JP6843670B2 - Image editing system, image editing method and server - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image editing technique for editing an image of image data stored in a server, and more particularly to an image editing technique for jointly editing an image by a plurality of users.

Conventionally, an image sharing service has been provided in which image data is registered in a server connected to a network such as the Internet so that a specific person or an unspecified person can view the image. In such an image sharing service, a user can browse an image stored in the server by using a terminal connected to the server via a network. In addition, as an additional service of such an image sharing service, there is a service in which a user can edit an image on image data stored in a server or print an image and mail it. ..

On the other hand, as a technology for sharing the operations of multiple users for images shared on the network, it is possible to jointly perform image editing work by reproducing the operations performed by other users on their own terminals. There is a technology that can be done. In this way, if multiple users perform work such as image editing on the shared image on the shared operation screen displayed on their own terminals, the operations of each user may conflict. is there. Therefore, an image editing technology that shows the operation status of each user by displaying a cursor indicating the position of a pointing device such as a mouse on the shared operation screen and controls so that the operations of each user do not conflict with each other. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-278656

However, as described above, if control such as exclusive processing that prevents other users from operating while one user is operating is performed so that the operations of each user do not conflict, each user can perform the control. There may be a waiting time during the image editing operation, or the operation that comes to mind may not be smooth.

In addition, since the operation status of another user can be known from the cursor displayed on the shared operation screen, the operation may be withheld. Further, since the state of image editing is sequentially displayed, the completed image of the edited image reflecting the content of the image editing can be known in advance, which is not surprising and lacks in fun.

In recent years, photo print products such as photo sticker products such as Purikura (registered trademark) have been expanded into the amusement field, and photos are decorated with "stamps", "comments", "hand-painted", "frames", etc. Applying is becoming popular as an added value. In this way, the content of image editing is also diverse, so the unexpectedness and fun of the finished image is important for increasing the commercial value.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and improves the operability of image editing in image editing jointly performed by a plurality of users on image data shared on a network. An image editing system, an image editing method, and a server in the image editing system that can be used, that can be easily edited by each user, and that can obtain a surprisingly highly amuseable edited image. The purpose is to provide.

The image editing system according to the present invention is an image editing system in which a server and a plurality of terminals are connected via a network, and the plurality of terminals edit an image of the same image data stored in the server. Each of the plurality of terminals includes an edit item setting unit, an image processing unit, and an edit information transmission unit. The edit item setting unit sets the edit item that the own terminal is in charge of in image editing. The image processing unit edits the image of the editing item set in the editing item setting unit. The editing information transmitting unit transmits the editing information indicating the content of the image editing performed by the image processing unit to the server. Server comprises editing information receiving unit, edit item determining unit, images generator, and the image generation control unit. The edit information receiving unit receives a plurality of edit information transmitted from each of the plurality of terminals. The edit item determination unit determines the edit items for each of the plurality of edit information received by the edit information receiving unit. The image generation unit generates an edited image in which the contents of a plurality of image edits indicated by the plurality of edit information are reflected in the image data based on the edit items determined by the edit item determination unit. The image generation control unit adjusts how the image generation unit reflects the contents of a plurality of image edits in the image data.

Further, the image editing method according to the present invention is an image editing method in which a server and a plurality of terminals are connected via a network, and the plurality of terminals edit an image of the same image data stored in the server. The image editing method includes (a) a step of setting edit items for each of the plurality of terminals to be in charge of the own terminal in image editing, and (b) editing of each of the plurality of terminals set in the step (a). The process of editing an image of an item, (c) each of a plurality of terminals transmitting editing information indicating the content of the image editing performed in the process (b) to the server, and (d) the server A step of receiving a plurality of editing information transmitted from a plurality of terminals in the step (c), and a step of (e) determining an editing item for each of the plurality of editing information received in the step (d) by the server. And (f) a step in which the server generates an edited image in which the contents of a plurality of image edits indicated by the plurality of editing information are reflected in the image data based on the editing items determined in the step (e) . (G) The server includes a step of adjusting how to reflect the contents of a plurality of image edits in the image data in the step (f) .

Further, the server according to the present invention is a server in an image editing system in which a server and a plurality of terminals are connected via a network, and the plurality of terminals edit an image of the same image data stored in the server. Each of the plurality of terminals transmits the editing information indicating the content of the image editing performed on the editing item in charge of the own terminal to the server. Server comprises editing information receiving unit, edit item determining unit, images generator, and the image generation control unit. The edit information receiving unit receives a plurality of edit information transmitted from each of the plurality of terminals. The edit item determination unit determines the edit items for each of the plurality of edit information received by the edit information receiving unit. The image generation unit generates an edited image in which the contents of a plurality of image edits indicated by the plurality of edit information are reflected in the image data based on the edit items determined by the edit item determination unit. The image generation control unit adjusts how the image generation unit reflects the contents of a plurality of image edits in the image data.

According to the present invention, in image editing jointly performed by a plurality of users on image data shared on a network, the editing items in charge of the own terminal are set on each user's terminal, so that each user can use the image data. , Image editing can be performed without waiting for the operation completion of other users, and the operability of image editing can be improved. In addition, each user can easily edit an image without worrying about the edited contents of other users. Further, since an edited image in which the contents of a plurality of image edits performed on each terminal are reflected in the image data is generated, it is possible to obtain an unexpectedly highly amuseable edited image.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the image editing system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the server and the terminal which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the server and the terminal which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the server and the terminal which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the image for editing. It is a figure which shows the edit item and edit information which each terminal is in charge of. It is a figure which shows the generated edit image. It is a figure for demonstrating the generation process of an edited image.

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

<Embodiment 1>
<Overall configuration of image editing system>
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the overall configuration of the image editing system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image editing system 100 includes a server 1 and terminals 5a to 5d. Each of the server 1 and the terminals 5a to 5d is connected via a known wireless or wired network 4 such as Wi-Fi.

In the image editing system 100, a plurality of users edit images of the same image data stored in the server 1 on their own terminals 5a to 5d, and the server 1 edits the images on each terminal. Generate an edited image reflected in the image data. In each of the terminals 5a to 5d, an editing item in charge of the own terminal in image editing is set, and the user of each terminal edits an image for this editing item. Further, in the present embodiment, a case where the image editing system 100 is configured as a photo print ordering system for photo-printing the edited image generated by the server 1 will be described as an example.

In such a photo print ordering system, for example, a server installed at an event venue such as a wedding reception combines a plurality of images taken by a plurality of users with their own smartphones or other terminals into one edited image. The purpose is to make a photo print product and enjoy watching the printed photos on the spot in large numbers.

In addition, in this photo print ordering system, when combining multiple images into one edited image, in addition to editing such as pasting multiple images according to the placement position of the template, multiple users individually , Image editing such as adding decorations such as "stamp", "comment", "hand-drawn", and "frame" to the image can be performed. Then, one photographic print product that reflects the results of these image edits is created. In this way, the participants of the event can enjoy the image editing work together, and as a result of the joint image editing work, it is interesting that you do not know what kind of photo print product will be produced at the end. It is a photo print ordering system that is suitable and allows you to enjoy it with higher added value.

The server 1 includes a general-purpose computer 1a and a touch panel display 1b. The touch panel display 1b displays an operation screen for accepting an input operation such as an order operation from a user related to photo printing. Further, as described above, the image editing system 100 according to the present embodiment is configured as a photo print ordering system, and the server 1 has a USB printer 3 for immediately printing the received photo order on the spot. It is connected by a communication cable 2 such as (Universal Serial Bus).

Each of the terminals 5a to 5d is various information processing devices such as a smartphone provided with a communication device, a display device, and an operation input device. In the example of FIG. 1, the number of terminals is four, but the number is not limited to this as long as it is within the connectable range of the network 4.

<Server configuration>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server 1 and the terminal 5a in the image editing system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the server 1 includes a general-purpose computer 1a having a network I / F10, a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a processing circuit 17, and a touch panel display 1b.

The communication unit 11 transmits and receives various signals to and from the terminals 5a to 5d via the network I / F10 and the network 4. The communication unit 11 receives, for example, image data to be ordered for photo prints, editing information indicating the contents of image editing performed on each terminal, and the like, which are transmitted from each of the terminals 5a to 5d. In this way, the communication unit 11 functions as an edit information receiving unit that receives the edit information transmitted from each of the terminals 5a to 5d. Further, the communication unit 11 transmits, for example, terminal control application software that can be executed by each of the terminals 5a to 5d, information displayed on the application software, and the like to each of the terminals 5a to 5d.

The storage unit 12 is, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or EEPROM, a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a mini disk, a DVD, or the like. The storage unit 12 stores, for example, a program for controlling each component of the server 1, image data to be ordered for a photo print received by the communication unit 11, and the like.

The processing circuit 17 includes an edit item determination unit 13, an image generation unit 14, an image generation control unit 15, and a server control unit 16.

The editing item determination unit 13 determines the editing items for each of the plurality of editing information indicating the contents of the image editing performed on each terminal, which are transmitted from the terminals 5a to 5d received by the communication unit 11, respectively.

The image generation unit 14 reflects the contents of the plurality of image edits indicated by the plurality of edit information in the image data stored in the storage unit 12 based on the edit items determined by the edit item determination unit 13. To generate.

The image generation control unit 15 adjusts how the image generation unit 14 reflects the contents of a plurality of image edits in the image data. That is, by being controlled by the image generation control unit 15, the image generation unit 14 can generate different edited images even if the contents of the same image editing are the same.

The server control unit 16 controls the operations of the edit item determination unit 13, the image generation unit 14, the image generation control unit 15, the communication unit 11, the storage unit 12, and the touch panel display 1b, and image editing and photography on the server 1. Performs processing related to print orders.

The functions of the edit item determination unit 13, the image generation unit 14, the image generation control unit 15, and the server control unit 16 are realized by the processing circuit 17. The processing circuit 17 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit, central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, processor, DSP) that executes a program stored in the storage unit 12, even if it is dedicated hardware. Also called).

When the processing circuit 17 is dedicated hardware, the processing circuit 17 corresponds to, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof. .. The functions of the edit item determination unit 13, the image generation unit 14, the image generation control unit 15, and the server control unit 16 may be collectively realized by the processing circuit 17, or the functions of each part may be realized by different processing circuits. You may.

When the processing circuit 17 is a CPU, each function of the edit item determination unit 13, the image generation unit 14, the image generation control unit 15, and the server control unit 16 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. Software and firmware are described as programs and stored in the storage unit 12. The processing circuit 17 realizes the functions of each unit by reading and executing the program stored in the storage unit 12. Further, it can be said that this program causes the computer to execute the procedures and methods of the edit item determination unit 13, the image generation unit 14, the image generation control unit 15, and the server control unit 16.

For each function of the edit item determination unit 13, the image generation unit 14, the image generation control unit 15, and the server control unit 16, some of them should be realized by dedicated hardware, and some of them should be realized by software or firmware. You may do it.

The touch panel display 1b is, for example, a liquid crystal display having a touch panel. The touch panel display 1b functions as a display unit for displaying an operation screen and the like, and as an operation input unit for receiving an input operation on the operation screen by the user.

<Terminal configuration>
As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal 5a includes a network I / F 20, a communication unit 21, a processing circuit 27, a storage unit 28, and a touch panel display 29. Since the configurations of the terminals 5b to 5d are the same as those of the terminals 5a, illustration and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The communication unit 21 transmits and receives various signals to and from the server 1 via the network I / F20 and the network 4. The communication unit 21 transmits, for example, image data to be ordered for a photo print selected on the own terminal, editing information indicating the content of image editing performed on the own terminal, and the like to the server 1. In this way, the communication unit 21 functions as an edit information transmission unit that transmits the edit information to the server 1. Further, the communication unit 21 receives, for example, terminal control application software that can be executed by the own terminal, information displayed on the application software, and the like, which are transmitted from the server 1.

Like the storage unit 12, the storage unit 28 is a storage medium such as a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory. The storage unit 28 stores, for example, a program for controlling each component of the own terminal, image data taken by the own terminal, and the like.

The processing circuit 27 has an edit item setting unit 22, an image processing unit 23, and a terminal control unit 24. The editing item setting unit 22 sets the editing items that the own terminal is in charge of in image editing. The image processing unit 23 edits an image of the editing item set by the editing item setting unit 22. The terminal control unit 24 controls the operations of the edit item setting unit 22, the image processing unit 23, the communication unit 21, the storage unit 28, and the touch panel display 29, and processes related to image editing and photo print ordering on the own terminal. I do.

The functions of the edit item setting unit 22, the image processing unit 23, and the terminal control unit 24 are realized by the processing circuit 27. The processing circuit 27 may be dedicated hardware or a CPU that executes a program stored in the storage unit 28. In the method of realizing each function of the edit item setting unit 22, the image processing unit 23, and the terminal control unit 24 by the processing circuit 27, the processing circuit 17 is the editing item determination unit 13, the image generation unit 14, and the image generation control unit. Since it is the same as the method for realizing each function of the server control unit 16 and the server control unit 16, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The touch panel display 29 is, for example, a liquid crystal display having a touch panel. The touch panel display 29 functions as a display unit for displaying an operation screen and the like, and as an operation input unit for receiving an input operation on the operation screen by the user.

<Operation of server and terminal>
3 and 4 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of each of the server 1 and the terminals 5a to 5d in the image editing system 100 configured as the photo print ordering system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, steps S1 to S17 shown on the left side of the network 4 show the processing flow performed by the server 1, and steps T1 to T8 shown on the right side of the network 4 show the processing flows of the terminals 5a to 5d, respectively. The processing flow to be performed is shown. The arrows shown between the processing flow performed by the server 1 and the processing flows performed by the terminals 5a to 5d indicate the mutual communication between the server 1 and the terminals 5a to 5d performed via the network 4. ing. Since the processing of each of the terminals 5a to 5d is the same, one terminal is shown as an example without distinguishing each of the terminals 5a to 5d.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the photo print ordering system is started on the server 1 by a user operation or the like, the server control application software is started by the processing circuit 17. As a result, the operation screen for the user to perform the operation is displayed on the touch panel display 1b, and the server 1 waits for the connection from each of the terminals 5a to 5d, and is in the terminal connection waiting state (step S1).

On the other hand, each of the terminals 5a to 5d is connected to the server 1 via the network 4 by a user operation, for example, an operation of inputting the address of the server 1 at the start of the process on the server 1 side (step T1). ).

When the connection between the server 1 and the terminals 5a to 5d is established, in the server 1, the communication unit 11 executes the terminal control application software stored in the storage unit 12 and which can be executed by each of the terminals 5a to 5d. It transmits to terminals 5a to 5d. At each of the terminals 5a to 5d, the communication unit 21 receives the terminal control application software, and the processing circuit 27 activates the terminal control application software. The terminal control application software may be stored in advance in the storage unit 28 of each of the terminals 5a to 5d.

The processing such as displaying the operation screen prompting the user operation thereafter is realized by the server control application software on the server 1, and is realized by the terminal control application software on each of the terminals 5a to 5d.

When the connection with the server 1 is completed on the terminals 5a to 5d and the reception and startup of the terminal control application are completed (step T2), the communication unit 21 of each terminal has started the terminal control application such as the identification ID. Information indicating the above is transmitted to the server 1. The server 1 confirms the number of terminals connected to the server 1 based on the information such as the identification ID transmitted from each of the terminals 5a to 5d received by the communication unit 11, and determines that all the terminals are connected. Then (step S2), the image reception state is set. Hereinafter, the users of the terminals 5a to 5d connected to the server 1 are collectively referred to as a group.

Subsequently, in each of the terminals 5a to 5d, the communication unit 21 transmits to the server 1 the image data that the user wants to print, which is selected by the user's selection operation among the image data stored in the storage unit 28. (Step T3).

The server 1 receives a plurality of image data transmitted from the terminals 5a to 5d by the communication unit 11 (step S3), and stores the plurality of image data in the storage unit 12. Then, these image data are put together and presented to each terminal as a candidate for an image for editing to be jointly edited by a group (step S4). The image data candidates may be presented on the touch panel display 1b of the server 1, or the image data candidates may be transmitted to the terminals 5a to 5d and displayed on the touch panel display 29 of each terminal. You may go by doing.

When the image data candidates are displayed on the touch panel displays 29 of the terminals 5a to 5d, each of the terminals 5a to 5d wants to jointly edit from a plurality of candidates of the image for editing presented by the server 1. An image is selected by each user (step T4). When the opinions of each user are divided by this image selection, arbitration is performed by the server control application software of the server 1 and the image for editing is confirmed (step S5).

After the image for editing is confirmed (step S5), the server 1 determines the editing items (hereinafter referred to as "editing items") that can be applied to the image, for example, "stamp", "comment", "hand-drawn", etc. Items such as "frame" are presented (step S6). In each of the terminals 5a to 5d, each user selects an edit item that he / she wants to edit (step T5). In the present embodiment, when the opinions of each user are duplicated and the same item is selected in the selection of editing items, arbitration is performed by the server control application software of server 1, and the editing items in charge of each terminal are duplicated. Confirm the edit items of each terminal so as not to. Then, in each of the terminals 5a to 5d, the edit item setting unit 22 sets the edit item in charge of the own terminal (step S7).

After confirming the editing items of each terminal (step S7), the server 1 instructs each of the terminals 5a to 5d to start image editing (step S8), and waits for the image editing work on each terminal to be completed. , Waits for editing completion.

In each of the terminals 5a to 5d, the image processing unit 23 performs image editing on the editing item set by the editing item setting unit 22 according to the user's operation (step T6). Specifically, materials for image editing such as "stamp", "comment", "hand-drawn", and "frame" used in each editing item are set in the editing item setting unit 22 on each terminal. It is presented on the operation screen of each terminal according to the editing item. In each of the terminals 5a to 5d, the image is displayed according to the user's operation, for example, the selection of the material for image editing displayed on the operation screen of the own terminal, the size of the selected material, the arrangement position, and the like. The processing unit 23 edits the image.

In each of the terminals 5a to 5d, after the image editing on each terminal is completed, the communication unit 21 transmits the editing information indicating the content of the image editing performed by the image processing unit 23 to the server 1 (step T7). On the server 1, when the communication unit 11 receives a plurality of editing information transmitted from the terminals 5a to 5d (step S9), it is confirmed that the editing of all the terminals is completed (step S10), and the edited image is displayed. The generation process is performed (step S11).

Next, a process of generating an edited image in which the content of the image editing for the editing item in charge of each terminal, which is performed on each of the terminals 5a to 5d, is reflected in the image data on the server 1 will be described.

First, in the server 1, the edit item determination unit 13 determines which edit item the image has been edited for each of the plurality of edit information received by the communication unit 11 and transmitted from the terminals 5a to 5d. To do. Then, the image generation unit 14 generates an edited image in which the content of the image editing indicated by the editing information is reflected in the image data for each editing item determined by the editing item determination unit 13 (step S11).

At this time, the image generation control unit 15 adjusts how the image generation unit 14 reflects the contents of the plurality of image edits in the image data. In the image generation control unit 15, for example, the image generation unit 14 edits a plurality of images based on the information indicating the purpose of the edited image, the user's preference, etc., which is preset by the user's operation and stored in the storage unit 12. Adjust how to reflect the contents of the image in the image data. Further, the image generation control unit 15 analyzes the character or image information included in the editing information by using the character recognition and the image recognition technology which are known techniques, and the image generation unit 14 analyzes the character or image information included in the editing information, and based on the analysis result, the image generation unit 14 Adjust how to reflect the contents of multiple image edits in the image data.

For example, if the user sets the purpose of the edited image to be for a wedding ceremony and the character string of the edited information such as "comment" and "hand-drawn" contains an abomination, etc., the user is notified. By displaying a warning or the like, the image generation control unit 15 adjusts so that this editing information is not reflected in the image data. Further, the image generation control unit 15 adjusts so that a different edited image is generated according to the image selected by the user from among the user's tastes, for example, images such as cute, elegant, and colorful.

Hereinafter, an example in which the image generation unit 14 generates an edited image will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the image 30 for joint editing determined in step S5. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of editing items in charge of each of the terminals 5a to 5d and editing information 41a, 41b, 42 to 44 as a result of editing on each terminal. FIG. 6 shows an example in which the terminal 5a is in charge of editing items of “stamp”, the terminal 5b is in charge of “comment”, the terminal 5c is in charge of “hand drawing”, and the terminal 5d is in charge of editing items of “frame”. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the edited image 50 generated by the image generation unit 14.

As shown in FIG. 7, the image generation unit 14 reflects the editing information 41a, 41b, 42 to 44 indicating the editing contents performed on the terminals 5a to 5d on the image 30 for joint editing. The edited image 50 is generated. Further, in the image generation control unit 15, the image generation unit 14 sets a plurality of image edit contents so that the edit contents of each edit item are appropriately arranged based on the edit items determined by the edit item determination unit 13. Adjust how to reflect when reflecting in image data.

The explanation will be continued by returning to the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4. After the generation of the edited image on the server 1 is completed (step S11), the server 1 presents the generated edited image to the terminals 5a to 5d (step S12). In each of the terminals 5a to 5d, the user of each terminal confirms the edited image presented by the server 1, and if the content is good, confirms the image editing (step T8). The edited image may be presented on the touch panel display 1b of the server 1 instead of being displayed on the touch panel display 29 on each of the terminals 5a to 5d.

The user who has a problem with the content of the edited image and wants to change it sends the information indicating that to the server 1 from his / her terminal, returns to the image editing (step T6), performs the editing operation again, and transfers the edited information to the server 1 again. Transmit (step T7). When the server 1 receives the changed editing information (step S9), it confirms that the editing of all the terminals 5a to 5d is completed (step S10), and then performs the editing image generation process again (step S11). , The generated edited image is presented to each of the terminals 5a to 5d again (step S12).

When the confirmation is OK on all terminals 5a to 5d and the edited image is confirmed (step T8), the server 1 confirms the edited image and stores it in the storage unit 12. (Step S13). Then, the server 1 executes a series of processes related to the print order process.

On the server 1, an operation screen for inputting information such as the number of prints is displayed on the touch panel display 1b, and information such as the number of prints is input by the user (step S14). The user confirms the content of the order information on the touch panel display 1b, and if there is no mistake in the content, confirms the order (step S15). If there is an error in the order details and the order information is to be changed, the screen returns to the operation screen for inputting the order information and the order information is changed (step S14).

After the order information is confirmed (step S15), the server 1 creates print data for photo printing (step S16). The print data is printed by the printer 3 for the number of ordered sheets, and after all the prints are completed, the server 1 notifies the terminals 5a to 5d that the printing is completed (step S17), and ends a series of photo print order processing. The terminals 5a to 5d also receive the end notification of the server 1 side, and each end the photo print order processing.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in the image editing performed by a plurality of users on their own terminals for the image shared on the network, in each user's terminal, the editing in charge of the own terminal in the image editing is performed. Since the items are set, the user of each terminal can concentrate on image editing for the edited item in charge without waiting for the editing operation of other users to be completed, so that the operability is good. , You can perform editing operations. As a result, the time required for image editing can be shortened, and a highly complete edited image can be obtained.

Also, on each terminal, the shared operation screen is not displayed, and users of each terminal can easily edit freely without worrying about the editing contents of other users, so miss the idea that came up. It becomes easier to incorporate without any problem, and a better edited image can be obtained.

In addition, since it is possible to obtain a highly complete edited image in a short operation time as described above, it is possible to meet the demand for usage conditions such as an event venue where the speed of product completion is required.

In addition, since the image generation method is controlled by using known techniques such as character recognition and image recognition technology, for example, the edited image for a celebration such as a wedding should not contain unsuitable words such as abominations. , Can be avoided, and a higher value-added edited image can be obtained.

Further, in each terminal, since the edited contents of other users are not displayed on the own terminal during the image editing on each terminal, the result of joint editing can be seen only after the edited image is generated. As a result, it is possible to obtain an image editing system that is surprising and incorporates game-like elements suitable for an event.

<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment, a case where a plurality of users share different editing items on the terminals 5a to 5d and edit images for the editing items in charge has been described as an example, but the sharing of editing items is limited to this. is not it. In the present embodiment, a case where at least a part of a plurality of users is in charge of the same editing item and performs image editing will be described.

The configuration of the server and the terminal in the image editing system according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the server 1 and the terminals 5a to 5d in the image editing system 100 according to the first embodiment. Is omitted.

Further, even when a plurality of users edit images for the same editing item as in the present embodiment, the operations of the server and each terminal are the same as in the case of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation of the server and each terminal in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

In the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, after the image for editing is confirmed (step S5), the server 1 presents the editing items that can be applied to the image for editing (step S6), and each of the terminals 5a to 5d. Then, the user of each terminal selects an edit item that he / she wants to edit (step T5). In the present embodiment, when the opinions of each user are duplicated in the selection of the edit item, the server 1 adds information indicating that the edit item is duplicated to the edit item, and the user of each terminal performs the operation. The edit item is confirmed (step S7).

The processing from the confirmation of the editing items of the terminals 5a to 5d (step S7) to the confirmation of the editing completion of each terminal (step S10) is the same as in the case of the first embodiment. Here, a part different from the first embodiment will be described with respect to the process of generating the edited image in the present embodiment. In the following, a case where image editing is performed on the same editing item "stamp" on the terminal 5a and the terminal 5b will be described as an example.

The user of the terminal 5a and the user of the terminal 5b individually edit the editing item of the "stamp" by using the material of the "stamp" image presented on the operation screen of each terminal. After the editing operation is completed, the communication units 21 of the terminals 5a and 5b each transmit the editing information to the server 1 (step T7). Editing operations for other editing items are also performed on the terminals 5c and 5d, and the editing information is similarly transmitted to the server 1 (step T7). On the server 1, when the communication unit 11 receives a plurality of editing information transmitted from the terminals 5a to 5d (step S9), it is confirmed that the editing of all the terminals is completed (step S10), and the edited image is displayed. The generation process is performed (step S11).

In the edit image generation process (step S11) when a plurality of users select the same edit item and edit the image, the edit item is displayed on a plurality of terminals based on the edit item determined by the edit item determination unit 13. When it is determined that they are duplicated, the image generation control unit 15 analyzes information such as the type, size, arrangement position, density, etc. of the material image included in the edited image and used for editing, and analyzes the information. Based on the result, the image generation unit 14 adjusts how to reflect the contents of the plurality of image edits in the image data.

FIG. 8 will be described with reference to the process of generating an edited image when it is determined that the edited items are duplicated on a plurality of terminals. In the example of FIG. 8, the case where the editing items of the "stamp" are duplicated on the two terminals is shown. First, the image generation control unit 15 divides the editing image generation conditions of the "stamp" editing information performed by a plurality of users depending on whether the used "stamp" material is the same or different. Further, for each of the cases where the materials of the "stamp" are the same or different, the judgment items are set for the editing information, the priority is set based on the judgment criteria, and the edited image is generated. ..

As shown in FIG. 8, when the material of the "stamp" is the same, for example, the size information of enlargement / reduction of the "stamp" image, and the material of the "stamp" is close to or far from the center of the edited image. Information such as the placement position information and whether or not each "stamp" image is placed will be set as a judgment item of the editing image generation process, and a judgment standard is set for each judgment item, and this judgment standard is used. The priority is set based on this, and the edited image is generated.

For example, regarding the size judgment items, the judgment criteria are set to "large" and "small", and the one with the smaller size is given priority. Regarding the judgment items of the arrangement position (distance from the center), the judgment criteria are set to "close" and "far" from the center, and priority is given to those having a short distance from the center. Also, if there is an overlap in the placement of the "stamp" images, either "resize" to generate an edited image to place all the "stamp" images, or one of the lower priority "stamps". "Resize" is prioritized based on whether to "delete" the image.

On the other hand, when the material of the "stamp" is different, for example, the size information of the "stamp" image, the placement position information of whether the material of the "stamp" is near or far from the center of the edited image, "stamp". Information such as whether or not the color of the image matches the color of the edited image and whether or not the "stamp" images overlap are set as judgment items for the editing image generation process, and the judgment criteria are set for each judgment item. The priority is set based on this determination criterion, and the edited image is generated.

For example, regarding the size judgment items, the judgment criteria are set to "large" and "small", and the one with a large size is given priority. Regarding the judgment items of the arrangement position (distance from the center), the judgment criteria are set to "close" and "far" from the center, and priority is given to those having a short distance from the center. Regarding the density determination items, the criterion is that the color density of the "stamp" image is "dark" or "light", and the one with the darker density is given priority. The hue judgment item is an item indicating the color compatibility between the image for editing and the "stamp", and the judgment criteria are "good" and "bad", and the one with good compatibility is prioritized. Regarding the judgment items when there is overlap of images, if there is overlap in the arrangement of "stamp" images, "resize" and adjust the position so that all "stamp" images can be arranged. Resizing is prioritized based on whether to combine or "delete" one of the lower priority "stamp" images.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since a plurality of users may select the same editing item, the editing items can be smoothly shared. In addition, even when a plurality of users select the same editing item, a judgment item and a judgment standard for generating an edited image are set, a priority is set, and these conditions are combined to form an edited image. By controlling the generation method of and creating a group edited image that reflects the edited information individually performed by each user, it is possible to obtain a preferable group edited image without breaking the image contents.

In the above explanation, the editing items of "stamp" have been explained, but the editing items are not limited to this, and any editing information other than "comment", "hand-drawn", and "frame" can be used in the same way for the group. You may create an edited image.

<Embodiment 3>
In each of the above examples, the case where one image for editing in which a plurality of users jointly edit an image is set has been described, but the number of images for editing to be edited is not limited to this. Absent. For example, when four people edit an image, an image for editing is set individually, and the image for editing set by each person is individually edited, and the image generation unit 14 has four images. The edited image of the above may be generated, and one image may be generated based on the four edited images.

As described above, a group of edited images can be obtained by synthesizing four unique edited images edited by each user with the edited image selected by the user, so that more diverse elements can be added. It is possible to obtain an edited image with high added value by being included. Further, since the operations of four people are performed in parallel, it is possible to obtain an image editing system that can meet the usage conditions of the event place in a short operation time.

In the present invention, each embodiment can be freely combined, and each embodiment can be appropriately modified or omitted within the scope of the invention.

1 server, 1a computer, 1b, 29 touch panel display, 2 communication cable, 3 printer, 4 network, 5a to 5d terminal, 10,20 network I / F, 11,21 communication unit, 12,28 storage unit, 13 edit items Judgment unit, 14 image generation unit, 15 image generation control unit, 16 server control unit, 17, 27 processing circuit, 22 edit item setting unit, 23 image processing unit, 24 terminal control unit, 100 image editing system.

Claims (6)

An image editing system in which a server and a plurality of terminals are connected via a network, and the plurality of terminals edit an image of the same image data stored in the server.
Each of the plurality of terminals
An edit item setting unit that sets the edit items that the own terminal is in charge of in the image editing, and
An image processing unit that edits the image of the edited item set in the edit item setting unit, and an image processing unit.
It is provided with an editing information transmitting unit that transmits editing information indicating the content of the image editing performed by the image processing unit to the server.
The server
An editing information receiving unit that receives a plurality of the editing information transmitted from the plurality of terminals, respectively.
An edit item determination unit that determines the edit item for each of the plurality of edit information received by the edit information receiving unit, and an edit item determination unit.
An image generation unit that generates an edited image in which the contents of the plurality of image edits indicated by the plurality of edit information are reflected in the image data based on the edit item determined by the edit item determination unit .
An image editing system including an image generation control unit that adjusts how the image generation unit reflects the contents of the plurality of image edits in the image data. The image editing system according to claim 1.
The image generation control unit is an image editing system that adjusts how the image generation unit reflects the contents of the plurality of image edits in the image data based on information set by the user. The image editing system according to claim 2.
The information set by the user is an image editing system that indicates the use of the edited image or the preference of the user. An image editing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The image generation control unit analyzes characters or image information included in the edit information, and based on the analysis result, the image generation unit reflects the contents of the plurality of image edits in the image data. An image editing system that adjusts how to make the image. An image editing method in which a server and a plurality of terminals are connected via a network, and the plurality of terminals edit an image of the same image data stored in the server.
(A) A step in which each of the plurality of terminals sets an editing item in charge of the own terminal in the image editing.
(B) Each of the plurality of terminals performs the image editing for the editing item set in the step (a), and
(C) A step in which each of the plurality of terminals transmits editing information indicating the content of the image editing performed in the step (b) to the server.
(D) A step in which the server receives a plurality of the editing information transmitted from the plurality of terminals in the step (c), respectively.
(E) A step of determining the editing item for each of the plurality of editing information received by the server in the step (d).
(F) The server generates an edited image in which the contents of the plurality of image edits indicated by the plurality of edit information are reflected in the image data based on the edit item determined in the step (e). a step of,
(G) An image editing method comprising a step of adjusting how the server reflects the contents of the plurality of image edits in the image data in the step (f) . A server in an image editing system in which a server and a plurality of terminals are connected via a network, and the plurality of terminals edit an image of the same image data stored in the server.
Each of the plurality of terminals transmits the editing information indicating the content of the image editing performed on the editing item in charge of the own terminal to the server.
The server
An editing information receiving unit that receives a plurality of the editing information transmitted from the plurality of terminals, respectively.
An edit item determination unit that determines the edit item for each of the plurality of edit information received by the edit information receiving unit, and an edit item determination unit.
An image generation unit that generates an edited image in which the contents of the plurality of image edits indicated by the plurality of edit information are reflected in the image data based on the edit item determined by the edit item determination unit .
A server including an image generation control unit and an image generation control unit that adjusts how the image generation unit reflects the contents of the plurality of image edits in the image data.

Images