JP5131375B2 - Image processing apparatus and image processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing program, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus and an image processing program that can perform replacement of the position and attribute of an image displayed on a display screen with a simple operation.

As disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-293838, when displaying an image such as a photograph or a picture, the background color and pattern on which the image is displayed, the position on which the image is displayed, and the like are set in advance. There is known an image editing apparatus that selects a template and displays an image based on the template. In this image editing apparatus, when an image and a template are selected, the image is displayed at a predetermined position defined by the template. Therefore, the arrangement of images desired by the operator and the display mode as the background can be set with a simple operation of selecting a plurality of images and templates.
JP-A-10-293838

  However, in an image editing apparatus using a template, a desired display mode can be set only by a simple operation of selecting a plurality of images and templates. However, there is not necessarily a template that is an arrangement position or background of an image desired by the operator. Not always. If the operator does not have a desired template, a template that approximates the desired display mode must be selected, and the position, size, color, brightness, etc. of the displayed image must be edited, which is a complicated task. It becomes necessary.

  For example, when the arrangement position of one displayed image and another image is to be exchanged, one image is moved by dragging and dropping, and then another image is dragged and dropped. Move to the position where the image is placed. Then, the arrangement position can be switched by moving one image that has been moved to a position where another image has been arranged. Therefore, when the displayed images are replaced, at least three operations are required, which causes a troublesome work. In addition, if the background set by the template is whitened corresponding to the arrangement position of the image, it is difficult to move the image to a regular position when replacing the image by dragging and dropping. there were.

  In addition, when attributes such as the size, color, and brightness of the image are associated with the arrangement position of the image, the attribute must be edited after replacing the image by drag and drop. There was a problem that it would be complicated work.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides an image processing apparatus and an image processing program capable of switching the position and attribute of an image displayed on a display screen with a simple operation. The purpose is to do.

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to claim 1, a display device having a display screen on which a plurality of images are displayed, image information for displaying an image on the display screen of the display device, and the display Storage means for associating and storing position information indicating a position at which an image is displayed on the screen; first selection means for receiving selection of a plurality of images among images displayed on the display screen of the display device; A first area display means for selectively displaying a template indicating display positions or display shapes of a plurality of images received by the first selection means in a first area of the display screen of the display device; One template among the templates displayed in the first area by the first area display means in a second area adjacent to the first area in the screen, and the first selection hand State by a second region display means for displaying by synthesizing the plurality of images of accepting the selection, the said one of the template in the second region of the display screen and said plurality of images are displayed by combining The second selecting means for accepting selection of an image displayed in the second area, and the first selecting means for displaying the one image accepted for selection when the second selecting means accepts selection of a plurality of images. Second image information for displaying one image information and another one image, or first position information associated with the first image information and second position information associated with the second image information. The second selection means accepts a selection based on the combination of the replacement storage means that is replaced and stored in the storage means and the image information and the position information that are replaced and stored by the replacement storage means. By replacing the position in the second area of the image being displayed with the replacement display means for re-displayed on the second region, a composite image in which the first template and said plurality of images are synthesized, on the recording medium Printing means for printing .

  The image processing device according to claim 2 is the image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit further includes image information for displaying an image on a display screen of the display device, and an image displayed on the display screen. And the attribute information that changes the display mode of the image, and the replacement storage means receives the selection of a plurality of images when the second selection means accepts selection of a plurality of images. Corresponding to the first image information for displaying the first image information and the second image information for displaying the other one image, or the first position information and the first attribute information and the second image information associated with the first image information The attached second position information and second attribute information are exchanged and stored in the storage means, and the replacement display means associates the image information stored by being exchanged by the exchange storage means with the image information. Has been based on the combination of the position information and the attribute information is intended to be redisplayed by replacing the position and display form in the second area of the image receives the selection by said second selecting means.

The image processing device according to claim 3, a display device having a display screen on which a plurality of images are displayed, image information for displaying an image on the display screen of the display device, and a position at which the image is displayed on the display screen Storage means for associating and storing position information indicating the attribute information for changing the display mode of the image displayed on the display screen, and a plurality of images among the images displayed on the display screen of the display device A first selection means for accepting selection of the image, and a template showing the display positions or display shapes of the plurality of images accepted by the first selection means in the first area of the display screen of the display device. A first area display means for displaying, and a template displayed on the first area by the first area display means in a second area adjacent to the first area of the display screen. And one of templates, the second region display means for displaying by synthesizing the plurality of images selection of which is accepted by the first selection means, the display screen of the second region to the first template and the plurality of images And a second selection unit that receives selection of an image displayed in the second area, and a selection when a plurality of images are selected by the second selection unit. The first image information for displaying one image that has received the first image, the first position information associated with the first image information, the second image information for displaying the other one image, and the second image information Second storage information, or replacement storage for storing the first attribute information associated with the first image information and the second attribute information associated with the second image information in the storage means hand And the display mode in the second region of the image that has been selected by the second selection unit based on the combination of the image information and the attribute information that has been replaced and stored by the replacement storage unit, and is displayed again. A replacement display unit; and a printing unit configured to print a composite image, which is displayed in the second area and is a combination of the first template and the plurality of images, on a recording medium .

The image processing device according to claim 4 is the image processing device according to claim 2 or 3, and corresponds to the first image information for displaying one image for which selection is accepted by the second selection means, and the first image information. Second image information for displaying the attached first attribute information and another one image and second attribute information associated with the second image information, or first attribute information associated with the first image information A first replacement function for switching position information and second position information associated with the second image information; and the first image information and the second image information, or the first position information and the first attribute. A second replacement function for switching information, the second position information, and the second attribute information; and the first first image information, the first position information, the second image information, and the second position information, or The first attribute information and the first A third replacement function that replaces the attribute information, and comprising function selection means for receiving selection of one of the first replacement function, the second replacement function, and the third replacement function, and the replacement The storage means, based on the function selected by the function selection means, at least one of the first image information, the first position information, and the first attribute information, the second image information, The second position information and at least one of the second attribute information are exchanged and stored in the storage means .

The image processing device according to claim 5 is the image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second selection unit includes two images out of images received by the first selection unit. A determination unit that determines whether an image received after selection of one image by the second selection unit is different from the one image, and the selection unit Selection image setting means for setting the image that has received the selection as the other one image when it is determined that the image that has received the image is different from the one image .
An image processing device according to claim 6 is the image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a touch panel that detects an input corresponding to a contact position or an approach position of an indicator with respect to the display screen, The first selection unit or the second selection unit is configured to receive selection of an image when the touch panel detects an input corresponding to contact or approach of an indicator with respect to the image displayed on the display screen.

The image processing program according to claim 7 , wherein a computer provided in an image processing apparatus having a display device having a display screen causes image information to display an image on the display screen of the display device and an image on the display screen. A storage step of associating and storing in the storage means position information indicating a position to be displayed; a first selection step of accepting selection of a plurality of images among images displayed on the display screen of the display device; and the display A first area display step for selectively displaying a template indicating display positions or display shapes of a plurality of images received in the first selection step in the first area of the display screen of the apparatus; Of the templates displayed in the first area in the second area adjacent to the first area, the first area is displayed in the first area. And Plates, and a second region display step of synthesizing and displaying a plurality of images selection of which is accepted by said first selection step, and the one of the template in the second region of the display screen and the plurality of images In a state where the images are combined and displayed, a second selection step for accepting selection of an image displayed in the second area, and selection of a plurality of images in the second selection step are accepted. Corresponds to first image information for displaying one received image and second image information for displaying another one image, or first position information and second image information associated with the first image information A replacement storage step of replacing the attached second position information with the storage means and storing the storage means in the storage means, and a combination of the image information and the position information stored after replacement by the replacement storage step Based on Align, and replacement display step of re-displaying interchanged position in the second area of the image receives the selection by said second selecting step, the second is displayed in the area, and the one template the And a printing step of printing a synthesized image obtained by synthesizing the plurality of images on a recording medium .

The image processing program according to claim 8 is the image processing program according to claim 7 , wherein the storing step further includes image information for displaying an image on a display screen of the display device, and an image displayed on the display screen. Is stored in the storage means in association with the attribute information that changes the display mode of the display, and the replacement storage step receives selection when a plurality of images are selected in the second selection step. First image information for displaying one image and second image information for displaying another one image, or first position information and first attribute information associated with the first image information, and the second image The second position information and the second attribute information associated with the information are replaced and stored in the storage means, and the replacement display step is replaced by the replacement storage step. Based on the combination of the stored image information and the position information and attribute information associated with the image information, the position and display mode in the second region of the image that has been selected in the second selection step are switched. To redisplay.

The image processing program according to claim 9 , wherein a computer provided in an image processing apparatus including a display device having a display screen causes image information to display an image on the display screen of the display device and an image on the display screen. A storage step of associating and storing in the storage means position information indicating the position to be displayed and attribute information for changing the display mode of the image displayed on the display screen, and displayed on the display screen of the display device A first selection step for receiving selection of a plurality of images from among images, and a display area or a display shape of the plurality of images that have been selected by the first selection step are shown in a first region of the display screen of the display device. A first area display step for displaying templates in a selectable manner, and a second area adjacent to the first area in the display screen, the first area display step. And 1 template of the template that is displayed in the first region by-up, and a second region display step of displaying by synthesizing the plurality of images selection of which is accepted by said first selection step, the display screen A second selection step of accepting selection of an image displayed in the second area in a state where the first template and the plurality of images are combined and displayed in the second area of the second area; When selection of a plurality of images is received in the selection step, first image information for displaying one image for which selection has been received, first position information associated with the first image information, and another one image are displayed. second position information associated with the second image information and said second image information to be displayed, or, the first attribute information and the second image information associated with the first image information The second selection based on the combination of the replacement storage step of replacing the associated second attribute information and storing the replacement in the storage means, and the combination of the image information and the attribute information stored after the replacement storage step. The replacement display step of switching the display mode in the second area of the image that has been selected in the step and redisplaying the image, and the template displayed in the second area and the plurality of images are combined. And a printing step for printing the composite image on the recording medium .

An image processing program according to claim 10 corresponds to the first image information for displaying one image for accepting selection in the second selection step in the image processing program according to claim 8 or 9, and the first image information. Second image information for displaying the attached first attribute information and another one image and second attribute information associated with the second image information, or first attribute information associated with the first image information A first replacement function for switching position information and second position information associated with the second image information; and the first image information and the second image information, or the first position information and the first attribute. A second replacement function for switching information, the second position information, and the second attribute information; and the first first image information, the first position information, the second image information, and the second position information, or First A third replacement function that replaces the attribute information and the second attribute information, and a function selection that accepts selection of one of the first replacement function, the second replacement function, and the third replacement function. And causing the computer to execute a step, wherein the replacement storage step includes at least one of the first image information, the first position information, and the first attribute information based on the function selected in the function selection step. Information and at least one of the second image information, the second position information, and the second attribute information are exchanged and stored in the storage means.
An image processing program according to an eleventh aspect is the image processing program according to any one of the seventh to tenth aspects, wherein the second selection step includes two images among the images that have been selected by the first selection step. A determination step of determining whether an image received after selection of one image in the second selection step is an image different from the one image, and the determination step A selection image setting step of setting the image that has received the selection as the other one image when it is determined that the image that has received the selection is different from the one image. To run.
The image processing program according to claim 12 is the image processing program according to any one of claims 7 to 11 , wherein the first selection step or the second selection step is performed on an image displayed on the display screen by a touch panel. When an input corresponding to contact or approach of the indicator is detected, selection of the image is accepted.

The image processing method according to claim 1 3, wherein, in the image processing method implemented by an image processing apparatus having a display device having a display screen in which a plurality of images are displayed, and displays the image on the display screen of the display device A storage step of associating and storing in the storage means image information and position information indicating a position where the image is displayed on the display screen, and selecting a plurality of images from the images displayed on the display screen of the display device A first selection step of accepting the image, and a first region in which a template indicating a display position or a display shape of the image accepted in the first selection step can be displayed in a first region of the display screen of the display device. One of the templates displayed in the first area in the display step and the second area adjacent to the first area in the display screen by the first area display step. A second area display means for combining and displaying a template and an image that has been selected by the first selection means, and the first template and the plurality of images are combined in the second area of the display screen. The second selection step of accepting selection of the image displayed in the second area and the selection of a plurality of images received in the second selection step. First image information for displaying one image and second image information for displaying another one image, or first position information associated with the first image information and associated with the second image information The second selection process is performed based on a replacement storage step of replacing the second position information and storing the second position information in the storage unit, and a combination of the image information and the position information replaced and stored in the replacement storage step. A replacement display step of re-displaying interchanged position in the second area of the image receives the selection result, the second is displayed in the area, the composite image in which the first template and said plurality of images are synthesized Is printed on a recording medium .

According to the image processing apparatus of the first aspect, the operator can change the position of the image only by an operation of selecting a plurality of images displayed in the second area of the display screen. There is an effect that the images can be replaced. Further, there is an effect that a composite image obtained by combining one template and a plurality of images displayed in the second area can be printed on a recording medium.

  According to the image processing device of claim 2, in addition to the effect produced by the image processing device of claim 1, the operator only needs to select a plurality of images displayed in the second area of the display screen. There is an effect that not only the position of the image can be replaced but also the display mode can be replaced at a time.

According to the image processing apparatus of the third aspect, the operator can change the display mode of the image only by an operation of selecting a plurality of images displayed in the second area of the display screen. There is an effect that it is possible to change the attribute that changes the display mode of the image by the operation. Further, there is an effect that a composite image obtained by combining one template and a plurality of images displayed in the second area can be printed on a recording medium.

According to the image processing apparatus of the fourth aspect , in addition to the effect produced by the image processing apparatus of the second or third aspect, the first replacement function, the second replacement function, and the third replacement function are selected. There is an effect that at least one piece of information among the image information, the position information, and the attribute information corresponding to the two images can be exchanged based on the received function .

According to the image processing device of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the image processing device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the same image is selected, and the position and display mode of the image are visually changed. There is an effect that it can be prevented from being replaced and usability can be improved .
According to the image processing device of the sixth aspect, in addition to the effects of the image processing device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the image processing device is composed of a touch panel, so that the operation of replacing images and replacing attributes is performed. Is easier. Therefore, there is an effect that the operability can be further improved.

According to the image processing program of the seventh aspect , the same effect as that produced by the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect can be obtained. According to the image processing program of the eighth aspect , the same effect as that produced by the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect can be obtained. According to the image processing program of the ninth aspect , the same effect as that produced by the image processing apparatus according to the third aspect can be obtained.

According to the image processing program of the tenth aspect , the same effect as that produced by the image processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect can be obtained. According to claim 1 1, wherein the image processing program, can achieve the same effects as the effects of the image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein. According to the image processing program of the twelfth aspect, the same effect as that produced by the image processing apparatus according to the sixth aspect can be obtained.

According to the image processing method according to claim 1 3, wherein, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the effects of the image processing apparatus according to claim 1.

1 is an external view of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine. 5 is a flowchart showing album creation processing executed by the CPU of the multifunction machine. 6 is a flowchart illustrating editing processing executed by the CPU of the multifunction machine. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an exchange process executed by the CPU of the multifunction machine. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an exchange process executed by the CPU of the multifunction machine. 5 is a flowchart showing a two-image selection process executed by the CPU of the multifunction machine. It is the figure which showed an example of the display mode of a liquid crystal display. It is the figure which showed an example of the display mode of a liquid crystal display. It is the figure which showed an example of the display mode of a liquid crystal display. It is the figure which showed an example of the display mode of a liquid crystal display.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a multifunction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the following embodiment is only an example which actualized this invention, and it cannot be overemphasized that an Example can be changed suitably in the range which does not change the summary of this invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 1 is integrally provided with a printer 2 provided at the bottom, a scanner 3 provided at the top, and an operation panel 4 provided on the front side of the scanner 3. An MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) printer function for recording (printing) data received from an external computer (not shown) such as a copy function, a facsimile function, a personal computer (hereinafter simply referred to as “PC”) on a recording sheet To achieve multiple functions. Note that the configuration of the internal configuration of the scanner 3 is not directly related to the present invention, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

  The printer 2 is an image recording apparatus that records an image on a recording sheet based on image data read by the scanner 3 or image data input from the outside. As described above, the printer 2 is disposed below the scanner 3. Since the scanner 3 and the printer 2 are positioned so that the back surfaces thereof are the same, the back surface of the multi-function device 1 has a flat shape with no irregularities.

  The front end surface 17 of the printer 2 protrudes from the front end surface 18 of the scanner 3 to the front side by a predetermined width because the document reading table 6 is formed in a horizontally long rectangular parallelepiped as described above. Hereinafter, the end portion on the front side of the printer 2 protruding to the front side in this way is referred to as a protruding portion 16. The horizontal width of the printer 2 is formed in accordance with the horizontal width of the scanner 3. Therefore, the multifunction device 1 has a substantially square shape in plan view.

  A connection panel 70 is provided above the opening 5 of the printer 2. The connection panel 70 is provided with a USB terminal 71 on the left end side thereof. The USB terminal 71 is a connector terminal that connects the external device and the multifunction device 1 so as to communicate with each other by USB connection to the external device. A slot portion 72 is disposed on the right end side of the connection panel 70. The slot portion 72 is provided with a plurality of card slots into which a memory card (card type memory) can be loaded. A memory card is loaded in the card slot, and image data is read from the loaded memory card by the control unit 20 (see FIG. 2) described later.

  An operation panel 4 is provided on the front side of the multifunction machine 1. The operation panel 4 is formed in a horizontally long shape so as to fit in the empty space above the protruding portion 16. In other words, the operation panel 4 is formed in such a size that the vertical width is within the length (the vertical width of the empty space) obtained by subtracting the vertical width of the printer 2 from the vertical width of the scanner 3. The operation panel 4 is for operating the printer 2 and the scanner 3 and includes various operation keys 40 and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 41. The user can input a desired command using the operation panel 4. Note that the LCD 41 includes two LCD panels having an aspect ratio of 3 to 4, and is configured to have an aspect ratio of 3 to 8. When a predetermined command is input to the multifunction device 1, the operation of the multifunction device 1 is controlled by the control unit 20 (see FIG. 2) based on the input information.

  The multifunction device 1 is a system that operates based on a command input from the operation panel 4 or a command connected to a computer such as a PC and transmitted from the computer via a printer driver, a scanner driver, or the like. It is configured.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the electrical configuration of the multifunction machine 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine 1. The multifunction device 1 includes a parallel I / F 29 that is an interface (hereinafter referred to as “I / F”) that can be connected to a PC via a cable, a USB terminal 71 that can be connected to a digital camera, and an external medium (for example, a memory). A slot 72 capable of detachably mounting a recording medium including a flash memory such as a card. For this reason, image data can be input from a PC, a digital camera, or an external medium. And it is comprised so that the album creation process (refer FIG. 3) mentioned later can be performed with respect to the input image data.

  The control unit 20 controls the operation of the multifunction machine 1 including the printer 2, the scanner 3, and the operation panel 4 (see FIG. 1). The control unit 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) 24. An ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 26 is connected via the bus 25.

  The CPU 21 is a central processing unit that comprehensively controls the multifunction machine 1. The ROM 22 stores various control programs executed by the CPU 21 (for example, programs shown in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 to 7), fixed values used when executing the programs, and the like.

  The ROM 22 has a template information storage area 22a. The template information storage area 22a stores a plurality of template information in which a position for displaying an image and a shape for displaying the image are predetermined. In the present embodiment, a plurality of templates corresponding to the number of images to be displayed are stored as one template information in the template information storage area 22a, and the number of template information corresponding to the number of images is stored.

  The RAM 23 is a rewritable memory used as a storage area or a work area for temporarily recording various data used when the CPU 21 executes the program. The RAM 23 is an area other than an area fixedly secured as a load area for a program that is instructed to be read when the MFP 1 is activated, an area for storing a fixed value that is essential for each process, and the like. In addition, a variable area dynamically allocated to the program to be executed is provided. At the time of execution of each program, a memory area (storage area or work area) necessary for the program operation is secured in the free area (unused area) of the variable area.

  In addition, when a memory card (not shown) is inserted into the slot 72, the RAM 23 reads out and stores information stored in the memory card, and an image file temporary storage area 23a. There is provided an image information storage area 23b in which information (attribute information) indicating the assigned or applied editing content is stored. The image information storage area 23b is provided for each selected image when an image is selected by an album creation process (see FIG. 3) described later.

  The image file stored in the image file temporary storage area 23a is, for example, known bitmap data, and is configured with pixel values (RGB values) for each pixel. The RGB value is a value having, as constituent components, an R value representing red, which is the three primary colors of light, a G value representing green, and a B value representing blue. As the RGB value increases, the luminance ( (Brightness) becomes high. Furthermore, the image file also includes information indicating the size, color, resolution, corrected content, and the like of the image.

  The image information storage area 23b includes a position information storage area 23b1, a layout information storage area 23b2, a correction information storage area 23b3, a size information storage area 23b4, a color information storage area 23b5, and a lightness information storage area 23b6. A resolution storage area 23b7 and a drawing information storage area 23b8 are provided.

  The position information storage area 23b1 stores position information indicating the position on the display screen where the image is displayed when the position where the image is displayed is set by an album creation process (see FIG. 3) described later. The position information indicating the position on the display screen is information indicating coordinates, for example.

  The layout information storage area 23b2 stores layout information (shape information) indicating the shape of an image when an image display shape is set by an album creation process (see FIG. 3) described later. The layout information indicating the shape of the image is information indicating, for example, a circle, a triangle, a square, a star, or the like.

  In the correction information storage area 23b3, correction information indicating correction applied to the image is stored, and correction information of a corresponding image stored in the image file temporary storage area 23a is stored. The correction information is information indicating correction contents such as contour correction that emphasizes the contour of an image and blur correction that blurs the image.

  The size information storage area 23b4 stores size information indicating the size of the image, and stores the size information of the corresponding image stored in the image file temporary storage area 23a.

  In the color information storage area 23b5, color information indicating the color (combination of image colors) given to the image is stored, and the color information of the corresponding image stored in the image file temporary storage area 23a is stored.

  In the lightness information storage area 23b6, lightness information indicating the lightness (brightness of the image) given to the image is stored, and the lightness information of the corresponding image stored in the image file temporary storage area 23a is stored.

  The resolution information storage area 23b7 stores resolution information indicating image resolution (image fineness), and stores resolution information of the corresponding image stored in the image file temporary storage area 23a.

  The drawing information storage area 23b8 stores drawing information as original data processed (edited) by the layout information and correction information, size information, color information, lightness information, and resolution information described above.

  Next, the ASIC 26 connected to the control unit 20 via the bus 25 will be described. Connected to the ASIC 26 is a panel gate array (panel GA) 27 that detects pressing (input) of the operation key 40 for inputting a desired command to the multifunction device 1 and outputs a predetermined code signal. Further, the ASIC 26 is connected to an LCD controller 28 that controls the screen display of the LCD 41, an amplifier 73 that rings a speaker 74, a general public line 33, and an NCU (Network Control Unit) 31 that is connected to the modem 32.

  Next, the album creation process executed in the multi-function device 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 to 7 and the diagrams showing the display modes of the LCD 41 shown in FIGS. To do. 3 to 7 are flowcharts showing the album execution process executed by the CPU 21 of the multifunction device 1, and FIGS. 8 to 11 are views showing the display modes of the liquid crystal display 41.

  Note that the album creation process is executed when the operation key 40 is operated by the operator and the album creation function is selected. In the present embodiment, when a memory card is inserted, an album creation function can be executed. Therefore, when a memory card is inserted by the operator, an image file such as a photograph or a picture stored in the memory card is read and stored in the image file temporary storage area 23a.

  Further, the function of creating an album may be executed not only when a memory card is inserted but also when an image file is received from an external PC or an image file is received from an external line. good.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an album creation process executed by the CPU 21 of the multifunction machine 1. In the following description, the display mode of the LCD 41 changes sequentially when the album creation process is executed. The change in the display mode of the LCD 41 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When the album creation function is selected by the operator and the album creation process is executed, first, an image file stored in the image file temporary storage area 23a is read, and a list of images drawn by the image file is displayed. The image is displayed on the left screen 41a of the LCD 41 (S101). The display mode of the LCD 41 in the state where the process of S101 is executed is the state shown in FIG.

  As described above, the LCD 41 is composed of two LCD panels and can be displayed by dividing the left and right sides. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 8A, the screen is divided into a left screen 41a and a right screen 41b. In the following description, being displayed on the left screen 41a means being displayed only on the left panel (the left panel in FIGS. 8 to 11) of the two LCD panels arranged, To be displayed on the right screen 41b means to be displayed only on the right panel (the right panel in FIGS. 8 to 11) of the two LCD panels arranged.

  When the process of S101 is executed, a plurality of images based on the image file read from the image file temporary storage area 23a are displayed on the left screen 41a of the LCD 41. Each of the plurality of images is surrounded by a square frame, and one image can be selected by touching the inside of the frame. The display mode of the left screen 41a of the LCD 41 in FIG. 8A is also referred to as a thumbnail screen.

  In the present embodiment, a lighthouse image A, a house image B, and a church image C are displayed on the thumbnail screen. The right screen 41b of the LCD 41 is a work screen, and is blank when the processing of S101 is executed.

  In the process of S102, it is determined whether or not the image displayed on the left screen 41a of the LCD 41 is touched by the operator (S102). If it is determined that the image is touched (S102: Yes), the touch is performed. The image is displayed on the right screen 41b of the LCD 41 (S103), and if it is determined that the image is not touched (S102: No), the process proceeds to S104 without executing the process in S103.

  FIG. 8B illustrates a state in which the image A on the thumbnail screen has been touched by the operator. When the operator touches the screen of the LCD 41, the process of S102 is Yes. Note that since no image is displayed in the frames other than the images A to C, the process of S102 is No even if touched.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 8C, when the image A is touched by the operator, the image A is displayed on the right screen 41b of the LCD 41 in the process of S103. When one or more images are displayed on the right screen 41 b of the LCD 41, “OK” is displayed on the upper right portion of the LCD 41.

  At this time, a partition is displayed in the work screen of the right screen 41b of the LCD 41. When one or more images are displayed, a partition that divides the right screen 41b into four is displayed. Further, although not shown, the screen is divided into nine when five or more images are selected, and is divided into sixteen when ten or more images are selected.

  In the process of S104, it is determined whether or not “OK” displayed on the upper right portion of the LCD 41 has been touched by the operator (S104). If it is determined that “OK” has not been touched (S104: No). Returning to the processing of S102, it is determined again whether or not the image is touched. Therefore, an arbitrary number of images can be selected and displayed on the right screen 41b until “OK” is touched by the operator.

  FIG. 8D shows a display mode in which three images A to C are selected and displayed on the right screen 41b. In the following description, a case where three images A to C are selected will be described.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the process of S104 that “OK” has been touched by the operator (S104: Yes), the selection of images by the operator has been completed, and thus the number of images displayed on the right screen 41b. Is read from the template information storage area 22a, and a plurality of templates corresponding to the number of images are displayed on the left screen 41a of the LCD 41 (S105).

  FIG. 9A shows a display mode in which a template is displayed on the left screen 41a of the LCD 41 by the process of S105. As shown in the drawing, since three images A to C are selected by the operator, a template in which areas for displaying the three images are set in advance is displayed.

  Although not shown, when the process of S104 is Yes and the image selected by the operator is determined, an image information storage area 23b corresponding to each of the selected images is provided in the RAM 23. That is, in this embodiment, when the process of S104 is Yes, the RAM 23 is provided with three image information storage areas 23b. At this time, as described above, the drawing information corresponding to the selected image is read from the image file temporary storage area 23a and stored in the drawing information storage area 23b8.

  In the process of S106, it is determined whether any of the templates displayed on the left screen 41a of the LCD 41 has been touched (S106). If it is determined that the template has not been touched (S106: No) , S107 and S108 are not executed, and the process proceeds to S109.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the process of S106 that the template has been touched by the operator (S106: Yes), the image is trimmed according to the position where the image is displayed and its shape in the touched template, and after trimming. The image information corresponding to the image is stored in the image information storage area 23b (S107). Then, an image is displayed based on all information stored in the image information storage area 23b (S108), and the process proceeds to S109.

  Note that the image trimming executed in the process of S107 is a process of processing an image into a shape preset by a template. Information indicating the position of the image set by the template (for example, coordinates on the right screen 41b) is stored in the position information storage area 23b1, and information indicating the shape set by the template is stored in the layout information storage area 23b2. The attributes assigned to or applied to the image are stored in the correction information storage area 23b3, the size information storage area 23b4, the color information storage area 23b5, the lightness information storage area 23b6, and the resolution information storage area 23b7, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, when a template is selected by the operator, an image is processed according to the template and displayed at a position corresponding to the template. In this embodiment, the image A is processed into a square at the upper left, the image B is processed into a circle at the upper right, and the image C is processed into a triangle at the lower left.

  When the template is selected by the operator, the right screen 41b of the LCD 41 is divided into a plurality of regions according to the template (according to the number of images and the position of the image). In FIG. 9B, a selection area 41b1 associated with the image A, a selection area 41b2 associated with the image B, a selection area 41b3 associated with the image C, and a selection in which no image is displayed It is divided into a region 41b4.

  Therefore, when the operator touches any of the selection areas 41b1 to 41b4, signals corresponding to the touched selection areas 41b1 to 41b4 are output, and the CPU 21 recognizes the touched selection areas 41b1 to 41b4. it can. Then, by recognizing the touched selection areas 41b1 to 41b4, it is possible to recognize the image associated with the selection areas 41b1 to 41b4 and confirm that the image has been selected. Since no image is displayed in the selection area 41b4, the selection area 41b4 becomes an invalid area, and no image is selected even if touched.

  In the process of S109, it is determined whether or not “OK” displayed on the upper right part of the LCD 41 is touched (S109). If it is determined that “OK” is not touched (S109: No), the process of S106 is performed. Returning to step S5, it is determined again whether the template has been touched. Therefore, the operator can select a plurality of types of templates while confirming the right screen 41b of the LCD 41, so that a template having a desired arrangement position and shape can be determined.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the process of S109 that “OK” has been touched by the operator (S109: Yes), an editing process for editing the image and template selected by the operator is executed (S110). This process ends.

  FIG. 9C illustrates a state in which “OK” displayed on the upper right of the right screen 41 b of the LCD 41 is touched after the template is selected by the operator. When the operation of FIG. 9C is performed, the process of S109 is Yes.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the editing process executed by the CPU 21 of the multifunction machine 1. The editing process is executed by the process of S110 of the album creation process.

  When the editing process is executed, the editing items are displayed on the left screen 41a of the LCD 41 (S201). In the present embodiment, as editable items, photo exchange for exchanging (replacement) positions of arranged images, layout exchange for exchanging template shapes, correction exchange for exchanging corrections applied to images, Exchanging the size of the image, exchanging the colors assigned to the image, exchanging the brightness of the image, exchanging the brightness of the image, exchanging the resolution of the image, exchanging all of the above There is a whole exchange.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, the left screen 41a of the LCD 41 includes “photo exchange” corresponding to photo exchange, “layout exchange” corresponding to layout exchange, and “entire exchange” corresponding to whole exchange. , “Correction exchange” corresponding to correction exchange, “Size exchange” corresponding to size exchange, “Color exchange” corresponding to color exchange, “Brightness exchange” corresponding to lightness exchange, and resolution effect Corresponding “Resolution exchange” and “Edit end” to end editing are displayed. When any of the editing items or “end editing” is touched, the editing item or the end of editing is selected.

  In the process of S202, it is determined whether an edit item (other than “end editing”) has been touched (S202). If it is determined that the edit item has not been touched (S202: No), “edit end” is displayed. It is determined whether or not it has been touched (S203).

  If it is determined in the process of S203 that “edit end” has not been touched (S203: No), the process returns to S202, and the process of S202 is continued until the operator touches the edit item or “edit end”. And the process of S203 are repeatedly executed.

  FIG. 10B illustrates a state where “Photo exchange” is touched by the operator as an editing item. As shown in the figure, the operator can select one editing item by pressing the area where the editing item is displayed with a finger or the like.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10C, when an edit item is touched by the operator, it is lit up to indicate that the touched edit item has been selected. In this embodiment, when one editing item is selected, the editing item is held until editing is completed. When the edit item is set, the message “Please select image 1” is displayed on the upper right of the LCD 41, and the following procedure is suggested to the operator (see FIG. 11A).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the process of S203 that “edit end” has been touched (S203: Yes), “print” and “save” are displayed on the left screen 41a of the LCD 41 in order to end the edit. It is displayed (S204). Therefore, the operator can select whether to print or save the edited image.

  In the process of S205, it is determined whether or not “print” is touched by the operator (S205). If “print” is touched by the operator (S205: Yes), the print process is executed. If “save” is touched (S205: No), the saving process is executed (S207), and this process is terminated.

  The printing process in S206 is a process for instructing the printer 2 to perform printing in the display mode displayed on the right screen 41b of the LCD 41. The saving process in S207 is stored in the image information storage area 23b. Is stored in another area of the RAM 23 and stored. Note that the storage process may be directly stored in the memory card. Further, both the printing process and the saving process may be selectable.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the process of S202 that one of the editing items is touched (S202: Yes), whether the touched editing item is photo exchange (S211) or layout exchange ( S212), correction exchange (S213), size exchange (S214), color exchange (S215), lightness exchange (S216), resolution exchange (S217), whole It is discriminated whether it is exchange (S218).

  If the editing item touched by the operator is a photo exchange (S211: Yes), a photo exchange process is executed (S221), and if it is a layout exchange (S211: No, S212: Yes), a layout exchange process is executed. If it is a correction exchange (S211: No, S212: No, S213: Yes), a correction exchange process is executed (S223). If it is a size exchange (S211: No, S212: No, S213). : No, S214: Yes), the size exchange process is executed (S224), and if the color is exchanged (S211: No, S212: No, S213: No, S214: No, S215: Yes), the color exchange process is performed. (S211: No, S212: No, S213: No, S214: No, S215: No) (S216: Yes), the brightness exchange process is executed (S226), and if the resolution is exchanged (S211: No, S212: No, S213: No, S214: No, S215: No, S216: No, S217: Yes), The resolution exchange process is executed (S227), and if it is a whole exchange (S211: No, S212: No, S213: No, S214: No, S215: No, S216: No, S217: No, S218: Yes), the whole The exchange process is executed (S227), and the process returns to S202.

  When it is determined that the editing item has been touched by the operator (S202: Yes), the process returns to S202 also when the processing of S211 to S218 is determined to be No. In this case, since it is determined that the edit item is touched, the processes of S211 to S218 are repeatedly executed until the process corresponding to one of the edit items is executed.

  Here, each exchange process of S221-S228 is demonstrated with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an exchange process executed by the CPU 21 of the multifunction device 1, FIG. 5 (a) is a flowchart showing a photo exchange process, and FIG. 5 (b) shows a layout exchange process. FIG. 5C is a flowchart showing the correction exchange process, and FIG. 5D is a flowchart showing the size exchange process. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the exchange process executed by the CPU 21 of the multifunction device 1, FIG. 6 (a) is a flowchart showing the color exchange process, and FIG. 6 (b) shows the brightness exchange process. FIG. 6C is a flowchart showing the resolution exchange process, and FIG. 6D is a flowchart showing the whole exchange process. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a two-image selection process executed by the CPU 21 of the multifunction machine 1.

  First, the photo exchange process will be described with reference to FIG. When the photo exchange process is executed in the editing process S221, a two-image selection process is executed (S301). Here, the two-image selection process will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the two-image selection process is executed, it is determined whether or not the selection areas 41b1 to 41b4 displayed on the right screen 41b of the LCD 41 are touched (S1101), and if the selection areas 41b1 to 41b4 are not touched (S1101). : No), it waits until selection area 41b1-41b4 is touched.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the processing of S1101 that the selection areas 41b1 to 41b4 are touched by the operator (S1101: Yes), it is determined whether or not the touched selection areas 41b1 to 41b4 are valid areas. (S1102). Since the selection areas 41b1 to 41b4 are displayed and associated with the selection areas 41b1 to 41b3, the selection areas 41b1 to 41b3 are effective areas, and the selection area 41b4 is an invalid area (not an effective area).

  If it is determined in the process of S1102 that the selection areas 41b1 to 41b4 touched by the operator are not effective areas (S1102: No), the process returns to the process of S1101, and the selection areas 41b1 to 41b3 that are effective areas are touched. Until then, the processing of S1101 and the processing of S1102 are repeatedly executed.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, in the present embodiment, a case where the selection area 41b2 is touched by the operator will be described as the selection of the first image.

  When the selection area 41b2 that is an effective area is touched in the processing of S1102 (S1102: Yes), the image B displayed in the touched selection area 41b2 is set as the first image (S1103). The process proceeds to S1104. When the process of S1103 is executed and the first image is set, as shown in FIG. 11B, “Please select image 2” is displayed on the upper right of the LCD 41, and one image is displayed. The operator can recognize that the eye image has been selected normally.

  In the process of S1104, it is determined whether or not the selection areas 41b1 to 41b4 displayed on the right screen 41b of the LCD 41 are touched again (S1104), and if it is determined that the selection areas 41b1 to 41b4 are not touched ( S1101: No), and waits until the selection areas 41b1 to 41b4 are touched.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the process of S1104 that the selection areas 41b1 to 41b4 are touched by the operator (S1104: Yes), it is determined whether or not the touched selection areas 41b1 to 41b4 are valid areas ( S1105).

  If it is determined in the process of S1105 that the selection areas 41b1 to 41b4 touched by the operator are not effective areas (S1105: No), the process returns to S1104, and the selection areas 41b1 to 41b3 that become effective areas are touched. Until then, the process of S1104 and the process of S1105 are repeatedly executed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the processing of S1105 that the selection areas 41b1 to 41b4 touched by the operator are the selection areas 41b1 to 41b3 that are effective areas (S1105: Yes), then the touched selection area It is determined whether 41b1 to 41b3 are the same as the first image (S1106). That is, in the process of S1106, it is determined whether or not the area touched by the operator is the selection area 41b2.

  If the selection areas 41b1 to 41b3 that are effective areas touched by the operator in the process of S1106 are the same as the first image, that is, if the selection area 41b2 is selected (S1106: Yes), the process returns to the process of S1104 and others Until the selection areas 41b1 and 41b3 associated with the first image are touched, the processes of S1104 to S1106 are repeatedly executed.

  Therefore, when the operator accidentally touches the same selection areas 41b1 to 41b3 continuously in a short time, the second and subsequent touches are invalidated (invalidation means). For example, if the same image is selected continuously, the same information is exchanged in terms of processing, so that there is no change in appearance. In this case, although the photo exchange process has ended, the operator recognizes that the next image has not yet been selected, and touches the selection areas 41b1 to 41b3. However, since the photo exchange process has been completed, the image cannot be selected, and the operator must perform the operation again from the beginning, resulting in poor usability. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the same image as the first image is selected as the second image, the operation is prevented from being deteriorated by invalidating the operation. .

  If it is determined in the processing of S1106 that the selection areas 41b1 to 41b3 touched by the operator are different from the first image, that is, the selection area 41b1 or the selection area 41b3 is selected (S1106: No). The image associated with the touched selection areas 41b1 to 41b3 is set as the second image (S1107), and this process ends.

  As shown in FIG. 11B, in the present embodiment, a case where the selection area 41b3 is touched by the operator as the selection of the second image will be described.

  Returning to FIG. 5A, the processing after S302 will be described. When two images are selected by the two-image selection processing in S301, the position information and layout information corresponding to the first image and the position information and layout information corresponding to the second image are exchanged and stored. Then, based on the information stored in the image information storage area 23b corresponding to the first image and the second image (S302), an image is created and redisplayed on the LCD 41 (S303). The process ends.

  In the process of S303, first, the image is processed based on the information stored in the image information storage area 23b, and the processed image is displayed on the LCD 41. In other words, not only the position where the position information is changed and the position where the image is displayed is changed, but also the layout information is changed and the shape of the template is changed. This is a process of displaying at a position corresponding to the position information.

  FIG. 11C illustrates a state in which the process of S303 is executed and the positions of the image B and the image C are switched. As shown in the figure, the positions of the image B and the image C are switched. In addition, the layout (shape position) of the template itself is not changed, and the image C is processed into a circle and the image B is processed into a triangle. As described above, the position of the image can be switched by only two operations, that is, an operation of selecting the image B by touching and an operation of selecting the image C by touching.

  Hereinafter, the layout exchange process and the correction exchange process, the size exchange process, the color exchange process, the brightness exchange process, the resolution exchange process, and the whole exchange process will be briefly described. Only the layout exchange process will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the layout exchange process shown in FIG. 5B is executed, the two-image selection process shown in FIG. 7 is executed (S401), corresponding to the layout information corresponding to the first image and the second image. The exchanged layout information is exchanged and stored (S402), and an image is created on the LCD 41 based on the information stored in the image information storage area 23b corresponding to the first image and the second image. The image is displayed again (S403), and this process is terminated.

  That is, the layout exchange process is a process for changing only the shape of the template without exchanging the position where the image is displayed. Therefore, only layout information corresponding to the first and second images is exchanged and stored. FIG. 11D shows a state in which this layout exchange has been executed, and it can be seen that only the template layout has been changed without replacing the positions of the images B and C with respect to FIG. 11B.

  When the correction exchange process shown in FIG. 5C is executed, the two-image selection process shown in FIG. 7 is executed (S501), corresponding to the correction information corresponding to the first image and the second image. The correction information is exchanged and stored (S502), and an image is created based on the information stored in the image information storage area 23b corresponding to the first image and the second image. The image is displayed again (S503), and this process is terminated.

  In other words, the correction exchange process is a process for changing only the corrected content (such as contour correction and blur correction) without exchanging the position and shape of the displayed image. Therefore, only the correction information corresponding to the first and second images is exchanged and stored.

  When the size exchange process shown in FIG. 5D is executed, the two-image selection process shown in FIG. 7 is executed (S601), the size information corresponding to the first image, and the second image Is exchanged and stored (S602), and an image is created based on the information stored in the image information storage area 23b corresponding to the first image and the second image. Then, it is displayed again on the LCD 41 (S603), and this process is terminated.

  That is, the size exchange process is a process of changing only the size of the image without exchanging the position where the image is displayed. Therefore, only the size information corresponding to the first and second images is exchanged and stored.

  When the color exchange process shown in FIG. 6A is executed, the two-image selection process shown in FIG. 7 is executed (S701), corresponding to the color information corresponding to the first image and the second image. The color information is exchanged and stored (S702), and an image is created on the LCD 41 based on the information stored in the image information storage area 23b corresponding to the first image and the second image. The image is displayed again (S503), and this process is terminated.

  In other words, the color exchange process is a process of changing only the set color (color composition, etc.) without changing the position and shape of the image displayed. Therefore, only the color information corresponding to the first and second images is exchanged and stored.

  When the brightness exchange process shown in FIG. 6B is executed, the two-image selection process shown in FIG. 7 is executed (S801), corresponding to the brightness information corresponding to the first image and the second image. The brightness information is exchanged and stored (S802), an image is created based on the information stored in the image information storage area 23b corresponding to the first image and the second image, and is stored in the LCD 41. The image is displayed again (S803), and this process is terminated.

  In other words, the brightness exchange process is a process of changing only the set brightness (brightness) without exchanging the displayed position and shape of the image. Therefore, only the brightness information corresponding to the first and second images is exchanged and stored.

  When the resolution exchange process shown in FIG. 6C is executed, the two-image selection process shown in FIG. 7 is executed (S901), corresponding to the resolution information corresponding to the first image and the second image. The resolution information is exchanged and stored (S902), and an image is created on the LCD 41 based on the information stored in the image information storage area 23b corresponding to the first image and the second image. The display is redisplayed (S903), and this process is terminated.

  In other words, the resolution exchange process is a process for changing only the set resolution (the fineness of the image) without exchanging the position and shape of the displayed image. Therefore, only the resolution information corresponding to the first and second images is exchanged and stored.

  When the whole exchange process shown in FIG. 6D is executed, the two-image selection process shown in FIG. 7 is executed (S1001), all information other than the drawing information corresponding to the first image, two All the information other than the drawing information corresponding to the eye image is exchanged and stored (S1002), and the information stored in the image information storage area 23b corresponding to the first image and the second image is stored. Based on this, an image is created and redisplayed on the LCD 41 (S1003), and this process is terminated.

  The drawing information is not exchanged because the drawing information is image data to be displayed on the LCD 41, and is original data processed based on information stored in the other storage areas 23b2 to 23b7. .

  In addition, as described above, the processing in S202 and the processing in S203 are repeatedly executed until an editing item or “end editing” is touched, so that editing of images can be performed on a plurality of items on the same image. it can.

  As described above, in the photo exchange process, when two images are selected from the images displayed on the right screen 41b of the LCD 41, the position information indicating the position where the image is displayed is replaced, and the position information storage area The image displayed on the right screen 41b of the LCD 41 is replaced and re-displayed based on the combination of the replaced position information stored in 23b1 and the drawing information stored in the drawing information storage area 23b8. Therefore, since the operator can change the position of the image only by touching two images displayed on the right screen 41b of the LCD 41, the image can be changed by a simple operation.

  In the layout exchange process, the correction exchange process, the size exchange process, the color exchange process, the brightness exchange process, and the resolution exchange process, when two images are selected from the images displayed on the right screen 41b of the LCD 41, Each information (attribute) corresponding to the process is replaced and stored in each of the storage areas 23b2 to 23b7, and the image displayed on the right screen 41 of the LCD 41 is based on the combination of the replaced information and the drawing information. The display mode (attribute) is changed and displayed again. Therefore, since the operator can replace the attributes of the image only by touching two images displayed on the right screen 41b of the LCD 41, the attributes can be replaced with a simple operation.

  Further, in the whole replacement process, when two images are selected from the images displayed on the right screen 41b of the LCD 41, the information stored in the storage areas 23b1 to 23b7 corresponding to the selected images is replaced. The image is redisplayed based on the combination of the replaced information and the drawing information. Therefore, the operator can not only replace the position of the image but also redisplay all the attributes by simply touching two images displayed on the right screen 41b of the LCD 41.

  In addition, since the LCD 41 of the multifunction device 1 is configured with a touch panel, the operation of replacing the images displayed on the right screen 41b of the LCD 41 and the replacement of the attributes become easier. Therefore, the operability can be further improved by adopting the touch panel.

  The multifunction device 1 is formed of a multifunction device capable of performing a copy operation, a printer operation, and a facsimile operation. For this reason, such operations are often executed in parallel with image processing. In the copying operation, the scanner 3 is controlled according to the control program 22a. In the printer operation, the recording head 201 provided in the printer 2 is controlled according to the control program 22a. In the facsimile operation, the received data is stored sequentially. A general multifunction machine is designed to perform a copy operation, a printer operation, and a facsimile operation in preference to image processing. For this reason, when such copy operation, printer operation, and facsimile operation control (control of machine parts) is performed, the RAM 23 preferentially secures an amount of memory necessary for the control, and other processing. The amount of memory that can be allocated to is reduced (compressed). As a result, it is often impossible to secure the memory required for normal album creation processing in the RAM 23.

  For this reason, if the image is moved by dragging and dropping the image and the images accompanying the movement are sequentially created and displayed, the memory of the RAM 23 cannot be secured, so that the smooth movement cannot be displayed on the display screen. There is.

  However, the replacement of the position of the image and the replacement of the attribute of the image can be performed only by an operation of touching one image and touching another image. Can be executed. Therefore, it is a technique suitable for the multifunction device 1 to perform the replacement of the position and attribute of the image only by touching the two images.

  As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It can be easily guessed.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the information stored in the other storage areas 23b1 to 23b7 is exchanged and stored without exchanging the drawing information stored in the drawing information storage area 23b8. The drawing information stored in the drawing information storage area 23b8 may be exchanged and stored without exchanging the information stored in the other storage areas 23b1 to 23b7. That is, it is only necessary that the position and display mode (attribute) of the image touched by the operator are switched and displayed, so that either the drawing information or the other information may be exchanged and stored.

  In the above embodiment, the LCD 41 is configured by a touch panel. However, for example, a cursor may be displayed on the LCD 41, and the cursor may be moved and determined by the operation key 40. Note that the type of the touch panel is not particularly limited, and may be a type that detects a press on the touch panel, a type that detects contact, or a type that detects the approach of a finger or a stick.

  In the above embodiment, the replacement of images and the replacement of attributes are performed between two images. However, the image may be configured to be performed between three or more images. In this configuration, for example, it is preferable to predetermine a rule that, for example, the selected images are ordered, and each information is shifted by one to replace the information.

  In the above embodiment, the album creating process for exchanging the position and attribute of the image is executed in the multi-function device 1. However, the album creating process may be executed in a personal computer, and an arithmetic device capable of executing the program; The present invention may be applied to any device as long as the configuration includes a display device capable of displaying an image.

  In the above embodiment, one edit item of photo exchange, layout exchange, correction exchange, size exchange, color exchange, lightness exchange, and resolution exchange is executed, or the whole exchange is executed. However, any combination is possible.

The first selecting means of the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, as a first selection step of the first selection step, and claims 1 to 3 image processing method according to the image processing program according to claim 7, wherein the 3 This processing corresponds to S102. Second selection means of the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second selection step of the image processing program according to claim 7, and a second selection step of claim 1 3 image processing method described, S1103 in FIG. 7 And S1107. The first region display means of the image processing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first region display step of the image processing program according to claim 7, and a first region display step of claim 1 3 image processing methods described, FIG. 3 corresponds to the process of S105. The second region display means of the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second region display step of the image processing program according to claim 7, and a second region display step of claim 1 3 image processing method described, FIG. 3 corresponds to the process of S108. Replacement storage unit of the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, replacement storage step of the image processing program according to claim 7, and as a replacement storage step according to claim 1 3 image processing method according, S302 shown in FIG. 5 (a) This process is applicable. Replacement display unit of the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in S303 the replacement display step of the image processing program according to claim 7, and claim 1 3 The replacement display step of the image processing method according FIGS. 5 (a) Processing is applicable. The replacement storage unit of the image processing apparatus according to claim 2 and the replacement storage step of the image processing program according to claim 8 correspond to the processing of S1002 in FIG. The process of S1003 in FIG. 6D corresponds to the replacement display means and the replacement display step of the image processing program according to the eighth aspect .

The first selection unit of the image processing apparatus according to claim 3 and the first selection step of the image processing program according to claim 9 correspond to the process of S102 of FIG. The second selection unit of the image processing apparatus according to claim 3 and the second selection step of the image processing program according to claim 9 correspond to the processes of S1103 and S1107 in FIG. The first area display means of the image processing apparatus according to claim 3 and the first area display step of the image processing program according to claim 9 correspond to the process of S105 in FIG. The process of S108 in FIG. 3 corresponds to the second area display means of the image processing apparatus according to claim 3 and the second area display step of the image processing program according to claim 9 . The replacement storage means of the image processing apparatus according to claim 3 and the replacement storage step of the image processing program according to claim 9 include the process of S402 in FIG. 5B and the process of S502 in FIG. The process of S602 of (d), the process of S702 of FIG. 6 (a), the process of S802 of FIG. 6 (b), and the process of S902 of FIG. 6 (c) correspond, The image processing apparatus of Claim 3 As the replacement display step of the replacement display means and the image processing program according to claim 9, the processing of S403 in FIG. 5B, the processing of S503 in FIG. 5C, the processing of S603 in FIG. This corresponds to the processing in S703 in FIG. 6A, the processing in S803 in FIG. 6B, and the processing in S903 in FIG. The printing unit of the image processing apparatus according to claims 1 and 3, the printing step of the image processing program according to claims 7 and 9, and the printing step of the image processing method according to claim 13 correspond to the process of S206 in FIG. To do.

Processing S 211～S218 in FIG 4 is applicable as a function selection step of claim 4 function selector of the image processing apparatus according and Claim 10 image processing program according. Processing S 1106 of FIG. 7 are true as the determination step of determining means and claim 1 1, wherein the image processing program of the image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein. The selected image setting means of the image processing apparatus according to claim 5 and the selected image setting step of the image processing program according to claim 11 correspond to the processing of S1107 in FIG.

1 MFP (image processing device)
21 CPU
22 ROM
23 RAM (storage means)
23b Image information storage area (storage means)
41 Liquid crystal display (LCD, display device)
41a Left screen (part of display screen)
41b Right screen (part of the display screen)
41b1-41b4 selection area

Claims (13)

A display device having a display screen on which a plurality of images are displayed;
Storage means for associating and storing image information for displaying an image on a display screen of the display device and position information indicating a position where the image is displayed on the display screen;
First selection means for receiving selection of a plurality of images among images displayed on the display screen of the display device;
First area display means for selectively displaying a template indicating display positions or display shapes of a plurality of images received by the first selection means in a first area of the display screen of the display device;
In the second display screen, a second area adjacent to the first area is selected by the first selection means by one of the templates displayed in the first area by the first area display means. A second region display means for combining and displaying the plurality of images.
Second selection means for receiving selection of an image displayed in the second area in a state where the first template and the plurality of images are combined and displayed in the second area of the display screen;
When selection of a plurality of images is received by the second selection means, first image information for displaying one image for which selection has been received and second image information for displaying another image, or the first Replacement storage means for replacing the first position information associated with the image information and the second position information associated with the second image information and storing them in the storage means;
Replacement display means for switching and redisplaying the position in the second area of the image selected by the second selection means based on the combination of the image information and the position information stored after being replaced by the replacement storage means. and,
Printing means for printing a composite image, which is displayed in the second area and is a composite of the first template and the plurality of images, on a recording medium;
An image processing apparatus comprising: The storage means further stores image information for displaying an image on the display screen of the display device and attribute information for changing the display mode of the image displayed on the display screen in association with each other.
The replacement storage means, when receiving the selection of a plurality of images by the second selection means, the first image information for displaying one image that has been selected and the second image information for displaying another image. Alternatively, the first position information and first attribute information associated with the first image information and the second position information and second attribute information associated with the second image information are exchanged in the storage means. Remember,
The replacement display means accepts a selection by the second selection means based on a combination of the image information replaced and stored by the replacement storage means and the position information and attribute information associated with the image information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a position and a display mode in the second area of the obtained image are switched and displayed again. A display device having a display screen on which a plurality of images are displayed;
Corresponding image information for displaying an image on the display screen of the display device, position information indicating a position where the image is displayed on the display screen, and attribute information for changing the display mode of the image displayed on the display screen Storage means for attaching and storing,
First selection means for receiving selection of a plurality of images among images displayed on the display screen of the display device;
First area display means for selectively displaying a template indicating display positions or display shapes of a plurality of images received by the first selection means in a first area of the display screen of the display device;
In the second display screen, a second area adjacent to the first area is selected by the first selection means by one of the templates displayed in the first area by the first area display means. A second region display means for combining and displaying the plurality of images.
Second selection means for receiving selection of an image displayed in the second area in a state where the first template and the plurality of images are combined and displayed in the second area of the display screen;
When selection of a plurality of images is received by the second selection means, first image information for displaying one image for which selection has been received, first position information associated with the first image information, and another 1 The second image information for displaying the image and the second position information associated with the second image information , or the first attribute information associated with the first image information and the second image information Replacement storage means for replacing the stored second attribute information with the storage means,
A replacement display in which the display mode in the second area of the image received by the second selection unit is switched and re-displayed based on the combination of the image information and the attribute information that has been replaced and stored by the replacement storage unit. Means,
Printing means for printing a composite image, which is displayed in the second area and is a composite of the first template and the plurality of images, on a recording medium;
An image processing apparatus comprising: First image information for displaying one image for accepting selection by the second selection means, first attribute information associated with the first image information, and second image information for displaying another one image and the second image information 1st exchange which replaces the 2nd attribute information matched with 2 image information, or the 1st position information matched with the 1st image information, and the 2nd position information matched with the 2nd image information Function and
A second replacement function for switching the first image information and the second image information, or the first position information and the first attribute information and the second position information and the second attribute information;
A third replacement function for switching the first first image information and the first position information and the second image information and the second position information, or the first attribute information and the second attribute information;
Have
A function selection means for receiving selection of one of the first replacement function, the second replacement function, and the third replacement function;
The replacement storage means includes at least one of the first image information, the first position information, and the first attribute information based on the function selected by the function selection means, and the second image information. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the second position information and the second attribute information is replaced and stored in the storage unit. 5. The second selection means accepts selection of two images among the images accepted by the first selection means,
Determination means for determining whether an image received after selection of one image by the second selection means is an image different from the first image;
A selection image setting unit that sets the image that has received the selection as the other one image when the determination unit determines that the image that has received the selection is a different image from the one image;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   A touch panel for detecting an input corresponding to a contact position or an approach position of the indicator with respect to the display screen;
  The first selection unit or the second selection unit is configured to accept selection of an image when the touch panel detects an input according to contact or approach of an indicator with respect to the image displayed on the display screen. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus. In a computer provided in an image processing apparatus provided with a display device having a display screen,
A storage step of associating image information for displaying an image on the display screen of the display device and position information indicating a position where the image is displayed on the display screen in association with each other;
A first selection step of accepting selection of a plurality of images among images displayed on the display screen of the display device;
A first area display step for selectively displaying a template indicating a display position or a display shape of a plurality of images received in the first selection step in the first area of the display screen of the display device;
One of the templates displayed in the first area by the first area display step in the second area adjacent to the first area in the display screen and the selection by the first selection step are accepted. A second region display step for combining and displaying the plurality of images.
A second selection step of receiving selection of an image displayed in the second area in a state where the first template and the plurality of images are combined and displayed in the second area of the display screen;
When selection of a plurality of images is received in the second selection step, first image information for displaying one image for which selection has been received and second image information for displaying another one image, or the first A replacement storage step of replacing the first position information associated with the image information and the second position information associated with the second image information and storing them in the storage means;
A replacement display step for switching and redisplaying the position in the second region of the image that has been selected by the second selection step based on the combination of the image information and the position information that have been replaced and stored by the replacement storage step. When,
A printing step for printing on the recording medium a composite image obtained by combining the first template and the plurality of images displayed in the second area;
An image processing program for executing In the storage step, image information for displaying an image on the display screen of the display device and attribute information for changing a display mode of the image displayed on the display screen are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit. And
In the replacement storage step, when selection of a plurality of images is received in the second selection step, first image information for displaying one image for which selection has been received and second image information for displaying another one image Alternatively, the first position information and first attribute information associated with the first image information and the second position information and second attribute information associated with the second image information are exchanged in the storage means. Remember,
The replacement display step accepts a selection in the second selection step based on a combination of the image information replaced and stored in the replacement storage step and the position information and attribute information associated with the image information. The image processing program according to claim 7 , wherein the image is redisplayed by switching a position and a display mode in the second area. In a computer provided in an image processing apparatus provided with a display device having a display screen,
Corresponding image information for displaying an image on the display screen of the display device, position information indicating a position where the image is displayed on the display screen, and attribute information for changing a display mode of the image displayed on the display screen A storage step for storing in the storage means;
A first selection step of accepting selection of a plurality of images among images displayed on the display screen of the display device;
A first area display step for selectively displaying a template indicating a display position or a display shape of a plurality of images received in the first selection step in the first area of the display screen of the display device;
One of the templates displayed in the first area by the first area display step in the second area adjacent to the first area in the display screen and the selection by the first selection step are accepted. A second region display step for combining and displaying the plurality of images.
A second selection step of receiving selection of an image displayed in the second area in a state where the first template and the plurality of images are combined and displayed in the second area of the display screen;
When the selection of a plurality of images is received in the second selection step, the first image information for displaying the one image that has been selected, the first position information associated with the first image information, and another one The second image information for displaying the image and the second position information associated with the second image information , or the first attribute information associated with the first image information and the second image information A replacement storage step of replacing the stored second attribute information and storing in the storage means;
A replacement display in which the display mode in the second region of the image that has been selected by the second selection step is switched and re-displayed based on the combination of the image information and the attribute information that has been replaced and stored by the replacement storage step. Steps,
A printing step for printing on the recording medium a composite image obtained by combining the first template and the plurality of images displayed in the second area;
An image processing program for executing First image information for displaying one image for accepting selection in the second selection step, first attribute information associated with the first image information, second image information for displaying another one image, and the first image information 1st exchange which replaces the 2nd attribute information matched with 2 image information, or the 1st position information matched with the 1st image information, and the 2nd position information matched with the 2nd image information Function and
A second replacement function for switching the first image information and the second image information, or the first position information and the first attribute information and the second position information and the second attribute information;
A third replacement function for switching the first first image information and the first position information and the second image information and the second position information, or the first attribute information and the second attribute information;
Have
Causing the computer to execute a function selection step of accepting selection of one of the first replacement function, the second replacement function, and the third replacement function;
The replacement storage step includes at least one of the first image information, the first position information, and the first attribute information based on the function selected in the function selection step, and the second image information. The image processing program according to claim 8 or 9 , wherein at least one of the second position information and the second attribute information is exchanged and stored in the storage means . The second selection step is for accepting selection of two images among the images accepted for selection in the first selection step;
A determination step of determining whether an image whose selection has been received after receiving a selection of one image in the second selection step is an image different from the first image;
A selection image setting step of setting the image that has received the selection as the other one image when it is determined by the determination step that the image that has received the selection is a different image from the one image; ,
The image processing program according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that for causing the computer to execute.   In the first selection step or the second selection step, when an input corresponding to contact or approach of an indicator with respect to an image displayed on the display screen is detected by a touch panel, selection of the image is accepted. 12. The image processing program according to claim 7, wherein the image processing program is any one of claims 7 to 11. In an image processing method executed by an image processing apparatus including a display device having a display screen on which a plurality of images are displayed,
A storage step of associating image information for displaying an image on the display screen of the display device and position information indicating a position where the image is displayed on the display screen in association with each other;
A first selection step of accepting selection of a plurality of images among images displayed on the display screen of the display device;
A first region display step of displaying a template indicating display positions or display shapes of a plurality of images received in the first selection step in a first region of the display screen of the display device; and
Selection is received by the first selection means in one of the templates displayed in the first area in the second area adjacent to the first area in the display screen and the template displayed in the first area by the first area display step. A second region display means for combining and displaying the plurality of images.
A second selection step of receiving selection of an image displayed in the second area in a state where the first template and the plurality of images are combined and displayed in the second area of the display screen;
When selection of a plurality of images is received in the second selection step, first image information for displaying one image for which selection has been received and second image information for displaying another image, or the first A replacement storage step of replacing the first position information associated with the image information and the second position information associated with the second image information and storing them in the storage means;
A replacement display step of switching and redisplaying the position in the second region of the image that has been selected by the second selection step based on the combination of the image information and the position information that have been replaced and stored by the replacement storage step. and,
A printing step of printing a composite image, which is displayed in the second region and is a combination of the first template and the plurality of images, on a recording medium;
An image processing method comprising:

Images