JP2008136102A - Object arrangement device, method, program and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an object arrangement device which makes a boundary between objects easy to be discriminated by a user without inserting lines and blanks not intended by the user between the adjacent objects. <P>SOLUTION: The object arrangement device judges whether or not the boundary between the adjacently arranged objects can be discriminated and draws a line on the boundary when it is judged that the boundary can not be discriminated. In this case, whether or not a color of an object in a boundary area between images and a color of the other adjacent object are the same color or approximate color is judged, when it is judged that the color is the same color or the approximated color, specifications of the line drawn on the boundary are determined based on the color of the object in the boundary area between the objects and the color of the other object. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an object placement apparatus and method, a program, and a storage medium, and in particular, an object placement apparatus and method that makes it possible to easily determine a boundary between images when placing a plurality of adjacent images. The present invention relates to a program and a storage medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been provided a photo sticker creating apparatus that prints a plurality of images taken on the spot on a sticker sheet. In such a photo sticker creating apparatus, a cut line (cut line) is printed between images so that the user can cut out a plurality of images printed on the sticker sheet one by one accurately. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 20A, when the cutting guide line 2001 is printed around all the images, the user can easily cut the image by cutting along the cutting guide line 2001. it can.

  Further, in order for the user to accurately cut out a plurality of images printed adjacent to each other on the paper one by one, a blank space may be inserted between the images as shown in FIG. Again, since the blank space indicates the boundary between images, the user can easily cut each image.

Further, as shown in FIG. 20C, when a cut mark indicating the cutting position of the image is added to the image and printed, the printed cutting guide line does not remain on the edge of the cut image, and the image Only a portion can be cut (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 05-116429 A

  However, the above prior art has the following problems.

  1. When a cutting guide line is printed around all images, the cutting guide line 2001 is not a line color that takes into account the color (background color) of the boundary area between images. Will remain at the edge.

  2. When a blank is inserted between images, the cutting guide line does not remain at the edge of the image, but a space for inserting a blank is required, and the size and number of images placed on the paper may be limited. There is. Further, in order to remove the blank portion inserted between the images, the number of times of cutting increases when the images are divided, which is troublesome.

  In Patent Document 1, since there is no guide line for cutting around the image, the cutting position may be shifted when the image portion is cut. In addition, although the user can draw a line directly between the cut marks with the pen, there is a possibility that the line drawn with the pen may remain on the edge of the image. In addition, a space for printing the cut mark is required on the paper, which may limit the size and number of images.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problem, and can make it easier for the user to determine the boundary between objects without inserting a line or a blank that the user does not intend between adjacent objects. An object is to provide an arrangement device and method, a program, and a storage medium.

  In order to achieve the above object, the object placement device according to claim 1, wherein the object placement device includes object placement means for placing a plurality of objects including images or documents adjacent to each other. Determining means for determining whether or not a boundary between the determined objects can be determined; and boundary line drawing control means for performing control to draw a line on the boundary when the determining means determines that the boundary cannot be determined It is characterized by providing.

  In order to achieve the above object, an object placement method according to claim 6 includes an object placement step of placing a plurality of objects including images or documents adjacent to each other, and an object placed adjacently in the object placement step. A determination step for determining whether or not the boundary of the boundary is discriminable by the user, and a boundary line drawing control step for performing control to draw a line on the boundary when it is determined in the determination step that the boundary is not distinguishable; It is characterized by providing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to make it easier for the user to determine the boundary between objects without inserting a line or a blank that the user does not intend between adjacent objects.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an object placement device according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the object placement apparatus is composed of, for example, a personal computer (hereinafter simply referred to as “PC”) 1. The PC 1 is connected to a display 2 composed of a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or a liquid crystal panel, and a printer 3 that receives a print command from the PC 1 or the like and executes printing. In the present embodiment, the PC 1 is connected locally to the display 2 and the printer 3, but may be connected via a network or the like.

  The PC 1 includes a CPU 12 that controls each unit in the PC, an interface unit (I / F) 13 that connects the CPU 12 and each unit, a data storage unit 14, a boundary determination unit 15, a color creation unit 16, a layout, A creation unit 17 and a layout storage unit 18 are provided.

  The I / F 13 is an interface for connecting the CPU 12 and each unit in the apparatus. The data storage unit 14 is configured by a storage device such as a RAM or a hard disk, and stores print setting information set by the user.

  The boundary determination unit 15 compares the colors of adjacent images and the colors of the images and the paper based on the information on the image positions stored in the image position database 20, and a line (dividing line) between the images or between the images and the paper. It is determined whether or not The dividing line is a line indicating a cutting position between images. The color creation unit 16 determines the line color and line width of the dividing line.

  The layout creating unit 17 creates a layout of the image by drawing a dividing line between the images or moving the images to change the arrangement. The layout storage unit 18 stores information on the created layout. The layout of the image created by the layout creation unit 17 is stored as layout information in the layout storage unit 18 and displayed on the display 1 as a print layout screen to be described later. When the user gives a print instruction after confirming the print layout screen, printing is executed by the printer 2. The boundary determination unit 15, the color creation unit 16, the layout creation unit 17, and the layout storage unit 18 may be configured by hardware or software. Similarly to a normal PC, the PC 1 includes a storage device such as a RAM, a ROM, and a hard disk, and an input device (not shown) such as a mouse and a keyboard.

  The PC 1 also includes an image position database 20, an image information database 21, an R range value acquisition database 22, an R calculation value acquisition database 23, a G range value acquisition database 24, a G calculation value acquisition database 25, and a B A range value acquisition database 26, a B calculation value acquisition database 27, and a blank position information database 28 are provided. These databases are stored in a storage device such as a hard disk in the PC 1, but may be stored in an external storage device connected to the PC.

  2, FIG. 3 (a) and FIG. 4 (a) to FIG. 4 (f), FIG. 5 (a) and FIG. 5 (b) are diagrams showing the contents of various databases provided in the PC 1. FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the image position database 20 stores position information of images arranged on the paper. The image position information is the image position No. And an image start position X, Y (mm) and an image end position X, Y (mm). The unit of these image start positions and image end positions may be mm or dot units.

  Image position No. Is a number arbitrarily assigned to each image on the paper. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, image positions No. 1 to 16 for 4 × 4 = 16 images. Is assigned. The number of images and the order of allocation are not limited to the illustrated example.

  The image start positions X and Y and the image end positions X and Y are coordinate positions on the paper. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, the lengths are expressed as X and Y (mm) in the X-axis or Y-axis direction from the upper end or the left end of the sheet, respectively. Further, since the shape of the image is generally a quadrangle, the image start position indicates the upper left vertex of the quadrangle. On the other hand, the image end position indicates the lower right vertex of the rectangle. The shape of the image is not limited to a quadrangle, and may be a circle, an ellipse, a triangle, or another polygon. In the case of a circle, the center position and radius are stored in the image position database 20, and in the case of an ellipse, the center position and short radius, long radius, and in the case of a triangle, three vertices are stored.

  In FIG. 3A, the image information database 21 stores image information such as a dividing line for each side of the image. The image information includes an image position No. And image No. And side No. A dividing line flag (flag), an edge value, a line color of the dividing line, a line width of the dividing line, and a determined flag (flag). For example, in the case of a 4 × 4 paper layout, numbers are assigned to the image and the four sides of the image, respectively, and stored in the image information database 21.

  4A, the R range value acquisition database 22 stores a unique R range for each printer set for R (Red) 0-255. Here, the range is a numerical value of the color based on the visual observation of the user. The R range is quantified for the R component, the G range for the G component, and the B range for the B component. This numerical value is changed according to the specification of the printer that outputs the image.

  In FIG. 4B, the R calculation value acquisition database 23 stores R values used for each R range.

  In FIG. 4C, the G range value acquisition database 24 stores a unique G range for each printer set for G (Green) 0-255.

  In FIG. 4D, the G calculated value acquisition database 25 stores G values used for each G range.

  4E, the B range value acquisition database 26 stores a unique B range for each printer set for B (Blue) 0-255.

  In FIG. 4F, the B calculated value acquisition database 27 stores B values used for each B range.

  5A and 5B, the blank position information database 28 stores blank position information used in the image moving process. The blank position information includes a blank ID assigned to each blank and a position number. It consists of. Position No. As shown in FIG. 5B, numbers are assigned to areas on the paper that may be arranged in a blank space.

  Next, the flow of object placement processing executed by the PC 1 in FIG. 1 will be described. In this embodiment, an image is used as an example of an object.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of object placement processing executed by the PC 1 of FIG. This process is a process in which the CPU 12 reads out and executes a corresponding program from the ROM or the like when a user starts an application or a printer driver for executing the object arrangement process. 7 to 11 are diagrams showing examples of various UIs (User Interfaces) displayed on the display when the processing of FIG. 6 is executed.

  In FIG. 6, when the application is activated, the CPU 12 displays a print setting screen 700 shown in FIG. 7 or a detailed setting screen 800 shown in FIG. 8 on the display 2, and accepts various print settings from the user (step S601). Then, the print setting information and the image arrangement order information set on the print setting screen 700 and the detailed setting screen 800 are stored in the data storage unit 14 (step S601). The image arrangement order information is information indicating which image is arranged at which position.

  In step S <b> 602, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the “print preview screen” button 705 has been pressed after accepting print settings. When the CPU 12 determines that the “print preview screen” button 705 has been pressed, the CPU 12 reads print setting information from the data storage unit 14 (step S603).

  In step S <b> 604, the CPU 12 analyzes the read print setting information, and “Draw a line when there is a part where the boundary between images cannot be determined” is selected in the “Line between images” column 702 on the print setting screen 700. Judge whether or not. If it has been selected, the process proceeds to step S605, and the CPU 12 executes image boundary processing. Details of the image boundary processing will be described later.

  In step S606, the CPU 12 displays the print layout created by the layout creation unit 17 on the display 2 as a print layout screen described later. In step S607, when the CPU 12 determines that the “print” button 903 has been pressed, the CPU 12 executes print processing in step S608.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting screen displayed on the display 2 when the processing of FIG. 6 is executed.

  In FIG. 7, the print setting screen 700 includes a “select image and number” column 701, a “line between images” column 702, a “line color between images” column 703, and an “image move” column 704. , A “print preview screen” button 705, a “detail setting” button 706, and a “line width change between images” column 707 are arranged.

  In the “select image and number of sheets” column 701, the user can select an image to be printed, and can set the number of printed sheets of the image. In FIG. 7, there are three “image 0001”, four “image 0007”, “image 0002”, “image 0003”, “image 0005”, “image 0009”, and “image 0011” to “image 0015”. A total of 16 images are set to be printed one by one. “Image 0001” or the like displayed on the image is a file name of the image, and is not limited to the illustration.

  In the “line between images” column 702, the user can select whether or not to automatically draw a dividing line between images. When the radio button “Draw a line when there is an indistinguishable part in the boundary between images” is selected, the boundary determination unit 15 determines that the boundary between adjacent images cannot be determined. Pull. On the other hand, when the radio button “Do not draw a line” is selected, the above determination is not performed, and no dividing line is drawn.

  In the “line color between images” column 703, the user can set the line color of the dividing line drawn between the images. The set line color is reflected as the line color of the dividing line when the boundary determination unit 15 determines that the boundary between adjacent images cannot be determined. For example, when the radio button “approximate color of image” is selected, the color of the dividing line is automatically determined as the approximate color of the image. On the other hand, when the radio button “fixed color” is selected and a desired color is set by the user, the set color is determined as the color of the dividing line.

  In the “image move” column 704, when the radio button “ON” is selected, the image layout is changed when the boundary determination unit 15 determines that the boundary between images cannot be determined. Thereby, the boundary between images can be discriminated.

  In the “change line width between images” column 707, when the radio button “ON” is selected, it is difficult to determine the dividing line unless the line color is changed when determining the line color of the dividing line. When judged, the line width is changed without changing the color.

  When a “detailed setting” button 706 is pressed, a detailed setting screen 800 on which more detailed settings can be made is displayed. All the setting information set on the screen is stored in the data storage unit 14.

  When the “print preview screen” button 705 is pressed, any one of the print layout screens shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 is displayed on the display 2 in accordance with the set print settings.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the detailed setting screen displayed when the “detailed setting” button 706 is pressed on the print setting screen 700 of FIG. In the present embodiment, a mode in which the detailed setting screen 800 is displayed as a sub-screen such as a pop-up screen on the print setting screen 700 will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be displayed on the screen.

  In FIG. 8, the detailed setting screen 800 includes “maximum number of images” input fields 801 and 802, “dividing line” input field 803, “darkness” setting slider 804, and “border color difference”. An input field 805, a “default” button 806, an “OK” button 807, and a “cancel” button 808 are arranged.

  In the “maximum number of images” input fields 801 and 802, the user can set the maximum number of images arranged in the vertical direction and the maximum number of images arranged in the horizontal direction. For example, when “4” is input to “Vertical” and “4” is input to “Horizontal”, 4 × 4 = 16 images can be laid out. In the case of a layout in which a plurality of images of different sizes are mixed, the layout creation unit 17 automatically creates a print layout according to each set maximum number, and information on the print layout is stored in the data storage unit 14. Is done.

  In the “partition line” input field 803, the user can set the ratio (%) to which the parting line is drawn when it is determined that the boundary between adjacent images is indistinguishable with respect to the image length. it can. The image length is the horizontal image length at the boundary between images when adjacent images are arranged vertically, and the vertical length of the boundary between images when adjacent images are arranged left and right. The image length in the direction.

  A “darkness” setting slider 804 allows the user to set whether the color of the dividing line is brighter or darker than the background color of adjacent images. In this embodiment, it is possible to select either “bright” or “dark”, but the brightness may be finely adjusted by sliding a slider with a plurality of stages.

  In the “border color difference” input field 805, the user can set the percentage (%) of how much the difference in the color of the border portion between adjacent images is different. Lowering the percentage draws a dividing line with a slight color difference.

  A “default” button 806 returns the above setting to a more appropriate value for the printer. This value may be held by the printer or may be set by the user.

  When the “OK” button 807 is pressed, the above-described settings are stored in the data storage unit 14 and the print setting screen 700 is displayed again. On the other hand, when a “Cancel” button 808 is pressed, the above settings are canceled and the screen returns to the print setting screen 700. Note that the content displayed in the detailed setting 800 may be incorporated on the print setting screen 700.

  9 to 11 are diagrams illustrating an example of a print layout screen displayed on the display 2 after the “print preview screen” button 705 is pressed.

  When the print setting is performed on the print setting screen 700 and the detailed setting screen 800, the boundary determination unit 15 determines whether to draw a dividing line between images based on the information of the print setting. Then, the color creation unit 16 determines the color of the dividing line, and the layout creation unit 17 performs layout setting. As a result, any one of the print layout screens shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 is displayed.

  First, when the “do not draw a line” radio button is selected in the “line between images” column 702 on the print setting screen 700, for example, a print layout screen 900 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. On the print layout screen 900, a print layout in which no dividing line is drawn between images is displayed as a layout result 901.

  On the other hand, in the “line between images” column 702, when the radio button “draw a line when there is a part where the boundary between images cannot be determined” is selected, the image movement is set to “OFF” and the boundary determination unit When it is determined that 15 draws a dividing line, for example, a print layout screen 1000 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. In the print layout on the print layout screen 1000, a dividing line is drawn only at a necessary portion between images, so that it is easy to determine a boundary line (cutting position) between images. If “ON” is selected in the “image move” field 704 on the print setting screen 700, the image is moved, and for example, a print layout screen 1100 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed.

  In this way, on the print layout screen, the layout results 901, 1001, and 1101 are displayed, so that it is possible to confirm which part the dividing line is drawn on. Here, regarding the dividing line that is felt unnecessary, the user can delete the dividing line by selecting the dividing line and pressing a “delete” button 901. In addition, regarding a boundary part that feels that a dividing line is necessary, the dividing line can be added by selecting the location and pressing an “add” button 902. The color of the dividing line is acquired from the image information database 21. To return to the print setting screen 700 again, a “return” button 904 is pressed. On the other hand, when printing with the displayed print layout, the “print” button 903 is pressed.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing details of the image boundary processing in step S605 of FIG.

  In FIG. 12, first, in step S <b> 1201, the CPU 12 acquires the number of divisions from the data storage unit 14. The number of divisions is a numerical value based on the maximum number set in the “maximum number of images” input fields 801 and 802. When “4” is set in each of the input fields, 4 × 4 = 16 is the number of divisions. It becomes. In the present embodiment, a case will be described where the image sizes of the images to be laid out are all the same. However, when a plurality of images having different sizes are mixed, layout information regarding the arrangement of images having different sizes is acquired from the data storage unit 14. .

  In step S1202, the CPU 12 calculates the position of the image from the number of divisions acquired in step S1201. Here, the above-described image start position and end position are calculated. For each image, the image position No. Is assigned.

  In step S1203, the CPU 12 stores information on each image position calculated in step S1202 in the image position database 20. In step S1204, the CPU 12 causes the boundary determination unit 15 to determine whether to draw a dividing line at the boundary between images (boundary determination processing). Details of the boundary determination processing will be described later.

  In step S <b> 1205, the CPU 12 acquires information from the data storage unit 14 as to whether “ON” in the “image movement” column 704 has been selected. If “ON” is selected, the CPU 12 causes the layout creation unit 17 to execute the image moving process (step S1206), and the image moving process determines that it is difficult to determine the boundary in the boundary determining process. In such a case, the image is moved so that the images are not adjacent to each other as much as possible. As a result, an unnecessary dividing line is not drawn. Details of the image moving process will be described later. Then, the boundary determination process is performed again on the print layout in which the image has been moved (step S1207). On the other hand, if “OFF” is selected in step S1205, the process advances to step S1208.

  In step S1208, the CPU 12 causes the dividing line to be drawn only in the portion determined to draw the dividing line, and stores the print layout created by the layout creating unit 17 in the layout storage unit 18 (step S1209).

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing details of the boundary determination processing in steps S124 and 127 of FIG. Here, information about each side of each image is stored in the image information database 21 from the image position information stored in the image position database 20 and the image arrangement order information stored in the data storage unit 14. The image position No. And side no. Only the other information is stored, and other information is stored in the image information database during the processing of FIG. The image arrangement order information is information indicating which image is arranged at which position.

  In FIG. 13, in step S <b> 1301, the boundary determination unit 15 acquires the first image from the image information database 21.

  In step S1302, the boundary determination unit 15 searches for the first side of the image acquired in step S1301. In step S1303, if the determined flag of the first side searched in step S1302 is 0 (undecided), the boundary determination unit 15 proceeds to step S1304. On the other hand, if it is 1 (judged), the process proceeds to step S1306. The boundary determination unit 15 makes a determination by referring to the determined flag in the image information database 21.

  In step S1304, the boundary determination unit 15 acquires a side of the image adjacent to the searched side. Here, the image position information in the image position database 20 is referred to search for an image adjacent to the image acquired in step S1301. Then, each side of the image adjacent to the acquired image side is acquired from the image information database 21. For example, in FIG. 3B, when the side 3 of the image 1 is searched, the side 5 of the image 2 adjacent to the image 1 is acquired. Also, if there are no adjacent image sides, such as sides 1 and 2 of image 1, a line segment on the paper in contact with the searched image side is virtually “side” (hereinafter, “virtual side”). (1a, 2a of image 1, 6a of image 2, etc.), and color information on the virtual side is acquired. The acquired virtual side information is set in the image information database 21 in FIG. 3A in the same manner as the side information. Note that the color information of the virtual side is set to white by default, but input from the user is also possible using an input screen (not shown).

  In step S1305, the color creation unit 16 determines the color of the dividing line drawn between the searched side and the side adjacent to the side (color determination processing). Details of the color determination processing will be described later.

  In step S1306, the boundary determination unit 15 sets the determined flag in the image information database 21 to 1 for the determined two sides and changes the determination to completed. In step S <b> 1307, the boundary determination unit 15 determines the side No. From step S1301, it is determined whether or not color determination has been performed for all of the sides of the image acquired in step S1301. If there is still a side that has not been determined, the process moves to the next side in step S1308, and the processes in and after step S1303 are performed. On the other hand, if all sides have been determined, the process advances to step S1309.

  In step S1309, the boundary determination unit 15 determines whether there is an image having a side that has not been determined from the image information database 21 yet. As a result, if there is an image having a side that has not been determined, the process moves to the next image in step S1310, and the processes in and after step S1302 are performed. On the other hand, if all the images have been determined, the process returns.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of the color determination processing in step S1305 of FIG.

  In FIG. 14, in step S <b> 1401, the color creation unit 16 searches for the leading points (two points) of the two sides that are subject to color determination. The leading point of the two sides is, for example, a point 301 shown in FIG. Note that the point where the determination is started does not have to be at the beginning of the side.

  In step S1402, the color creation unit 16 determines whether the two colors are the same color or an approximate color. The determination method is determined by the following two methods.

  1. Using the R, G, B range value acquisition databases 22, 24, and 26, it is determined whether or not the two colors are close.

  2. (When it is determined to be close in 1.) The results (Value1 and Value2) obtained by the following expressions (1) and (2) are compared, and it is determined that this is a necessary point of the dividing line.

Value1 = a * R1 + b * G1 + c * B1 (1)
Value2 = a * R2 + b * G2 + c * B2 (2)
R1: R value of the first side, G1: G value of the first side, B1: First B value, R2: R value of the second side R2, G2: The value of G on the second side, B2: the value of B on the second side, abc are all variables. Will be described. The R, G, B range value acquisition databases 22, 24, 26 store the values of R, G, B from 0 to 255 separately for each appropriate width. The R, G, B calculated value acquisition databases 23, 25, 27 store the calculated values used for each range. However, since the accuracy of the color differs from printer to printer, this must also be taken into consideration. The database value may be preset by the user or held by a printer driver or the like.

  Range value acquisition databases 22, 24, and 26 are searched from the values of R1, G1, B1, R2, G2, and B2, respectively, and ranges corresponding to the respective values are acquired. The acquired R1 ′ and R2 ′ range values, G1 ′ and G2 ′ range values, and B1 ′ and B2 ′ range values are compared for each RGB. If there is at least a certain range of R, G, and B, it is determined that no dividing line is required between the two points. 1. If it is determined that a dividing line is necessary in 2. Judgment is made.

  Next, 2. Will be described. Using R1, G1, B1, R2, G2, and B2, it is determined whether or not a dividing line is necessary from the values of Value1 and Value2 calculated based on the above formulas (1) and (2). As the variable abc, luminance calculation values a = 0.299, b = 0.487, and c = 0.114 are used. Note that these values may be changed according to the type of printer.

  1. The R, G, and B calculated value acquisition databases 23, 25, and 27 are searched based on the range values acquired in step 1, and values that are actually used for calculation are acquired. The acquired values are R1 ', G1', B1 ', R2', G2 ', B2'. For example, when the value of R1 is 244, the database 22 and 23 indicate that the R range value 18 is 244 and the calculated value of the R range 18 is 206, so 206 is used for R1 '. Similarly, when the value of G1 is 103, since the G range value 7 is 103 and the calculated value of the G range 7 is 96 from the databases 24 and 25, 96 is used for G1 '. Similarly, when the value of B1 is 11, since the B range value is 2 and the calculated value of B range 2 is 10 from the databases 26 and 27, 10 is used for B1 '.

  A formula that takes the above into consideration in formulas (1) and (2) is the following formula.

Value1 ′ = a × R1 ′ + b × G1 ′ + c × B1 ′ (1) ′
Value2 ′ = a × R2 ′ + b × G2 ′ + c × B2 ′ (2) ′
When the relationship between Value 1 ′ and Value 2 ′ is equal to or less than a certain value, it is determined that the color of adjacent points is the same color or a color that is difficult to determine between two points (the possibility of drawing a dividing line) To do). Note that the boundary can be determined from the distance between two points using a 3D lookup table.

  Returning to FIG. 14, in step S <b> 1403, the color creation unit 16 determines whether all the determinations are completed. The points to be searched may not be all points. If it is determined in step S1403 that the color creation unit 16 has not ended, the color creating unit 16 moves to the next search point (step S1404), and performs the processing from step S1402. On the other hand, if the color creating unit 16 determines that the process has ended, the process proceeds to step S1405. The search point may be set for each pixel of the image or may be set arbitrarily. The setting may be set automatically on the PC 1 side or may be set by the user.

  In step S1405, the color creating unit 16 determines whether the ratio of the two points determined to be the same color or approximate color in step S1402 exceeds a certain ratio. As a result, when the color creating unit 16 determines that the predetermined ratio has been exceeded, it determines to draw a dividing line (step S1406), and the process proceeds to step S1408. In step S <b> 1406, the color creation unit 16 acquires the ratio input to the “border color difference” input field 805 on the detailed setting screen 800 and stored in the data storage unit 14 from the data storage unit 14.

  In step S1405, if the color creation unit 16 determines that the number does not exceed, the process proceeds to step S1408. In step S <b> 1407, the color creating unit 16 sets 1 (draws a dividing line) for the determined two sides to the “dividing line flag” in the image information database 21, and sets the range value of each side to “range (RGB ) ”, And the values of Value 1 and Value 2 are set to“ value ”.

  In step S1408, the color creation unit 16 performs line determination processing to determine the specifications of the dividing lines, that is, the line color and line width. Details of this line determination processing will be described in detail. In step S1409, the color creating unit 16 stores the line color and line width of the dividing line determined in the line determination process in step S1408 in the image information database 21. When the “add” button 902 is pressed on the print layout screen, the line color can be drawn using the line color value in the image information database 21. In addition, when performing the image moving process in step S1206 of FIG. 12, it is possible to use the side value values in the image information database 21 and rearrange the images so that it is not difficult to determine the boundary between adjacent images.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of the image moving process in step S1206 of FIG.

  In FIG. 15, in step S1501, the layout creation unit 17 arranges the first image at an arbitrary position. The first image is selected based on the image information database.

  Next, in step S1502, the layout creation unit 17 determines whether there is an image whose arrangement has not yet been determined. As a result, when it is determined that it does not exist, the process returns. On the other hand, when it exists, the process proceeds to step S1503, and the next image is acquired.

  Next, in step S1504, the layout creating unit 17 refers to the blank position information database 28 and determines whether or not blank data exists. As a result, if it is determined that it does not exist, the process proceeds to step S1509. On the other hand, if the layout creation unit 17 determines that it exists, it acquires the next blank (step S1505).

  Next, in step S1506, when the image is arranged in the blank acquired in step S1505, the layout creating unit 17 determines whether the color of the side adjacent to the already arranged image is the same color or an approximate color. Here, the same processing as the color determination processing described above is performed.

  If the layout creation unit 17 determines in step S1506 that the colors are not the same color or approximate colors, the process advances to step S1507. On the other hand, if it is determined that they are the same color or an approximate color, the process returns to step S1504, and determination is performed using another blank.

  In step S1507, the layout creating unit 17 arranges images. In step S1508, the layout creating unit 17 deletes the blank ID, and the process returns to step S1502. In step S1509, the layout creating unit 17 acquires the next image arrangement position. Next, in step S1510, it is determined whether or not the new arrangement position exceeds the maximum number of images that can be arranged (for example, 16 if 4 sheets can be arranged horizontally and 4 sheets horizontally). If not, step S1511 is performed. If it exceeds, the process proceeds to step S1514.

  In step S1511, the layout creating unit 17 determines whether the color of the side adjacent to the image that has already been arranged is the same color or an approximate color. Here, the same processing as the color determination processing described above is performed. If the layout creation unit 17 determines in step S1511 that the colors are not the same color or approximate colors, the process advances to step S1513. On the other hand, if it is determined that they are the same color or an approximate color, the layout creation unit 17 determines to hold the current position as a blank, sets position information in the blank position information database 28 (step S1512), and step S1509. Return to.

  In step S1513, the layout creating unit 17 arranges the image at a new arrangement position, and returns to step S152. In step S1514, the layout creating unit 17 arranges an image in a blank space. In step S1512, the blank ID is deleted, and the process returns to step S1502. FIG. 11 shows a print layout when an image is moved from the print layout shown in FIG.

  As described above, when the user selects “image movement” ON on the print setting screen 700, the images are moved so that the background colors of the adjacent images are the same or the approximate colors cannot be determined. . As a result, the dividing line is not drawn excessively. Instead of the above processing, a method may be used in which the combination pattern of all images is verified, and the pattern is moved to the pattern with the smallest number of times when it is determined that the boundary cannot be determined.

  16 and 17 are flowcharts showing details of the line determination process in step S1408 of FIG.

  The line color of the dividing line is determined based on the databases 22 to 27 shown in FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (f). Since the line color of the dividing line needs to be determined to be a color that is close to the background color and can be distinguished from the background color, a calculated value of a range value that is somewhat higher or lower than the determined values of each RGB range is used. Use and set.

  In FIG. 16, in step 1601, the color creation unit 16 acquires line (partition line) darkness setting information from the data storage unit 14. The line darkness setting information indicates whether the “darkness” slider on the detailed setting screen 800 is set to “dark” or “light”.

  Next, in step 1602, the color creating unit 16 determines whether or not the setting information acquired in step 1601 is a setting for darkening the line density (“dark”). As a result, if the setting is to darken the line, the process proceeds to step S1603. On the other hand, if the setting is to increase the darkness of the line, the process proceeds to step S1609 in FIG.

  In step S1603, the color creation unit 16 determines which range value of R1, R2, B1, B2, G1, and G2 is to be used. Here, the smaller range value is used for R1, R2, the smaller range value for B1, B2, and the smaller range value for G1, G2.

  In step S1604, the color creation unit 16 determines whether or not all the RGB range values can be lowered. If it is determined that all the RGB range values can be lowered, the value obtained by lowering all the RGB range values. Then, the databases 23, 25, and 27 are searched for, the line color is determined by the calculated value corresponding to each of them (step S1605), and the process returns.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1604 that all the RGB RGB range values cannot be lowered, the color creating unit 16 determines whether there is one range that cannot be lowered (step S1606). As a result, if there is one, the color creating unit 16 searches the databases 23, 25, and 27 using the increased values for those that can lower the RGB range value, and for those that cannot be decreased, and corresponds to each. The line color is determined from the calculated value (step S1607), and the process returns.

  On the other hand, if the number is not one in step S1606, the color creating unit 16 changes the setting to “increase range” (step S1608) and proceeds to step S1610 in FIG.

  In FIG. 17, in step S1604, the color creating unit 16 determines which range value of R1, R2, B1, B2, G1, and G2 is to be used. Here, the larger range value is used for R1, R2, the larger range value is used for B1, B2, and the larger range value is used for G1, G2.

  In step S1610, the color creating unit 16 determines whether or not all the RGB range values can be increased. If it is determined that all the RGB range values can be increased, the color creating unit 16 increases all the RGB range values. The database 23, 25, 27 is searched with the obtained values, the line color is determined with the calculated value corresponding to each of them (step S1611), and the process returns.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1610 that all the RGB range values cannot be increased, the color creating unit 16 determines whether there is one range that cannot be increased (step S1612). As a result, when there is one, the color creating unit 16 searches the databases 23, 25, and 27 with the values that can increase the RGB range value and decreases the values that cannot be increased, and corresponds to each. The line color is determined from the calculated value (step S1613), and the process returns.

  On the other hand, if the number is not one in step S1612, the color creating unit 16 changes the setting to “reduce range” (step S1614), and proceeds to step S1604 in FIG.

  Note that the line colors of the dividing lines may be provided with a difference in brightness according to the user's preference. In this case, the brightness setting can be finely adjusted with the density setting slider 804 on the detailed setting screen 800. By considering the setting value when changing the range value (for example, increasing the ratio of decreasing the range value as the degree of “brightness” increases), various colors can be set as the line color of the dividing line. it can.

  According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to make it easier for the user to determine the boundary between images without printing a line unintended by the user between adjacent images or inserting a blank. Thus, the user can accurately separate the images one by one, and it is possible to prevent a line from remaining on the edge of the separated image.

  Further, when the user selects “Draw a line when there is a part that cannot be discriminated at the boundary between images” on the print setting screen 700, the color of the border area between adjacent images is the same color between the images or the border is discriminated. If it is an approximate color that is not possible, draw an appropriate color line only for the boundary. Therefore, it is possible to solve the problems that it is difficult for the user to determine the boundary when the image is cut, the image is covered with an extra line, or the number of times of cutting becomes more than necessary. In addition, since there is no need to insert an extra space between images, there is no limitation on the image size and number.

  In the above embodiment, the user does not determine the line color, but automatically determines the line color on the PC side. However, the user may determine the line color. In this case, if the user can change the criteria for determining whether or not the dividing line can be discriminated and the density of the line color, the user's preference can be met.

[Second Embodiment]
The system including the object placement device according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is the same as the system described with reference to FIG. 1, and the same parts as those in the first exemplary embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Description is omitted. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

  In the first embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, the line determination process for determining only the line color of the dividing line has been described. However, in the line determination process, the line color and the line width of the dividing line are determined. It may be determined.

  18 and 19 are flowcharts showing the line determination process in the image boundary creation system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  If it is determined by the boundary determination unit 15 that the dividing line is difficult to understand unless the color of the line color is changed, when ON is selected in the “Change line width between images” field 707 on the print setting screen 700 Increase the line width of the dividing line. As a result, the dividing line can be discriminated by a color that is as close as possible to the background color without changing the color as much as possible.

  In FIG. 18, in step S <b> 1701, the color creation unit 16 acquires the setting information of the line (partition line) darkness from the data storage unit 14. The line darkness setting information indicates whether the “darkness” slider on the detailed setting screen 800 is set to “dark” or “light”.

  Next, in step S1702, the color creating unit 16 determines whether or not the setting information acquired in step 1701 is a setting for darkening the line density ("dark"). As a result, if it is set to darken the line, the process proceeds to step S1703. On the other hand, if it is set to increase the darkness of the line, the process proceeds to step S1713 in FIG.

  In step S1703, the color creation unit 16 determines which range value of R1, R2, B1, B2, G1, and G2 is to be used. Here, the smaller range value is used for R1, R2, the smaller range value for B1, B2, and the smaller range value for G1, G2.

  Next, in step S1704, the color creating unit 16 determines whether or not all the RGB range values can be reduced. If it is determined that all the RGB range values can be decreased, all the RGB range values are determined. The databases 23, 25, and 27 are searched with the lowered values, the line color is determined with the corresponding calculated values (step S1705), and the process returns.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1704 that all the RGB range values cannot be lowered, the color creating unit 16 determines whether there is one range that cannot be lowered (step S1706). As a result, when there is one, the color creation unit 16 acquires the line width change setting value between the images from the data storage unit 14 (step S1707), and the process proceeds to step S1708. On the other hand, if not one, the color creating unit 16 changes the setting to “increase range” (step S1711), and proceeds to step S1713 in FIG.

  In step S1708, the color creating unit 16 determines whether or not the line width change setting value between images is ON. If the line width change setting value between images is ON, the line width is “thick”. (Step S1709), the process proceeds to step S1710. In step S1710, the color creation unit 16 searches the databases 23, 25, and 27 with values that can only reduce the RGB range values, determines line colors from the corresponding calculated values, and returns.

  On the other hand, if the line width change setting value between the images is OFF in step S1708, the color creating unit 16 lowers the RGB range value if it can be lowered, and raises the value that cannot be lowered in the database 23. , 25, 27 are searched, the line color is determined from the calculated values corresponding to each of them (step S1712), and the process returns.

  In FIG. 19, in step S1713, the color creation unit 16 determines which range value of R1, R2, B1, B2, G1, and G2 is to be used. Here, the larger range value is used for R1, R2, the larger range value is used for B1, B2, and the larger range value is used for G1, G2.

  In step S <b> 1714, the color creation unit 16 determines whether all the RGB range values can be increased. If it is determined that all the RGB range values can be increased, the RGB range values are determined. The databases 23, 25, and 27 are searched with the values obtained by increasing all the values, the line colors are determined with the calculated values corresponding to the values (step S1715), and the process returns.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1714 that all the RGB range values cannot be increased, the color creating unit 16 determines whether there is one range that cannot be increased (step S1716). As a result, if there is one, the color creation unit 16 acquires the line width change setting value between the images from the data storage unit 14 (step S1717), and proceeds to step S1718. On the other hand, if there is not one, the color creating unit 16 changes the setting to “reduce range” (step S1721), and proceeds to step S1704.

  In step S1718, the color creating unit 16 determines whether or not the line width change setting value between images is ON. If the line width change setting value between images is ON, the line width is “thick”. (Step S1719), the process proceeds to step S1720. In step S1720, the color creation unit 16 searches the databases 23, 25, and 27 using only values that can raise the RGB range values, determines the line color from the corresponding calculated values, and returns.

  On the other hand, if the line width change setting between the images is OFF in step S1719, the color creating unit 16 increases the values that can increase the RGB range value, and decreases the values that cannot be increased in the database 23. 25 and 27 are searched, the line color is determined from the calculated value corresponding to each (step S1722), and the process returns.

  According to the second embodiment, the effects of the first embodiment can be further exhibited.

  In the first and second embodiments, an image (image data) has been described as an example of an object. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a document (document data) or a composite of a document and an image is not limited to this. It may be.

  The object of the present invention is achieved by executing the following processing. That is, a storage medium that records a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus is stored in the storage medium. This is the process of reading the code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  Moreover, the following can be used as a storage medium for supplying the program code. For example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM or the like. Alternatively, the program code may be downloaded via a network.

  Further, the present invention includes a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by executing the program code read by the computer. In addition, an OS (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on an instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Is also included.

  Furthermore, a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by the following processing is also included in the present invention. That is, the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing.

  Further, the present invention includes a case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the program code read by the computer. In addition, there is a case where the OS running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. In this case, the program is supplied by downloading directly from a storage medium storing the program or from another computer or database (not shown) connected to the Internet, a commercial network, a local area network, or the like.

  The form of the program may be in the form of object code, program code executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to an OS (operating system), and the like.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the object arrangement | positioning apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the image position database in PC of FIG. (A) is a figure which shows an example of an image information database, (b) is a figure which shows an example of the print layout produced based on the information stored in the image position database and the image information database. (A)-(f) is a figure which shows an example of the database regarding the color information utilized for a boundary discrimination | determination process. (A) is a figure which shows an example of a blank position information database, (b) is a figure which shows the arrangement position of an image. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the object arrangement | positioning process performed with PC of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the print setting screen displayed on a display at the time of execution of the process of FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detailed setting screen displayed when a “detailed setting” button is pressed on the print setting screen of FIG. 7. It is a figure which shows an example of the printing layout screen when not drawing a normal dividing line. It is a figure which shows an example of the print layout screen at the time of drawing a dividing line. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print layout screen when image movement processing is executed. 7 is a flowchart showing details of image boundary determination processing in step S605 of FIG. 6. 13 is a flowchart showing details of boundary determination processing in steps S1204 and S1207 in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the color determination process in step S1305 of FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing details of image movement processing in step S1206 of FIG. It is a flowchart (the 1) which shows the detail of the line determination process in step S1408 of FIG. It is a flowchart (the 2) which shows the detail of the line determination process in step S1408 of FIG. It is a flowchart (the 1) which shows the detail of the line determination process performed with the object arrangement | positioning apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart (the 2) which shows the detail of the line determination process performed with the object arrangement | positioning apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. (A) is a diagram showing an example of a printing result in which a conventional cutting guide line is printed between a plurality of images, (b) is a diagram showing an example of a printing result printed with a blank inserted between images, (C) is a diagram showing an example of a printing result printed by adding a cut mark indicating a cutting position of an image between images.

Explanation of symbols

1 Personal computer (PC)
2 Display 3 Printer 12 CPU
14 Data storage unit 15 Boundary determination unit 16 Color generation unit 17 Layout generation unit 18 Layout storage unit 20 Image position database 21 Image information database 28 Blank position information database

Claims (8)

In an object placement device comprising object placement means for placing a plurality of objects including images or documents adjacent to each other,
A determination means for determining whether or not a boundary between objects arranged adjacent by the object placement means can be determined;
An object placement apparatus comprising: a boundary line drawing control unit that performs control for drawing a line on the boundary when the determination unit determines that the boundary cannot be determined. The determination means determines whether the color of the object in the boundary region between the objects and the color of another adjacent object are the same color or an approximate color;
The boundary line control means is a specification of a line to be drawn on the boundary based on the color of the object and the color of the other object in the boundary area between the objects when the determination means determines that the color is the same color or an approximate color. The object placement apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising boundary line specification determination means for determining.   The boundary line specification determining means is a line color that is a line color that approximates the color of the object and the color of the other object in the boundary area between the objects, and is distinguishable by the user. 3. The object placement apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising boundary color determination means for determining a color. The boundary line specification determining means further includes boundary line width changing means for changing a width of a line drawn on the boundary,
The boundary line width changing means is a line that is difficult for the user to distinguish even if the line color of the line drawn on the boundary is a line color that approximates the color of the object and the color of the other object in the boundary region between the objects. 4. The object placement apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the color is set, the line width of the line drawn on the boundary is increased.   5. The object placement unit according to claim 1, wherein the object placement unit includes an object movement unit that moves the object so that colors of boundary regions between adjacent objects are not the same color or an approximate color. The object placement device described. An object placement process for placing a plurality of objects including images or documents adjacent to each other;
A determination step of determining whether or not a user can determine a boundary between objects arranged adjacently in the object placement step;
An object placement method comprising: a boundary line drawing control step of performing control to draw a line on the boundary when it is determined in the determination step that the boundary cannot be determined.   A computer-readable program for causing a computer to execute the object placement method according to claim 6.   A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for causing a computer to execute the object placement method according to claim 6.