JP4211527B2 - Print image selection apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print image selection apparatus and method, and more particularly to a print image selection apparatus and method suitable for selecting an image to be printed from a plurality of digitally photographed images in a photo studio or a photography studio.

  Conventionally, in a photo studio such as a photo studio or a photo studio, when a digital photo is taken with a digital camera in the photo studio, the image obtained by the digital photo is displayed on the display in the photo hall immediately after the photo is taken, and the photo print A presentation is made for the customer to select and receive an image.

  Conventionally, images of a preset number of frames are read from a plurality of images, a best shot determination screen including these images is displayed on a PC monitor, and the best shot determination screen is displayed on a large screen so that customers can easily select. In addition, there has been proposed a photography reception device that displays the image (Cited document 1). The PC monitor is also used as a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for operation by a photo studio operator.

By displaying a best shot determination screen including a plurality of images on the PC monitor and the large screen monitor, it is possible to compare a plurality of images and easily select a best shot image in a similar scene. .
JP 2003-37798 A

  However, the photography reception device described in Patent Document 1 provides a high-resolution image so that the customer can easily select a good image from a plurality of images displayed on the best shot determination screen in addition to the PC monitor. It is necessary to prepare a large screen monitor for display. Further, since the PC monitor is also used as a GUI, there is a problem in that soft buttons other than the image and various information are displayed on a large screen monitor that the customer only sees, and it is unsightly.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and can select and display two images individually from among a plurality of images, so that it is better to compare the two images. A print image selection apparatus and method that can select an image, can display two images with high resolution without preparing a large screen monitor, and can easily select the best shot image to be ordered. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, a print image selection apparatus according to claim 1 is stored in first, second and third image display means, storage means for storing a plurality of images, and storage means. Display image selection instruction means for individually selecting two images to be displayed on the first image display means from a plurality of images, and two images selected based on an operation at the display image selection instruction means And displaying the images displayed in the first image display area side by side in the first and second image display areas on the display screen of the first image display means. Display control means for displaying the entire image on the screen and displaying the image displayed in the second image display area on the display screen of the third image display means; and the second and third image display means Refer to the image displayed on the To print and a print image selection instruction means for selecting an image to be ordered, the display image selection instruction means, the first image display area and the second image display means of the first image display means First display image selection instruction means for selecting an image to be displayed by frame-forwarding a plurality of images stored in the storage means one by one in the forward direction or the reverse direction; and the first image display means A second image display area and an image to be displayed on the third image display means are selected by frame-advancing a plurality of images stored in the storage means one by one in the forward direction or the reverse direction. Two display image selection instruction means, and when selecting an image by operating one of the first and second display image selection instruction means, the same image as the partner image displayed side by side Is selected If that is characterized by automatically selecting the next image skip the image.

  That is, according to the present invention, the display of the three monitors (first, second and third image display means) is individually controlled. The first image display means displays two images side by side in the first and second image display areas on the display screen, and the second and third image display means respectively display the first image. The images displayed in the first and second image display areas of the image display means are each displayed in full screen. Thus, by displaying the two images separately on the full screen on the second and third image display means, it is possible to display two images with high resolution without preparing a large screen monitor. . Then, it is possible to select the best shot image for which a print order is to be made while updating the display of the other image while leaving the image that is better to compare the two images.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the print image selection device according to the first aspect, the second and third image display means are configured to be rotatable between a horizontal position and a vertical position, respectively. It is characterized by. This eliminates the need to rotate the images output to the second and third image display means, and allows the display screens of the second and third image display means to be utilized to the maximum.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the print image selection device according to the first or second aspect, the display control unit displays a reduced image of a plurality of images stored in the storage unit as the first image display. It is characterized by being displayed in the image list area of the means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the print image selection device according to the first or second aspect, the display control unit includes the print image selection instruction among the reduced images of the plurality of images stored in the storage unit. The reduced image of the image not selected by the means is displayed in the photographed image list area of the first image display means, and the reduced image of the image selected by the print image selection instruction means is displayed as the first image. It is characterized in that it is displayed in the print candidate image list area of the display means.

  5. The print image selection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising image number setting means for setting the number of images to be displayed simultaneously on the second and third image display means. The image selection instruction means individually selects the number of images set by the image number setting means from the plurality of images stored in the storage means, and the display control means is the display image selection instruction means. The number of images selected based on the operation is displayed in the first and second image display areas on the display screen of the first image display means, and the image displayed in the first image display area Is displayed on the display screen of the second image display means, and the image displayed in the second image display area is displayed on the display screen of the third image display means. The number-of-images setting unit sets the number of images to be displayed on the first and second image display units, such as 2, 4, 8, and the like. In the case of two images, one image is displayed on each of the first and second image display means. In the case of four images, two images are displayed on each of the first and second image display means. Images are displayed one by one (that is, images on a two-divided screen), and when there are eight images, four images (that is, images on a four-divided screen) are displayed on each of the first and second image display means. Is done. Thereby, presentation of many images can be performed quickly.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, an appropriate image is read from the storage means storing a plurality of images and displayed on the first, second and third image display means, and the first, second and second images are displayed. A print image selection method for selecting an image to be printed while looking at an image displayed on the image display means of 3;
(a) Two images selected and instructed from a plurality of images stored in the storage means are read out, and the two images are displayed on the display screen of the first image display means as first and second images. The image displayed in the image display area is displayed side by side, and the image displayed in the first image display area is displayed on the full screen on the display screen of the second image display means, and the image displayed in the second image display area is displayed. Displaying a full screen on the display screen of the third image display means;
(b) A step of individually selecting and instructing the two images to be displayed on the first image display means, leaving the display of the one image that can be compared with the other image, and displaying the other image Instructing to select an image to update
(c) referring to the images displayed on the second and third image display means and selecting an image to be finally ordered for printing;
Only including, the step (b), the first of the first image display area and the image to be displayed on the second image display means, a plurality of images stored in the storage means of the image display means The first display image selection instructing means for selecting one frame at a time in the forward direction or the reverse direction, the second image display area of the first image display means, and the third image display means. Operate either one of the second display image selection instruction means for selecting an image to be displayed by frame-forwarding a plurality of images stored in the storage means one frame at a time. Step of instructing image selection to update the display of the other image, and if the same image as the partner image displayed side by side is selected, that image is skipped and the next image is automatically selected. Specially selected It is a sign.

  The print image selection method according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of images include a plurality of portrait images in which at least one of a pose, a costume, a background, and a shooting condition is changed. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, two images selected from a plurality of images can be displayed side by side in the first and second image display areas on the display screen of the first image display means. For example, when selecting the best shot image from a plurality of images of the same type with different poses etc., it is possible to select a better image while comparing the two images. By updating the image to be displayed so as to remain, the best shot image for print order can be easily selected. Further, the images displayed in the first and second image display areas of the first image display means can be displayed in full screen on the second and third image display means, respectively, whereby two images can be displayed. Can be compared with high resolution images.

  A preferred embodiment of a print image selection apparatus and method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a print image selection apparatus according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the print image selection apparatus is mainly composed of a personal computer 1 and three liquid crystal displays (LCDs) 100, 200, 300 connected to the personal computer 1.

  The LCDs 100, 200, and 300 can be rotated ± 90 degrees as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the personal computer 1.

  As shown in the figure, a personal computer 1 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 10 that mainly controls the operation of each component, a main memory 12 that stores a control program for the device, and serves as a work area when the program is executed. A hard disk device 14 in which an operating system (OS) of the personal computer 1, device drivers of peripheral devices connected to the personal computer 1, various application software including a print image selection processing program according to the present invention, customer images, and the like are stored. A graphic board 18 capable of controlling the display of the three LCDs 100, 200, and 300, a keyboard controller 20 that detects key operations of the keyboard 30 and outputs them to the CPU 10 as instruction inputs, and position input The LCD 10 detects the state of the mouse 40 as a device. The mouse controller 22 that outputs signals such as the position of the mouse pointer above and the state of the mouse 40 to the CPU 10, the interface 1394, USB, etc. that can be connected to the digital camera 50 and can input image data, etc. It is comprised from the bus | bath 26 which connects a component.

  The personal computer 1 having the above-described configuration is known except for the print image selection processing program according to the present invention, which is stored in the hard disk device 14, and therefore detailed description of each component will be omitted. . For example, Matrox Millennium P750 (trade name) is used as a graphic board capable of controlling display of three monitors simultaneously.

  The digital camera 50 is installed in a photo studio, a photography studio, an event venue, and the like, and a customer who wants to take a picture is photographed using the digital camera 50. When shooting a customer, a large number of shots are taken by changing the pose, angle, zoom magnification, etc., or changing shooting conditions such as clothes, background, and lighting.

  The digital camera 50 is connected to the personal computer 1 and transfers an image to the personal computer 1 via the interface 24 every time a customer is photographed. Each image is stored in a folder for each customer created in the hard disk device 14. Is done. The method of storing the customer image in the hard disk device 14 is not limited to this embodiment. For example, after the photographing is completed, the digital camera 50 is accessed from the personal computer 1 to capture the image recorded on the memory card. Good.

  Next, a method for starting a program for print image selection processing, specifying a folder in which customer images are stored, and selecting a best shot image for print ordering from a plurality of images in the folder will be described.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the display screen of the LCD 100 when the print image selection processing program is activated. A customer folder is designated, and a plurality of images (seven images are displayed in FIG. 3). Among the images, two images have already been selected as print candidate images.

  The display screen of the LCD 100 shown in the figure is mainly used as a GUI when selecting a print image. The operation box 110 for operating the left large screen displayed on the LCD 200 and the right large screen displayed on the LCD 300 are operated. An operation box 120, a photographed image list area 130, a print candidate image list area 140, buttons for setting the display mode in the left and right operation boxes 110 and 120, and confirming an image to be printed. And an operation box 150.

  The left operation box 110 is provided with an image display area 112 for displaying the same image as that displayed on the LCD 200, various soft buttons for operating the image displayed in the image display area 112, and the like. Yes.

  As a soft button, an “image rotation” button for rotating the image displayed in the image display area 112 by −90 degrees or +90 degrees, a “←” button for moving forward or backward by one frame, “→” A button, a “print candidate” button for selecting the displayed image as a print candidate, a “candidate release” button for canceling the image candidate selected as the print candidate, the photographed image list area 130 and the print candidate image When a specific image of the reduced images (thumbnail images) displayed in the list area 140 is designated, the image designated by the mouse is displayed in the image display area 112 or the designated image No. is displayed. When a numerical value from 1 to 12 is input to the part, the “designated image display” for displaying the numerically designated image in the image display area 112 "Button. A display unit for displaying the image number of the image displayed in the image display area 112 is also provided.

  The right operation box 122 is also provided with an image display area 122 for displaying the same image as that displayed on the LCD 300, various soft buttons for operating the image displayed in the image display area 122, and the like. ing.

  In the photographed image list area 130, thumbnail images that are not selected as print candidates among thumbnail images of a plurality of customer images are displayed, while in the print candidate image list area 140, thumbnails of a plurality of customer images are displayed. A thumbnail image selected as a print candidate among the images is displayed.

  An image number is added to each thumbnail image. In addition, the number of thumbnail images that can be displayed at one time in the photographed image list area 130 and the print candidate image list area 140 is twelve. It may be used to scroll the list of thumbnail images.

  The display mode setting unit 152 of the operation box 150 is provided with a “continuous image” button and a “designated image” button for setting display modes in the left and right operation boxes 110 and 120. The “continuous image” button and the “designated image” button are used to change the display mode in the operation boxes 110 and 120 to the continuous image display mode or the designated image display mode, respectively. When clicked), the continuous image display mode is entered, and when the “designated image” button is pressed, the designated image display mode is entered.

  When the “Continuous image” button is pressed to enter the continuous image display mode, the operation with the “←” button and the “→” button for frame-by-frame advance in the left and right operation boxes 110 and 120 becomes effective. Become. The continuous image display mode detail setting unit 154 in the display mode setting unit 152 is provided with a “photographed image list” button, a “print candidate image list” button, an “all images” button, and a check box. .

  When the “photographed image list” button in the detailed setting unit 154 is pressed, frame advance is possible within the range of thumbnail images displayed in a list in the captured image list area 130, and the “print candidate image list” button is pressed. Then, frame advancement within the range of thumbnail images displayed in a list in the print image list area 140 becomes possible. When the “all images” button is pressed, the photographed image list area 130 and the print candidate image list area 140 are displayed. Frame advance is possible within the range of all displayed thumbnail images (that is, within the range of all images of the customer currently captured).

  If the check box of the detailed setting section 154 of the continuous image display mode is checked, if the same image as the partner image is selected by operating the “←” button and the “→” button for frame advance, The next image is selected by skipping the image. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the images No. 2 and No. 3 are displayed in the image display areas 112 and 122 of the left and right operation boxes 110 and 120, respectively. When the “←” button for frame-by-frame advance is pressed, the image No. 3 is skipped and the image No. 4 is displayed. This is because it is not necessary to display the same image in the left and right image display areas 112 and 122 for comparison.

  On the other hand, in the detailed setting unit 156 of the designated image display mode in the display mode setting unit 152, a check box for enabling image specification with a mouse and a check box for enabling image specification by numerical input of an image number are provided. And are provided. The two check boxes can be individually checked. When the two check boxes are checked as shown in FIG. 3, the image is designated by the mouse and the image No. is entered numerically. Both specifications are valid.

  Further, the operation box 150 is provided with a “candidate image confirmation” button, a “screen clear (to next order)” button, and a “work end” button.

  Next, an operation procedure for selecting a best shot image for ordering print from a plurality of images of the customer will be described.

  First, when a folder for each customer is specified, thumbnail images of all images in the folder are displayed in a list in the photographed image list area 130.

  Subsequently, the “continuous image” button or the “designated image” button in the display mode setting unit 152 of the operation box 150 is pressed to select either the continuous image display mode or the designated image display mode as the image display mode. The default is the continuous image display mode.

  Here, when the continuous image display mode is set as the image display mode, by pressing the “←” button and the “→” button for frame advance in the left and right operation boxes 110 and 120, a plurality of customer's multiple images are displayed. Images are frame-advanced in the order of image numbers, and the images selected by frame-advancing are displayed in the left and right image display areas 112 and 122, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the images displayed in the left and right image display areas 112 and 122 (that is, two images selected by the frame advance operation) are the LCD 200 for the left large screen and the LCD 300 for the right large screen, respectively. Is displayed on the full screen. As a result, the two images are each displayed on a large screen with high resolution.

  The LCDs 200 and 300 are image display means for presentation for selecting and receiving a print image by a customer, and display two images on a large screen (full screens of the LCDs 200 and 300), respectively. These LCDs 200 and 300 are manually rotated according to whether an image to be displayed is a vertical position image or a horizontal position image as shown in FIG. Usually, portrait photography in a photography studio or the like is often taken with the digital camera 50 in a vertical position, and in this embodiment, the LCDs 200 and 300 are rotated so that the screens are vertically long.

  In this embodiment, the screens of the LCDs 200 and 300 are manually rotated according to whether the image is a vertical position image or a horizontal position image. In the case of an image in the horizontal position, it may be displayed so that the image in the horizontal position is maximized in the vertically long screen, or the screen of the LCD 200 or 300 is fixed in the horizontally long position. However, in the case of a vertically positioned image, the vertically positioned image may be displayed so as to be maximized in a horizontally long screen. However, in the former case, blank portions are generated at the top and bottom of the vertically long screen, and in the latter case, blank portions are generated at the left and right sides of the horizontally long screen.

  In addition, the screens of the LCDs 200 and 300 are not limited to being manually rotated, but may be electrically rotated according to whether the image is in the vertical position or the horizontal position. In this case, the screens of the LCDs 200 and 300 can be rotated electrically based on a rotation instruction input by the “image rotation” button in the left and right operation boxes 110 and 120.

  The customer informs the operator of the photo studio which of the images displayed on the left and right LCDs 200 and 300 is better. The operator operates the operation box 110 or 120 to leave the better image and update the display of the other image. By repeating this operation, for example, a best shot image (print image) for printing can be easily selected from a plurality of similar images.

  When a desired image is selected in this way, the “print candidate” button in the operation box 110 or 120 in which the image is displayed is pressed. When “print candidate” is pressed, the thumbnail image of the selected image is moved from the photographed image list area 130 to the print candidate image list area 140. Note that the display positions of the thumbnail images displayed in the photographed image list area 130 and the print candidate image list area 140 are determined on a one-to-one basis corresponding to the image numbers. It is easy to see visually whether it was selected as an image.

  Note that when a print candidate image is displayed in the operation box 110 or 120 and the “cancel candidate” button in the operation box is pressed, the designation as the print candidate image is canceled and the print candidate image list area is displayed. The thumbnail image displayed in 140 is returned to the photographed image list area 130.

  When the image selected as the print candidate image (thumbnail image displayed in the print candidate image list area 140) is finally determined as the print image, the “candidate image determination” button in the operation box 150 is pressed. . Thus, the image selected as the print candidate image among the plurality of images stored in the folder for each customer is copied and stored in the print spool destination. In addition, the print confirmation image of the image in the folder for each customer is renamed and stored with the identification information “M” at the beginning of the file name.

  In this embodiment, one image is displayed on the LCDs 200 and 300 in full screen. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of images simultaneously displayed on the LCDs 200 and 300 is two, four, Image number setting means for setting the number of sheets such as eight may be provided, and the number of images set by the image number setting means may be displayed. For example, when two images are set, one image is displayed in full screen on the LCDs 200 and 300 as in this embodiment, and when four images are set, the LCDs 200 and 300 are displayed. When two images are displayed on a two-divided screen and eight images are set, four images are displayed on the LCD 200 and 300 on a four-divided screen, respectively. When the number of images to be displayed is set by the image number setting means, the number of images that can be displayed in the image display areas 112 and 122 of the left and right operation boxes 110 and 120 of the LCD 100 is two, four, and eight. Needless to say, it is possible to display the number of images and the like, and it is also possible to select each image to be displayed here.

  In addition, when the screen of the LCD 200 is rotated to be vertically long, while the screen of the LCD 300 is rotated to be horizontally long, for example, when displaying two images in the horizontal position, the vertically long surface of the LCD 200 is displayed. When the screen is displayed in a two-divided screen that is divided into two vertically, and two vertically-positioned images are displayed, the horizontally long screen of the LCD 300 may be displayed in a two-divided screen that is divided into two left and right. . Similarly, when displaying four images in the vertical position, the vertically long screen of the LCD 200 is displayed as a four-divided screen divided into four parts vertically and horizontally, and when displaying four images in the horizontal position, The horizontally long screen of the LCD 300 may be displayed in a four-divided screen that is divided into four parts vertically and horizontally.

The figure which shows the whole structure of the print image selection apparatus which concerns on this invention Block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the personal computer shown in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the display screen of LCD for the image selection operation shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Personal computer, 10 ... Central processing unit (CPU), 12 ... Main memory, 14 ... Hard disk drive, 18 ... Graphic board, 20 ... Keyboard controller, 22 ... Mouse controller, 24 ... Interface, 30 ... Keyboard, 40 ... Mouse, 50 ... Digital camera, 100, 200, 300 ... Liquid crystal display (LCD)

Claims (7)

First, second and third image display means;
Storage means for storing a plurality of images;
Display image selection instruction means for individually selecting two images to be displayed on the first image display means from a plurality of images stored in the storage means;
The two images selected based on the operation of the display image selection instruction means are displayed side by side in the first and second image display areas on the display screen of the first image display means, and the first An image displayed in one image display area is displayed on the full screen on the display screen of the second image display means, and an image displayed in the second image display area is displayed on the display screen of the third image display means Display control means for displaying in full screen on
Print image selection instruction means for selecting an image to be finally printed with reference to images displayed on the second and third image display means ,
The display image selection instructing unit is configured to display an image to be displayed on the first image display area of the first image display unit and the second image display unit, and a plurality of images stored in the storage unit. A first display image selection instruction means for selecting by frame-by-frame forward or backward, and an image to be displayed on the second image display area and the third image display means of the first image display means A second display image selection instruction means for selecting a plurality of images stored in the storage means by frame-by-frame forward or backward one frame at a time,
When an image is selected by operating one of the first and second display image selection instruction means, and the same image as the partner image displayed side by side is selected, that image is skipped. A print image selection apparatus characterized by automatically selecting the next image .   2. The print image selection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the second and third image display units is configured to be rotatable between a horizontal position and a vertical position.   3. The print according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays reduced images of a plurality of images stored in the storage unit in an image list area of the first image display unit. Image selection device.   The display control means selects a reduced image of an image that has not been selected by the print image selection instruction means from among a plurality of reduced images stored in the storage means, and is taken by the first image display means. 3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein a reduced image of the image selected by the print image selection instruction unit is displayed in a print candidate image list region of the first image display unit. The print image selection apparatus described.   Image number setting means for setting the number of images to be simultaneously displayed on the second and third image display means, and the display image selection instruction means is configured to select the image from a plurality of images stored in the storage means. The number of images set by the number setting unit is individually selected, and the display control unit selects the number of images selected based on the operation by the display image selection instruction unit, from the first image display unit. The second image is displayed in the first and second image display areas on the display screen, and the image displayed in the first image display area is displayed on the display screen of the second image display means. 2. The print image selection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image displayed in the display area is displayed on a display screen of the third image display means. Appropriate images are read from the storage means in which a plurality of images are stored, displayed on the first, second and third image display means, and displayed on the first, second and third image display means. A print image selection method for selecting an image to order for a print while viewing the image,
(a) Two images selected and instructed from a plurality of images stored in the storage means are read out, and the two images are displayed on the display screen of the first image display means as first and second images. The image displayed in the image display area is displayed side by side, and the image displayed in the first image display area is displayed on the full screen on the display screen of the second image display means, and the image displayed in the second image display area is displayed. Displaying a full screen on the display screen of the third image display means;
(b) A step of individually selecting and instructing the two images to be displayed on the first image display means, leaving the display of the one image that can be compared with the other image, and displaying the other image Instructing to select an image to update
selecting an image to apply finally printed with reference to the image displayed on the (c) the second and third image display means, only including,
In the step (b), an image to be displayed on the first image display area of the first image display means and the second image display means is displayed one frame at a time for each of a plurality of images stored in the storage means. First display image selection instruction means for selecting by frame advance in the forward direction or the reverse direction, the second image display area of the first image display means, and the image to be displayed on the third image display means. , By operating one of the second display image selection instruction means for selecting a plurality of images stored in the storage means by frame-by-frame forward or backward one frame at a time. In the step of instructing image selection so as to update the display of the image, when the same image as the partner image displayed side by side is selected, that image is skipped and the next image is automatically selected. It is characterized by Print image selection method.   The print image selection method according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of images include a plurality of portrait images in which at least one of a pose, a costume, a background, and a shooting condition is changed.

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