JP4517801B2 - Layout determining apparatus, layout determining method, layout determining program, print control apparatus, print control method, and print control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a layout determination device, a layout determination method, a layout determination program, a print control device, a print control method, and a print control program.

When printing an image, the layout is determined by setting a margin when the image to be printed is placed on the printing paper (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-6-202828

In the prior art, the flexibility in determining the layout is low, and it is difficult to change the layout as intended by the user. For example, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, the image size is fixed and the top margin and the left margin are set. Therefore, the image size can be changed, or any one of the top, bottom, left, and right margins can be changed. I couldn't adjust and leave the others fixed. In addition, if the layout can be changed freely, the number of elements that can be changed, such as the size and range of the image that is actually printed, increases, making it difficult to capture the image when the actual image is printed, along with the image to be printed. It becomes difficult to determine the layout.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is a layout determination device, a layout determination method, a layout determination program, and a print control device capable of achieving both a high degree of freedom in layout adjustment and easy understanding of a print result. An object of the present invention is to provide a print control method and a print control program.

  In order to achieve at least one of the above-described objects, when the layout is set, it is possible to select which of the print range arrangement designation and the print range size designation is performed. Therefore, it is possible to directly change only the position without changing the size of the print range, and the size of the print range and the margin can be directly changed by changing only the size of the print range. The layout can be determined with a high degree of freedom.

  Of course, in the present invention, it is possible to select whether to specify the layout of the print range or the size of the print range. Therefore, after specifying one range, it is also possible to specify the other range. is there. For example, by specifying the size of the image to be printed by specifying the size of the print range, and then specifying the layout of the print range, it is possible to easily create a layout that looks good after printing become.

  Here, as the layout, it is only necessary to be able to define the image allocation to the recording medium. In many cases, a rectangular image is allocated to a rectangular printing paper, but of course, the recording medium and the image are not necessarily rectangular, The medium is not limited to printing paper and may be anything as long as it is a target for recording a recording material such as a CD-ROM. In addition, an area for recording an image in the printing apparatus is a print range, and a region other than the print range is a margin. That is, determining the layout and size of the print range determines the layout.

  The selection receiving unit only needs to be able to receive either selection of the print range arrangement designation and size designation. For example, the designation content currently selected is displayed on the output device and a switching instruction is given between them. For example, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which a UI (for example, a radio button) is displayed and a switching instruction is given via the UI by an input device.

  The arrangement designation accepting unit only needs to accept the designation of the print range, and does not change the size of the print range, but changes the position at the time of printing. Various configurations can be adopted for accepting this designation. For example, a configuration in which the current printing range and its arrangement are displayed on the output device and an instruction to switch the arrangement by the input device can be adopted. It is.

  The range designation accepting unit only needs to accept the designation of the size of the print range. Therefore, the print range varies as the size is varied, but the position of the print range itself does not vary. For example, when changing one side of the rectangular printing range at right angles to the side, the positions of the other sides are not changed. Various configurations can be adopted for accepting this designation. For example, the current printing range and its arrangement are displayed on the output device, and an instruction to switch the size of the printing range is given by the input device. A configuration can be adopted.

  The layout determining means only needs to be able to determine the layout in accordance with the layout of the print range received by the layout specification receiving means and the size of the print range received by the range specification receiving means. It suffices if the result is reflected at the time of printing and can be set to be printed according to the layout. For example, the inside of the print medium may be expressed by two-dimensional coordinates, and the coordinates indicating the position where the image is printed may be specified, or the print image may be generated by bitmap data, and the blank portion may be white (recording material not recorded) ), And bitmap data indicating an image may be arranged within the print range, and various configurations can be employed.

  In determining the layout, the arrangement and size of the print range are determined, but it is not essential that the designations by both the arrangement designation accepting unit and the range designation accepting unit have been accepted. In other words, if a default value is set for the arrangement and size of the print range and the arrangement and size are specified by changing the default value, only one of the selections is accepted. Even so, the user has decided the layout. Of course, it is also possible to determine the layout by the layout determining means after performing one or both of the arrangement designation and the size designation a plurality of times.

  Adopting a configuration that displays a frame indicating a print range on the display unit and displays an image to be printed within the print range as a suitable configuration when performing designation by the arrangement designation receiving unit and the range designation receiving unit. Also good. In such a configuration, the printing range can be clearly indicated by a frame. In addition, by changing the display position of the frame in conjunction with the print range arrangement designation, the arrangement of the print range and the change thereof can be clearly shown. Further, by changing the size of the frame in conjunction with the designation of the size of the print range, the size of the print range and its change can be clearly indicated.

  Of course, when changing the size of the printing range, the frame may be changed in any way. For example, in the case of a rectangular frame, the GUI may be configured so that one of the sides can be moved in a direction perpendicular to the side, or the GUI may be configured so that the position of the vertex can be changed. The configuration can be adopted. Of course, the shape of the frame is not limited to a rectangle, and various frames can be used. Further, when designating the arrangement of the printing range, the position may be changed without changing the area of the frame.

  Further, as an example of a suitable configuration that is adopted by either or both of the arrangement designation receiving unit and the range designation receiving unit, the actual size of the printing range may be determined from the dimensions and the specified aspect ratio. That is, if a dimension is designated, a user-desired size can be designated directly with great ease. If an aspect ratio is designated, a general-purpose aspect ratio can be set very easily. For example, a general-purpose aspect ratio as a captured image of a digital still camera is 3: 4 (or 4: 3), and a general-purpose aspect ratio as a captured image of a film camera is 2: 3 (or 3: 2). . In this way, if the aspect ratio that is generally used is set as the predetermined aspect ratio, it becomes easy to obtain a desired printing range by simple selection, which is very convenient. Of course, here, the aspect ratio may be predefined with dimensions.

  Furthermore, it is preferable to display a frame indicating the print range and display an image in the frame so that an image of the printed matter obtained after printing can be easily obtained. The display position of may be changed. Here, as a preferred configuration example, it is possible to employ a configuration in which the image is centered within the print range after the designation of the arrangement and size of the print range is received.

  In other words, the image is displayed so that the image displayed at the center of the frame before the change of the frame and the image displayed at the center of the frame after the change of the frame substantially coincide. Thereby, it is possible to present an image within the print range without greatly changing the impression of the image displayed in the frame with the change of the print range. When the layout determination process is started so that the center of the print area and the center of the image coincide, the center of the image always coincides with the center of the print area, and once the image is moved within the print area Therefore, the center of the image after the movement always coincides with the center of the print range.

  In general, an important object is often placed in the center of an image, such as a photo image. By displaying the center of the image in a frame, you can easily lay out while obtaining the image of the print result. Can be determined. Further, once the image is moved, an important part to be printed is often arranged at the center of the image, so that the layout can be determined while always being aware of the important part. Since this process is a process for helping to obtain an image of the printed matter, it is not essential that the center of the frame and the center of the image exactly match each other.

  Further, the display means may be adjusted so that any or a combination of movement, enlargement, and reduction of the image displayed in the frame can be implemented. In other words, by changing the size of the print range, a part of the image may be trimmed or a part of the print range may not be filled with the image, and the part to be printed in the image is outside the print range. It can happen. Therefore, if the reduction can be performed in this case, it is possible to perform printing so that the trimmed portion is included in the printing range again. Further, if the enlargement can be performed, it is easy to fill the entire printing range with an image. Furthermore, a portion that is desired to be printed in the image can be easily included in the print range by movement, enlargement, or reduction. Furthermore, the tilt of the image can be easily corrected by enabling the rotation. As a result, the print result becomes easier to understand.

The present invention is a layout determination device that determines a layout for printing an image, and includes a layout determination unit that determines the layout according to reception by an input screen displayed on a predetermined display,
The layout determining unit includes a first adjustment tab for designating adjustment of a print range in which an image is printed on a print sheet, and a second adjustment tab for designating adjustment of an image to be included in the print range. When the above-mentioned input screen is displayed and the first adjustment tab is designated, the first mode for fixing the print range size and changing the print range arrangement and the print range arrangement are fixed and printed. A first input screen as the input screen including a selection field for selecting one of the second modes for changing the size of the range, and a display field indicating the printing paper and the printing range on the printing paper. When the first mode is selected in the selection field, the setting of the size of the printing range is accepted via the first input screen, and the size of the printing range is the size according to the setting. Print paper in a fixed state When the change in the print range is received via the first input screen and the second mode is selected by the selection field, the change in the size of each margin in the print range is input first. After changing the size of the print range and the image displayed in the center of the print range before changing the size of the print range due to the change in the size of the print range by changing the margins When the image within the print range is drawn so that the image displayed at the center of the print range substantially matches, and the second adjustment tab is designated, the image within the print range is moved, enlarged, and reduced. A second input screen as the input screen that can receive an instruction of any one or a combination of rotation and includes a display field indicating a print sheet, a print range on the print sheet, and a grid line in the print range; Display the second input screen Updates the display of the image in the print range in accordance with any or a combination of instructions between the mobile and the expansion and contraction with the rotation of the image received through, it is constituted.
According to the present invention, the layout determination unit can accept selection of a dimension or a predetermined aspect ratio for the size of the print range via the first input screen.
Furthermore, it is preferable that data indicating the layout determined as described above can be stored in a predetermined storage medium. That is, if data indicating the layout is stored in a predetermined storage medium, the same layout can be used without determining the layout again. Further, if the image data indicating the image to which the layout is applied is stored together, the same layout can be generated for the same photograph without determining the layout again.

  Note that the invention is also realized as a print control apparatus that executes printing using the layout determined as described above. That is, when acquiring image data indicating an image and printing the image, the print layout can be determined by specifying the print range and size of the image on the print medium by the same process as described above. . In addition, if an image is printed in the print range in this print layout, a print control apparatus that executes printing while adjusting the layout with a high degree of freedom and an easy-to-understand interface can be realized.

By the way, the layout determination apparatus and the print control apparatus described above may be implemented independently, or may be implemented together with other methods in a state of being incorporated in a certain device. It includes embodiments and can be changed as appropriate. Further, the method of the layout determining and printing control described above is also applicable as a method, a similar effect to the basic manner.

When trying to implement the present invention, a predetermined program may be executed by the layout determination apparatus or the print control apparatus. Therefore, is also possible to practice the invention, the same action is based basically as a program. Of course, it is possible to make the configuration described in each dependent claim correspond to the above method or program. Any storage medium can be used to provide the program. For example, a magnetic recording medium or a magneto-optical recording medium may be used, and any recording medium that will be developed in the future can be considered in the same manner. In addition, even when a part is software and a part is realized by hardware, the idea of the present invention is not completely different, and a part is recorded on a recording medium and is appropriately changed as necessary. It includes a reading form. Furthermore, the same is true for the replication stage such as the primary replica and the secondary replica.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
(1) Configuration of layout determination device and print control device:
(2) Print control processing:
(3) Layout determination processing:
(4) Layout determination operation example:
(5) Other embodiments:

(1) Configuration of layout determination device and print control device:
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a layout determination apparatus and a print control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a layout determination device and a print control device are realized by some of the functions of the computer 10. The computer 10 includes a CPU 11 that is the center of arithmetic processing, and the CPU 11 controls the entire computer 10 via a system bus 10a. Connected to the system bus 10a are a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a hard disk drive 14, a USB I / F 15, a CRTI / F (not shown), an input device I / F, and the like.

  The hard disk drive 14 stores an operating system (OS) as software, a print utility 30 for performing image printing, a printer driver (PRTDRV) 31, and the like, and these software are appropriately transferred to the RAM 13 by the CPU 11 at the time of execution. Is done. The CPU 11 executes various programs under the control of the OS while appropriately accessing the RAM 13 as a temporary work area.

  A keyboard 16a and a mouse 16b are connected to the input device I / F as operation input devices. A display 17a for display is connected to the CRTI / F. Therefore, the computer 10 can accept the operation contents by the keyboard 16a and the mouse 16b, and can display various information on the display 17a. Further, a printer 20 is connected to the USB I / F 15 and an image can be printed based on data output from the computer 10. Of course, the connection I / F with the printer 20 is not limited to the USB I / F, and various connection modes such as a parallel I / F, a serial I / F, and a SCSI connection can be adopted, and any one to be developed in the future. The same applies to the connection mode.

  The printer 20 used in the present embodiment is an ink jet printer, and uses color inks of a total of four colors, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), during color printing. Can do. Of course, light cyan (lc) or light magenta (lm) can be used to make 6 colors, and dark yellow (DY) can be added to make 7 colors. A laser printer using a plurality of color toners can also be used. In any case, the computer 10 creates print data that can be interpreted by the printer 20 and outputs the print data via the USB I / F 15. The printer 20 prints an image by recording a recording material for each pixel constituting the image based on the print data.

(2) Print control processing:
The CPU 11 executes printing by executing the print utility 30 and the PRTDRV 31. That is, the print utility 30 has a function of determining a print layout when specifying a print target, and also has a function of transferring print image data indicating the determined layout to the PRTDRV 31. The PRTDRV 31 executes printing based on the print image data.

  FIG. 1 illustrates functional blocks of the print utility 30, and FIG. 2 illustrates a general flowchart of processing executed by the print utility 30 and the PRTDRV 31. As shown in FIG. 1, the print utility 30 includes an image data acquisition unit 30a, a print environment setting unit 30b, a layout determination unit 30c, and a print image data generation unit 30d. Further, the print utility 30 proceeds with processing by displaying a GUI on the display 17a by a display control unit and an operation input receiving unit (not shown) and receiving an operation input by an operation input device such as the keyboard 16a and the mouse 16b.

  The image data acquisition unit 30a can read out various types of image data 14a stored in the hard disk drive 14, acquire the image data 14a (step S100), and display it as a print candidate on the display 17a. Further, selection of a print image made by the operation input device is accepted (step S105). In the present embodiment, the layout for printing the print image selected here is determined and printing is executed.

  Next, the printing environment setting unit 30b sets the printing environment. As the printing environment, the size and type of printing paper and the model of the printing apparatus are input, and these printing conditions input via the operation input apparatus are acquired (step S110). There are various other printing environments such as printing resolution and printing mode (bidirectional printing, etc.). In this embodiment, printing is set in a default environment. Of course, the setting of the printing environment may be changed as appropriate depending on the size of the image, or various environments may be configured to be selectable by the user.

  The layout determining unit 30c determines the layout (step S115). At this time, the layout determination unit 30c displays a UI (to be described later) on the display 17a, and accepts a user instruction according to the operation content input via the keyboard 16a and the mouse 16b. In the present embodiment, a layout is specified by specifying the size and arrangement of a print range for printing an image on a print sheet, and the layout is determined according to the specified content. Details of this process will be described later. Further, layout data 14b indicating the layout determined at this time can be recorded in the hard disk drive 14. In this case, the same layout can be used by referring to the layout data 14b later.

  The print image data generation unit 30d generates print image data for printing an image in accordance with the layout created as described above (step S120). In this embodiment, the layout of a print image is specified by forming bitmap data in a buffer for one page prepared in advance in the RAM 13. Accordingly, the print image data generation unit 30d generates bitmap data so as to arrange an image of a specified size at a position specified in the layout, and uses this as print image data. Of course, the configuration for determining the layout for executing printing is not limited to the configuration for determining the bitmap data in the buffer, and various configurations can be adopted.

  When the print image data generation unit 30d stores one page of print image data in the RAM 13, the PRTDRV 31 is activated. The PRTDRV 31 can perform two-way communication with the printer 20 via the USB I / F 15 and acquires print image data stored in the RAM 13 to execute printing (step S125). That is, the PRTDRV 31 executes color conversion processing for each pixel of the acquired print image data, performs halftone processing, and outputs the result to the printer 20 while rearranging in the order used by the printer 20. As a result, the printer 20 ejects ink so as to form an image indicated by the print image data.

(3) Layout determination processing:
Next, the layout determination process in step S115 will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the layout determination process, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams showing UIs used when the layout determination process is executed. In this embodiment, when determining the arrangement and size of the printing range on the printing paper, the image can be enlarged, reduced, moved, and rotated. By this processing, printing should be performed within the printing range. It is possible to determine the actual image.

  In the present embodiment, the layout is specified by the orientation direction of the printing paper and the arrangement and size of the printing range. That is, the printing paper and the printing range in the present embodiment are rectangular, and the size of the printing paper is determined by the printing environment setting in step S110. Therefore, by specifying the diagonal vertex coordinates in the printing range, Placement and size can be specified at the same time. Further, the orientation direction of the printing paper is specified depending on whether the long side of the rectangular printing paper is oriented vertically or horizontally.

  In the layout determination process, when determining the above layout, there are a photo size priority mode in which the size of the print range is fixed and the layout is changed, and a margin priority mode in which the layout of the print range is fixed and the size is changed. It is feasible. It is also possible to select a predetermined photo size. In the present embodiment, in order to realize such layout determination, a UI as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is used. In order to display this UI, a default value is set in advance for each parameter that can be set in the UI. Has been decided.

  Therefore, the layout determining unit 30c first displays the UI shown in FIG. 4 or 5 on the display 17a based on these default values (step S200). Whether to display FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 is determined based on the default value. When the UI is displayed, the layout determining unit 30c accepts input from the keyboard 16a and mouse 16b (step S205). That is, it is possible to click a radio button on the UI, operate a mouse pointer, and input a numerical value in the input box, thereby acquiring various types of information.

  In this way, when the UI is displayed on the display 17a and the input from the keyboard 16a, the mouse 16b, etc. is accepted, the designation of the tab set on the UI, the change of the radio button described later, etc. are always monitored. Yes. When a tab is designated, the process jumps to step S210 shown in FIG. 3, and when an instruction other than a tab is given, such as a radio button change, the process jumps to step S215. Here, the tab is an interface for designating adjustment contents. In the examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper left T shown in the UI is a tab. In this embodiment, as shown in these drawings, by clicking either the frame adjustment tab or the photo adjustment tab, the frame adjustment for adjusting the frame indicating the print range and the image to be included in the print range are performed. One of the specified photo adjustments can be specified.

  Therefore, in step S210, it is determined whether frame adjustment or photo adjustment is specified by the tab, and when it is determined that frame adjustment is specified, the UI shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display 17a ( Step S215). In FIG. 4, the printing paper P and the printing range R on the printing paper are visually displayed on the left side, and various setting inputs regarding the layout can be performed on the right side.

  In this embodiment, since the size of the printing paper P is specified in advance, the width Pw and the height Ph are fixed, and the inside of the frame is the width Pw and the height Ph, and the inside is white. A certain frame is displayed as printing paper P. When the diagonal vertex coordinates of the printing range R are determined by default values or adjustments described later, the width Iw and height Ih of the printing range R are specified from the coordinate values, and the upper margin height Muh and lower margin are determined. Height Mdh, left margin width Mlw, and right margin width Mrw. In the present embodiment, an image to be printed is displayed within the print range R. In FIG. 4, arrows and characters (Pw etc.) indicating the width and height are not actually displayed, but are shown for explanation.

  The setting items on the right side of FIG. 4 include paper orientation, rotation, layout change, photo size designation, and margin designation. Further, the print button B1 for instructing printing and the vertical centering for centering the printing range R in the height direction. A button B2, a left / right centering button B3 for centering the print range R in the width direction, and a setting save button B4 for saving data indicating the contents of the determined layout are provided.

  The paper direction can be determined by the radio button R1, and when the selection of the radio button R1 is switched, the layout determining unit 30c executes step S215 to switch the orientation direction of the printing paper P as instructed and display the UI. . The orientation direction of the printing paper P can also be changed by a button B5 indicating rotation. That is, when the right button B5 is clicked, the layout determining unit 30c executes step S215, and rotates the orientation direction of the printing paper P by 90 ° to the right to display a UI as shown in FIG. When the left button B5 is clicked, the layout determining unit 30c executes step S215, and rotates the orientation direction of the printing paper P by 90 ° to the left to display a UI as shown in FIG.

  The layout change can be specified by the radio button R2, and either the photo size priority mode or the margin priority mode is specified by the selection content in the radio button R2. When the layout determining unit 30c detects the switching of the radio button, it determines whether the mode after the switching is the photo size priority mode or the margin priority mode (step S220). When it is determined in step S220 that the mode is the photo size priority mode, the layout determination unit 30c accepts an instruction to fix the photo size (that is, the size of the print range R) and change the position (step S225).

  At this time, the selection by the photo size designation unit I shown in FIG. 4 can be performed, and a predetermined photo size (eight cut, digital camera version) and an arbitrary size (user definition) can be selected. The layout determining unit 30c displays the width Iw and the height Ih of the printing range R so that the size is predetermined when each of the eight cuts or the digital camera version is selected with the radio button of the photo size designation unit I. And the print range R on the left side of FIG. 4 is drawn. In addition, the chopping has a width of 165 mm and a height of 216 mm, and the digital camera plate has a ratio of width to height of 3: 4, and its actual size is predetermined.

  When the user definition is selected by the radio button of the photo size designation part I and the width and height are entered in the input box below it, the layout determining part 30c prints the print range so as to be the entered width and height. The width Iw and height Ih of R are set, and the print range R on the left side of FIG. 4 is drawn. The layout determining unit 30c accepts a change in position while fixing the width Iw and height Ih of the printing range R determined as described above.

  That is, when the mouse 16b is dragged while the pointer Po of the mouse 16b is placed inside the print range R, the position of the print range R is changed while the width Iw and height Ih are fixed. At this time, the layout determining unit 30c changes the coordinate value of the diagonal vertex indicated by the black circle in FIG. 4 in conjunction with the movement of the mouse 16b. Accordingly, when the printing range R is moved, the width Iw and the height Ih of the printing range R are fixed, and the upper margin height Muh, the lower margin height Mdh, the left margin width Mlw, and the right margin width. Mrw varies.

  When it is determined in step S220 that the margin priority mode is set, the layout determination unit 30c accepts an instruction to fix the position of the printing range R and change the size thereof (step S230). At this time, the selection by the margin designating unit M shown in FIG. 4 can be performed, and the upper margin height Muh, the lower margin height Mdh, and the left margin can be input by numerically inputting the margins in the input boxes arranged vertically and horizontally. Each of the margin width Mlw and the right margin width Mrw can be specified.

  Further, by dragging the mouse 16b while placing the pointer Po of the mouse 16b on the side of the printing range R, the size of the margin adjacent to this side is changed while changing the width Iw or height Ih of the printing range R. Can be made. For example, when the upper side of the printing range R is indicated by the pointer Po, the upper side moves up and down as the mouse 16b is dragged, and the height Muh of the upper margin varies.

  In other words, either one of the coordinate values of the diagonal vertices (black circles) shown in FIG. As a result, it is possible to set the margin while preventing the printing range R from being changed in a portion other than the changed margin. For example, when a numerical value is input to the input box to change the height Muh of the upper margin, the upper side of the printing range R changes, but the lower side and the left and right sides do not change. When the upper side is indicated by the pointer Po and the mouse 16b is dragged, the upper side of the printing range R changes, but the lower side and the left and right sides do not change.

  As described above, when the size of the margin is changed, the size of the print range R is changed. In step S230, the image displayed in the print range R is redrawn with the change of the print range R. In the present embodiment, redrawing is performed so that the center of the image displayed before the change of the print range R is arranged at the center of the print range R even after the change of the print range R. For example, after determining the print range R by moving the upper side of the print range R up and down, the coordinates of the center are extracted. Then, before changing the print range R, the image data 14a is redrawn so that the center of the image displayed in the print range R matches the coordinates of the extracted center.

  In the above processing, if the center of the printing range R matches the center of the image before the margin setting, the UI can be configured so that the center of the image always becomes the center of the printing range R. In many photographs, an important subject is arranged near the center thereof, and this processing makes it possible to determine the size of the print range R while always being aware of the important subject, which is very easy to understand. A UI can be provided.

  Further, when the position of the image is changed by an image moving process described later before the margin setting, the UI can be configured such that the center of the image after the change is always the center of the printing range R. When the image is moved, the image is moved so that the portion to be printed is included in the print range R in the image, and there is often an important portion to be printed at the center. Therefore, by the above processing, the size of the printing range R can be determined while always paying attention to important parts, and a UI that is very easy to understand can be provided.

  In the above input box, the unit of numerical values is not particularly limited, and may be an actual size such as mm or inch or the number of pixels. Also, the photo size is not limited to the above-mentioned eight-cut or digital camera version, and various sizes such as an L-size and a four-cut version can be adopted. In both the photo size priority mode and the margin priority mode, the printing range R can be centered. That is, when the vertical centering button B2 is designated by the pointer Po of the mouse 16b, the layout determining unit 30c jumps to step S215, and sets the print range R so that the upper margin height Muh and the lower margin height Mdh are equal. Arrange and draw UI. When the left / right centering button B2 is designated by the pointer Po of the mouse 16b, the layout determining unit 30c jumps to step S215, arranges the print range R so that the left margin width Mlw and the right margin width Mrw are equal, and the UI. Draw.

  As described above, when the size and arrangement of the printing range R are determined by the UI shown in FIG. 4, the layout is determined. Data indicating this layout can be recorded in the hard disk drive 14 by instructing the setting save button B4. Therefore, the layout determining unit 30c determines whether or not the setting save button B4 has been instructed by the pointer of the mouse 16b (step S245). If it is determined in step S245 that the setting save button B4 has been instructed, the layout data 14b indicating the layout is recorded in the hard disk drive 14 (step S250). If it is not determined in step S245 that the setting save button B4 has been instructed, step S250 is skipped.

  In this embodiment, the layout data 14b includes at least data indicating the size and arrangement of the printing range R, the size of the printing paper, and the direction of the printing paper. According to this data, the layout determined as described above can be used later. Of course, the layout data 14b may include image data, data for specifying a printing position in the image data, printer model, image data retouch information, comments, and data indicating a signature.

  Further, the layout determining unit 30c determines whether or not the print button B1 is instructed by the pointer Po of the mouse 16b (step S255). If it is determined in step S255 that the print button B1 has been instructed, the process returns to the process shown in FIG. 2, and printing is executed with the determined layout. That is, bitmap data for printing an image displayed in the print range in the layout (size and position of the print range) determined in the above process is formed in the buffer (step S120), and printing is performed. Is executed (step S125). If it is not determined in step S255 that the print button B1 has been instructed, step S210 and subsequent steps are repeated. That is, the UI display and the input operation are repeated until an instruction is given by the print button B1.

  In the present embodiment, since either the photo size priority mode or the margin priority mode can be selected using the UI shown in FIG. 4, this configuration corresponds to the selection receiving unit. Further, since the mode is determined in step S220 and the position change is accepted in step S225, these processes correspond to the arrangement designation accepting means, the mode is determined in step S220, and the margin change is accepted in step S230. Therefore, these processes correspond to the range designation receiving means. In addition, since the layout for performing printing is determined in step S120 after the print instruction in step S255, this processing corresponds to the layout determination unit.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 3, when it is determined in step S210 that the photo adjustment is designated, the UI shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display 17a (step S235). Also in FIG. 5, the printing paper P and the printing range R on the printing paper are visually displayed on the left side, and various processes are performed on the image displayed in the printing range R on the interface on the right side. It can be implemented.

  The print range R is displayed on the left side of the figure, and an image is displayed in the print range R as in FIG. On the other hand, the size of the image I is not necessarily the same as the printing range R, and in FIG. 5, an example in which the image I is larger than the printing range R is indicated by a broken line. Of course, the image indicated by the broken line is not displayed on the actual UI. On the left side of FIG. 5, grid lines are drawn to serve as marks when moving or rotating the image.

  In the UI shown in the figure, the image drawn in the printing range R can be enlarged, reduced, moved, and rotated by the interface on the right side. For this reason, an enlargement / reduction instruction section Sa, a movement instruction button B7, and a rotation instruction section R are provided, and an instruction by these is received (step S240). Further, the UI shown in FIG. 5 also includes a print button B6 and a setting save button B8, similar to the UI shown in FIG.

  In the enlargement / reduction instruction section Sa, the image can be enlarged or reduced by inputting a numerical value in the input box and a slide bar. In other words, the layout determining unit 30c acquires an image enlargement rate or reduction rate based on a numerical value or a slide bar input to the input box, and performs an interpolation calculation process so as to enlarge or reduce the image according to the instructed ratio. When the interpolation result is obtained, the image is drawn again so that the center does not deviate from the image before the interpolation. As a result, the relative relationship between the size of the printing range R and the size of the image can be changed.

  In the movement instruction button B7, the image can be moved by an instruction of the button. In other words, the layout determining unit 30c re-images the image so that the image is moved by a predetermined amount of movement in the designated direction when any one of the movement instruction buttons B7 indicating up / down / left / right movement is designated. draw. It is also possible to move the image by pointing the image with the pointer Po of the mouse 16b and dragging the mouse 16b.

  That is, when the mouse 16b is dragged while the pointer Po of the mouse 16b is placed inside the print range R, the layout determining unit 30c detects the movement of the mouse 16b and moves the image so that the movement amount is the same as this movement. The display range is changed, and the contents of the image displayed in the print range R are sequentially changed. Of course, at this time, the position of the printing range R is not changed. As a result, it is possible to easily select the part of the image to be included in the print range R.

  In the rotation instruction unit R, the image can be rotated by inputting a numerical value in the input box. That is, the layout determining unit 30c identifies the rotation angle based on the numerical value input in the input box, converts the position of the image so that rotation of the rotation angle is given around the center of the print range R, and converts the image into an image. Redraw. As a result, the relative orientation of the image with respect to the print range R can be changed.

  After enlarging, reducing, moving, and rotating as described above, it is possible to save the adjusted settings and issue a print instruction in the same manner as the UI shown in FIG. That is, after step S240, the layout determination unit 30c performs step S245, and when a save instruction is given by the setting save button B8, adds the data indicating the enlargement, reduction, movement, and rotation to the layout data 14b. Records in the hard disk drive 14. When an instruction is issued by the print button B6, step S120 and subsequent steps shown in FIG. 2 are performed.

(4) Layout determination operation example:
The layout determination apparatus described above has both a high degree of freedom in layout adjustment and easy understanding of the print result, and can provide various convenient usages. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation example, and shows the printing paper and the printing range R displayed on the UI of FIG. 4 or FIG. In the example shown in the figure, first, the size of the print range R is determined in the margin priority mode, and then an image to be printed within the print range R is determined by moving the image. The arrangement of is determined.

  Specifically, the lower margin is expanded in the margin priority mode for the image in which the human face is located in the center (upper left arrow 1). At this time, the size of the print range R can be easily determined by the UI, but according to the present embodiment, relative to the image included in the print range R. It is possible to determine the size of the printing range R in consideration of the relationship. That is, when the lower margin is expanded, redrawing the image without performing redrawing, and simply trimming, the person's body and part of the face are cut off, and important parts of the person are surely included in the printing range R. Thus, it becomes difficult to set the printing range R.

  However, in the present embodiment, as described above, the image is redrawn so that the center of the image before the margin change matches the center of the print range R after the margin change. As described above, the face and body of the person, which are important parts of the image, are included in the print range R. Therefore, the relative relationship between the size of the person in the image and the print range R is very easy to understand, and the print range R can be easily determined.

  In the present embodiment, since the photograph can be moved by the UI shown in FIG. 5, the position of the image can be easily finely adjusted. For this reason, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the image to be included in the printing range R is further moved to information (middle left arrow 2). As a result, a user-desired part can be easily arranged in the printing range R.

  As described above, when the size of the print range R and the image to be printed are determined, it is preferable to adjust the arrangement of the print range R in the photo size priority mode. In other words, the relative positional relationship between the printing paper P and the printing range R is also important in order to increase the degree of completion as a work, such as displaying the printing results in an exhibition. Therefore, the arrangement of the printing range R is changed by the photo size priority mode (lower left arrow 3). As a result, the arrangement of the printing range R can be adjusted without affecting the size of the printing range R that has already been determined and the print target image. Of course, the print range R may be arranged so that the size of the upper and lower margins is equal and the size of the left and right margins is equal, but it is also possible to make the print ranges slightly uneven in this way. That is, it is said that when the size of the upper margin is slightly larger than the lower margin, it looks good, and it is easy to make such a margin.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another operation example, and here also shows an interface displayed on the UI of FIG. 4 or FIG. This example shows that various options can be taken when the size of the print range R and the size of the image are different. In particular, the aspect ratio of a film in silver lead photography is 2: 3 (or 3: 2), whereas the aspect ratio of image data in a recent digital still camera is 3: 4 (or 4: 3).

  Therefore, when the scan result of the silver-lead photographic film is printed or when the default is the aspect ratio of the silver-lead photographic film, the aspect ratio of the printing range R is 2: 3. In this situation, when printing image data of a digital still camera, the aspect ratio does not match. This is shown on the left side of FIG. 7, where the boundary indicated by the broken line is the boundary of the image and the aspect ratio is 3: 4. The boundary indicated by the solid line is the boundary of the printing range R and the aspect ratio is 2: 3.

  Under this circumstance, the user can print with an aspect ratio of 3: 4 of the image, or can print with an aspect ratio of 2: 3 of the print range R. That is, when printing with an image aspect ratio of 3: 4, for example, the top margin is narrowed in the margin priority mode (left arrow 1). When the margin is changed in this way, the image is redrawn so that the center of the image before the margin change matches the center of the printing range R after the margin change, so both the upper margin and the lower margin are changed. Instead of narrowing the upper margin, the entire image can be adjusted to be included in the printing range R. Thus, after adjusting the margins so that all images are included in the print range R, the layout that looks good as a work can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the print range R in the photo size priority mode. Can be completed.

  On the other hand, when printing with an aspect ratio of 2: 3, it is possible to select not to change the print range R, and after changing the size of the print range R in the margin priority mode, printing with an aspect ratio of 2: 3 is possible. It is good as a range. In any case, after determining the size of the print range R, it is possible to set so that a desired part is printed by moving (or enlarging or reducing) the image. Thus, in the present invention, the layout can be changed with a high degree of freedom, and a desired layout can be obtained very easily.

(5) Other embodiments:
The above embodiment is an example for realizing the layout determination device, the layout determination method, the layout determination program, the print control device, the print control method, and the print control program according to the present invention, and other configurations can of course be employed. . In the above example, the layout is determined by a general-purpose computer and the print control is performed. Of course, the layout determination and the print control need not be performed by one computer, and are incorporated in the printing apparatus. These processes may be performed by a computer.

  Further, the layout may be determined or the print control may be performed by a computer that provides an image to be printed to the printing apparatus, such as a digital still camera or a mobile phone. Furthermore, the processor responsible for processing is not limited to a general-purpose processor such as a CPU, but may be a custom IC. The printer is not necessarily a single printing apparatus, and may be a multifunction machine or a copier incorporating a plurality of functions such as a scanner and a fax machine.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the layout is determined by writing bitmap data to the buffer for one page prepared in the RAM 13, but the layout determination is not limited to such a method. . For example, a configuration in which a layout determined by the UI is described in a page description language and the page description language is written in data to be transferred to PRTDRV or a printer may be employed. Of course, as the page description language, various languages such as Postscript (Postscript is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems), ESC / P (ESC / P is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation) can be adopted.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the print utility is provided as a single program. However, it can be provided as a function of PRTDRV, or can be provided as a function of an application program such as image retouching software.

It is a schematic block diagram of a layout determination apparatus and a printing control apparatus. 3 is a general flowchart of print control processing. It is a flowchart of a layout determination process. It is a figure which shows UI at the time of performing a layout determination process. It is a figure which shows UI at the time of performing a layout determination process. It is a figure which shows the operation example at the time of layout determination. It is a figure which shows the operation example at the time of layout determination.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Computer, 10a ... System bus, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... ROM, 13 ... RAM, 14 ... Hard disk drive, 14a ... Image data, 14b ... Layout data, 16a ... Keyboard, 16b ... Mouse, 17a ... Display, 20 ... Printer, 30 ... print utility, 30a ... image data acquisition unit, 30b ... print environment setting unit, 30c ... layout determination unit, 30d ... print image data generation unit, 31 ... PRTDRV

Claims (8)

A layout determination device for determining a layout for printing an image,
A layout determining unit that determines the layout according to the acceptance by the input screen displayed on a predetermined display,
The layout determining unit
Displaying the input screen including a first adjustment tab for designating adjustment of a print range in which an image is printed on a print sheet and a second adjustment tab for designating adjustment of an image to be included in the print range Let
When the first adjustment tab is designated, the first mode in which the size of the print range is fixed and the print range is changed and the print range is fixed and the print range is fixed and the print range is changed. A first input screen as the input screen including a selection field for selecting one of the two modes and a display field indicating the printing paper and the printing range on the printing paper; When the first mode is selected, the setting of the size of the printing range is accepted via the first input screen, and the size of the printing range is fixed on the size corresponding to the setting on the printing paper. When the change in the print range is received via the first input screen and the second mode is selected by the selection field, the change in the size of each margin in the print range is input first. Accept through the screen and the margin With the change in the size of the print range, the image displayed in the center of the print range before the change in the size of the print range and the image displayed in the center of the print range after the change in the size of the print range Draw an image within the print area so that
When the second adjustment tab is designated, it is possible to accept an instruction to move, enlarge, reduce, or rotate an image within the print range, or to print on the print sheet and the print sheet. Displaying a second input screen as the input screen including a display field representing a range and a grid line in the print range, and any of movement, enlargement, reduction, and rotation of the image received via the second input screen Or update the display of the image within the print range according to the combination instruction,
A layout determination apparatus characterized by that. The layout determining section, the first through the input screen, the layout determination apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the size of the print range can be accepted the selection of dimensions or default aspect ratio. The layout determining section creates data indicating the determined layout, layout determination apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that stored in a predetermined storage medium. A layout determination method for determining a layout for printing an image,
A layout determination step for determining the layout according to the acceptance by the input screen displayed on a predetermined display;
In the layout determination process,
Displaying the input screen including a first adjustment tab for designating adjustment of a print range in which an image is printed on a print sheet and a second adjustment tab for designating adjustment of an image to be included in the print range Let
When the first adjustment tab is designated, the first mode in which the size of the print range is fixed and the print range is changed and the print range is fixed and the print range is fixed and the print range is changed. A first input screen as the input screen including a selection field for selecting one of the two modes and a display field indicating the printing paper and the printing range on the printing paper; When the first mode is selected, the setting of the size of the printing range is accepted via the first input screen, and the size of the printing range is fixed on the size corresponding to the setting on the printing paper. When the change in the print range is received via the first input screen and the second mode is selected by the selection field, the change in the size of each margin in the print range is input first. Accept through the screen and the margin With the change in the size of the print range, the image displayed in the center of the print range before the change in the size of the print range and the image displayed in the center of the print range after the change in the size of the print range Draw an image within the print area so that
When the second adjustment tab is designated, it is possible to accept an instruction to move, enlarge, reduce, or rotate an image within the print range, or to print on the print sheet and the print sheet. Displaying a second input screen as the input screen including a display field representing a range and a grid line in the print range, and any of movement, enlargement, reduction, and rotation of the image received via the second input screen Or update the display of the image within the print range according to the combination instruction,
A layout determination method characterized by that. A layout determination program for causing a computer to realize a layout determination function for determining a layout for printing an image,
The layout determination function for determining the layout in accordance with the acceptance by the input screen displayed on the predetermined display,
Displaying the input screen including a first adjustment tab for designating adjustment of a print range in which an image is printed on a print sheet and a second adjustment tab for designating adjustment of an image to be included in the print range Let
When the first adjustment tab is designated, the first mode in which the size of the print range is fixed and the print range is changed and the print range is fixed and the print range is fixed and the print range is changed. A first input screen as the input screen including a selection field for selecting one of the two modes and a display field indicating the printing paper and the printing range on the printing paper; When the first mode is selected, the setting of the size of the printing range is accepted via the first input screen, and the size of the printing range is fixed on the size corresponding to the setting on the printing paper. When the change in the print range is received via the first input screen and the second mode is selected by the selection field, the change in the size of each margin in the print range is input first. Accept through the screen and the margin With the change in the size of the print range, the image displayed in the center of the print range before the change in the size of the print range and the image displayed in the center of the print range after the change in the size of the print range Draw an image within the print area so that
When the second adjustment tab is designated, it is possible to accept an instruction to move, enlarge, reduce, or rotate an image within the print range, or to print on the print sheet and the print sheet. Displaying a second input screen as the input screen including a display field representing a range and a grid line in the print range, and any of movement, enlargement, reduction, and rotation of the image received via the second input screen Or update the display of the image within the print range according to the combination instruction,
A layout determination program characterized by that. A printing control device for controlling a printing device,
Image data acquisition means for acquiring image data indicating an image to be printed;
A layout determining unit that determines a layout for printing the image in accordance with reception by an input screen displayed on a predetermined display;
Printing means for printing the image on a predetermined printing paper according to the determined layout ,
The layout determining unit
Displaying the input screen including a first adjustment tab for designating adjustment of a print range in which an image is printed on a print sheet and a second adjustment tab for designating adjustment of an image to be included in the print range Let
When the first adjustment tab is designated, the first mode in which the size of the print range is fixed and the print range is changed and the print range is fixed and the print range is fixed and the print range is changed. A first input screen as the input screen including a selection field for selecting one of the two modes and a display field indicating the printing paper and the printing range on the printing paper; When the first mode is selected, the setting of the size of the printing range is accepted via the first input screen, and the size of the printing range is fixed on the size corresponding to the setting on the printing paper. When the change in the print range is received via the first input screen and the second mode is selected by the selection field, the change in the size of each margin in the print range is input first. Accept through the screen and the margin With the change in the size of the print range, the image displayed in the center of the print range before the change in the size of the print range and the image displayed in the center of the print range after the change in the size of the print range Draw an image within the print area so that
When the second adjustment tab is designated, it is possible to accept an instruction to move, enlarge, reduce, or rotate an image within the print range, or to print on the print sheet and the print sheet. Displaying a second input screen as the input screen including a display field representing a range and a grid line in the print range, and any of movement, enlargement, reduction, and rotation of the image received via the second input screen Or update the display of the image within the print range according to the combination instruction,
A printing control apparatus characterized by that. A printing control method for controlling a printing apparatus,
An image data acquisition step of acquiring image data indicating an image to be printed;
A layout determining step for determining a layout for printing the image in accordance with reception by an input screen displayed on a predetermined display;
A printing process for printing the image on a predetermined printing paper according to the determined layout ,
In the layout determination process,
Displaying the input screen including a first adjustment tab for designating adjustment of a print range in which an image is printed on a print sheet and a second adjustment tab for designating adjustment of an image to be included in the print range Let
When the first adjustment tab is designated, the first mode in which the size of the print range is fixed and the print range is changed and the print range is fixed and the print range is fixed and the print range is changed. A first input screen as the input screen including a selection field for selecting one of the two modes and a display field indicating the printing paper and the printing range on the printing paper; When the first mode is selected, the setting of the size of the printing range is accepted via the first input screen, and the size of the printing range is fixed on the size corresponding to the setting on the printing paper. When the change in the print range is received via the first input screen and the second mode is selected by the selection field, the change in the size of each margin in the print range is input first. Accept through the screen and the margin With the change in the size of the print range, the image displayed in the center of the print range before the change in the size of the print range and the image displayed in the center of the print range after the change in the size of the print range Draw an image within the print area so that
When the second adjustment tab is designated, it is possible to accept an instruction to move, enlarge, reduce, or rotate an image within the print range, or to print on the print sheet and the print sheet. Displaying a second input screen as the input screen including a display field representing a range and a grid line in the print range, and any of movement, enlargement, reduction, and rotation of the image received via the second input screen Or update the display of the image within the print range according to the combination instruction,
And a printing control method. A print control program for controlling a printing apparatus,
An image data acquisition function for acquiring image data indicating an image to be printed;
A layout determination function for determining a layout for printing the image in accordance with an input screen displayed on a predetermined display;
The computer realizes a printing function for printing the image on a predetermined printing paper according to the determined layout ,
The above layout determination function
Displaying the input screen including a first adjustment tab for designating adjustment of a print range in which an image is printed on a print sheet and a second adjustment tab for designating adjustment of an image to be included in the print range Let
When the first adjustment tab is designated, the first mode in which the size of the print range is fixed and the print range is changed and the print range is fixed and the print range is fixed and the print range is changed. A first input screen as the input screen including a selection field for selecting one of the two modes and a display field indicating the printing paper and the printing range on the printing paper; When the first mode is selected, the setting of the size of the printing range is accepted via the first input screen, and the size of the printing range is fixed on the size corresponding to the setting on the printing paper. When the change in the print range is received via the first input screen and the second mode is selected by the selection field, the change in the size of each margin in the print range is input first. Accept through the screen and the margin With the change in the size of the print range, the image displayed in the center of the print range before the change in the size of the print range and the image displayed in the center of the print range after the change in the size of the print range Draw an image within the print area so that
When the second adjustment tab is designated, it is possible to accept an instruction to move, enlarge, reduce, or rotate an image within the print range, or to print on the print sheet and the print sheet. Displaying a second input screen as the input screen including a display field representing a range and a grid line in the print range, and any of movement, enlargement, reduction, and rotation of the image received via the second input screen Or update the display of the image within the print range according to the combination instruction,
A print control program characterized by that.

Images