JP4735425B2 - Image processing apparatus and image processing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus which creates a composite image by assigning main image relates to an image processing how.

  Frame insertion printing for printing a composite image in which a main image and a frame image are superimposed is known. Such frame insertion printing is performed based on a plurality of data files such as an image data file indicating a main image, a frame image data file indicating a frame frame, and a layout definition file indicating a position of the main image and a layout of the frame frame. This is realized by creating a layout image in which a frame image is superimposed on an image and printing the layout image. As one of the functions for inserting and printing a frame in this way, a PIF (PRINT Image Framer) function is known, and an image output apparatus using the PIF function is described in Patent Document 1 below. . In such an image output device, the user selects a main image or a frame image while looking at a user interface screen displayed on a liquid crystal panel or the like provided in the image output device, and then arranges these images in a desired layout. Thus, a layout image was generated and printed, and the layout image was stored in the storage device.

JP 2005-193649 A

  However, the saved layout image includes layout definition information indicating the position of the main image and the layout of the frame, the frame image data, and the main image data. Therefore, the same layout as the layout image already created is used. When creating multiple composite images that replace only the main image, it is necessary to delete the main image from the layout image created first each time each page is created. Since the main image data is included in the layout image data, the amount of data increases. Therefore, when a large number of layout images serving as a base of the composite image are held, the transfer and management are complicated.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a creation unit that creates a composite image by assigning at least one designated main image, and a layout state of the main image assigned to the composite image. A definition unit that defines at least layout information that does not include the main image, a storage unit that stores the layout information defined by the definition unit, a fixed layout in which an image layout is defined in advance, and the storage unit A selection unit that selects any one of the layout information stored in the storage unit, and the creation unit creates the composite image based on the fixed layout selected by the selection unit or the layout information. Features.

  According to the present invention, a composite image is created by allocating at least one or more designated main images, and layout information indicating the layout state of the main image in the created composite image is defined without including the main image. Is stored in the storage unit. On the other hand, either a standard layout with a pre-defined image layout or layout information stored in the storage unit is selected by the selection unit, and a composite image is created by assigning the main image to any of the selected layouts. The Therefore, in addition to easily creating a composite image by assigning a desired main image to layout information that does not include a main image, the layout information that is the basis of the composite image does not include image data indicating the main image. This facilitates the transfer and management of layout information data.

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, at least one of the fixed layout and the layout information may include frame image data that can be superimposed on the main image in the composite image.

  The image processing apparatus of the present invention preferably further includes an editing unit that edits the composite image created by the creating unit.

  According to the present invention, since the composite image created by the creation unit can be edited by the editing unit, the degree of freedom of image creation increases.

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the definition unit may define the layout information based on the composite image edited by the editing unit.

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the selection unit may display the layout information in a selectable manner with priority over the fixed layout.

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, a first mode in which a predetermined page of the composite image created by the creation unit is defined by the definition unit, and all pages constituting the composite image are defined by the definition unit. It is preferable to further include a mode selection unit that selects any one of the second modes to be defined.

  According to the present invention, the mode selection unit can further select whether the composite image created by the creation unit is defined as layout information on a predetermined page or all pages are defined as layout information. Therefore, the degree of freedom when creating a composite image increases.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the storage unit stores the layout information in an area set according to a creator of the layout information.

  According to the present invention, since the file defining the layout information is stored in an area set according to the creator, the layout information can be easily managed without being mixed with the layout information created by other users. become.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an image processing method of the present invention includes a creation step of creating a composite image by assigning at least one designated main image, and a layout state of the main image assigned to the composite image. A definition step for defining at least layout information not including the main image, a saving step for saving the layout information defined in the definition step, a fixed layout in which an image layout is defined in advance, and the saving step A selection step in which any one of the layout information stored in (1) is selected, and the creation step creates the composite image based on the fixed layout or the layout information selected in the selection step. Features.

  According to the present invention, a composite image is created by allocating at least one or more designated main images, and layout information indicating the layout state of the main image in the created composite image is defined without including the main image. Stored in the storage process. On the other hand, either a standard layout with a pre-defined image layout or layout information stored in the storage process is selected in the selection process, and a composite image is created by assigning the main image to any of the selected layouts. The Therefore, in addition to easily creating a composite image by assigning a desired main image to layout information that does not include a main image, the layout information that is the basis of the composite image does not include image data indicating the main image. This facilitates the transfer and management of layout information data.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment)

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the image processing apparatus 10. The image processing apparatus 10 includes a computer 12 that executes a program for controlling the image processing apparatus 10, a display 14 that displays information output from the computer 12, a printer 24 that prints information output from the computer 12, A keyboard 16 and a mouse 18 for inputting instructions to the computer 12 from a user of the image processing apparatus 10 are provided. Further, the digital camera 20 and the scanner 22 are connected to the computer 12 as an example of means for reading image information.

  Although not shown, the computer 12 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs arithmetic processing, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, a hard disk, a removable memory card, and the like. Etc. as a hardware. These pieces of hardware are connected to each other via a bus so that various signals can be exchanged, and various information processing is executed based on a program stored in a memory or a hard disk. Further, the computer 12 may include a communication device, and may communicate so as to exchange various data via a network or the Internet.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 10. The image processing apparatus 10 includes a fixed layout storage unit 30, a layout selection unit 31, a main image storage unit 32, a main image selection unit 33, a composite image creation unit 34, an image output unit 36, and an instruction input unit. 38, a composite image editing unit 40, a layout definition unit 42, a layout information storage unit 44, a storage mode selection unit 46, and an image input unit 48. The functions of these functional units are realized by organic cooperation between the hardware and software described above.

  The fixed layout storage unit 30 has a frame image indicating a frame, and stores a template that becomes a template of a composite image created by the composite image creation unit 34. Such a template is usually composed of an image of one page, and when a program for controlling the image processing apparatus 10 is installed, in addition to being stored in a predetermined area of the fixed layout storage unit 30, a removable memory It is input and stored from the outside via a card or communication.

  The layout selection unit 31 selects a layout for creating a composite image by the user. The layout that can be selected here is any one of the standard layout stored in the standard layout storage unit 30 and the layout information stored in the layout information storage unit 44 in which the layout of the image is defined in advance. Although illustration is omitted, selectable layouts are set such that layout information is displayed with priority over standard layouts. The layout selected by the layout selection unit 31 is sent to the composite image creation unit 34.

  The main image storage unit 32 stores a main image used in the composite image. Such a main image is sent from the image input unit 48 and stored. Here, the image input unit 48 receives an image such as a photographic image via, for example, the digital camera 20, the scanner 22, a removable memory card, or communication.

  The main image selection unit 33 selects a main image to be allocated to the image area of the standard image from the main images stored in the main image storage unit 32. The main image selected by the main image selection unit 33 is sent to the composite image creation unit 34.

  The composite image creation unit 34 creates a composite image in which the main image selected by the main image selection unit 33 is assigned to the standard layout or layout information selected by the layout selection unit 31. The composite image created here is output as required by the image output unit 36 constituted by the display 14, the printer 24, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the composite image is created through a window that is displayed on the display 14 and has a user interface that can accept an instruction from the user. FIG. 3 shows a main window 140 displayed on the display screen of the display 14. The main window 140 is displayed on the display 14 when a program for controlling the image processing apparatus 10 is started. The main window 140 has a browse processing area 150 related to browse processing, a layout processing area 160 related to layout processing, and a print processing area 170 related to print processing.

  The browse processing area 150 has the function of the main image selection unit 33, and the selectable main images 152 stored in the main image storage unit 32 are displayed so as to be selectable in a predetermined order. In the layout processing area 160, a template tab related to the standard layout and a free tab related to the layout information are displayed so as to be selectable. In the free tab, a layout attribute selection area 162 and a composite image display area 164 are displayed. In the layout attribute selection area 162, the user selects and sets information such as dimensions and resolution related to the layout that is the base of a newly created composite image. Further, in the free tab and the template tab, a layout reading window (not shown) having the function of the layout selection unit 31 can be called by a predetermined operation. The user can call the standard layout stored in the standard layout storage unit 30 or the layout information stored in the layout information storage unit 44 from this layout reading window, and can use it as the base of the composite image.

  The composite image display area 164 has the function of the composite image creation unit 34. When an existing standard layout or layout information is called through the layout reading window, the composite image display area 164 displays an image area 166 of the main image indicated by the layout layout window. When the image selected in the browse processing area 150 is inserted into the image area 166 by a drag and drop operation, a composite image to be created is displayed. Further, in the print processing area 170, a printer selection area 172 for selecting a printer to be printed and a print image 174 of the composite image display area 164 printed by the printer selected in the printer selection area 172 are displayed.

  The composite image editing unit 40 edits the composite image created by the composite image creation unit 34. In the present embodiment, the composite image editing unit 40 changes the display position of the main image assigned to the composite image created by the composite image creation unit 34, rotates the main image, scales the main image, and the main image. Each function of image trimming is provided. FIG. 4 shows a layout image editing window 60 displayed on the display screen of the display 14 according to a user instruction. The layout image editing window 60 includes an image rotation processing area 68, an image enlargement / reduction processing area 72, a trimming position setting processing area 70, a trimming view area 64 in which a trimming frame 66 is displayed, and a preview area 62. The image edited in the layout image editing window 60 is reflected in the main image allocated to the composite image display area 164 when the execution button 74 is pressed. On the other hand, when the cancel button 76 is pressed, the image corrected here is discarded without being reflected in the main image assigned to the composite image display area 164.

  The save mode selection unit 46 selects a save mode for saving the created composite image as a layout. In the present embodiment, it is selected whether the image defining the layout to be stored includes the image data of the main image or does not include the image data of the main image. Further, when the image data of the main image is not included, it is stored as a template composed of a predetermined page of the composite image created by the composite image creation unit 34, or all the pages constituting the composite image are stored as a template. You can choose what to do. Here, when saving as a template consisting of one page, this template is saved in a custom holder set according to the user of the computer 12 and saved when a program for controlling the image processing apparatus 10 is installed. In addition to the original template to be displayed, the template stored in the custom holder is selectably displayed according to the user.

  FIG. 5 shows a layout saving mode selection window 80 displayed on the display screen of the display 14. The layout saving mode selection window 80 is displayed on the display 14 in response to a layout saving instruction for the main window 140 from the user. The layout storage mode selection window 80 has a storage folder selection area 81, a main image addition / exclusion selection area 82, and a 1 page / multiple page selection area 84. The save mode determined in the layout save mode selection window 80 instructs the layout definition unit 42 to save in the determined mode when the save button 86 is pressed by the user. On the other hand, when the cancel button 88 is pressed by the user, the storage mode information determined here is discarded.

  The layout definition unit 42 uses the composite image created by the composite image creation unit 34 or the composite image edited by the composite image editing unit 40 as data according to the storage mode selected by the storage mode selection unit 46. Define in file. In the present embodiment, when the save mode selection unit 46 selects a mode in which the main image is excluded and saved, the layout definition unit 42 does not include at least the main image data file indicating the main image, that is, the main file. It is defined by a layout information file indicating the layout state of the image. On the other hand, when the mode for adding and saving the main image is selected by the save mode selection unit 46, the layout definition unit 42 displays the layout information file indicating the layout state of the main image and the main image data file indicating the main image. Define in. In addition, when a frame image that decorates the main image is added, a frame image data file indicating the frame image is also added and defined. In the present embodiment, a method using the PIF function is adopted as one method for defining the layout state in the data file. The plurality of data files defined by the layout definition unit 42 are sent to and stored in the layout information storage unit 44 and displayed as one of the standard images that can be selected in the list box of the composite image creation unit 34 described above. The

  Here, the PIF function will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the concept of the PIF function. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print image when printing is performed using the PIF function. When the PIF function is used, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, printing is performed in a state where a plurality of images (121, 122, 123) are superimposed on the same image area. In that case, for example, one of these images (121, 122, 123) is a frame image 123, and the frame image data includes information (for example, information on a transparent area where the main image 122 is displayed). The position of the area, transparency, etc.) are described. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the image data of the background image 121, the image data of the main image 122 to be printed, and the image data of the composite image 131 obtained by combining the data of the frame image 123 are generated. A composite image 131 is printed based on the image data.

  When printing using the PIF function, the position of the main image 122, the layout of the background image, and the frame image are defined in the layout definition file indicating the layout state. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a layout definition file. As shown in FIG. 8, the layout definition file describes header information (portion starting with heading [HEADER]) and page information (portion starting with heading [PAGE]).

  In the header information, information related to the layout definition file is defined by various variables. The page information in the layout definition file includes information related to page layout attributes. For example, the page information includes a function “Draw Picture”, a function “Draw Line”, and the like.

  Here, the function “Draw Picture” is a function that draws an image with information about the image area as an argument, and the first argument of the function “Draw Picture” associates a file of the target image applied to the image area. An image file pointer. If the target image is determined when the layout definition file is generated, the value of the first argument image file pointer is the file pointer of the target image. If the target image is not determined when the layout definition file is generated, Is NULL (empty). Note that the type of image to be applied may be identified by the extension of the file name. If the target image is not determined when the layout definition file is generated, the target image is specified in the print job start command.

  The second argument of the function “Draw Picture” is the photo ID of the image area. The value of the photo ID is an integer of 1 or more when the applied image has not been determined, and is zero when the applied image has been determined. Therefore, when the mode for excluding the main image is selected by the save mode selection unit 46, NULL is substituted for the file pointer indicating the main image, and an integer of 1 or more is substituted for the second argument. The The function “Draw Line” is a function for drawing a line from the start point to the end point, and is used when drawing a rectangular area to which the main image is allocated. The layout definition file is described in a markup language such as XML (extensible Markup Language) in addition to the description method as described above. However, details of these description methods are not the gist of the present invention. Omitted (refer to Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-326028 for details).

  When printing by the PIF function using the variables and functions as described above, a plurality of images (121, 122, 123) are combined based on the layout definition file, and the combined images are printed by the printer 24. In this way, the composite image is defined in association with the layout definition file and the image file to be composited by using the PIF function. The layout information file according to the present embodiment adopts the description rule of the PIF function, and defines the layout area and the like by appropriately using the function of the PIF function.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for generating a composite image by the image processing apparatus 10. When a program for controlling the image processing apparatus 10 is started, a step of creating a composite image by the composite image creation unit 34 is executed. In the present embodiment, first, the user selects whether to create a new layout to be used, to use existing layout information, or to use an existing standard layout (step S180). ). Here, when the user selects creation of a new layout (“new” in step S180), after the user selects a free tab in the layout processing area 160, a layout attribute is selected (step S200). Then, the process proceeds to the step of selecting the main image (step S202). On the other hand, when the user selects to use the existing layout information (“layout information” in step S180), the layout information is selected by the user in the layout selection unit 31 (step S190), and the main image is selected. The process proceeds to (Step S202). Further, when the user selects use of an existing standard layout (“standard layout” in step S180), the standard layout is selected by the layout selection unit 31 by the user (step S185), and a step of selecting a main image (step S185). Proceed to step S202). Note that the layout selected here is reflected in the composite image display area 164.

  Next, a creation step is performed in which at least one or more designated main images are assigned to the selected layout to create a composite image. That is, the main image to be assigned to the main image area of the selected layout is selected by the user from the selectable main images 152 displayed in the browse processing area 150 (step S202). Subsequently, the selected main image is poured into the image area of the layout and assigned (step S204).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the main image assigned to the image area of the layout is edited (step S206). If the assigned main image is not edited (No in step S206), the process proceeds to the next step (step S210). When the allocated main image is edited (Yes in step S206), the main image allocated by the composite image editing unit 40 is edited (step S208). In the present embodiment, when the user double-clicks the assigned main image with the mouse 18 or the like, the layout image editing window 60 is displayed on the display 14, and the assigned main image is edited as described above. Processing is performed.

  Next, the save mode selection unit 46 selects a save mode for saving the created composite image as a layout. In the present embodiment, a layout saving mode selection window 80 is displayed on the display screen of the display 14 according to a user instruction, and the saving mode is selected by the user. In response to the selection by the layout storage mode selection window 80, it is first determined whether or not the main image is added to the composite image for definition (step S210). Here, when the mode for adding and defining the main image to the composite image is selected (Yes in step S210), the definition defined in association with the layout information file indicating the layout state and the image data file including the main image The process is executed, and the layout definition unit 42 defines the composite image to which the main image is added by a plurality of data files (step S212), and the process proceeds to the next process (step S220).

  On the other hand, when the mode for defining without adding the main image to the composite image is selected (No in step S210), the portion related to the main image file is removed from the layout information file (step S213), and a plurality of layouts are selected. It is determined whether or not it is defined in the page (step S214). Here, when the layout is defined by a plurality of pages (Yes in step S214), a definition process for defining and defining the layout in association with the layout information file and the image data file not including the main image is executed and created A plurality of pages constituting the image are defined by a plurality of data files (step S216). When a composite image is defined on one page (No in step S214), a definition process is performed in which a layout information file and an image data file that does not include a main image are defined in association with each other. Is defined by a plurality of data files (step S218).

  Finally, a storage step of storing a data file defining the layout is executed, and the defined data files are stored in the layout information storage unit 44 and the fixed layout storage unit 30 (step S220), and a series of processing ends. . Note that after this process, when the process of generating a composite image by the image processing apparatus 10 is executed again, the layout information and the standard layout created in this process are displayed as selectable layouts.

According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) A composite image created by assigning a main image to a fixed layout or layout information is created on a main window 140 having a graphic user interface and edited as necessary. Since it is displayed in the display area 164, it can be created or edited while confirming the image of the composite image.
(2) Since the layout information is filed based on the description rule of the PIF function, the mutual use of data with other image processing apparatuses using the PIF function is facilitated.

As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on embodiment shown in figure, this invention is not limited to this embodiment, The modification as described below can also be assumed.
(1) The image processing apparatus 10 is not limited to the mode described in this embodiment. For example, each function of the image processing apparatus 10 is integrated as an electronic circuit and is formed into a chip like an integrated circuit. A mode is also good.
(2) The function of defining the layout in association with the layout definition file and the image data file is not limited to the PIF function, and other functions having similar functions may be adopted.

1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the main window displayed on a display. The figure which shows the layout image edit window displayed on a display. The figure which shows the layout preservation | save mode selection window displayed on a display. The figure explaining the concept of a PIF function. The figure which shows an example of the printing image using a PIF function. The figure which shows an example of a layout definition file. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for generating a composite image by the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image processing apparatus, 12 ... Computer, 14 ... Display, 16 ... Keyboard, 18 ... Mouse, 20 ... Digital camera, 22 ... Scanner, 24 ... Printer, 30 ... Standard layout storage part, 31 ... Layout selection part, 32 ... Main image storage unit 33 ... Main image selection unit 34 ... Composite image creation unit 36 ... Image output unit 38 ... Instruction input unit 40 ... Composite image edit unit 42 ... Layout definition unit 44 ... Layout information storage unit 46 ... Save mode selection section, 48 ... Image input section, 60 ... Layout image editing window, 62 ... Preview area, 64 ... Trimming view area, 66 ... Trimming frame, 68 ... Image rotation processing area, 70 ... Trimming position setting process Area 72 ... Image enlargement / reduction processing area 74 ... Execution button 76 ... Cancel button 80 ... Ray Auto save mode selection window, 81 ... Save destination folder selection area, 82 ... Main image addition / exclusion selection area, 84 ... Single page / multiple page selection area, 86 ... Save button, 88 ... Cancel button, 121 ... Background image, 122 ... main image, 123 ... frame image, 131 ... composite image, 140 ... main window, 150 ... browse processing area, 152 ... main image, 160 ... layout processing area, 162 ... layout attribute selection area, 164 ... composite image display area 166: Image area of a standard image, 170: Print processing area, 172: Printer selection area, 174: Print image.

Claims (7)

A creation unit that assigns at least one designated main image to create a composite image;
A definition unit that defines at least layout information indicating a layout state of the main image assigned to the composite image without including the main image;
A storage unit for storing the layout information defined in the definition unit;
A selection unit for selecting one of a standard layout in which an image layout is defined in advance and layout information stored in the storage unit;
With
The creation unit creates the composite image based on the fixed layout or the layout information selected by the selection unit,
The image processing apparatus, wherein the selection unit displays the layout information in a selectable manner with priority over the fixed layout. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.
At least one of the fixed layout and the layout information includes frame image data that can be superimposed on the main image in the composite image. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1,
An image processing apparatus comprising: an editing unit that edits the composite image created by the creating unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3.
The image processing apparatus characterized in that the definition unit defines the layout information based on the composite image edited by the editing unit. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A first mode for defining a predetermined page of the composite image created by the creation unit without including the main image by the definition unit, and all pages constituting the composite image by the definition unit An image processing apparatus comprising: a mode selection unit that selects any one of a second mode that defines common layout information for all pages without including a main image. The image processing apparatus according to any one of 請 Motomeko 1 to 5,
The image processing apparatus, wherein the storage unit stores the layout information in an area set according to a creator of the layout information. A creation step of creating a composite image by assigning at least one designated main image, and a definition step of defining layout information indicating at least a layout state of the main image assigned to the composite image without including the main image When,
A storage step of storing the layout information defined in the definition step;
A selection step in which any one of the standard layout in which the layout of the image is defined in advance and the layout information stored in the storage step is selected;
With
The creation step creates the composite image based on the fixed layout or the layout information selected in the selection step,
The image processing method characterized in that the selection step displays the layout information in a selectable manner with priority over the fixed layout.