JPH11126265A - Image processor and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor which performs even the layout change, etc., of character information with a simple operation, confirming the balance, etc., to a frame when the character information is embedded in the frame and its method. SOLUTION: To a size change instruction of a frame in which a frame and characters or an image are connected as one body, variable power processing is not performed of image data. When variable power of only either a vertical or horizontal direction is instructed to character data, a layout is changed so that the number of lines and digits can stay just within the frame without changing the size of characters themselves, and when variable power of both the vertical and horizontal directions are instructed, the size of characters themselves are changed without changing the layout.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method capable of scaling output information, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus and method for scaling a character frame, a figure or a frame bordering an image. Things.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a document creating apparatus or an image system having a function of displaying a figure or an image together with a document, if the size of a character frame, a frame surrounding a figure or an image, or a grouped figure is changed, Has changed proportionally in proportion to the size change ratio, and the information fitted in the frame has been also univocally scaled at the same magnification as the frame.

[0003]

However, the width of the frame has a width that is more suitable for the type and size of the character or image to be entered, and especially in the case of a character, the number of characters to be entered inside the frame is large. In such a case, if the width of the frame is also increased according to the size of the frame, the balance with the characters in the frame may be lost.

Further, when character information is inserted in a frame, it is not limited to a case in which it is desired to increase the size of the character itself by an instruction to change the size of the frame. Sometimes you want to change. However, conventionally, in such a case, it is necessary to perform input / edit processing such as separating the frame from the character information at one end and increasing or decreasing only the character information, changing the layout, and then fitting the frame again. , Troublesome operation was inevitable.

Further, since the editing of the character information is performed completely separately from the frame, there may be cases where the image is different from the expected image when integrated, and in such a case, it is necessary to start over from the beginning. Changing the layout was very difficult. The present invention has been made with the object of solving the above-described problems.For example, when character information is inserted in a frame, the layout of the character information can be changed while checking the balance with the frame. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus and method which can be performed by simple operations.

[0006]

As means for solving the above-mentioned problems, for example, the following arrangement is provided. That is, an image processing apparatus capable of performing scaling processing of output information, comprising: scaling instruction means for collectively instructing scaling of a specific area; and character data in an area designated by the scaling instruction means for scaling. When the scaling instruction means instructs scaling of the specific area only in either the vertical direction or the horizontal direction, the layout is changed without changing the size of the character itself, and When both vertical and horizontal magnifications are instructed, a change means for changing the size of the character itself without changing the layout is provided.

[0007] For example, the change of the layout by the change means is characterized by changing the number of lines and the number of digits of the character information. Alternatively, for the image data of the area in which the scaling instruction has been issued by the scaling instruction means, the changing means instructs the scaling in only the vertical or horizontal direction of the specific area. In that case, the size of the image is not changed.

[0008] For example, the specific area for which the magnification instructing means instructs the magnification to be changed is an area within a frame including a previously registered area. And, for example, the changing unit holds the output position of the output image of the first size and the output position of the output image of the first size with respect to the frame, and outputs the output image of the second size. Holding means for holding the output position at the second size;
The change unit is configured to change the scaled image corresponding to the designated scaling ratio based on the change ratio of the output image between the first and second sizes held in the holding unit of the scaled image of the frame specified by the change instruction unit. A frame image generating means for generating a frame image.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, an example in which the present embodiment is applied to a drawing processing system for a set of objects structured by objects will be described. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is an overall schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of one invention according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse for inputting characters, frame sizes, and the like, and may further include an image input unit for inputting image information and the like. The image input unit may be any input device such as a disk device that can read a magnetic disk storing image information, a reading device that reads a document image, and the like. Further, it may receive a processed image or processed document information from another information processing apparatus via a communication medium.

[0012] Reference numeral 12 denotes a document creation device for rendering a set of objects or an editing processing device (central processing unit) in an image system; 13 a display device such as a display; 14 a print processing device such as a printer; It is a data storage device for storing data and the like. In the above configuration, the editing processing device 12 handles image information, character information, frame information, and the like input from the input device 11 as objects, and registers these objects in, for example, the data storage device 15 to form a structured object. Drawing processing is performed as an aggregate of objects, and the result is displayed on the display screen of the display device 13 and printed out from the print processing device 14.

Then, the editing processing device 12 inputs an instruction from the input device 11 to display or print out the size of the object stored in the data storage device 15 or displayed on the display device 13. Can be changed freely. Details of this change in size will be described later. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a window including four objects, which is an example of an object aggregate according to the present embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 2, when the size is changed only in the horizontal direction (x-axis direction), the display state drawn on the display device 13 is shown before and after the size change. The upper part shows the state before the size change, and the lower part shows the state after the size change (enlargement).

In FIG. 2, the window position before and after the size change is intentionally moved downward for easy understanding, but the reference position of the window displayed on the display device 13 does not change. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 20 denotes an object as an outer frame window before resizing,
W20 is the width of the outer frame window 20, 21 is an object on the left side which is one of the objects constituting the outer frame window 20, and X21 is an object 21 from the left end which is one of the drawing attributes of the object 21 on the left side. The position coordinate W21 is the width of the object 21 which is one of the drawing attributes of the object 21 on the left side.

Reference numeral 22 denotes an object in the middle portion which is one of the objects constituting the outer frame window 20,
X22 is the position coordinate of the object 22 from the left end, which is one of the drawing attributes of the middle part 22, and W22 is the middle part 22.
Is the width of the object 22 which is one of the drawing attributes.
23 is an object on the right side which is one of the objects constituting the outer frame window 20, and X23 is an object on the right side 2
Object 23 from the left end which is one of the drawing attributes of No. 3
Is the width of the object 23, which is one of the drawing attributes of the right part 23.

Reference numeral 24 denotes an object as an outer frame window after the size change, W24 denotes the width of the outer frame window 24 after the size change, and 25 denotes an outer frame window 2 after the size change.
X25 is an object on the left side, which is one of the objects constituting X4.
Is the position coordinate of the object 25 from the left end, which is one of the drawing attributes, and W25 is the outer frame window 25 after the size change.
Is the width of the object 25, which is one of the drawing attributes.

Reference numeral 26 denotes an outer frame window 24 after resizing.
X26 is the position coordinate of the object 26 from the left end, which is one of the drawing attributes of the middle portion 26, and W26 is one of the drawing attributes of the middle portion 26, which is one of the drawing attributes of the middle portion 26. Is the width of the object 26. An object 27 on the right side, which is one of the objects constituting the outer frame window 24 after the change, X
Reference numeral 27 denotes position coordinates of the object 27 from the left end, which is one of the drawing attributes of the right portion 27, and W27 is the width of the object 27, which is one of the drawing attributes of the right portion 27.

FIG. 3 shows the editing processing apparatus 1 in the processing of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a control flowchart of No. 2; Less than,
With reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, an object size changing process according to the present embodiment will be described. The following description is for FIG.
The processing is performed according to the processing flow shown in FIG. First, an object to be processed is displayed on the display screen of the display device. For this, for example, the frame shown in FIG. 2 is selected from the input device 11 from various frame information stored in the data storage device.
This selection may be performed by sequentially selecting desired information from various types of frame information, image information, document information, and the like stored in the data storage device 15. For example, a large number of information stored in the data storage device 15 may be displayed in a size that can be specified for each specific group, and desired information may be sequentially selected from the input device 11.

When it is necessary to change the display size (print output size) of the information selected or in the middle of the selection in this way, the processing shifts to the processing shown in FIG. First, at step S31, FIG.
The right end portion of the outer frame window 20 shown in the upper part of FIG. When the size change instruction is issued, the process proceeds to step S32, and it is determined whether or not the determination of the drawing attribute with respect to the objects of all the size-changed object groups has been completed. At first, since the determination of all object attributes has not been completed, the process proceeds from step S32 to step S33, and for each object constituting the window with the changed size, an aggregation is performed according to the attributes held by the objects. A new attribute is determined according to the size change of. Then, the process returns to step S32.

For example, looking at the object 21 in FIG. 2, the size w21 of the object 21 is determined by the attribute f21w (α) based on the ratio (α) between the size change difference (w24−w20) and the size w20 before the change. The drawing position is determined by the attribute f21x (α). Other objects are also determined according to individual attributes.
In this way, the attributes are determined for all the objects one by one. If the attributes are determined for all the objects, the process proceeds from step S32 to step S34, and all the objects are drawn according to the newly determined attributes.

Note that drawing of objects with new attributes is not limited to a method of drawing all objects together after all attributes are determined as shown in the flowchart of FIG. A method of drawing immediately is also conceivable. FIG. 2 shows an example in which only the size change in the horizontal direction (x direction) is performed. However, by combining the vertical direction (y direction), objects of various sizes at various positions are intended in the window. Can be arranged

As described above, for example, when a frame is represented as a group of a large number of objects, a drawing attribute is attached to each object which is a component of each frame, and the size of the frame is changed, each component of the frame is changed. Independent drawing characteristics can be provided for each object, and by appropriately setting the drawing attributes for each object, when the size of the object aggregate is changed, each object constituting the object aggregate is retained. As a result of performing the drawing based on the respective attributes when the size change is performed, the position and the size of the object can be drawn without any discomfort from the intention of the object aggregate.

A method for determining independent drawing attributes for each object when changing the size of an object group, such as in the present embodiment, will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of determining an attribute at the time of size change in the present embodiment. The example in FIG. 4 is an example of a window including three objects as an example of an object aggregate. In the example of FIG. 4, an example in the first size, an example in the second size, and a first example in a case where the size change is performed in a combination of the horizontal direction (x-axis direction) and the vertical direction (y-axis direction). 14 shows a display state drawn on the display device 13 when the magnification is designated to be an intermediate size between the example of the second example and the second example.

The following description focuses on the movement of an object in the horizontal direction (x-axis direction) for simplicity. However, the movement is also substantially the same in the vertical direction (y-axis direction). In FIG. 4, each window position is intentionally moved to the upper right for easy understanding, but the reference position of each window displayed on the display device 13 does not change.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 41 denotes a display example based on the drawing attribute in the first size, and a reference value (x
It is an example of the object as a window in 1). Reference numeral 42 denotes a display example based on the drawing attribute in the second size, which is an example of an object as a window at a reference value (x2) in the x-axis direction. Reference numeral 43 denotes a display state drawn on the display device 13 when the magnification is designated to be an intermediate size between the first example and the second example, and indicates an arbitrary value (x3) in the x-axis direction. It is an example of an object as a window.

A is a star-shaped object drawn in a closed area of a Bezier curve which is one of the objects, b is a triangular object drawn in a closed area of a Bezier curve which is one of the objects, and c is an object 3 shows a circular object drawn in a closed area of a Bezier curve. In the window 41 at the reference value (x1) in the x-axis direction, w41 is the width of the outer frame window 41, and x41a is the object a in the window 41.
, X41b is the position coordinate of the object b in the window 41 in the x-axis direction, and x41c is the position coordinate of the object c in the window 41 in the x-axis direction.

Further, in the window 42 at the reference value (x2) in the x-axis direction, w42 is the width of the window 42, and x42a is the object a in the window 42.
, X42b is the position coordinate of the object b in the window 42 in the x-axis direction, and x42c is the position coordinate of the object c in the window 42 in the x-axis direction.

In this embodiment, not only the example shown in FIG. 4 but also the object of the first size (reference values x1, y1) and the object , The object at the second size (reference value x2, y2) and the drawing attribute of the object are stored in the data storage device 15, for example. And the following 43
In the same manner as in the example shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to deal with drawing of an object when the size is changed to any size.

That is, when the scaling of the object to an arbitrary size is designated, the drawing attribute at the first size and the drawing attribute at the second size are compared, and the amount of change between the two drawing attributes is determined. The drawing attribute for the designated arbitrary size is obtained, and the drawing attribute of the object according to the size change is determined. In the object 43 as the outer frame window at the arbitrary value (x3) in the x-axis direction determined in this way, w43 is the width of the window 43, x43a
Is the position coordinate of the object a in the x-axis direction in the window 43, x43b is the position coordinate of the object b in the x-axis direction in the window 43, and x43c is the window 4
3 is the position coordinate of the object c in the x-axis direction.

The drawing attribute w43a indicating the drawing position of the star-shaped object a in the window 43 is the drawing position w43a of the star-shaped object a with respect to the width w41 of the window 41.
Of the width w43 and the drawing position w43a of the star-shaped object a with respect to the size of the window 43 from the ratio of the width w43 of the window 42 and the change amount of the ratio of the drawing position w42a of the star-shaped object a with respect to the width w42 of the window 42. The drawing position attribute of the star-shaped object a in size is set.

The same applies to the drawing position attributes 43b and 43c of the triangular object b and the round object c. Further, the width of each figure at the time of drawing each of the star-shaped object a, the triangular-shaped object b, and the round-shaped object c is similarly obtained by comparing the change amounts of the widths of the respective figures 41 and 42 with each other. , The width of each figure at an arbitrary size is determined.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a part of the attributes of the star-shaped object a as an example of the data structure of each object. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 501 denotes data indicating the type of figure, and 502 denotes a minimum reference value x in the x-axis direction shown in FIG.
1 is Bezier curve data as the position coordinates of the object in the window, 503 is the Bezier curve data as the position coordinates of the object in the window at the maximum reference value x2 in the x-axis direction shown in FIG. Start flag data of a Bezier curve to be used.

Reference numeral 505 denotes Bezier curve data for drawing a star graphic, 506 denotes Bezier curve combination end flag data for drawing a star graphic, and 507 denotes a mask for performing a background on a star graphic object. Bezier curve mask combination start flag data, 508 is Bezier curve data for mask setting, 509 is Bezier curve data combination end flag data for mask setting, 510 is an image or character area to be embedded in a star-shaped figure. Bezier curve data 511 are image and character data to be embedded in a star-shaped figure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of an object having the attribute shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the figure embedded (fitted) in the star-shaped figure is displayed in a form in which the part where the star protrudes from the other figure is automatically deleted. For example, as shown in FIG. When the star graphic is scaled, the range of the displayed graphic fluctuates. In this case, the center of the image is not changed, and the positional relationship when the image is pasted by the input device 11 is maintained.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a change in the coordinates of each object in the x-axis direction in FIG. 7, 71 is the maximum value in the x-axis direction in the outer frame window of FIG. 4, 72 is the minimum value in the x-axis direction of the outer frame window of FIG. 4, and 73 is the position coordinate of the object a in FIG. , 74 are the position coordinates of the object b in FIG. 4 in the x-axis direction, and 75 are the position coordinates of the object c in FIG. 4 in the x-axis direction.

In this embodiment, in principle, the drawing position attribute is based on the size of the first size object and the drawing position, the second size object and the drawing position, and the change ratio of the drawing position. For example, in the example of FIG. 4, a round figure or a star figure is
There is a considerable variation in the rendering position of the rendering attribute between the first size and the second size. For example, when the magnification is designated to be much larger than the object of the second size, the rendering position is outside the outer frame as it is. It jumps out and, in extreme cases, disappears from the outer frame. Since such a situation is not preferable, in the present embodiment, if a size other than between the first size and the second size is specified, the maximum size that can be drawn is determined from the change ratio. The drawing position is controlled so that all objects are drawn within the outer frame within the range.

That is, in the example shown in FIG. 7, if the drawing position of the star-shaped figure drawing position 73 is changed while keeping the change ratio between x1 and x2, the drawing position as shown in 73b will be obtained.
At the position shown in FIG. For this reason, a straight line 73 connecting the position of the star-shaped figure a at the time point x2 from the position of the size 0 (the size 0) outside the position x2.
The change rate of the drawing position is controlled so that the position corresponding to the position on the extension of “a” is set as the drawing position and does not come outside the outer frame 71.

The same applies to the round figure c. That is, in the round figure c, if the drawing position is changed while keeping the change ratio between x1 and x2, the drawing position becomes as shown at 75b and reaches the outside of the outer frame at the position shown at p2. I will. Therefore, outside the x2, the round figure c at the time point x2 from the position of the size 0 (the size 0)
The position corresponding to the position on the extension of the straight line 75a connecting the position is set as a drawing position so as not to come outside the outer frame 72.

These controls are exactly the same in the y direction. According to the above-described embodiment, when the size of the object aggregate is changed, the attribute of each object included in the object aggregate when the size change is held is added. As a result of drawing based on the object, the position and size of the object can be drawn without any discomfort from the intention of the object aggregate. Further, when an outer frame is set for an object, even if the object is scaled, the object after the scaling is prevented from protruding outside the frame without largely deviating from the intention of the object group. it can.

As a specific example of the case where the processing shown in FIG. 3 is executed, a case of the variable magnification drawing processing of the object group shown in FIG. 4 will be described as an example. In FIG. 4, when the right end or the lower right portion of the outer frame window 41 is pulled with the mouse to change the size (S31), the minimum reference values x1 and x in the x-axis direction are set for each of the objects constituting the window. It is determined whether the change is within the range of the maximum reference value x2 in the axial direction (S32).

At this time, if x1 and x2 are within the range, x1
The position coordinates are determined based on the attributes of the object in the mapping between the object and x2. Also, the change is greater than x2,
The extension of the mapping between x1 and x2 is the maximum value 3 in the x-axis direction.
If 1 and the minimum value 32 do not intersect, the position coordinates are determined based on the attributes of the object in the mapping of x1 and x2.

On the other hand, if the change is greater than x2 and x1
When the extended line of the mapping of x and x2 intersects the maximum value 31 and the minimum value 32 in the x-axis direction (p1, p2), the position coordinates are proportionally determined from the position of x2. If the change is smaller than x1 and the extension of the mapping between x2 and x1 does not intersect the maximum value 31 and the minimum value 32 in the x-axis direction, the attribute of the object in the mapping between x1 and x2 The position coordinates are determined based on.

The change is smaller than x1 and x2
If the extension of the mapping between x and x1 intersects the maximum value 31 and the minimum value 32 in the x-axis direction, the position coordinates are proportionally determined from the position of x1 up to the limit value x0. As described above, when changing the size of the object aggregate, a new attribute is determined based on the attributes held by the objects and the reference values of two or more points (S33).

For example, in FIG.
, The change x3 in the x-axis direction is in the range between the reference value x1 and the reference value x2, and each object (a, b, c) changes in the mapping of x1 and x2. In this case, looking at the object a, by the changed size w43,
The drawing position x43b of a is the Bezier attribute f (w
43). Other objects are also determined according to individual attributes.

As described above, the attributes of all the objects are determined one by one, and if the attributes of all the objects are determined (S32), all the objects are drawn with the determined new attributes (S34). In addition, as shown in step S34, drawing of an object with a new attribute is not only a method of drawing all objects at once after all attributes are determined, but also a method of drawing immediately when each attribute is determined. Conceivable.

In FIG. 4, only the size change in the horizontal direction (x direction) is described. However, attributes are set in the vertical direction (y direction) in the same manner, and various sizes of various sizes are set at various positions. Objects can be intentionally placed in the window.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the size of the object aggregate is changed, each attribute included in the case where the size change held by each object constituting the object aggregate is added As a result of performing the drawing based on the object, the position and size of the object can be drawn without any discomfort from the intention of the object aggregate.

Next, a description will be given of the handling of document information or image information embedded (fitted) in the frame and the relationship with the frame attribute. The size of the frame is set as described above. In the present embodiment, a plurality of frames are registered in the data storage device 15 in advance as a template. Information and document information are also registered. And the display device 13
The user can select desired frames, figures, documents, and the like as necessary using the display screen of, and arbitrarily combine them to print out from the printing device 14.

The document information and the image information can be separately input from the input device 11 and embedded at an arbitrary stage of combination. Hereinafter, details of the frame selection processing and the embedding processing in the frame in the present embodiment will be described. First, the process of embedding image data in a frame (photo frame) will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a frame selection process and a process of embedding image data in a frame in the present embodiment.

In step S51, the operator selects image data and a photo frame in which the image data is to be embedded. The selection is performed, for example, in the following procedure. A plurality of images registered in the data storage 15 in advance are displayed on the display screen of the display device 13 in a reduced size, for example, on the right side of the screen, and a desired image in the displayed image data is double-clicked with the mouse of the input device 11. By clicking, the image is selected and displayed as an enlarged figure on the left side of the screen.

Alternatively, a desired image may be displayed by selecting and moving the desired image with a mouse and superimposing it on the left screen. Furthermore, a scanner or a CD-ROM is
When an image input device such as a device, an FD device, or a digital camera is provided, image data is read from the image input device, and the read image is displayed on the left side of the screen as image data of a predetermined size.

Subsequently, the operator displays on the display screen of the display device 13 a photo frame selection screen which is a frame designed in advance to embed image data among the frames registered in the data storage 15 in advance. Then, a desired photo frame in the displayed photo frames is selected. This selection is made by, for example, double-clicking a mouse provided on the input device 11. Alternatively, a desired photo frame may be selected and moved with a mouse, and may be superimposed on the image data.

In the following description, a case where rectangular image data is selected as image data and a circular photo frame is selected as a photo frame will be described as an example. When the selection of the photo frame for the image data is completed in step S51, the rectangular area data Xe of the image data is extracted in step S52. Here, a comprehensive rectangular area that is placed (not rotated) is extracted. This extraction state is shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the extraction state of the comprehensive rectangular area.

Next, in step S53, the editing processing device 12 obtains a rectangular area within the frame (display area) of the selected photo frame. That is, based on the area defined by the closed Bezier curve forming the image frame of the selected image data,
Similarly, the positioned (non-rotated) comprehensive rectangular area data Xe ′ is extracted. Subsequently, in step S54, a conversion function f (x) for performing mapping from the rectangular area data Xe of the image data to the rectangular area data Xe 'of the photo frame is obtained. Then, in step S55, based on the conversion function f (x), the frame object C2 is converted by the above-described method, and a new frame object C2 ′ scaled according to the size of the image is obtained.

Next, in step S56, in order to paste the image frame and the image data, the image data Xe is embedded in the image data storage area of the obtained image frame of the new frame object C2 'and combined. In step S57, the image data is stored in the data storage device 15 as a combined object of image data having a new image frame, and is simultaneously displayed on the display screen of the display device 13. This displayed state is shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the selected image data is embedded in the selected frame.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when embedding image data in a photo frame,
Image data is the basis, and the photo frame is subjected to scaling in the scaling process described above according to the extraction state of the comprehensive rectangular area of the image data, and can be fitted as a shape that matches the image data without changing the basic mode of the photo frame. I can do it.

Next, as a result of assigning a photo frame to the image selected in this way and embedding the image,
A process for replacing a photo frame will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a photo frame replacement process in the present embodiment. When the photo frame is to be replaced, in step S61 in FIG. 11, the photo frame template is displayed again on the right side of the screen, and a new photo frame to be replaced is double-clicked with the mouse of the input device 11, for example. The user selects from the digital library data in the storage device 15 and starts editing new frame data. Alternatively, the frame to be replaced may be selected and moved with a mouse, and replaced by superimposing the image data on the frame displayed in combination.

In this case, new frame data is created in the following step S62. The creation of the frame data is performed in steps S52 to S5 shown in FIG.
By performing the processing of step 5 on a new frame, frame data (frame object) is created. Then, in step S63, image data is linked to the newly obtained frame object, and new frame data is combined.

Subsequently, in step S64, the old image frame data displayed so far is deleted. Then, in step S65, the image data is stored in the data storage device 15 as image data in which a new image frame is arranged. At the same time, display is performed on the display device 13 in step S66. FIG. 12 shows a display example in which the photo frame is changed in this way. As described above, the photo frame can be easily replaced.

In this embodiment, character data can be handled in addition to the above image data, and can be incorporated in a character frame. This character data may be stored in the data storage device 15 in advance and read and used, but it is also possible to directly input the character data from, for example, a keyboard of the input device 11. First, character data input processing (character label creation processing) from the input device 11 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process of creating character data in the present embodiment.

When the character frame is selected, a character frame having a fixed rectangular area shown by 130 in FIG. 14 is displayed in the display area on the left side of the screen, and the character input from the upper left of the frame is allowed. In this embodiment, in principle, characters can always be input, and the character frame shown in FIG. 14 is always set. As a result, if a character is input at any time, the character is displayed from the upper left portion of the character frame shown in FIG. When the character frame is selected, the range of the character frame is automatically displayed.

When a character is input, the input character is displayed in a frame. At this time, it is checked whether or not the characters input in step S72 can be displayed continuously in the frame. If it can be displayed, the process proceeds to step S76, where it is determined whether or not the input has been completed and this character frame has been selected. If not, the process returns to step S71 to prepare for the next input.

If it is determined in step S72 that the image cannot be continuously displayed in the frame, that is, if the image is out of the frame, step S7 is executed.
Go to Step 3 to check whether overflow has occurred in the column direction or in the row direction. If the overflow has occurred in the column direction, the flow advances to Step S74. Displayed at the top of the frame. Then, the process returns to step S73.

On the other hand, if the line overflows in the line direction in step S73, the flow advances to step S75, the frame is expanded by one line, and the input characters are placed in the frame, and the flow advances to step S76. In this way, if the input is sequentially continued and the individual input results are registered as valid, the character frame created by instructing the end of the input and the character information in the character frame are regarded as valid information. The character frame and character data thus registered have, for example, the following data structure. The data structure of a character frame with a rectangular area is
It is composed of Bezier closed curve data (rectangular area) defining the rectangular area of the character frame, format information for arranging characters in the character frame, and character information to be arranged in the character frame.

In this way, a character frame object having a rectangular character arrangement area object is generated. next,
The process of embedding the character frame object created as described above in the character frame will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a process of embedding character data (document data) in a character frame according to the present embodiment. It is possible to always connect an arbitrary character frame (character label) to the outside of the rectangular area of an arbitrary character frame object (hereinafter referred to as a character frame) without a sense of discomfort such as size.

First, in step S81, the data storage device 15
Are displayed on the right side of the screen, and a desired character frame is selected in the same manner as the photo frame. Data) or inputting characters in advance as described above, and selecting a desired character frame. Then, the combining process of the character frame and the character data is started.

In the following step S82, the editing processor 12
Obtains rectangular area data Xj in the rectangular character frame from the Bezier closed curve data (rectangular area) of the selected character frame object. Further, in step S83, the editing processing device 12
Obtains the rectangular area data Xl from the rectangular character frame area constituting the selected character frame (character label). In step S84, a conversion function f (y) for performing mapping from the rectangular area data Xl to the rectangular area data Xj is obtained. Subsequently, in step S85, based on the conversion function f (y), the character frame (character label) Fm is converted (magnified) by the above-described frame scaling method, and the size of the character frame is adjusted. A new character label Fm 'is obtained.

Next, at step S86, a new character label F
The character frame format information is set in the format information of m '. Then, in step S87, the character data of the character frame is embedded in the character data area (area within the frame) of the character label Fm '. The character data area of this character label is set to a size that sufficiently covers the character data area of the character frame, and it is possible to render the object collection without discomfort according to the intention of positioning the character frame. it can.

For this reason, in step S88, this is set as a combined object of a character frame having a new character label,
The data is stored in the data storage device 15, and is simultaneously displayed on the display device 13 in step S89. Then, the process ends. In combining the character label and the character data, the character label can include data for determining the attribute of the document data embedded therein. If such an attribute is set, the character label is included in this frame. The result of embedding the document data is determined according to the accompanying attribute.

For example, the character label is a color label, and the display color of the character may be determined in consideration of the balance with the color of the frame portion. In such a case, embedding is performed with a predetermined color. Also, if the frame is designed to be displayed at a certain angle, the character data will also be displayed at a certain angle and tilted so that it fits within the selected character label. You. In the case of image data, it is desirable to be configured to be able to select whether or not to rotate, but in the case of document data, the degree of fit is limited, so that the attribute of the frame is given priority. Next, a description will be given of a process for replacing a character label as a result of assigning a character label (character frame) to the character frame thus selected and embedding character data. In this case, the replacement is basically performed by the same process as the above-described photo frame replacement process shown in FIG.

To replace a character label, the character label template is displayed again on the right side of the screen, and
For example, a new character label to be replaced is input device 11
Double-clicking with the mouse or the like selects from the digital library data in the data storage device 15, and starts a new character label replacement process. Alternatively, the character label to be replaced may be selected and moved with a mouse, and the character label may be replaced by being superimposed on the data in which the character label is combined and displayed in the character frame.

In this case, as described above, scaling is performed in accordance with the size of the character frame of the newly selected character label, and new character label data is created. The creation of the character label is performed in steps S52 to S5 shown in FIG.
The character label data (frame object) is created by performing the processing of step 5 on a new character label.

Then, character data is linked to the newly obtained character label object, and new frame data is combined. After that, the old character label data displayed so far is deleted. Then, the data storage device 15 stores the character data in which the new character label is placed.
To be stored. At the same time, display is performed on the display device 13. In this way, the replacement of the character label becomes possible.

As described above, the connection between the document data and the character frame (character label) is performed, and the connection between the image data and the photo frame is performed. In this embodiment, desired image data (for example, a photograph) and character data can be freely stored in a preset frame in this manner. Furthermore, in the above description, the character data is stored in the character label, and the image data is embedded in the photo frame. However, there are frames in which both the character data and the image data can be embedded. When this frame is selected, an arbitrary area in the frame can be sorted into a character area and an image area.

Finally, the size of the frame in which the frame and the character or the image are integrally combined is changed,
The relationship between the frame and the embedded character or image when performing the scaling process will be described. In the present embodiment,
In any case, the image data is not subjected to the scaling process. For example, if the frame is enlarged, the image data is positioned and embedded so that the image data comes to the center of the frame. And control so that the portion that extends beyond the frame is not displayed. In the case of a frame in which both a character and an image can be produced, the positional relationship of the image frame with respect to the entire frame is maintained and the frame is enlarged or reduced so that the positional relationship does not change.

However, in the present embodiment, when characters and images in a frame are mixed and an image data area is specified in advance, even if the size of the entire frame becomes large, Even if it does, the size of the image data area does not change. Therefore, only the display position is changed. However, it is possible to change the positional relationship of the image areas in a separate process.

The reason why the size of the area to which the image data is allocated is not changed is as follows. (1) In the case where characters and images are mixed, if the characters are mainly used, the images are illustration-like, and the size of the images changes, causing problems. (2) On the other hand, when the image is mainly used, it is considered that the image is set to an optimal size in advance and trimming is performed. This is because it is conceivable to increase the amount of the character portion for explaining the image data in such a case.

Next, a description will be given of a frame scaling process for a character frame. This embodiment has a significant feature of the character frame scaling process, and the scaling process shown in FIG. 16 is performed. That is, first, in step S101, the editing device 12 determines whether the size has been changed only in the vertical direction or not.
It is determined whether only the horizontal direction or both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. If both the vertical and horizontal directions have been specified, the process proceeds to step S102 to calculate the size of the changed character frame (or the character region when the character region and the image region are mixed). , Calculate the magnification ratio to the original size.

Then, the size of the character frame object embedded in the original frame is changed in accordance with the scaling ratio calculated in step S103, and the character frame object is embedded so as to fit in the frame just after scaling, and a new character label is created. Is stored in the data storage device 15 as character data in which is arranged. Then, the scaling process ends. On the other hand, step S10
If it is determined in step 2 that the magnification has been changed only in the vertical or horizontal direction, the process proceeds to step S110, and the frame size after the magnification is calculated. Then, in subsequent step S111, the character frame data (character data) before the change is inserted into the frame size after the change from the reference initial position of the frame, and it is checked whether or not the character of the last digit of the line is beyond the frame. If not, the process proceeds to step S113.

On the other hand, if it does, the process proceeds to step S112.
And a line feed at a position that does not protrude from the character string of the first line that protrudes. Then, the process proceeds to step S113. Step S
At 113, it is checked whether the last digit of the character string of one line does not protrude from the frame and whether there is a space next to the last digit. Then, if there is no space, the zoom process ends. If there is a space, the process proceeds to step S114, and it is checked whether or not the next line having the space exists. If the next line does not exist, the process ends.

On the other hand, if there is a next line in step S114, the flow advances to step S115 to eliminate the line feed of the character string having the space and to convert the character string into a continuous character string.
Return to 111. If the character string runs off the frame as a result of eliminating the line feed, a line feed is performed in step S112 so as not to protrude. FIG. 17 shows the frame scaling result by the above processing. FIG. 17A shows characters in a frame before scaling. (B) shows an example of a character in which the number of lines and the number of digits are changed when the frame is expanded only in the horizontal direction. An example of a character when the frame is enlarged both in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is shown in FIG.

The above processing is applied not only to the case of a character label in which the entire frame is a character area, but also to the case where a character area and an image area are mixed. Since there is no change in the size of the image area, only the character area changes.

[0080]

[Other Embodiments] Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine) Machine, facsimile machine, etc.). The object of the present invention is
A storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads out the program code stored in the storage medium. Needless to say, it can also be achieved by executing.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Examples of a storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, and C
A D-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the above-described flowcharts in the storage medium.

[0085]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the information fitted in a specific area, for example, a frame and the area fitted in the frame, is character information, Provided is an image processing apparatus and method capable of changing a layout with one touch and easily changing the size of character information itself.

Also in this case, the layout can be changed by a simple operation while checking the balance with the frame.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a window including four objects, which is an example of an object aggregate according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control flowchart of the editing processing device in the process illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of determining an attribute at the time of size change in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an attribute of a star-shaped object a according to the embodiment.

6 is a diagram showing a display example of an object having the attribute shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change in coordinates of each object in the x-axis direction in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a frame selection process and a process of embedding image data in the frame in the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing an extraction state of a comprehensive rectangular area of image data according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which selected image data is embedded in a photo frame in the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a photo frame replacement process according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a result of replacing a photo frame in the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process of creating character data according to the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for describing an input character frame of character data in the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a process of embedding character data in a character frame according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing frame scaling processing after embedding of character data in a character frame in the present embodiment.

17 is a diagram for explaining a result of a frame scaling process performed by the process shown in FIG. 16;

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI G09G 5/36 520 G06F 15/66 355B

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus capable of performing scaling processing of output information, comprising: scaling instruction means for collectively instructing scaling of a specific area; For character data, if the scaling instruction means instructs scaling only in either the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the specific area, the layout is changed without changing the size of the character itself, An image processing apparatus comprising: changing means for changing a size of a character itself without changing a layout when both a vertical direction and a horizontal direction of a specific area are instructed. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the change of the layout by the change unit changes the number of lines and the number of digits of the character information. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the changing unit is configured to change the image data of the area designated by the scaling instruction unit in only one of a vertical direction and a horizontal direction of the specific area. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the size of the image is not changed when the magnification is instructed. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific area to which the magnification instructing unit instructs the magnification is an area within a frame including a previously registered area. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the changing unit is configured to perform a first
Holding the output position of the output image at the size of the first size and the output position of the output image at the first size, and holding the output image at the second size and the output position of the second size Means for changing the scaled image of the frame designated by the change instructing means according to the designated scaling factor based on the change ratio of the output image between the first and second sizes held in the holding means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a frame image generating unit configured to generate the scaled frame image. 6. An image processing method in an image processing apparatus capable of performing scaling processing of output information, wherein a scaling is instructed for a specific area at a time, and the scaling is performed for character data in the area for which scaling has been instructed. If the instruction instructs only the vertical or horizontal scaling of the specific area, change the number of lines and digits without changing the size of the character itself,
An image processing method characterized by changing the size of characters without changing the number of lines and the number of digits when both the vertical and horizontal scaling of the specific area are instructed. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the scaling instruction means performs scaling only in one of a vertical direction and a horizontal direction of the specific area. 7. The image processing method according to claim 6, wherein the size of the image is not changed when the instruction is given. 8. The image processing method according to claim 6, wherein the specific area instructed to change the magnification is an area within a frame including a previously registered area. . 9. The frame holds an output position of an output image of a first size and an output position of an output image of the first size, and outputs an output image of a second size and the second image. Generating a scaling frame image corresponding to the indicated scaling factor based on a change ratio of the output image between the first and second sizes held by the holding unit that holds the output position at the size of 2. 9. The image processing method according to claim 8, wherein: 10. A storage medium for storing a control procedure for realizing the function according to claim 1 by a computer. 11. A program control procedure for realizing a function according to any one of claims 1 to 9 by a computer.