JP3903110B2 - Method and system for creating print with message - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method and system for creating a message-attached print that synthesizes messages.

  When a printed image is created by printing an image recorded on a photographic film onto a photosensitive material, the photographic film is illuminated with a light source and baked and exposed on the photosensitive material with this transmitted light, and recorded on the photographic film. There is a digital printing method for picking up an image and printing based on the picked-up data.

  Recently, a message such as a balloon or a title is written or pasted on a printed photograph. However, there is a problem that it takes time to write or paste these messages on the finished printed photograph. Moreover, it is difficult to cope with the case where a large number of identical items are created.

  On the other hand, it has been proposed to record a title or the like in advance on a magnetic recording layer of a photographic film, read out the title information at the time of photographic printing, and synthesize and print the title. However, in this case, it is necessary to input a title or the like at the time of shooting, and it is difficult to input a title that is perfect for the shot screen. Moreover, it is difficult to input a title combining position or the like corresponding to the captured screen. For this reason, when inputting a message of an appropriate position and content corresponding to the photographed image, it is necessary to input by hand while observing the finished printed photograph as described above, and it takes time and effort. It is difficult to cope with the case where many identical items are created.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a method and system for creating a print with a message that allows a message to be easily added to a photo film in a handwritten manner without creating a print photo in advance. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, a print creation system with a message according to the present invention creates a print reference image based on print target image data obtained by imaging a print target image on a developed photographic film . A creation unit; a printing unit that prints a message writing sheet based on the print reference image; a scanner unit that reads a handwritten message written on the message writing sheet; and a message writing print reference image of a message writing sheet from the scanner unit And the print reference image are extracted, the difference is extracted, the recording position of the handwritten message and the handwritten message is specified, and the specified handwritten message and the recording position of the handwritten message and the print target image data are used, printed And an image synthesizing unit for image synthesis the handwritten message on the elephant image, characterized by creating a print on the basis of the composite image data from the image synthesizing unit. The above-mentioned feature of the present invention is that, in paragraph 37, “You may go to the shop of the print finisher and input a message to the print reference image. In this case, instead of sending by FAX as shown in FIG. This is printed, and a message is input in handwriting on this print. " Further, print target image data obtained by capturing a print target image on the developed photographic film is stored in an image memory. The above feature of the present invention is based on the description in paragraph 13 “This image data is stored in the input image memory 17”.
Further, the print reference image includes a main subject designation frame for designating a main subject, and the image composition unit optimally finishes the main subject designated by the main subject designation frame. The above feature of the present invention is that the designation of the main subject is entered in the main subject designation frame in paragraph 33. In this case, the main subject is identified with ◯ etc. with respect to the main subject of the image of the target frame. The main subject specified at the time of printing is printed so as to achieve an optimum finish by specifying the main subject.
The print reference image includes a frame mark and a frame identification bar code attached to a plurality of print target images, each print target image is specified from the frame identification bar code, and a handwritten message is transmitted from the frame mark. The image position is specified. The above-described feature of the present invention is that the “frame collation is determined by reading a barcode attached to each frame. The alignment is performed using a frame mark combined with each frame. A frame mark indicating the frame range of the image is combined with each frame and printed, and the print magnification is determined based on the interval between a plurality of frame line marks in the same frame.
In addition, the image composition unit displays a composite image including the handwritten message on a display in a simulated manner. The above-mentioned feature of the present invention is based on the description in paragraph 26, “A printed photograph including a handwritten message may be displayed on the display 48 in a simulated manner and printed after confirmation.”
The print reference image creating unit preferably creates the print reference image from a line drawing from which edges have been extracted, or creates an index print in which a print target image is reduced and displayed in a list. The above-described feature of the present invention is that the paragraph 38 “reproduces an index print in which each frame is reduced and displayed in a list in advance and writes a message to a print reference image made up of line drawings while referring to the index print” Based on the description.
The printing unit may be an ink jet printer. The above feature of the present invention is that paragraph 15 “print reference image P1 is thermally recorded on recording paper by user-side FAX 13 and thereby message writing paper 40 is created on the user side”, paragraph 21 “inkjet”. The message-containing print 50 may be created using a printer, a sublimation thermal transfer printer, a color thermal printer, or the like. "

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the print creation method with a message according to the present invention creates a print reference image based on print target image data obtained by capturing a print target image on a developed photographic film , A message writing paper is printed by a printing unit based on the print reference image, a handwritten message written on the message writing paper is read by a scanner unit, a message writing print reference image of the message writing paper from the scanner unit, and the print reference image And the difference is extracted, the message and the recording position of the message are specified, and the image is synthesized by the image composition unit using the specified handwritten message and the recording position of the handwritten message and the print target image data. From the image composition unit Creating a print on the basis of the formed image data, characterized in that said. The above-mentioned feature of the present invention is that, in paragraph 37, “You may go to the shop of the print finisher and input a message to the print reference image. In this case, instead of sending by FAX as shown in FIG. This is printed, and a message is input in handwriting on this print. " The print reference image preferably includes a main subject designation frame for designating a main subject, and the image composition unit optimally finishes the main subject designated by the main subject designation frame. The printing unit may be an ink jet printer.

  A print target image on the developed photographic film is picked up, and a print reference image is created based on the image. The orderer observes the print reference image and records a message. The message and the recorded position of the message are read, and based on this, the message is combined with the image to be printed. Then, a composite image is printed. In addition to being recorded at a store such as a lab store, the message is recorded at the orderer's home when it is sent to the orderer by a facsimile machine or a personal computer communication device. In this case, there is no need to go to the store, and a print with a message can be easily created.

  According to the present invention, a print reference image is created based on image data of a print target image, a handwritten message is input to the print reference image, an image position of the handwritten message is specified based on a print reference image, Since the handwritten message and the image to be printed are combined based on the specified position and printed based on the combined image data that has been combined, there is no need to write or paste the message on the finished print photo, so you can easily enter the message. A print is obtained. In addition, it is possible to easily cope with the case where many identical items are created. Furthermore, it is not necessary to create a print photo in advance to write a message. In addition, a message that matches the image of each frame can be entered.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a message-based print creation system embodying the present invention. This print production system 10 with a message is composed of a film scanner 11 and a digital printer 12 provided on the side of a print finisher that is an order recipient, and a facsimile machine (FAX) 13 provided on the side of a user that is an orderer. .

  The film scanner 11 includes a film carrier 15, an imaging unit 16, an input image memory 17, a processing control unit 18, an image processing unit 20, a work image memory 21, various data memories 22, and a FAX modem 23.

  The film carrier 15 includes a film feed roller pair 30 and a motor 31. The rotation of the motor 31 is controlled by the processing control unit 18 via the driver 31a, and the photographic film 32 is continuously fed to the imaging stage 33. The imaging unit 16 is disposed above the imaging stage 33, and the light source unit 34 is disposed below. The light source unit 34 includes a fluorescent tube 35, a reflector 36, and a diffusing plate 37 having light emission characteristics that match the characteristics of the photographic film 32.

  The imaging unit 16 includes a lens and a line type image area sensor. The imaging unit 16 scans the image of each frame of the photographic film 32 in synchronization with the film feed, and obtains image data for each of red, green, and blue colors. This image data is stored in the input image memory 17.

  The image processing unit 20 extracts an image of each frame from the image data written in the input image memory 17 based on the image area. The image area is determined based on the detection processing of each frame edge and the film feed length for one frame. The image processing unit 20 performs well-known gradation correction, density and color correction processing for each frame. In the case of a negative film, negative / positive conversion is performed.

  Further, the image processing unit 20 creates a print reference image P1 as shown in FIG. 2A according to a predetermined format. The print reference image P1 is obtained by arranging each of the six frames F in A4 size and displaying each frame F as a monochrome halftone image. The print reference image P1 is thermally recorded on a recording sheet by the user's FAX 13 so that the message writing sheet 40 is created on the user side. A plurality of message writing sheets 40 are output according to the number of shots of the photographic film 32. For example, in the case of a 24-photograph film, the number is four.

  On the message writing sheet 40, a frame number N and a frame identification bar code B are arranged below each frame F. The frame identification bar code B is created by combining the reception number and each frame number. The reception number is created for each film when the photo film 32 is received, thereby identifying the photo film of each user. This receipt number is printed with a barcode and a label, and this check label is affixed to a receipt bag (DP bag) and a photographic film 32 (not shown). Further, a user ID number 41 and its barcode 42, a reception number 43 and its barcode 44 are recorded at the bottom of the message writing sheet 40.

  In addition to creating the print reference image P1, the image processing unit 20 extracts the contents and writing positions of the handwritten messages M1 to M4 (see FIG. 2) written in the print reference image P1. The contents and writing positions of the messages M1 to M4 are extracted by comparing the received handwritten message-containing print reference image P2 with the transmitted message-containing print reference image P1 and extracting the difference. After this extraction, the image processing unit 20 performs various processes such as well-known resolution adaptation, noise removal, smoothing, and color conversion to a specified color necessary for the synthesis process on the extracted message image. Thereafter, the image processing unit 20 combines the message image data with the original image data. This composite image is sent to the digital printer 12.

  The FAX modem 23 transmits and receives print reference images P1 and P2 to and from the user's FAX 13. First, the FAX number of the user is entered in the reception bag in advance during the reception process, and this FAX number is input from the keyboard 46 when each frame of the photographic film 32 is read by the scanner. Instead of such individual input, a FAX number may be input in advance by a reception processor, and the FAX number may be searched based on the film identification number by data transfer from this reception processor.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the user looks at the print reference image P1 of the message writing paper 40 output from the FAX 13, grasps the overall image of each frame F, and sends appropriate messages M1 to M4 to each frame F. Hand writing. When the handwriting of necessary messages M1 to M4 is completed, the message writing paper 40 is set in the FAX 13, and the print reference image P2 in which the message has been written is faxed to the print finisher.

  The processing control unit 18 is composed of a microcomputer, and controls each part to read the image of the photographic film 32, create the print reference image P1, send / receive the print reference images P1 and P2 by FAX, and handwritten messages M1 to M4. Sequence control of each process such as image extraction, image synthesis of each frame image and handwritten messages M1 to M4, and printing of the synthesized image. For this reason, in addition to the data memory 22, a keyboard 46, a mouse 47, a display 48 and the like are connected to the processing control unit 18.

  The digital printer 12 scans and exposes the photosensitive material based on the composite image, and prints a print on which the message is combined. The photosensitive material is thermally developed, and the image is transferred to an image receiving sheet, whereby a message-containing print 50 is created. A silver halide photographic printer provided with a paper processor may be used instead of the thermal development transfer type printer. Furthermore, the message-containing print 50 may be created using an ink jet printer, a sublimation thermal transfer printer, a color thermal printer, or the like.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a method for creating a print with a message. First, the user places an order for film development and print with a message from a print finisher. If the user is not registered, the print finisher assigns a user identification code to each user, and registers an address, name, telephone number, FAX number, etc. for each user identification code. After this user registration, a reception number is determined, and a check tape is issued based on this reception number. On this check tape, the receipt number and its barcode are recorded. The check tape is affixed to the reception bag and the photographic film 32 and used for collation. In addition to using the reception number, a serial number added to the user identification number or an identification number recorded on the DP bag may be used.

  The photographed photograph film is taken out from the film cartridge and developed by a film processor as is well known. The developed photographic film 32 is set in the film scanner 11 shown in FIG. The film scanner 11 reads the image of the photographic film 32 by the imaging unit 16 in synchronization with the feeding while continuously feeding the photographic film 32 by the film carrier 15. The three-color image data is written into the input image memory 17 for each color. Next, the image processing unit 20 extracts an image of each frame from the input image memory 17 based on the three-color image data. A monochrome halftone image is created based on the image data of each frame, and these halftone images are inserted and combined for six frames, and these six frame halftone images are combined into one A4 size print reference image. Create one order of P1. These print reference images P1 are sent to the user's FAX 13 by the FAX modem 23, and the message writing paper 40 is output.

  The user observes each frame F of the print reference image P1 on the message writing sheet 40, and handwrites messages M1 to M4 suitable for each image. The handwritten print reference image P2 is sent to the print finisher by FAX 13. The print reference image P2 in which the message has been written is converted into image data by the FAX modem 23 and then sent to the work image memory 21 and the image processing unit 20.

  The image processing unit 20 compares the print reference image P1 before FAX transmission with the print reference image P2 to which the message has been written after transfer, and extracts handwritten messages M1 to M4. Then, the image positions of the messages M1 to M4 are specified on the print reference image P1, and the frame image data read by the imaging unit 16 and the image data of the message M1 are combined based on the specified position information.

  The synthesized image is sent to the digital printer 12, and a message-containing print 50 in which the handwritten message M1 is synthesized is obtained. Alternatively, a printed photograph containing a handwritten message may be displayed on the display 48 in a simulated manner and printed after confirmation.

  The received image on the print finisher side deteriorates due to reception (image output to FAX paper) and transmission (image reading from FAX paper) in the FAX 13 on the user side. For this reason, it is preferable to take measures against deterioration such as a reference pattern using method, a density range limiting method, an edge image method, and a combination of these methods.

  In the reference pattern utilization method, in order to refer to how the original image deteriorates, as shown in FIG. 4, a density reference pattern 60 is attached to the print reference image P3 and transmitted / received. As the density reference pattern 60, for example, a pattern in which the density range of an image is expressed by 256 gradation levels from “0” to “255” is used. Then, the print finisher determines the deterioration characteristic from the comparison between the density reference pattern 60 of the received image and the density reference pattern 60 before transmission, and obtains a correction amount based on this deterioration characteristic so as to eliminate this deterioration. In this case, complete restoration is impossible, but rough correction is possible.

  In the density range limiting method, the following processing is performed. Usually, writing instruments used for writing messages have black ink and high density. Therefore, processing for suppressing the density level of the transmission image is added so that the image portion is expressed within a level lower than the maximum density of the density resolution of the user-side FAX. In this case, although the image received by the user is deteriorated, there is no practical problem because the outline of the scene only needs to be known. Since the message writing portion becomes the maximum density portion, the written image can be easily extracted by separating the message writing portion.

  In the edge image method, edge extraction processing is performed on a transmission image to convert it into a thinned and binarized image. Also in this case, if the outline of the scene is known, the photographer can input a message or the like. Therefore, even if the transmission image is thinned and binarized, it does not matter so much. The message writing image returned from the user is a binary image composed of an edge portion and an overwriting portion of the scene. The difference between this and the transmitted image is taken and the overwritten part is extracted. In this case, since the pixel where the edge portion of the scene overlaps the overwriting portion cannot be extracted as the overwriting portion, the continuity of the extracted overwriting portion is restored by performing expansion / contraction processing. If the density resolution of the FAX 13 on the user side is large, the edge image need not be binarized.

  Further, according to the density resolution of the FAX 13 on the user side, the reference pattern using method, the density range limiting method, the edge image method and the like may be switched as appropriate. Furthermore, these may be used in combination. For example, the density resolution of the user-side FAX 13 is once confirmed by the reference pattern method, and the address, name, FAX number, FAX density resolution data, etc. of each user are stored as a database. From the next time, FAX density resolution data is searched from the database, and an optimum countermeasure for deterioration is applied to each FAX based on this data.

  Depending on the output form of the user-side FAX 13, the message sent from the user side is overwritten when output in a size different from the print reference image size (A4 size) created on the print finisher side, for example, B4 size or B5 size The print reference image is sent to the print finisher at a size different from the original size. For this reason, even if the sizes are different, the frames are collated and aligned so that the overwritten portion can be reliably extracted. Frame collation is determined by reading a bar code attached to each frame. The alignment is performed by using a frame mark combined with each frame. In other words, a frame mark indicating the frame range of the image is combined with each frame and printed, and the print magnification is obtained based on the interval between the frame frame marks of the same frame. Then, enlargement or reduction processing is performed so that the print magnification at the time of transmission is obtained, and the size is adjusted.

  An order entry field may be provided on the print reference screen. This order entry field is used when not specified when ordering a message print. In the order entry field, a reprint order frame, a trimming designation frame, a main subject designation frame, and the like are provided. The extra order frame is used to place extra orders by entering the frame designation, number of pieces, etc. The trimming designation is entered in the trimming designation frame. In this case, the trimming print is ordered by overwriting the trimming designation frame on the image of the target frame. The designation of the main subject is entered in the main subject designation frame. In this case, the main subject is identified by ◯ etc. with respect to the main subject of the image of the target frame. By specifying the main subject, the main subject designated at the time of printing is printed so as to have an optimum finish.

  In the above embodiment, the print reference image is transmitted between the user and the print finisher using the FAX 13 and the FAX modem 23. In addition to this, the print reference image data is transmitted by personal computer communication as shown in FIG. May be sent. In this case, a print reference image is displayed on the display, and a message is input on this display screen. In addition to inputting from the keyboard, the message may be input by handwritten characters using a mouse, a light pen, or the like. The written message is transferred to the print finisher side along with the frame lines and bar codes of each frame of the print reference image. Therefore, in this case, it is not necessary for the print finisher to extract the message portion from the difference image data between the transmitted portion and the received portion, and the delivery of the message is simplified.

  Also, instead of inputting a message using a keyboard, mouse, etc., a print reference image from a print finisher is printed using a personal computer printer using an inkjet printer or thermal printer, and a message is sent to the printed product. May be overwritten. In this case, the overwritten print reference image is read by a scanner connected to the personal computer, and the data is transferred to the print finisher. On the print finisher side, as in the case of FAX, the message part is extracted based on the difference data between the transmitted print reference image and the print reference image in which the message is written.

  Instead of extracting the message part in this way, only the message part may be sent to the print finisher side. In this case, only the barcode for identifying each frame and the frame line are displayed, and a message is written in the frame line. Alternatively, the handwritten message may be written with a color pen or the like in a color different from black and read by a color scanner, and then the handwritten portion may be extracted by color designation. In this case, the extracted handwritten part, the frame line, and the frame identification bar code are sent to the print finisher.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the print reference image is transmitted by using a FAX or a personal computer. Alternatively, a message may be input to the print reference image by visiting a store of a print finisher. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, this is printed instead of being transmitted by FAX, and a message is input in handwriting on this print. Further, a message may be input with a mouse, a light pen, or the like using a personal computer installed at a print finisher.

  When a message is recorded at a store, a print reference image may be constructed from a line drawing from which edges are extracted. In this case, an index print in which each frame is reduced and displayed in a list is created in advance, and a message is written in a print reference image composed of a line drawing while referring to the index print.

  In the above embodiment, the print reference image displays six frames in A4 size, but the output size of the print reference image and the number of frames displayed are not limited to this, and may be changed as appropriate. In the above embodiment, the 135 type film is used. However, the IX240 type having a transparent magnetic recording layer and other films may be used. In the case of an IX240 type film, since a film ID number is assigned, a film ID number assigned in advance may be used without creating a reception number at the time of reception. In the case of the IX240 type, by storing the read message data in the magnetic recording layer, it is possible to reproduce an image with a message when creating a reorder print or reproducing a photo player.

It is the schematic which shows the production system of the message print which implemented this invention. (A) is a plan view showing an example of a print reference image, and (B) is a plan view showing an example of a print reference image in which a message is written. It is a flowchart which shows the production method of a message print. It is a top view which shows an example of the print reference image in other embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the preparation method of the message print using a personal computer. It is a flowchart which shows the message print preparation method which inputs a message at a shop front. It is a flowchart which shows the message print preparation method which inputs a message at a shop front.

Explanation of symbols

10 Print production system with message 11 Film scanner 12 Digital printer 13 FAX
15 Film Scanner 23 FAX Modem 32 Photo Film 40 Message Writing Paper 50 Print with Message P1, P3 Print Reference Image P2 Print Reference Image with Message F Frame B Frame Identification Bar Code

Claims (10)

A print reference image creation unit that creates a print reference image based on print target image data obtained by capturing a print target image on a developed photographic film;
A print unit for printing message writing paper based on the print reference image;
A scanner unit for reading a handwritten message written on the message writing paper;
The message writing print reference image of the message writing paper from the scanner unit and the print reference image are compared and the difference is extracted, the handwritten message and the recording position of the handwritten message are specified, the specified handwritten message and Using the recording position of the handwritten message and the image data to be printed, and an image composition unit that synthesizes the handwritten message with the image to be printed,
A print creation system with a message, wherein a print is created based on the composite image data from the image composition section. 2. The method for creating a print with message according to claim 1, wherein print target image data obtained by capturing a print target image on the developed photographic film is stored in an image memory. The print reference image includes a main subject designation frame for designating a main subject,
3. The print production system with a message according to claim 1, wherein the image composition unit optimally finishes the main subject designated by the main subject designation frame. The print reference image includes a frame mark and a frame identification barcode attached to a plurality of print target images, each print target image is specified from the frame identification barcode, and an image of a handwritten message from the frame mark. 3. The print creation system with a message according to claim 1, wherein the position is specified. 3. The print creation system with a message according to claim 1, wherein the image composition unit displays a composite image including the handwritten message on a display in a simulated manner. 3. The print creation system with a message according to claim 1, wherein the print reference image creation unit creates the print reference image from a line drawing from which edges are extracted. 7. The print creation system with message according to claim 6, wherein the print reference image creation section creates an index print in which a print target image is reduced and displayed in a list. The printing unit according to claim 1 to 7 with a message print production system according to any one, characterized in that it is composed of an ink jet printer. Create a print reference image based on the print target image data obtained by capturing the print target image on the developed photographic film ,
The message writing paper is printed by the printing unit based on the print reference image,
Read the handwritten message written on the message writing paper by the scanner unit,
The message writing print reference image of the message writing paper from the scanner unit is compared with the print reference image, the difference is extracted, the message and the recording position of the message are specified, the specified handwritten message and the handwriting The image composition unit uses the message recording position and the print target image data to compose an image,
A print creation method with a message, characterized in that a print is created based on the composite image data from the image composition section. The print reference image includes a main subject designation frame for designating a main subject,
The method for creating a print with message according to claim 9 , wherein the image composition unit optimally finishes the main subject designated by the main subject designation frame.

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