JP4710694B2 - Trimming apparatus and method, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for trimming an image.

  Conventionally, a computer can easily process and edit captured image data by using image processing software. As one of these processes, there is trimming that cuts out a necessary portion from an image (for example, Patent Document 1 below). The operator displays an image represented by the image data on the display, and then selects a “trimming” operation from the processing menu. When the “Trimming” operation is selected, a trimming frame indicating the trimming area is displayed on the display screen. The operator can drag the trimming frame with the mouse to adjust the cropping size and position of the image. Can be specified. The image determined by the cutout size and position is cut out.

JP 2000-261645 A

  The trimmed image is often printed using a printer. In this case, since the operator cannot sensuously know at what size this image is suitable for printing, it is actually printed and the desired print size (= print size) is obtained. In some cases, printing cannot be performed, and the operation returns to the trimming operation. In particular, in recent years, image data has a large number of pixels ranging from a high pixel number captured with a digital camera (electronic still camera) to a low pixel number captured with a camera-equipped mobile phone. As a result, the above-mentioned work was frequently repeated. Therefore, there is a problem that workability when printing a trimmed image is poor.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to improve workability from trimming to printing.

  As means for solving at least a part of the problems described above, the following configuration is adopted.

The trimming device of the present invention is
A trimming device that performs trimming on an original image,
Original image display means for displaying the original image on a display device;
By displaying a rectangular frame on the displayed original image and changing the position and / or size of the frame according to a command from a pointing device operated by an operator, the region for trimming Trimming area designating means for designating the original image with respect to the original image, and
Output resolution acquisition means for acquiring output resolution information related to the output resolution of the printing apparatus;
Image size acquisition means for acquiring, as an image size, the number of pixels in the frame to be changed by the trimming area specifying means;
An appropriate paper size determining means for determining a paper size suitable for printing the image size acquired by the image size acquiring means based on the image size and the output resolution information;
And an appropriate paper size display means for displaying the paper size determined by the appropriate paper size determination means on the display device.

  According to the trimming apparatus having the above configuration, a trimming area is designated for the original image by the trimming area designating unit in accordance with a command from a pointing device operated by an operator. Then, the appropriate paper size determining means determines a paper size suitable for printing the image inside the frame designated by the trimming area specifying means based on the image size and output resolution of the image, and displays the appropriate paper size display. The determined paper size is displayed by the means. For this reason, the operator simply looks at the display of the displayed paper size, and the image in the frame for the trimming has the number of pixels that can be printed on the paper size of what size. I can know. In general, it is difficult for an operator to grasp how large the image data is, for example, by the number of pixels, but if the paper size can be known, how large the trimmed image is. Can be easily grasped.

  Therefore, according to the trimming apparatus of the present invention, the operator can easily grasp the print size of the trimmed image and the print size. For this reason, since the operator can perform trimming to a size corresponding to the desired print size, it is possible to avoid re-trimming. As a result, the workability from trimming to printing can be improved.

  The appropriate paper size display means may be configured to redisplay the paper size determined by the appropriate paper size determination means each time the frame is changed by the trimming area specifying means.

  According to this configuration, every time the operator operates the pointing device for trimming, the latest paper size corresponding to the trimming frame that changes according to the manipulation is displayed. .

  The appropriate paper size determination means includes a paper size storage means for storing a plurality of paper sizes, and a print size that can be taken when the image data acquired by the image size acquisition means is printed on the printing apparatus. A print size calculating means for calculating based on the image size and the output resolution information, and a print size calculated by the print size calculating means from a plurality of types of paper sizes stored in the paper size storing means. A configuration may be provided that includes means for selecting the most suitable paper size and outputting the paper size as a paper size suitable for the printing.

  According to this configuration, the print size that can be obtained when printing is performed by the printing apparatus is first obtained, and the paper size that best matches the print size is selected from the paper size storage unit, whereby the image determined by trimming is selected. A paper size suitable for printing is determined. Therefore, an appropriate paper size can be easily obtained.

  The print size calculation means increases the image size acquired by the image size acquisition means by multiplying the image size acquired by a predetermined number greater than a predetermined value 1 in consideration of a pixel interpolation method. It is good also as a structure provided with the means which uses image size for the calculation of the said print size.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to determine the paper size to be displayed in consideration of enlarging the image data by a pixel interpolation method such as a bicubic method.

  The output resolution acquisition means specifies a printing apparatus that is an output destination of a trimmed image, and a resolution determined by the printing apparatus designated by the printing apparatus designation means as the output resolution information. It is good also as a structure provided with the printing apparatus resolution acquisition means to acquire.

  According to this configuration, the operator can determine how large the paper size is when the trimmed image is actually printed on the printing apparatus by the paper size displayed by the appropriate paper size display means. Can let you know. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the accuracy of displaying the paper size.

  In the above-described trimming device of the present invention, the minimum paper size acquisition unit that acquires the minimum paper size that can be printed by the destination printing device that actually prints, and the paper size determined by the appropriate paper size determination unit are A frame change invalidating unit that invalidates the change of the frame by the trimming area specifying unit when the size is smaller than the minimum sheet size acquired by the minimum sheet size acquiring unit may be provided.

  According to this configuration, when the paper size determined by the appropriate paper size determining unit is smaller than the minimum paper size that can be printed by the printing apparatus that actually prints, an operation using the pointing device by trimming is performed. Is invalid, the change of the frame according to the operation becomes invalid. Therefore, it is possible to prohibit a trimming operation that is defective in view of the print size. As a result, since a defective operation is not performed, the operability is excellent.

  In the above-described trimming apparatus of the present invention, the minimum paper size acquisition means for acquiring the minimum paper size that can be printed by the destination printing apparatus for actual printing, and the paper size determined by the appropriate paper size determination means are A warning notifying unit that notifies a warning that the trimming operation is defective when the size is smaller than the minimum sheet size acquired by the minimum sheet size acquiring unit may be provided.

  According to this configuration, when the paper size determined by the appropriate paper size determining unit is smaller than the minimum paper size that can be printed by the printing apparatus that actually prints, the trimming operation is defective. A warning is reported to the operator. Therefore, the trimming operation which is defective from the viewpoint of the print size is not performed, so that the operability is excellent.

The thumbnail display method of the present invention is:
In a trimming method for performing trimming on an original image,
Displaying the original image on a display device;
By displaying a rectangular frame on the displayed original image and changing the position and / or size of the frame according to a command from a pointing device operated by an operator, the region for trimming For the original image,
Obtain output resolution information related to the output resolution of the printing device,
Obtaining the number of pixels in the frame to be changed according to a command from the pointing device as an image size;
A paper size suitable for printing the acquired image size is determined based on the image size and the output resolution information,
The determined paper size is displayed on the display device.

The computer program of the present invention is:
A computer program for performing trimming on an original image,
(A) a function of displaying the original image on a display device;
(B) A rectangular frame is displayed on the displayed original image, and the position and / or size of the frame is changed in accordance with a command from a pointing device operated by an operator. And a function for designating a region for the original image for the computer, and
(C) a function of acquiring output resolution information related to the output resolution of the printing apparatus;
(D) a function of acquiring the number of pixels in the frame changed by the function (b) as an image size;
(E) a function of determining a paper size suitable for printing the image size acquired by the function (d) based on the image size and the output resolution information;
(F) A function of displaying on the display device the paper size determined by the function (e) is realized by a computer.

  The trimming method and the computer program according to the present invention can also perform trimming to a size corresponding to a desired print size, similarly to the trimming apparatus according to the present invention, thereby improving workability from trimming to printing. There is an effect that can be done.

  The present invention includes other aspects as follows. The 1st aspect is an aspect as a program supply apparatus which supplies the computer program of this invention via a communication path. In this first aspect, the above-described method and apparatus are realized by placing a computer program on a server or the like on a computer network, downloading a necessary program to a computer via a communication path, and executing the program. Can do.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described based on examples. This embodiment will be described in the following order.
1. First embodiment:
A. Device configuration:
B. Computer processing:
B-1. Overall processing:
B-2. Trimming process:
C. Action / effect:
2. Second embodiment:
3. Other embodiments:

1. First embodiment:
A. Device configuration:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer system to which the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. The computer system of this embodiment mainly includes a personal computer 10 constituting the trimming apparatus of the present invention, and includes a display 20, a keyboard 22, and a mouse 24 as its peripheral devices. Furthermore, a digital camera 26, a CD drive 28, and a printer 29 are connected to the personal computer 10. The mouse 24 can be replaced with other pointing devices such as a trackball, a trackpad, and a tablet.

  The personal computer 10 includes a memory 13, a display image memory 14, a hard disk drive 15, an input control unit 16, a display control unit 17, an output control unit 18, and the like that are mutually connected by a bus 12 around a CPU 11 as a central processing unit. Is provided. The memory 13 stores various data and becomes a work area of the CPU 11. The display image memory 14 is a memory that holds the contents displayed on the display 20. The screen of the display 20 is rewritten to the contents of the display image memory 14 at regular intervals.

  The hard disk drive 15 stores a computer program Pr as trimming device software. The hard disk drive 15 stores one or more image data Dp. The image data Dp is image data of a photographic image taken by the digital camera 26 and is stored in a predetermined area (for example, a holder) of the hard disk drive 15. The photographic image is a color image.

  The input control unit 16 is a control unit that captures input operations from the keyboard 22 and the mouse 24, captures image data from the digital camera 26, and captures data from the CD drive 28. The display control unit 17 is a control unit that controls signal output to the display 20. The output control unit 18 is a control unit that controls printing on the printer 29.

  The computer program Pr is originally stored in a CD-ROM (not shown) as a recording medium. The computer program Pr can be read from the CD-ROM and installed in the hard disk drive 15 by setting the CD-ROM in the CD drive 28 and starting a predetermined installation program. Various configuration requirements of the trimming apparatus of the present invention are realized by the CPU 11 executing the computer program Pr.

  In FIG. 1, various constituent requirements are indicated by functional blocks implemented in the CPU 11. That is, the CPU 11 includes the original image display unit 31, the trimming area designating unit 32, the output resolution acquisition unit 33, the image size acquisition unit 34, the appropriate paper size determination unit 35, and the appropriate paper size display unit 36 as functions. This computer program Pr is actually an application program for photo retouching that modifies a photographed image taken by the digital camera 26, and the functions of the above-described units 31 to 36 are given to the personal computer 10 by some of the modules therein. make it happen.

  The computer program Pr is provided as a configuration stored in another portable recording medium (portable recording medium) such as a DVD, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, and an IC card in place of the CD-ROM. Can be. Further, the computer program Pr can be provided via a network from a specific server connected to an external network. The network may be the Internet or a computer program obtained by downloading from a specific homepage. Alternatively, it may be a computer program supplied in the form of an email attachment.

B. Computer processing:
B-1. Overall processing:
When the computer program Pr is started, an application window is first displayed on the display 20. This application window constitutes a graphical user interface (GUI).

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the application window WD. As shown in the figure, in the process menu column MN on the left side of the application window WD, four types of buttons BT1, BT2, BT3, and BT4 of [Input], [Modify], [Print], and [Output] are directed downward. The operator clicks these buttons BT1 to BT4 with the mouse 24 in order to capture and modify the photographic images taken with the digital camera 26 on the screen of the CRT display 12, You can proceed with printing and printing.

  First, the operator clicks the [Input] button BT1 to perform processing for capturing the image data Dp from the hard disk drive 15. Here, instead of the hard disk drive 15, it is possible to change to a configuration for capturing image data directly from the digital camera 26 or a configuration for capturing image data from another storage medium such as a DVD. The captured image data (hereinafter referred to as “input image data”) Dp is displayed in the work field FDW of the application window WD. The input image data Dp is the “original image” in the present invention.

  Thereafter, the operator clicks the [Modify] button BT2 to modify the captured input image data Dp. FIG. 2 shows the case where the [Modify] button BT2 is clicked. As shown in the figure, the menu bar MB of the application window WD is provided with buttons such as [File], [Course menu], [Edit], [Display], [Modify], [Repair / Process]. In the figure, a pull-down menu DM that opens when the [Modify] button is clicked is shown. The operator can perform “rotation”, “trimming”, “color correction”, and the like on the input image data Dp by clicking the “Modify” button and clicking a desired option from the pull-down menu DM. it can.

  When the [Trimming] option in the pull-down menu DM is clicked, the CPU 11 executes trimming to cut out unnecessary portions of the input image data Dp displayed in the application window WD. This trimming is related to the present invention. The trimming will be described in detail below.

B-2. Trimming process:
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the trimming process executed by the CPU 11. As shown in the figure, when the process is started, the CPU 11 first performs a process of displaying a trimming dialog box on the display 20 (step S110). At this time, the input image data Dp displayed in the application window WD is displayed in the trimming dialog box.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the trimming dialog box DB. As shown in the figure, the trimming dialog box DB is provided with a work field WF, and the input image data Dp is displayed in the work field WF.

  Returning to FIG. 3, after execution of step S110, the CPU 11 displays the display image of the input image data Dp displayed in step S110 (hereinafter simply referred to as “display image”) of the input image data Dp displayed in step S110. In order to display the trimming frame on the display image, a process for defining a default trimming frame is performed (step S120). The trimming frame is an area designating tool for designating an area on the display image, and is operated by an operator. The trimming frame is a “frame body”, and is called a “trimming frame” because it is used at the time of trimming.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the trimming frame TR. As shown in the figure, the trimming frame TR has a rectangular shape, square marks m1, m2, m3, m4 are provided at the four corners of the rectangle, and square marks m5, m6, m6 are provided at the midpoints of the sides of the rectangle. m7 and m8 are provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the trimming frame TR having such a shape is maximized and displayed so as to circumscribe at least one of the vertical and horizontal display images of the input image data Dp when the trimming dialog box DB is opened. Is done. This maximized trimming frame TR is the “default trimming frame” defined in step S120. In step S120, in detail, a process for defining the position of the default trimming frame TR with respect to the display image and the vertical and horizontal sizes is performed.

  Returning to FIG. 3, after executing step S120, the CPU 11 performs a process of displaying the trimming frame TR defined in step S120 on the display image (step S130). The display on the display image is performed by writing to the display portion of the image data (input image data Dp is held) held in the display image memory 14. As a result, the above-mentioned maximized default trimming frame is displayed on the display image. The operator can change the position and / or size of the trimming frame by dragging the trimming frame TR on the display image with the mouse 24.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing mouse input for resizing (enlarging / reducing) the trimming frame TR. As shown in the figure, when the mouse pointer moves to one of the marks m1, m2, m3, and m4 provided at the four corners of the trimming frame TR, the shape of the mouse pointer is provided with arrowheads at both ends of the line segment. It becomes form AR. In this state, when there is a drag & drop mouse input, the trimming frame TR is enlarged or reduced. Note that the aspect ratio of the trimming frame does not change when the marks m1, m2, m3, and m4 provided at the four corners are operated. When it is desired to change the aspect ratio, this is done by dragging and dropping the marks m5, m6, m7, m8 provided at the midpoint of each side of the rectangle.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing mouse input for moving the trimming frame TR. As shown in the drawing, when the mouse pointer moves inside the trimming frame TR, the shape of the mouse pointer becomes a hand shape HN. In this state, when there is a drag & drop mouse input, the trimming frame TR moves in accordance with the input.

  Returning to FIG. 3, after executing step S130, the CPU 11 performs a process of displaying the coordinates and size of an area specified by the trimming frame TR described above (hereinafter also referred to as “trimming specified area”) (step S140). . As shown in FIG. 4, "Coordinate" and "Size" display fields FD1 and FD2 are provided below the work field WF of the trimming dialog box DB, and the coordinates and size are displayed in both fields FD1 and FD2. Is done. “Coordinates” represent the relative position of the trimming designation region with respect to the input image data Dp, and are represented by coordinate values for the upper left and lower right vertices of the trimming frame TR. The “size” is an image size included in the trimming designation region, and is represented by the number of pixels Px and Py in the horizontal direction (x direction) and the vertical direction (y direction). Thereafter, the CPU 11 performs processing for displaying an appropriate paper size (step S150). The “appropriate paper size” represents a paper size suitable for printing an image included in the trimming designated area by the printer 29. In other words, the “appropriate paper size” represents a paper size suitable for printing the image size designated by the trimming frame TR with the printer 29. As shown in FIG. 4, a “proper paper” display field FD3 is provided below the “size” column displayed in step S140, and the proper paper size is displayed in the display field FD3. Details of the processing in step S150 will be described later.

  Returning to FIG. 3, after executing step S150, the CPU 11 determines whether or not there is a mouse input for resizing or moving the trimming frame TR (step S160). If it is determined that there is a mouse input for resizing or moving, the CPU 11 captures the mouse input for resizing or moving the trimming frame TR (step S170), and returns the process to step S130. In step S130, the CPU 11 performs a process of displaying the trimming frame TR on the display image in accordance with the mouse input captured in step S170. That is, when a mouse operation for resizing or moving the trimming frame TR is performed, the CPU 11 repeatedly executes steps S130 to S150, whereby the trimming frame TR is rewritten to the resized or moved position and the trimming frame TR is changed. “Coordinates”, “size”, and “appropriate paper size” are rewritten. The rewriting, that is, redisplaying of the “coordinates”, “size”, and “appropriate paper size” may be performed every time the operation of dragging the trimming frame TR is completed, or the trimming frame TR is dragged. It is good also as a structure performed sequentially in the middle of operation.

  Thereafter, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the [execute] button BT11 provided in the trimming dialog box DB has been clicked (step S180). If it is determined that the [execute] button BT11 has not been clicked, the process returns to step S160. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S180 that the [Execute] button BT11 has been clicked, the trimming frame TR designated on the display image is copied to the input image data Dp in step S140, and the outside of the trimming frame TR. A process of generating processed image data that has been trimmed is performed by cutting out the portion (step S190). After execution of step S190, the process returns to “RETURN” to end the trimming process.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of the “display appropriate paper size” routine executed in step S150. As shown in the figure, when the process proceeds to this routine, the CPU 11 first obtains the resolution of the printer 29 to which the image data Dp is actually output, and stores this resolution as the output resolution R (step S210). Specifically, the resolution of the printer 29 that is the actual output destination is obtained from the information obtained by inquiring the current print setting (setting related to the print quality) of the printer set as the current output destination to the operating system. Ask. In other words, in the printer driver, the printer that is the output destination of the image data Dp is designated, and the print settings for the printer are made. Therefore, the CPU 11 sets appropriate parameters (for the operating system from the application program side). By specifying an argument) and calling an API (Application Program Interface) function, it is possible to receive information indicating the printer specified by the printer driver and print settings for the printer, and actually output from this information. The resolution of the previous printer can be obtained.

  For example, in a printer for which a setting related to print quality is set for a paper type and a setting for a print mode (a distinction between a clean print mode and a fast print mode), the paper type is “plain paper”. When the print mode is “fast”, the output resolution R is 360 [dpi], or when the paper type is “super fine paper” and the print mode is “clean”, the output resolution R is calculated as 720 [dpi]. Note that some printer drivers can directly specify the resolution. In the case of such a type of printer, the resolution can be directly inquired and the obtained resolution can be set as the output resolution R.

  The output resolution R may be determined in advance as a predetermined resolution (for example, 300 [dpi]) assuming a default printer, instead of the resolution of the destination printer that actually outputs. Further, upon receiving an instruction from the operator, it is possible to switch between the resolution of the printer that is actually output and the default resolution. In addition, the method for obtaining the resolution of the printer that actually outputs is limited to the method described in the above embodiment by calling an API function with an appropriate parameter (argument) specified for the operating system. Instead, it may be configured to directly read the settings of the printer driver. In short, any method can be used as long as the resolution of the printer that actually outputs can be obtained.

  When the processing in step 210 is completed, the CPU 11 then obtains the number of horizontal and vertical pixels Px and Py (= the size displayed in step S140) as the image size included in the region specified by the trimming frame TR and the acquisition in step S210. A process of calculating the print sizes Sx and Sy from the output resolution R is performed (step S220). Here, the print sizes Sx and Sy are values indicating the image size specified by the trimming frame TR, that is, the size in which the number of horizontal and vertical pixels Px and Py can actually be printed. The print size in the direction, and Sy is the print size in the vertical direction. This calculation is performed using the following equations (1) and (2). Sx and Sy are both in mm.

Sx = Px ÷ R × 25.4 mm (1)
Sy = Py ÷ R × 25.4 mm (2)

  Note that the output resolution R acquired in step S210 is calculated as the same value in the vertical and horizontal directions, but some printer types have different vertical and horizontal resolutions. In this type of printer, calculation is performed using the horizontal output resolution Rx in the above equation (1), and calculation is performed using the vertical output resolution Ry in the above equation (2).

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the paper size table TB. This paper size table TB is generated in the memory 13 at the start of execution of the computer program Pr. As shown in the figure, the paper size table TB includes a “paper size” field and a “dimension” field, and the dimensions are recorded in mm for each paper size type. In the illustrated example, eight types of paper sizes “L size”, “postcard”, “A6”, “2L size”, “B5”, “A4”, “B4”, “A3” are prepared. Each dimension is recorded. In the paper size table TB, the smaller the paper size is, the higher the level is recorded. Note that the eight types of paper sizes listed here are merely examples, and a configuration in which other types of paper sizes are recorded may be used.

  Returning to FIG. 8, in step S230 following step S220, the CPU 11 performs a process of obtaining the dimensions Wx and Wy of one type of paper size from the paper size table TB described above. Here, the acquired paper size is shifted in order from the upper level to the lower level each time step S230 is executed once. Wx is a dimension in the horizontal direction (x direction), and Wx is a dimension in the vertical direction (y direction).

  Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the value obtained by doubling the horizontal print size Sx calculated in step S220 is larger than the horizontal dimension Wx for the paper size acquired in step S230 (step S240). Then, it is determined whether or not the value obtained by doubling the vertical print size Sy calculated in step S220 is larger than the vertical dimension Wy for the paper size acquired in step S230 (step S250).

  The print sizes Sx and Sy calculated in step S220 are horizontal and vertical sizes when the output destination printer prints the image size specified by the trimming frame TR as it is, but the image data is obtained by pixel interpolation. By enlarging, a larger print size can be obtained. The bicubic method, which is a high-quality interpolation technique, can enlarge the image size to about twice. In application programs, when image data to be printed is smaller in size than the paper size to be printed at the time of printing, the image data is often enlarged by automatically interpolating the pixels. Therefore, in steps S240 and S250, a value obtained by doubling the print sizes Sx and Sy and the paper size dimensions Wx and Wy are compared.

  If an affirmative determination is made in both step S240 and step S250, it means that the print size exceeds the paper size, so the image size specified by the trimming frame TR is printed on the paper size acquired in step S230. It can be determined that the number of pixels is sufficient. Therefore, the paper size dimensions Wx and Wy are temporarily stored in the memory 13 as appropriate paper sizes (step S260). Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the paper size acquired from the paper size table TB in step 230 is the last one (step S270). The processing returns to step S230, and the next paper size dimensions Wx and Wy are obtained from the paper size table TB. In this way, steps S240 to S270 are repeated. By repeatedly executing Steps S240 to S270, the appropriate paper size stored in Step S260 is sequentially updated to a paper size that can sufficiently print the image size specified in the trimming frame TR and has a larger size. Is done.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in at least one of step S240 and step S250, it means that the print size is less than the paper size, so the image size specified by the trimming frame TR is the paper size acquired in step S230. It can be determined that the number of pixels is insufficient for printing. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S280 without executing the processes of steps S250 and S270. In the paper size table TB, as described above, the paper sizes are arranged in ascending order of the dimensions, and the dimensions become larger as the paper size is read later. Therefore, it is determined that the number of pixels is insufficient in step S240 or S250. In this case, it is clear that the number of pixels of the image data is insufficient for the print size that was scheduled to be called later. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S280 so as to exit the repetition of steps S260 to S270. As a result, the paper size stored as an appropriate paper size in the memory 13 is the largest paper size that can be sufficiently printed with the image size specified by the trimming frame TR. In other words, this appropriate paper size is the “paper size suitable for image size printing” in the present invention.

  In addition, also when it determines with it being the last paper size in step S270, a process is advanced to step S280. In step S <b> 280, the CPU 11 performs a process of displaying an appropriate paper size stored in the memory 13. The display position of the appropriate paper size is the “appropriate paper” display field FD3 shown in FIG. 4 as described above. If the image size specified by the trimming frame TR is extremely small and any paper size stored in the paper size table TB is determined negative in step S240 or S250, the appropriate paper size is obtained. In view of this, null is displayed in step S280, that is, no display is performed. After executing step S280, the process returns to “RETURN”, and the “display appropriate paper size” routine is temporarily terminated.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a trimming dialog box DB at the time of trimming operation. As shown in the figure, at the time of the drag operation for trimming, the shape of the mouse pointer becomes a shape AR in which arrowheads are provided at both ends of the line segment, and “coordinates” specified by the trimming frame TR reduced by this drag operation. And “Size” are displayed in the “Coordinates” and “Size” display fields FD1 and FD2, and a paper size suitable for printing the image size reduced by this drag operation is displayed as “Appropriate Paper Size”. It is displayed in the field FD3.

  Note that step S110 in the trimming process routine is performed in the original image display unit 31 (FIG. 1), steps S160 and S170 are performed in the trimming region designation unit 32 (FIG. 1), and step S210 in the “display appropriate sheet size” routine is performed. In the output resolution acquisition unit 33 (FIG. 1), step S220 is the image size acquisition unit 34 (FIG. 1), steps S220 to S270 are the appropriate paper size determination unit 35 (FIG. 1), and step S280 is the appropriate paper size display unit. 36 (FIG. 1).

C. Operation / Effect According to the present embodiment configured as described above, a rectangular trimming frame TR is displayed on the display image, and the position of the trimming frame TR and / or in accordance with a command from the mouse 24 operated by the operator. Alternatively, by changing the size, it is possible to specify the cutout size and position of the input image data Dp. When the trimming frame TR is changed, an appropriate paper size is displayed in the “appropriate paper” display field FD3 when the image size designated by the trimming frame is printed by the printer 29. For this reason, the operator simply looks at the displayed display of the appropriate paper size, and the image in the frame for trimming has the number of pixels that can be printed on what size paper size. You can know if you are. As a result, it is possible to easily grasp the size of the trimmed image.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible for the operator to easily grasp at what print size the image to be trimmed can be printed. For this reason, since the operator can perform trimming to a size corresponding to the desired print size, it is possible to avoid re-trimming. As a result, the workability from trimming to printing can be improved.

  Further, in this embodiment, the output resolution R corresponding to the resolution when the printer 29 performs printing is set as the resolution of the destination printer that actually outputs from the printer settings specified by the printer driver. Therefore, it is possible to improve the accuracy of displaying the appropriate paper size.

  In the above-described embodiment, the “appropriate paper” display field FD3 is provided below the work field WF of the trimming dialog box DB. Instead, as shown in FIG. 11, the trimming frame TR is displayed. A display field FD13 for “appropriate paper” can be provided in addition to the above. The accompanying here means that the shape of the trimming frame TR changes with the position, and as shown in the figure, the display field FD13 may be completely in contact with the trimming frame TR or to some extent. It is good also as a structure separated from the trimming frame TR by this distance.

2. Second embodiment:
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the trimming process, and the other software and hardware are the same. The same parts as in the first embodiment will be described with the same numbers.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the trimming process in the second embodiment. The trimming process in the second embodiment has a configuration in which steps S151 to S154 are added between steps S150 and S160, compared with that in the first embodiment (FIG. 3), and steps S110 to S150. , S160 to S190 are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing details of the “appropriate paper size display” routine executed in step S150 in the second embodiment. In the “appropriate paper size display” routine in the second embodiment, step S212 is added between step 210 and step S220 as compared with that in the first embodiment (FIG. 8), and step 270 and step S280. Steps S272 to S276 are added in between. Steps S210, S220 to S270, and S280 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when the output resolution R is obtained in step S210, the CPU 11 then performs a process of acquiring the minimum sheet size that can be printed by the printer 29 that is actually output (step S212). In this process, as in step S210, the current print setting (setting related to the print quality) for the printer set as the current output destination is inquired from the operating system and obtained from the contents set by the printer driver. Yes. That is, all the paper sizes supported by the printer 29 model are fetched from the printer driver, and the smallest is selected from these.

  Thereafter, the CPU 11 executes the processing of steps S220 to S270, and then determines whether or not the appropriate paper size stored in the memory 13 in step S260 is equal to or larger than the minimum paper size acquired in step S212 (step S212). S272). If it is determined that the size is equal to or larger than the minimum paper size, the CPU 11 sets a value 0 to the flag F (step S274), and the process proceeds to step S280. On the other hand, when it is determined that the appropriate paper size is smaller than the minimum paper size, the CPU 11 sets the value 1 to the flag F (step S276), and performs the process “return” without executing step S280. Proceed.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when the “appropriate paper size display” routine is executed in step S150, the CPU 11 next determines whether or not the flag F is a value 1 (step S151). If it is determined that the value is 1, the CPU 11 performs processing for returning the trimming frame TR displayed in step S130 to the state before the trimming operation (one time before) (step S152). In step S152, “coordinates”, “size”, and “appropriate paper size” displayed in steps S140 and 150 are also returned to the previous state. After executing step S152, the CPU 11 displays an error message on the display 20 (step S153), and clears the flag F to 0 (step S274).

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a message box MBX for displaying an error message. As shown in the figure, the message box MBX displays an error message “The operation to make the trimming area smaller than the minimum printable paper size has been made. The operation is invalidated.” By seeing this error message, the operator can know that the drag operation performed on the trimming frame TR is an operation exceeding (minimizing) the minimum paper size, and the operation has become invalid. it can. The process of invalidating this operation is performed in step S152.

  After executing step S154, the CPU 11 advances the process to step S160. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S151 that the flag F is not 1, the CPU 11 proceeds to step S160 without executing steps S152 to S154. That is, if the flag F is not 1, that is, if the appropriate paper size is equal to or larger than the minimum paper size, the drag operation performed on the trimming frame TR is valid and the steps SS152 to SS152 are performed. The process proceeds to step S160 without executing the process of S154.

  According to the second embodiment, when the paper size appropriate for the image size specified by the trimming frame TR is smaller than the minimum paper size that can be printed by the printing apparatus that actually prints, the trimming is performed. Assuming that the mouse operation is defective, the change of the trimming frame TR according to the operation becomes invalid. Therefore, it is possible to prohibit a trimming operation that is defective in view of the print size. As a result, since a defective operation is not performed, the operability is excellent. In this embodiment, since an error message indicating that the trimming operation is defective is also displayed, it is possible to more clearly notify the operator that the trimming operation was defective. The operability is even better.

  As a modification of the second embodiment, a configuration in which any one of steps S152 and S153 is executed may be employed. In addition, the error message is configured to be displayed on the display 20, but instead of this, a configuration may be used in which a message is sent by voice or a simple warning sound may be generated.

3. Other embodiments:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and can be carried out in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the following modifications are possible.

(1) In the first and second embodiments, the memory 13 is provided with the paper size table TB, and the one suitable for printing image data is selected from the paper sizes recorded in the paper size table TB. The paper size table TB does not have to be a file provided in the memory 13, but instead may be a table formed by an arrangement recorded in a program. Note that the paper size is not limited to the one illustrated in FIG. 9 and may be other sizes such as “business card”. Further, the contents of the paper size table TB do not necessarily have to be determined in advance, and a configuration may be adopted in which a paper size that can be printed by the printer 29 that is actually output is acquired and determined as the acquired paper size. . That is, the content of the paper size table may be determined for all paper sizes supported by the printer model of the output destination.

(2) In the above embodiment, the image data is a color photographic image. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to image data such as symbols. Further, the image is not limited to a color image, and may be a black and white image.

It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the computer system to which 1st Example of this invention is applied. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of application window WD. 6 is a flowchart illustrating trimming processing executed by a CPU. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates dialog box DB for trimming. It is explanatory drawing which shows the trimming frame TR. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mouse input which resizes (enlargement / reduction) trimming frame TR. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mouse input which moves trimming frame TR. 14 is a flowchart showing details of a “display appropriate paper size” routine executed in step S150. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the paper size table TB. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the dialog box DB for trimming at the time of trimming operation. It is explanatory drawing which shows the modification of 1st Example. It is a flowchart which shows the process of trimming in 2nd Example. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the "display of appropriate paper size" routine performed by step S150 in 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the message box MBX for displaying an error message.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... Personal computer 11 ... CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Bus 13 ... Memory 14 ... Display image memory 15 ... Hard disk drive 16 ... Input control unit 17 ... Display control unit 18 ... Output control unit 20 ... Display 22 ... Keyboard 24 ... Mouse 26 ... Digital camera 28 ... CD drive 28
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 29 ... Printer 31 ... Original image display part 32 ... Trimming area designation part 33 ... Output resolution acquisition part 34 ... Image size acquisition part 35 ... Appropriate paper size determination part 36 ... Appropriate paper size display part Dp ... Image data Pr ... Computer program TB ... Paper size table WD ... Application window DB ... Trimming dialog box TR ... Trimming frame FD1 ... "Coordinate" display field FD2 ... "Size" display field FD3 ... "Proper paper" display field MBX ... Message box

Claims (14)

A trimming device that performs trimming on an original image,
Original image display means for displaying the original image on a display device;
By displaying a rectangular frame on the displayed original image and changing the position and / or size of the frame according to a command from a pointing device operated by an operator, the region for trimming Trimming area designating means for designating the original image with respect to the original image;
Output resolution acquisition means for acquiring output resolution information related to the output resolution of the printing apparatus;
Image size acquisition means for acquiring, as an image size, the number of pixels in the frame to be changed by the trimming area specifying means;
An appropriate paper size determining means for determining a paper size suitable for printing the image size acquired by the image size acquiring means based on the image size and the output resolution information;
An appropriate paper size display means for displaying the paper size determined by the appropriate paper size determination means on the display device,
The appropriate paper size determining means includes
Paper size storage means for storing a plurality of types of paper sizes including at least a first paper size and a second paper size larger than the first paper size;
A print size calculating means for calculating a print size that can be taken when the printing apparatus prints the image size data acquired by the image size acquiring means, based on the image size and the output resolution information;
Based on the paper size stored in the paper size storage means and the print size calculated by the print size calculation means, the print size is not less than the first paper size and the second paper size. Determining means for determining the first paper size as a paper size suitable for the printing when it is determined that the size is smaller than the size;
A trimming device. The trimming device according to claim 1,
The print size is
A trimming apparatus represented by the following expression, where P is the number of pixels acquired by the image size acquisition means, R is the output resolution of the printing apparatus, and K is a predetermined constant.
Print size = K x P / R The trimming device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The print size calculation means
The image size acquired by the image size obtaining means, increased by multiplying the value 1 greater than a predetermined number which defines Me pre trimming comprising means for providing said increased image size for the calculation of the print size apparatus. A trimming device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The output resolution acquisition means includes
Printing device designating means for designating a printing device that is the output destination of the trimmed image;
A trimming device comprising: a printing device resolution acquisition unit that acquires, as the output resolution information, a resolution determined in the printing device designated by the printing device designation unit. A trimming device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
A minimum paper size acquisition means for acquiring a minimum paper size that can be printed by a printing apparatus to which printing is actually performed;
When the paper size determined by the appropriate paper size determining means is smaller than the minimum paper size acquired by the minimum paper size acquiring means, the change of the frame by the trimming area specifying means is invalidated. A trimming device comprising: a frame change invalidation means. A trimming device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
A minimum paper size acquisition means for acquiring a minimum paper size that can be printed by a printing apparatus to which printing is actually performed;
When the paper size determined by the appropriate paper size determination unit is smaller than the minimum paper size acquired by the minimum paper size acquisition unit, a warning that the trimming operation is defective is notified to the operator. A trimming device comprising a warning notification means. A trimming device that performs trimming on an original image,
  Original image display means for displaying the original image on a display device;
  By displaying a rectangular frame on the displayed original image and changing the position and / or size of the frame according to a command from a pointing device operated by an operator, the region for trimming Trimming area designating means for designating the original image with respect to the original image;
  Output resolution acquisition means for acquiring output resolution information related to the output resolution of the printing apparatus;
  Image size acquisition means for acquiring, as an image size, the number of pixels in the frame to be changed by the trimming area specifying means;
  Appropriate paper for determining a paper size suitable for printing the image size acquired by the image size acquisition means based on the image size and the output resolution information, and displaying the determined paper size on the display device Size determination / display means
  With
  The appropriate paper size determining / displaying means is:
  The appropriate paper size for printing the first image size is the first paper size,
  When an appropriate paper size for printing a second image size larger than the first image size is a second paper size larger than the first paper size,
  When an image size larger than the first image size and smaller than the second image size is selected by the frame, the first paper size is displayed;
  A trimming device configured to display the second paper size when the second image size is selected by the frame. A trimming device that performs trimming on an original image,
  Original image display means for displaying the original image on a display device;
  By displaying a rectangular frame on the displayed original image and changing the position and / or size of the frame according to a command from a pointing device operated by an operator, the region for trimming Trimming area designating means for designating the original image with respect to the original image;
  Output resolution acquisition means for acquiring output resolution information related to the output resolution of the printing apparatus;
  Image size acquisition means for acquiring, as an image size, the number of pixels in the frame to be changed by the trimming area specifying means;
  An appropriate paper size determining means for determining a paper size suitable for printing the image size acquired by the image size acquiring means based on the image size and the output resolution information;
  An appropriate paper size display means for displaying the paper size determined by the appropriate paper size determination means on the display device;
  With
  The appropriate paper size display means is:
  Each time the frame is changed by the trimming area designating unit, the paper size determined by the appropriate paper size determining unit is displayed again.
  Trimming device. In a trimming method for performing trimming on an original image,
Displaying the original image on a display device;
By displaying a rectangular frame on the displayed original image and changing the position and / or size of the frame according to a command from a pointing device operated by an operator, the region for trimming For the original image,
Obtain output resolution information related to the output resolution of the printing device,
Obtaining the number of pixels in the frame to be changed according to a command from the pointing device as an image size;
A paper size suitable for printing the acquired image size is determined based on the image size and the output resolution information,
The determined paper size is displayed on the display device ;
The determination of the paper size is as follows:
Preparing in advance a paper size table storing a plurality of types of paper sizes including at least a first paper size and a second paper size larger than the first paper size;
A print size that can be taken when the image size data is printed on the printing apparatus is calculated based on the image size and the output resolution information,
When it is determined that the print size is equal to or larger than the first paper size and smaller than the second paper size based on the paper size stored in the paper size table and the print size. A trimming method , wherein the first paper size is determined as a paper size suitable for the printing . A computer program for performing trimming on an original image,
(A) a function of displaying the original image on a display device;
(B) A rectangular frame is displayed on the displayed original image, and the position and / or size of the frame is changed in accordance with a command from a pointing device operated by an operator. A function for designating an area for the original image ;
(C) a function of acquiring output resolution information related to the output resolution of the printing apparatus;
(D) a function of acquiring the number of pixels in the frame changed by the function (b) as an image size;
(E) a function of determining a paper size suitable for printing the image size acquired by the function (d) based on the image size and the output resolution information;
(F) causing a computer to realize a function of displaying the paper size determined by the function (e) on the display device ;
The function (e) is
(E1) a function of preparing in advance a paper size table for storing a plurality of types of paper sizes including at least a first paper size and a second paper size larger than the first paper size;
(E2) a function of calculating a print size that can be taken when the image size data acquired by the function (d) is printed on the printing apparatus based on the image size and the output resolution information;
(E3) Based on the paper size stored in the paper size table and the print size calculated by the function (e2), the print size is greater than or equal to the first paper size and the second size A function of determining the first paper size as a paper size suitable for the printing when it is determined that the paper size is smaller than
A computer program comprising: A computer program according to claim 10 ,
The function (f) is
A computer program configured to redisplay the paper size determined by the function (e) every time the frame is changed by the function (b) . A computer program according to claim 10 or 11,
(H) a function of acquiring a minimum paper size that can be printed by a printing apparatus that is actually printing;
(I) When the paper size determined by the function (e) is smaller than the minimum paper size acquired by the function (h), the change of the frame according to the (b) is invalidated. A computer program with functions. A computer program according to claim 10 or 11,
(H) a function of acquiring a minimum paper size that can be printed by a printing apparatus that is actually printing;
(I) When the paper size determined by the function (e) is smaller than the minimum paper size acquired by the function (h), a warning that the trimming operation is defective is notified to the operator. A computer program with the function to perform. A computer-readable recording medium on which the computer program according to any one of claims 10 to 13 is recorded.

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