JPH08305871A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To securely recognize information in a storage area of a storage means such as a ROM and a RAM corresponding to a marker such as an icon displayed on a screen. CONSTITUTION: This device is equipped with the ROM 2 and RAM 11 where data are recorded in plural storage areas, a video display processor 12 which outputs signals for displaying plural icons corresponding to the storage areas respectively, an operation pad 3 on which one icon is selected according to operation when plural icons are displayed on a display 8, and a CPU 10 which displays information regarding the storage area corresponding to the selected icon when the icon is selected and displays a featured image emphasizing the information at the same time, and thus user's attention is attracted to make the user securely recognize the information in the storage area.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for processing images and characters and symbols (characters etc.).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image processing apparatus such as an electronic notebook or a word processor, a file composed of data such as characters and images is edited on a screen of a display and recorded in a predetermined storage area of a memory such as a RAM or a printer. A process of printing or calling a file recorded in the memory is performed. By the way, in such a device, in order to make the operations of file processing (saving, loading, etc.) easier, it is possible to display a mark called an icon corresponding to each file as a menu screen. In such a device, file processing can be performed by operating the screen without inputting the name of the file made up of characters or the like, which facilitates the operation. For example, when recalling a file from memory, select one of the multiple icons on the menu screen with the selection cursor that moves within the screen of the display according to the operation, and recall the file in the storage area corresponding to that icon. It can be displayed on the screen and processed such as editing and printing.

[0003]

However, in the above-described conventional image processing apparatus, a file is recorded in the storage area corresponding to each icon displayed on the menu screen, or a file is recorded in the storage area. It was not possible to determine the storage area status such as possible. Therefore, the user may make an erroneous icon selection such as trying to call a file from a storage area in which no file is recorded or trying to record a file in a storage area in which no file can be recorded. . Therefore, every time an erroneous operation is performed, it is necessary to switch to the menu screen and redo the icon selection, and there is a problem that a complicated operation is forced. There is also a problem that another file is recorded in the storage area in which the file to be saved is recorded due to a mistake in icon selection, and the file to be saved is erased. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing device capable of surely recognizing information in a storage area corresponding to a sign displayed on a screen.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, storage means for recording data in each of a plurality of storage areas and signal output means for outputting a signal for displaying a plurality of markers corresponding to each of the plurality of storage areas. An operation means for selecting an arbitrary sign among the plurality of displayed signs according to an operation, and a signal for displaying information on a storage area corresponding to the sign selected by the operation means in a state where the sign is displayed, and A control unit that causes the signal output unit to output a signal for displaying an image in which this information is emphasized is configured.

[0005]

According to the present invention, when any of the displayed signs is selected, the information about the storage area corresponding to the selected sign is displayed together with the image that emphasizes this information, so that only the characters, etc. are displayed. It is possible to draw the user's attention more strongly as compared with the normal uniform display by, and to surely recognize the information in the storage area corresponding to the selected sign.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, the configuration of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an external view showing the system configuration of the embodiment. In the figure, the main body 1 has an image processing function and a printing function. The ROM (storage means) 2 is a cassette-type read-only memory that is removably inserted into the main body 1, and includes an application program (hereinafter,
Various data such as part image data used for image processing and other data (these data will be described later) are recorded. Operation pad (operation means)
Reference numeral 3 is connected to the main body 1 to instruct image processing and other control operations. The operation pad 3 includes a cross key 4 and an enter key 5.
And a release key 6 are provided. The external display device 7 is a general television receiver connected to the main body 1, and includes a display (display means) 8 and a speaker 9.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the system configuration of FIG. The CPU (control means) 10 is connected to the ROM 2 and the operation pad 3, reads a program and the like from the ROM 2, and performs image processing and other control operations based on a command from the operation pad 3. The image data to be processed is, for example, image data showing the shape of a person or an object. RAM
A (storage unit) 11 is connected to the CPU 10 and is used as a work area for temporarily recording a program read from the ROM 2 and the like, and temporarily recording image data and data necessary for image processing. The video display processor (signal output means) 12 is connected to the CPU 10 and outputs an image signal for display to the display 8 of the external display device 7 based on the instruction. VRAM
13 is connected to the video display processor 12,
The dot data corresponding to the display position of the display 8 is transmitted in response to the read command from the video display processor 12, and the image data output from the CPU 10 is recorded in response to the write command from the video display processor 12. The printer 14 is connected to the CPU 10 and prints the image data recorded in the RAM 11 based on a command from the CPU 10. The sound source 15 is connected to the CPU 10, and according to the audio data output from the CPU 10,
A warning signal necessary for image processing and display and a voice signal for music are sent to the speaker 9 of the external display device 7.

FIG. 3 shows an area map of the ROM 2 and the RAM 11. In the parts image data area 21 of the ROM 2, a plurality of parts image data (hereinafter, simply referred to as parts data) forming a person image and an object image are recorded. For example, in the case of parts data of multiple categories such as hair, eyes, nose, clothes, etc. that make up a person, multiple parts data of different shapes are recorded for each category, and a part number is assigned to each individual part data. Has been done. That is, each part number is a number that uniquely indicates the category and shape of the part. Therefore, the image data of a plurality of different persons is configured by selecting and combining the part data of one shape from each category, and the image data of a plurality of parts numbers is managed in association with the image data.

In the case of this embodiment, the part number data area 22 of the ROM 2 has areas for recording data of four files # 0 to # 3, and the part number data area 23 of the RAM 11 has # 4 to # 3. There is an area for recording data of 14 files of # 15. The head addresses of these 16 areas are recorded in the file address data area 24 of the RAM 11. In the part number stock area 25 of the RAM 11, part number data of any one of 16 files # 0 to # 15 is temporarily recorded. In the image data stock area 26 of the RAM 11, image data of a person or the like composed of part data corresponding to each part number recorded in the part number stock area 25 is recorded. In the file attribute data area 27 of the RAM 11,
Record the data indicating the contents of each file.

Each file attribute data area 27 is shown in FIG.
As shown in, it is composed of a register of a plurality of bits. When the upper 1 bit is 0, the part number data area (preset area) in which the user cannot record the file is shown, and when 1 is 1, the part number data area (user area) in which the user can record the file is shown.
If the next 2 bits are 0 or 0, it indicates that the part number data of the file recorded in the area is related to the image data of a person. If the 2 bits are 0 or 1, it is recorded. It is indicated that the part number data of the file relates to the image data of the object, and if these 2 bits are 1 and 0, it indicates that the file is not recorded in the area. The lower 4 bits are 1
6 shows the number for identifying the area. In addition, CPU
Data such as the current icon number is recorded in the internal processing work area 28.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the main body 1 and the external display device 7 are powered on, this system is activated, and the CPU 10 reads the program from the ROM 2 into the RAM 11 and executes the program. FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the main program.
First, initial processing for system initialization is performed (step S1), and then file selection processing for reading a file relating to image data to be edited is performed (step S2).

FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of a program for file selection processing. First, initial processing for displaying a menu screen on the display 8 is performed (step S2).
1). On the menu screen in this case, as shown in FIG. 7, 16 icons (markers) 31 and a selection cursor 32 for selecting any one icon are displayed. Further, an explanatory text (information) 33 for the user and an image of a peculiar illustration that emphasizes the explanatory text 33, for example, a balloon (enclosure mark) 3 surrounding the explanatory text 33.
4 and the image 35 of the clown issuing this callout 34 are displayed. In this case, the image 35 of the clown is a moving image and moves to the left and right.

Numbers 1 to 16 are displayed on each of the 16 icons 31 corresponding to the data in the file attribute area 27, and icons 1 to 4 are highlighted to correspond to the files in the preset area. 5 to
The icon with the number 16 indicates that it corresponds to a file in the user area in a normal display. In addition, depending on whether the part number of the file is related to people or things, a black star mark or a white star mark is displayed, and when the file is not recorded and is empty? The mark is displayed.

Description 3 displayed on this menu screen
3, the data of the balloon 34 for explanation and the image 35 of the clown are recorded in the ROM 2, and the displayed contents change according to the displayed menu screen. An example of the explanatory note 33 is shown in FIG. Explanation 3 for the menu screen of FIG.
Reference numeral 3 is “which call?” And is displayed as a message prompting the user to select an icon. Also,
The data of the balloon 34 and the image 35 of the clown are shown in FIG.
The display processing is performed by reading the balloon data and the figure data shown in (C). Since the balloon 34 and the movie clown image 35 are displayed so as to emphasize the explanation 33, the user pays attention to the screen and recognizes that the explanation 33 is information prompting the user to select an icon, and the operation pad 3 is displayed. Manipulate.

Next, when the key operation of the operation pad 3 is performed, the key processing is determined in step S22 of FIG. 6, and when the operated key is the cross key 4, the selection cursor moving processing is performed to operate. The selection cursor 32 is moved to the position of the icon corresponding to (step S23), and the process shifts to the determination of the key process of step S22. Enter key 5
Is operated, the file attribute data area 27
Referring to, the file corresponding to the icon where the selection cursor 32 is located is determined (step S24). That is, it is determined whether the file can be read from the part number data area 22 or 23. In this case, the user can judge the presence or absence of the file by the mark of each icon, but since the user may be a beginner, the user may make a mistake in the operation, or the mark may be overlooked, the file corresponding to the selected icon About CPU1
0 determines.

Now, when the selection cursor 32 indicates the icon with the number 5, it is determined by the file determination of the area corresponding to this icon that nothing is recorded in this area. Since the data cannot be read out, the data "There is nothing" in the description of FIG. 8A is read and the explanation balloon display process is performed (step S25). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, in the description balloon 34 on the menu screen, the description 33 that "there is nothing" is a characteristic balloon 3
4 and the video 35 of the movie clown. The user pays attention to this display and recognizes whether or not a file is recorded in the area corresponding to the selected icon. In this case, the description 33 is recognized as information prompting the user to select another icon, and the operation pad 3 is operated.

When it is determined in the file determination process of step S24 that the file corresponding to the selected icon can be read, an explanation corresponding to the file determination is made from the explanatory note in FIG. 8 (A). An explanation balloon display process for displaying the sentence 33 is performed (step S26).
For example, when the icon with the number 6 is selected, the image data is a person, and as shown in FIG. 10, the menu screen is characterized by the explanation 33 "Is this person okay?". Displayed with the image. Further, when the icon with the number 8 is selected, the image data is present, so as shown in FIG. 11, on the menu screen, the description 33 saying "Is this okay?" Is displayed together with. The user pays attention to this display and operates the enter key 5 or the release key 6 of the operation pad 3.

When the key operation is performed, the key processing is determined (step S27), and when the release key 6 is operated, the explanation balloon display processing is performed (step S2).
8). In this case, the menu screen of FIG. 7 is displayed, and the explanation 33 "Which to call?" Is displayed. When the enter key 5 is operated, the head address of the area corresponding to the selected icon in the file address data area 24 is referred to, the file corresponding to that address is read, and the part number of that file is read. A file set to be stored in the part number stock area 25 is set (step S29). In this case, a plurality of parts data of each category corresponding to the parts number of the file stored in the parts number stock area 25 is read from the parts data area 21, and image data of a person or the like composed of the plurality of parts data is imaged. Data stock area 2
Record at 6. Therefore, this image data is read from the image data stock area 26 and displayed on the display 8 via the video display processor 12 and the VRAM 13.

When the file is called in the file selection process, the process moves to the part data editing process (step S3) in FIG. FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of the program for the parts data editing process. First, initial processing is performed (step S31), and a menu screen (not shown) for editing processing is displayed. Next, the process determination is performed by operating the selection key (not shown) of the operation pad 3 (step S32). Parts change process (step S3
In the case of 3), the part number in the part number stock area 25 is changed. In the case of the image printing process (step S34), the image data recorded in the image data stock area 26 is sent to the printer 14 to be printed.
In the case of the file recording process (step S35), the edited file is recorded.

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart of a file recording process program. First, initial processing is performed (step S41), and a menu screen as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed. In this case, the description 33 "where to record?" In FIG. 8A is displayed together with the characteristic balloon 34 and the moving image of the clown 35. further,
A warning sentence 36 is provided at a position above the icon 31 with a surrounding mark 3
Displayed with 7. In this case, "*****" which is the name of the part data to be recorded and "****" in the warning data of the ROM 2 shown in FIG. A warning sentence 36 saying "I will clear ****" will be displayed. Since the characteristic balloon 34 and the clown image 35 of the moving image are displayed together with the explanation 33 and the warning 36, the user recognizes that the explanation 33 is the information prompting the user to select the icon and warns. The operation pad 3 is operated by recognizing that the part number recorded in the sentence 36 relates to the target part data.

When a key operation is performed, the key processing is determined (step S42). When the operated key is the cross key 4, a selection cursor moving process is performed to display an icon corresponding to the operation. The selection cursor 32 is moved to the position (step S43), and the processing shifts to the determination of the key processing in step S42. When the enter key 5 is operated, the file attribute data area 27 of the RAM 11 corresponding to the icon indicated by the selection cursor 32 is referred to, and the area of the part number data area 22 to be recorded is determined (step S44). For example, when the selection cursor 32 is located at the position of the icon numbered 1, it is determined that the corresponding area is the preset area, and the explanation balloon display process is performed (step S45). In this case, as shown in FIG. 15, the explanatory note 33 in FIG. 8A, “You can't see it there”, is displayed together with the characteristic image. Since the characteristic image is displayed together with the explanation 33 and the warning 36, the user pays attention to the screen and recognizes whether or not the area corresponding to the selected icon can be recorded. In this case, the description 33 is recognized as unrecordable and is information for prompting selection of another icon, and the operation pad 3 is operated.

When it is determined in step S44 that the area corresponding to the selected icon is the user area, it is determined whether another file is already recorded in that area (step S46). For example, when the selection cursor 32 is located at the position of the icon with the number 6, since another file has already been recorded in the corresponding area, as shown in FIG. "##########" and the warning data shown in FIG. 8 (B), "will disappear", and a warning sentence 36 "######## will disappear" will be displayed. Is displayed in the enclosing mark 37, and at the same time,
The explanation 33 "Is this okay?" Is displayed together with the characteristic image (step S47). The user recognizes that the warning text 36 is the information for confirming the deletion of the file by paying attention to the screen by the characteristic image, and operates either the enter key 5 or the cancel key 6. On the other hand, when the selection cursor 32 is located at the position of the icon with the number 5, since no file is recorded in the area corresponding to this icon, as shown in FIG. 17, "Is this all right?"
Description 33 is displayed together with the characteristic image (step S48). In this case, since the content of the warning text 36 is the same as the content of the warning text 36 shown in FIG. 15, new warning display processing is not performed.

Next, the key processing is determined (step S49), and when the cancel key 6 is operated, the instruction balloon display processing for displaying the menu screen shown in FIG. 14 is performed (step S50). When the enter key 5 is operated, the part number recorded in the part number stock area 25 is set to the RAM 11 corresponding to the selected icon.
The data is recorded in the area # 4 of the part number data area 23 (step S51). Next, when the mark of the selected icon changes, file icon display processing is performed (step S52). For example, when the icon with the number 5 is selected, the mark of this icon indicates the vacancy? Change from the mark to a black star mark indicating a person. Then, as shown in FIG. 18, a process of turning off the display of the warning text 36, that is, a process of reading the warning data of display off in FIG. 8B is performed, and an explanation balloon display process is performed (step S53). In this case, the explanation 33 "I was able to make it clear" is displayed together with the characteristic image.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, when the explanation 33 or the like relating to each area of the part number data area 22 or 23 corresponding to the selected icon is displayed, the explanation 33 or the like is emphasized. Image, that is, the balloon 34 and the image 35 of the clown that emits the balloon 34, so that the user's attention is drawn more strongly as compared with the uniform display using only characters and the area of the part number data area 22 or 23. The information of the file can be surely recognized. In this case, the explanation 3
Since the display area of No. 3 and the display area of the balloon 34, which is a characteristic image, are displayed in an overlapping manner,
These are visually integrated and recognized. Therefore, the explanation 33 is not overlooked.

In the above embodiment, the characteristic image for emphasizing the explanatory note 33 and the like is the callout 34 and the image 35 of the clown, which is an illustration, but the image to be displayed may be another characteristic illustration. It may be a characteristic figure other than the illustration, or a combination of the illustration and the figure.

Further, in the above embodiment, the image in which the explanation 33 and the like are emphasized is characterized by the shape, but the characteristic image may be displayed in a color different from the color of the icon 31. In this case, the explanatory note 33 and the like are further emphasized.

Further, in the above embodiment, the explanation 33 and the like are displayed together with the characteristic image to call the user's attention, but at the same time, the explanation 33 and the like are audibly notified from the speaker. May be. In this case, the user's attention can be audibly and visually aroused, and a greater effect can be obtained.

In the above embodiment, the program is recorded in the cassette type ROM 2 which is inserted into the main body 1. However, the one-chip CPU having the built-in ROM is used to record the program in the built-in ROM. Good. In this case, the device can be downsized.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the external display device 7 which is a general television receiver is connected to the main body 1, but the external display device is not limited to the television receiver but a display device such as a personal computer. The display unit, the speaker, and the operation unit may be incorporated in the main body 1. When the display unit and the like are incorporated in the main body 1, a very compact device can be realized.

[0030]

According to the present invention, the control means for outputting the signal for displaying the information regarding the storage area and the signal for displaying the image for emphasizing this information are provided. When the sign of is selected, the information about the storage area corresponding to the selected sign is displayed together with the image that emphasizes this information. It is possible to draw attention strongly and surely recognize the information in the storage area corresponding to the selected sign. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a trouble caused by an operation mistake.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a system configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an area map of ROM and RAM.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a file attribute data area of a RAM.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a main program showing the operation of this embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a program for file selection processing.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen in file selection processing.

FIG. 8 shows an example of data recorded in a ROM,
(A) is a figure which shows the example of an explanatory note, (B) an example of a warning sentence, (C) shows an example of a balloon etc.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen in file selection processing.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen in file selection processing.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen in file selection processing.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a program for part data editing processing.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a program for file recording processing.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen in file recording processing.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen in file recording processing.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen in file recording processing.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen in file recording processing.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen in file recording processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 ROM 3 operation pad 8 display 10 CPU 11 RAM 12 video display processor

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. Storage means for recording data in each of the plurality of storage areas; signal output means for outputting a signal for displaying a plurality of markers corresponding to each of the plurality of storage areas; and the plurality of displayed plurality. Operation means for selecting any one of the signs according to the operation, a signal for displaying information on a storage area corresponding to the sign selected by the operation means in a state where the sign is displayed, and this information is highlighted. An image processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that outputs a signal for displaying an image from the signal output unit. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays the information display area and the image display area at least partially overlapped with each other. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is an illustration, a figure, or a combination thereof. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the illustration is a shape of a person or thing and a surrounding mark such as a balloon surrounding the information. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image is a moving image. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is displayed in a color different from that of the sign. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is information regarding contents of the file data recorded in the storage area. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is information indicating whether or not the data is recorded in the storage area. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is information indicating whether the data can be recorded in the storage area. 10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays the sign, the information, and the image according to a signal output from the signal output unit.