JP4415388B2 - User interface display device, user interface display method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a user interface display device, a user interface display method, and a program. The present invention relates to a display device for a user interface of an image processing application that generates print information from image information, a display method for a user interface, and a program.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an image processing system that receives an order for a document image from a customer, outputs an output image based on image information of the received document image, and delivers the output image to the customer (for example, Patent Literature) 1). This image processing system accepts order information from an operator using an order entry GUI (graphic user interface) and registers it.
JP 2004-117571 A

  However, in the image processing system, the order entry GUI registers orders and manages orders. However, different applications are used for image processing such as development and print creation. When the image processing system is installed in a photo lab store and operated by a photo lab store operator, the photo lab store operator or other store clerk can use any application in any order from manuscript image order to output image print creation. Often knows the workflow to operate with. However, in the image processing system, when an individual user performs image processing on image information captured by a digital camera or the like and prints the image information from an inkjet printer or the like, the print information is generated from the image information. There is a problem that it is difficult to grasp the workflow of what kind of processing is performed and to generate print information from image information based on the processing.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the first embodiment of the present invention, a browsing process for displaying image information, a layout process for allocating image information to generate layout information, and printing by a printing apparatus based on the layout information A display device for a user interface of an image processing application having a print process for generating print information to be displayed, an application window display unit displaying an image processing application window on a display screen, and an image processing application window on the display screen A processing window display unit for displaying a window for browsing processing including display of image information, a window for layout processing including display of layout information, and a window for printing processing including display of print information. Thereby, in the image processing application, it is possible to clearly present to the user processing that is performed until print information is generated from image information.

  In the display device of the user interface, the browsing process, the layout process, and the print process are linked in this order in the image processing application, and when the image information is changed in the browse process, the layout process window and the print process window are displayed. You may further provide the change reflection part which changes the image information currently displayed in the inside. In the user interface display device, the change reflection unit may change the layout information displayed in the print processing window when the layout information is changed in the layout processing. As a result, in the image processing application, the user can recognize the influence of the change in the upstream process on the downstream process.

  In the user interface display device, the change reflection unit may generate new layout information in the layout process based on the changed print information when the print information is changed in the print process. As a result, in the image processing application, the processing after the change can be performed from the upstream next time without wasting upstream processing.

  In the user interface display device, the browse process, layout process, and print process each have a subroutine process, and when the subroutine process is selected, a subroutine window is newly displayed, and the subroutine process ends. A subroutine display unit that closes the subroutine window when selected may be further provided. Even when the processing of each subroutine is performed, it is possible to clearly present to the user processing that is performed until print information is generated from image information.

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, a browse process for displaying image information, a layout process for assigning image information to generate layout information, and a print process for creating print information to be printed by a printing apparatus based on the layout information A display method of a user interface of an image processing application having an image processing application window on a display screen, a browse processing window including display of image information in the application window on the display screen, and layout information A window for layout processing including display and a window for print processing including display of print information are displayed. Thereby, the same effect as a 1st form can be acquired.

  In the third embodiment of the present invention, browse processing for displaying image information, layout processing for allocating image information to generate layout information, and print processing for creating print information to be printed by a printing apparatus based on the layout information An image processing application user interface program having an external window display function for displaying an image processing application window on a display screen on a computer, and display of image information in the image processing application window on the display screen In this case, an internal window display function for displaying a window for a browse process including a window for a layout process including a display of layout information and a window for a print process including a display of print information is realized. Thereby, the same effect as a 1st form can be acquired.

  The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be the invention.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the scope of claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are included. It is not necessarily essential for the solution of the invention.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The digital camera 20 images an object using an optical element, and generates digital image information for the object. The image processing apparatus 10 acquires image information from the digital camera 20, performs image processing on the acquired image information, generates print information, and outputs the generated print information to the printer 22. The printer 22 prints the print information on the recording material based on the print information output from the image processing apparatus 10. An example of the printer 22 is an ink jet recording apparatus.

  The image processing apparatus 10 includes a personal computer 14 that executes an image processing application, a display 12 that displays a screen for the user 24 based on the output from the personal computer 14, and the user 24 to the personal computer 14. A keyboard 16 and a mouse 18 are provided as an example of input means. An object of the present embodiment is to provide an interface that clearly presents to a user 24 the processing that is performed before generating print information from image information in an image processing application executed by the personal computer 14 of the image processing apparatus 10. And

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions of the image processing apparatus 10. FIG. 3 is an example of a display screen displayed by the user interface unit 30 of the image processing apparatus 10, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 10 generates an image processing unit 40 that generates print information 330 from image information 310 acquired from the digital camera 20, and displays on the display 12 based on the output from the image processing unit 40. And a user interface unit 30 that displays on the screen and receives an input from the user 24 via the keyboard 16 or the mouse 18 and passes the input to the image processing unit 40. The user interface unit 30 is an example of a user interface display device of the present invention.

  The image processing unit 40 includes an application processing unit 200 that performs processing such as activation and termination for the entire image processing application, a browse processing unit 210 that acquires image information 310 from the digital camera 20 and displays the image information 310 on the display 12, and browse processing An image information storage unit 250 that stores the image information 310 acquired by the unit 210. The image processing unit 40 further allocates the image information 310 stored in the image information 310 to generate the layout information 320, and layout information storage that stores the layout information 320 generated by the layout processing unit 220. Part 260. The image processing unit 40 further generates print information 330 based on the layout information 320 stored in the layout information storage unit 260 and outputs the print information 330 to the printer 22, and the print generated by the print processing unit 230. And a print information storage unit 270 that stores information 330. The browse processing unit 210, the layout processing unit 220, and the print processing unit 230 each have a subroutine process.

  The browse processing unit 210 acquires the image information 310 from the digital camera 20 and stores it in the image information storage unit 250 and displays it on the display 12 via the user interface unit 30 described later. In addition, the browse processing unit 210 reads the image information 310 stored in the image information storage unit 250 and executes browse processing such as thumbnail display, color correction, and left / right reversal.

  The image information storage unit 250 associates an image ID that identifies the image information 310 with image information 310 that includes a bitmap and update information indicating the content of the bitmap updated by the browse processing of the browse processing unit 210. Store. Since the image information storage unit 250 stores update information for the bitmap together with the bitmap acquired from the digital camera 20, the image information storage unit 250 acquires it from the digital camera 20 in response to an external request and processes it by the browse processing unit 210. It is also possible to output the bitmap itself before being processed. Here, the bitmap is used in a broad sense of an image expressed by a collection of points, and includes a format such as JPEG. The image information storage unit 250 may store image information 310 including a vector map, that is, an image expressed by a collection of vector data, instead of a bitmap.

  The layout information storage unit 260 stores template information 340 in addition to the layout information 320. The template information 340 includes a template that is a layout template that is expected to be frequently used, and a template ID that identifies the template. The layout information 320 includes a layout ID for identifying the layout information 320 created by the layout processing unit 220, a template ID of a template used for creating this layout, and image information 310 assigned to this layout. Image ID. When the layout processing unit 220 creates a layout without using a template, the layout information storage unit 260 receives information indicating the contents of the layout from the layout processing unit 220 and stores it instead of the template ID. .

  The print information storage unit 270 stores setting information 350 in addition to the print information 330. The setting information 350 includes each parameter set in the printer driver of the printer 22 and a setting information ID for identifying the setting information 350. The print information 330 includes a print ID for identifying the print information 330 created by the print processing unit 230, a setting information ID used for creating the print information, and a layout printed by the print information 330. The layout ID of the information 320 is included.

  The user interface unit 30 includes an application main display unit 202 that displays the application window 100 shown in FIG. 3 on the display screen of the display 12, a browse window 110 that includes display of image information 310 in the application window 100 on the display screen, and a layout. The layout window 120 including the display of the information 320, the processing window display unit 204 displaying the print window 130 including the display of the print information 330, and the subroutine window when the subroutine processing is selected in each processing. A subroutine display unit 206 is provided that closes the subroutine window when the subroutine is newly displayed and the end of subroutine processing is selected. Further, the user interface unit 30 changes the display of the layout window 120 and the print window 130 correspondingly when the image information 310 and the layout information 320 are changed in the browse processing unit 210 and the layout processing unit 220, respectively. A reflection unit 240 is provided. The application main display unit 202 is an example of the application window display unit of the present invention.

  The processing window display unit 204 includes a browse main display unit 212, a layout main display unit 222, and a print main display unit 232 that display a browse window 110, a layout window 120, and a print window 130, respectively. Similarly, a subroutine display unit 206, a browse sub-display unit 214, a layout sub-display unit 224, and a print sub-display unit 234 for displaying subroutine windows for browse processing, layout processing, and print processing, respectively.

  The recording medium 50 stores at least a program for causing the user interface unit 30 to operate. The personal computer 14 may cause the user interface unit 30 to operate by installing the program stored in the recording medium 50. Furthermore, as another method, the personal computer 14 may acquire such a program via a communication line.

  The application window 100 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a window for the entire processing of the image processing application. In order to display this, the application processing unit 200 generates display data for displaying the application window 100 by expanding it on the memory. The application main display unit 202 receives the display data generated by the application processing unit 200 and displays the application window 100. In the application window 100, an image processing application operation area 104 in which items related to operations for the entire application are displayed. An example of an item displayed in the image processing application operation area 104 is a start / end button 108 for accepting start or end of the image processing application.

  The browse window 110 is a window that provides information regarding browse processing. The browse main display unit 212 displays the browse window 110 in the application window 100. 3 and 4, the browse main display unit 212 displays the browse window 110 on the left side in the application window 100. In order to display this, the browse processing unit 210 refers to the image information storage unit 250 and develops the image information 310 stored in the image information storage unit 250 on the memory to create display data. The browse main display unit 212 receives the display data from the browse processing unit 210 and displays it on the browse window 110. The browse window 110 includes a thumbnail image display area 112 for displaying the display image 113, a browse processing operation area 114, and an image processing area 116. Items of functions that the browse processing unit 210 has and that do not mainly change the image information 310 are displayed in the browse processing operation area 114. Items of functions that the browse processing unit 210 has and mainly change the image information 310 are displayed in the image processing area 116. When the user 24 selects or inputs an item in the browse processing operation area 114 or the image processing area 116, the browse processing unit 210 executes a function according to the selected or input content. For example, when the user 24 selects or inputs an item in the browse processing operation area 114, the browse processing unit 210 selects which and how the display image 113 to be displayed in the thumbnail image display area 112 is selected. Whether to display in the thumbnail image display area 112 is determined. The browse window 110 may be a single area in which the functions of the browse processing operation area 114 and the image processing area 116 are integrated.

  The layout window 120 is a window that provides information regarding layout processing. The layout main display unit 222 displays the layout window 120 in the application window 100. 3 and 4, the layout main display unit 222 displays the layout window 120 in the center of the application window 100. In order to display this, the browse processing unit 210 refers to the layout information storage unit 260 and develops the layout information 320 stored in the layout information storage unit 260 on the memory to create display data. The layout main display unit 222 displays the display data on the layout window 120. The layout window 120 includes a layout information display area 122, a layout processing operation area 124, and a layout list display area 126. Items of functions that the layout processing unit 220 has are displayed in the layout processing operation area 124. When the user 24 selects or inputs an item in the layout processing operation area 124, the layout processing unit 220 executes a function according to the selected or input content. For example, when the user 24 selects or inputs an item in the layout processing operation area 124, the layout processing unit 220 determines whether to use an existing template with respect to generation of the layout information 320, and sets the image information 310 to be arranged. select. The layout information 320 being generated is displayed as an edit layout 123 in the layout information display area 122. The layout list display area 126 is an area for displaying the editing layout 123 being created and created as a series of pages. In the layout processing operation area 124, a list of template names associated with the template ID is displayed. The user 24 selects a template name from the list in the layout processing operation area 124. Thereby, the layout processing unit 220 acquires the template ID corresponding to the template name selected by the user 24, and acquires the template information with reference to the layout information storage unit 260.

  The print window 130 is a window that provides information regarding print processing. The print main display unit 232 displays the print window 130 in the application window 100. 3 and 4, the print main display unit 232 displays the print window 130 on the right side in the application window 100. In order to display this, the print processing unit 230 refers to the print information storage unit 270 and develops the print information 330 stored in the print information 330 on the memory to create display data. The print main display unit 232 displays the display data on the print window 130. The print window 130 includes a print information display area 132 and a print processing operation area 134. Items of functions that the print processing unit 230 has are displayed in the print processing operation area 134. When the user 24 selects or inputs an item in the print processing operation area 134, the print processing unit 230 executes a function according to the selected or input content. For example, when the user 24 selects or inputs an item arranged in the print processing operation area 134, the print processing unit 230 selects the layout information 320 to be printed, determines the paper size, and print information 330 Is generated. The print information 330 being created is displayed as a print preview 133 in the print information display area 132.

  Further, a display screen based on processing performed until the image information 310 is acquired and the print information setting information 350 is output will be described with reference to FIG. The user 24 drags and drops the display image 113 to a certain position in the layout information display area 122, thereby giving an instruction to the image processing apparatus 10 to assign the display image 113 to the position in the editing layout 123. FIG. 4 shows an example in which the display images 113 a (persons), 113 d (stars), and 113 f (houses) are assigned to the editing layout 123.

  The browse processing unit 210 and the layout processing unit 220 recognize that the drag and drop has been performed by the user 24 based on notifications from the browse main display unit 212 and the layout main display unit 222, respectively. The browse processing unit 210 specifies the image ID of the image information 310 from the position of the drag-and-drop dragged display image 113 in the browse window 110. The browse processing unit 210 notifies the layout processing unit 220 of the identified image ID via the change reflection unit 240 described later. The layout processing unit 220 identifies the allocation position in the edit layout 123 from the position where the drag and drop is dropped. The layout processing unit 220 generates the layout information 320 after the drag and drop from the information of the image ID and the allocation position. The layout processing unit 220 instructs the layout main display unit 222 to display the generated layout information 320. As a result, the layout main display unit 222 displays the edit layout 123 based on the layout information 320.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the display screen following FIG. The user 24 can reflect the edit layout 123 at a position corresponding to the position of the print preview 133 by dragging and dropping the edit layout 123 to a certain position in the print information display area 132. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the editing layout 123s to which the image information 310 of the display images 113a (persons), 113d (stars), and 113f (houses) is assigned is pasted on the print preview 133.

  The layout processing unit 220 and the print processing unit 230 recognize that the drag and drop has been performed by the user 24 based on notifications from the layout main display unit 222 and the print main display unit 232, respectively. The layout processing unit 220 identifies the layout ID of the editing layout 123 from the drag-and-drop dragged position, and notifies the print processing unit 230 of the identified layout ID via the change reflection unit 240. . The print processing unit 230 specifies the pasting position from the position where the drag and drop is dropped. The print processing unit 230 creates the print information 330 after the drag and drop from the layout ID and the pasting position, and instructs the print main display unit 232 to display. As a result, the print main display unit 232 displays the print preview 133 based on the print information 330. The browse process, the layout process, and the print process can be operated independently, but at least once, the image information 310 is specified in the layout process, and the layout information 320 is specified in the print process. Thereby, the browse process, the layout process, and the print process are linked to each other as a workflow in this order.

  According to the above configuration, since the browse window 110, the layout window 120, and the print window 130 are displayed in the application window 100, the processing that is performed until the image information 310 is acquired and the print information setting information 350 is output is clarified. Can be recognized by the user 24.

  FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams showing transition of display screens on which the subroutine display unit 206 of the image processing apparatus 10 displays the browse subwindow 140. FIG. 7 shows the subroutine display unit 206 in FIG. It is a flowchart of the operation | movement which displays. FIG. 6A shows the display 12 on which the browse sub-window 140, which is one of the subroutine windows related to the browse process, is not displayed. FIG. 6B shows the display 12 on which the browse subwindow 140 is displayed.

  The operation of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is started from the state shown in FIG. When the user 24 selects the display image 113b in the thumbnail image display area 112 and selects the image processing edit button 118 displayed in the image processing area 116 of the browse window 110, the browse main display unit 212 performs subroutine processing. Accept start. (S180).

  The browse main display unit 212 notifies the browse processing unit 210 that the display image 113b has been selected and the subroutine processing has been accepted (S181). In this case, the browse main display unit 212 specifies the image ID of the image information 310 of the display image 113b based on the position of the display image selected by the user 24 with respect to the browse processing unit 210.

  The browse processing unit 210 refers to the image information 310 based on the identified image ID, expands the bitmap of the image information 310 associated with the image ID on the memory, and generates display data (S182). . In this case, when the update information is stored in the image information 310 in association with the image ID, the browse processing unit 210 generates display data based on the image in which the bitmap is updated using the update information. To do.

  Next, the browse sub display unit 214 displays the browse sub window 140 using the display data generated by the browse processing unit 210 (S184). The browse sub-window 140 has an image information display area 142 for displaying a display image 113b based on the selected image information 310, and a subroutine operation area 144 for displaying items related to subroutine processing. When the user 24 selects or inputs an item arranged in the subroutine operation area 144, the browse processing unit 210 performs a subroutine process related to the browse process.

  The browse sub display unit 214 displays the browse sub window 140 until the end is accepted (S186: No). When the browse sub display unit 214 receives the end of the subroutine processing (S186: Yes), the browse sub display unit 214 notifies the browse processing unit 210 that the end has been received (S188). Here, for example, when the user 24 detects that the subroutine end button 148 arranged in the subroutine operation area 144 is selected, the browse sub-display unit 214 determines that the end of the subroutine processing has been received. When the display image 113b displayed in the browse subwindow 140 has a change such as color correction, the browse processing unit 210 updates the change information in the image information 310 of the display image 113b.

  The browse sub display unit 214 closes the browse sub window 140 (S192). Note that the order of steps S188 and S192 may be reversed. Thereby, the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is completed.

  In the foregoing, the operation in which the browse sub display unit 214 displays and closes the browse sub window 140 has been described. Similarly, the layout sub-display unit 224 displays and closes a layout sub-window that is a subroutine window related to layout processing. Similarly, the print sub-display unit 234 displays and closes a print sub-window which is a subroutine window related to print processing.

  As described above, according to the subroutine display unit 206, when processing of each subroutine is performed, a window related to processing of each subroutine is displayed separately from information related to processing of the main routine of image information, layout information, and print information. Subroutine processing can be provided in a state where the user 24 clearly recognizes processing performed from the image information 310 to the print information 330. Further, when the subroutine processing is completed, the display returns to the display screen on which windows corresponding to the main routine processing of the image information 310, the layout information 320, and the print information 330 are arranged. It is possible to make the user 24 clearly recognize the processing performed from 310 to the print information 330.

  FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams schematically illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on the display 12 by the change reflection unit 240. FIG. Here, FIG. 8A shows a display screen before being updated by the change reflection unit 240, and FIG. 8B shows a display screen after being updated by the change reflection unit 240. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in which the change reflection unit 240 updates the display image 113d.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the change reflection unit 240 displays the image information 310 displayed in the layout window 120 and the print window 130 when the image information 310 is changed in the browsing process. The display image 113d is changed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 9 starts from the state shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the image information 310 is changed from the state shown in FIG. For example, it is assumed that the browse processing unit 210 changes the image information 310 based on the operation of the user 24.

  In this case, the browse processing unit 210 generates display data based on the image information 310 and changes the display image 113d displayed on the display 12 (S100). For example, when the display image 113d shown in FIG. 5 is selected and changed from the subroutine operation area 144 in the browse subwindow 140, the browse processing unit 210 generates display data based on the changed image information 310, and It is passed to the browse main display unit 212. The browse main display unit 212 displays the display image 113d shown in FIG. Further, the browse processing unit 210 notifies the browse sub-window 140 that the image information 310 has been changed. The browse processing unit 210 may include, for example, the image ID of the image information 310 in the notification. Further, the browse processing unit 210 updates the update information in the image information 310 of the display image 113d stored in the image information storage unit 250.

  Next, the change reflection unit 240 receives the notification of the change from the browse processing unit 210 and instructs the layout processing unit 220 to re-read the image information 310 (S102). The browse sub-window 140 may include, for example, the image ID of the image information 310 in the above instruction.

  Based on the instruction, the layout processing unit 220 determines whether the changed image information 310 is displayed in the layout window 120 (S104). For example, the layout processing unit 220 compares the image ID of the display image 113d with the image ID existing in the memory area storing the display data of the layout window 120, and at least one of the image IDs existing in the memory area. If one value matches the image ID of the display image 113d, it may be determined that the image information 310 exists in the layout window 120.

  In step S104, when the image information 310 is displayed in the layout window 120 (S104: Yes), the layout processing unit 220 displays the layout information displayed in the layout window 120 on the layout main display unit 222. The image information 310 is changed (S106). As a result, as shown in FIG. 8B, the display image 113d displayed on the editing layout 123 in the layout window 120 is changed.

  On the other hand, when the image information 310 is not displayed in the layout window 120 in step S104 (S104: No), the layout processing unit 220 ignores the instruction from the change reflection unit 240.

  Further, the change reflection unit 240 instructs the print processing unit 230 to re-read the image information 310 (S108). The browse sub-window 140 may include, for example, the image ID of the image information 310 in the instruction.

  The print processing unit 230 determines whether the changed image information 310 is displayed in the print window 130 (S110). The determination is the same as in the layout processing unit 220. When the image information 310 is displayed in the print window 130 (S110: Yes), the print processing unit 230 displays the image information 310 displayed in the print window 130 on the print main display unit 232. Is changed (S112). As a result, as shown in FIG. 8B, the display image 113d displayed in the print preview 133 in the print window 130 is changed. On the other hand, when the print processing unit 230 determines that the image information 310 is not displayed in the print window 130 (S110: No), the print processing unit 230 ignores the instruction from the change reflection unit 240. Thereby, the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is completed.

  As described above, when the image information 310 is changed in the browse process, the display image 113d of the image information 310 displayed in the layout window 120 and the print window 130 is changed. The user 24 can be made to recognize the effect on the user.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing in detail the operation of step S106 of FIG. In step S106, the layout processing unit 220 reads the image information 310 of the image ID of the image from the image information storage unit 250 into the memory area (S120). The layout processing unit 220 regenerates the display data in the memory area based on the read image information 310 (S122). In addition to the image information 310, for the layout information 320 or template information 340 used for the regeneration, the layout processing unit 220 uses information that already exists in the memory area or reads the information from the layout information storage unit 260. . The layout processing unit 220 instructs the layout main display unit 222 to display the layout information 320 of the memory area (S124). The layout main display unit 222 displays the contents of the memory area as the editing layout 123 in the layout information display area 122 in the layout window 120 (S126). This flowchart is complete | finished by the above.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing in detail the operation of step S112 of FIG. Note that the operation in step 112 is similar to the operation in step S106 in FIG. In step S112, the print processing unit 230 reads the image information 310 of the image ID of the image from the image information storage unit 250 into a memory area for storing the display data (S130). The print processing unit 230 regenerates the display data in the memory area based on the read image information 310 (S132). In addition to the image information 310, the print processing unit 230 uses information already existing in the memory area as the layout information 320, template information 340, print information 330, or setting information 350 used for the regeneration. Are read from the layout information storage unit 260 or the print information storage unit 270. The print processing unit 230 instructs the print main display unit 232 to display the print information 330 in the memory area (S134). The print main display unit 232 displays the contents of the memory area as a print preview 133 in the print information display area 132 in the print window 130 (S136). This flowchart is complete | finished by the above.

  12A and 12B are diagrams schematically illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on the display 12 by the change reflection unit 240. FIG. Here, FIG. 12A shows a display screen before being updated by the change reflection unit 240, and FIG. 12B shows a display screen after being updated by the change reflection unit 240. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in which the change reflection unit 240 updates the display screen.

  As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the change reflection unit 240 displays the edit layout 123t of the layout information 320 displayed in the print window 130 when the layout information 320 is changed in the layout process. It changes according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 13 starts from the state shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the layout information 320 is changed from the state shown in FIG. For example, it is assumed that the layout processing unit 220 changes the layout information 320 based on the operation of the user 24.

  In this case, the layout processing unit 220 generates display data based on the layout information 320, and changes the edit layout 123t displayed on the display 12 (S140). For example, when the edit layout 123s shown in FIG. 5 is selected from the layout list display area 126 in the layout window 120 and changed to another template, the layout processing unit 220 displays based on the changed layout information 320. Data is generated and passed to the layout main display unit 222. The layout main display unit 222 displays the edit layout 123t shown in FIG. Furthermore, the layout processing unit 220 notifies the browse subwindow 140 that the layout information 320 has been changed. The layout processing unit 220 may include, for example, the layout ID of the layout information 320 in the notification. Further, the layout processing unit 220 updates the template ID in the layout information 320 stored in the layout information storage unit 260.

  Next, the change reflection unit 240 receives the change notification from the layout processing unit 220 and instructs the print processing unit 230 to re-read the layout information 320 (S142). The browse sub-window 140 may include, for example, the layout ID of the layout information 320 in the above instruction.

  Based on the instruction, the print processing unit 230 determines whether or not the changed layout information 320 is displayed in the print window 130 (S144). For example, the print processing unit 230 compares the layout ID of the layout with a layout ID that exists in a memory area that stores display data for the print window 130, and at least one of the layout IDs that exist in the memory area. If the value matches the layout ID, it may be determined that the layout information 320 is in the print window 130.

  When the layout information 320 is displayed in the print window 130 in step S144 (S144: Yes), the print processing unit 230 displays the print information displayed in the print window 130 on the print main display unit 232. The layout information 320 is changed (S146). As a result, as shown in FIG. 12B, the edit layout 123t displayed in the print preview 133 in the print window 130 is changed.

  On the other hand, when the layout information 320 is not displayed in the print window 130 in step S144 (S144: No), the print processing unit 230 ignores the instruction from the change reflection unit 240. This flowchart is complete | finished by the above.

  As described above, when the layout information 320 is changed in the layout process, the edit layout 123t of the layout information 320 displayed in the print window 130 is changed. 24 can be recognized.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing in detail the operation of step S146 of FIG. In step S142, the print processing unit 230 reads the layout information 320 of the layout ID from the layout information storage unit 260 into the memory area for storing the display data (S150). The print processing unit 230 regenerates the display data in the memory area based on the read layout information 320 (S152). For the image information 310, template information 340, print information 330, or setting information 350 used for the regeneration in addition to the layout information 320, the print processing unit 230 uses information that already exists in the memory area or the information Are read from the image information storage unit 250, the layout information storage unit 260, or the print information storage unit 270. The print processing unit 230 instructs the print main display unit 232 to display the print information 330 in the memory area (S154). The print main display unit 232 displays the contents of the memory area as a print preview 133 in the print information display area 132 in the print window 130 (S156). This flowchart is complete | finished by the above.

  FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams schematically illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on the display 12 by the change reflection unit 240. FIG. Here, FIG. 15A shows the display screen before the new layout information 320 is generated, and FIG. 15B shows the display screen after the new layout information 320 is generated. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in which the layout processing unit 220 generates new layout information 320 based on an instruction from the change reflection unit 240 and updates the display screen.

  As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the change reflection unit 240 adds new layout information 320 to the layout processing unit 220 according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 16 when the print information 330 is changed in the print processing. Let it be created.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 16 starts from the state shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the print information 330 is changed from the state shown in FIG. For example, it is assumed that the print processing unit 230 changes the print information 330 based on the operation of the user 24.

  The print processing unit 230 changes the print information 330, creates display data based on the changed print information 330, and passes it to the print main display unit 232 (S160). The print main display unit 232 displays the print preview 133 changed based on the display data generated by the print processing unit 230 in the print window 130. Further, the print processing unit 230 notifies the change reflection unit 240 that the print information 330 has been changed (S162).

  Next, the layout main display unit 222 stands by until an instruction to create new layout information 320 is received from the user 24 (S163: No). Therefore, if there is no instruction from the user 24 to create new layout information 320, new layout information 320 is not created, and the layout main display unit 222 edits the display 12 based on the current layout information 320. The layout 123s continues to be displayed.

  If there is an instruction to create new layout information 320 in step S163, the layout processing unit 220 stores the current layout information 320 in the layout information storage unit 260 (S164). Next, the change reflection unit 240 causes the print processing unit 230 to create new layout information 320 based on the print information 330 after the change (S166). For example, when the paper size is changed as the print information 330, the change reflection unit 240 notifies the print processing unit 230 that the paper size that can be set in the print processing unit 230 should be limited. Based on this notification and the instruction of the user 24, the layout processing unit 220 creates new layout information 320.

  Next, the layout processing unit 220 instructs the layout main display unit 222 to display the edit layout 123 based on the newly created layout information 320 on the display 12 (S168). Based on this instruction, the layout main display unit 222 displays the edit layout 123u based on the new layout information 320 in the layout window 120 (S170). This flowchart is complete | finished by the above.

  As described above, in the image processing application, when the downstream process is changed, the process after the change can be performed from the next time without wasting the upstream process.

  In the above embodiment, the browse processing unit 210, the layout processing unit 220, and the print processing unit 230 have a memory to develop display data. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As another example, the browse main display unit 212, the layout main display unit 222, and the print main display unit 232 may have a memory to expand display data. In this case, the change reflection unit 240 notifies the browse main display unit 212, the layout main display unit 222, and the print main display unit 232 that the image information 310, the layout information 320, and the print information 330 have been changed. Also good.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

It is the schematic which shows the hardware constitutions of the image processing apparatus 10 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions of the image processing apparatus 10. FIG. 4 is an example of a display screen displayed by the user interface unit 30 of the image processing apparatus 10. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram schematically showing FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a display screen following FIG. 4. (A) And (b) is a schematic diagram which shows the transition of the display screen on which the subroutine display part 206 of the image processing apparatus 10 displays the browse subwindow 140. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an operation in which a subroutine display unit 206 displays a browse subwindow 140. (A) And (b) is the figure which modeled an example of the display screen which the change reflection part 240 displays on the display 12. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which the change reflection part 240 updates a display screen. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of step S106 of FIG. 9 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of step S112 of FIG. 9 in detail. (A) And (b) is the figure which modeled an example of the display screen which the change reflection part 240 displays on the display 12. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which the change reflection part 240 updates a display screen. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of step S146 of FIG. 13 in detail. (A) And (b) is the figure which modeled an example of the display screen which the change reflection part 240 displays on the display 12. FIG. It is a flowchart showing an operation in which the layout processing unit 220 generates new layout information 320 based on an instruction from the change reflection unit 240 and updates the display screen.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image processing apparatus, 12 Display, 14 Personal computer, 16 Keyboard, 18 Mouse, 20 Digital camera, 22 Printer, 24 User, 30 User interface part, 40 Image processing part, 50 Recording medium, 100 Application window, 104 Image processing application Operation area, 108 Start end button, 110 Browse window, 112 Thumbnail image display area, 113 Display image, 114 Browse processing operation area, 116 Image processing area, 118 Image processing edit button, 120 Layout window, 122 Layout information display area, 123 Edit layout, 124 Layout processing operation area, 126 Layout list display area, 127 Template information, 130 print Window, 132 Print information display area, 133 Print preview, 134 Print processing operation area, 140 Browse sub window, 142 Image information display area, 144 Subroutine operation area, 148 Subroutine end button, 200 Application processing section, 202 Application main display section, 204 Processing window display unit 206 Subroutine display unit 210 Browse processing unit 212 Browse main display unit 214 Browse sub display unit 220 Layout processing unit 222 Layout main display unit 224 Layout sub display unit 230 Print processing unit 232 Print main display unit, 234 Print sub display unit, 240 Change reflection unit, 250 Image information storage unit, 310 Image information, 260 Layout information storage unit, 320 Out information, 340 template information, 270 print information storage unit, 330 print information, 350 setting information

Claims (6)

Browse processing for displaying an image and information of the image , selection of a template, layout processing for assigning the image to a layout corresponding to the selected template and generating layout information, and selection of the size of the printing paper receiving the a display device of the user interface of the image processing application with a printing process for creating print data to be printed on the printing paper of the selected size in the printing apparatus based on the layout information,
An application window display unit for displaying a window of the image processing application on a display screen;
In the window of the image processing application on the display screen, the browse processing window for displaying the image and the information of the image , the area for receiving selection of a template, and the layout processing for displaying the layout information And a processing window display unit for displaying the print processing window for displaying the print information and an area for receiving selection of the size of the printing paper ,
A display device of a user interface capable of receiving a size independent of the layout information as the size of the printing paper . 2. The change reflection unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a change reflection unit configured to generate a new layout in the layout process based on the changed size of the print sheet when the size of the print sheet is changed in the print process. User interface display device. 3. The user interface according to claim 2, wherein, when the new layout is generated, the layout processing allocates the image allocated before the size of the printing paper is changed to the generated new layout. Display device. The user interface display device according to claim 2, wherein, in the layout process, when the new layout is generated, the layout information before the size of the printing paper is changed is stored in a layout information storage unit. Browse processing for displaying an image and information of the image , selection of a template, layout processing for assigning the image to a layout corresponding to the selected template and generating layout information, and selection of the size of the printing paper A method for displaying a user interface of an image processing application having a print process for receiving and generating print information to be printed on a printing paper of a size selected by a printing apparatus based on the layout information,
Displaying the image processing application window on a display screen;
In the window of the application on the display screen, the window of the browse process for displaying the image and the information of the image , the window of the layout process for displaying the area for receiving selection of a template and the layout information, And displaying the print processing window for displaying the area for accepting the selection of the size of the print paper and the print information,
The user interface display method can accept a size independent of the layout information as the size of the printing paper . Browse processing for displaying an image and information of the image , selection of a template, layout processing for assigning the image to a layout corresponding to the selected template and generating layout information, and selection of the size of the printing paper accepted, a user interface program of the image processing application with the printing process of creating print data to be printed on the printing paper of the selected size in the printing apparatus based on the layout information, the computer,
An outer window display function for displaying the window of the image processing application on a display screen; and
In the window of the image processing application on the display screen, the window of the browse process for displaying the image and the information of the image , the area for receiving selection of a template, and the layout information for displaying the layout information An internal window display function for displaying a window and an area for accepting selection of a print paper size and the print processing window for displaying the print information;
A program capable of accepting a size independent of the layout information as the size of the printing paper .