JP5580627B2 - Image layout editing apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image layout editing technique in an image layout editing apparatus.

  In recent years, services that display an image on an image layout editing apparatus, edit the layout of the image, create an album, and print it have become widespread. This image layout editing apparatus displays an image designated by the editor on the spread page of the album. When the image layout editing apparatus detects selection of an image on a spread page by the editor and a request for layout editing, the image layout editing apparatus displays a plurality of layout candidates in another window so that the editor can edit the layout of the image. When the image layout editing apparatus detects that the editor has selected one layout from among a plurality of layout candidates, the image layout editing device processes the image selected on the spread page according to the selected layout, and the spread Display on the page.

  In this case, when an editor applies a layout to an image on the spread page of the album, the user selects the image on the display screen, waits for a layout candidate to be displayed in another window, and then lays out the selected image. Had to apply. When applying a layout to an image on an album spread page, the editor selects the image on the spread page, opens another window with layout candidates, and then applies the layout to the image. I had to step on.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a method for applying a layout to an image without going through a complicated procedure. When the editor drags and drops an icon associated with a processing function such as stable, paper folding, or inserts a partition onto an icon associated with the page, the process corresponding to the page is applied and printed. The printer is instructed to do so. According to this method, it is possible to apply processing corresponding to a page simply by dragging and dropping the icon associated with the processing function onto the page.

JP 2007-280227 A

  In the method of Patent Document 1, when a layout is applied to an image on a spread page of an album, “select an image”, “display a layout candidate in another window”, “apply a layout to a selected image” It is necessary to follow the complicated procedure of “Yes”. In Patent Document 1, by dragging and dropping an icon associated with a processing function onto an icon associated with a page, the printer can be instructed to apply processing corresponding to the page and perform print processing. Is only specified at the time of printing. In the creation process up to printing, the editor cannot edit the layout of the image by dragging and dropping the icon onto the image on the spread page to apply the layout to the image on the spread page.

  An object of the present invention is to make it possible to change the layout of an image arranged on a spread page with a simple operation.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image layout editing apparatus for editing the layout of images on the facing page, the first region of the display screen, and displays a list of a plurality of two-page spread, the display screen Display control means for displaying a plurality of icons for designating the layout pattern of the image on the spread page in the second area, and any of the plurality of icons displayed in the second area In response to an operation of moving the selected icon over any of the plurality of spread pages displayed in the first area. An image layout editing apparatus comprising: a changing unit that changes a layout of an image on a spread page of the destination according to a layout pattern corresponding to .

According to the present invention, an image arranged in a spread page area is displayed, and a plurality of icons having different layout patterns are displayed. Then, select the icon of the desired layout pattern, by a simple operation of moving the spread pages being displayed, it is possible to layout pattern corresponding to the icon is applied to the image. The user can confirm the result and place the image on the page.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image layout editing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface of the image layout editing apparatus according to the embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface of the image layout editing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the page ID table and image path table in embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the layout ID table and layout table in embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating display processing of a spread page list by the image layout editing apparatus according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing icon display processing corresponding to each layout pattern by the image layout editing apparatus according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation when the image layout editing apparatus according to the embodiment detects a movement of an icon on a spread page. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when the image layout editing apparatus according to the embodiment detects movement of an image onto a spread page. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when the image layout editing apparatus according to the embodiment detects a display request for a spread page detail.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the following embodiment, It shows only the specific example advantageous for implementation of this invention. In addition, not all combinations of features described in the following embodiments are indispensable for solving the problems of the present invention.

<First Embodiment>
The configuration of the image layout editing apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The image layout editing apparatus of this embodiment can be realized by a computer apparatus such as a personal computer. Note that the image layout editing apparatus may be realized by a single computer apparatus, or may be realized by distributing functions to a plurality of computer apparatuses as necessary. When configured with a plurality of computer devices, the computer devices are connected to each other via a LAN or the like so as to communicate with each other.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a control unit that controls the entire image layout editing apparatus 100, and is, for example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU). A read only memory (ROM) 102 stores programs and parameters that do not need to be changed. A random access memory (RAM) 103 temporarily stores programs and data supplied from an external storage device or the Internet 114. Reference numeral 104 denotes an external storage device including a hard disk or a memory card fixedly installed in the image layout editing apparatus 100, or an optical disk, a magnetic or optical card, an IC card, etc. that can be attached to and detached from the image layout editing apparatus 100. The external storage device 104 stores image data, an OS (Operating System) 104a, and an image layout editing program 104b for causing the image layout editing device 100 to function as an image layout editing device. Reference numeral 105 denotes an interface with an input device such as a pointing device 109 or a keyboard 110 for receiving various operations and inputting various data. Reference numeral 106 denotes an interface with a display device such as a display 111 for displaying data held by the image layout editing apparatus 100 and supplied data. Reference numeral 107 denotes a network interface for connecting to a network line such as the Internet 114. Reference numeral 108 denotes an interface with the image input device 113. A system bus 112 connects the devices 101 to 108 so that they can communicate with each other. The subsequent processing is realized by the CPU 101 reading and starting a program supplied from the external storage device 104 or the Internet 114, and controlling various devices in accordance with these programs.

  The image layout editing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment activates the image layout editing program 104b, applies the image to the layout stored in the image layout editing apparatus 100, and displays the preview on the page. The CPU 101 controls display related to the preview display. Here, a screen displayed when the image layout editing program 104b is activated and the CPU 101 detects a display request for the spread page list will be described with reference to FIG. A screen 201 is a preview display screen that displays an image stored in the image layout editing apparatus 100 on a spread page. The spread page list 202 is a first area in the screen 201 that displays a list of spread pages stored in the image layout editing apparatus. An image processed for placement based on the layout stored in the image layout editing apparatus is displayed on the spread page. For example, 211 to 216 indicate spread pages, and images are displayed in an arrangement corresponding to the layout for each page of the spread pages. The layout candidate display area 203 is a second area in the screen 201 that displays one or more icons corresponding to a layout pattern applicable to a spread page. For example, 221 to 227 are a plurality of icons corresponding to different layout patterns. For example, each of the plurality of icons is a reduced image icon representing a corresponding layout pattern. The editor selects one of the icons 221 to 227 in the layout candidate display area 203 by using the pointing device 109, and drags or moves and drops the image on any spread page image in the spread page list 202. Can do. By this operation, the layout pattern corresponding to the moved icon can be applied to the image of the spread page of the movement destination, and the arrangement of the image can be changed and displayed.

  The icons 221 to 224 are icons that can be applied to one page unit on one side of the spread. On the other hand, the icons 225 to 227 are icons applicable to spread pages. Each of the icons 225 to 227 has a page boundary line displayed at the center thereof, whereby it can be identified that the icon is adapted to the spread page. For example, by applying the icon 221 to the page on one side of the spread page 213, the arrangement of the images displayed on the page can be changed in accordance with the layout pattern corresponding to the icon 221. For example, reference numeral 231 denotes a left page of the spread page 213 and shows a state before the editor drags and drops the icon 221 using the pointing device 109. When the editor drags and drops the icon 221 onto the left page 231 of the spread using the pointing device 109, the image on the page can be changed to a layout arrangement corresponding to the icon 221, as indicated by 232. .

  In addition, when an editor drags and drops an icon of a layout that cannot be applied to a spread page using the pointing device 109, information indicating that the layout cannot be applied is displayed on the spread page. For example, there is a case where an icon applicable to one page unit on one side of a spread page is to be dropped on a page where an image is arranged across the spread page. More specifically, when the editor drags and drops the icon 223 onto the spread page 216 using the pointing device 109, the layout of the spread page 216 is displayed as indicated by 234 to indicate that the layout corresponding to the icon 223 cannot be applied. Change the display.

  A preview of the result when the editor drags and drops an icon on the spread page using the pointing device 109 is displayed in a preview area 204 which is a third area in the screen 201. For example, when the editor drags and drops the icon 221 onto the left page of the spread page 213 using the pointing device 109, a preview of the layout application result as shown in 205 is displayed in the preview area 204. On the other hand, when the editor drags and drops the icon 223 onto the spread page 216 using the pointing device 109, the layout corresponding to the icon 223 cannot be applied to the spread page 216. In this case, an image indicating that the layout cannot be applied as shown in 241 is displayed and a message as shown in 242 is displayed. Here, the information when the layout cannot be applied to the spread page may be indicated by a dialog or an alert sound instead of being indicated by a preview or a message. The editor drags and drops the image from the outside of the application onto the spread page using the pointing device 109, processes the image based on the layout applied to the spread page, and displays the image on the spread page. Can be displayed. For example, when an editor drags and drops an image outside the application onto the spread page 213 using the pointing device 109, the image is processed based on the layout of the spread page 213 as shown at 233. Arranged.

  Next, a detailed screen of the spread page displayed by double-clicking the spread page displayed in the spread page list 202 will be described with reference to FIG. A screen 301 is a screen showing details of a spread page. In this screen 301, a layout candidate display area 303 is an area for displaying layout pattern icons 311 to 314 applicable to the spread page 302 displayed in the area where the spread page is enlarged and displayed in detail. A preview area 304 is an area for displaying a result of applying the layout to a spread page as a preview 305. As with the spread page list 202, the editor can drag and drop any icon on the spread page 302 using the pointing device 109. As a result, the image displayed on the spread page 302 can be processed related to the layout corresponding to the icon, and the arrangement of the image on the page can be changed. Similarly to the spread page list screen 201, the editor can also drag and drop an image outside the application onto the spread page 302 using the pointing device 109. In this case, an image can be processed based on the layout pattern corresponding to the spread page 302 and can be arranged and displayed on the spread page 302.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a management form for storing information on spread pages and the corresponding image. The page ID table 401 stores a record for determining a page related to a spread page. The page ID table 401 defines a display unit ID 402 for identifying a unit that binds the pages of the spread pages (the first page and the second page of the spread pages). A page ID 403 for identifying the page of the spread page corresponding to each display unit ID is defined. Reference numeral 404 denotes an example of a record in the page ID table 401. For example, the record 404 includes a record in which the value of the display unit ID 402 is unit1 and the corresponding page ID 403 value is page1, and a record in which the display unit ID 402 value is unit1 and the corresponding page ID 403 value is page2. Including. This is because there is information on a page corresponding to page 1 for the value of page ID 403 and page 2 for the value of page ID 403 on the display unit of spread pages (the value of display unit ID 402 for identifying the display unit is unit 1). Show.

  The image path table 405 stores a record expressing correspondence information between each page on the spread page and the image. The image path table 405 defines an attribute of a page ID 406 for identifying a page and an image path 407 indicating a storage destination of an image corresponding to the page. Reference numeral 408 denotes an example of a record in the image path table 405. Note that the value of the page ID 403 that is the attribute of the page ID table 401 and the value of the page ID 406 that is the attribute of the image path table 405 are associated with each other. For example, the page ID 403 is associated with a page in the spread page. By doing this, the page ID 403 is associated with the page ID 406 of the record 408 of the image path table 405, the image path 407 is acquired, and an image can be displayed on each page of the spread pages.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a management form for storing information about the layout of the image of the spread page. The layout ID table 501 stores a record expressing correspondence information between pages and layouts. The layout ID table 501 defines attributes for storing a page ID 502 for identifying a page and a layout ID 503 for identifying a layout corresponding to the page. Reference numeral 504 denotes an example of a record in the layout ID table.

  The following attributes are defined in the layout table 505. In other words, reference numeral 506 denotes a layout ID for identifying a layout, and reference numeral 507 denotes a layout content indicating the content of the layout. Reference numeral 508 denotes an icon path indicating a layout icon path. Reference numeral 509 denotes the number of images / page indicating how many images are required for the page in order to apply the layout.

  510 is an example of a record of the layout table 505. Note that the value of the layout ID 503 that is an attribute of the layout ID table 501 and the value of the layout ID 506 that is an attribute of the layout table 505 are associated with each other. For example, the page ID 502 is associated with a page in the spread page. In this way, the record 504 of the layout ID table 501 can be specified based on the page ID 502, and the value of the layout ID 503 can be acquired. Then, based on the value of the layout ID 503, the corresponding record 510 is acquired from the layout table 505, and the layout of the image is changed with reference to the layout contents 507 and the number of images / page 509 of the record 510. Can do.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the image layout editing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. A program corresponding to the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 to 10 is included in, for example, the image layout editing program 104 b and is executed by the CPU 101 after the program is loaded into the RAM 103. First, the operation of the image layout editing apparatus 100 when a display request for a spread page list is detected will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 101 determines whether a request to display a spread page list by an editor's button operation or the like has been detected (S601), and if not detected, continues to execute S601 until it is detected. When the CPU 101 detects a display request for the spread page list in S601, the CPU 101 acquires a list related to the displayable spread pages (display units) and stores it in the array unit (S602). Here, each display unit that is an element of the array unit stores a value corresponding to the display unit ID 402 that is an attribute of the page ID table 401.

  After execution of S602, the CPU 101 creates a variable M for storing the number of elements of the array unit, and initializes it with the number of elements of the acquired array unit (S603). Next, the CPU 101 creates a variable I for storing the number of spread pages (display units) displayed on the screen and initializes it with 0 (S604). Next, the CPU 101 determines whether the value of the variable M is larger than the value of the variable I (S605). If the value of the variable M is larger than the value of the variable I, the display unit ID is obtained from the array Unit [I]. Is acquired (S606). If the value of the variable M is not greater than the variable I, the process is terminated.

  Next, the CPU 101 displays the unit (frame) of the spread page corresponding to the display unit ID in the spread page list 202 of the screen 201 (S607). Then, the CPU 101 acquires a record 404 that matches the value of the display unit ID 402 from the page ID table 401 based on the display unit ID acquired in S606. Further, a list of page IDs is created based on the value of the page ID 403 of the acquired record 404 and stored in the array Page (S608). Next, the CPU 101 creates a variable N for storing the number of elements of the array page, initializes it with the number of elements of the acquired array page (S609), and creates a variable J for storing the number of pages already displayed on the screen. Initialization is performed at (zero) (S610).

  The CPU 101 determines whether the value of the variable N is larger than the value of the variable J (S611). If the value of the variable N is larger than the value of the variable J, the page ID is acquired from the array Page [J] (S612). On the other hand, if the value of the variable N is not greater than the variable J, the value of the variable I is incremented by 1 (S616). The CPU 101 displays the page corresponding to the page ID acquired in S612 on a spread page (S613). This page is a page for one page constituting the spread page. Next, the CPU 101 specifies a record 408 that matches the value of the page ID 406 from the image path table 405 based on the page ID, and acquires an image from the image path 407 of the record 408. After that, a layout that matches the page ID value in the layout ID table 501 is applied and displayed on the page (S614). The CPU 101 increments the variable J by 1 (S615) and executes the processing from S611.

  Next, an operation when the image layout editing apparatus 100 displays an icon corresponding to the layout pattern in the layout candidate display area 203 of the screen 201 will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 101 determines whether an icon display request corresponding to a layout pattern accompanying a display request for a spread page list by an editor's button operation or the like has been detected (S701). If the display request for the icon corresponding to the layout pattern is not detected in S701, the execution of S701 is continued until it is detected. If an icon display request is detected in S701, a list of layout information including a layout ID for identifying a layout to be displayed is acquired, an array PTN is created, and the list is stored in the array PTN (S702). After execution of S702, the CPU 101 creates a variable M for storing the number of elements of the array PTN and initializes it with the number of elements of the acquired array PTN (S703). Next, a variable I for storing the number of icons corresponding to the layout pattern already displayed on the screen is created and initialized with 0 (zero) (S704).

  Next, the CPU 101 determines whether the value of the variable M is larger than the value of the variable I (S705). When the value of the variable M is larger than the value of the variable I, the layout ID is acquired from the array PTN [I]. Furthermore, a record 510 that matches the value of the layout ID is acquired from the layout table 505 based on the acquired layout ID. Then, an icon path is acquired from the icon path 508 which is the attribute of the acquired record 510 (S706). If the value of the variable M is not greater than the variable I, the process is terminated.

  Next, the CPU 101 acquires an icon image based on the icon path acquired in S706 (S707), and displays an icon image corresponding to the layout in the layout candidate display area 203 of the screen 201 (S708). After completing the display of the icon image in S708, the CPU 101 increments the value of the variable I by 1 (S709), and continues the processing from S705.

  Next, the operation when the image layout editing apparatus 100 detects the movement of the icon corresponding to the layout pattern onto the spread page will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 101 determines whether it is detected that the icon corresponding to the layout pattern has been dragged and dropped on the spread page image (S801), and if not detected, continues to execute S801 until it is detected. If the CPU 101 detects that the icon corresponding to the layout pattern has been dragged and dropped on the spread page image in S801, the CPU 101 calculates the number of spread page images (S802). Next, the CPU 101 acquires the layout ID of the layout pattern corresponding to the icon (S803). Thereafter, the CPU 101 acquires a record 510 including layout information that matches the value of the layout ID 506 from the layout table 505 based on the layout ID (S804).

  The CPU 101 compares the value of the number of images / page 509, which is the attribute of the record 510, with the number of images calculated in S802, and determines whether or not the layout corresponding to the record 510 is applicable (S805). For example, when the number of images calculated in S802 is one per page, the layout pattern of the record 510 in which the number of images of the record 510 / page 509 is set to one can be applied. Thus, when the number of images per page of the image on the spread page matches the number of images per page preset in the layout pattern designated by the icon, it can be determined that it is applicable. it can.

  After executing S805, if the CPU 101 determines that the layout pattern is not applicable to the spread page, the CPU 101 displays information indicating that the layout pattern is not applicable on the spread page or the preview (S807). For example, the CPU 101 can display an image 241 indicating that the layout cannot be applied to the spread page 234 or the preview area 204. In addition, a message as shown in 242 may be displayed.

  If the CPU 101 determines that the layout pattern can be applied to the spread page after executing S805, the CPU 101 determines whether the processing result generated when the layout pattern is applied to the spread page exists in the cache (S806). ). Here, the cache is a memory such as the RAM 103 or the external storage device 104 for storing the processed result in advance when there is a generated processed result when the layout is applied to the image of the spread page. It is an area. With this cache, it is possible to save time required for processing (for spread pages and images) to apply a layout to a spread page image. If the processing result exists in the cache after execution of S806, the CPU 101 acquires the processing result corresponding to the layout pattern from the cache (S810). On the other hand, if the processing result does not exist in the cache, the CPU 101 refers to the layout content 507 of the record 510 including the layout pattern information acquired in S804, and performs processing necessary for image arrangement on the target page (S808). ). Further, the CPU 101 stores the processing result relating to the layout generated by the execution of S808 in the cache (S809), and executes S810. After obtaining the processing result related to the layout by executing S810, the CPU 101 displays the processing result corresponding to the layout pattern on the spread page (S811).

  Next, the operation when the image layout editing apparatus 100 detects the movement of the image onto the spread page will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 101 determines whether or not it is detected that an image is dragged and dropped on the spread page from outside the application (S901), and if not detected, the execution of S901 is continued until it is detected. If the CPU 101 detects that the image is dragged and dropped on the spread page in S901, the CPU 101 acquires the layout ID of the layout corresponding to the target page (one page) of the spread page where the image is dropped and dropped ( S902). Next, the CPU 101 acquires a record 510 including layout information matching the layout ID value from the layout table 505 based on the layout ID 506 acquired in S902 (S903). The CPU 101 refers to the layout content 507 of the record 510 acquired in S903, performs the processing necessary for image placement on the drag target page (S904), and stores the processing result in the cache (S905). Next, the CPU 101 acquires the processing result stored in the cache in S905 from the cache (S906), and displays it on the spread page as the processing result related to the layout corresponding to the layout pattern (S907).

  Next, an operation when the image layout editing apparatus 100 displays the icon corresponding to the layout pattern in the layout candidate display area 303 of the screen detail page 301 will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 101 determines whether a request to display details of a spread page has been detected (S1001), and if not detected, continues to execute S1001 until it is detected. When the CPU 101 detects a request to display details of the spread page in S1001, the CPU 101 calculates the number of images of the spread page (S1002). Next, based on the calculated number of images, the CPU 101 acquires a record 510 including layout information matching the value of the number of images / page 509 from the layout table 505 and stores it in the array PTN (S1003). After execution of S1003, the CPU 101 creates a variable M for storing the number of elements of the array PTN and initializes it with the number of elements of the acquired array PTN (S1004). If the value of the variable M is not greater than the variable I, the process is terminated.

  Next, the CPU 101 creates a variable I for storing the number of icons corresponding to the layout pattern already displayed on the screen, and initializes it with 0 (S1005). Next, the CPU 101 determines whether the value of the variable M is larger than the value of the variable I (S1006). When the value of the variable M is larger than the value of the variable I, the record 510 including the layout information is extracted from the array PTN [I], and the icon path is acquired from the icon path 508 (S1007). The CPU 101 acquires a layout icon image based on the icon path acquired in S1007 (S1008). Then, the CPU 101 displays an icon image corresponding to the layout in the layout candidate display area 303 (S1009), increments the value of the variable I by 1 (S1010), and executes the processing from S1006.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed. In this case, the program and the storage medium storing the program constitute the present invention.

Claims (7)

An image layout editing apparatus for editing the layout of images on the facing page,
A first region of the display screen, and displays a list of a plurality of spread pages, a plurality of icons for designating a layout pattern of the image on the facing page in the second area of the display screen and displays respectively Display control means;
Select any one of the plurality of icons displayed in the second area, and place the selected icon on any of the plurality of spread pages displayed in the first area Changing means for changing the layout of the image on the destination spread page according to the layout pattern corresponding to the moved icon in response to the operation of moving;
An image layout editing apparatus comprising: The changing unit includes a determining unit that determines whether or not a layout pattern corresponding to the moved icon can be applied to the destination spread page when the operation is performed;
When it is determined that the determination unit can apply, the display control unit displays an image on the spread page whose layout is changed by the changing unit in a third area of the display screen . The image layout editing apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The image layout editing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the determination unit determines that application is not possible, the display control unit displays information indicating that application is not possible on the display screen .   The determination unit determines that the image is applicable when the number of images per page of the spread page matches the number of images per page preset in the layout pattern. The image layout editing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3.   5. The image layout editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of icons is a reduced image icon representing a corresponding layout pattern. 6. A method for controlling an image layout editing apparatus for editing the layout of images on the facing page,
The display control means displays a list of a plurality of spread pages in a first area of the display screen, and a plurality of icons for designating a layout pattern of an image on the spread pages in the second area of the display screen Display control steps for displaying
The changing means selects any one of the plurality of icons displayed in the second area, and selects any of the plurality of spread pages displayed in the first area with the selected icon. in response to the operation of moving on Kano is performed, a changing step of changing the layout of the image on the facing page of the destination in accordance with the layout pattern corresponding to the moved icon,
A method for controlling an image layout editing apparatus, comprising:   A program for causing a computer to function as each unit included in the image layout editing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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