JP2007165952A - Image processing apparatus, image processing method, image processing program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus for generating a composite image appropriate to print conditions, and paper types used in printing by simple setting. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing apparatus 100 includes: an image acquisition section 101; a frame image acquisition section 102; a print condition acquisition section 103; an image extraction section 106; a frame image extraction section 107; an image selection section 108 and a composite image generating section 110. The image acquisition section 101 and the frame image acquisition section 102 acquire images 121 and frame images 122. The print condition acquisition section 103 acquires the print conditions 123 of the printer. The image extraction section 106 and the frame image extraction section 107 extracts the image 121 and the frame image 122 which can be printed by the printer under the print conditions 123 acquired by the print condition acquisition section 103. The image selection section 108 selects the image 121 and the frame image 122 used for the composite image 124. The image generating section 110 generates the composite image 124. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, an image processing program, and a storage medium that generate a composite image.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, there is an image processing apparatus that can generate a composite image of an image captured by a digital camera or the like and a frame image. In such an image processing apparatus, the generated composite image is transferred to a data storage medium (smart media (registered trademark), SD memory card (registered trademark), memory stick (registered trademark), USB flash memory, etc.), communication cable, and wireless By transmitting to the printing apparatus via communication or the like, this composite image can be printed on the destination printing apparatus. In such an image processing apparatus, in order to print a composite image with a printing apparatus, the printing apparatus prints settings of printing conditions (such as the size of the printing paper and the type of printing paper) that require time and effort. There was a problem that had to be done every time.

  Thus, for example, there is an image processing apparatus such as a digital camera in which printing conditions can be set in advance for a captured image (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). According to such an image processing apparatus, an image in which printing conditions are set in advance is transmitted to the printing apparatus, so that the printing apparatus can print images repeatedly without setting time-consuming and time-consuming printing conditions. Can do.

JP 2005-318640 A

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, when taking an image, the performance and printing conditions of the printing apparatus cannot be taken into consideration, so that the user can obtain the performance and printing conditions of the printing apparatus in the image processing apparatus. It was not possible to judge whether it was suitable. Therefore, there has been a problem that a desired image quality cannot be obtained when an image is printed by a printing apparatus. In addition, generating an image with a large data size unnecessarily slows the transmission speed of the image to the printing apparatus, or reduces the number of images that can be stored in the data storage medium. The problem was occurring.

  In order to solve the above-described problems caused by the conventional technology, the present invention provides a printing apparatus used for printing and an image processing apparatus capable of generating a composite image having an image resolution suitable for printing conditions, with simple settings. An object is to provide an image processing method, an image processing program, and a storage medium.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires an image and a frame image, a print condition acquisition unit that acquires a print condition of a printer, and the acquisition unit. Extracting means for extracting each of the image and the frame image that can be printed according to the printing condition of the printer acquired by the printing condition acquisition means in the printer from the image and the frame image acquired by And a synthesized image generating means for generating a synthesized image of the image extracted by the extracting means and the frame image.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to extract an image and a frame image that can be printed according to printing conditions acquired together with the image and the frame image. A composite image of the extracted image and the frame image can be generated. Therefore, the user can easily generate a composite image suitable for the printing condition without erroneously generating a composite image using an image and a frame image that are not suitable for the printing condition.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is the printer according to the invention described above, wherein the print image acquisition unit acquires the composite image of the image generated by the composite image generation unit and the frame image. The printer further includes a print job generation unit that generates a print job for printing according to the printing conditions of the printer.

  According to this invention, the user can easily generate a composite image suitable for the printing condition and print the composite image without erroneously generating a composite image using the image and the frame image that are not suitable for the printing condition. A print job can be generated. As a result, it is possible to print the composite image suitable for the printing conditions by a simple operation such as simply transmitting the generated composite image and print job to the printer.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention further includes an image selection unit in the above-described invention, and the extraction unit performs printing according to a printing condition of the printer acquired by the printing condition acquisition unit in the printer. A plurality of the images and a plurality of the frame images that can be extracted, respectively, and the image selection unit converts the plurality of the images and the plurality of the frame images extracted by the extraction unit into the composite image. The image to be used and the frame image are respectively selected, and the composite image generation unit generates the composite image of the image and the frame image respectively selected by the image selection unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to extract a plurality of images and a plurality of frame images that can be printed according to the printing conditions acquired together with the images and frame images. Then, a composite image of a desired image selected from the plurality of extracted images and the plurality of frame images and the frame image can be generated. Therefore, the user can create a composite image using an image and a frame image that are not suitable for the printing conditions by a simple operation such as selecting a desired image and a frame image from the plurality of extracted images and the plurality of frame images. A composite image suitable for printing conditions can be easily generated without generating it by mistake.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a printing condition selection unit in the above-described invention, wherein the printing condition acquisition unit acquires a plurality of printing conditions of the printer, and the printing condition selection unit Is characterized in that the printing condition used when the composite image is printed by the printer is selected from a plurality of printing conditions of the printer acquired by the printing condition acquisition means.

  According to the present invention, by selecting a desired printing condition from a plurality of printing conditions acquired together with an image and a frame image, an image and a frame image that can be printed according to the desired printing condition can be extracted. . A composite image of the extracted image and the frame image can be generated. Therefore, the user can easily select a desired printing condition by simply selecting a desired printing condition without erroneously generating a composite image using an image and a frame image that are not suitable for the desired printing condition. Can be generated.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, in the invention described above, the printing condition acquisition unit acquires a plurality of printing conditions respectively included in the plurality of printers, and the printing condition selection unit includes the plurality of printing conditions. The printing condition to be used when printing the image is selected from a plurality of printing conditions each of the printer has.

  According to the present invention, by selecting a desired printing condition from a plurality of printing conditions respectively possessed by a plurality of printers acquired together with an image and a frame image, it is possible to print on the desired printer under the desired printing conditions. Images and frame images can be extracted. A composite image of the extracted image and the frame image can be generated. Therefore, the user can generate a composite image using an image and a frame image that are not suitable for the desired printing condition in the desired printer by a simple operation such as selecting the desired printer and the desired printing condition. Therefore, it is possible to easily generate a composite image suitable for a desired printing condition in a desired printer.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the printing condition acquisition unit acquires information on the size of the printing paper as a printing condition, and the extraction unit acquires the printing condition acquisition unit. The image and the frame image that can be printed by the printer are extracted based on the information relating to the size of the printed paper.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to extract an image and a frame image that can be printed based on the information regarding the size of the printing paper acquired as a printing condition together with the image and the frame image. A composite image of the extracted image and the frame image can be generated. Therefore, the user can easily generate a composite image suitable for the size of the print paper used when printing the composite image without erroneously generating a composite image using an image and a frame image that are not suitable for the print paper size. Can be generated.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the printing condition acquisition unit acquires information on the type of printing paper as a printing condition, and the extraction unit acquires the printing condition acquisition unit. The image and the frame image that can be printed by the printer are extracted based on the information relating to the type of printed paper.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to extract an image and a frame image that can be printed based on information on the type of printing paper acquired as a printing condition together with the image and the frame image. A composite image of the extracted image and the frame image can be generated. Therefore, the user can easily generate a composite image suitable for the type of print paper used when printing the composite image without erroneously generating a composite image using an image and a frame image that are not suitable for the type of print paper. Can be generated.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the printing condition acquisition means acquires the printing conditions of the printer by reading metadata included in a storage medium together with the image and the frame image. To do.

  According to the present invention, the printer can easily have the printer by easily reading the metadata included in the storage medium together with the image and the frame image without performing time-consuming and time-consuming setting for acquiring the printing condition of the printer. Printing conditions can be acquired.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, in the invention described above, the print job generation unit writes the generated print job in metadata, and stores the composite image together with the metadata in a storage medium. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, in a printer that prints a composite image, the metadata included in the storage medium together with the composite image can be saved without performing time-consuming and time-consuming setting for acquiring a print job for printing the composite image. By reading, a print job for printing a composite image can be easily obtained.

  The image processing method according to the present invention includes an acquisition step of acquiring an image and a frame image, a print condition acquisition step of acquiring a printing condition of a printer, and the image and the frame image acquired by the acquisition step. From the above, in the printer, an extraction step for extracting each of the image and the frame image that can be printed according to the printing condition of the printer acquired by the printing condition acquisition step, and the image extracted by the extraction step A composite image generation step of generating the composite image with the frame image.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to extract an image and a frame image that can be printed according to printing conditions acquired together with the image and the frame image. A composite image of the extracted image and the frame image can be generated. Therefore, the user can easily generate a composite image suitable for the printing condition without erroneously generating a composite image using an image and a frame image that are not suitable for the printing condition.

  An image processing program according to the present invention causes a computer to execute the image processing method described above.

  According to the present invention, by executing the image processing program, the operation obtained by the above-described image processing method is realized by a computer. Thereby, various effects obtained by realizing the above-described image processing method can be achieved.

  A storage medium according to the present invention stores the above-described image processing program in a computer-readable manner.

  According to the present invention, by causing a computer to read and execute a stored image processing program, an operation obtained by executing the above-described image processing program is realized by the computer. Thereby, the various effects obtained by execution of the image processing program mentioned above can be produced.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image processing device, an image processing method, an image processing program, and a storage medium according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 100)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. First, the configuration of the memory card 207 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the memory card 207 in this embodiment stores a plurality of images 121, a plurality of frame images 122, and a plurality of printing conditions 123 included in the printer 214. The plurality of images 121 include, for example, images 121 having various image resolutions such as an image 121 taken by a digital camera and a mobile phone with a camera, and an image 121 acquired via the Internet.

  The plurality of frame images 122 include frame images 122 having various image resolutions such as a frame image 122 acquired from image processing software or the like, and a frame image 122 acquired via the Internet or the like. In addition, the memory card 207 stores information about the image resolution corresponding to each image 121 and each frame image 122.

  The print condition 123 includes the name of the printer 214. In addition, the printing condition 123 includes information (hereinafter referred to as “paper size information”) relating to the size (A3, A4, postcard, etc.) of printing paper that can be printed by the printer 214. Further, the printing condition 123 includes information (hereinafter, referred to as “paper type information”) regarding types of printing paper (photo glossy paper, fine paper, plain paper, etc.) that can be printed by the printer 214. Further, the printing condition 123 includes information regarding image resolution corresponding to each combination of each paper size information and each paper type information.

  Next, a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, an image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes an image acquisition unit 101, a frame image acquisition unit 102, a print condition acquisition unit 103, an operation unit 104, a print condition selection unit 105, an image extraction unit 106, A frame image extraction unit 107, an image selection unit 108, a frame image selection unit 109, a composite image generation unit 110, and a print job generation unit 111 are configured.

  The image acquisition unit 101 acquires a plurality of images 121 from the memory card 207. In addition, the image acquisition unit 101 acquires information about the image resolution corresponding to each image 121 from the memory card 207. The frame image acquisition unit 102 acquires a plurality of frame images 122 from the memory card 207. In addition, the frame image acquisition unit 102 acquires information about the image resolution corresponding to each frame image 122 from the memory card 207. The printing condition acquisition unit 103 acquires a plurality of printing conditions 123 (hereinafter, referred to as “a plurality of printing conditions 123”) respectively included in the plurality of printers 214 from the memory card 207.

  The operation unit 104 performs an operation for selecting the printing condition 123 used when printing the composite image 124 generated by the image processing apparatus 100 from among the plurality of printing conditions 123 acquired by the printing condition acquisition unit 103. In addition, the operation unit 104 performs an operation for selecting the image 121 used for the composite image 124 from among the plurality of images 121 extracted by the image extraction unit 106. Further, the operation unit 104 performs an operation for selecting the frame image 122 used for the composite image 124 from the plurality of frame images 122 extracted by the frame image extraction unit 107. These selection operations described above can be realized by operations using the keyboard 211 and the mouse 212 for menus, icons, selection buttons, and the like displayed on the screen of the display 208.

  The print condition selection unit 105 is a print used when printing the composite image 124 generated by the image processing apparatus 100 from among the plurality of print conditions 123 acquired by the print condition acquisition unit 103 based on the operation of the operation unit 104. Condition 123 is selected.

  The image extraction unit 106 extracts an image 121 that can be printed according to the printing condition 123 selected by the printing condition selection unit 105 from the plurality of images 121 acquired by the image acquisition unit 101. For example, it is assumed that the image acquisition unit 101 has acquired three images 121 having image resolutions of “420 × 280 (pixels)”, “540 × 360 (pixels)”, and “720 × 480 (pixels)”. . Assume that the printing condition selection unit 105 selects the printing condition 123 having an image resolution of “600 × 400 (pixels)”. In this case, the image extraction unit 106 is within 20% above and below “600 × 400 (pixels)” from the three images 121 described above (that is, between 480 × 320 (pixels) and 720 × 480 (pixels)). ) Are extracted as two images 121 having image resolutions of “540 × 360 (pixels)” and “720 × 480 (pixels)”.

  The frame image extraction unit 107 extracts a frame image 122 that can be printed according to the printing condition 123 selected by the printing condition selection unit 105 from the plurality of frame images 122 acquired by the frame image acquisition unit 102. For example, the frame image acquisition unit 102 acquires three frame images 122 having respective image resolutions of “420 × 280 (pixels)”, “540 × 360 (pixels)”, and “720 × 480 (pixels)”. And Assume that the printing condition selection unit 105 selects the printing condition 123 having an image resolution of “600 × 400 (pixels)”. In this case, the frame image extraction unit 107 is within 20% above and below “600 × 400 (pixels)” from the above-described three frame images 122 (that is, 480 × 320 (pixels) to 720 × 480 (pixels)). The two frame images 122 having the image resolutions of “540 × 360 (pixels)” and “720 × 480 (pixels)” are extracted as the frame images 122 having the resolution of (between).

  Based on the operation of the operation unit 104, the image selection unit 108 selects an image 121 to be used for the composite image 124 from among a plurality of images 121 extracted by the image extraction unit 106. Based on the operation of the operation unit 104, the frame image selection unit 109 selects the frame image 122 used for the composite image 124 from among the plurality of frame images 122 extracted by the frame image extraction unit 107. The composite image generation unit 110 generates a composite image 124 of the image 121 selected by the image selection unit 108 and the frame image 122 selected by the frame image selection unit 109.

  The print job generation unit 111 generates a print job 125 for printing the composite image 124 generated by the composite image generation unit 110 according to the print condition 123 selected by the print condition selection unit 105. The print job 125 includes the name of the printer 214, paper size information, and paper type information as the printing conditions 123.

(Hardware configuration of image processing apparatus 100)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the following description, the same portions as those already described are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) 204, an HD (Hard Disc) 205, and the like. A memory card reader / writer 206, a memory card 207, a display 208, an interface (I / F) 209, a communication cable 210, a keyboard 211, a mouse 212, a scanner 213, a printer 214, a disk drive 215, and a CD / DVD disk 216 are provided. Each component is connected by a bus 217.

  The CPU 201 executes predetermined arithmetic processing and controls the entire image processing apparatus 100. The ROM 202 stores various control programs. Data stored in the ROM 202 can be rewritten by a user operation, but is not erased when the power is turned off. The RAM 203 stores variable data in a rewritable manner and functions as a work area for the CPU 201. The RAM 203 may be a volatile memory that erases data stored when the power is turned off, or may be a nonvolatile memory that is backed up by a battery or the like.

  The HDD 204 controls data reading / writing with respect to the HD 205 in accordance with a control command from the CPU 201. The HD 205 stores various control programs and various data so that the CPU 201 can read them. The HD 205 accepts writing of information by the HDD 204 and stores the written data in a nonvolatile manner. The memory card reader / writer 206 controls reading / writing of data with respect to the memory card 207 in accordance with a control command of the CPU 201.

  The memory card 207 stores various control programs and various data so that the CPU 201 can read them. The memory card 207 is a detachable storage medium that accepts writing of information by the memory card reader / writer 206 and stores the written data in a nonvolatile manner. The memory card 207 stores an image 121, a frame image 122, a printing condition 123, a composite image 124, and a print job 125. As the memory card 207, for example, a compact flash (registered trademark), smart media (registered trademark), SD memory card (registered trademark), multimedia card (registered trademark), memory stick (registered trademark), USB flash memory, or the like is used. Can do.

  The display 208 includes a display device such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display, a plasma display, or the like. The display 208 displays icons, cursors, menus, windows, or various information such as characters and images.

  The I / F 209 is connected to a network 220 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) via the communication cable 210, and functions as an interface between the network 220 and the image processing apparatus 100. Controls data input and output for.

  The keyboard 211 includes keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, and the like, and inputs data. Moreover, a touch panel type input pad or a numeric keypad may be used. The mouse 212 moves the cursor, selects a range, moves the window, changes the size, and the like. A trackball or a joystick may be used as long as they have the same function as a pointing device.

  The scanner 213 optically reads an image printed on a sheet or the like, and takes in image data into the image processing apparatus 100. The printer 214 prints print data such as images and documents on paper. For example, a laser printer or an ink jet printer can be employed as the printer 214. The disk drive 215 controls data reading / writing with respect to the CD / DVD disk 216 in accordance with the control command of the CPU 201.

  The CD / DVD disk 216 stores various control programs and various data so that the CPU 201 can read them. The CD / DVD disk 216 is a detachable storage medium that accepts writing of information by the disk drive 215 and stores the written data in a nonvolatile manner.

  The functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes, for example, the image acquisition unit 101, the frame image acquisition unit 102, and the print condition acquisition unit 103, the CPU 201 and the memory card reader / writer 206, Reference numeral 104 denotes a keyboard 211 and a mouse 212, which are a print condition selection unit 105, an image extraction unit 106, a frame image extraction unit 107, an image selection unit 108, a frame image selection unit 109, a composite image generation unit 110, and a print job generation unit 111. , The CPU 201 realizes each function.

(Image processing procedure of image processing apparatus 100)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an image processing procedure performed by the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the image processing procedure in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the image acquisition unit 101 acquires a plurality of images 121 from the memory card 207 (step S301). An example of the image 121 stored in the memory card 207 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, the frame image acquisition unit 102 acquires a plurality of frame images 122 from the memory card 207 (step S302). An example of the frame image 122 stored in the memory card 207 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, the printing condition acquisition unit 103 acquires a plurality of printing conditions 123 from the memory card 207 (step S303). An example of the printing condition 123 stored in the memory card 207 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6-1 and 6-2.

  Next, the print condition selection unit 105 prints the composite image 124 generated by the image processing apparatus 100 from among the plurality of print conditions 123 acquired in step S303 based on the operation of the operation unit 104. The condition 123 is selected (step S304). Here, the printing condition selection unit 105 selects the name of the printer 214, paper size information, and paper type information as the printing conditions 123. These selection operations described above can be performed by using the keyboard 211 and the mouse 212 for menus, icons, selection buttons, and the like displayed on the screen of the display 208. Note that FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen for selecting the name of the printer 214 as the printing condition 123, FIG. 8 shows an example of a screen for selecting paper size information as the printing condition 123, and paper type information is selected as the printing condition 123. An example of the screen to be described will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, the image extraction unit 106 extracts an image 121 that can be printed according to the printing condition 123 (paper size information and paper type information) selected in step S304 from the plurality of images 121 acquired in step S301. (Step S305). Here, first, the image extraction unit 106 acquires information about the print resolution corresponding to the combination of the paper size information and the paper type information selected in step S304 from the printing conditions 123 acquired in step S303.

  For example, when “postcard” is selected as the paper size information and “photo glossy paper” is selected as the paper type information in step S304, the information regarding the print resolution corresponding to the combination of the paper size information and the paper type information is displayed. “1500 × 1000 (pixels)” is acquired. In this case, the image extraction unit 106 selects “1500 × 1000 (pixels)” above and below as the image 121 that can be printed from the plurality of images 121 acquired in step S301 according to the printing condition 123 selected in step S304. All the images 121 having a resolution within 20% (that is, between 1200 × 800 (pixels) to 1800 × 1200 (pixels)) are extracted.

  Next, the frame image 122 that can be printed by the frame image extraction unit 107 according to the printing condition 123 (paper size information and paper type information) selected in step S304 from among the plurality of frame images 122 acquired in step S302. Is extracted (step S306). Here, first, the frame image extraction unit 107 acquires information about the print resolution corresponding to the combination of the paper size information and the paper type information selected in step S304 from the printing conditions 123 acquired in step S303.

  For example, when “postcard” is selected as the paper size information and “photo glossy paper” is selected as the paper type information in step S304, the information regarding the print resolution corresponding to the combination of the paper size information and the paper type information is displayed. “1500 × 1000 (pixels)” is acquired. In this case, the frame image extraction unit 107 selects “1500 × 1000 (pixels)” as the frame image 122 that can be printed according to the printing condition 123 selected in step S304 from the plurality of frame images 122 acquired in step S302. All frame images 122 having a resolution within 20% above and below (that is, between 1200 × 800 (pixels) and 1800 × 1200 (pixels)) are extracted.

  Next, the image selection unit 108 selects the image 121 used for the composite image 124 from the plurality of images 121 extracted in step S305 based on the operation of the operation unit 104 (step S307). The image 121 used for the composite image 124 can be selected by, for example, an operation using the keyboard 211 and the mouse 212 for the list, menu, icon, selection button, and the like of the image 121 displayed on the screen of the display 208. An example of a screen for selecting the image 121 used for the composite image 124 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, the frame image selection unit 109 selects the frame image 122 used for the composite image 124 from the plurality of frame images 122 extracted in step S306 based on the operation of the operation unit 104 (step S308). The frame image 122 used for the composite image 124 can be selected by, for example, an operation using the keyboard 211 and the mouse 212 for a list, menu, icon, selection button, and the like of the frame image 122 displayed on the screen of the display 208. it can. An example of a screen for selecting the frame image 122 used for the composite image 124 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, the composite image generation unit 110 generates a composite image 124 of the image 121 selected in step S307 and the frame image 122 selected in step S308 (step S309). Here, the composite image 124 generated by the composite image generation unit 110 is stored in the memory card 207. Note that an example of the composite image 124 generated by the composite image generation unit 110 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, the print job generation unit 111 causes the printer 214 to print a print job 125 for printing the composite image 124 generated in step S309 according to the print condition 123 (paper size information and paper type information) selected in step S304. Generate (step S310). The print job 125 generated by the print job generation unit 111 includes the name of the printer 214, the paper size information, and the paper type information as the print condition 123. Further, the number of prints can be added by the user. You may do it. Further, the print job 125 generated by the print job generation unit 111 is stored in the memory card 207 together with the composite image 124 generated in step S309. The procedure for generating the print job 125 by the print job generation unit 111 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the image 121 stored in the memory card 207. As shown in FIG. 4, an image 401, an image 402, and an image 403 are stored in the memory card 207. The image 401 is image data compressed in the JPEG format, and has “900 × 600 (pixels)” as the image resolution. The image 402 is image data compressed in the JPEG format, and has “1650 × 1100 (pixels)” as the image resolution. The image 403 is image data compressed in the JPEG format, and has “1800 × 1200 (pixels)” as the image resolution.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the frame image 122 stored in the memory card 207. As shown in FIG. 5, the memory card 207 stores a frame image 501, a frame image 502, and a frame image 503. The frame image 501 has “900 × 600 (pixels)” as the image resolution. The frame image 502 has “1350 × 900 (pixels)” as the image resolution. The frame image 503 has “1800 × 1200 (pixels)” as the image resolution.

  FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example of the printing condition 123 stored in the memory card 207. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating an example of the printing condition 123 configured according to the MPV standard. As shown in FIG. 6A, a table 600 represents the printing conditions 123 in a table format, and includes a printer name setting field 610, a paper size setting field 620, a paper type setting field 630, and a resolution setting field. 640. In the printer name setting field 610, the name of the printer 214 is set. In the paper size setting field 620, paper size information corresponding to the printer 214 set in the printer name setting field 610 is set. In the paper type setting field 630, paper type information corresponding to the printer 214 set in the printer name setting field 610 is set. The resolution setting field 640 corresponds to the paper size information set in the paper size setting field 620 and the paper type information set in the paper type setting field 630 in the printer 214 set in the printer name setting field 610. The image resolution for printing the composite image 124 is set on the printing paper to be printed.

  From the table 600, the print condition selection unit 105 selects the name of the printer 214, the paper size information, and the paper type information as the print conditions 123 used when the composite image 124 generated by the image processing apparatus 100 is printed. The Then, the image extraction unit 106 acquires the image resolution from the table 600 based on the name of the printer 214 selected by the printing condition selection unit 105, the paper size information, and the paper type information.

  Note that the data structure of the printing condition 123 described above is in accordance with a standard format agreed between a plurality of apparatuses, regardless of apparatus, model, and manufacturer, including the image processing apparatus 100, such as MPV (Music Photo Video) standard. Configured and stored in the memory card 207. For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, it is expressed in the XML format according to the MPV standard. Therefore, the image processing apparatus 100 can acquire the printing condition 123 by decoding the XML data based on the MPV standard. In this way, by configuring the printing conditions 123 using a standard format such as the MPV standard, for example, the printing conditions 123 generated by an apparatus other than the image processing apparatus 100 such as the printer 214 and stored in the memory card 207 are used. Even if it exists, it can be read by the image processing apparatus 100.

  For example, when the printing condition selection unit 105 selects “Company E LP-20000” as the name of the printer 214, “Postcard” as the paper size information, and “Photo glossy paper” as the paper type information, the image extraction unit 106 indicates that “1500 × 1000 (pixels)” is acquired as the image resolution. Further, for example, when the printing condition selection unit 105 selects “Company E LP-30000” as the name of the printer 214, “B5” as the paper size information, and “Plain paper” as the paper type information, image extraction is performed. The unit 106 indicates that “976 × 647 (pixels)” is acquired as the image resolution.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for selecting the name of the printer 214 as the print condition 123. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the screen 700 includes a printer name list 710 and a button 720. In the printer name list 710, a list of names of the printers 214 stored in the printing condition 123 described above with reference to FIGS. 6-1 and 6-2 is displayed.

  From the names of the printers 214 displayed in the printer name list 710, the name of the printer 214 can be selected by an operation performed by the user using the keyboard 211, the mouse 212, and the like. The button 720 is a button that can be pressed by an operation performed by the user using the keyboard 211, the mouse 212, or the like. By pressing a button 720, the name of the printer 214 selected on the printer name list 710 can be set as the printing condition 123. In FIG. 7, as an example, “E company LP-20000” is selected as the name of the printer 214 set as the printing condition 123.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for selecting paper size information as the printing condition 123. As shown in FIG. 8, the screen 800 includes a paper size list 810 and a button 820. In the paper size list 810, among the paper size information stored in the printing condition 123 described above with reference to FIGS. 6-1 and 6-2, the printing condition 123 is set as described above with reference to FIG. A list of sheet size information corresponding to the name of the printer 214 is displayed.

  From the paper size information displayed in the paper size list 810, the paper size information can be selected by an operation performed by the user using the keyboard 211, the mouse 212, and the like. The button 820 is a button that can be pressed by an operation performed by the user using the keyboard 211 and the mouse 212. By pressing the button 820, the paper size information selected on the paper size list 810 can be set as the print condition 123. In FIG. 8, as an example, “postcard” is selected as the paper size information set as the printing condition 123.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for selecting paper type information as the printing condition 123. As shown in FIG. 9, the screen 900 includes a paper type list 910 and a button 920. In the paper type list 910, among the paper type information stored in the print condition 123 described above with reference to FIGS. 6-1 and 6-2, as described above with reference to FIG. A list of paper type information corresponding to the name of the printer 214 is displayed.

  From the paper type information displayed in the paper type list 910, the paper type information can be selected by an operation performed by the user using the keyboard 211, the mouse 212, and the like. The button 920 is a button that can be pressed by an operation performed by the user using the keyboard 211, the mouse 212, or the like. By pressing the button 920, the paper type information selected on the paper type list 910 can be set as the printing condition 123. FIG. 9 shows that “photo glossy paper” is selected as the paper type information set as the printing condition 123 as an example.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for selecting an image 121 used for the composite image 124. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the screen 1000 includes an image list 1010, an image selection frame 1020, and buttons 1030. The image list 1010 includes, within the image 121 described above with reference to FIG. 4, the image extraction unit 106 within 20% above and below “1500 × 1000 (pixel)” (that is, 1200 × 800 (pixel) to 1800 ×). An image 402 and an image 403 extracted as an image 121 having a resolution of 1200 (pixels) are included.

  This standard image resolution “1500 × 1000 (pixels)” is obtained by using the printer name (“E company LP-20000”) selected as the printing condition 123 as shown in FIG. As described above, the paper size information (“postcard”) selected as the printing condition 123 and the paper type information (“photo glossy paper”) selected as the printing condition 123 as described above with reference to FIG. The image resolution acquired from the table 600 described above with reference to FIG.

  The image selection frame 1020 is movable in the image list 1010, and the composite image 124 is selected from the images 121 included in the image list 1010 by an operation performed by the user using the keyboard 211, the mouse 212, and the like. The image 121 to be used can be selected. The button 1030 is a button that can be pressed by an operation performed by the user using the keyboard 211 and the mouse 212. By pressing the button 1030, the image 121 selected by the image selection frame 1020 can be set as the image 121 used for the composite image 124. FIG. 10 shows that the image 402 is selected as the image 121 used for the composite image 124 as an example.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for selecting the frame image 122 used for the composite image 124. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the screen 1100 includes a frame image list 1110, an image selection frame 1120, and buttons 1130. In the frame image list 1110, the frame image extraction unit 107 out of the frame images 122 described with reference to FIG. 5 within 20% above and below “1500 × 1000 (pixels)” (that is, 1200 × 800 (pixels)). A frame image 502 and a frame image 503 extracted as a frame image 122 having a resolution of ˜1800 × 1200 (pixels) are included.

  This standard image resolution “1500 × 1000 (pixels)” is obtained by using the printer name (“E company LP-20000”) selected as the printing condition 123 as shown in FIG. As described above, the paper size information (“postcard”) selected as the printing condition 123 and the paper type information (“photo glossy paper”) selected as the printing condition 123 as described above with reference to FIG. The image resolution acquired from the table 600 described above with reference to FIG.

  The image selection frame 1120 can be moved in the frame image list 1110, and can be synthesized from the frame images 122 included in the frame image list 1110 by an operation performed by the user using the keyboard 211 and the mouse 212. A frame image 122 used for the image 124 can be selected. The button 1130 is a button that can be pressed by an operation performed by the user using the keyboard 211 and the mouse 212. By pressing a button 1130, the frame image 122 selected by the image selection frame 1120 can be set as the frame image 122 used for the composite image 124. In FIG. 11, as an example, it is shown that the frame image 503 is selected as the frame image 122 used for the composite image 124.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the composite image 124 generated by the composite image generation unit 110. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the composite image 1200 includes an image 402 and a frame image 503. The composite image 1200 is image data compressed in the JPEG format, and has “photo0001.jpg” as a file name.

  The composite image 1200 is matched with the lower image resolution of the image resolution of the image 402 (“1650 × 1100 (pixel)”) and the image resolution of the frame image 503 (“1800 × 1200 (pixel)”). Since it was generated, it has “1650 × 1100 (pixels)” as the image resolution. Thus, the frame image 503 is trimmed so that the image resolution becomes “1650 × 1100 (pixels)” in accordance with the image resolution of the image 402.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the composite image 1200 is generated in accordance with the lower image resolution of the image 402 and the frame image 503. For example, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. The image 402 and the frame image 503 are displayed in accordance with the image resolution “1500 × 1000 (pixels)” acquired from the table 600 described above with reference to FIG. May be generated so as to be “1500 × 1000 (pixels)” to generate a composite image 1200 having “1500 × 1000 (pixels)” as the image resolution.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure for generating the print job 125. Hereinafter, the generation procedure of the print job 125 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, the file name of the composite image 124 generated by the composite image generation unit 110 is acquired (step S1301). Next, the name of the printer 214 selected by the print condition selection unit 105 is acquired as the print condition 123 used when the composite image 124 is printed (step S1302).

  Next, the paper size information selected by the print condition selection unit 105 is acquired as the print condition 123 used when the composite image 124 is printed (step S1303). Next, the paper type information selected by the print condition selection unit 105 is acquired as the print condition 123 used when the composite image 124 is printed (step S1304). Next, the print number information is acquired as the print condition 123 used when the composite image 124 is printed (step S1305). The print number information can be obtained by an operation using the keyboard 211 and the mouse 212 for a menu, an icon, a selection button, etc. for setting the number of prints displayed on the screen of the display 208.

  Next, a number is assigned to the print job ID for uniquely identifying the print job 125 in the image processing apparatus 100 and the printer 214 (step S1306). For example, in the present embodiment, a print job ID is a combination of a character string “job” and a 4-digit serial number starting from “0001” (for example, “job0001”).

  Next, the file name of the composite image 124 acquired in step S1301, the name of the printer 214 acquired in step S1302, the paper size information acquired in step S1303, the paper type information acquired in step S1304, and the number of copies acquired in step S1305. The print job 125 is generated using the information and the job ID numbered in step S1306 (step S1307). An example of the print job 125 generated by the print job generation unit 111 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 14-1 and 14-2.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the memory card 207 is inserted in the memory card reader / writer 206 (step S1308). If it is determined in step S1308 that the memory card 207 is not inserted in the memory card reader / writer 206 (step S1308; No), step S1309 and step S1310 are skipped, and the series of processing ends. If it is determined in step S1308 that the memory card 207 is inserted in the memory card reader / writer 206 (step S1308; Yes), the process proceeds to the next step S1309.

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is a free space for storing the print job 125 and the composite image 124 in the memory card 207 (step S1309). If it is determined in step S1309 that the memory card 207 has enough free space to store the print job 125 and the composite image 124 (step S1309; Yes), the print job 125 and the composite image 124 are written to the memory card 207. (Step S1310), a series of processing ends. If it is determined in step S1309 that there is not enough free space in the memory card 207 to store the print job 125 and the composite image 124 (step S1309; No), step S1310 is skipped and a series of processing ends.

  FIG. 14A is a diagram illustrating an example of the print job 125 generated by the print job generation unit 111. FIG. 14B is a diagram illustrating an example of the print job 125 configured according to the MPV standard. As illustrated in FIG. 14A, a table 1400 represents a print job 125 having “job0001” as a job ID in a table format, and includes an image file name setting field 1410, a printer name setting field 1420, and a paper size setting. A field 1430, a paper type setting field 1440, and a print number setting field 1450 are configured. In the image file name setting field 1410, the file name of the composite image 124 to be printed is set. In the printer name setting field 1420, the name of the printer 214 used for printing is set. In the paper size setting field 1430, the size of the printing paper used for printing is set. In the paper type setting field 1440, the type of printing paper used for printing is set. In the print number setting field 1450, the number of prints of the composite image 124 is set.

  For example, in the table 1400, the composite image 124 having the file name “photo0001.jpg”, the printer 214 having the printer name “E company LP-20000”, the printing paper size “postcard”, and the printing paper This indicates that “5 (sheets)” is printed as the number of prints on a printing sheet having “photographic glossy paper” as the type.

  Note that the data structure of the above-described print job 125 is in accordance with a standard format agreed between a plurality of apparatuses, regardless of apparatus, model, and manufacturer, including the image processing apparatus 100, such as MPV (Music Photo Video) standard. Configured and stored in the memory card 207. For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14-2, it is expressed in the XML format according to the MPV standard. The printer 214 can acquire the print job 125 by decoding the XML data based on the MPV standard. In this way, by configuring the print job 125 using a standard format such as the MPV standard, for example, the print job 125 generated by the image processing apparatus 100 and stored in the memory card 207 may be the printer 214 or the like. It can be read by an apparatus other than the image processing apparatus 100.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to select a desired printing condition 123 to be used when printing the composite image 124 from among a plurality of printing conditions 123 acquired from the memory card 207. Then, the image 121 and the frame image 122 suitable for the selected printing condition 123 can be extracted from the plurality of images 121 and the plurality of frame images 122 acquired from the memory card 207. Furthermore, the composite image 124 can be generated from the desired image 121 and the frame image 122 selected from the extracted image 121 and the frame image 122.

  Therefore, the user includes the print condition 123 and the plurality of images 121 and the plurality of frame images 122 acquired from the memory card 207 by a simple operation such as selecting the image 121 and the frame image 122. A composite having an image resolution suitable for the performance of the printer 214, the size of the print paper, and the type of print paper, without erroneously generating the composite image 124 using the image 121 and the frame image 122 that are not suitable for the selected printing condition 123. An image 124 can be generated.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the generated composite image 124 and the print job 125 for printing the composite image 124 can be stored in the memory card 207. Therefore, by inserting the memory card 207 into a memory card reader (not shown) provided in the printer 214, the user can easily select an image suitable for the performance of the printer 214, the size of the printing paper, and the type of printing paper. A composite image 124 having a resolution can be printed.

  Note that the printing condition 123 acquired from the memory card 207 by the printing condition acquisition unit 103 may be stored in the RAM 203 and the HD 205. As a result, the print condition 123 can be stored in the RAM 203 and HD 205 each time image editing processing is performed. The printing condition acquisition unit 103 can acquire the printing conditions 123 stored in the RAM 203 and the HD 205.

  In this embodiment, the image 121, the frame image 122, and the printing condition 123 are acquired from the memory card 207. For example, the image processing is performed via the HD 205, the CD / DVD disc 216, and the I / F 209. The image 121, the frame image 122, and the printing condition 123 are acquired from various forms of storage media such as a personal computer, a portable information terminal (digital camera, PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), etc.) and a printer 214 connected to the apparatus 100. It is good also as a structure.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the composite image 124 and the print job 125 are stored in the memory card 207. For example, the composite image 124 and the print job 125 are connected to the image processing apparatus 100 via the HD 205, the CD / DVD disc 216, and the I / F 209. The composite image 124 and the print job 125 may be stored in various types of storage media such as a personal computer, a portable information terminal (digital camera, PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), and the like) and a printer 214.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the image extraction unit 106 and the frame image extraction unit convert the image 121 and the frame image 122 having an image resolution within 20% in the vertical direction with the image resolution corresponding to the selected printing condition 123 as a reference. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image 121 and the frame image 122 having an image resolution equal to or higher than the image resolution corresponding to the selected printing condition 123 are extracted. The image 121 and the frame image 122 having an image resolution equal to or lower than the corresponding image resolution may be extracted. Further, for example, the frame image 122 is extracted regardless of the image resolution, and only the image 121 is extracted based on the image resolution corresponding to the selected printing condition 123. Also good.

  Note that the image processing method described in this embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is stored in a computer-readable storage medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the storage medium by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus. The block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of an image processing apparatus. The flowchart which shows an example of an image processing procedure. The figure which shows an example of the image stored in the memory card. The figure which shows an example of the frame image stored in the memory card. The figure which shows an example of the printing conditions stored in the memory card. The figure which shows an example of the printing conditions comprised by the MPV standard. The figure which shows an example of the screen which selects the name of a printer as printing conditions. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for selecting paper size information as a printing condition. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for selecting paper type information as a printing condition. The figure which shows an example of the screen which selects the image used for a synthesized image. The figure which shows an example of the screen which selects the frame image used for a synthesized image. The figure which shows an example of the produced | generated synthesized image. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for writing a print job to a memory card. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a generated print job. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job configured according to the MPV standard.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image processing apparatus 101 Image acquisition part 102 Frame image acquisition part 103 Print condition acquisition part 104 Operation part 105 Operation condition selection part 106 Image extraction part 107 Frame image extraction part 108 Image selection part 109 frame Image selection unit, 110 composite image generation unit, 111 print job generation unit

Claims (12)

Acquisition means for acquiring images and frame images;
Printing condition acquisition means for acquiring printing conditions of the printer;
From the image and the frame image acquired by the acquisition unit, the image and the frame image that can be printed by the printer according to the printing condition of the printer acquired by the printing condition acquisition unit are respectively extracted from the printer. Extraction means;
Synthetic image generation means for generating a composite image of the image extracted by the extraction means and the frame image;
An image processing apparatus comprising:   Print job generation means for generating a print job for printing the composite image of the image generated by the composite image generation means and the frame image according to the print conditions of the printer acquired by the print condition acquisition means The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Further comprising image selection means,
The extraction unit extracts, in the printer, a plurality of the images and a plurality of the frame images that can be printed according to the printing conditions of the printer acquired by the printing condition acquisition unit,
The image selection unit selects the image and the frame image to be used for the composite image from the plurality of images and the plurality of frame images extracted by the extraction unit, respectively.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the composite image generation unit generates the composite image of the image selected by the image selection unit and the frame image. A printing condition selection means;
The printing condition acquisition unit acquires a plurality of printing conditions of the printer,
The printing condition selection unit selects the printing condition to be used when the composite image is printed by the printer from a plurality of printing conditions of the printer acquired by the printing condition acquisition unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The printing condition acquisition unit acquires a plurality of printing conditions each of the plurality of printers has,
5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the printing condition selection unit selects the printing condition to be used when printing the image from a plurality of printing conditions of each of the plurality of printers. . The printing condition acquisition unit acquires information regarding the size of the printing paper as a printing condition,
The said extraction means extracts the said image and the said frame image which can be printed in the said printer based on the information regarding the size of the printing paper acquired by the said printing condition acquisition means, respectively. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5. The printing condition acquisition means acquires information regarding the type of printing paper as a printing condition,
The said extraction means extracts the said image and the said frame image which can be printed in the said printer based on the information regarding the kind of printing paper acquired by the said printing condition acquisition means, respectively. 6. The image processing apparatus according to any one of 6.   The print condition acquisition unit acquires the print condition of the printer by reading metadata included in a storage medium together with the image and the frame image. An image processing apparatus according to 1.   9. The image according to claim 2, wherein the print job generation unit writes the generated print job into metadata, and stores the composite image together with the metadata in a storage medium. Processing equipment. An acquisition step of acquiring images and frame images;
A printing condition acquisition step for acquiring the printing conditions of the printer;
From the image and the frame image acquired in the acquisition step, the image and the frame image that can be printed by the printer according to the printing conditions of the printer acquired in the printing condition acquisition step are extracted, respectively. An extraction process;
A composite image generation step of generating the composite image of the image extracted by the extraction step and the frame image;
An image processing method comprising:   An image processing program for causing a computer to execute the image processing method according to claim 10. A computer-readable storage medium storing the image processing program according to claim 11.

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