JPH10200730A - Photographic print generating method and system, and storage medium storing program for the method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To generate a photo print as expected by customers at a low cost with a simple operation in the case of editing a photographic image recorded on a film to generate the print. SOLUTION: Low resolution image data of a photographic image read from a film 1 are recorded on a recording medium 2 with a software for image edit and the medium 2 is served for a customer so that the customer itself can make edit of a photograph by using a personal computer 6 or the like. In the case of placing an order of a print, edit instruction information being a record of operations made by the customer for its edit is received from the customer in a form of the recording medium 2, a scanner 3 is used to read a film with high resolution based on the edit instruction information and image data are edited automatically and a printer 4 is used to print out the edited data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a method and a system for creating an edited photographic print such as an album edit print and a trimming print, and a storage medium storing a program therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, there has been known a print service for creating a postcard containing a photograph, an original calendar, and the like using photographs taken by a customer. In such a service, usually, a negative or a print received from a customer is read by a scanner to digitize a photographic image, and after a customer performs an editing process desired by the customer, printing is performed. Here, the editing processing is, specifically, layout determination and trimming processing, or a combination of a photographic image and an illustration, characters, and the like. This information is transmitted to the service provider by indicating the desired layout or illustration from a sample prepared in advance.

On the other hand, software for editing photographic image data on a personal computer is known. This means, for example, using a media such as a photo CD, a photo image can be imported to a personal computer as digital image data, and a desired photo can be selected, arranged, trimmed, combined with text and illustrations on the personal computer screen. You can do it.

[0004]

In the case of the above-mentioned print service, the actual editing work is performed by referring to a drawing or the like written by a customer by a lab operator or the like. For this reason, the finish of the print is not always as desired by the customer, and for example, the range of trimming is different, and the position of the character is often slightly different from the expected position.

[0005] In addition, when an album print in which a large number of photographic images are arranged in a complicated layout is to be created, detailed instructions must be given to an operator, which imposes a heavy burden on the customer. Further, in such a case, as a matter of course, the work load on the operator is large, so that the service price must necessarily be increased as a service provider.

Here, for example, by using the above-mentioned software, the customer himself performs the editing work, passes the edited image data to the service provider, and requests the print service, so that the customer's intention is obtained. Can be conveyed reliably, but it is necessary to exchange high-resolution image data between the service provider and the customer so that they can be printed out, and the use of a large-capacity recording medium is indispensable.

However, for example, MO or ZIP
Such high-capacity recording media are more expensive than FDs and the like, and it is not desirable to pass them on to service prices. In addition, since the diffusion rate of such large-capacity recording media in ordinary households is much lower than that of FDs, limitation of media may hinder the spread of services.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a photographic print producing method capable of producing a print as expected by a customer with a simple operation at a low cost.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A photographic print creation method according to the present invention is a photographic print creation method for creating a photographic print by editing a photographic image recorded on a film.
Various operations for the editing are performed using the low-resolution image data of the photographic image, and the operations are recorded as editing instruction information. Based on the recorded editing instruction information, a high-resolution image of the photographic image is displayed. It is characterized in that the photo print is created by automatically editing data.

A photographic print creation system for creating a photographic print according to the above method is a photographic print system for creating a photographic print by editing a photographic image recorded on a film. A low-resolution image data obtaining means for obtaining low-resolution image data of the photographic image and recording the low-resolution image data on a predetermined recording medium,
Editing means for enabling various operations for performing the editing using the low-resolution image data recorded on the recording medium, and recording the performed operation on a predetermined recording medium as editing instruction information, Print creating means for automatically editing high-resolution image data of the photographic image based on the editing instruction information recorded on a recording medium to create the photographic print. is there. Preferably, the print creating means is a digital printer.

Here, the "low-resolution image data" may be created by roughly reading the film with the film scanner, or may be created by subjecting the high-resolution image data read by the film scanner to pixel number conversion processing or the like. You may. That is, "low-resolution image data acquisition means"
May be a film scanner or a combination of a film scanner and pixel number conversion processing means. The film scanner for reading high-resolution image data and the film scanner used for obtaining low-resolution image data may be the same or different.

The "predetermined recording medium" for recording low-resolution image data specifically means a recording medium such as a floppy disk used in a personal computer or the like. As this recording medium, MO, ZIP, or the like may be used, but recording of low-resolution image data does not particularly require a capacity. . If communication means can be used to transfer low-resolution image data from the service provider to the customer, the recording medium may be a hard disk or the like.

[0013] The "editing means" is specifically a personal computer in which the above-mentioned image editing software is incorporated. The storage medium storing the program of the present invention is nothing but a storage medium storing such a software program, and the program stores the low-resolution image data recorded on the predetermined recording medium on a display device. A program that allows various operations by the input device for performing the editing using the displayed low-resolution image data, and records the performed operation as edit instruction information on the predetermined recording medium. It is characterized by having.

Here, "permitting various operations for performing the editing" means, for example, displaying low-resolution image data and an operation menu for editing on a screen of a personal computer, and allowing the user to use a mouse, keyboard, or the like. Using the input device of
This means that the user can select a frame to be included in the print, specify a trimming range, lay out a photographic image or illustration, or input characters to be included in the print.

"Recording the performed operation as editing instruction information on a predetermined recording medium" means, for example, that a selected menu, coordinates specified by a mouse or the like, characters input from a keyboard, etc. are stored in a predetermined format. That is, it is converted to a format and recorded. That is, the editing instruction information includes, for example, the number of the selected frame, the shape, size and position coordinates of the range specified as the trimming range,
Information such as position coordinates of each laid-out image, contents of input characters, position coordinates, font, size, and the like. However, the position coordinates recorded as the editing instruction information are not coordinates on the screen, but, for example, in the case of trimming, it means a relative position with respect to the low-resolution image data displayed on the screen, and in the case of layout, it is to be created. Means the position on the print. That is, it is assumed that all information necessary for automatically reproducing the editing work performed in another environment (equipment) is recorded as editing instruction information. "Auto edit".

The "predetermined recording medium" on which the editing instruction information is recorded may be the same as or different from the recording medium on which the low-resolution image data is recorded. Further, in order to facilitate the handling in the print output means, for example, a recording medium (for example, a non-volatile memory embedded in the cartridge) integrated with a film cartridge storing a film may be used. Alternatively, the editing instruction information may be simply recorded on a hard disk of a personal computer or the like, and communication instruction or the like may be separately prepared to transfer the editing instruction information to the service provider via a network.

The high-resolution image data may be read and stored at the time of acquiring the low-resolution image data. However, at the time of producing the print, the print creating means creates a high-resolution image data necessary for editing based on the editing instruction information. The reading of the resolution image data may be instructed to the film scanner.

Further, since a lab or the like often handles a large number of films of a customer at one time, the low-resolution image data acquiring means is used to specify a film on which a photographic image carried by the low-resolution image data is recorded. The film specifying information is recorded on the recording medium together with the low-resolution image data, and the print creating unit performs collation between the recording medium and the film loaded in the film scanner based on the film specifying information. It is desirable.

It is desirable to use a film stored in a film cartridge. This facilitates the handling of the film.For example, from among a plurality of film cartridges stored in a removable state as needed, a film cartridge storing the film specified by the film specifying information is selected. An automatic changer for automatically retrieving, extracting and loading the film scanner may be provided. In that case, the film identification information may be information for identifying a film cartridge.

[0020]

According to the method and system for producing a photographic print of the present invention, low-resolution image data of a photographic image read from a film is provided to a customer together with image editing software so that the customer himself can edit the photograph. ,
Receives from the customer editing instruction information that records the operation performed by the customer for editing, not the edited image data when ordering the print, and automatically generates high-resolution image data of the customer's photographic image based on the editing instruction information. Edit it.

Thus, the photographic print created by the automatic editing accurately reflects the customer's intention.
In addition, since the editing work is not required, the burden on the service provider is reduced. Also, since the data exchanged between the customer and the service provider is only low-resolution image data and editing instruction information for ordering, it is possible to use a small-capacity but inexpensive medium for data transfer. The cost can be reduced.

Further, when the print is created, a photographic image to be included in the print is determined with reference to the editing instruction information, and based on this, only the necessary high-resolution image data is read, so that the necessary data can be obtained. Since it is read when necessary, the equipment cost for storing high-resolution image data can be reduced.

In the case where the film is read at the time of making the print, if the film specifying information for specifying the film is previously recorded on the recording medium together with the low-resolution image data, the print is performed. At the time of creation, it is possible to check whether or not the recording medium and the set film correspond to each other based on the film identification information. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a film selection error at the time of print creation.

Further, the handling of the film is facilitated by using the film stored in the film cartridge, and a necessary film cartridge is automatically selected from a plurality of film cartridges stored in a state where the film cartridge can be taken out if necessary. If an automatic changer is provided which retrieves information and retrieves it and sets it in the scanner, the efficiency of the reading process at the time of print creation can be further improved.

Further, by using a recording medium on which the editing instruction information is recorded as a non-volatile memory embedded in a film cartridge, it is easy to associate the recording medium with the film. Can be omitted.

According to the storage medium storing the program of the present invention, the customer installs the program on his / her personal computer or the like via the storage medium,
It becomes possible to use the customer's personal computer as an editing means having a function of recording the editing instruction information.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A method and system for producing a photographic print according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the flow of processing from ordering to providing a print service in the system of the present invention.

In this system, when simultaneous printing is performed by the lab system 11, the developed film 1 is read by the scanner 3, the print 4 is created by the printer 4, and the image data read by the low-resolution image data output means 5 is output. Is created and output to the recording medium 2 as a file. The printer 4 may be the same as that used in a general laboratory system.

The low-resolution image data output means 5 is, for example, an image processing device or a media drive. The low-resolution image data performs filtering processing on the high-resolution image data read for print output, for example. To reduce the number of pixels. Alternatively, it may be obtained by performing low-resolution reading for file output separately from high-resolution reading for print output. In any case, the created low-resolution image data is output to the recording medium 2 via an output device such as a floppy disk drive.

Here, the low-resolution image data is used when editing such as layout and trimming on a personal computer screen, so that there is no problem in performing such editing work on a monitor. Is desirable. More specifically, the resolution may be set so that the expression of the person in the photograph can be understood. Preferably, the resolution is reduced to such an extent that the data amount is such that low-resolution image data of a photographic image for one film can be recorded on a floppy disk which is a widely used medium. Alternatively, low-resolution image data may be compressed and recorded as needed.

At this time, in addition to the low-resolution image data, editing software used for editing, a template such as a background image or an illustration used for editing, and order information such as the number of prints are created in the recording medium 2. The order reception software to be executed is stored together. In addition,
In the same manner as the photographic image data, a template having a lower resolution than the template used when actually performing print output is stored. This template may also be compressed as needed. Note that these software and templates do not necessarily need to be stored on the same recording medium as the low-resolution image data, and may be separately stored and provided on another recording medium. This recording medium 2 is delivered to the customer together with the print 8. In the case of APS, the developed film 1 is also returned to the customer.

The customer who has received the recording medium 2 installs the editing software stored in the recording medium 2 or another recording medium on the personal computer 6 or the like, thereby editing the photographic image on the screen of the personal computer 6. It can be carried out. This editing software is, for example, Photo Factory (Fuji Photo Film), which is a commercially available editing software, displays photographic image data on the screen of a personal computer, and uses an input device such as a mouse for an image on the screen. It can be used to perform image selection, trimming, color correction, layout, and the like.

Generally, such editing software is used to save the edited image data again on a recording medium and to later enjoy and enjoy it. In addition to such functions, the editing function has a function of recording an operation performed by the editor while looking at the screen, for example, a menu type and a position coordinate designated by a mouse and creating editing instruction information. Editing instruction information
The information is recorded as information of a predetermined data format determined between the printer and the printer that recognizes and processes the information.

The editing instruction information created as described above is stored in the recording medium 2 and passed to the laboratory together with the developed film 1. The lab system 12 reads the editing instruction information from the recording medium 2 by the reading and editing instruction information input means 7 such as a floppy disk drive. The film feed mechanism of the scanner 3 is controlled based on the read editing instruction information so that only the frames necessary for editing are read. Similarly, high-resolution data of a template required for editing is input by the template input unit. Alternatively, the high-resolution data of the template may be stored and stored in a disk of the laboratory system 12 in advance so that it can be searched.

The high-resolution image data, high-resolution template, and the like prepared as described above are automatically edited (for example, trimmed or laid out) based on the editing instruction information, and output as a print 9 by the printer 4. .

In general, a lab or the like often handles a large number of customers' films at a time. Therefore, the collation may be performed so that the combination of the film and the recording medium 2 is not mistaken at the time of print creation. For this purpose, film identification information for identifying the film 1 may be recorded on the recording medium 2 when the low-resolution image data output means 5 outputs a file. Thus, the lab system 12 can check whether the film set on the scanner 3 is the film specified by the editing instruction information.

Alternatively, instead of the film 1 and the recording medium 2, a structure in which a memory is embedded in a film cartridge is used, and a mechanism for reading and writing data to and from the memory is incorporated in a lab system or a peripheral device of a personal computer. Even if the collation as described above is not performed, the film 1
And the storage medium 2 can be understood.

The transmission of the editing instruction information to the laboratory may be performed by using a network without using the recording medium 2.
In this case, since the developed film 1 must be managed in the lab without being returned to the customer, in order to facilitate the management, for example, a necessary film is searched from a plurality of films and automatically sent to the scanner. It is desirable to incorporate an autochanger function for setting into the lab system 12. That is, if the above film identification information is used,
It becomes possible to read the editing instruction information and automatically set the necessary film on the scanner.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a photographic print creation system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Developed film 2 Recording medium 3 Scanner 4 Printer 5 Low-resolution image data output means 6 Personal computer 7 Edit instruction information input means 8 Print 9 Edited print 10 Template input means 11 Lab system 12 Lab system

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Norihisa Haneda 3-11-46 Izumi, Asaka-shi, Saitama Prefecture Inside Fujisha Shin Film Co., Ltd. (72) Sugio Makishima 3-11-46 Izumi-zu, Asaka-shi, Saitama Inside Fujisha Shin Film Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Tanaka 3-11-46 Izumi, Asaka-shi, Saitama Prefecture Inside Fujisha Shin Film Co., Ltd.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A photographic print creation method for creating a photographic print by editing a photographic image recorded on a film, comprising: performing various operations for editing using low-resolution image data of the photographic image; A method for recording an operation as edit instruction information, and automatically creating high-resolution image data of the photographic image to create the photographic print based on the recorded edit instruction information. . 2. A photographic print system for editing a photographic image recorded on a film to create a photographic print, comprising: a film scanner for reading the film; and obtaining the low-resolution image data of the photographic image to obtain the low-resolution image. Low-resolution image data acquisition means for recording image data on a predetermined recording medium, and various operations for performing the editing using the low-resolution image data recorded on the recording medium are performed; Editing means for recording an operation on a predetermined recording medium as edit instruction information; andautomatically editing high-resolution image data of the photographic image based on the edit instruction information recorded on the recording medium, thereby obtaining a photographic print. A photographic print creation system, comprising: a print creation means for creating. 3. The print scanner according to claim 2, wherein the print creating unit instructs the film scanner to read high-resolution image data of a photographic image required for the editing based on the editing instruction information. Photo print creation system. 4. A photographic print creation system according to claim 2, wherein said print creation means is a digital printer. 5. The low-resolution image data acquiring means records film specifying information for specifying a film on which a photographic image carried by the low-resolution image data is recorded on the recording medium together with the low-resolution image data. 5. The photographic print production system according to claim 3, wherein said print production means performs collation between said recording medium and a film loaded in said film scanner based on said film identification information. 6. The photographic print creation system according to claim 2, wherein a film stored in a film cartridge is used as said film. 7. A film cartridge storing a film specified by the film specifying information is automatically searched for from a plurality of film cartridges stored in a removable state as needed and taken out. 7. The photographic print creation system according to claim 6, further comprising an autochanger to be loaded on the film scanner. 8. The photographic print creation system according to claim 6, wherein a recording medium on which the editing instruction information is recorded is integrated with a film cartridge in which the film is stored. 9. A storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a process performed by the editing unit according to claim 2, wherein the program causes the computer to execute low-resolution image data recorded on the predetermined recording medium. Is displayed on a display device, enabling various operations by the input device for performing the editing using the displayed low-resolution image data, and performing the performed operation as editing instruction information on the predetermined recording medium. A storage medium storing a program characterized by being a program to be recorded.