421 is pressed, the CPU 103b registers the side flag as “1” in the memory 105b. On the other hand, when the side switch 421 is not pressed, the side flag is registered as “0”.

  After the designation of the position is completed (YES in S322), the CPU 103b determines whether or not to register the character number n = 8 (S323). The CPU 103b refers to the side flag registered in the memory 105b and executes the determination in step S323.

  In this embodiment, since the side flag is “1”, the CPU 103b determines to register the character number n (YES in S323), and registers the registration number n = 8 in the memory 105b (S324). The case where the side flag is “0”, that is, the case where the side switch 421 is not pressed will be described later.

  Through the operations of these steps S322 to S324, the last character of the already drawn character string “against you” is identified as the character “ni”, and the CPU 103b determines the character arranged next to the character “ni”. The character “惚” of number n = 8 is designated as the next drawing start character.

  Subsequently, the CPU 103b determines whether or not the OK button 203 has been touched (S326). When the OK button 203 is not touched (NO in S326), the lyrics phrase drawing process is not completed, and the CPU 103b monitors again whether or not the touch pen 42 has started specifying the position (S311).

  When the user touches a position different from the already drawn character string “again, you” with the touch pen 42, the CPU 103b determines that the position designation is started again (YES in S311). The touch panel 41 detects the position touched by the touch pen 42, and the CPU 103b sets the detected position as the reference position P0 (S312), and reads the registration number n = 8 registered in step S314 (S313). After the reading, as shown in FIG. 11D, the character “惚” corresponding to the registration number n = 8 is drawn at the reference position P0 (S314).

  Subsequently, the operation of step S330 is repeated, and the character string “I have been drowned” is drawn along the trajectory of the touch pen 42 as shown in FIG. 11E.

  After drawing the character string “I have drowned”, the user releases the touch pen 42 from the touch panel 41 and touches the OK button 203. With this operation, the CPU 103b determines that the lyrics phrase drawing process has been completed (YES in S326), and creates a composite image by combining the edited image on which the two character strings are drawn with the photographic image (S327). The CPU 103b stores the created composite image in the memory 105b (S328), and ends the image editing process.

  With the above operation, in the lyrics phrase drawing process, every time the position designation with the touch pen 42 is completed, the character arranged next to the last character of the drawn character string is designated as the next drawing start character. Therefore, even if the touch pen 42 is moved away from the touch panel 41 (position specification end) and touched again (position specification start), a character string that follows the already drawn character string can be drawn in the sentence phrase. Thereby, the lyrics phrase can be easily drawn on the photographic image with a free layout over a plurality of lines.

  In the present embodiment, the characters are sequentially drawn along the locus of the position detected in step S330. However, the characters are not drawn until the touch pen 42 starts specifying the position and then ends. When the process is finished, a character string having the number of characters corresponding to the entire length of the locus of the detected position may be drawn at a time. In this case, the character size and the character spacing may be determined based on the total length of the locus of the detected position.

[Lyrics phrase drawing process when the side switch is not pressed]
In the lyric phrase drawing process, after drawing the character string “again, you”, when the touch pen 42 is released from the touch panel 41 without pressing the side switch 421, that is, the CPU 103 b determines that the position specification is finished. The lyrics phrase drawing process when the side flag is registered as “0” will be described.

  For example, the user may forget to press the side switch 421 when releasing the touch pen 42. Even in such a case, the following operation can be used to draw the character string “I've missed you” that follows the character string “I want to be you again”. Hereinafter, the operation of the CPU 103 in this case will be described.

  The operations from step S311 to S322 are as described above. When the side flag is “0” (NO in S323), the CPU 103b determines whether a drawing start character for the next drawing is selected (S325). At this time, as shown in FIG. 14, the user touches with the touch pen 42 the drawing start character “惚” to be drawn next out of the lyrics txt1 displayed in the lyrics area 200. At this time, a selection frame 225 is displayed surrounding the character “文字”.

  When the character “惚” is surrounded by the selection frame 225 in the lyrics area 200, the CPU 103b determines that the drawing start character is selected (YES in S325), and designates the selected character “惚” as the drawing start character. To do. Specifically, the character number n = 8 of the character “惚” is registered in the memory 105b (S331). Subsequent operations are as described above.

  As described above, each time the user releases the touch pen 42 from the touch panel 41, the user may select an arbitrary character in the lyrics phrase and designate it as a drawing start character. In this case, the character string to be drawn next is drawn from the specified drawing start character, so if you specify the character that follows the already drawn character string as the drawing start character, the lyrics phrase can be freely spread over multiple lines You can draw with a simple layout.

  In this case, it is possible to draw from a favorite character in the lyrics phrase. So, for example, after drawing the character string “I want to do it again”, the touch pen 42 is released and the character string “re” with the character number n = 9 is used as the drawing start character, and the character string “Re” has been removed. "Can also be drawn. Such a processing operation is effective when only a specific character “惚” in the lyrics phrase is an original handwritten character and other characters are easily drawn.

  Note that each time the touch pen 42 is touched, there is a case where it is desired to draw from the first character “mo” of the selected lyric phrase “I've fallen in love again”. In this case, the user moves the touch pen 42 away from the touch panel 41 without pressing the side switch 421, and does not select the drawing start character of the character string to be drawn next. In this case, the CPU 103b determines that the character number n is not registered (NO in S323), determines that the drawing start character is not selected (NO in S325), and is preset in step S308 or S309. Reset to character number n (S332). Thereby, whenever it touches the touch pen 42, it can draw repeatedly from the same character (drawing start character selected by step S308 or step S309) in a lyrics phrase.

  The user can also start drawing from the middle character of the lyrics phrase without drawing from the first character “m” of the lyrics phrase. In the lyrics phrase selection process (FIG. 12), when the user selects “惚” from the lyrics phrases displayed in the lyrics area 200 in FIG. 14, the CPU 103b determines that the drawing start character is selected in step S307. Determination is made (YES in S307), and the character number n = 8 corresponding to the selected character “惚” is registered in the memory 105b (S308). With the above operation, in the lyrics phrase drawing process, the first drawn character is “惚”.

  In the present embodiment, there is one editing area 202 on the editing screen, but there may be a plurality of editing areas 202 as shown in FIG. In this case, each of a plurality of users can simultaneously edit different photographic images in each editing area 202.

  In this embodiment, the lyrics area 200 is provided on the editing screen. However, as shown in FIG. 17, a lyrics area 206 having a scroll bar may be provided. In this case, the user can select a favorite lyrics phrase by scrolling the lyrics displayed in the lyrics area 206 with the scroll bar. Further, by selecting a desired character from the character string displayed in the lyrics area 206 and surrounding it with the selection frame 225, the drawing start character in step S307 or step S325 can be designated. The lyrics area 206 scrolls the displayed lyrics as the character string in the lyrics phrase is drawn, and displays the character string that follows the drawn character string.

  In the lyrics phrase drawing process described above, the determination in step S323 is performed using the side switch 421 provided on the side surface near the tip of the touch pen 42, but other methods may be used. For example, it may be selected on the screen whether or not the registration number n is registered every time the touch pen 42 is released.

  In the above-described lyrics phrase selection process, the lyrics txt is selected, and a desired lyrics phrase is selected from the lyrics txt. As shown in FIG. 18, a lyrics template including a plurality of lyrics phrases 216 on the editing screen. 205A may be displayed and a desired lyric phrase 216 may be selected. In this case, the HDD 104b stores a plurality of lyrics phrase data corresponding to the plurality of lyrics phrases 216 on the lyrics template 205A. The lyrics template 205A is provided with a scroll button 207, and when the scroll button 207 is selected, a new lyrics phrase 216 is displayed. The user selects a desired lyrics phrase 216 from the lyrics template 205A.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 18, a touch pen 43 that does not have the side switch 421 may be used. In this case, it is determined in step S323 in the lyrics phrase drawing process (FIG. 15) that the character number n is always registered (YES in S323). In short, when the touch pen 43 is released from the touch panel 41 after the character string is drawn, the character arranged next to the last character of the drawn character string in the lyrics phrase is always set as the drawing start character.

<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the lyrics phrase is freely drawn over a plurality of lines using the touch pen. However, after the drawing, the drawn character string may be deleted. In some cases, you may want to restore a deleted string. Further, when drawing up to the last character of the lyrics phrase, it is preferable to stop drawing the lyrics phrase without repeatedly drawing the lyrics phrase even if the touch pen is continuously touched on the touch panel.
Hereinafter, a method for deleting and restoring a drawn character string and further stopping drawing will be described.

1. Overview [String deletion processing]
Referring to FIG. 19A, the user selects lyrics phrase 216 </ b> A (“I fell in love again”) in lyrics template 205 </ b> A using touch pen 43 (touch pen without a side switch), and touch pen 43. The character string “Mustard” is drawn on the photographic image in the editing area 202, and then the character string “Fear me” is drawn. After the drawing, if the user does not like the drawing position of the character string “Fear You”, the user taps the “return” button 209 in the lyrics template 205 </ b> A with the touch pen 43. At this time, the character string “drown to you” is deleted (FIG. 19B).

  When the character string “Fold in You” is deleted and then the character is drawn again with the touch pen 43, the character string “Fold in You” is drawn in order from the first character “K” (FIG. 19C). In short, when drawing is resumed after deleting the drawn character string “Fear me”, the character that follows the already drawn character string “Mustard” without drawing from the first character “M” of the lyrics phrase You can redraw from "Ki".

  Note that after deleting the character string “Fearing You” (FIG. 19B), if you want to delete the character string “Another”, tap the “Back” button 209 again, and the character string “Another” will be deleted. (FIG. 19D).

[String restoration processing]
When the character string “Fold by Kimi” is deleted (FIG. 19B), but the user wants to restore the character string “Fold by Kimi” at the same position, the user taps the “Forward” button 210 in the lyrics template 205A with the touch pen 43. To do. As a result, the character string “dripping to you” is restored and again drawn on the photographic image (FIG. 19E). When the character is drawn with the touch pen 43 after the restoration, the last character “Re” in the restored character string “Fear me” is included in the lyrics phrase 216A (“I have drowned you again”). It is drawn from the character "Chi" arranged next. Therefore, even if the deleted character string is restored, it is possible to draw from the character that follows the restored character string.

[Drawing stop processing]
As a result of moving the touch pen 43 on the touch panel 41, the drawing of the lyrics phrase 216A is stopped when all the characters of the selected lyrics phrase 216A (“I've fallen into you again”) are drawn (FIG. 20A). . That is, even if the touch pen 43 is further moved on the touch panel 41, the lyrics phrase 216A is not repeatedly drawn (FIG. 20B). When the last character of the lyrics phrase 216A is drawn, a drawing completion notification 217 such as “lyric phrase input completion!” Is displayed on the editing operation monitor 40.

2. Processing Operation Details of the processing operation described in the above outline will be described. First, the lyrics phrase selection process and the lyrics phrase drawing process (including the drawing stop process described above) in the present embodiment will be described, and then the details of the character string deletion process and the character string restoration process will be described. In the following description, processing operations when the editing screen shown in FIGS. 19A to 19E, FIGS. 20A and 20B and the touch pen 43 without the side switch 421 are used will be described.

[Lyrics phrase selection processing and lyrics phrase drawing processing]
Referring to FIG. 21, CPU 103b first executes a lyrics phrase selection process. First, the CPU 103b selects a desired lyrics phrase 216A from the plurality of lyrics phrases 216 based on the user's operation (S350). The CPU 103b creates the character database 121 shown in FIG. 13 based on the selected lyrics phrase 216A (S351).

Further, the CPU 103b creates the character string database 122 (S351). The character string database 122 is a database for registering information (hereinafter referred to as character string information) relating to the character strings “Mustard” drawn on the photographic image and “You are drowning”, as shown in FIG. A field for registering the character string number k, a field for registering the first character number ns, a field for registering the last character number ne, and position information of the character string on the photographic image. Field. The character string number k is an identification number of each character string drawn on a different line on the image. In the first character number ns and the last character number ne, among the character numbers n of the character database 121, the first character number n and the last character number n of the character string of the character string number k are registered. The position information includes the coordinates of the position where each character in the character string is drawn.
The character string database 122 described above stores position information, but other information may be stored instead of the position information. For example, a character string is drawn on a photographic image layer and another edit image layer, but a plurality of character strings are drawn on the same layer, or each character string is drawn on a different layer. When each character string is drawn on a different layer, the above-described character string database 122 may register a layer number for specifying the layer instead of the position information. In this case, the memory 105b stores layer information corresponding to the layer number, and the layer information includes position information of a character string drawn on the layer.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 19A, when the character string “another time” and the character string “drown to you” are drawn, the character string number k = 0 in the character string database 122 as shown in FIG. As the character string information related to the character string “Mustard”, the first character number ns = 0 and the last character number ne = 4 are registered, the character string number k = 1, the character string information related to the character string “Kimi ni 惚”, The first character number ns = 5 and the last character number ne = 9 are registered.

  In step S351, the character string database 122 has no data because no character string has been drawn yet.

  After creating the character string database 122, the CPU 103b sets the character string number k = 0. Further, the character number n = 0 is set (S352).

  Subsequently, the CPU 103b executes a lyrics phrase drawing process. First, the CPU 103b monitors whether or not a position on the image is designated by the touch pen 43 (S311). That is, it is monitored whether or not the touch pen 43 has touched (designated) an arbitrary position on the photographic image displayed in the editing area 202 via the touch panel 41.

  When the touch pen 43 touches the position on the photographic image by the user's operation (YES in S311), the touch panel 41 detects the position (coordinates) touched by the touch pen 43 in the photographic image, and the CPU 103b is detected. This position is set as a reference position P0 (S312).

  Subsequently, the CPU 103b designates a drawing start character (S353 to S355). Specifically, the CPU 103b first determines whether or not the character string database 122 has registered character string information with a character string number k (= 0) (S353). Initially, since the character string information of the character string number k = 0 is not registered (NO in S353), the CPU 103b designates the character “m” of the character number n = 0 set in step S352 as the drawing start character. The character string number 122 in the character string database 122 is registered in the first character number ns (S354).

  After designating the drawing start character, the registered character “mo” is drawn at the reference position P0 (S356). At this time, the position information of the drawn character “MO” is registered in the character string number k = 0 in the character string database 122. After drawing, the CPU 103b increments the character number n to n = 1 (S315).

  Subsequently, the user moves the touch pen 43 while keeping the touch pen 43 in contact with the touch panel 41. At this time, the touch panel 41 detects the position PC designated by the touch pen 43 for each predetermined period, and the CPU 103b reads the characters in the lyrics phrase on the locus of the position PC in accordance with the detected locus length of the position PC. Drawing is sequentially performed in the order of numbers (S340).

  Specifically, the touch panel 41 detects the current position PC (S316), and the CPU 103b calculates a trajectory length L1 from the reference position P0 to the position PC detected in step S316 (S317). When the calculated length L1 is longer than the reference length L0 (YES in S318), the CPU 103b draws the character “U” having the character number n = 1 at the position PC at the tip of the locus (S319).

  After the drawing, the CPU 103b registers the character number n = 1 of the character “U” in the last character number ne of the character string number k = 0 in the character string database 122 (S357). In short, the last character of the currently drawn character string is registered in the character string database 122. Further, the position information of the drawn character “U” is registered in the character string number k = 0 in the character string database 122.

  Subsequently, the CPU 103b refers to the character database 121 and determines whether or not the drawn character number n (= 1) is the final number (n = 15) (S358). Since the character number n = 1 is not the final number (NO in S358), the process proceeds to step S320, and the CPU 103b continues the drawing process. Specifically, the CPU 103b sets the position PC where the character “u” is drawn as the reference position P0 (S320), and increments the character number n to n = 2 (S321).

  After executing step S321, the CPU 103b determines whether or not the designation of the position with the touch pen 43 has ended (S322). In the present embodiment, the CPU 103b determines that the position designation has been completed when the touch pen 43 is separated from the touch panel 41. Therefore, if the touch pen 43 is in contact with the touch panel 41, it is determined that the designation of the position is not completed (NO in S322), the process returns to step S316, and the process of step S340 is repeated.

  After drawing the character string “another” in FIG. 19A, when the user releases the touch pen 43 from the touch panel 41, the CPU 103b determines that the designation of the position is completed (YES in S322). At this time, the character string number n = 4 of the character “DO” is registered in the last character number ne column of the character string number k = 0 in the character string database 122 by the step S357, and the position of the character string “MORE” Information is registered in the character string number k = 0. Further, the character number n is incremented to 5 by step S321. The CPU 103b increments the character string number k and sets k = 1 (S361).

  Subsequently, the CPU 103b determines whether or not the user has selected the character string deletion process or the character string restoration process, and if selected, performs the character string deletion process or the character string restoration process based on the character string database 122. Execute (S400). The character string deletion process and the character string restoration process in step S400 will be described later.

  If the user does not select the OK button 203 after step S400 (NO in S326), the lyrics phrase drawing process is continued, and the process returns to step S311.

  Subsequently, the user touches (specifies) a position different from the character string “another” drawn on the photographic image with the touch pen 43. At this time, the CPU 103b determines that the position designation is started again (YES in S311), detects the position where the touch panel 41 is touched, and sets the position detected by the CPU 103b as the reference position P0 (S312). Since the character string information of the character string number k = 1 is not registered in the character string database 122 (NO in S353), the character number n = 5 is registered in the first character number ns (S354). As a result, the character “K” with the character number n = 5 is designated as the drawing start character. Subsequently, the CPU 103b draws the drawing start character “ki” and registers the position information in the character string database 122 (S356). After incrementing to character number n = 6 (S315), the operation of step S340 is executed.

  After the operation of step S340 is executed a plurality of times to draw the character string “Tear You”, when the touch pen 43 is released from the touch panel 41, the CPU 103b determines that the position designation is complete (YES in S322). At this time, the CPU 103b increments the character string number k to k = 2 (S361). If the OK button 203 is not selected (NO in S326), the process returns to step S311.

  As a result of drawing the character string as a result of repeating the above operation, when the last character “ta” of the lyric phrase “I've fallen into you again” is drawn (FIG. 20A), the CPU 103b in step S358 in step S340 Determines that the character number n = 15 is the final number (YES in S358). At this time, the CPU 103b stops the drawing of the lyrics phrase 216A (“I've fallen in love again”) (S359: drawing stop processing). In short, after drawing the last character of the lyrics phrase 216A, even if the touch pen 43 is in contact with the touch panel 41 after the drawing, the drawing is finished without drawing the lyrics phrase 216A repeatedly (FIGS. 20A and 20B). 20B). As shown in FIG. 20B, when the drawing is stopped, the CPU 103b displays a drawing completion notification 217 on the editing operation monitor 40 indicating that the drawing of the lyrics phrase has been completed (S360).

After the above operation, when the user selects the OK button 203, the CPU 103b ends the lyrics phrase drawing process.
In the meantime, when another lyrics phrase 216 is selected or a graffiti function such as a frame or a stamp is selected while the lyrics phrase drawing process of the selected lyrics phrase 216A is being executed, the lyrics phrase of the lyrics phrase 216A is selected. The drawing process may be terminated. In this case, after selecting the lyrics phrase 216A, if the other lyrics phrase 216 and other functions are not selected, the lyrics phrase drawing process for the lyrics phrase 216A is continued.

  With the above operation, the CPU 103b draws the last character of the selected lyrics phrase 216A, and then stops drawing the lyrics phrase 216A. Therefore, even if the touch pen 43 remains in contact with the touch panel 41 after drawing the last character of the lyrics phrase 216A, the lyrics phrase 216A is not repeatedly drawn.

  In addition, as described above, the CPU 103b attaches a character string number k to each character string drawn between the time when the touch pen 43 touches the touch panel 41 and the time when the touch pen 43 leaves, and information (character string information) about the character string is given. Register in the character string database 122. With this character string database 122, the character string deletion process and the character string restoration process in step S400 can be executed. Hereinafter, the character string deletion process and the character string restoration process will be described.

[String deletion processing]
The character string deletion process will be described with reference to FIGS. 19A to 19D, 21, and 23. As illustrated in FIG. 19A, after drawing the character string “more” and the character string “Take You”, if the user wants to delete the character string “That You”, the user “returns” with the touch pen 43. Tap the button 209.

  At this time, the CPU 103b determines that a command has been received (YES in S401), and specifies the type of the command (S402, S405). When the received command is “return” (YES in S402), the CPU 103b executes a character string deletion process.

  As shown in FIG. 19A, when the character strings “another time” and “dripping to you” are drawn, the character string database 122 stores character string information of character string numbers k = 0 and k = 1 as shown in FIG. Registered. Further, the CPU 102b sets the character string number k = 2 in step S361 of FIG.

  Therefore, the CPU 102b first decrements the character string number k to k = 1 (S403). Subsequently, the character string information of the character string number k = 1 in the character string database 122 is referred to, and the character string “Fold by you” of the character number n = 5 to 9 is deleted from the drawn character string (S404). FIG. 19B).

  If the user wants to delete the character string “Mustard”, the user touches the “return” button 209 again with the touch pen 43. In this case, the CPU 103b determines that a “return” command has been received (YES in S401, YES in S402), decrements the character string number k to k = 0, and character string of character string number k = 0 in the character string database 122 Based on the information, the character string “another” is deleted (S404, FIG. 19D).

  On the other hand, when the user deletes the character string “Fold by You” and then redraws, the user taps an arbitrary position on the photographic image with the touch pen 43. At this time, the CPU 103b determines that the designation of the position has started (YES in S311), detects the designated position, and sets it as the reference position P0 (S312). Subsequently, the CPU 103b determines whether or not character string information is registered in the character string number k = 1 in the character string database 122 (S353).

  Here, in the character string number k = 1, character string information (ns = 5, ne = 9) relating to the character string “Drive to you” has already been registered. Therefore, the CPU 103b determines that the character string information with the character string number k = 1 is registered (YES in S353), resets the last character number ne and the position information with the character string number k = 1, and resets the first character number ns. Only leave (S355). As a result, the CPU 103b designates the remaining character “ki” having the first character number ns = 5 as the drawing start character.

  Subsequently, the CPU 103b draws the drawing start character “ki” at the reference position P0 specified in step S312 (S356). The subsequent operation is as described above.

  As described above, the CPU 103b deletes the character string based on the character string database 122, and designates the first character of the deleted character string as the drawing start character. For this reason, even if a predetermined character string (“Fear me”) is deleted, it can be redrawn from the character “K” that follows the remaining character string (“More”) (FIG. 19C).

[String restoration processing]
The character string restoration process will be described with reference to FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19E, and FIGS. As shown in FIG. 19A, after drawing the character string “Another” and the character string “Fold by You”, the user deleted the character string “Fold by You” (FIG. 19B), but the character string “ When the user wants to return to “original”, the user taps the “forward” button 210 with the touch pen 43.

  At this time, the CPU 103b determines that a command has been received (YES in S401), and determines that the command type is not a “return” command (NO in S402) but a “forward” command (YES in S405).

  A character string deletion process is always executed before the character string restoration process. Therefore, the character string information of the character string number k = 1 (information relating to the character string “Kimi ni Kiri”) has already been registered in the character string database 122, and the CPU 102b performs the character string number k by the character string deletion process. = 1 (S403).

  After the determination in step S405, the CPU 102b determines whether the character string information with the character string number k = 1 is registered (S407). As described above, since the character string information of the character string number k = 1 is registered (YES in S407), based on the character string information (first character number ns, last character number ne, position information), character number = The character string “Fold by You” corresponding to 5 to 9 is restored to the original arrangement position (S408, FIG. 19E).

  After the restoration, the character string number k is incremented to k = 2 (S409). Further, in the character string information of the restored character string (character string number k = 1, “fall in love”), the end character number ne is referred to and character number n = ne + 1 is set (S410, where n = 10). After the restoration, when the designation of the position on the image is resumed with the touch pen 43, the CPU 103b executes the operation of FIG. At this time, the character number n = 10 is designated as the drawing start character (S354). That is, “10” is registered in the first character number ns of the character string number k = 2 in the character string database 122. As a result, drawing can be started from the character (“Chi”) following the restored character string (“Fold by You”).

  With the above operation, the character string can be restored, and the characters following the restored character string can be drawn.

[Delete all character strings]
The user can delete all the drawn character strings. When it is desired to delete all the drawn character strings, the user taps the “Erase All” button 211 with the touch pen 43. At this time, the CPU 103b determines that the command has been received (YES in S401), and determines that the command is a “delete all” command (NO in S402, NO in S405).

  After the determination, the CPU 103b deletes all the drawn character strings (in FIG. 19A, the character strings “Mustard” and “Drink by You”) (S411), and resets the data in the character string database 122 (S412). In addition, the CPU 103b resets the character string number k and the character number n (S413).

  When starting drawing again, the CPU 103b executes the operation of FIG. At this time, the character number n = 0 reset in step S413 is registered as the first character ns of the character string number k = 0. That is, the character “mo” with the character number n = 0 is designated as the drawing start character.

  By the above operation, the user can rewrite again from the first character of the lyrics phrase 216A.

  As described above, the present embodiment (first and second embodiments) has been described. In the image editing process, not only a lyric phrase can be drawn, but also a graffiti image, a decoration image, and a handwritten character can be added to a photographic image. it can. The editing screen is provided with a frame, a stamp, a pen, and the like as the editing tool 204. When the user selects a desired editing tool 204, a template 205 corresponding to the selected tool is displayed. The user can select a favorite graffiti image or decoration image displayed on the template 205 and add the selected graffiti image, decoration image, handwritten character, or the like on the photographic image.

  Further, instead of the lyric phrase, decorative images arranged in succession can be sequentially drawn using the touch pens 42 and 43 in the arrangement order.

  In the present embodiment, the touch pens 42 and 43 are used as means for designating the position on the photographic image. However, the position on the image may be designated by another pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball. In short, any device that can specify a position on an image may be used. Further, although the touch panel 41 is used as a device for detecting the designated position, when the position on the image is designated with a mouse, a trackball, or the like, the designated position may be detected by the CPU in the computer device.

  Moreover, although the lyric phrase was shown as a text phrase drawn on an image, another text may be sufficient. For example, poetry, sayings, sayings, novels, essays, etc. may be used.

  In the above embodiment, a desired lyrics phrase is selected from a plurality of lyrics registered in the HDD 104b, or a desired lyrics phrase is selected from a plurality of lyrics phrases registered in the HDD 104b. A sentence phrase to be set may be set. For example, a user registers a sentence phrase that he / she wants to draw on an image of his / her mobile phone terminal, transmits the sentence phrase to the automatic photography apparatus 1 by infrared communication or the like, and images the transmitted sentence phrase by the above method. You may draw on top. Moreover, the automatic photography apparatus 1 may have a keyboard etc., a user may input a text phrase with a keyboard, and the input text phrase may be drawn by the said method.

  Moreover, although the automatic photography apparatus 1 provided with the image editing apparatus was shown, the image editing apparatus according to the present invention may be an image editing apparatus that does not have a photography function and can execute only an image editing process. A general-purpose computer installed with an editing image program may be used.

  While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments are merely examples for carrying out the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented by appropriately modifying the above-described embodiment without departing from the spirit thereof.

1 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating an internal configuration of an automatic photography apparatus including an image editing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view which shows the external appearance structure of the automatic photography apparatus shown in FIG. It is a front view of the imaging device in the automatic photography apparatus shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2. It is a perspective view of the image editing apparatus in the automatic photography apparatus shown in FIGS. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the automatic photography apparatus shown in FIGS. It is a figure which shows the structure of the lyrics database memorize | stored in the hard-disk drive shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the imaging | photography process of the automatic photography apparatus shown in FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing operations of image editing processing and printing processing of the automatic photography apparatus shown in FIGS. It is a figure which shows the detail of the screen in the image editing process shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the screen at the time of selecting the lyrics in the lyrics area in FIG. It is a figure which shows the detail of the screen in the lyric phrase drawing process which draws the lyric phrase selected in FIG. 10 on a photographic image. It is a figure which shows the detail of a screen at the time of moving the touch pen in FIG. 11A. It is a figure which shows the detail of a screen at the time of moving the touch pen in FIG. 11B. It is a figure which shows the detail of a screen at the time of making the touch pen in FIG. 11C touch another position on a screen. It is a figure which shows the detail of a screen at the time of moving the touch pen in FIG. 11D. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the lyrics phrase selection process in an image editing process. It is a figure which shows the structure of the character string database produced by step S306 in FIG. It is a figure which shows the detail of the screen displayed by step S308 in FIG. 12, or step S325 in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the lyrics phrase drawing process in an image edit process. It is a figure which shows the detail of the screen displayed by an image edit process different from the screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows the detail of the screen displayed by an image edit process different from the screen of FIG.9 and FIG.16. It is a figure which shows the detail of the screen displayed by an image edit process different from the screen of FIG.9, FIG16 and FIG.17. It is a figure which shows the detail of the screen in a lyric phrase drawing process in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the detail of a screen at the time of deleting the character string drawn in FIG. 19A. It is a figure which shows the detail of a screen at the time of deleting the character string drawn on the image after deleting a character string in FIG. 19B. It is a figure which shows the detail of a screen at the time of redrawing a character string after deleting a character string in FIG. 19B. It is a figure which shows the detail of an image, when deleting the character string after deleting a character string in FIG. 19B. It is a figure which shows the detail of the screen at the time of drawing all the lyric phrases. It is a figure which shows the detail of the screen which displayed the notification that all the lyric phrases were drawn. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the lyric phrase selection process by 2nd Embodiment, and a lyric phrase drawing process. It is a figure which shows the structure of the character string database produced by step S351 in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of step S400 in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the drawing of the character string by the conventional touch pen. It is a figure for demonstrating the conventional message stamp. It is a figure for demonstrating the 1st process of the drawing process of the character string by the conventional touch pen. It is a figure for demonstrating the 2nd process of the drawing process of the character string by the conventional touch pen.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic photography apparatus 8 Image editing apparatus 40 Editing operation monitor 41 Touch panel 42,300 Touch pen 55 Printer 101b Image editing computer apparatus 104b Hard disk 120 Lyrics database P0 Reference position PC position

Claims (16)

Display means having a display screen;
Input means for touching the display screen and designating an arbitrary position on the display screen;
Drawing means for sequentially drawing characters in a predetermined sentence phrase as the input means moves until the input means comes in contact with the display screen and leaves.
An image editing apparatus comprising: designation means for designating a first character to be drawn next time from the sentence phrases based on the last character drawn by the drawing means when the input means is separated. Drawing the characters in a predetermined sentence phrase sequentially with the movement of the input means, until the input means comes in contact with the display on the display screen;
And a step of designating a first character to be drawn next from the sentence phrase based on the last character drawn when the input means is separated. Display means for displaying an image;
Input means for designating a position on the image;
Detection means for detecting the designated position from when the input means starts to designate the position until it ends.
A drawing means for sequentially drawing the characters in the sentence phrase in the order of arrangement from the drawing start character along the locus of the detected position,
When the input unit finishes specifying the position, the input unit includes a specifying unit that specifies, as the drawing start character, a character arranged after the last character drawn by the drawing unit among the sentence phrases. An image editing device. The image editing apparatus according to claim 3,
The drawing means, when the length of the locus of the position detected after drawing a predetermined character in the sentence phrase becomes longer than a reference length, next to the predetermined character in the sentence phrase. An image editing apparatus characterized by drawing arranged characters. The image editing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein:
The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the designation means further designates a character selected from the sentence phrases as the drawing start character before the drawing means starts drawing the sentence phrase. The image editing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5, further comprising:
Storage means capable of storing a plurality of the sentence phrases;
An image editing apparatus comprising: phrase selecting means for selecting a sentence phrase to be drawn on the image from the plurality of sentence phrases. The image editing apparatus according to claim 6,
The storage means further stores a plurality of sentences composed of a plurality of sentence phrases,
The image editing device further includes:
Including sentence selection means for selecting a desired sentence from the plurality of sentences;
The image selecting apparatus, wherein the phrase selecting means selects a sentence phrase to be drawn on the image from the sentences selected by the sentence selecting means. The image editing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:
In accordance with a user operation, a deletion unit that deletes the character string drawn by the drawing unit is provided.
The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the drawn character string is deleted, the designating unit designates a leading character of the deleted character string as the drawing start character. The image editing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising:
In accordance with the operation of the user, comprising a restoration means for restoring the drawing of the deleted character string,
When the drawing of the character string is restored, the designation means designates a character arranged next to the last character of the restored character string in the sentence phrase as a drawing start character. Editing device. The image editing apparatus according to claim 3,
The image editing apparatus, wherein the drawing means stops drawing the sentence phrase when the last character in the sentence phrase is drawn. Display means for displaying an image;
A designation means for designating a character selected from a sentence phrase in which a plurality of characters are continuously arranged as a drawing start character;
Input means for designating a position on the image;
Detection means for detecting the designated position from when the input means starts to designate the position until it ends.
An image editing apparatus comprising: a drawing unit that sequentially draws characters in the sentence phrase in order of arrangement from the designated drawing start character along the detected locus of the position. Photographing means for photographing a subject and obtaining an image of the subject;
An image editing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 11,
An automatic photography apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints an image on which a text phrase is drawn by the image editing apparatus. Displaying an image;
The step of detecting the designated position from the start of the designation of the position on the image to the end thereof, and the character in the sentence phrase from the drawing start character along the locus of the detected position Drawing sequentially in the order of arrangement;
An image editing method comprising: designating, as the drawing start character, a character arranged after the last drawn character in the sentence phrase when the designation of the position is completed. Displaying an image;
Designating a character selected from a sentence phrase in which a plurality of characters are continuously arranged as a drawing start character;
Detecting the designated position from the start to the end of the designation of the position on the image;
An image editing method comprising: sequentially drawing characters in the sentence phrase in order of arrangement from the designated drawing start character along the detected locus of the position. Displaying an image;
Detecting the designated position from the start to the end of the designation of the position on the image;
Drawing the characters in the sentence phrase sequentially in the arrangement order from the drawing start character along the locus of the detected position;
An image editing program for causing a computer to execute a step of designating, as the drawing start character, a character arranged next to the last drawn character in the sentence phrase when the designation of the position is completed. Displaying an image;
Designating a character selected from a sentence phrase in which a plurality of characters are continuously arranged as a drawing start character;
Detecting the designated position from the start to the end of the designation of the position on the image;
An image editing program for causing a computer to execute the step of sequentially drawing the characters in the sentence phrase in the order of arrangement from the designated drawing start character along the detected locus of the position.

Images