JPH11261796A - Photograph editing method and photograph editing system which can be used therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an editing method easily reflecting the intention of a user at the time of selecting photograph to carry in an album, etc., without using positive by converting a picture included in a negative film into each picture information so as to display and storing picture information selected from them so as to suppress the development of photographs more than necessity. SOLUTION: The negative film is mounted to photograph each frame of this negative film by a digital camera as a converter. Computerized picture information is stored in a memory within the digital camera and collectively sent to a memory within a computer to be stored (b). Plural pieces of picture information photographed from the same direction and angle among respective pieces of stored picture information are designated by an inputting means (c). These plural pieces of designated picture information is displayed on a display means (d). Then, at least one piece of simultaneously and collectively displayed similar picture information are selected as picture information to adopt and carry in the album, a magazine, a catalog, etc., (e) and stored in the memory (f).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photo editing method and a photo editing system that can be used in the method, and more particularly, to a computer such as a personal computer and a digital camera to suppress unnecessary development of a photo. In addition, the present invention relates to a photo editing method and a photo editing system that can be used in the method, which easily reflects the intention of a user (that is, a subject and its related parties) when selecting photos to be published in an album, a magazine, a catalog, or the like. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, photo studios, magazine editors, mail order dealers, and the like edit photos to be published in albums, magazines, and catalogs from many photos. Briefly describing a general photo editing method, first, at least two or more photographs are taken of one subject from the same direction and angle. Then take pictures from different directions or of different subjects. Next, the film of the photograph taken is developed into a negative film, and a positive is obtained through printing from the negative film onto photographic paper. Then, the positives of the same subject taken from the same direction and angle are compared to determine which photograph to adopt (of course, the photograph of the subject taken from the same direction and angle in this adoption). May not be all adopted). The reason why at least two or more photographs are taken from the same direction and angle is to capture a subtle difference in expression of the subject. In particular, when the subject is a person, there is a subtle difference in the facial expression at the moment, and since this subtle facial expression has a great effect on sales, usually the same direction and angle are used. 5 photos are taken.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned method, it is necessary to obtain all the positives corresponding to the images of the obtained negative film, and there is a problem that it is costly to obtain the positives. Also, the size of the positives used for selection for recruitment and publication is almost the same, and it is not only easy to confuse the positives, it takes time to edit,
There was a disadvantage that an incorrect positive was adopted and posted due to confusion. Also, if you lose the positive,
It is necessary to obtain a new positive from the negative film, but since multiple images with the same subject, direction and angle do not have a subtle expression, it is necessary to search for a negative film image corresponding to the lost positive from here. Is very time-consuming.

[0004] Furthermore, especially in photo studios, marriage albums,
The company also creates and sells commemorative albums such as the Shichigosan album and the baby birth album. In this case, too, many photos are taken, and the resulting photos are edited and sold. In this case, unlike the photo editing of a magazine, it is desirable to reflect the intention of the user (that is, the person who became the subject and its related persons) in the album. However, in order to actually reflect the user's intention, it is necessary to select a photo that is compiled as an album from many photos together with the user, and from among many positives having a subtle difference in expression like the above, Not only does it require you to select a photo, but it also takes a lot of trouble to contact the user.
In the album, the size and arrangement of the photos (that is, the layout of the photos) are also important factors, and it is desirable that the layout reflect the user's intentions. It took a lot of time, and in reality, it was decided on the photo studio side, and it could not be said that the intention of the user was reflected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to not only reduce the cost by obtaining only a positive corresponding to the image of the adopted negative film, but also to reduce the positive. A photo editing method and a photo editing system that can select a photo to be adopted from among many photos having a subtle difference in expression without using the photo editing method and can also select the photo with a user. To provide.

[0006]

In order to solve the above problems, a photo editing method according to the present invention comprises: (a) a step of converting a plurality of images of a negative film into respective image information by a conversion device; A) a step of storing each image information obtained in the step (a) in the storage unit; and (c) a step of specifying any two or more image information among the image information stored in the storage unit by the input unit. (D) displaying on the display means two or more pieces of image information specified in the step (c); (e) selecting one or more pieces of image information from the image information displayed in the step (d) by the input means. (F) storing one or more pieces of image information selected in step (e) in the storage means as selected image information; and (g) outputting the selected image information in step (f).

[0007] In one embodiment, the above-mentioned photo editing method is characterized in that the image information selected in the step (e) is output in the step (g) between the steps (e) and (f). And inputting layout information indicating the arrangement by the input means. In the step (f), the image information selected in the step (e) is stored in the storage means as selected image information together with the layout information in the storage means. In g), the selected image information is output according to the layout information.

[0008] A photo editing system according to the present invention, which can be used in the above photo editing method, comprises a conversion device for converting each image of the negative film into image information, and a storage device for storing each image information converted by the conversion device. Means, input means for designating any two or more pieces of image information among the pieces of image information stored in the storage means, display means for displaying the image information designated by the input means, and display means for displaying the image information. Selecting means for selecting one or more pieces of image information selected from the two or more pieces of image information, and the storage means stores the one or more pieces of image information selected by the selecting means together with the selected image information.

[0009] In one embodiment, the photo editing system has a light transmissive upper surface on which a negative film is mounted, a light source for irradiating the negative film inside, and a caster movable freely on a flat surface at a lower portion. The conversion assisting device further includes a conversion assisting device, and the conversion assisting device is fixed to the plane such that the conversion assisting device is sandwiched between the conversion assisting device and the plane.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with preferred embodiments. Step (a) A step of converting a plurality of images of the negative film into respective image information by a conversion device, and this conversion device: First, as shown in FIG. 1, a negative film (2) is placed, and Each frame (21) of the film is photographed by a digital camera (1) as a conversion device. A transparent plate (not shown) such as glass may be placed on the negative film (2) in order to eliminate the warp of the negative film and make it as flat as possible. Further, as the transparent plate in this case, non-reflective glass is used from the viewpoint of cutting as much as possible the light emitted from the surroundings and reflected on the transparent plate so as to prevent extraneous light from entering the digital camera (1). Is preferred. The distance between the negative film (2) and the digital camera (1) depends on the size of the frame of the negative film, but is about 1 cm to about several tens cm when a general 35 mm negative film is used. As a digital camera suitable for such close-up photography, for example, model number DC-3 manufactured by Ricoh Company, Ltd. can be mentioned. When the DC-3 digital camera is used, the distance between the negative film (2) and the digital camera (1) is preferably about 1 cm to about 2 cm. When the distance between the negative film (2) and the digital camera (1) is small, the light reflected from the body of the digital camera (1) is irradiated on the negative film (2), and the digital camera (1) is illuminated. It is preferable that the body of the digital camera (1) is black and the reflected light is prevented as much as possible, since unnecessary light may enter into the digital camera (1). With such a digital camera, the image of the negative film is converted into digitized image information. In addition, as with the conventional film, 1
There are at least two frames photographed from one subject from the same direction and angle.

The digital camera (1) has, for example, about 3
The resolution of the digital camera (1) is not particularly limited in the present invention, but may be 50,000 pixels, about 1.4 million pixels, or the like. Means that the image quality displayed on the means is high while consuming a large amount of memory, and a digital camera of about 1.4 million pixels is more expensive than that of about 350,000 pixels, which increases the cost of the entire system. Therefore, the digital camera used in the present invention has about 350,000 pixels. Also, as a conversion device,
In addition to the digital camera (1), a film scanner may be used, but the speed of reading the negative film (2) may be lower than that of the digital camera (1).

In such conversion, it is particularly preferable to use a conversion assisting device (3) as shown in FIG.
Hereinafter, the conversion method using the conversion assisting device (3) will be described in detail. The conversion assisting device (3) has a substantially box shape as shown in FIG. 1, and a caster (31) is provided on the lower surface thereof, whereby the conversion assisting device (3) can freely move on a plane. be able to. In addition, a light-transmitting glass plate or a plastic plate (3
2) is provided, and the negative film (2) is placed. Further, a light source (33) such as a fluorescent lamp is provided therein, and light emitted from the light source passes through a glass plate or a plastic plate on the upper surface and irradiates the negative film (2). The color of the light-transmitting glass plate or plastic plate (32) used is opaque, and the light from the light source (33) is uniformly scattered on the plate (32), so that the amount of light per unit area is uniform. Is preferred. When the light-transmitting glass plate or plastic plate (32) is transparent, the white light-transmitting plate (FIG. 3) is sandwiched between the negative film (2) and the upper surface of the conversion assisting device. (Not shown). The negative film irradiated in this manner is fixed to a flat surface with the conversion assisting device (3) sandwiched between the negative film and the flat film, and is photographed by the digital camera (1) installed downward. In this case, from the viewpoint of keeping the exposure constant and preventing unnecessary light from entering the digital camera (1), each frame (21) of the negative film is used.
A light-shielding sheet or a light-shielding plate (not shown) provided with a window frame corresponding to the size of is placed on the negative film (2),
It is preferable to block light emitted to portions other than the respective frames (21) of the negative film. In particular, negative film (2)
When the distance between the camera and the digital camera (1) is large, unnecessary light from the surroundings is likely to enter the digital camera (1). Therefore, such a light shielding sheet or light shielding plate (especially black) is used. Is preferred. When the shutter of the digital camera is operated, it is preferable to operate the shutter by remote control in order to prevent blurring caused by pressing the shutter. Negative film 1
When the shooting of the frame is completed, the conversion assisting device (3) is moved via the caster (31) provided on the lower surface so that the next predetermined frame is directly below the digital camera (1), and the shooting is continued. . In order to move the conversion assisting device (3), only a small force needs to be applied to the conversion assisting device (3), and further, the photographing is performed without changing the position while the digital camera (1) is fixed. Can be. Further, by using the light source (32), the image of each frame of the negative film (2) can be reliably input to the digital camera (1). The means for fixing the digital camera (1) to the plane is not particularly limited. For example, a vertical bar (35) is provided on a metal base (34) having a considerable weight,
Means for providing the digital camera (1) on such a vertical bar (35) may be mentioned.

Step (b): a step of storing the respective image information obtained in the step (a) in the storage means, and the storage means The image information digitized in the step (a) is converted into a digital camera (1) The data is stored in a memory in the computer, and is sent to and stored in a memory as storage means in the computer shown in FIG. Note that the image information may be sent from the digital camera (1) to the memory one by one and stored therein. When the image information is stored to some extent in the memory in the digital camera, the image information is sent to the memory in the computer and collected. May be repeated, and the step (a) may be repeated to send the image information to the memory when the image information has been accumulated to some extent in the memory inside the digital camera. That is, when the step (b) is completed, each image information obtained by digitizing each image of the negative film obtained by photographing various subjects from various directions and angles is stored in the memory of the computer.

Step (c): a step of designating any two or more pieces of image information among the pieces of image information stored in the storage means by the input means, and storing the input means in the memory in the computer in the step (b) Among the obtained image information, two or more pieces of image information obtained by shooting the same subject from the same direction and the same angle (hereinafter, two or more pieces of image information obtained by shooting the same subject from the same direction and the same angle) The image information is sometimes referred to as “similar image information”). That is, in the step (c), all or a part of the similar image information is specified. From the viewpoint of selecting image information used for an album or the like from the similar image information displayed on the display means in the subsequent step (d), it is preferable that all the similar image information be specified. Input means used for such designation include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like.

[0015] Further, at the time of designation, all or a part of each image information stored in the memory is once displayed on a display means to be described later, and designated from the displayed image information using the input means. Is also good. In this case, a register unique to each image information is provided in the memory in advance, and when all or part of each image information is once displayed on the display means on the display means, as shown in FIG. A group number indicating that the same subject has been photographed from the same direction and at the same angle is artificially assigned by input means (such as a keyboard) and stored in advance, and the group number is input by the input means. In the step (b), the similar image information may be designated by the input means among the image information stored in the memory in the computer. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, it is preferable to assign a serial number corresponding to each frame of the negative film together with or separately from the assignment of the group number. Alternatively, the group number may be assigned in step (b) by collectively sending similar image information to a memory in the computer and assigning a group number to a register here. Regarding the assignment of the serial number, in the step (b), the respective image information may be assigned in the order in which they are sent to the memory in the computer. The reference number may be assigned to all the image signals input in the step (b) in a continuous manner, and each time a group number is newly assigned, the first number (in most cases, “1”)
May be applied back. That is, if the group numbers are different, at least one of the subject, the direction, and the angle is different image information. Further, each image information in the similar image information can be distinguished by a reference number given in the register as shown in FIG. Note that a so-called “file name” can be used as such a register.

Step (d): a step of displaying two or more pieces of image information specified in the step (c) on the display means, and the display means Among the image information stored in the storage means in the step (c) The arbitrary two or more pieces of image information specified by the input unit are displayed on the display unit. A display is mentioned as such a display means. That is, step (c)
, The similar image information specified by the input means is simultaneously displayed together on the display. That is, a plurality of pieces of image information of the same subject photographed from the same direction and angle but having slightly different expressions are displayed on the display. The display used is preferably a display as large as possible (for example, a 21-inch display) so that a plurality of people can simultaneously view a plurality of pieces of image information displayed in step (e). In this case, it is preferable that the group number and the serial number in the register are also displayed at the same time so that a plurality of persons can distinguish the plurality of pieces of image information displayed in the step (e). Further, in a later step (e), the displayed similar image information may be enlarged or reduced by the input means so that a plurality of persons can easily see the similar image information. ) May be used to appropriately change the location displayed on the display.

Step (e): a step of selecting one or more pieces of image information from the image information displayed in the step (d) by the input means, and the selecting means The similarity simultaneously displayed on the display in the step (d) The image information is selected as image information in which at least one of the image information is adopted and published in an album, magazine, catalog, or the like. That is, one image information is artificially selected from the similar image information on the display, but since the similar image information is simultaneously displayed on the display at the same time, a plurality of persons can see the similar image information. It can be selected while discussing which image information (that is, a photograph) is preferable among similar image information, which image information to adopt and publish from similar image information, and the like. Of course, in this case as well, the displayed similar image information can be enlarged for easy viewing or reduced by the input means, and the location displayed on the display by the input means (especially a mouse) can be appropriately changed. You may. In particular, in commemorative albums and the like created in photo studios, the employee of the photo studio and the user (that is, the subject and its related parties) together look at similar image information displayed together on the display at the same time. Since it is possible to discuss which photograph is preferable, it is easy to reflect the user's intention in the commemorative album. In particular, when creating a commemorative album that is strongly required to reflect the user's intentions, the content of the story is often important. While viewing the display with the person, the user can select an important photograph in the story, and the story easily reflects the user's intention in the commemorative album. In addition, since it is possible to select a photo to be used in an album or the like using such image information without using a positive printed on photographic paper, it is necessary to create a positive corresponding to all frames of the negative film. Since there are no such items, it is possible to greatly reduce costs in creating albums, magazines, catalogs, and the like. In such a selection, the computer is made to recognize which image information has been selected from the similar image information by using a selection unit. As such a selection unit, the input unit described above (that is, a keyboard or the like) is used. ). Since the positive to be employed is determined via image information without using the positive in this way, in the present invention, the positive cannot be lost unless a computer failure occurs.

At the time of this selection, it is preferable that the input means inputs layout information indicating the size and arrangement in which the selected image information is output in step (g). That is, when creating an album, magazine, catalog, or the like based on the selected image information, the size (that is, the magnification of the photograph) occupied by the positives corresponding to the selected image information in the album and the arrangement are adopted. When image information to be selected is selected from similar image information, it is input as layout information. For such an input, the above-described input means (for example, a mouse, a keyboard, or the like) is used. Further, the layout information once input can be arbitrarily changed using the input means. That is, the user can freely change, in real time, the size (ie, the magnification of the photograph) and the arrangement of the positive corresponding to the selected image information in the album together with the employee of the photo studio. In particular, even in the case where the narrative is important such as a commemorative album, the intention of the user can be easily reflected. Further, when the displayed similar image information is enlarged or reduced by the input unit, and when the displayed position on the display is appropriately changed by the input unit (especially a mouse), The size and arrangement of each piece of image information displayed on the display may be used as layout information. The term “arrangement” used in the present specification means that a positive corresponding to the selected image information is an album, a magazine,
This means which page and which part of the page will be posted in catalogs and the like.

Step (f): Step of storing one or more pieces of image information selected in step (e) in the storage means as selected image information in step (e). The image information is stored in the storage unit as selected image information. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, if the image information is selected image information, the selected image information and the selected image information are inverted by inverting a specific bit of a register unique to the selected image information to 1. By distinguishing the information from the information, the image information is stored as the selected image information. It is also conceivable to copy selected image information from image information stored at a predetermined address in a memory to another address. However, since image information uses a large amount of memory, such copying is a waste of memory. May be. As described above, when the layout information is input, the input layout information is, as shown in FIG.
The size and arrangement are respectively stored in registers.

After the selected image information is stored in the storage means in this manner, if there is another similar image information (that is, an image signal in which any one of the subject, the direction, and the angle is different), the similar image information is also processed. The selected image information is selected by repeating the above steps (c) to (f). This is repeated for each similar image information, and the selected image information is selected from each similar image information. Of course, each similar image information is displayed in the step (d), but it is also possible to select none of them.

Step (g): Step of Outputting Selected Image Information in Step (f) Finally, the selected image information selected in step (f) is output. As the output destination, the above-mentioned display means (for example, a display) can be used, but it is preferable that the output is made on paper by an output means such as a printer. Because, when displayed on the display, it is difficult to determine which frame of the negative film corresponds to the selected image information selected from a plurality of pieces of image information having a subtle difference in facial expression due to the subtle difference in facial expression. However, when printed on paper, the discrimination is somewhat easier,
The paper on which the selected image information is printed can be once taken home by the user, so that the user can reconfirm the selected image information adopted for the album at home, or show this paper to another person to display the selected image. This is because it is possible to request an opinion as to whether or not the facial expression of the information is good, and it is possible to make it easier to reflect the user's intention on the finally created album. Further, when the selected image information is output on paper according to the layout information as described later, the layout on the paper can be reconfirmed, and similarly, the layout can be sought from others, and the intention of the user can be further increased. It can be easily reflected.
When a register is used, a group number and a serial number of the register together with the selected image information as shown in FIG. 4 (only the serial number if the serial number is a serial number).
Is preferably output. This is because the frame of the corresponding negative film can be immediately identified by the group number and the serial number. In addition,
When the layout information is stored in the memory, the layout information is output to the display means and / or the output means according to the layout information.

The paper output in this manner (see FIG. 4)
Then, a positive of a predetermined size is obtained from the corresponding frame of the negative film based on the above, and the book is bound into an album, magazine, catalog, or the like. In this case, if the layout of the photographs is described on the paper, bookbinding is performed in accordance with the arrangement.

[0023]

According to the present invention, by combining a computer such as a personal computer with a digital camera, unnecessary development of photographs can be suppressed and costs can be greatly reduced, and photographs to be published in albums, magazines, catalogs, etc. can be selected. Provided are a photo editing method that easily reflects the user's intention when performing the operation, and a photo editing system that can be used in this method.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a conversion assisting device (3) that can be used in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a photo editing system according to the present invention. It should be noted that the conversion device (1) is omitted in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing registers stored in a memory according to the present invention. In this figure, the number of the size is a size based on the dot on the display (15 dots × 15 dots in this figure), and the number in parentheses of the arrangement is the origin (0, 0) at the upper left corner of the display. age,
The distance from the origin indicates how far the upper left corner of the image information shown on the display is from the origin.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a sheet on which selected image information is output in step (g) in the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital camera (conversion apparatus) 2 ... Negative film 21 ... Frame 3 ... Conversion assistance apparatus 31 ... Caster 32 ... Light transmissive glass plate or plastic plate 33 ... Light source 34 ... Base 35 ... Vertical bar

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A photo editing method including the following steps: (a) a step of converting a plurality of images of a negative film into respective image information by a conversion device; (b) a step of converting each image obtained in the step (a). (C) a step of specifying any two or more pieces of image information among the pieces of image information stored in the storage means by the input means; (d) a step of specifying in the step (c) (E) selecting one or more pieces of image information from the image information displayed in step (d) by the input means; (f) in step (e) Storing the selected one or more pieces of image information as selected image information in storage means; and (g) outputting the selected image information in step (f). 2. Between the steps (e) and (f), layout information indicating the size and arrangement in which the image information selected in the step (e) is output in the step (g) is input by input means. In the step (f), the image information selected in the step (e) is stored in the storage means together with the layout information as selected image information, and in the step (g), the selected image information is stored in the layout information. 2. The photo editing method according to claim 1, wherein the output is performed according to the following. 3. A conversion device for converting each image of the negative film into image information, a storage device for storing each image information converted by the conversion device, and a storage device for storing the image information among the image information stored in the storage device. Input means for specifying any two or more pieces of image information; display means for displaying the image information specified by the input means; and one or more pieces of information selected from the two or more pieces of image information displayed on the display means Selection means for selecting image information, wherein the storage means stores one or more image information selected by the selection means together with the selected image information. 4. A conversion assisting device further comprising a negative film having an image mounted on a light-transmissive upper surface, a light source for irradiating the negative film therein, and a caster at a lower portion freely movable on a flat surface. 4. The photo editing system according to claim 3, wherein the conversion device is fixed to the plane so as to sandwich the conversion assisting device between the plane and the plane.