JPH1166278A - Device and method for managing image, and record medium recorded with image-managing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To freely lay input images out and to enable editing operation as in an album. SOLUTION: An image read in by a scanner or a digital camera is stuck as a photograph on ground paper according to a user's indication and sheets of ground paper are managed as an album (file). When an image is stuck on ground paper, it is discriminated (D11, D12) as to whether or not there is an image at the sticking destination. When there is no image at the sticking destination, the specific image is stuck at the sticking destination (D13). When an image is present at the sticking destination, the image is forwarded in sequence (D14 to D24) in accordance with the order determined for the ground paper, and the specific image is stuck at the sticking destination (D13).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image management device, an image management method, and a recording medium on which an image management program is recorded, for example, used for information equipment such as a word processor and a personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, information devices such as a word processor and a personal computer input various image images read by a scanner or a digital camera, for example.
Some have a function of managing these.

In this case, each image is managed in the input order,
Also at the time of display, as shown in FIG. 22 (b), it is general to display a list of images in a form in which the images are arranged in a matrix in the input order.

[0004]

As described above, conventionally, various types of image images read by a scanner, a digital camera or the like have been managed in the input order. For this reason, it has not been possible to perform an album-like editing operation such as laying out each image at an arbitrary position according to the user's preference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and has an image management apparatus, an image management method, and a recording medium in which an image management program is recorded so that an input image can be freely laid out and an album-like editing operation can be performed. The purpose is to provide a medium.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image management apparatus for attaching an image to a plurality of types of mounts on which one or a plurality of image arrangement positions are determined in advance and managing the image as one file. An image management device,
Designating means for designating an image to be pasted and a paste destination of the image on the mount; determining means for determining whether or not an image exists at the paste destination designated by the designating means; When there is no image at the paste destination according to the determination result of the means, image paste means for pasting the designated image to the paste destination is provided.

[0007] According to such a configuration, by specifying the image to be pasted and the paste destination of the image on the mount, the designated image can be pasted to the paste destination.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when an image is present at the paste destination, the image is forwarded in a predetermined order on the mount, and the designated image is pasted at the paste destination. It is characterized by attaching.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when another image overflows from the mount due to the sequential feeding, the type of the next mount is determined, and if the type is the same as the mount, the overflow occurs. The image is sent to the next mount.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when another image overflows from the backing sheet due to the forward feeding, the type of the next backing sheet is determined, and the type is different from the backing sheet or the next backing sheet. When there is no mount, a mount of the same type as the mount is added to the back of the mount, and the overflow image is sent there.

According to such a configuration, when an image is present at the paste destination, the designated image can be pasted at the paste destination by sequentially feeding the images. An image management device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is an image management device that pastes images on a plurality of types of mounts in which one or a plurality of image layout positions are determined in advance and manages the images as one file. Specifying means for specifying a source image and a destination of the image, determining means for determining whether or not an image exists at the destination specified by the specifying means; Accordingly, when there is no image at the destination, an image moving means for moving the source image at the destination is provided.

According to such a configuration, by specifying the source image and the destination of the image, the source image can be moved to the pasting destination. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the image exists at the moving destination, the image moving unit processes the image as an error.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when the image exists at the destination, the image moving means overwrites the image at the destination with the image at the source.

[0014] In an eighth aspect of the present invention, when an image is present at the destination, the image moving means sequentially feeds the image of the destination in accordance with an order determined on the mount, and transfers the image to the destination. The image of the movement source is pasted on the image.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, when the image is present at the destination, the image moving means removes the image at the destination from the mount and places the image at the source at the destination. Is attached.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, when an image exists at the destination, the image moving means removes the image of the destination from the mount as the next target to be moved and transfers the image to the destination. The moving source image is pasted.

According to such a configuration, when an image exists at the movement destination, it is processed as an error. Or,
The destination image is overwritten with the source image, the destination image is forwarded, the destination image is out of the mount, or the destination image is set as the next destination. You can paste the source image to

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an image management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The present apparatus is realized by a computer which reads a program recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic disk and the operation of which is controlled by the program.

As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus comprises a CPU 1
1, ROM 12, RAM 13, input device 14, display device 15, printer (PRT) 16, external storage device 1
7, communication device 18, real timer 19, scanner 20,
A digital camera 21 is provided.

The CPU 11 controls the entire apparatus, and executes an image management process by starting a program. In the ROM 12, in addition to a program storage area 12a for storing various programs, a mount sample storage area 12b for storing sample information of the mount, and a background sample for storing background sample information to be added to the mount. A storage area 12c is provided.

Here, the mount used in the present apparatus is prepared for laying out the image input by the scanner 20 or the digital camera 21 as if the user puts a photograph on an album. There are a plurality of types of this mount (see FIG. 15), and the mount types corresponding to these types are stored as sample information in the mount sample storage area 12b.

Further, it is possible to add a background pattern such as a color and a pattern to each mount. There are a plurality of types of the background patterns, and the background patterns corresponding to those types are stored in the background sample storage area 12c as sample information.

The RAM 13 stores various kinds of information necessary for the image management processing of the apparatus. Here, a mount storage area 13a for storing information of each mount formed as one album, Photo storage area 13 for storing the image pasted on the mount as photo information
b is provided.

The input device 14 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and inputs and issues data. The display device 15 is, for example, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or an LCD.
(Liquid Crystal Display) etc. to display data.

The printer (PRT) 16 prints data on paper. The external storage device 17 includes, for example, a hard disk device (HDD) and a floppy disk device (F
DD) for storing various information. The external storage device 17 stores a program provided by a recording medium. The communication device 18 is, for example, an IR
It has an (infrared) communication function and controls data communication with external devices.

The real timer 19 counts the current date and time (to be exact, year, month, day, hour, and minute).
To provide. The scanner 20 is connected to the apparatus via a connector, for example, and inputs various images. The digital camera 21 is connected to the apparatus by, for example, IR communication, and inputs various images. Various images input via the scanner 20 and the digital camera 21 are stored in the external storage device 17.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image management function realized by the image management apparatus of FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the image management function of this device is as follows.
Input unit 31, main control unit 32, display unit 33, mount editing unit 3
4. Mount sample storage unit 35, background sample storage unit 3
6. Mount storage unit 37, photo editing unit 38, photo storage unit 39
Is configured.

The input section 31 performs input processing of various data and functions input by the input device 14 of FIG. The main control unit 32 performs control processing of the entire image management function. The display unit 33 performs display processing of various data to be displayed on the display device 15.

Under the control of the main control unit 32, the board editing unit 34 performs a board editing process (deletion, movement, copying, layout change, etc. of the board). The mount sample storage unit 35 stores sample information of the mount. Background sample storage unit 36
Stores the background sample information. Mount storage unit 37
Stores information of each mount formed as one album.

The photo editor 38 edits a photo (moves a photo, cuts out an image, etc.) under the control of the main controller 32.
I do. The photo storage unit 39 stores the image pasted on each mount as photo information.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of the mount storage unit 37. The mount storage unit 37 stores information of each mount configured as one album.
The mount information including the number assigned to the mount (the number of pages of the album), the type of the mount, the background added to the mount, the number of the photo pasted on the mount, and the like are stored together with the album name for each mount. I have.

The mount type information includes the shape (mount type) and size of the mount, the number of photographs, the arrangement position of the photographs, and the like. Further, the photograph number is set for each arrangement position of the photograph. That is, for example, in the case of a three-photograph mount sheet, three predetermined arrangement positions 1 to 3 are set.
In contrast, a photograph number is set for each position, such as arrangement position 1: photograph number 1, arrangement position 2: photograph number 2, arrangement position 3: photograph number 3.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the photograph storage unit 39. In the photo storage unit 39, the image pasted on each mount is stored as photo information, and the number, image information, search information (keyword, comment, Information such as shooting conditions) and mask information (mask pattern for cutting out a photograph) are stored.

In this case, the photograph number of each photograph information is
This corresponds to the photo number set in the mount information. That is, the photograph is pasted and displayed (printed) at a predetermined position on the mount according to the photograph number.

Next, before explaining the operation of this embodiment,
For easy understanding, a basic operation procedure of the image management function of the present apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, a main screen 11 as shown in FIG.
0 is displayed. The main screen 110 is provided with an icon 111 for instructing “album creation”, an icon 112 for instructing “album arrangement”, and an icon 113 for instructing “album display”.

When the icon 111 is selected, an album save destination designation screen and an album name input screen (not shown) are displayed. The user specifies an album storage destination (for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, or the like) through these screens, and then inputs a name (file name) of an album to be created.

Thereafter, a picture number designation screen 120 as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. This photo number designation screen 120
Is provided with a number selection section 121 for selecting the number of photographs (1 to 4) per mount. The user designates the number of photos (images) to be pasted on the mount via the number selection section 121.

When the number of photographs is selected, a mount sample screen 130 as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed according to the selected number of photographs. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 15A to 15D, four types are set for one photo and four types are set for two photos.
Samples of the mount type are prepared in advance for two types for three photos and two types for four photos, and a desired mount type is selected from these. For each mount type, the arrangement position of the photograph and the arrangement position of the comment added to the photograph are defined.

When the "F1" key is pressed, the state shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, a background sample screen 131 for selecting a background is displayed in a window. In this case, eight background samples such as colors and patterns are prepared in advance, and a desired background pattern can be arbitrarily selected from these. The background pattern selected here is added to the mount.

In this manner, each mount forming an album is created while selecting a mount type according to the number of photographs and, if necessary, selecting a background pattern to be added to the mount. A number (corresponding to an album page) is assigned to each mount in the order of its creation. At the time of display (at the time of printing), the mounts are displayed (printed) in the order of their numbers. The order of each mount is
It can be arbitrarily changed by board mounting described later.

When the "select / execute" key is pressed after the mount is created, an album editing screen 140 as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed. On the album editing screen 140, the format 1 of each mount of the created album is displayed.
Reference numerals 41 are sequentially displayed according to pressing of the "F4" key / "F5" key. "F4" on the first page
When the key is pressed, the last page is displayed.
When the key is pressed, the first page is displayed. If there is only one page, the operations of the "F4" key and the "F5" key are ignored.

After the desired mount format 141 is displayed by operating the "F4" key / "F5" key, the position where the picture is to be pasted is specified by operating the "cursor" key, and the "F6" key is pressed. Thus, an image can be read from a medium such as a scanner, a digital camera, or a hard disk or a floppy disk, and the image can be pasted as a photograph at the specified position.

At this time, an image editing screen (not shown)
A part of an image can be cut out using a cutout pattern prepared in advance and attached to a mount. This cutout pattern includes, for example, a round shape, a heart shape, and the like.
The user arbitrarily selects from among them and cuts out the image. Note that since the masking of this image creates a mask pattern internally, the image itself remains unchanged.

On the image editing screen, "F
When the "3" key is pressed, a search information input screen 142 as shown in FIG. 18 is displayed in a window. On this search information input screen 142, a keyword, a comment, and shooting conditions (shooting date, shooting location, weather, photographer, camera used) can be input. Each piece of information input here is added to the photo as search information, and used at the time of photo search.

As described above, an image is read from a medium such as a scanner or a digital camera or a hard disk or a floppy disk, and the image is cut out, and a comment or the like is added to the image to obtain a photograph. It is pasted on a predetermined position on the backing paper. In this case, a number corresponding to the mounting position of the mount is added to each photo. At the time of display (at the time of printing), it is displayed (printed) together with the comment at a predetermined position on the backing sheet according to the number.

The mounts and the photos pasted on them are stored as one album (file) in the storage destination (eg, floppy disk, hard disk, etc.) designated on the main screen 110 in FIG. Same screen 1
The data is stored in accordance with the album name designated at 10.

Here, when viewing the album, after selecting the icon 113 provided on the main screen 110 in FIG. 12, the call destination (for example, floppy disk, hard disk, etc.) is designated, as shown in FIG. Such a display designation screen 150 is displayed. On the display designation screen 150, an icon 151 for turning over each mount and viewing it, an icon 152 for displaying a list of all the photos, and an image for displaying only photos that meet the conditions are displayed by selecting an album. An icon 153 is provided.

When the icon 151 is selected on the display designation screen 150 and an album name is input, an album display screen 160 as shown in FIG. 20 is displayed. On the album display screen 160, it is possible to see each mount of the album according to the above-mentioned album name while turning over each one. In this case, one page is displayed in the initial state,
Subsequent page turning of each mount is performed by operating the "F4" key / "F5" key.

The "F4" key is assigned as a previous page display key, and when the key is pressed, the mount of the previous page is displayed together with a photograph (including a comment or the like) pasted thereon. The "F5" key is assigned as a next page display key, and when the key is pressed, the mount of the next page is displayed together with a photograph (including a comment or the like) pasted thereon. Pressing the "F4" key on the first page displays the last page, and pressing the "F5" key on the last page displays the first page. If there is only one page, the operations of the "F4" key and the "F5" key are ignored.

When a photograph is edited, the operation shown in FIG.
"F3" key is depressed on the album editing screen 140 shown in FIG. Thereby, a photo editing item screen 143 as shown in FIG. 21 is displayed in a window. The photo editing item screen 143 is provided with photo editing items such as “remove photo”, “move photo”, “insert space”, and “fill photo”.

"Pick a photo" removes a photo from the album. After peeling, it will be blank and no further movement of the photo will be performed. "Move photo" moves a photo to a blank space. The source is blank and no further photos are moved. "Insert space" shifts the photo after the cursor back. If the type of mount is different on the way, it is not shifted thereafter. "Squeeze photo forward" moves the photo after the cursor forward. If the type of mount is different on the way, it is not packed thereafter.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, (a) creating an album (mount), (b) creating a photo,
(C) Each operation of the album display will be described with reference to the functional block diagram shown in FIG.

(A) Creation of Album (Mount) FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the album (mount) creating process in the embodiment. Album (mount)
When the album name is input through the input unit 31 (step A11), the main control unit 32 reads the mount sample information from the mount sample storage unit 35 through the mount editing unit 34 (step A12). Then, based on the mount sample information, the main control unit 32
Is displayed on the display unit 33 (step A13).

In this case, FIG.
As shown in (a) to (d), there are a plurality of types of mount types for each number of photographs, and the user selects a desired mount type from these (step A14).

Subsequently, the main control section 32 reads background sample information from the background sample storage section 36 through the mount editing section 34 (step A15). Then, the main control unit 32 displays a background sample screen 131 as shown in FIG. 16 on the display unit 33 based on the background sample information (step A16).

In this case, there are a plurality of types of background patterns such as colors and patterns as background samples, and the user selects a desired background pattern from these (step A17).

When the mount and the background are selected, the mount editing unit 34 creates one mount information based on the selected mount type and background type, and sets the mount number there. 3 (step A).
18).

Thereafter, when a board is added or a board is inserted (Yes in step A19), the same processing as described above is repeated. At this time, in the addition of the mount, the mount information is added after the mount information created immediately before, and a mount number is set. In the insertion of the mount, the mount information is inserted into the insertion destination specified by the user, a mount number corresponding to the insertion position is set, and the mount number of the other mount information whose order is changed by the insertion is changed. change.

(B) Photo Creation FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the photo creation processing in the embodiment. At the time of creating a photograph, when a reading destination of an image (for example, a medium such as a hard disk or a floppy disk) is selected (step B11), the main control unit 32 reads each image information from the selected medium (step B12). The image information selected by the user among them is given to the photo editor 38 as a photograph (step B13). Note that an image may be directly read from a scanner or a digital camera.

Here, when the image is cut out by the user (Yes in step B14), the main control unit 3
2 creates a mask pattern corresponding to the cut-out pattern and gives the information to the photo editing unit 38 (step B).
15) Also, a search information input screen 1 as shown in FIG.
When a keyword, comment, and shooting conditions (shooting date, shooting location, weather, photographer, camera used) are input through 42, the main control unit 32 gives the information to the photo editing unit 38 as search information (step). B16).

Thus, the image information, the mask information,
When the search information is obtained, the photo editing unit 38 creates photo information based on the information, sets a photo number there, and stores it in the photo storage unit 39 shown in FIG. 4 (step B1).
7).

On the other hand, when the photograph is to be pasted on the backing sheet (Yes in step B18), the main control unit 32 reads the backing sheet information created in the backing sheet storage unit 37 through the backing sheet editing unit 34, and as shown in FIG. Album edit screen 140
Is displayed on the display unit 33. Through this album editing screen 140, the user designates the pasteboard and the photograph paste position on the pasteboard (step B1).
9).

By specifying such a paste destination, the main control unit 32 adds the photo information to the paste position specified in the paste position in the mount storage unit 37 through the mount edit unit 34. Is set (step B20). As a result, the mount information and the photograph information are associated with each other.

Thereafter, similarly, each image is sequentially taken in, created and stored as photograph information, and a process of pasting the photograph on a mount is performed (step B21). (C) Album display FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the album display process in the embodiment. On the display designation screen 150 as shown in FIG. 19, the user selects an album name to be displayed (step C11).

When an album name is selected, the main control unit 32
Acquires the mount information corresponding to the selected album name from the mount storage unit 37 through the mount editing unit 34.
At that time, first, in order to display the first page, the main control unit 32 sets the mount number n to “1”, acquires the mount information of the mount number 1 from the mount storage unit 37 (step C1).
3) According to the photo number set in the mount information, information on the photo pasted on the mount is acquired from the photo storage unit 39 through the photo editing unit 38 (step C14).

When the mount information and the photograph information are obtained in this manner, the main control unit 32 displays an album display screen 160 as shown in FIG.
(Step C15). In this case, on the initial screen, the first page, that is, the mount with the mount number 1 and the photograph attached to the mount are displayed together with the comments and the like.

When background information is set in the mount information, the main control unit 32 displays the mount with a modification such as coloring or patterning based on the background information. When mask information corresponding to the cutout pattern is set in the photograph information, the main control unit 32 masks and displays a part of the photograph based on the mask information.

Here, when the user instructs the display of the next page by pressing the "F5" key (Yes in step C16)
s), the main controller 32 updates the mount number n by “+1” (step C17), and obtains the mount information and the photograph information in the same manner as described above according to the updated mount number n, thereby displaying the next page (step C17). Steps C13 to C15).

When the user instructs the display of the previous page by pressing the "F4" key (Yes in step C18),
The main control unit 32 updates the mount number n by "-1" (step C19), obtains the mount information and the photograph information in accordance with the updated mount number n, and displays the previous page (step C13). To C15).

As described above, according to the display instruction of the next page / previous page, the mounts constituting the album and the pictures pasted thereon are sequentially displayed together with the comments and the like (step C20).

Next, the operations of (d) pasting a photograph and (e) moving the photograph will be described as processing relating to the photograph. (D) Photo Pasting FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the photo pasting process in the embodiment. The paste of the photograph is performed by designating the paste position of the photograph on the mount with the cursor on the album editing screen 140 as shown in FIG. 17 while the mount is displayed (step D11).

When the destination of the photo is specified, the main control unit 32 determines whether or not there is a photo at the destination (step D12). This is determined based on the photograph number set in the mount information of the paste destination in the mount storage unit 37.

As a result, if there is no photo at the specified paste destination, that is, if it is blank (N in step D12)
o), the main control section 32 pastes a photograph at that position (step D13). In this case, the photograph number of the photograph information is set in the pasteboard information in the paste storage unit 37.

On the other hand, if there is already a photograph at the designated paste destination (Yes in step D12), the main control unit 32 executes the following forward processing. That is, first, the photograph at the paste destination is temporarily evacuated (step D).
14). Next, the target photograph is pasted at that position (step D15). Next, the temporarily evacuated photo is set as the next target photo (step D16), and the next position to be pasted in the mount is advanced (step D17). When the position to be pasted can be advanced (No in step D18), the advanced position is set as the next destination to be pasted (step D19), and the process returns to step D12.

On the other hand, if the next position to be pasted in the mount cannot be advanced (Yes in step D18), the next mount is confirmed (Yes in step D20).
s), if it is of the same type as the mount (Yes in step D21), the top of the photo layout position defined on the mount is set as the next paste destination (step D2).
2), the process returns to step D12.

If there is no next mount (No in step D20), or if the next mount has a different type from the mount (N in step D21).
o) By adding a backing sheet of the same type as the backing sheet after the backing sheet (step D23), the top of the photograph arrangement position defined on the backing sheet is set as the next paste destination (step D24), and The process returns to D12.

As described above, when a photograph is already present at the specified paste destination, the photograph is forwarded in the order specified on the mount, and when the photograph overflows from the mount,
If the next mount is of the same type, forward the photos overflowing the mount, and if there is no next mount or a different type, add a mount of the same type as the mount I do. In this case, the photograph number of each mount information in the mount storage unit 37 is changed according to the position of the forwarded photograph.

This forward processing will be specifically described with reference to FIG. For example, it is assumed that there is a mount of four photos as shown in FIG. 9A, and a photo is pasted at the upper right position in the mount. Note that, in the mount of four photos, the arrangement order of the photos is in the order of upper left → upper right → lower left → lower right.

It is assumed that a photograph such as "A" is pasted at the upper left position, "B" is located at the upper right position, and "C" is pasted at the lower left position. In such a case, the photograph “B” is temporarily evacuated, and the designated photograph is pasted there. And
The photograph "B" is sent to the lower left position, and the photograph "C" there is sent to the lower right position.

Here, as shown in FIG. 9B, a case where a predetermined number (four) of photos are already present on the backing sheet to be pasted, and the pictures overflow from the backing sheet due to the sequential feeding. Has the following mounts of the same type,
Send the photo overflowing to the top position. In the example of FIG. 9B, the photograph “D” is sent to the upper left position of the next mount. At this time, the photos “E”, “F”, and “G” pasted on the next mount are also sent in order.

As shown in FIG. 9C, when the next mount is of a different type, the same type of mount is added next to the mount, and a photograph overflowing at the top position is sent. FIG.
In the example of (c), the photograph “D” is sent to the upper left position of the additional mount.

(E) Photo Movement FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the photo move process in the embodiment. The movement of the photograph is performed while the mount is displayed, and the mount edit item screen 143 as shown in FIG.
This is done by selecting “Move photo” with the cursor.

First, on the screen, the user designates a picture to be moved (step E11), and designates a destination (step E12). With this designation, the main control unit 32 determines whether or not there is a photo at the destination (step E13). This is determined by the photograph number set in the mount information of the destination in the mount storage unit 37.

As a result, if there is no photo at the designated destination, that is, if it is blank (N in step E13)
o), the main control unit 32 pastes a photograph at that position (step E14) and blanks the source (step E15). In this case, the photo number of the photo information is set in the mount information of the destination in the mount storage unit 37, and the photo number of the photo information is deleted from the mount information of the destination.

On the other hand, if there is already a photograph at the designated destination (Yes at step E13), the main control unit 32 executes the following processes corresponding to modes 1 to 5 (step E16). Note that the above modes 1 to 5 show a coping method when a photograph is present at the destination, and are set in advance by the user.

In mode 1, if there is a picture at the destination, an error is made without moving (step E17). In this case, the user is prompted to specify again by displaying an error message or the like.

In mode 2 If there is a photo at the destination, the target photo is overwritten at that position. That is, first, the picture at the movement destination is deleted, its position is made blank (step E18), the target picture is pasted there (step E19), and the movement source is made blank (step E20).

In mode 3 If there is a photo at the destination, the photo located at that position is sequentially forwarded. That is, first, the photograph at the moving destination is peeled off, the position thereof is made blank (step E21), the target photograph is pasted thereon, and the peeled-off photograph is forwarded in the order specified on the mount (step E22). . Note that the process of this forward feeding is the same as that in the case of FIG. 8 (steps D14 to D24), and a description thereof will be omitted here.

In mode 4, if there is a photo at the destination, the photo at that position is held outside the mount (step E23), the target photo is pasted thereon (step E24), and the source Leave blank (step E25).

In mode 5 If there is a picture at the destination, the picture at that position is set as a new moving picture. That is, first, the photograph at the moving destination is peeled off, and the position is left blank (step E2).
6) The removed photograph is held as a new moving photograph (step E27), and the target photograph is pasted thereon (step E28). The movement of the peeled picture is performed by returning to the processing from step E12.

As described above, when a photograph is already present at the designated destination, whether an error should occur, whether the target photograph should be overwritten at that position, the existing photograph should be forwarded, or it should be kept outside the mount And take a new moving picture. In this case, the photograph number of each mount information in the mount storage unit 37 is changed according to the position of the photograph changed by the movement.

This movement processing will be described specifically with reference to FIG. For example, it is assumed that there is a mount of four photographs as shown in FIG. 11A, and the photograph is moved to the upper right position in the mount. Note that, in the mount of four photos, the arrangement order of the photos is in the order of upper left → upper right → lower left → lower right.

It is assumed that a photograph such as "A" is pasted at the upper left position, "B" is located at the upper right position, and "C" is pasted at the lower left position. In the mode 1, an error occurs because the photograph “B” is already located at the upper right position as the movement destination.

In the mode 2, as shown in FIG. 11B, the designated picture is overwritten on the picture "B". In this case, the photograph “B” is deleted. In the mode 3, as shown in FIG. 11B, the photograph "B" is temporarily evacuated, and the designated photograph is pasted thereon. Then, the photograph “B” is sent to the lower left position, and the photograph “C” there is sent to the lower right position. In addition, if the photos overflow from the mount, the next mount is of the same type, and the photos overflowing the mount are forwarded, and if there is no next mount or a different type. For example, a countermeasure is taken by adding a mount of the same type as the mount. This is similar to the case of pasting a photograph.

In the mode 4, the photograph "B" is temporarily evacuated, and the designated photograph is pasted there. At this time, the photograph “B” is held outside the mount. In the mode 5, the photograph "B" is temporarily saved, and the designated photograph is pasted there. At this time, the photograph “B” is moved to another position as a new moving photograph.

As described above, in the present invention, FIG.
As shown in (1), each image read by a scanner or a digital camera can be freely laid out using a mount. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform an album-like editing operation such as arranging each image according to a purpose or collecting only images desired by the user.

Note that the method described in the above-described embodiment includes, as programs that can be executed by a computer, for example, a magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM,
It is also possible to write the data on a recording medium such as a DVD or a semiconductor memory and apply it to various devices, or to transmit it via a communication medium and apply it to various devices. A computer that realizes the present apparatus reads the program recorded on the recording medium, and executes the above-described processing by controlling the operation of the program.

[0099]

As described above, according to the present invention, since each image read by a scanner or a digital camera is managed by pasting it on a mount, each image can be freely laid out using the mount. it can. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform an album-like editing operation, for example, arranging each image for each use or collecting only images desired by the user.

Further, since editing such as pasting and moving a photograph can be easily performed on the screen, a large number of various albums can be created and enjoyed without imposing a burden on the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an image management device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image management function realized by the image management device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a mount storage unit in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a photograph storage unit in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart showing the operation of album (backing sheet) creation processing in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating the operation of a photo creation process in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary flowchart showing the operation of album display processing in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary flowchart showing the operation of a photo pasting process in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining the photo pasting process.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary flowchart showing the operation of a photograph moving process in the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a photograph moving process.

FIG. 12 is an exemplary view showing a main screen in the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary view showing a photograph number designation screen in the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary view showing a mount sample screen in the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an exemplary view for explaining a mount sample according to the embodiment;

FIG. 16 is an exemplary view showing a background sample screen in the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an exemplary view showing an album editing screen in the embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an exemplary view showing a search information input screen in the embodiment.

FIG. 19 is an exemplary view showing a display designation screen in the embodiment.

FIG. 20 is an exemplary view showing an album display screen in the embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an exemplary view showing a photo editing item screen in the embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a comparison between the image management method of the present invention and a conventional image management method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... CPU 12 ... ROM 13 ... RAM 14 ... Input device 15 ... Display device 16 ... Printer device 17 ... External storage device 18 ... Communication device 19 ... Real timer 20 ... Scanner 21 ... Digital camera 31 ... Input part 32 ... Main control part Reference numeral 33: display unit 34: mount editing unit 35: mount sample storage unit 36: background sample storage unit 37: mount storage unit 38: photo editing unit 39: photo storage unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Toru Mabuchi 2-9-9 Suehirocho, Ome City, Tokyo Inside Toshiba Ome Plant Co., Ltd.

Claims (18)

[Claims] An image management apparatus for pasting images to a plurality of types of mounts in which one or a plurality of image arrangement positions are determined in advance and managing them as one file, comprising: an image to be pasted; A designating means for designating a paste destination on the mount, a decision means for judging whether or not an image exists at the paste destination designated by the designating means; and An image management device, comprising: an image pasting unit that pastes the specified image to the destination when no image exists at the destination. 2. The image pasting means, when an image is present at the paste destination, forwards the images in order according to a predetermined order on the mount, and pastes the designated image at the paste destination. 2. The image management device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The image pasting means judges the type of the next mount when another image overflows from the mount due to the sequential feeding, and if the type is the same as the mount,
3. The image management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the overflow image is sent to a next mount. 4. The image pasting means judges the type of the next mount when another image overflows from the mount due to the sequential feeding, and determines whether the type is different from the mount or the next mount is not. 3. The image management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when there is no mount, a mount of the same type as the mount is added to the back of the mount, and the overflow image is sent there. 5. An image management apparatus for pasting images onto a plurality of types of mounts in which one or more image arrangement positions are determined in advance and managing them as one file, comprising: a source image on the mount; Specifying means for specifying a destination of an image; determining means for determining whether or not an image exists at the destination specified by the specifying means; An image management device, comprising: an image moving unit that moves the source image to a destination when the image does not exist. 6. The image management apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said image moving means processes an error when an image exists at said destination. 7. The image management apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, when an image exists at the destination, the image moving unit overwrites the source image with the destination image. 8. The image moving means, when an image exists at the destination, sequentially feeds the image at the destination in an order determined on the mount and pastes the image at the source on the destination. The image management device according to claim 5, wherein the image management device is attached. 9. The image moving means, when an image is present at the destination, removes the destination image from the mount and pastes the source image at the destination. The image management device according to claim 5. 10. When there is an image at the destination, the image moving means removes the destination image from the mount as the next target to be moved and pastes the source image at the destination. 6. The image management device according to claim 5, wherein: 11. An image management method for pasting an image to a plurality of types of mounts in which one or a plurality of image arrangement positions are determined in advance and managing the image as one file, comprising: an image to be pasted; Specify the paste destination on the mount, and determine whether an image exists at the designated paste destination.If no image exists at the paste destination according to the determination result, An image management method, wherein the specified image is pasted to a pasting destination. 12. When an image is present at the paste destination, the image is sequentially forwarded in accordance with the order determined on the mount, and the specified image is pasted on the paste destination. When another image overflows, the type of the next mount is determined, and if the type is the same as the mount, the overflow image is sent to the next mount and is different from the mount or the next mount 12. The image management method according to claim 11, wherein when there is no backing sheet, a backing sheet of the same type as the backing sheet is added to the back of the backing sheet, and the overflow image is sent there. 13. An image management method for pasting images onto a plurality of types of mounts in which one or more image arrangement positions are determined in advance and managing them as one file, comprising: a source image on the mount; A destination of the image is designated, and it is determined whether or not an image exists at the designated destination. If no image exists at the destination according to the determination result, the destination is moved to the destination. An image management method characterized by moving an original image. 14. When an image exists at the destination,
Depending on the mode set in advance, it is processed as an error, the destination image is overwritten with the source image, or the destination image is forwarded in accordance with the order specified on the mount, and the movement is performed. Either paste the source image first, remove the destination image from the mount and paste the source image to the destination, or use the destination image as the next target 14. The image management method according to claim 13, wherein the image of the movement source is pasted to the movement destination after being removed from the image. 15. A recording medium recording an image management program for pasting images on a plurality of types of mounts in which one or more image arrangement positions are determined in advance and managing them as one file. A screen for designating the image to be pasted and the paste destination of the image on the mount is displayed, and it is determined whether or not the image exists at the paste destination designated on this screen. A computer-readable recording medium that stores an image management program for pasting the designated image to the paste destination when no image exists at the paste destination according to the determination result. 16. When the image is present at the paste destination, the computer sequentially sends the designated image in an order determined on the mount, and causes the computer to paste the designated image at the paste destination. When another image overflows from the mount due to the sequential feeding, the type of the next mount is determined. 16. An image management program according to claim 15, wherein, if there is no next mount, a mount of the same type as the mount is added to the back of the mount, and an image management program for sending the overflow image is recorded there. recoding media. 17. A recording medium recording an image management program for pasting an image onto a plurality of types of mounts in which one or a plurality of image arrangement positions are determined in advance and managing the image as one file. A screen for designating a source image and a destination of the image on the mount is displayed, and it is determined whether an image exists at the destination specified on this screen. And a computer-readable recording medium storing an image management program for moving the source image to the destination when the image does not exist at the destination. 18. When the image exists at the destination, the computer causes the computer to process the image as an error or to overwrite the destination image with the source image, according to a preset mode. The destination image is forwarded in accordance with the order determined on the mount, and the source image is pasted on the destination,
The image of the movement destination is removed from the mount and the image of the movement source is pasted to the movement destination, or the image of the movement destination is removed from the mount as the next movement object and the movement destination is replaced with the movement source image. 18. The recording medium according to claim 17, wherein an image management program for attaching an image is recorded.