JP2007334650A - Device, method and program for processing information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing device capable of freely arranging a desired image to the size of a paper sheet to be printed. <P>SOLUTION: The information processing device 10 includes a paper sheet size information acquisition unit 34 for acquiring information on the dimensions of a paper sheet to be printed, an area size data saving unit 30 for saving at least one size data for specifying the size of an area in which an image is arranged, an area size data determination unit 32 for determining whether the size data not exceeding the predetermined value even when the difference in dimension is large in comparison with the dimension of the paper sheet indicated by the acquired information is present in the area size data saving unit 30, and a layout area setting unit 38 which sets the size of the area to the size data of the dimension closest to the dimension of the paper sheet indicated by the information if it is determined that the size data is present, and sets size of the area to the dimension of the paper sheet indicated by the acquired information if it is determined that the size data is not present. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program for freely arranging desired images.

  Conventionally, a desired image is processed and edited on a screen, and this image is printed by a desired printer, in order to meet the demand of “whyyou see what you get” that prints an image displayed on the screen. A layout device is provided. In such a layout apparatus, if the size of the area indicating the print area designated on the screen is different from the paper size of the printer, an error message is displayed and printing cannot be performed. In addition, the original image was deformed and printed by moving the image image relative to the paper size in order to match the printed image image to the paper size.

JP-A-10-287016

  However, even if the same paper size is assumed for the size of the area that the layout device has and the paper size that the printer has, the dimension values may not match due to rounding errors in numerical values. It is difficult to print the image as intended by the user because the paper is determined to be different, and the above error processing and the processing when it is determined that there is a mismatch such as relative movement of the image are executed. .

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention has one acquisition unit that acquires information about the size of a sheet for printing and one size data that defines the size of an area in which an image is placed. Whether or not there is size data in the storage unit that does not exceed a predetermined value even if the difference in size is large compared to the storage unit to be stored and the paper size indicated by the information acquired by the acquisition unit. If the determination unit determines that it exists, the size of the area is set to size data having a size closest to the size of the sheet indicated by the information, and does not exist by the determination unit. A setting unit that sets the size of the area to the size of the sheet indicated by the acquired information.

  According to this invention, if the size difference between the size of the paper to be printed and the stored size data does not exceed a predetermined value, the size of the area in which the image is arranged is set to the size of the paper. Set to the closest size data. On the other hand, if the dimensional difference between the size of the paper to be printed and the stored size data exceeds a predetermined value, the size of the area where the image is placed is set to the size of the paper to be printed. To do. Therefore, the size of the area in which the image is arranged is set appropriately regardless of the size difference between the size of the paper to be printed and the stored size data, and therefore it is determined that the two sizes do not match. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the error processing due to the error and the deformation of the image due to the movement of the image position.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the setting unit may further include the area when the size of the paper indicated by the information acquired by the acquisition unit is freely settable, regardless of the determination of the determination unit. It is preferable that the size of the paper is set to a dimension in which the paper is set.

  According to the present invention, when the size of the paper for printing is settable, the size of the area in which the image is arranged can be matched with the set size.

  It is preferable that the information processing apparatus of the present invention further includes a detection unit that detects a change of the predetermined size or more with respect to the size of the paper for printing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to detect that the size of the paper for printing has been changed to a predetermined value or more.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention may further include an output unit that outputs data to be printed to a printing unit, and the acquisition unit may acquire information relating to a sheet size from the printing unit.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an information processing method according to the present invention includes an acquisition step of acquiring information related to a size of a sheet for printing, and size data that defines a size of an area where an image is arranged. A determination step of determining whether or not the size data that does not exceed a predetermined value even if the difference in size is large compared to the size of the sheet indicated by the information acquired in the acquisition step can be acquired. And when it is determined by the determination step that the size of the area is set to size data of a dimension closest to the size of the paper indicated by the information, and when it is determined by the determination step that it does not exist, A setting step of setting the size of the area to the size of the sheet indicated by the acquired information.

  According to this invention, if the size difference between the size of the paper to be printed and the stored size data does not exceed a predetermined value, the size of the area in which the image is arranged is set to the size of the paper. Set to the closest size data. On the other hand, if the dimensional difference between the size of the paper to be printed and the stored size data exceeds a predetermined value, the size of the area where the image is placed is set to the size of the paper to be printed. To do. Therefore, the size of the area in which the image is arranged is set appropriately regardless of the size difference between the size of the paper to be printed and the stored size data, and therefore it is determined that the two sizes do not match. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the error processing due to the error and the deformation of the image due to the movement of the image position.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an information processing program according to the present invention is an acquisition procedure for acquiring information related to a size of a sheet for printing, and size data that defines a size of an area in which an image is arranged. A determination procedure for determining whether or not the size data that does not exceed a predetermined value even if the difference in size is large compared to the size of the paper indicated by the information acquired in the acquisition step can be acquired. And when it is determined by the determination procedure that the size of the area is set to size data having a size closest to the size of the paper indicated by the information, and when it is determined by the determination procedure that it does not exist, A setting procedure for setting a size of the area to a size of a sheet indicated by the acquired information is executed by a computer.

  According to this invention, if the size difference between the size of the paper to be printed and the stored size data does not exceed a predetermined value, the size of the area in which the image is arranged is set to the size of the paper. Set to the closest size data. On the other hand, if the dimensional difference between the size of the paper to be printed and the stored size data exceeds a predetermined value, the size of the area where the image is placed is set to the size of the paper to be printed. To do. Therefore, the size of the area in which the image is arranged is set appropriately regardless of the size difference between the size of the paper to be printed and the stored size data, and therefore it is determined that the two sizes do not match. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the error processing due to the error and the deformation of the image due to the movement of the image position.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment)

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an information processing apparatus 10 according to the present invention. The information processing apparatus 10 includes a computer 12 that executes a program for controlling the information processing apparatus 10, a display 14 that displays information output from the computer 12, a printer 24 that prints information output from the computer 12, A keyboard 16 and a mouse 18 for inputting instructions to the computer 12 from a user of the information processing apparatus 10 are provided. Further, the digital camera 20 and the scanner 22 are connected to the computer 12 as an example of means for reading image information.

  Although not shown, the computer 12 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs arithmetic processing, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, a hard disk, a removable memory card, and the like. Etc. as a hardware. These pieces of hardware are connected to each other via a bus so that various signals can be exchanged, and various information processing is executed based on a program stored in a memory or a hard disk.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 10. The information processing apparatus 10 includes a layout unit 5 that lays out an image and a printing unit 8 that prints the laid out image. The layout unit 5 includes an area size data storage unit 30, an area size data determination unit 32, a paper size information acquisition unit 34, a layout area setting unit 38, a paper size change detection unit 40, and an area size change determination unit 42. A message notification unit 44, a composite image creation unit 46, a template selection unit 48, an output unit 49, an image input unit 50, an image storage unit 52, and an image selection unit 54. The printing unit 8 includes a print setting unit 60, a printer driver 62, and a printer 24. Each function of these functional units is realized by organic cooperation between the hardware and software described above.

  The area size data storage unit 30 stores one or more size data of an area that defines an area (layout area) in which an image is arranged by the user. For example, in the case of A4 size, the size data of this area is indicated by a numerical value in units of 0.1 millimeters such as “210.0 × 297.0”, and a program for controlling the information processing apparatus 10 is installed in the computer 12. Are entered and saved at the same time.

  The paper size information acquisition unit 34 acquires information about the paper size to be printed set by the print setting unit 60 and sends the acquired information about the paper size to the area size data determination unit 32. The paper size acquired here is indicated by a unit that can be compared with the size data stored in the area size data storage unit 30, that is, a numerical value in units of 0.1 millimeter. Information about the paper size set in the print setting unit 60 is acquired from the printing unit 8. Specifically, the paper size information acquisition unit 34 communicates with the printer driver 62 configuring the printing unit 8 and acquires values set in the printer driver 62. More specifically, it can be realized by calling an appropriate API (Application Program Interface) function or an interface that is provided from the supplier of the printer driver 62 and that can exchange information with the printer driver 62.

  The area size data determination unit 32 compares the size data of an area that does not exceed a predetermined value even if the difference in size is large compared with the paper size indicated by the information on the paper size sent from the paper size information acquisition unit 34. It is determined whether or not the data storage unit 30 exists. Here, the predetermined value may be a fixed value, or may be set by the user or automatically set according to the paper size. This predetermined value is set to about 0.5 millimeters in this embodiment. The result determined here is sent to the layout area setting unit 38.

  The layout area setting unit 38 sets the size of the area that is the layout area based on the determination result sent from the area size data determination unit 32. Specifically, when the area size data determination unit 32 determines that there is size data in the area size data storage unit 30 that does not exceed a predetermined value even if the size difference is large, the size of the area is obtained as the paper size information. The size closest to the size of the paper indicated by the information on the paper size sent from the section 34 is set. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no size data in the area size data storage unit 30 that does not exceed a predetermined value even though the difference in dimensions is large, the size of the area is sent from the paper size information acquisition unit 34 as information on the paper size Is set to the paper size indicated by.

  The layout area setting unit 38, when the print setting unit 60 sets the size of the paper for printing, specifically, an atypical size (user-defined size) that can be freely defined by the user. When the (size) sheet is selected, the area size is set to a dimension indicated by the user-defined size sheet regardless of the determination of the area size data determination unit 32. Here, whether or not the paper is a user-defined size can be determined from the paper identification ID included in the paper size information sent from the paper size information acquisition unit 34. Information relating to the size of the layout area set by the layout area setting unit 38 is sent to the composite image creation unit 46.

  The paper size change detection unit 40 changes the paper size as a result of changing the paper size to be printed in the print setting unit 60 or changing the model of the connected printer 24. It is detected that the dimension has been changed to the predetermined value or more, and the detected information is sent to the area size change determination unit 42. Here, the change in the paper size set in the print setting unit 60 can be detected by calling the API function or interface described above at a predetermined interval. Alternatively, an interface that is called back when the setting value of the printer driver 62 is changed may be used.

  The area size change determination unit 42 receives information from the paper size change detection unit 40, and when an image is arranged in an area before the paper size is changed, that is, a layout defined by the size of the area before the change. If a template or image has already been placed in the area by the composite image creation unit 46, it is determined whether the paper size change is invalid, and the message notification unit 44 is notified of invalidity of the paper size change to the user. Let Specifically, although not shown, a message window indicating that the paper size change is invalid is displayed on the display 14. On the other hand, if no image is arranged in the layout area, the layout area setting unit 38 is instructed to set the area size according to the changed paper size.

  The image storage unit 52 stores a printable image. Such an image is sent from the image input unit 50 and stored. Here, the image input unit 50 selects and inputs various images via, for example, the digital camera 20, the scanner 22, a removable memory card, and the like.

  The image selection unit 54 selects an image to be arranged in the layout area from the images stored in the image storage unit 52. The image selected by the image selection unit 54 is sent to the composite image creation unit 46.

  The template selection unit 48 selects a template instructed by the user from templates that can be selected as a model of a composite image that defines the image layout, and sends the template to the composite image creation unit 46.

  The composite image creation unit 46 generates an image in which the template selected by the template selection unit 48 and the image selected by the image selection unit 54 are combined with the layout region whose size is set by the layout region setting unit 38. To do. The composite image generated here is sent to the output unit 49, then output to the printing unit 8, and printed from the printer 24.

  In the present embodiment, among the functions described above, a function that operates in accordance with an instruction from the user is realized via a window that is displayed on the display 14 and has a user interface that can accept the instruction from the user. Is done. FIG. 3 shows a main window 140 displayed on the display screen of the display 14. The main window 140 is displayed on the display 14 when a program for controlling the information processing apparatus 10 is started. The main window 140 has a browse processing area 150 related to browse processing, a layout processing area 160 related to layout processing, and a print processing area 170 related to print processing.

  The browse processing area 150 has the function of the image selection unit 54, and the selectable images 152 stored in the image storage unit 52 are displayed so as to be selectable in a predetermined order.

  In the layout processing area 160, an area size selection area 166, a template selection area 162 having a function of the template selection section 48, and a composite image display area 164 having a function of the composite image creation section 46 are displayed. Among these areas, an area size selection area 166 includes a first mode 167 for directly specifying the size of the area indicating the layout area from the paper size, and the paper size of the printer 24 selected in the print processing area 170. A second mode 168 for selecting the size of the same area is displayed in a selectable manner. Here, when the user selects the second mode 168, the size of the area of the composite image display area 164 is set by the layout area setting unit 38, and the user needs to be within the set area. After selecting a template accordingly, a composite image is created by pouring the image 152 selectable in the browse processing area 150 into the template by a drag and drop operation. When the user selects the first mode 167, the size of the selected paper is set as the area size of the composite image display area 164.

  The print processing area 170 has the function of the print setting unit 60, and a printer selection area 176 for selecting the printer 24 to be printed, a print image 174 printed by the printer 24 selected in the printer selection area 176, and A print button 172 for executing printing by the printer 24 is displayed.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for setting the area size in the second mode 168 described above. First, the user selects the second mode 168 for selecting the same area size as the paper size of the printer 24 from the area size selection area 166 (step S200).

  In response to the selection of the second mode 168, the paper size information acquisition unit 34 acquires information related to the paper size to be printed set by the print setting unit 60 (step S202).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the acquired paper size is a user-defined size (step S204). If the acquired paper size is a user-defined size (Yes in step S204), the layout area setting unit 38 sets the layout area size to the user-defined size (step S210), and the series of processing ends. .

  On the other hand, if the acquired paper size is not the user-defined size (No in step S204), the area size data determination unit 32 saves the area size data in comparison with the paper size indicated by the information related to the acquired paper size. From the data stored in the unit 30, it is determined whether there is size data that does not exceed a predetermined value even if the difference in dimensions is large (step S206).

  Here, if it is determined that it exists (Yes in step S208), the layout area size is set to the closest dimension among the dimensions of the sheet indicated by the acquired information (step S212), and the series of processing ends. . On the other hand, if it is determined that it does not exist (No in step S208), the layout area size is set to the size of the sheet indicated by the acquired information, that is, the sheet set to be printed (step S214). This process ends.

  FIG. 5 shows a flow of processing when the model of the connected printer 24 is changed, or when the user changes the paper size, and the paper size change detection unit 40 detects the change of the paper size. It is a flowchart to show. When this process is executed, information on the paper size to be changed is first acquired (step S250).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the size of the sheet for printing is changed to a predetermined value or more (step S252). Here, when the sheet size is not changed to a predetermined value or more (No in step S252), the series of processing ends without changing the layout area.

  On the other hand, when the paper size is changed to a predetermined value or more (Yes in step S252), the composite image creating unit 46 is already editing the template or image in the area defined by the current area size. It is determined whether or not there is (step S254). If the editing operation is in progress (Yes in step S254), the message notifying section 44 displays a message indicating that the paper size cannot be changed (step S258). This process ends. On the other hand, when editing is not in progress (No in step S254), the layout area setting unit 38 sets the layout area to the area size of the paper size to be changed (step S256), and the series of processing ends. In the process for the change described above, various determinations may be made when the user tries to change.

According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Regardless of the printing paper size set by the printing unit 8, the layout unit 5 can set a suitable size of the layout area, so that the efficiency of image layout work can be improved.
(2) Even if the paper to be printed is an overseas specification paper that is defined in inch size, rounded to a predetermined number of digits, and converted to millimeter size, if it is stored as area size data, the layout area Can be set as the size.

As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on embodiment shown in figure, this invention is not limited to this embodiment, The modification as described below can also be assumed.
(1) When the size of paper for printing is changed to a predetermined value or more, the message notifying unit 44 is not limited to notifying the user of the message, but the paper that fits the predetermined value to the printing unit 8 You may instruct a change to
(2) The layout unit 5 and the printing unit 8 may have different structures, for example, the printer 24 may include the print setting unit 60 and the printer driver 62.
(3) The layout unit 5 is not limited to the mode described in the present embodiment. For example, each function of the layout unit 5 may be integrated as an electronic circuit and may be configured as a chip like an integrated circuit. good.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the function structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the main window displayed on a display. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process by which an area size is set. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow when a paper size change detection unit detects a change in paper size.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 ... Layout part, 8 ... Printing part, 10 ... Information processing apparatus, 12 ... Computer, 14 ... Display, 16 ... Keyboard, 18 ... Mouse, 20 ... Digital camera, 22 ... Scanner, 24 ... Printer, 30 ... Area size data Storage unit 32... Area size data determination unit 34... Paper size information acquisition unit 38. Layout area setting unit 40. Paper size change detection unit 42. Area size change determination unit 44. Composite image creation unit 48 ... Template selection unit 49 ... Output unit 50 ... Image input unit 52 ... Image storage unit 54 ... Image selection unit 60 ... Print setting unit 62 ... Printer driver 140 ... Main window, 150 ... Browse processing area, 152 ... Selectable image, 160 ... Layout processing area, 162 ... Template selection area 164 ... Composite image display area, 166 ... Area size selection area, 167 ... First mode, 168 ... Second mode, 170 ... Print processing area, 172 ... Print button, 174 ... Print image, 176 ... Printer selection area .

Claims (6)

An acquisition unit for acquiring information about the dimensions of the paper for printing;
A storage unit that stores one or more size data that defines the size of an area in which an image is placed;
A determination unit that determines whether or not size data that does not exceed a predetermined value even if the difference in size is large compared to the size of the sheet indicated by the information acquired by the acquisition unit exists in the storage unit; ,
If it is determined by the determination unit that the area is present, the size of the area is set to size data having a size closest to the size of the paper indicated by the information,
A setting unit that sets the size of the area to the size of the sheet indicated by the acquired information when it is determined by the determination unit that it does not exist;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The setting unit further includes:
When the paper size indicated by the information acquired by the acquisition unit is a paper that can be set,
An information processing apparatus characterized in that the size of the area is set to a dimension in which the sheet is set regardless of the determination of the determination unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
An information processing apparatus, further comprising: a detection unit that detects a change in the size of a sheet for printing that is greater than or equal to the predetermined value. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An output unit for outputting data to be printed to the printing unit;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires information relating to paper dimensions from the printing unit. An acquisition process for acquiring information about the dimensions of the paper for printing;
Size data that defines the size of an area in which an image is arranged, and the size does not exceed a predetermined value even if the difference in size is large compared to the size of the paper indicated by the information acquired in the acquisition step A determination step of determining whether or not the data exists so as to be obtainable;
If it is determined by the determination step that the area is present, the size of the area is set to size data having a size closest to the size of the paper indicated by the information,
A setting step of setting the size of the area to the size of the paper indicated by the acquired information,
An information processing method comprising: An acquisition procedure for acquiring information about the dimensions of the paper for printing;
Size data that defines the size of an area in which an image is arranged, and the size does not exceed a predetermined value even if the difference in size is large compared to the size of the paper indicated by the information acquired in the acquisition step A determination procedure for determining whether or not the data exists so as to be obtainable;
If it is determined by the determination procedure, the size of the area is set to size data having a size closest to the size of the paper indicated by the information,
A setting procedure for setting the size of the area to the size of the sheet indicated by the acquired information when it is determined by the determination procedure that it does not exist;
An information processing program for causing a computer to execute.

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