JPH10124279A - Device and method for forming image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a device to easily recognize whether or not an image is correctly adhered and simultaneously to pleasantly form the image even when the device is used by a child in an image forming device and a software for the purpose. SOLUTION: When a user transmits an operation to adhere a graphic to a screen on a display 11 from an input device 12 to an image forming control part 14 as an instruction, the image forming device creates image data by referring to pattern data to be adhered to the screen, simultaneously referring to animation information data, obtaining information like how to temporarily change shapes, colors, etc., of the pattern when it is adhered to the screen and displays the image data on the display 11 with a screen display contents VRAM 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for forming an arbitrary image on a screen, and more particularly to a method of displaying an image or the like when pasting the image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional image creating apparatus, when an image of an arbitrary pattern is designated and pasted on an image being created by an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse, there is usually no reaction indicating that the image has been pasted. Even if it is, it is only about playing sound effects.

[0003] For example, when an image creation application started on a computer is used, when a prepared image pattern is pasted on a screen currently being created, a necessary image pattern is clicked with a mouse or the like. Bring to the place you want to paste while dragging,
When you release the mouse button, you can see the software that pastes the selected image pattern in that place.

[0004] Further, in some software, there is an application in which a mouse cursor is transformed into the same image pattern as the clicked image pattern so as to clearly indicate the selected image pattern. In this case, move the mouse cursor deformed to the same image pattern as the selected image pattern to a predetermined position to paste, and press the mouse button at this position, the previously selected image pattern will be pasted .

[0005]

In a conventional image forming apparatus, a pattern to be pasted is often represented by a mouse cursor, and positioning for pasting is often performed. This has the advantage of making it easier to visually grasp the image after pasting the pattern, but it was difficult to tell whether the pattern was correctly pasted immediately after pasting. For this reason, it is common practice to reproduce sound effects after pasting, but this is insufficient because sound effects alone cannot be visually recognized.

In particular, in the case of drawing software for children, since the user is a child, the operation of the mouse is inaccurate and it is difficult to paste an image in a correct position, or the child is tired of the operation. It can happen. In the case of software for children, it is important to devise ways to entertain children, but since conventional software only produces sound effects, it was insufficient in terms of entertaining children.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it easy to recognize whether an image has been correctly pasted in an image creating apparatus or software therefor,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus or a method that enables an image to be enjoyed even when used by a child.

[0008]

According to the image forming method of the present invention, a step of selecting an image pattern to be pasted on a display screen, a step of moving the image pattern to a position to be pasted, and a step of pasting the image pattern are performed. Performing a predetermined moving image display.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, an input means for a user to input a command to paste an image pattern on a screen, and the image to be pasted on the screen based on the command from the input means. An image for creating screen display data for performing display based on the moving image information data when the image pattern is pasted on the screen with reference to the pattern data and the moving image information data to be displayed when the image pattern is pasted It comprises a creating means and a display means for displaying the screen display data created by the image creating means on a screen.

In the present invention, when a specific pastable image pattern is selected from a menu and is pasted on a screen in an image producing application or an image producing application that operates on a computer, for each image pattern, Alternatively, a moving image associated with each operation in advance is displayed. This allows the user to visually confirm that the pasting has been performed correctly, and when used by a child, attracts the child's interest and greatly contributes to the child industry.

The moving image displayed when the image pattern is pasted can be moving image information data or program data for transforming or discoloring the pasted image pattern by a predetermined process.

For example, when pasting a picture of a dog, it is possible to enlarge the picture of the dog and then actually paste it.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the present invention, moving image information indicating that a pattern has been pasted is displayed for each pasting pattern and pasting operation, and this is presented immediately after pasting. This allows the operator to visually recognize that the image has been pasted.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an embodiment of an image creating system according to the present invention. The image creation system of the present invention includes an image creation device 10, a display device 11 for displaying an image created by the image creation device 10, and an input device 12 for inputting an image creation command to the image creation device 10. . The input device 12 is a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. Further, if necessary, it is possible to provide a sound effect reproducing device 15 that outputs a sound effect when pasting is performed correctly, but this is not always necessary in the present invention.

An image creation control unit 14 including a CPU and the like is provided inside the image creation device 10, and all inputs from the input device 12 are input to the image creation control unit 14 and processed. A ROM or a RAM is provided in the image creating apparatus 10 and stores pattern data of an image to be pasted and moving image information data on a moving image to be displayed when the image is correctly pasted.

When receiving an instruction from the input device 12, the image creation control unit 14 generates image data with reference to the pasted pattern data and moving image information data, and transmits the image data to the screen display content VRAM 13.
In this manner, the image data created by the image creation control unit 14 and stored in the screen display content VRAM 13 is displayed on the display device 11 as an image.

To output a sound effect at the time of pasting, in addition to providing the sound effect reproducing device 15, sound effect data is prepared in the image forming device 10 and various sound effects are prepared according to each case. Output. In this case, the image creation control unit 14 refers to the sound effect data according to the command input from the input device 12, and instructs the sound effect reproducing device 15 to output a sound effect.

As described above, in the present invention,
Since it is not always necessary to output a sound effect, the portion surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. 1 is not necessarily required. However, when outputting a sound effect, in addition to the sound effect reproducing device 15, the image creation control unit 14 Is configured so that the sound effect data can be referred to by the image creation control unit 14 so that the sound effect data can be output in accordance with a command from the input device 12. Note that it is also possible to configure the moving image information data by an object or the like so that a sound is produced as the data is executed.

The moving image information data in the above description can be program data for changing the display of the pattern data to be pasted according to a predetermined process. Hereinafter, the data indicating the moving image to be displayed when the pattern is pasted is the data indicating the moving image itself,
Description will be made assuming that program data for changing an image pattern by a predetermined method is also included.

A storage medium reading device 17 is connected to the image creation control section 14 so that a program for processing performed by the image creation control section 14 can be read.
First, a storage medium 16 (for example, a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, or the like) in which a processing program to be performed by the image creation control unit 14 is stored is inserted into the storage medium reading device 17, and the programs stored in the storage medium 16 Read the data of. The read data is stored in the image creation control unit 14.
And causes the image creation control unit 14 to perform the above-described processing.

Similarly, a communication interface 18 is connected to the image creation control unit 14. The communication interface 18 is for accessing another storage medium or the like via a communication line. For example, the database 1 of the program provider via the communication interface 18
9, the program for performing the processing of the present invention may be downloaded and the image creation control unit 14 may execute the program. Alternatively, although not shown, the communication interface 18 is used to connect to a server such as a large computer, the server executes a program for performing the processing of the present invention, and transmits only the result to the image creation control unit 14. It may be. In this case, the image creating device 10 performs a process of only displaying the result of the process on the display device 11.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing means for realizing a method for associating pattern data with moving picture information data. When creating an image and pasting the image and displaying a moving image, prepare moving image information for each image pattern,
It is necessary to associate a pattern with moving image information.

FIG. 2A shows a method for holding moving picture information together with pattern data. FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which the pattern data to be pasted and the moving image information data are separately stored, but here, the pattern data and the moving image information data are stored in a pair. In this case, for example, it is conceivable to store the pattern data and the moving image information data in a continuous storage area of one memory.

After reading the pattern data to be pasted, the image creation control section 14 reads the moving image information data, and when a predetermined command is input from the input device, the previously read moving image information data is read. , The moving image is displayed on the display device 11.

The pattern data includes a pointer to an address where the corresponding moving picture information data is stored, so that when the image creation control unit 14 reads the pattern data, the corresponding moving picture information data can be read. It is also possible.

FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a method for associating an image pattern with moving image information in a management table. In the management table, an index number, a pattern name, and a moving image information name are stored as a set, and each pattern name in the pattern name column of the management table is a pattern name in the corresponding data of the separately stored pattern data group. And pointers. Similarly, the separately stored moving image information data groups are associated with moving image information names and pointers in the management table, and when the image creation control unit 14 refers to the management table, desired pattern data and moving image information data are It is configured for reference.

Further, the pattern data and the pattern name, and the moving image information name and the moving image information data can be associated with each other by index numbers provided in the management table.

For example, when the image creation control unit 14 refers to the management table, first, a column where the pattern name matches is searched, and the index number of the column is obtained. The pattern data and the moving image information data are managed by the index numbers, and the image creation control unit 14 acquires the pattern data and the moving image information data by the index numbers.

The pattern data and the moving picture information data thus obtained are output to a display device. FIG. 3C shows a method for preparing moving image information for an operation.

In FIGS. 3A and 3B, moving image information is associated with each image pattern displayed on the display device, and different image patterns are displayed based on different moving image information. However, in the case of FIG. 3C, different displays are performed for the operations input from the input device 12.

For example, when an operation of drawing a straight line is input from the input device, a moving image display in which a color is changed at the time of pasting is performed, while an operation of pasting an image pattern prepared in advance is performed. Display such as pasting the pattern once after increasing the size of the pattern is performed.

As shown in FIG. 3C, in this case, too, a management table is prepared, and an operation command input from the input device 12 is received and analyzed by the image creation control unit 14.
Search the corresponding operation name in the management table. The moving image information name is managed corresponding to the operation name in the management table, and the moving image information data is associated as described with reference to FIG.

Therefore, the image creation control unit 14 reads the corresponding moving image information data from the operation name, and performs a display based on the read moving image information data when the corresponding operation is performed.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the image pasting process. First, a menu for selecting a process is displayed on the image creation screen, and an operation for pasting an image is selected from the menu by clicking with a mouse or the like (step S1). Next, a list of image patterns to be pasted is displayed, and a pattern is selected from the list and clicked with a mouse to select an image pattern to be pasted (step S2). When the image pattern to be pasted is selected, the image data of the selected pattern is read (step S3), and then the moving image information data corresponding to the selected pattern is read (step S4). At this time, if the moving image is realized by a program prepared for each pattern (for example, an image is expanded and contracted), the address of the corresponding program is obtained (step S4). In addition, if you want to play sound effects,
The sound effect data is read (step S5). However, if the moving image is configured as an object or the like and includes a sound effect, or if no sound effect is to be emitted, step S5 is unnecessary.

Next, after the design of the mouse cursor is converted into image data of a pattern to be pasted, the mouse cursor is moved on the screen with an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard, and the place where the pattern is pasted is clicked by the mouse. (Step S6). in this case,
In addition to using the design of the mouse cursor as the image data of the pattern to be pasted, it is also possible to perform the pasting of the pattern at the tip of the mouse cursor.

In step S7, the image data of the pattern is pasted at the position where the pattern is positioned, and in step S8, a moving image corresponding to the pattern is reproduced. Alternatively, when a moving image is reproduced by a program corresponding to the pattern, the program is executed.

Step S9 is not essential, but when the sound effect is read in step S5, the sound effect data is reproduced. Of the above steps, S3, S4, and S5 may be executed in any order.
Steps S4 and S5 may be performed immediately before steps S8 and S9. Similarly, steps S7, S8, and S9 may be performed in any order.

FIG. 4 is an example of an image creation screen for explaining an example of the apparatus and method of the present invention. This drawing is an example of drawing software for children, and a pattern list window 41 in which several types of image patterns that can be pasted on the screen of the back are currently open. Further, a mouse cursor 40 in the shape of a human hand is displayed and points to a picture of a dog.
Hereinafter, FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a case where this dog is selected and pasted on the back screen. When selecting a picture of a dog from the pattern list window 41 of FIG. 4, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the mouse cursor is brought to the position of the dog and clicked.

As shown in FIG. 5, when a dog picture is selected from the pattern list window 41 of FIG. 4, the pattern list window 41 disappears from the screen and a mouse cursor 51 in the form of a dog picture is displayed. . FIG. 5 shows a scene in which a picture of a dog pasted on the screen of the back and a mouse cursor 51 in the shape of a picture of the dog are displayed. In this way, by making the mouse cursor 51 itself the shape of the selected picture, the user can proceed with the operation while confirming whether the correct picture is selected.

When the mouse is clicked in the state of an image pattern like the mouse cursor 51, the image pattern is pasted on the background screen. The same image pattern is pasted each time you click in a different location. In FIG. 5, a number of dog pictures can be pasted on the background screen. According to the present invention, a moving image is displayed when the picture of the dog is pasted.

FIG. 6 shows a state where a picture of a dog is pasted. In FIG. 6, after the mouse cursor 51 that has become the dog's face is clicked, a moving image that makes the picture of the dog appear larger is displayed. When the display is completed, the dog's face is restored to its original size, and is pasted. In this way, if the dog's face is enlarged to show that it has been pasted correctly, it can be visually confirmed that the pasting has been successful, and in the case of software for children, it will attract children's interest Can be done. Therefore, it is very effective for a system used by children as well as a system used by adults, and is expected to contribute particularly to the child industry.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show another example of a moving image displayed at the time of pasting. FIG. 7 shows a state in which a cat face is selected from the pattern list window as shown in FIG. By selecting the face of the cat, the design of the mouse cursor 71 is changed to the face of the cat, so that the user can clearly indicate what has been selected. In this state, the mouse cursor 71 is moved and positioned, and when the mouse is clicked, the face of the cat is pasted at the position where the back screen is positioned.

FIG. 8 shows a case where a moving image indicating that a cat's face laughs is assigned as data as a moving image indicating that the pasting was performed normally, and the design of the mouse cursor 71 indicates that the cat laughed. After turning into a face, return to the original and paste it on the back screen.

FIGS. 9 to 12 show examples in which the present invention is applied to the case of drawing a line segment. First, as shown in FIG. 9A, a menu window 91 is displayed, and a line segment drawing is selected. Next, as shown in FIG. 9B, the start point which is the start of the line segment is clicked. Here, the mouse cursor 92 has a pencil-shaped design corresponding to the selection of the line segment drawing. When the start point is clicked, as shown in FIG. 10A, the mouse cursor 92 in the shape of a pencil is moved and brought to the position of the end point of the line segment. At this time, a rubber band is generally displayed from the start point to the end point. The user can refer to the rubber band display and make an estimate of the line to be drawn. Then, when the position of the end point is determined, a line segment is pasted by clicking at the position.

FIG. 10B shows an example of displaying a moving image in which the line segment is thickened when the line segment is pasted. FIG. 11A shows an example in which, when a line segment is pasted, the line segment is thickened and the color is red. (In the drawing, it is monochrome, but when it is actually displayed on the display device 11, red is displayed on a color screen.)
(B) shows an example in which a line segment is temporarily wavy when the end point is clicked.

As shown in the examples from FIG. 10B to FIG. 11B, various displays are possible when the line segment is pasted, and when these displays are completed, as shown in FIG. , A line segment is pasted at the position indicated by the start point and the end point.

In the examples from FIG. 10B to FIG. 11B, rather than displaying a fixed moving image, various displays need to be performed depending on the shape of the line segment to be drawn. A predetermined program needs to be associated with the operation. With these programs, it is possible to create a program that performs any kind of display according to the intention of the designer who constructs the system.

Although the above embodiments have been described with reference to specific display examples, the present invention is not limited to these, and any display method that can be visually recognized when pasting an image pattern is used. And the apparatus should also be considered as a modification of the present invention.

In particular, the image data and the data associated with the operation are not limited to the standard moving image information data, and can be a program for performing deformation or discoloration so that the target to be pasted can be visually recognized. In other words, the "moving image" in the present invention includes such a wide-ranging display, and according to this, includes an operation for any paste target.

Further, in the embodiment, the display may be such that the face of the cat is temporarily laughed when pasting, the face of the dog is temporarily enlarged, or the line is temporarily wavy. The display shows that the dog's face gradually expands from a small size to a large size, a display that a cat opens and closes and laughs, and a wave that undulates the line from one side Performing the display moving to the other is also included in the moving image display in the above description.

[0051]

When an operation of pasting an arbitrary pattern on an image being created is performed, the operator can visually recognize that the pattern has been pasted. Also, by devising a pattern to be pasted or a moving image prepared for each pasting operation, an effect such as making the image creation fun can be produced.

In particular, in an image forming apparatus for children,
It has the effect of raising the interest of children as compared with conventional devices or methods, and has a large contribution in the children's industry.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing means for realizing a method of associating pattern data with moving image information data.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an image pasting process.

FIG. 4 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining the method of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining the method of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 3) for explaining the method of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram (part 4) explaining the method of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram (No. 5) explaining the method of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram (No. 6) explaining the method of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram (No. 7) explaining the method of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram (No. 8) explaining the method of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram (No. 9) explaining the method of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 image creation device 11 display device 12 input device 13 screen display content VRAM 14 image creation control unit 15 sound effect reproduction device 40, 51, 71, 92 mouse cursor 41 pattern list window 91 menu window

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI G09G 5/36 510 G06F 15/62 320A 5/38 340D

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An image creating method for creating an arbitrary image on a display, comprising: selecting an image pattern to be pasted on a display screen; moving the image pattern to a position to be pasted; Performing a predetermined moving image display when pasting. 2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the image pattern is a picture of an animal face, and the predetermined moving image display displays a change in facial expression corresponding to each animal face. How to make. 3. The image creating method according to claim 1, wherein said moving image display is a display for enlarging an image pattern to be pasted. 4. The image creating method according to claim 1, wherein the moving image is displayed by changing a color of an image pattern to be pasted. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the moving image is displayed by waving an image pattern to be pasted. 6. An image creating apparatus for creating an arbitrary image on a display, comprising: storage means for storing data of the image pattern to be pasted on a screen and moving image information data to be displayed when the image pattern is pasted; Means for inputting an instruction to paste the image pattern on the screen by the user, and, based on the instruction from the input means, data of the image pattern to be pasted on the screen and stored in the storage means, and Image creating means for creating screen display data for performing display based on the moving image information data when the image pattern is attached to a screen by referring to moving image information data to be displayed at the time of pasting; Display means for displaying the screen display data created by the means on a screen. Image creation device. 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the moving image information data is program data for changing a display of an image pattern. 8. The image pattern is a picture of an animal face, and the moving picture information data is data for performing a process of displaying a change in facial expression corresponding to each animal face. The image creation device according to claim 6. 9. The image creating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the moving image information data is data indicating a process for performing a display for enlarging an image pattern to be pasted. 10. The image creating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the moving image information data is data indicating processing for changing the color of an image pattern to be pasted and displaying the image pattern. 11. The image creating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the moving image information data is data indicating a process of displaying a wavy image pattern to be pasted. 12. A computer-readable storage medium for causing a computer to perform a function of creating an arbitrary image on a display, wherein said image pattern data to be pasted on a screen and moving image information data to be displayed when said image pattern is pasted. And a function for allowing a user to input an instruction to paste an image pattern on a screen. Based on the inputted instruction, data of the image pattern to be pasted to the stored screen and the image pattern A function to create screen display data for performing display based on the moving image information data when the image pattern is pasted on a screen by referring to moving image information data to be displayed at the time of pasting; A function of displaying screen display data on a computer screen. A computer-readable storage medium for storing programs. 13. A computer-readable storage medium for causing a computer to perform a function of creating an arbitrary image on a display, wherein a program having a function of causing the computer to display a predetermined moving image when pasting an image pattern is stored. Computer-readable storage medium.