JPH10200727A - Still picture synthesis device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To permit a person who is not skilled in a computer to execute work with a simple operation by synthesizing a picture through the use of private hardware. SOLUTION: The user selects a frame picture for inserting a photograph picture, it is read by a picture reader and is written into a first picture memory through a change-over switch. The written frame picture is held by a second picture memory through the change-over switch. The photograph picture for inserting it into the frame picture and synthesizing them is read and it is written into the first picture memory. When picture synthesis is instructed, the change- over switch is changed over in accordance with a character, a graphic and area designation information stored in a key signal memory. Picture data of the second picture memory is inserted into a picture insertion area '1' and picture data of the first picture memory is inserted into a picture insertion area '0'. Thus, the synthesized picture corresponding to a template which the user selects is displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an electronic image processing technique for creating a new image by arbitrarily combining photographic prints, handwritten characters, or printed characters and figures, and editing and combining these. And a still image synthesizing device.

[0002]

Conventionally, in the case of combining a photo print, handwritten characters, or printed characters and figures by combining them with a photographic technique to create a new image,
After exposing the image of the photograph in a state where the area other than the part of the image of the photograph to be used is shielded, so-called multiple exposure is performed, in which the image area is shielded and the image combined with the image area is exposed. I do.

However, when a composite image is created by multiple exposures as described above, it is necessary to perform a plurality of exposures and develop the photographic paper, which requires complicated operations, and requires a long time to create the composite image. There was a problem to take. For this reason, it is difficult to perform image synthesis while changing the image synthesis position, trimming, and the like while checking the created synthesized image, and the operability is poor and work efficiency is not good.

As another method, there is known a method of electronically capturing an image using a computer or the like and combining the images to combine the images. In this method, first, a photographic film is read and sold by, for example, an image scanner, and the image recorded on the photographic film is converted into image data and input to a computer. Next, using an image editor for editing image data or the like, the image data is inserted into an area specified by the user on a previously prepared pattern.

[0005] In the creation of a composite image using such a computer, various processes can be performed, but on the other hand, the cost of the entire apparatus becomes high, and in order to create a composite image, selection of the composite image and designation of trimming are required. However, complicated operations such as setting of an image combining position are required. Also, in such a general-purpose computer, since the processing is generally performed by software, image processing such as synthesis of image data is slow, and the operability is not good, so that only a person skilled in a computer can use the computer properly. There was a problem.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, an image is synthesized using dedicated hardware, so that even a person who is not skilled in a computer can perform an operation with a simple operation. This realizes a good image editing device. The still image synthesizing device of the present invention is a still image reading unit that reads a still image such as a frame image in which a photographic image is synthesized with a photographic image and converts it into image data, a first image memory for storing photographic image data, A second image memory for storing photographic image data, a key signal memory for storing key information for synthesizing images in the first image memory and the second image memory, and a second signal memory based on the information in the key signal memory. The image reader includes control means for performing control for synthesizing images in the first image memory and the second image memory, and synthesizes an arbitrary portion of a photographic image or synthesizes a handwritten character or figure with a photographic image. This is a device that can be easily performed by using the device.

In the still image synthesizing apparatus according to the present invention, the reading of the image data from the image memory and the reading of the insertion pattern from the image memory are controlled so that the image data is inserted into the area indicated by the area designation information. In this control, since the synthesizing operation is performed in accordance with the key information associated with the area designation information, an operation is easy, and a device capable of quickly synthesizing a photographic image and synthesizing with a character figure is realized. I can do it.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a still image synthesizing apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, an IMI is an image input device such as a scanner. ME1 is an image first memory, ME2
This is an image second memory. A circuit for designating a CID character, figure, and color, and a key are circuits for generating a key signal. KEM is a character, graphic, key signal memory, and VMC is a video memory. Z
MC is an electronic zoom circuit, and VDC is a video circuit. P
IF is printer interface, PR is Punta, M
O is a monitor. SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4,
SW5 is a changeover switch.

The image input device IMI has a changeover switch S
W1 to the first image memory ME1, and the changeover switch SW1 for the character, graphic, and key signal generation circuit KEY.
It is connected to the. The output terminal of the first image memory ME1 is connected to the electronic zoom circuit ZMC. The image second memory ME2 output terminal is connected to the video memory VMC and the printer interface PIF. The output terminal of the character, graphic, and color designation circuit CID is connected to the video memory VMC via changeover switches SW2 and SW3, and the image second memory M via the changeover switch SW5.
It is connected to E2.

The output terminal of the electronic zoom circuit ZMC is connected to the video memory VME via the changeover switch SW3, and is connected to the second image memory ME2 via the changeover switch SW4. The output terminal of the key signal generation circuit KEY is connected to a character, graphic, and key signal memory KEM. The output terminal of the character / graphic key signal memory KEM drives the changeover switch SW3. Video memory VM
The output terminal of C is connected to the monitor MO via the video circuit VDC. The output terminal of the printer interface PIF is connected to the printer PR.

The operation of the still image synthesizing apparatus thus constructed according to the present invention will be described below. There are the following three basic modes of image synthesis by the still image synthesis apparatus of the present invention. 1. A composite image is created in which a photographic image is fitted into a frame portion of a frame image prepared in advance in a device in the form of a template. The operation of synthesizing this image is controlled by a key signal.

2. An arbitrary frame image and a key signal for fitting a photographic image into the frame image are read from a scanner, and a composite image in which a photographic image is fitted into a frame portion of the frame image is created using the key signal. 3. The handwritten characters and figures are read by a scanner and combined with a photographic image. The difference between the first and second forms of the above-described basic composition is that a frame image for fitting a photographic image and a key signal for controlling an operation for fitting the photographic image to the frame image are prepared in the apparatus in advance. Or read from the outside, so the description of the first embodiment is also used as 2
An example of the embodiment will be described.

[0013] An arbitrary frame image and a key signal for fitting a photographic image into the frame image are read from a scanner, and using this, a composite image is created in which the photographic image is fitted into the frame portion of the frame image. First, the user selects two photographic images, a photographic image to be used as a frame image for fitting a photographic image and a photographic image to be fitted into a frame. Next, a photographic image to be used as a frame image is input to the image input device IMI.
And writes it in the first image memory ME1 via the changeover switch SW1. Image first memory M
The frame image written in E1 is replaced by the changeover switch SW4.
Is sent to and held in the image second memory ME2.

Thereafter, information (graphics and the like) of an area to be extracted as a frame from the frame image is created, read out by the image input device IMI, and is read via the switch SW1 and the key signal generation circuit KEY. The signal is converted into a signal and written into a character, a figure key, and a signal memory KEM. The key signal is used to specify an area for synthesizing a photographic image and control the synthesizing operation. Further, a photographic image to be inserted into the previously selected frame image is read by the image input device IMI, and is written to the first image memory ME1 via the changeover switch SW1.

After the above fraud is completed, the photographic image held in the first image memory ME1 is replaced with characters, graphics, and the like in the frame image for inserting the photographic image held in the second image memory ME2. Using the key signal written in the key signal memory KEM, an operation of creating a composite image in which a photographic image is fitted in the frame portion of the frame image is performed.

In this case, the operation of the synthesizing operation is performed by a controller that controls each element of FIG. 1 according to a preset program, and this part is performed by a processor that operates according to the program. The description will be focused on the operation of each element and the flow of data as a result of the omitted control. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of key information. The key information will be described with reference to FIG.

A user creates information (a figure or the like, hereinafter referred to as a template) of an area to be extracted as a frame from a frame image as shown in FIG. 2A. As shown in FIG. 2A, this template is created in two colors of white and black, and the portion "0" to be left as a frame of the frame image is painted in black and another photographic image or the like is inserted. The portion "1" to be extracted is left white. The template shown in FIG. 2A is an image input device IMI.
Is applied to the key signal generation circuit KEY via the changeover switch SW1, converted into a key signal as shown in FIG. 2B, and written into the character, graphic, and key signal memory KEM.

This key signal corresponds to the address of the pixel in the first image memory ME1 and the second image memory ME2.
If the color of the template portion at the address corresponding to each pixel is black, it is converted to a binary signal of "0" if it is white, and it is converted to a binary signal of "1" and stored at the address corresponding to each pixel. Therefore, the key signal has area designation information for designating the area of the image data, and image processing information for performing a predetermined image processing on the image data. In this example, the area designation information included in the key signal corresponding to the template of FIG. 2A is information as shown in FIG. In FIG. 2B, an area indicated by “1” indicates an area from which image data corresponding to this area is extracted, and an area indicated by hatched “0” corresponds to this area. 3 shows an area from which no extracted image data is extracted.

If the area designation information of the key signal is not a binary signal but a multi-valued signal, it is possible to switch the boundary of the composite image with a stepwise gradation.
A special effect can be given to the boundary of the composite image.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of synthesizing a photographic image. In synthesizing the photographic image, the user selects a frame image for inserting the photographic image as shown in FIG. 3A, reads the frame image with the image input device IMI, and reads this through the changeover switch SW1. Write to the first memory ME1.

When a frame image is written in the first image memory ME1, the frame image is displayed on the electronic zoom circuit Z.
The video signal is supplied to the video circuit VDC via the ML, the switch SW3, and the video memory VME, and the frame image selected by the user is displayed on the monitor MO. Therefore, the size and position of the frame image can be adjusted as necessary. . The frame image written in the first image memory ME1 is sent to and held in the second image memory ME2 via the changeover switch SW4.

Next, the user selects an image as shown in FIG. 3B in order to fit the frame image into the frame image, and reads this photographic image by the image input device IMI, and switches this by the changeover switch SW1. Is written to the image first memory ME1 via the. When the image data is written in the first image memory ME1, the image data is supplied to the video circuit VDC via the electronic zoom circuit ZML, the switch SW3, and the video memory VME, and the monitor MO displays the frame image selected by the user. Since the image to be fitted is displayed, its size and position can be adjusted as needed.

When the above operation is completed, the operation of synthesizing an image is started. When an instruction for image composition is given, the changeover switch SW3 is switched in accordance with area designation information for designating an area as shown in FIG. 2B stored in the character signal, figure, and key signal memory KEM.

With the changeover switch SW3, characters, figures,
In accordance with the area designation information stored in the key signal memory KEM, the image information stored in the first image memory ME1 and the image data stored in the second image memory ME2 are switched and supplied to the video memory VME. I do. That is, the image first memory ME1 and the image first memory M of the area designation information stored in the character, figure, and key signal memory KEM.
When the data of the address corresponding to the pixel of E2 is "0", the information of the pixel of the photo image memory ME1 is stored. When the data of the address is "1", the information of the pixel of the image second memory ME2 is stored. Write to the pixels of the video memory VME.

By performing such an operation on all of the character, graphic, and the area designation information stored in the key signal memory KEM, the video memory VME stores the character, graphic,
The image data of the second image memory ME2 is inserted into the image insertion area “1” specified by the information of the key signal memory KEM, and the image data of the first image memory ME1 is inserted into the image insertion area “0”. As a result, the video memory VME
Creates image data as shown in FIG. The image data of the video memory VME is stored in a video circuit VD.
A combined image corresponding to the template selected by the user is displayed on the monitor MO via C.

If the user wants to change the composite image in this state, the user selects new key information. When new key information is selected or selected, the selected key information is supplied to the character, graphic, and key signal memory KEM, and the changeover switch SW3 operates the image first memory in accordance with the newly set information area designation information. The image information stored in ME1 and the image information stored in image second memory ME2 are switched and supplied to video memory VME. As a result, a composite image in which the image data has been inserted in the image insertion area corresponding to the changed key information is displayed on the monitor MO.

The user can input characters, graphics, and key information memory K
By simply changing the key information of the EM, it is possible to create a variety of composite images in which image data is inserted into the image insertion area corresponding to the changed key information, and confirm the images on the monitor MO. Work efficiency can be improved. When the final confirmation of the composite image is performed by the user, the image data of the image second memory ME2 is replaced with the image data of the image first memory ME1 through the switch SW4 based on the key information of the key information memory KEM, and the image composition is performed. Is done. Further, if necessary, the image is supplied to the printer PR via the printer interface PIF, and the printing of the synthesized image is performed, thereby completing the image synthesizing operation.

In the present invention, a new photographic image can be further synthesized with the synthesized image of the photographic image created as described above. When such an operation is performed, a new photographic image is read from the image input device IMI and stored in the first image memory ME1. The data of the composite image created by the above two modes is held in the image second memory ME2. Thereafter, a figure serving as a template for designating an area where two photographic images are to be combined is created, read from the image input device IMI, and used as key information, and stored in the character, figure, and key signal memory KEM.
Thereafter, by performing the same synthesizing operation of the synthesized photo image as described above, a new photo image can be additionally synthesized with the synthesized image in the image second memory ME2.

In the above description, in order to combine two photographic images, a figure serving as a template for designating the area is created, read from the image input device IMI, and key information is created therefrom. However, when the combined pattern of images and the frame image (image to be combined) are determined in advance, the key information and the frame image (image to be combined) can be created in advance. An example of this case is described in 1. above. It is a form of. The above 1. In the embodiment, key information and a frame image (image to be synthesized) created in advance are stored in a data storage medium such as an optical disk or MO or MD, and necessary data is read out when synthesizing a photographic image. Input to the character, figure, and key signal memory KEM.

The key information is character, graphic, key signal memory K
When input to the EM, the subsequent operation of synthesizing the photographic image will be described in the second embodiment. The operation is performed in the same manner as described above. In this case, since it is not necessary to create a template figure and create key information, it is possible to quickly combine photographic images. Particularly in this case, it is very convenient because a part or all of the photographic image to be synthesized is stored in a data storage medium such as an optical disk or an MO or MD.

In the above embodiment, the case where the shape of the image insertion area that can be designated by the key information is a rectangle using a straight line has been described. However, the shape of the image insertion area is not limited to a rectangle, but is arbitrary. Can be shaped. For example, assuming that the image insertion area is circular, the image data is trimmed into a circle and combined to match the shape of the image insertion area. By using a template having such a shape, it is possible to create a composite image in which, for example, personal image data is inserted into a circular image insertion area, and family image data is inserted into an image insertion area around the image insertion area. Can be.

In the present invention, in order to simplify the structure of the apparatus, the image data supplied to the video memory VME when synthesizing the images has a resolution sufficient to display on the display screen of the monitor MO. It is also possible to reduce the amount of data by lowering the density of the image. In this case, not only does the memory capacity decrease, but also the image first memory ME1.
Then, data transfer from the image second memory ME2 to the video memory VME can be performed at high speed.

In this manner, the user can check the synthesized image by looking at the display image on the monitor MO, and can perform a zoom operation if necessary. When zooming is performed, the electronic zoom circuit ZML supplies the image data stored in the photographic image memory ME1 that has been subjected to arithmetic zoom processing to the video memory VME.

The image data stored in the first image memory ME1 is inserted into the image insertion area on the template specified according to the area specification information of the key information, and the image data of the synthesized image is created. The image is supplied to the image second memory ME2. Specifically, a read address of the image first memory ME1 and a write address of the image second memory ME2 are generated in accordance with the area designation information of the character, graphic, and key information stored in the key signal memory KEM. Control is performed so that the image data read from the memory ME1 is supplied to the image second memory ME2.

Thus, the image data read from the first image memory ME1 in accordance with the read address is inserted into the image insertion area specified by the write address above the image data in the second image memory ME2, and the composite image is read. Created. The composite image data in the image second memory ME2 is supplied to the printer PR via the printer interface PIF and printed according to an instruction from the user. Since the image data stored in the image first memory ME1 and the image data stored in the image second memory ME2 have a resolution sufficient for printing, the composite image supplied to the printer has a high resolution. Is set high.

That is, in such a still image synthesizing apparatus, when synthesizing images, when checking the synthesized image, the monitor M is used by using the image data whose resolution is reduced.
By forming an image to be displayed on O, the operation of selecting key information or processing such as zooming and trimming can be sped up to improve operability and simplify the configuration of the apparatus. In this case as well, image data to be output can be formed using high-resolution image data after the setting of the composite image is determined, so that a composite image with good image quality can be obtained.

Next, the above 3. A method for reading a handwritten character or figure in the form of (1) with a scanner and synthesizing it with a photographic image will be described. When combining information such as handwritten characters and figures with a photographic image, the user first creates characters or figures to be combined with the photographic image in advance, or selects characters or figures to be used for combination from existing characters and figures. It is necessary to choose.

First, an example of generating a key signal having character and graphic information from a handwritten character and graphic used in the still image synthesizing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. explain. As shown in (c) of FIG. Similarly to the figure for obtaining the key information for designating the area described in the embodiment, it is drawn in white on black paper. This example shows an example in which a white Roman letter "S" is drawn on a black ground.

Characters and graphics as shown in FIG. 2C are read by the image input device IMI, which is applied to a key signal generation circuit KEY via a changeover switch SW1 and is converted into key information to be converted into characters and graphics. , Key signal memory K
Written to EM. The key information having the character and graphic information is stored in the image first memory ME1 and the image second memory ME2.
Corresponding to the address of the pixel, and “0” when the color of the template portion of the address corresponding to each pixel is black,
In the case of white, it is converted into a binary signal of "1" and stored at the address corresponding to each pixel.

For this reason, the key information has area designation information for designating the area of the image data, and image processing information for performing predetermined image processing on the image data. In this example, the area designation information included in the key information corresponding to the handwritten character or graphic information in FIG.
The information corresponds to the character "S" as shown in FIG. In FIG. 2D, an area indicated by “1” indicates an area from which image data corresponding to this area is extracted, and an area indicated by “0” with diagonal lines corresponds to this area. 3 shows an area from which no extracted image data is extracted.

Next, a specific example of a case where a photographic image is combined with a handwritten character or figure will be described with reference to FIG. First, it is assumed that the user selects a handwritten character or graphic as shown in FIG. 4A and selects a photographic image as shown in FIG.

A handwritten character or graphic as shown in FIG. 4A is read by the image input device IMI, and is converted into key information via the changeover switch SW1 and the key signal generation circuit KEY, and is converted into key information. The figure is written to the key signal memory KEM. The key information corresponds to the pixel addresses of the first image memory ME1 and the second image memory ME2, and is “0” when the color of the template portion of the address corresponding to each pixel is black, and is “0” when the color is white. Is converted into a binary signal of "1" and stored at the address corresponding to each pixel.

FIG. 4B shows a photographic image combined with character data as shown in FIG. FIG. 4 (b)
Is read by the image input device IMI and written to the first image memory ME1 via the changeover switch SW1. When a photographic image is written to the first image memory ME1, the photographic image is supplied to the video circuit VDC via the electronic zoom circuit ZML, the switch SW3, and the video memory VME, and the monitor MO displays a photograph selected by the user. Since the image is displayed, its size and position can be adjusted as needed.

When the user confirms the photographic image to be synthesized, the user instructs the image to synthesize handwritten characters and graphic information. In this case, no image data has been input to the image second memory ME2. In this state, when the user instructs the synthesis of the character information, the changeover switch is switched according to the area designation information for designating the area as shown in FIG. 4A stored in the character, figure, and key signal memory KEM. Switching between SW2 and SW3 is performed.

With the changeover switch SW3, characters, figures,
According to the area designation information stored in the key signal memory KEM, the image data stored in the image first memory ME1 and the changeover switch SW2 switch between the color data designated by the color designation circuit CID and the video data stored in the video memory VME. Supply. That is, if the color data specified by the image first memory ME1 and the color specifying circuit CID of the area specifying information stored in the character, graphic, and key signal memory KEM is “0”, the pixel of the image first memory ME1 Is written into the pixel of the video memory VME corresponding to this address, and in the case of "1", the information of the color specified by the color specifying circuit CID is written.

By performing such an operation on all of the area designation information stored in the key signal memory KEM, the video memory VME stores characters, graphics, and images designated by the area information in the key signal memory KEM. Data of the color specified by the first memory ME1 and the color specifying circuit CID is inserted into the video memory VME, and handwritten characters and graphics are extracted from the photographic image data of the image first memory ME1 as shown in FIG. (C) of FIG. 4 in a form in which the information of
A composite image as shown by is created.

The color of a handwritten character or graphic part of the composite image data in the video memory VME is specified by a character or graphic color specifying circuit CID. The user can arbitrarily select the color of a handwritten character or graphic by setting the character / graphic color designation circuit CID. As the image data of the video memory VME, an image synthesized by the user is displayed on the monitor MO via the video circuit VDC, so that it is possible to appropriately select the color of the handwritten characters and figures while watching this image.

When the final confirmation of the synthesized image is performed by the user, the information of the first image memory ME1 is transmitted via the switch SW4 based on the key information, and the color information of the characters and figures is transmitted via the switch SW2. , Graphic color designation circuit CID
And the image is synthesized on the image second memory ME2. Further, if necessary, the image is supplied to the printer PR via the printer interface PIF to print the synthesized image, and the operation of synthesizing the image is completed. It is also possible to synthesize a new character or graphic with the composite image of the photo image and the character or graphic created as described above. When such an operation is performed, the above 3. The data of the composite image created in the form of
The process moves to the first image memory ME1 via W4. Thereafter, new character or image information is read from the image input device IMI, and this is used as key information and stored in the character, graphic, or key signal memory KEM. Thereafter, a new character or graphic can be additionally synthesized by performing the same synthesizing operation as described above.

A composite image for additionally synthesizing a new character or graphic is described in 3. above. However, the present invention is not limited to the one created in the form of the above. Or 1. The present invention can also be applied to a composite image of photographic images created by the above-described embodiment. In order to do this, the above 2. Or 1. The data of the composite image created in the second embodiment and held in the second image memory ME2 is moved to the first image memory ME1 via the switch SW4. Thereafter, new character or image information is read from the image input device IMI, and this is used as key information and stored in the character, graphic, or key signal memory KEM.

Thereafter, by performing the same operation of synthesizing a character or graphic and a photographic image as described above, a new character or graphic can be additionally synthesized with the composite photographic image. In the description so far, the above 1.2.3. In the description of the embodiment, the example in which the photographic image used for the composition is read by a scanner and used is described, but the photographic image is also captured by an image recording medium such as an MD or MO or a video camera. Anything that can be read into an image memory such as a video can be used.

[0050]

As is apparent from the above description, the still image synthesizing apparatus of the present invention performs image synthesizing using dedicated hardware, so that even a person who is not skilled in a computer can easily perform image synthesizing. Operation can be performed by operation. For this reason, efficient image editing work can be performed by a person who does not have any special technology.

The still image synthesizing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a still image reading means for reading a still image such as a frame image in which a photographic image is synthesized with a photographic image and converting it into image data; and a first image storing means for storing the photographic image data. An image memory, a second image memory for storing photographic image data, a key signal memory for storing key information for synthesizing images of the first image memory and the second image memory, and information of the key signal memory. Control means for performing control for synthesizing the images of the first image memory and the second image memory based on the image of the arbitrary part of the photographic image and the synthesis of the handwritten characters and figures with the photographic image It is made easy to use a scanner.

For this reason, the still image synthesizing apparatus of the present invention can easily synthesize not only a frame image prepared in advance but also handwritten characters and graphics, and furthermore, an original frame image. I can do it.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a still image synthesizing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of key information.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an operation of synthesizing a photographic image.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an operation in a case where a photographic image is combined with a handwritten character or figure.

[Explanation of symbols]

IMI: Image input device, ME1: Image first memory, ME2: Image second memory, CID
... Character, figure, color designating circuit, KEY ... Key signal conversion circuit, KEM ... Character, figure, key signal memory VMC ... Video memory, ZMC ... Electronic zoom circuit, VDC ...・ Video circuit, PIF
・ Printer interface, PR ・ ・ ・ Printer,
MO: Monitor, SW1, SW2, SW3, SW
4, SW5 ... changeover switch

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Izumi Kariya 6-7-35 Kita Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A still image reading means for reading a still image such as a frame image in which a photographic image is synthesized with a photographic image and converting the image into image data, a first image memory for storing the photographic image data, and a photographic image data. A second image memory for storing, a key signal memory for storing key information for synthesizing images of the first image memory and the second image memory, a first image based on information of the key signal memory A still image synthesizing apparatus, comprising: control means for performing control for synthesizing an image in a memory and an image in a second image memory. 2. A still image reading means for reading a still image such as a frame image in which a photographic image is combined with a photographic image and converting the image into image data, a first image memory for storing the photographic image data, and a photographic image data. A second image memory for storing, a key signal memory for storing key information for synthesizing images of the first image memory and the second image memory, a first image based on information of the key signal memory A still image synthesizing apparatus, comprising: a control unit for performing control for synthesizing an image in a memory and an image in a second image memory; and a printing unit for printing a synthesized image. 3. A still image reading means for reading a still image such as a frame image in which a photographic image is synthesized with a photographic image and converting the image into image data, a first image memory for storing the photographic image data, and a photographic image data. A second image memory for storing, a key signal memory for storing key information for synthesizing images of the first image memory and the second image memory, a first image based on information of the key signal memory A still image synthesizing unit comprising: a control unit for performing control for synthesizing an image in a memory and an image in a second image memory; and a monitor unit for monitoring an image in the first image memory and the second image memory. apparatus. 4. A still image reading means for reading a still image such as a frame image in which a photographic image is synthesized with a photographic image and converting the same into image data, a first image memory for storing the photographic image data, and a photographic image data. A second image memory for storing, an electronic zoom circuit for enlarging or reducing image data, a key signal memory for storing key information for synthesizing images of the first image memory and the second image memory,
A still image synthesizing apparatus, comprising: control means for performing control for synthesizing images in a first image memory and a second image memory based on information in a key signal memory. 5. A still image reading means for reading a still image such as a frame image in which a photographic image is combined with a photographic image and converting the image into image data, a first image memory for storing the photographic image data, and a photographic image data. A second image memory for storing, a video memory for holding combined image data of the first image memory and the second image memory, and a key for combining images of the first image memory and the second image memory A still image synthesizing apparatus, comprising: a key signal memory for storing information; and control means for performing control for synthesizing an image in the first image memory and an image in the second image memory based on the information in the key signal memory. apparatus. 6. A still image reading means for reading a still image such as a frame image in which a photographic image is synthesized with a photographic image and converting the image into image data, a first image memory for storing the photographic image data, and a photographic image data. A second image memory for storing, a switch for switching image data of the first image memory and the second image memory and supplying the video data to the video memory, and a composite image data of the first image memory and the second image memory , A key signal memory for storing key information for synthesizing images of the first image memory and the second image memory, a first image memory and a second image memory based on the information of the key signal memory. A still image synthesizing apparatus, comprising: control means for performing control for synthesizing images in an image memory. 7. A still image reading means for converting a photographic image and characters and figures combined with the photographic image into read image data, an image memory for storing photographic image data, and a key signal from character and figure data. Key signal circuit to create,
Character or figure color designating means for designating the color of a character or figure, a key signal memory for storing key information for synthesizing images in the first image memory and the second image memory, and information based on the key signal memory. A still image synthesizing apparatus, comprising: control means for performing control for synthesizing a character or a figure with an image in an image memory. 8. A still image reading means for converting a photographic image and characters and graphics combined with the photographic image into read image data, a first image memory for storing photographic image data, and storing photographic image data. A second image memory, a key signal circuit for creating a key signal from character or figure data, a character or figure color designating means for designating a character or figure color, a first image memory and a second image memory A key signal memory for storing key information for synthesizing the image of the first image memory, control means for performing control for synthesizing the images of the first image memory and the second image memory based on the information of the key signal memory, A still image synthesizing apparatus comprising a printing unit for printing an image. 9. A still image reading means for converting a photographic image and characters and graphics synthesized with the photographic image into read image data, a first image memory for storing the photographic image data, and storing the photographic image data. A second image memory, a monitor for monitoring images such as the first image memory and the second image memory, a key signal circuit for generating a key signal from character or figure data, and specifying a color of a character or figure Means for specifying the color of a character or figure to be processed, a key signal memory for storing key information for synthesizing images in the first image memory and the second image memory, and a first image memory based on the information in the key signal memory. A still image synthesizing apparatus, comprising: control means for performing control for synthesizing an image from the second image memory; and printing means for printing the synthesized image. 10. A still image reading means for converting a photographic image and characters and graphics combined with the photographic image into read image data, a first image memory for storing photographic image data, and storing photographic image data. A second image memory, an electronic zoom circuit for enlarging and reducing image data,
A key signal circuit for creating a key signal from character or figure data, a character or figure color designating means for designating the color of a character or figure, and a means for synthesizing images in the first image memory and the second image memory. Key signal memory for storing key information, control means for performing control for synthesizing images in the first image memory and second image memory based on information in the key signal memory, and printing means for printing the synthesized image A still image synthesizing apparatus comprising: 11. A still image reading means for converting a photographic image and characters and graphics combined with the photographic image into read image data, a first image memory for storing photographic image data, and storing photographic image data. A second image memory, a video memory for holding composite image data of the first image memory and the second image memory, a key signal circuit for creating a key signal from character and graphic data, and a color for characters and graphics. Means for specifying the color of a character or figure to be specified, a key signal memory for storing key information for synthesizing images in the first image memory and the second image memory, and a first image based on information in the key signal memory A still image synthesizing apparatus, comprising: a control unit for performing control for synthesizing an image in a memory and an image in a second image memory; and a printing unit for printing a synthesized image. 12. A still image reading means for converting a photographic image and characters and graphics combined with the photographic image into read image data, a first image memory for storing photographic image data, and storing photographic image data. A second image memory, a switch for switching the image data of the first image memory and the second image memory and supplying the video data to the video memory, and holding the combined image data of the first image memory and the second image memory A video signal memory, a key signal circuit for generating a key signal from character or graphic data, a character or graphic color designating means for specifying a color of a character or graphic, and an image in a first image memory and a second image memory. A key signal memory for storing key information to be combined, and a system for performing control for combining images in the first image memory and the second image memory based on information in the key signal memory. Means, still image synthesizing apparatus comprising: a printing means for printing the composite image.