JPH09212629A - Filing system and method and image data reproducing device and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To relatively quickly print images worked by a user in a laboratory system. SOLUTION: Image data are stored in a digital medium. In the digital medium storing the image data, a directory 'DFS' managed by the directory 'ROOT' (step 67,) the directory 'INFO' managed by the directory 'DFS' (step 69) and the directory 'ODR' managed by the directory 'INFO' (step 71) are prepared. The user works the image expressed by the image data stored in the digital medium by his/her own filing system and order image data expressing the worked image are stored in the directory 'ODR' (step 72.) In the laboratory system, the order image data stored in the directory 'ODR' are read and printed. Quick printing is relatively easily achieved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a filing system and method for filing image data to a recording medium that can access data managed by the specified name by specifying the name, and to such a recording medium. The present invention relates to an image data reproducing apparatus and method for reading and outputting recorded image data, and a computer-readable recording medium that stores a program for controlling the computer as described above.

[0002]

BACKGROUND ART With the development of high-density recording media such as optical disks and magneto-optical disks, it has become possible to record image data with a large amount of data on high-density recording media. The image data can be recorded on the high-density recording medium by the user using his or her own personal computer, or by using a dedicated image data recording device provided in a laboratory or the like. It is also possible for the user himself to add characters such as characters and pictures to the image represented by the image data recorded on the high-density recording medium by using a personal computer to create his own image.

To print the image created in this manner, the user's printer is connected to the personal computer. The printer is activated by the personal computer and the image is printed using the printer. However, since the printer for the user is generally low in price, the quality of the printed image to be printed is poor and the printing speed is slow. In order to realize high quality image printing, it is necessary to use a dedicated printing device placed in a laboratory or the like.

On the other hand, a user generally gives a desired directory name when recording on a high-density recording medium using his or her personal computer. Therefore, in order to print the image represented by the image data recorded on the high-density recording medium by using a dedicated printing device placed in a laboratory or the like, the laboratory clerk needs to find the directory name. Therefore, quick printing cannot be performed. The user also records the image data in the desired format on the high-density recording medium. For this reason, in order to print an image represented by image data recorded on a high-density recording medium with high quality by using a dedicated printing device placed in a laboratory or the like, it is necessary to correspond to each user's individual recording format. .

[0005]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to print an image processed by a user relatively quickly and with high quality.

A first aspect of the present invention is a filing system for filing image data on a recording medium, by which a name (for example, a directory name) is specified, so that data managed by the specified name can be accessed. Input means for inputting subject image data representing the subject image, a desired character is synthesized with the subject image represented by the subject image data input by the input means, and synthetic image data representing the subject image in which the character is synthesized is generated. It is characterized by further comprising: a character synthesizing unit for outputting, and a recording control unit for recording the synthesized image data output from the character synthesizing unit on the recording medium as data managed by the predetermined name. .

The first invention also provides a filing method. That is, according to this filing method, by specifying a name, in a filing system for filing image data on a recording medium that can access data managed by the specified name, the object image data representing the object image is recorded. A desired character is input to the subject image represented by the input subject image data, a desired character is synthesized, synthetic image data representing the subject image in which the character is synthesized is obtained, and the obtained synthetic image data is predetermined. The data is recorded in the recording medium as data managed by the name.

The first invention also provides a recording medium for implementing the above filing method. That is, in order to file the image data to a recording medium which can access the data managed by the specified name by specifying the name,
The subject image data representing the subject image is input, a desired character is synthesized with the subject image represented by the input subject image data, synthetic image data representing the subject image in which the character is synthesized is obtained, and the obtained synthesis is performed. The computer-readable recording medium stores a program for controlling the computer to record image data on the recording medium as data managed by the predetermined name.

The data thus recorded on the recording medium is reproduced as follows.

When the name is specified, the reproducing apparatus reads the data recorded on the recording medium which can access the data managed by the specified name, and reproduces the data. Recording medium mounting means to be mounted, composite image data that is data managed by a predetermined name and represents a composite image in which a character is composited is recorded in a mounting recording medium mounted in the recording medium mounting means. Determination means for determining whether or not the composite image data recorded in the mounting recording medium is recorded in the mounting recording medium in response to the determination that the composite image data is recorded in the mounting recording medium. It is characterized in that it is provided with a composite image data output means for reading and outputting.

A reproducing method is predetermined in a reproducing apparatus for reading and reproducing data recorded in a recording medium which can access data managed by the specified name by specifying the name. The data managed by the above name, which is the composite image data representing the composite image in which the character is composed,
The composite image recorded on the mounting recording medium is judged according to whether it is recorded on the mounted recording medium and whether the composite image data is recorded on the mounting recording medium. It is characterized by reading and outputting data.

A recording medium for implementing the above reproducing method is also provided. That is, this recording medium has the above-mentioned predetermined value for reading and reproducing the data recorded in the recording medium which can access the data managed by the specified name by specifying the name. It is determined whether or not the composite image data, which is the data managed by the name and represents the composite image in which the character is composited, is recorded in the mounted recording medium, and the composite image data is recorded in the mounted recording medium. The recording medium stores a program for controlling the computer to read and output the composite image data recorded on the mounted recording medium in response to the determination that the image is recorded.

According to the present invention, the composite image data is recorded on the recording medium as data managed by the predetermined name. Since the name for managing the composite image data is predetermined, the composite image data can be found only by searching for the name. Therefore, quick reproduction is possible.

Print data for printing a composite image represented by the composite image data in addition to the composite image data when the composite image data is recorded on the recording medium as data managed by the predetermined name. May be recorded in the recording medium as data managed by the predetermined name.

In this case, in addition to the composite image data, print data relating to the printing of the composite image represented by the composite image data is recorded on the mounting recording medium as data managed by the predetermined name. Whether the composite image data and the print data are recorded on the mounting recording medium, the composite image data and the print data recorded on the mounting recording medium are determined. Are read, converted into data suitable for the printing conditions determined by the print data, and the composite image data is output.

The print data can be found in addition to the composite image data only by searching for a predetermined name. The synthetic image represented by the synthetic image data can be printed quickly with reference to the found print data.

It is determined whether or not the composite image data is recorded in the recording medium in a predetermined format,
The composite image data may be converted into the predetermined format when it is determined that the composite image data is not recorded in the predetermined format. As a result, no matter what format the user records the image data in, the format can be converted into a predetermined format and the composite image can be printed.

[0018]

Description of Embodiments In this embodiment, the following processing is performed.

First, the user brings a desired photograph or the like to a store in which a laboratory system described later is installed.
Images representing photographs taken by users in the laboratory are converted into digital image data and recorded on a medium such as a magneto-optical disk. The user brings back the medium on which the digital image data is recorded and adds characters (characters, pictures, etc.) to the image represented by the digital image data in the user's own filing system (personal computer, etc.). The medium on which the data representing the added character and image is recorded is again brought to the laboratory. The image to which the character is added is printed in the laboratory.

The details will be apparent from the following description.

(1) Laboratory System Configuration of Laboratory System FIG. 1 shows the electrical configuration of the laboratory system.

This laboratory system is installed in various places. For example, a film development shop (store), a photo shop, a department store, a convenience store, and other shops. This filing system is generally operated by a customer (user). The operator may operate the entire laboratory system in a place where the operator is permanently stationed such as a film developing station.

The input medium handled by this laboratory system is a photographic film, a photograph printed on photographic paper,
It visually represents images such as printed matter (photographs such as posters and calendars). These are called visible image media. The output medium handled by this laboratory system records (or stores) digital data representing an image on a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic disk, a memory card, etc.
Is what you do. These are called digital media.

In the laboratory system, a digital medium recording process for recording an image recorded on a visible image medium brought by a user on a digital medium and a printing process for printing an image represented by image data recorded on the digital medium are performed. To do.

The entire operation of the laboratory system is controlled by the MPU 30.

The laboratory system includes a display device 33 for displaying images and other information, an interface (video interface) 34 of the display device 33, and a display device 33.
Touch panel 32 arranged on the display screen for receiving commands from the user, touch panel interface 31, image memory 35 for temporarily storing image data, SCSI (Small
Computer System Interface) 36, printer 37, floppy disk driver 39 that drives a magnetic disk,
A hard disk driver 40 for driving a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk driver 46 for driving a magneto-optical disk, and a memory card reader 47 are included. Further, the laboratory system includes a scanner (including a flat bed scanner) 42 for reading an image represented on a visible image medium, a scanner interface 43, and an enlarging / reducing circuit for enlarging and reducing the image represented by the image data. 44, and a RAM 45 for temporarily storing data.

The user operates the digital medium recording process according to the display on the display device 33. That is, the touch panel 32 is formed on the display screen of the display device 33. The touch panel 32 is connected to the MPU 30 via the interface 31. On the display surface of the display device 33,
Guidance (consisting of illustrations, sentences, etc.) that guides the operation and one or more sections to be touched are displayed. In each section, key functions (including numerical values) are displayed. Thereby, a function key and a numerical key are realized. An input signal indicating the position of the section touched by the operator or the user with the finger is supplied to the MPU 30. Using this touch panel, the operator designates an input medium, a frame to be recorded or printed on the output medium, and the like.

The scanner 42 reads an image represented on a visible image medium and outputs image data representing the image. The scanner 42 is connected to the MPU 30 via a scanner interface 43. A photographic film scanner will include a light source, an imaging optical system, a line sensor (or a two-dimensional image sensor), a film or line sensor transfer mechanism, a signal processing circuit, an A / D conversion circuit, etc., and is flat.・ A bed scanner is equipped with a flat bed. The reflection original to be read is placed on this flat bed. The light from the light source is projected on the reflective original, and the reflected light from the reflective original is input to the line sensor or the two-dimensional image sensor. The video signal output from the line sensor or the image sensor is output as digital image data after a predetermined process.

The RAM 45 temporarily stores data. The image memory 35 stores image data read from the scanner 42, each disk driver 39, 40 or 46 or the memory card reader 47. The enlargement / reduction circuit 44 is a circuit for enlarging and reducing the image represented by the image data.

The hard disk driver 40 writes data to the hard disk HD and reads data recorded on the hard disk.

The floppy disk driver 39, the magneto-optical disk driver 46, or the memory card reader 47 stores data including image data on the magnetic disk FD, the magneto-optical disk MO, or the memory card MC as an output medium, respectively. The writing, the reading from the magnetic disk FD, the magneto-optical disk MO, or the memory card MC, the rewriting of data, and the like are performed.

The printer 37 prints the image represented by the supplied image data.

File Structure of Digital Medium FIGS. 2 and 3 show a file structure (data structure) of a digital medium in which image data is recorded in the laboratory system. This file structure is a logical one, not a physical one. The various data shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 may not be in a continuous state of a block but may be in a dispersed state. The digital medium shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 shows a state in which images of five frames are recorded in the laboratory system shown in FIG. To record image data on a digital medium, scan the desired visible image medium with a scanner.
Set to 42 and convert to image data. The digital medium is set in the floppy disk driver 39, the magneto-optical disk driver 46 or the memory card reader 47, and the converted image data is recorded.

The digital medium has a directory management area for managing all data recorded on the digital medium, a software recording area for recording application software, an image recording area for recording image data, and I
It contains a CC profile and unused areas. In the digital medium shown in FIG. 2, "PHT
0001. Image data of 5 frames with file names of "JPG" to "PHT0005.JPG" is recorded.

In the directory management area, a path to each data (a path is information necessary for a computer to access a storage location where each data is stored) and other data are recorded. Details of this directory management area are shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 3, in the directory management area, there are a plurality of sub directories in the root directory "ROOT". One of the sub-directories is the sub-directory "DFS", and this sub-directory "DFS"
Contains data specific to the laboratory system according to this embodiment.

The sub-directory "DFS" includes directories "ALBM01B", "SOFT" and other directories. Directory "ALBM0
The path to each image data is stored in "1B". In this embodiment, a path to each image data is stored for each date when the image data was recorded on the digital medium. Therefore, the directory "ALBM01B" further includes the directory "19951205.001".
"001" to "PHT0001.JPG" to "PHT00"
05. The path to the image data having the file name "JPG" is stored. The directory "SOFT" stores the path to the application software recorded in the software recording area.

Since the path to each data is stored in the directory management area of the digital medium, the image data recorded on the digital medium can be read. For example, when the image data having the file name "PHT0001.JPG" is read from the digital medium, the data recorded in the directory management area is first read and stored in the RAM 45. Next, the directory "DFS" is traced from the root directory "ROOT". Furthermore, the directory "ALBM01B" is traced from the directory "DFS". In addition, the directory "A
LBM01B ”to the directory“ 19951205.
001 ”to obtain the path of the image data of“ PHT0001.JPG ”. This "PHT0001.JP
The image data of “PHT0001.JPG” recorded in the image data recording area can be read from the path of the image data of “G”.

(2) Filing System Configuration of Filing System FIG. 4 shows the electrical configuration of the filing system.

This filing system is generally a personal computer installed in the user's home.
A system that is operated by the user. Using this filing system, a character or the like is input to an image represented by image data recorded on a digital medium.

The filing system is a computer
Includes system 50. The computer system 50 includes a computer 51, an operating device 52, a disk driver 53,
A reproduction / display control circuit 54 and a display device 55 are provided. The computer 51 controls not only the computer system 50 but also the operation of the entire filing system. The computer 51 has a memory (semiconductor memory,
This includes floppy disks, hard disks, etc.) and other peripheral devices.

The operating device 52 is for inputting various commands, data and the like when a user uses this filing system.

The disk driver 53 writes data in or reads data from a hard disk, an optical disk or a magneto-optical disk. A program for operating the filing system is recorded in advance on the disc. The disk driver 53 reads the program from the disk and gives it to the computer 51. When a hard disk and an optical disk are used, two dedicated disk drivers for these are provided.

The display device 55 is controlled by the reproduction and display control circuit 54.

The filing system is further provided with a floppy disk device 56, an optical disk device 57 and a photo printer 58, and a computer system 51 and an S
It is connected via a CSI (Small Computer System Interface) bus. If necessary, a film scanner, flat bed scanner, memory card reader, etc. will be provided.

The floppy disk device 56 writes image data and other data on the magnetic disk FD and reads image data and other data from the magnetic disk FD. If the magnetic disks used are normal magnetic disks and high-density magnetic disks,
Two magnetic disk units are provided according to the types of these magnetic disks.

The optical disk device 57 is for writing data including image data to an optical disk (including a magneto-optical disk) MO as an input / output medium, reading from the optical disk MO, rewriting data, and the like.

Photo printer 58 prints the image represented by the image data provided.

File Structure of Digital Media The user adds a character to the image represented by the image data recorded in the laboratory system by using the filing system shown in FIG. The image data to represent is called order image data hereinafter.). Also, information regarding printing of the image to which the character is added is recorded. The file structure of the digital medium on which the order image data and the information regarding printing are recorded is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Here, mainly the order image data added by the user and information regarding printing will be described.

Referring to FIG. 5, an order-related data recording area is newly recorded on the digital medium.

In the order-related data recording area, order image data in which a character is added by the user and data representing information regarding printing are recorded. Of the data recorded in the order-related data recording area, "JP
The data with the extension “G” is the order image data in which the character is added by the user, and the data with the extension “ODS” is the data representing the print information.

FIG. 6 shows details of the directory management area of the digital medium. Referring to FIG. 6, a directory "INFO" is newly formed in the sub-directory "DFS" in the directory management area. The directory "ODR" is added to this directory "INFO".
Are formed. A path to the data recorded in the order-related data recording area is stored in this directory "ODR". By reading this path from the directory management area, the data recorded in the order-related data recording area can be read from the digital medium.
For example, order image data having a file name of “PAPA PST.JPG” and “PAPAPST.ODS”
When the print information data having the file name of is read from the digital medium, first, the data recorded in the directory management area is read and temporarily stored in the memory. Next, the directory "DFS" is traced from the root directory "ROOT". Further directory "DFS"
From the directory "INFO". Further, the directory "ODR" is traced from the directory "INFO" to obtain the path of the order image data of "PAPA PST.JPG" and the path of the print information data of "PAPA PST.ODR". This "PAPAPST.JP
“G” order image data path and “PAPA PS
T. “PAPA PST.JP” recorded in the order-related data recording area from the path of the print information data of “ODR”
G ”order image data and“ PAPA PST.OD
The print information data of "R" can be read.

A process of recording the order image data of "PAPA PST.JPG" and the print information data of "PAPAPST.ODR" on the digital medium will be described below.

(3) User's Process FIG. 7 shows a process for adding character image data representing a character and a process for adding print information data to a digital medium on which image data is recorded in the laboratory system. It is a flowchart shown. A program for executing these processes is recorded in a soft recording area of a digital medium (magnetic disk FD, magneto-optical disk MO, etc.), and each process is executed by reading the program from the soft recording area.

The user mounts the digital medium on the floppy disk device 56 or the optical disk device 57 of the filing system shown in FIG. 4 (step 60). If the digital medium is not loaded, a screen prompting the loading of the digital medium is displayed on the display device 55 as shown in FIG. 8 (step 74). When the user touches the section displayed as OK, the process returns to step 60 again. When the user touches the section displayed as cancelled, the process ends (step 75).

When the digital medium is mounted on the filing system, the data recorded in the directory management area of the digital medium is read and temporarily stored in the memory. Of the data stored in the memory, the extension of the image data representing the image to which the user should add a character (this image data is recorded in the laboratory system shown in FIG. 1) is obtained. (Step 61). If the image data is not recorded on the digital medium in a predetermined recording format, characters cannot be added in the user's filing system. Therefore, it is determined whether the extension is "JPG" or "TIF", and if the extension is not "JPG" or "TIF", file conversion processing of image data is performed (NO in step 62, step 73). If the laboratory system and the filing system are products of different companies, it may not be possible to add characters in the user's filing system. Therefore, it is judged from the header added to the image data whether or not a character can be added by the user's filing system (step 63). If it is determined that a character cannot be added, a file conversion process is performed (step 73). Application software for this file conversion process is recorded in the software recording area of the digital medium. For example, the extension may be acquired, the recording format may be determined from the extension to determine the recording format of the image data, and the file may be converted into a predetermined recording format according to the recording format.

Of the data in the directory management area stored in the memory, it is first determined whether or not there is a directory "DFS" (step 66), and the directory "D
If there is no "FS", it is created (step 67). Next, it is judged whether or not the directory "INFO" exists (step 68), and if the directory "INFO" does not exist, it is created (step 69). Further, it is judged whether or not the directory "ODR" exists (step 70), and if the directory "ODR" does not exist, it is created (step 71).

The order image data and print information data created in this way or with characters or the like added to the existing directory "ODR" are recorded on the digital medium (step 72).

The process of recording the order image data and the print information data with the addition of characters etc. in the directory "ODR" will be described.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for generating order image data to which a character or the like is added, FIG.
(A) to (F) to FIG. 14 show generation information of images such as characters. An example of generating a printing image for a New Year's card will be shown here. It goes without saying that the program for generating custom image data is also recorded in the soft recording area of the digital medium.

First, in the filing system, FIG.
A new image as shown in (A) is created and displayed on the display device 55 (step 81). If necessary, the image data is read from the magnetic disk on which the image data representing the desired background image is recorded (not limited to the magnetic disk, it may be read from another digital medium or visible image medium) and the background of the new image is changed. (Steps 82 and 83) (Fig. 10 (B))
).

Subsequently, the digital medium on which the image data is recorded in the laboratory system is mounted in the filing system and desired image data (for example, "P
HT001. Image data with a file name of "JPG")
Is read (step 84). The image data read from the digital medium is temporarily stored in the memory, and the recorded image represented by the image data is displayed on the display device 55 (FIG. 10 (C)). The recorded image is embedded in the new image and displayed on the display device 55 (step 85) (FIG. 10).
(D)).

If it is necessary to add the home address and name to the New Year's card, the address and name are input from the operation device 52 and displayed on the display device 55 (steps 86, 87) (FIG. 10).
(E)). The size of the entered address and characters is changed to the desired size, and the address and characters are positioned on the new image in which the recorded image is embedded as shown in Fig. 10 (D) (Fig. 10 (F )).

As described above, first, an image representing a template for a New Year's card is generated. Image data representing this image is recorded in the memory.

Next, using the image representing this template, a new year's card image of the user's family or individual is generated.

First, the generation of an image of a father's New Year's card will be described.

FIG. 11A1 shows a state in which an image representing a template for a New Year's card is read from the memory and displayed on the display device 55.

If necessary, a character is input from the operating device 52 and the character (“Happy New Year”) A2 is added to this template image (steps 88 and 89) (FIG. 11 (A2)). Subsequently, if necessary, a decorative image A3 for decorating the New Year's card is added to the template image (steps 90 and 91) (FIG. 11 (A3)).

As a result, the image showing the father's New Year's card is completed (FIG. 11 (A3), FIG. 12 (A)). Regarding image data representing a completed image, for example, “PAPA PST.
The file name "JPG" is given and recorded in the order-related data recording area as order image data managed by "ODR" in the directory "INFO" in the directory "DFS" of the digital medium as described above. . Also, the path to the image data of "PAPA PST.JPG" is recorded in the directory management area of the digital medium.

Similarly, the image data representing the template image is read again from the memory and the character input (“Happy New
"Year" B2 and "Congratulations" C2) (Fig.
11 (B2) and FIG. 11 (C2)) Decorative images B3 and C3 are inserted (FIG. 11 (B3) and FIG. 11 (C2)). As a result, images representing the mother's and children's New Year's cards (FIG. 13 (A) and FIG. 14 (A)) are generated. Regarding the image data representing the generated image, for example, "MAMA PST.JP
G "and" BOKU PST.JPG "file names, and order related data as order image data managed by" ODR "in the directory" INFO "in the directory" DFS "of the digital medium as described above. It is recorded in the recording area. Also, in the directory management area of the digital medium, "MAMA PST.JP
The paths to the image data of “G” and “BOKU PST.JPG” are also recorded.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for creating data representing print information. FIG. 16 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display device 55 when data representing print information is created. A program representing this processing procedure is also recorded in the soft area record of the digital medium.

When generating data representing print information,
Digital media is loaded into the filing system. This allows the display device 55 to display images based on the application software recorded on the digital medium.
The print information setting screen shown in 16 is displayed (step 101
).

On this print information setting screen, sections A ₁₃ , A ₁₄ , A ₁₅ , A ₁₆ , A ₁₇ and A ₁₈ are displayed in addition to the areas A ₁₁ and A ₁₂ .

The area A ₁₁ is for setting the paper size. The user clicks on a portion (postcard in this case) representing the desired size (step 102). Area A ₁₂ shows the direction of the paper to be printed. The user clicks on the portion (vertical in this case) indicating the desired direction (step 103).

The section A ₁₃ displays the number of printed sheets input from the operating device 52. The number of sheets to be printed is set by clicking on the section A ₁₃ and then inputting it from the operating device 52 (step 104).

Sections A ₁₄ and A ₁₅ display the print start coordinates input from the operating device 52. The print start coordinates indicate from which position on the paper the ordered image is printed.
It is represented by the coordinates of the upper left corner of the order image to be printed.
The origin of the print start coordinates is the upper left corner of the selected paper. For example, when the size of the paper and the size of the order image to be printed match, the print start coordinates are (0,
0) is input. The print start coordinates are set by inputting from the operating device 52 after clicking the section A ₁₄ or A ₁₅ (step 105).

The section A ₁₆ is clicked by the user when confirming the image to be printed. Section A ₁₇ is clicked by the user when canceling the setting of print information. The section A ₁₈ is clicked when the set print information is confirmed. The change of the set print information will be realized by re-inputting.

An example of the print information for the father, mother, and child set in this way is shown in FIGS. 12 (B), 13 (B), and 14 (B). The print information is, for example, “PAPA PST.ODR”, “MAMA PST.
File names “ODR” and “BOKUPST.ODR” are assigned, and as described above, order-related print information data is managed as print information data managed by the directory “ODR” in the directory “INFO” in the directory “DFS” of the digital medium. It is recorded in the data recording area. In the directory management area of the digital medium,
"PAPA PST.ODR", "MAMA PST.
The paths to "ODR" and "BOKU PST.ODR" are "PAPA PST.JPG" and "MAMA PS".
T. It is recorded corresponding to the paths of "JPG" and "BOKU PST.ODR".

As described above, each data is recorded on the digital medium as shown in FIG.

(4) Laboratory Processing The digital medium on which the order image data representing the image in which the character is added by the user and the data representing the printing information are recorded is brought to the store where the laboratory system is installed. Digital media is laboratory
The image represented by the image data recorded on the digital medium mounted on the system is printed.

17 and 18 are flow charts showing the print processing procedure in the laboratory system. Figure
19 to 26 show examples of display screens in the laboratory system. It goes without saying that this print processing program is also recorded in the soft recording area of the digital medium and executed based on the program.

The service selection screen shown in FIG. 19 is displayed on the display device 33 of the laboratory system (step 11).
1). On the service selection screen, sections A ₂₁ , A ₂₂ and A ₂₃
Is displayed. The section A ₂₁ is a section touched by the user when the image recorded on the visible image medium is recorded on the digital medium. The section A ₂₂ is a section touched by the user when performing printing. Section A ₂₃ is a section that is touched by a maintenance person when performing maintenance of the laboratory system.

When printing is performed, the section A ₂₂ is touched (YES in step 112). When the section A ₂₂ is touched, the display device switches to the print service screen shown in FIG.

On the print service screen, sections A ₃₁ , A ₃₂ , A
₃₃ , A ₃₄ , A ₃₅ , A ₃₆ , A ₃₇ and A ₃₈ are displayed.
The section A ₃₁ is, for example, a section touched by the user when displaying a list of reduced images of all the images recorded on the digital medium. The section A ₃₂ is a section that is touched by the user when the image recorded on the digital medium is printed as if it were the cover of a magazine. The section A ₃₃ is a section that is touched by the user when the image stored in the digital medium is pasted and printed on the decorative template image stored in advance. The section A ₃₄ is a section that is touched by the user when the image recorded on the digital medium is included in the calendar for printing. The section A ₃₅ is a section touched by the user when the image recorded on the digital medium is printed on the postcard. The section A ₃₆ is a section touched by the user when the image recorded on the digital medium is printed on the business card. The section A ₃₇ is a section touched by the user when reading and printing the order image data and the data representing the print information recorded on the digital medium. In this example, section A ₃₇ is touched. Section A ₃₈ is a section touched by the user when performing other printing.

When the section A ₃₇ is touched, the display device is shown in FIG.
Switch to the input medium selection screen shown in (See step 114
S, 115).

On the input medium selection screen, sections A ₄₁ , A ₄₂ , A
₄₃ , A ₄₄ and A ₄₅ are included. Section A ₄₁ is touched by the user when the input medium of the filing system is a floppy disk. The section A ₄₂ is touched by the user when the input medium is an optical disc. The section A ₄₃ is touched by the user when the input medium is a magneto-optical disk. Section A ₄₄ is touched by the user when the input medium is a memory card. Section A ₄₅ is touched by the user when the input medium is otherwise. Driver 39 or 46 suitable for input medium or memory
The card reader 47 is selected by the user (step
115, 116).

When an input medium is selected on the input medium selection screen, the data recorded in the directory management area of the input medium is read. The directories "DFS", "INF" are added to the input medium based on the read data.
It is determined whether "O" and "ODR" are present (steps 117-119). If any one of these directories does not exist, the custom image data representing the image to be printed cannot be found. Therefore, Figure 22
A screen indicating that the medium mounted in the filing system cannot be used is displayed (step 120).

If the directories "DFS", "INFO" and "ODR" exist on the input medium (step 117).
, 118 and 119 YES), the number of pairs of order image data and print information data recorded on the input medium is counted, and file check processing is performed (step 121). As a result, the display screen of the display device 33 is
Switch to the print file confirmation screen shown in 23 (Step 12
2).

On the print file confirmation screen, sections A ₅₁ and A _{52 are displayed.}
And A ₅₃ are displayed. In the section A ₅₁ , the number of pairs of order image data and print information data is displayed. Section A
₅₂ is touched by the user when the type displayed in the section A ₅₁ is confirmed. The section A ₅₃ is touched by the user when the printing is stopped. When the section A ₅₃ is touched, the process returns to step 121.

When the partition A ₅₄ is touched (step 123
YES), the print file selection screen shown in FIG. 24 is displayed (step 124).

On the print file selection screen, sections A ₆₁ , A
₆₂ , A ₆₃ , A ₆₄ and A ₆₇ are displayed.

Reduced images of the order images to be printed are displayed in the sections A ₆₁ and A ₆₂ . This reduced image can be obtained by performing reduction processing of the custom image read from the digital medium in the enlargement / reduction circuit 44.
By touching the section A ₆₃ , the frame feed is performed, and by touching the section A ₆₄ , the frame return is performed. As a result, the images displayed in the sections A ₆₁ and A ₆₂ change. The section A ₆₁ or A ₆₂ where the reduced image is displayed is touched. When the image selection is completed, the user touches the section A ₆₅ (step 125). When the section A ₆₅ is touched, the image data of the custom image corresponding to the reduced image selected by the user is read from the digital medium with reference to the path and printing is performed. A screen for informing that printing is being performed is displayed as shown in FIG. 25 (step 126). This screen includes a section A ₇₀ , and when the section A ₇₀ is touched, printing is stopped.

In printing, the directory "ODR"
The print information data recorded in the order-related data recording area is read from the recorded print information path, and printing is performed in accordance with the print information represented by the print information data.

When the printing is completed, the display screen of the display device 33 is switched to the screen shown in FIG.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a laboratory system.

FIG. 2 shows a file structure of a digital medium.

FIG. 3 shows details of a directory management area of a digital medium.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a filing system.

FIG. 5 shows a file structure of a digital medium.

FIG. 6 shows details of a directory management area of a digital medium.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in a filing system by a user.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a display screen of a display device of the filing system.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in a filing system by a user.

10A to 10F show a process of generating an image representing a New Year's card.

11 (A1) to (A3), (B1) to (B3), and (C1) to (C3) show a process of generating an image representing a New Year's card.

FIG. 12A shows an example of an image showing a New Year's card,
(B) shows an example of print information.

FIG. 13 (A) shows an example of an image showing a New Year's card,
(B) shows an example of print information.

FIG. 14A shows an example of an image showing a New Year's card,
(B) shows an example of print information

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for creating print information.

FIG. 16 shows an example of a display screen of the display device of the filing system.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a printing processing procedure in the laboratory system.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a printing processing procedure in the laboratory system.

FIG. 19 shows an example of a display screen of the display device of the laboratory system.

FIG. 20 shows an example of a display screen of a display device of the laboratory system.

FIG. 21 shows an example of a display screen of the display device of the laboratory system.

FIG. 22 shows an example of a display screen of the display device of the laboratory system.

FIG. 23 shows an example of a display screen of the display device of the laboratory system.

FIG. 24 shows an example of a display screen of the display device of the laboratory system.

FIG. 25 shows an example of a display screen of the display device of the laboratory system.

FIG. 26 shows an example of a display screen of the display device of the laboratory system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 30 MPU 32 Touch panel 33, 55 Display 35 Image memory 37, 58 Printer 39 Floppy disk driver 40 Hard disk driver 42 Scanner 46 Magneto-optical disk driver 47 Memory card reader 50 Computer system 51 Computer 52 Operation Device 53 Disk driver FD Magnetic disk MO Magneto-optical disk

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A filing system for filing image data into a recording medium capable of accessing data managed by the specified name when the name is specified, and object image data representing an object image is input. Input means, character synthesizing means for synthesizing a desired character with the subject image represented by the subject image data input by the input means, and outputting synthesized image data representing the subject image with the synthesized character, and the character. A filing system comprising: recording control means for recording the composite image data output from the composition means on the recording medium as data managed by the predetermined name. 2. The recording control means, in addition to the composite image data, print data relating to printing of a composite image represented by the composite image data on the recording medium as data managed by the predetermined name. The filing system according to claim 1, which is for recording. 3. When a name is specified, the recording medium is mounted in a reproducing apparatus which reads and reproduces data recorded in a recording medium that can access data managed by the specified name. The recording medium mounting means is data managed by a predetermined name, and composite image data representing a composite image in which a character is composed is recorded in the mounting recording medium mounted in the recording medium mounting means. Determining means for determining whether or not the composite image data is recorded on the mounting recording medium in response to the determination means determining that the composite image data is recorded on the mounting recording medium. , An image data reproducing device comprising a composite image data output means for outputting. 4. The determination means, in addition to the composite image data, print data relating to printing of a composite image represented by the composite image data is stored in the mounting recording medium as data managed by the predetermined name. The composite image data output means determines whether or not the composite image data and the print data are recorded on the mounting recording medium. Reading the composite image data and the print data recorded on the mounting recording medium, converting the composite image data into data suitable for a printing condition defined by the print data, and converting the composite image data. The image data reproducing device according to claim 3, which is for outputting. 5. The format determining means for determining whether or not the composite image data is recorded in the recording medium in a predetermined format, and the format determining means records the composite image data in a predetermined format. The image data reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a format conversion unit that converts the composite image data into the predetermined format when it is determined that the image data is not present. 6. A filing system for filing image data into a recording medium capable of accessing data managed by the specified name when the name is specified, and object image data representing a subject image is input. Then, a desired character is synthesized with the subject image represented by the input subject image data, synthetic image data representing the subject image with which the character is synthesized is obtained, and the obtained synthetic image data is predetermined. A filing method of recording on the recording medium as data managed by the name. 7. In addition to the composite image data, print data relating to printing of a composite image represented by the composite image data is recorded on the recording medium as data managed by the predetermined name. The filing method according to claim 6. 8. A reproducing device that reads and reproduces data recorded on a recording medium that can access data managed by the specified name when the name is specified, and the predetermined name is specified. It is determined whether or not synthetic image data, which is data managed by, and which represents a synthetic image in which a character is synthesized, is recorded in the mounted recording medium, and the composite image data is recorded in the mounting recording medium. An image data reproducing method for reading and outputting the composite image data recorded on the mounting recording medium in accordance with the determination that it has been performed. 9. Whether or not print data relating to printing of a composite image represented by the composite image data in addition to the composite image data is recorded on the mounting recording medium as data managed by the predetermined name. And the composite image data and the print data recorded on the mounting recording medium in response to the judgment that the composite image data and the print data are recorded on the mounting recording medium. 9. The image data reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the composite image data is read, the composite image data is converted into data suitable for a printing condition defined by the print data, and the composite image data is output. 10. The composition is performed by determining whether the composite image data is not recorded in the recording medium in a predetermined format, and determining that the composite image data is not recorded in the predetermined format. The image data reproducing method according to claim 8, wherein the image data is converted into the predetermined format. 11. When the name is specified, the object image data representing the object image is input in order to file the image data to a recording medium that can access the data managed by the specified name, A desired character is synthesized with the subject image represented by the input subject image data, synthetic image data representing the subject image with which the character is synthesized is obtained, and the obtained synthetic image data is renamed by the predetermined name. A computer-readable recording medium that stores a program for controlling the computer to record as managed data on the recording medium. 12. A computer for recording print data relating to printing of a composite image represented by the composite image data in addition to the composite image data on the recording medium as data managed by the predetermined name. 12. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 11, which stores a program for controlling. 13. When the name is specified, the data recorded on the recording medium that can access the data managed by the specified name can be read and reproduced by the predetermined name. It is determined whether or not synthetic image data, which is managed data and represents a synthetic image in which a character is synthesized, is recorded in the mounted recording medium, and the composite image data is recorded in the mounted recording medium. A recording medium that stores a program for controlling the computer to read and output the composite image data recorded on the mounted recording medium in response to the determination that the attached image data is stored. 14. Whether or not print data relating to printing of a composite image represented by the composite image data in addition to the composite image data is recorded on the mounting recording medium as data managed by the predetermined name. And the composite image data and the print data recorded on the mounting recording medium in response to the judgment that the composite image data and the print data are recorded on the mounting recording medium. 14. A program for controlling a computer to read each of the above, convert the composite image data into data suitable for a printing condition determined by the print data, and output the composite image data. Computer readable recording medium. 15. It is determined whether the composite image data is not recorded in the recording medium in a predetermined format, and it is determined that the composite image data is not recorded in the predetermined format. 14. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 13, which stores a program for controlling a computer to convert image data into the predetermined format.