JPH11232007A - Device and method for processing image and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To save labor for image selection for multi-screen and to eliminate the waste of blank output. SOLUTION: A user designates the desired multi-screen from a control panel (S1) and designates images to be laid out there (S2 and S3). When the number of images to be able to be laid out on the designated multi-screen is defined as M and the number of really selected images is defined as N, the user presses an automatic select key (S5) in the case of N<M (S4) so that the image (such as an image following the finally selected image, for example,) is selected based on a prescribed reference and arranged at a non-setting part (S6).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method for combining a plurality of images into one image, that is, a multi-screen, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Image processing for combining a plurality of images into one image as shown in FIG. 14, that is, a multi-screen, is mainly used when displaying or printing a list of images captured by a digital still camera. I have.

Conventionally, when printing a multi-screen as shown in FIG. 14, when a user specifies less than the number of images that can be composed of a multi-image (12 in FIG. 14), an image which has not been specified is designated. The area is left blank.

[0004]

There is no problem if the user intentionally leaves blank, but it is troublesome to simply select an image to be printed out, and for a user who has specified only the minimum required image. Is that blank printing is a waste of recording paper.

[0005] On the other hand, if any image is included in the multi-image without any special designation, it is meaningful that the image list can be confirmed as such.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and method which eliminates the waste of outputting a blank.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and method capable of confirming the image content in a list without performing a specific operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium for storing program software for realizing the image processing apparatus and method.

[0009]

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus for forming a multi-screen image from a plurality of original image data, and forms the multi-screen from the plurality of original image data. An image designating unit for designating an image to be processed, and when the number N of images designated by the image designating unit is smaller than the number M of images that can constitute the multi-screen,
(MN) automatic image selecting means for additionally selecting image data, and forming the multi-screen image data from the image specified by the image specifying means and the image additionally selected by the automatic image selecting means. And a multi-image forming means.

An image processing method according to the present invention is an image processing method for forming a multi-screen image from a plurality of original image data, wherein an image for designating an image for forming the multi-screen from the plurality of original image data is provided. When the number N of images specified in the specifying step and the image specifying step is smaller than the number M of images that can form the multi-screen, (M−
N) an automatic image selection step of additionally selecting image data, and a multi-image formation for forming the multi-screen image data from the image specified by the image specification step and the image additionally selected by the automatic image selection step And steps.

[0011] The storage medium according to the present invention stores program software for executing the above-described image processing method.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, in which a flash memory card, which is a recording medium of a digital still camera, is loaded, its contents can be read, and video output and printout can be performed. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of an image output device.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a flash memory card on which a plurality of photographed images are recorded as a recording medium of the electronic still camera, and the recorded images can be read by being mounted on the card reader 12. Image data read from the card 10 by the card reader 12 is applied to the image processing circuit 14.

The image processing circuit 14 forms a multi-image, which will be described later, on the image memory 18 in response to a user operation on the operation panel 16. The image processing circuit 14 also outputs image processing status, an operation menu, and image data such as a formed multi-image to the video encoder 20, and
The encoder 20 forms a video signal from the image data from the image processing circuit 14 and outputs the video signal to a monitor / display (hereinafter referred to as a monitor / display).
Abbreviated as monitor. ) 22. The image processing circuit 14 also outputs the designated image data to the printer 24. Thus, for example, a designated image or a multi-image displaying a list of designated images can be printed out.

Although the details will be described later, the user can monitor the monitor 22.
Of the card 10, the multi-image formed from the selected image, the operation contents, and the like can be confirmed, and the operation panel 16 is operated with reference to the contents.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an example of the operation panel 16. 30 is a power switch, 32 is a screen switching key,
Reference numeral 34 denotes a menu key, 36 denotes a cross key, 38 denotes an enter key, 40 denotes an automatic selection key, and 42 denotes a print key.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process for forming a multi-image according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, a multi-screen capable of laying out one, two, four or sixteen images on a recording sheet is prepared. The user specifies a desired multi-screen using the keys 32 to 38 of the operation panel 16 (S1), and specifies an image to be laid out there (S2, S3). When the number of images that can be laid out on the specified multi-screen is M and the number of images actually selected is N, if N <M (S4) and the user presses the automatic selection key 40 (S5), a predetermined An image is selected based on the reference and is arranged in an unset portion (S6).

The multi-screen and image selection processing will be specifically described. The multi-screen selection screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed by the menu key 34 and the screen switching key 32,
The multi-screen to be used is designated by the cross key 36 and the enter key 38 (S1). An image selection screen corresponding to the selected multi-screen is displayed. FIG. 5 shows an image selection screen in the case of one-sheet output, and a multi-screen (16
It is called a multi-screen. FIG. 6 shows an image selection screen in the case of output. The image selection screen includes a thumbnail display area 50 in which images recorded on the card 10 are reduced and displayed as a list.
54, a layout display area 5 for displaying an image selected for output from the images displayed in the thumbnail display area 50
2,56.

When one-sheet output is selected on the multi-screen selection screen (FIG. 4), an image selection screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed.
One image to be output is selected from the images displayed in the thumbnail display area 50 using the cross key 36 and the enter key 38. The selected image is displayed in the layout display area 52.
Will be displayed. In the case of one-sheet output, if one image is selected, all images are selected. When the user presses the print key 42 after the image to be output is selected, the selected image is printed out in the layout displayed in the layout display area 40. Although only images 1 to 12 are displayed in the thumbnail display area 50, the image selection cursor is moved below the image numbers 9, 10, 11, and 12 by the cross key 36 so that 1 is displayed.
The second and subsequent images can be displayed as thumbnails. There are various methods for this type of processing, and a known method can be used.

Next, a case of a 16-image multi-screen will be described with reference to FIG. In the multi-screen selection screen shown in FIG.
When the six-image multi-screen is selected, an image selection screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. In the thumbnail display area 54, the user
The image selection cursor is moved by the cross key 36, and the image to be laid out is selected by the decision key 38.
The display column 58 displays the number indicating the layout location on the layout display area 56, and the display column 60 displays the number of the image data selected for the layout location. Further, the number of the laid-out image is displayed at each layout location in the layout display area 56. FIG.
In the case of the number “5” in the display field 58 and the number “7” in the display field 60, the image of the number “7” in the thumbnail display area 54 is arranged at the position of the layout number “5” in the layout display area 56. Indicates that

As described above, when there is a portion where an image is not arranged on the multi-screen, the user selects the automatic selection key 4
When 0 is pressed, an image selected based on a predetermined criterion from the images displayed in the thumbnail display area 54 is arranged in a non-arranged portion. For example, when the user presses the automatic selection key 40 in a state where the images are arranged at the layout numbers “1” to “5” as shown in FIG. 6, the layout number “6” is displayed as shown in FIG. The images (here, "7") arranged in the last layout number (here, "5") for which the image has been selected, and the images (here, "8" and thereafter) are arranged in order from "16" to "16". Is done. However, even if the image reaches the last image displayed in the thumbnail display area 54, if there is an unset place, it may be left unset or the first image displayed in the thumbnail display area 54 Unselected ones may be sequentially selected from the images. FIG. 8 shows the former example and FIG. 9 shows the latter example when the number of images displayed in the thumbnail display area 54 is only “16”.

In the automatic selection, the images are selected in order. However, the images may be selected every other or every two, generally every arbitrary k (0 or a positive integer). .

After the multi-screen is selected, the following changes may be made. Here also, the operation will be described assuming that a multi-screen consisting of 16 images has been selected. When the multi-screen is selected, an image selection screen shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. FIG. 10 shows an initial screen. 62 is a thumbnail display area, 64 is a layout display area 64, 66 is a layout number display field, 68 is a layout number display field 66
Is an image number display column for displaying the numbers of the images arranged in the layout places displayed in the image area. In the display columns 66 and 68, both "1" are set as initial values.

When the user presses the automatic selection key 40 in this state, continuous images are automatically selected as shown in FIG. FIG. 11A shows the layout display area 6 before automatic selection.
4 shows the display contents, and FIG. 4B shows the display contents of the layout display area 64 after the automatic selection. In addition, when the user selects FIG.
When the automatic selection key 40 is pressed while five images are selected as shown in FIG. 12, the selected images are repeatedly set as shown in FIG.

In particular, as shown in FIG.
Even if 0 is not provided, on / off of automatic selection may be selected as a menu. If the automatic selection is off, the part that has not been set by the user is left unset. If the automatic selection is on, the unset part is automatically set first according to the operation of the print key 42. The images are arranged and printed out on the same basis as described.

It is clear that the main functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by software, and a software program for that is stored in an externally readable storage medium such as a floppy disk, a memory card, a magneto-optical disk, and the like. It can be stored on an optical disk or the like and loaded into a program operating device such as a computer main unit and a data processing device when necessary, so as to perform a predetermined function.

That is, in order to operate various devices so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments, a computer in an apparatus or a system connected to the various devices is provided with software for realizing the various functions of the above-described embodiments. The present invention also includes a case in which a program (code) is supplied and a computer (CPU or MPU) of the apparatus or system is operated by operating the various devices according to stored programs.

In this case, the program code itself of the software realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to a computer, for example, such a program The storage medium storing the code constitutes the present invention. Examples of storage media for storing such program codes include floppy disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, and CD-ROs.
M, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the supplied program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) or another application running on the computer in the program code. Needless to say, even when the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized in cooperation with software or the like, such program codes are included in the embodiments of the invention according to the present application.

Further, the supplied program code is:
After being stored in the memory provided in the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs one of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by performing the processing of all or part of the units is also included in the invention according to the present application.

The multi-screen of the present invention includes not only an image displayed on a monitor but also an image recorded on a printing paper.

[0033]

As can be easily understood from the above description, according to the present invention, images constituting a multi-screen can be selected and arranged by a very simple operation, and a large number of images can be output in a list.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an example of an operation panel 16 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of screen selection according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an example of a multi-screen selection screen.

FIG. 5 is an example of an image selection screen when a multi-screen including one image is selected.

FIG. 6 is an example of an image selection screen when a multi-screen including 16 images is selected.

FIG. 7 is a screen example of a result of executing automatic selection in the state of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an example of another layout display area 56 after automatic selection.

FIG. 9 shows still another layout display area 56 after automatic selection.
This is an example.

FIG. 10 is an intended image selection screen when a multi-screen consisting of 16 images is selected.

FIG. 11 is an example of automatic selection.

FIG. 12 is a second example of automatic selection.

FIG. 13 is another example of the operation panel 16;

FIG. 14 is an image arrangement example of a multi-screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10: Flash memory card 12: Card reader 14: Image processing circuit 16: Operation panel 18: Image memory 20: Video encoder 22: Monitor display 24: Printer 30: Power switch 32: Screen switching key 34: Menu / Key 36: cross direction key 38: enter key 40: automatic selection key 42: print key 50: thumbnail display area 52: layout display area 54: thumbnail display area 56: layout display area 58: layout number display field 60: image number Display field 62: Thumbnail display area 64: Layout display area 66: Layout number display field 68: Image number display field

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Taku Sasaki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Kyogoku 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inside the corporation

Claims (27)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus for forming a multi-screen image from a plurality of original images, comprising: an image specifying unit for specifying an image for forming the multi-screen from the plurality of original images; If the specified number N of images is smaller than the number M of images that can form the multi-screen, (M−
N) automatic image selecting means for additionally selecting image data, and multi-image formation for forming the multi-screen image data from the image specified by the image specifying means and the image additionally selected by the automatic image selecting means And an image processing apparatus. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a multi-screen designating unit for designating the number M of images that can form the multi-screen.
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising output means for outputting a multi-screen formed by said multi-screen forming means to a recording medium. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the automatic image selecting means repeatedly arranges the selected images in a place where the user has not selected the multi-screen. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the automatic image selecting means arranges images in a predetermined order following the last selected image in a place where the user has not selected the multi-screen. . 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the images in the predetermined order are images selected for each of a predetermined number of images among images subsequent to the last selected image. 7. When the automatic image selection means reaches the end of the plurality of original images as an image to be arranged in a place not selected by the user on the multi-screen, the automatic image selection means returns to the beginning of the plurality of original images. Item 6. The image processing device according to Item 5. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image selection means includes a list display section for displaying a list of the plurality of original images and a layout display section for displaying a layout of the multi-screen. 9. The image selection means displays a layout location display field indicating a layout location of the multi-screen and a number indicating an image to be installed in a layout location indicated by a number displayed in the layout location display field. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising an image number display column. 10. An image processing method for forming a multi-screen image from a plurality of original images, comprising: an image specifying step for specifying an image for forming the multi-screen from the plurality of original images; When the specified number N of images is smaller than the number M of images that can constitute the multi-screen,
An automatic image selection step of additionally selecting (MN) image data; and forming the multi-screen image data from the image specified by the image specification step and the image additionally selected by the automatic image selection step. An image processing method, comprising: a multi-image forming step. 11. The image processing method according to claim 10, further comprising a multi-screen designation step of designating the number M of images that can form the multi-screen before the image designation step. 12. The image processing method according to claim 10, further comprising an output step of outputting the multi-screen formed by the multi-screen forming step to a recording medium. 13. The image processing method according to claim 10, wherein, in the automatic image selection step, the selected images are sequentially and repeatedly arranged at positions on the multi-screen that are not selected by the user. 14. The automatic image selecting step arranges images in a predetermined order following the last selected image at a place on the multi-screen that has not been selected by the user.
0. The image processing method according to 0. 15. The image processing method according to claim 14, wherein the images in the predetermined order are images selected for each of a predetermined number of images among images subsequent to the last selected image. 16. When the automatic image selection step reaches the end of the plurality of original images as an image to be arranged in a place not selected by the user on the multi-screen, the automatic image selection step returns to the beginning of the plurality of original images. Item 15. The image processing method according to Item 14. 17. The image processing method according to claim 10, wherein the image selecting step includes a list displaying step of displaying a list of the plurality of original images and a layout displaying step of displaying a layout of the multi-screen. 18. The image selection step displays a layout location display step indicating a layout location of the multi-screen and a number indicating an image to be installed in the layout location indicated by the number displayed in the layout location display step. 18. An image number displaying step.
The image processing method according to 1. 19. An image designating step of designating an image forming a multi-screen from a plurality of original images, and when the number N of images designated by the image designating step is less than the number M of images capable of forming the multi-screen. ,
An automatic image selection step of additionally selecting (MN) image data; and forming the multi-screen image data from the image specified by the image specification step and the image additionally selected by the automatic image selection step. A storage medium for storing program software for executing an image processing method comprising a multi-image forming step in an externally readable manner. 20. The storage medium according to claim 19, wherein the image processing method further comprises, before the image specifying step, a multi-screen specifying step of specifying the number M of images that can form the multi-screen. 21. The storage medium according to claim 19, wherein said image processing method further comprises an output step of outputting a multi-screen formed by said multi-screen formation step to a recording medium. 22. The storage medium according to claim 19, wherein in the automatic image selection step, the selected images are sequentially and repeatedly arranged in a place on the multi-screen that has not been selected by the user. 23. The method according to claim 1, wherein the automatic image selection step arranges images in a predetermined order following the last selected image at a place on the multi-screen that has not been selected by the user.
10. The storage medium according to 9. 24. The storage medium according to claim 23, wherein the images in the predetermined order are images selected for every predetermined number of images after the last selected image. 25. When the automatic image selection step reaches the end of the plurality of original images as an image to be arranged in a place not selected by the user on the multi-screen, the automatic image selection step returns to the beginning of the plurality of original images. Item 24. The storage medium according to item 23. 26. The storage medium according to claim 19, wherein the image selecting step includes a list displaying step of displaying a list of the plurality of original images and a layout displaying step of displaying a layout of the multi-screen. 27. The image selection step displays a layout location display step indicating a layout location of the multi-screen and a number indicating an image to be installed in the layout location indicated by the number displayed in the layout location display step. 27. An image number display step.
A storage medium according to claim 1.