CN1622138B - Image editing device, method and program therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention aims to easily select images to be inserted in image insertion areas in a template when a photo album on an event such as wedding is generated. A professional photographer photographs the bride and groom on the day of wedding, and obtains images. Characteristic quantities of scenes represented by the images are calculated, and the images are classified into image groups of the scenes on an event of the wedding. The scenes as to the event of the wedding, the image groups, and image insertion areas in the template for the album are made to correspond to each other. An event bar 37 is displayed on an edit menu, and when a desired scene button 39 in the event bar 37 is selected, a list of the images of the image group and the image insertion area of the template corresponding to the scene represented by the scene button 39 are displayed on the edit menu 30.

Description

Image editing device, method, and program

technical field

The present invention relates to an image editing device and method for selecting an image to be inserted into an image insertion area of a template, and a program for causing a computer to execute the image editing method.

Background technique

As described in Patent Document 1, a method of reading images from photographed photographic films using a film scanner, arbitrarily arranging selected images, printing them out, and printing them as one photograph is proposed, thereby producing an album.

In addition, a method has been proposed (see Patent Document 2) in which only desired images are printed out as photographic prints, and cut-out recesses are formed in accordance with the print size of photographic prints and the layout of the album in hard paper constituting the album, A photographic print is inserted in the formed notch recess, thereby producing an album.

On the other hand, in order to create a photo album of the wedding ceremony, the photographer is accompanied by the bride and groom on the day of the wedding ceremony, and they shoot in front of the church where the wedding ceremony is held or in front of the memorial hall as a memorial. Shoot multiple images to create a photo album of the day of the wedding ceremony. Since this type of album tracks the actions of the bride and groom on the day of the wedding ceremony, it becomes a storytelling album that can be enjoyed later.

However, in the work of creating an album as described above, a photographer or an operator (hereinafter referred to as an operator) of a photo shop providing an album creation service stores a plurality of captured images in an image server. In the workstation, a list of multiple images stored in the image server and a template having an image insertion area for creating an album are simultaneously displayed on a display unit such as a monitor, and an image to be inserted in the image insertion area is selected from the image list. image to execute. In this case, the operator executes image editing processing such as changing the image quality while blurring the image to emphasize clarity, image processing such as image rotation, resizing, and trimming, and image editing processing such as red-eye correction or scratch removal. , so that the selected image can be beautifully inserted into the image insertion area.

Also, make an album by printing out edited images and pasting them on stiff paper. In addition, as described in Patent Document 1, the edited image and the template can also be combined by inserting the edited image into the image insertion area of the template, and an album in the state pasted on the cardboard is printed out. Make an album.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-214868

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-182260

However, in the case of creating an album as described above, for one event such as a wedding ceremony, although hundreds of images are obtained by shooting, the image to be inserted into the template is selected from among the hundreds of images included in the image list. The job of inserting the image in the area imposes a very large burden on the operator.

Contents of the invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to enable easy selection of an image in an image insertion area of an insertion template, especially when creating an album for an event such as the above-mentioned wedding ceremony.

The image editing device of the present invention is characterized in that it includes a display unit for performing various displays;

The input unit accepts input of a template composed of a plurality of pages, the template has information indicating a predetermined event including a plurality of scenes, a plurality of images for the predetermined event, and a plurality of images corresponding to the scenes are respectively inserted. the image inset area for the image;

an image group generation unit that classifies the plurality of images according to each of the plurality of scenes included in the predetermined event, and generates a plurality of image groups;

A scene selection unit accepts selection of a desired scene from the plurality of scenes;

The image display control unit generates a list of images classified into the image group corresponding to the selected scene, and displays the list of images on the display unit;

a template display control unit that displays, on the display unit, a page of the template having an image insertion area where an image corresponding to the selected scene is inserted; and

The image selection unit accepts selection of an image to be inserted into the image insertion area from the image list.

In addition, in the image editing apparatus of the present invention, in the case where the template is composed of a plurality of pages having a color corresponding to at least one of the plurality of scenes, the template display control unit may further display A page having a color corresponding to the selected scene is displayed on a unit in the display unit.

In addition, in the image editing device of the present invention, in the case where the plurality of scenes represent scenes of various activities performed on the predetermined event, the scene selection unit may be a unit that, in parallel, selects all The sequence of execution activities of the predetermined event is specified, a plurality of scene buttons respectively representing the plurality of scenes are displayed on the display unit, and a selection of the displayed scene buttons is accepted.

In addition, in the image editing device of the present invention, the scene selection unit may display a plurality of scene buttons respectively representing the plurality of scenes on the display unit and receive the displayed scene buttons. The selected unit.

The image editing method of the present invention is characterized in that it accepts the input of a template composed of a plurality of pages, the template has information indicating a predetermined event including a plurality of scenes, a plurality of images for the predetermined event, and a plurality of images inserted respectively. an image insertion area of an image corresponding to said scene;

classifying the plurality of images according to each of the plurality of scenes included in the prescribed event, to generate a plurality of image groups;

accepting selection of a desired scene from the plurality of scenes;

generating a list of images classified into the image group corresponding to the selected scene, and displaying the list of images on the display unit;

displaying, in the display unit, a page of the template having an image insertion area for inserting an image corresponding to the selected scene; and

A selection of an image to be inserted into the image insertion area from the image list is accepted.

In addition, the image editing method of the present invention is provided as a program to be executed by a computer.

According to the image editing apparatus and method of the present invention, when a plurality of images corresponding to a plurality of scenes included in a predetermined event are inserted from information indicating that a predetermined event including a plurality of scenes is respectively inserted, a plurality of images for the predetermined event, When inputting a template consisting of a plurality of pages in an image insertion area, a plurality of images are classified for each of a plurality of scenes included in a predetermined event to generate a plurality of image groups. Thereafter, when a desired scene is selected from a plurality of scenes, a list of images classified into an image group corresponding to the selected scene is generated and displayed on the display unit. In addition, a page in the template having an image insertion area where an image corresponding to the selected scene is inserted is displayed on the display unit. Thus, since only the image list classified into the selected scene and the template page having the image insertion area for inserting the image corresponding to the selected scene are displayed on the display unit, the operator performing the editing work only needs to refer to the image list. , you can easily select an image to be inserted in the image insertion area of the displayed template. Therefore, the burden on the operator when selecting an image in the image insertion area of the insertion template can be reduced.

Here, even in the same scene, the clothing color of the characters included in the scene may change according to the user's preference. In addition, the background color at the time of shooting may be changed according to the clothing or posture selected by the user. Therefore, in the case where the template is composed of a plurality of pages having a color corresponding to at least one of a plurality of scenes, by displaying a page having a color corresponding to the selected scene, a beautiful album corresponding to various scenes can be created . In addition, since it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of templates corresponding to scenes, templates can be efficiently managed.

In addition, when a plurality of scenes are scenes representing various actions performed on a predetermined event, by displaying a plurality of scene buttons each representing a plurality of scenes side by side in the order of performing actions on a predetermined event, it is possible to easily select the corresponding scene button. The scene of the event. In addition, an image in an image insertion area of the insertion template may be selected for each action performed on an event.

In addition, by displaying a plurality of scene buttons each representing a plurality of scenes, it is possible to easily select a scene.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image editing system equipped with an image editing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an album editing PC.

Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining classification of image data.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a target value array table.

5 is a diagram showing an example of a table for associating image templates and scenes according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a template target value table.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a correspondence table.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an editing initial screen.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an editing screen.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of layout information.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing executed in this embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing for accepting an album editing instruction.

Fig. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the edit initial screen.

14 is a diagram showing an example of a table in which event scenes, image groups, image insertion areas, template page numbers, and color information are associated in the second embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a diagram (Part 1) showing an example of editing an album in the second embodiment.

Fig. 16 is a diagram (Part 2) showing an example of editing an album in the second embodiment.

Detailed ways

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image editing system equipped with an image editing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image editing system of this embodiment is equipped with an album editing PC (personal computer) 1 having the function of the image editing device of this embodiment; a) mini-picture cameras 3A, 3B, which acquire image data representing images recorded on film after reading images from film negative or positive film and printing; scanner 3C; equipped with memory A file server 5 of a large-capacity hard disk for image data; and a process management PC 7 for performing process management of an album production operation, and these components are connected through a network.

In addition, in this embodiment, a wedding ceremony is described as an event, and a photographer is accompanied by a bride and groom who is a user who commissioned the production of an album that gives a story to the wedding ceremony, and the user shoots on the day of the wedding ceremony, and uses the resulting Images are used to make albums, but events are not limited to wedding ceremonies.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the album editor PC1. As shown in FIG. 2, the album editing PC is provided with a CPU 11 (image group generating unit, image display control unit, template display control unit) that performs overall control of the album editing PC 1; performs transmission of various information including image data with the file server 5 The receiving network uses the sending and receiving unit 13 (input unit); the display unit 15 for displaying various information such as images or templates; , image selection unit) input various information, and pass it to CPU11, or according to the instruction from CPU11, output display instruction to display unit 15; A memory 21 constituted by a RAM of the recording unit of the work area when processing is executed; a recording unit 23 such as a hard disk for recording various information such as image data.

The CPU 11 in the album editing PC 1 and various peripheral circuits including the transmitting and receiving unit 13 , I/O 19 , memory 21 and recording unit 23 are connected by the bus 25 , and the CPU 11 can control each peripheral circuit. That is, the CPU 11 receives information such as image data or template data described later from the file server 5 by controlling the transmitting and receiving unit 13, the display unit 15, the memory 21, and the recording unit 23, and records the received image data in the recording unit 23, At the same time, a list of image data and templates are displayed on the display unit 15, and an image in the image insertion area of the template is selected to be inserted according to an instruction input by the operator from the input unit 17, editing information of the image is generated, and the image is sent to the file server 5. Edit information.

Here, the album editing PC 1 accepts input of album editing information consisting of a template type and a user ID specified by a user requesting to create an album when an operator executes an album editing operation, and transmits the album editing information to the file server 5 . In addition, the album editing PC 1 also accepts the input of the type of event that the user requests to create an album. After that, the album editing PC 1 receives template data, image data, and guide image data inserted into the image insertion area of the template sent from the file server 5 . The album editing PC 1 reduces the image data, generates a list of images represented by the image data, and at the same time, inserts a guide image represented by the corresponding guide image data into each image insertion area of the template represented by the template data, and inserts a guide image including the inserted guide image. The editing screen of the template and image list of , is displayed on the display unit 15 . Next, the display processing of this edit screen will be described.

When the album editor PC 1 receives the image data, it calculates the feature value of the scene represented by the image for each image represented by the image data. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the average value of the R, G, and B colors included in the image represented by the image data in the image is used as the feature value. That is, the R, G, and B pixel values of the pixels constituting the image are added to all pixels to obtain an added value, and the number of all pixels is divided by the added value to calculate the feature value.

In addition, feature quantities of scenes may be calculated for each image represented by the image data in the file server 5, and the calculated feature quantities may be transmitted to the album editing PC 1 together with the image data. As a result, since the album editing PC 1 does not need to calculate feature values, the processing load on the album editing PC 1 can be reduced.

Next, the album editing PC 1 classifies the image data into a plurality of image groups for each scene in accordance with the calculated feature amount, and generates a plurality of image groups. Specifically, for all the image data, the distance of the feature value (r, g, b) between the images of the feature value (r, g, b) in the three-dimensional space is calculated, and the image data whose distance is within a predetermined threshold Th1 is classified as The images are classified into one image group as data representing images having similar feature quantities, that is, images having similar scenes.

In addition, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the feature values of scenes are calculated from image data in order of file names, and then classified. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, after image data G1, G2 classified into the same image group (for example, image group A), there is an image data G3 classified into another image group (image group B). Next, in the case of the image data G4 and G5 subsequently classified into the image group A, the image data G3 may be classified into the image group A in consideration of the continuity of the scenes at the time of shooting.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, a target value array is a target value array in which a target value array of a feature value target value representing each scene feature of a plurality of activities performed on an event is arranged in the order of the activities performed on the event for a plurality of event descriptions. Tables are recorded in the recording unit 23 .

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a target value array table. As shown in FIG. 4 , the target value array table OT1 describes event names representing events such as wedding ceremony 1 and wedding ceremony 2 in the order in which events are performed, and ring exchange and cake cutting performed on events indicated by each event name. , the target value of the scene characteristic quantity of activities such as the greeting of the disclosure banquet. For example, with respect to the event of the wedding ceremony 1, in the case of sequentially executing the activities for the three scenes 1, 2, and 3, the target values (100, 10, 10), (10, 10, 100), (10, 100, 10). The target value of the feature quantity of the scene is obtained by calculating the average value of the R, G, and B colors in the image obtained by shooting the target scene.

The album editing PC1 refers to the target value array table OT1, and corresponds to the classified image groups and scenes. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining correspondence between image groups and scenes. Here, in this embodiment, it is assumed that image data is classified into three image groups A, B, and C, and a wedding ceremony 1 is designated as an event.

First, the album editing PC 1 calculates the average value of the scene feature values of all the image data included in the image groups A, B, and C. FIG. As shown in Figure 5, suppose the average value of image group A is (85, 20, 20), the average value of image group B is (16, 98, 20), and the average value of image group C is (12, 20, 95 ). The album editing PC1 calculates the average value of the scene feature values of each image group A, B, and C, and the feature values (r, g, b) of the scene feature value target values for each scene of the wedding ceremony 1 in the target value array table OT1 The distance in 3-dimensional space, the image group corresponds to the scene with the smallest distance. Thus, image group A corresponds to scene 1 , image group B corresponds to scene 3 , and image group C corresponds to scene 2 .

Also, in this embodiment, the image insertion area of the module corresponds to the scene and the image group. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a template target value table is stored in recording unit 23 in which scene target values are described as scene feature target values in respective image insertion regions to be inserted into templates for a plurality of types of templates.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the template target value table TT1. As shown in FIG. 6 , the template target value table TT1 describes scene target values for types of templates such as T1 and T2 and image insertion areas 1 - a , 1 - b , and 1 - c included in each template. For example, template T1 has three image insertion areas 1-a, 1-b, and 1-c, and the scene target values of each image insertion area are (100, 10, 10), (10, 10, 100), (10 , 100, 10). The target value of the feature value of the scene is obtained by calculating the average value of each color of R, G, and B in the image obtained by shooting the target scene.

In addition, in the present embodiment, when the template T1 is specified by the user, the album editing PC 1 refers to the target value array table OT1 and the template target value table TT1, and corresponds to scenes 1, 2, 3, and 3 of the wedding ceremony 1 as an event. and images of template T1 are inserted into regions 1-a, 1-b, 1-c. Accordingly, scene 1 corresponds to the image insertion area 1-a, scene 2 corresponds to the image insertion area 1-b, and scene 3 corresponds to the image insertion area 1-c. On the other hand, as described above, since the scenes 1, 2, and 3 of the wedding ceremony correspond to the image groups A, B, and C, the album editing PC 1 generates scenes, image groups, and image insertion areas corresponding to the event as shown in FIG. 7 The corresponding table C0. By referring to the corresponding table C0 shown in Figure 7, it can be seen that scene 1, image group A corresponds to image insertion area 1-a, scene 2, image group C corresponds to image insertion area 1-b, scene 3, image group B Corresponds to image insertion area 1-c.

After generating the correspondence table C0 in this way, the album editing PC 1 displays an editing initial screen on the display unit 15 .

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an editing initial screen. As shown in FIG. 8 , the edit initial screen 30 includes a list display field 31 for displaying a list of images, a template display field 33 for displaying a template for inserting a guide image, a toolbox 35 and an event bar 37 .

First, the event bar 37 will be described. In the event bar 37 , scene buttons 39 for selecting a scene of an action to be performed on an event designated by the user so-called wedding ceremony 1 are arranged in the order in which actions are performed on the event. In addition, in each scene button 39 , the approximate number of images in the image group classified into each scene is indicated by a bar graph 39A. Afterwards, when the operator selects a desired scene by clicking the scene button 39 of the desired scene in the event bar 37, the album editor PC 1 refers to the correspondence table C0, and generates the image data classified into the image group corresponding to the scene selected by the operator. The displayed image list is displayed in the list display field 31, and the page of the template T1 including the image insertion area corresponding to the scene selected by the operator is displayed in the template display field 33.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an edit screen displaying a list of images and templates. Here, it is assumed that the scene button 39 of the scene 1 in the event bar 37 is clicked and the scene 1 is selected. As shown in FIG. 9, in the editing screen 30', change the color of the scene button 39 of the scene 1 in the event bar 37, and display the image data classified into the image group A corresponding to the scene 1 in the list display field 31. In the displayed image list, a page including the template T1 corresponding to the image insertion area 1 - a of the scene 1 is displayed in the template display field 33 .

In addition, in the list display field 31, a scroll bar 31A is displayed, and by moving it left and right, images that cannot be displayed on one screen can be displayed.

In addition, in the image insertion area 1 - a of the template displayed in the template display field 33 , a guide image is displayed.

The guide image is an image capable of notifying an operator who executes an album editing operation which composition image is to be inserted into each image insertion area 1-a, 1-b, 1-c of the template T1. Here, shooting for creating an event album can be performed at the same place and under the same conditions regardless of the user who commissioned the production of the album. For example, as described above, shooting of the bride and groom on the day of the wedding ceremony is carried out at a certain place in the hotel, and the scene of exchanging rings in the wedding ceremony or the scene of cutting the cake during the disclosure banquet is carried out under certain conditions.

Therefore, by setting the images in the image insertion areas 1-a, 1-b, and 1-c of the insertion template to have the same composition for all users who select the same template, the quality of the album can be kept as constant as possible. Therefore, as a guide image, a sample image or the like obtained by performing photography in an actual place or situation using an illustration, a line drawing, or a block indicating a composition that should be inserted into an image insertion region can be used. In addition, in this embodiment, it is assumed that a sample image using a module is inserted.

In addition, in the template display field 33 , arrow buttons 33A and 33B for switching the template pages displayed in the template display field 33 when the template has a plurality of pages are displayed. The operator can switch the pages of templates displayed on the editing screen 30' by clicking the arrow buttons 33A and 33B.

In the tool box 35, buttons for performing image quality change processing on image data such as sharpening and brushing, buttons for performing image restoration processing on image data such as red-eye removal and scratch removal, and processing for image data such as rotation and size change are displayed. A button for processing the processed image, and an OK button for ending the processing.

The operator executes the editing work by instructing to edit the album while looking at the editing screen 30'. Specifically, an image whose composition matches the guide image inserted in the image insertion area is selected from the image list, and the selected image is dragged and dropped using the input unit 17 to insert the selected image into the image insertion area. After insertion, by selecting the image insertion area and clicking the button of the toolbox 35, the image inserted in the selected image insertion area can be edited. For example, the image can be rotated 90 degrees to the right by clicking the rotate button. In addition, the image size can be changed by clicking the size change button. In addition, the quality of the image can be changed by clicking Vivid and Brush. Additionally, images can be repaired by clicking the Remove Red-Eye or Remove Bruises buttons.

Afterwards, click and select in turn the scene button 39 displayed in the event bar 37 to display all the image insertion areas of the template, select the images in the entire image insertion area of the insertion template, and when finishing editing the selected image, the operator By clicking the OK button, the editing work of the album composed of the template is completed. In addition, the operator clicks the OK button to generate image editing information including the file name corresponding to the image data selected by the album editing PC 1, each image insertion area of the template, and the information of the image data inserted into each image insertion area. Information on the file name, information indicating the type of processing to be performed on each image data such as shading, zooming in and out, and red-eye removal, information indicating the range of the trimmed area when trimming is performed, and information on the enlargement ratio when zooming in and out, etc. The editing information is sent to the file server 5 .

In the file server 5, the image data obtained by reading the image recorded on the developed film is stored for the mini video cameras 3A, 3B and the scanner 3C. The image data is stored in the folder created by the user organization that commissions the album production. Also, in the file server 5, a plurality of template data representing templates for album production are stored. In addition, guidance data indicating a guidance image in the image insertion area of the insertion template is also stored.

In addition, the file server 5 refers to the album editing information transmitted from the album editing PC 1, and inserts template data representing a template of the type selected by the user, image data stored in a folder corresponding to the user ID, and an image representing an insertion template. The guide image data of the guide images in the area are sent to the album editing PC1.

On the other hand, when the image editing information is sent from the album editing PC 1, the file server 5 refers to the file name of the image data representing the selected image included in the image editing information, and performs adjustment processing and editing processing on the selected image data, Generate processed image data. In addition, the adjustment processing includes at least one of brightness compensation processing, color compensation processing, and gradation compensation processing for the selected image data. In addition, editing processing includes processing of changing image quality of image data designated by image editing information, designation of shading, sharpening, brushing, etc., designation of retouching or enlargement and reduction processing, and processing of image data such as retouching or enlargement and reduction. Processing of images, and processing of restoring images from image data by specifying image processing such as color shading or red-eye removal.

In addition, the file server 5 generates layout information of an album based on information corresponding to each image insertion area of the template included in the image editing information and the file name of the image data inserted in each image insertion area. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of layout information. As shown in Figure 10, the layout information corresponds to the image insertion areas 1-a, 1-b, 1-c of the template T1 used, and the file names of the image data inserted into each image insertion area (DSCF0012.jpg, DSCF0020.jpg , DSCF0023.jpg). In addition, the layout information is sent to one of the mini video cameras 3A, 3B together with the processed image data.

The process management PC 7 accepts input from the operator to complete each process such as completion of album editing, completion of printing, and album inspection in order to manage the production process of comments made by the operator for one album. Finally, the operator checks the quality of the completed album, and when the check result is acceptable, the input is accepted, and the process management for one album is ended. In addition, when the inspection result is unacceptable, an instruction input to recreate an album is accepted for the comment on the album creation.

Next, the processing executed in the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing executed in the first embodiment. In addition, it is assumed that the file server 5 stores image data obtained by reading an image from a developed film that records an image captured by the user on the day of the wedding ceremony. In addition, it is assumed that album editing information composed of a user ID and template type information specified by the user, and an event type that the user requests creation of an album are input.

The process starts when the operator instructs album editing from the album editing PC 1. First, the album editing PC 1 transmits album editing information composed of a user ID and template type information designated by the user to the file server 5 (step S1).

The file server 5 receives the album editing information, and stores the image data stored in the folder corresponding to the user ID, the template data representing the template of the type specified by the user, and the guide image data representing the guide image in the image insertion area of the insertion template. Send to album editor PC1 (step S2).

The album editing PC 1 receives the image data, the template data, and the guide image data, and executes a process of receiving an album editing instruction (step S3).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing for accepting an album editing instruction. First, the album editing PC 1 calculates scene feature values of a plurality of image data (step S11), sorts a plurality of image data into a plurality of image groups for each scene according to the feature values, and generates a plurality of image groups (step S12). Next, referring to the target value array table OT1 and the template target value array table TT1 recorded in the recording unit 23, a correspondence table C0 corresponding to image groups, scenes, and image insertion regions of templates is generated (step S13). After that, the editing initial screen 30 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display unit 15 (step S14).

Afterwards, start to monitor whether the operator clicks the scene button 39 (step S15) of the event bar 37, if step S15 affirms, then to the image data classified to the image group corresponding to the scene selected by clicking the scene button 39, generate an image list A list of the images is displayed in the list display field 31, and at the same time, a page corresponding to the image insertion area of the scene selected by clicking the scene button 39 is displayed in the template display field 33 (step S16). In the image insertion area of the template displayed in the template display field 33, a guide image represented by guide image data is inserted.

The album editing PC 1 accepts an instruction to edit an album by the operator referring to the editing screen 30 (step S17). Then, determine whether the operator clicks other scene buttons 39 (step S18) of event bar 37, if step S18 affirms, then return to step S16, classify to the image corresponding to the image group of the scene selected by clicking other scene buttons 39 data, generate an image list, display the image list in the list display field 31, and display the page corresponding to the image insertion area of the scene selected by clicking the other scene button 39 in the template display field 33.

If step S18 is negative, it is judged whether to click the confirmation button (step S19), if step S19 is negative, then return to step S18. If step S19 is affirmative, the process of accepting the album editing instruction ends.

Returning to Fig. 11, the album editing PC 1 generates image editing information and sends it to the file server 5 (step S4).

The file server 5 receives the image editing information, refers to the file name of the selected image data included in the image editing information, and executes image editing processing (step S5). In addition, the processed image data generated by the image editing processing and the layout information generated based on the image editing information are output to one of the mini video cameras 3A, 3B (step S6), and the processing ends.

When receiving the processed image data and layout information, the mini video machines 3A and 3B print out the processed image data to generate a print of the processed image data. An operator (or an operator specialized in album processing) refers to the layout information while pasting prints in the print insertion area in the cardboard corresponding to the template, and performs copying work, etc., to create an album.

The produced album is inspected by an operator who performs quality control, and if it passes the inspection, it is delivered to the user. In addition, when the inspection fails, the process management PC 7 executes an instruction to create an album again in the comment on the album creation.

In this way, in this embodiment, when the operator selects a desired scene in the event bar 37, the corresponding table C0 of the image insertion area of the corresponding scene, image group, and template is referred to, and the images corresponding to the selected scene are listed and displayed. Since the image insertion area of the template is displayed on the editing screen 30', the operator performing the editing operation can easily select an image to be inserted in the image insertion area of the displayed template simply by referring to the image list. Therefore, the burden on the operator in selecting an image in the image insertion area of the insertion template can be reduced.

In addition, in the case of the event bar 37, by displaying the scene buttons 39 for the action scenes in the event in a row in the order in which the actions are performed on the event, the scene corresponding to the action can be easily selected.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the image data is classified for each scene in which the action is performed on the event, the correspondence table C0 is generated, and in the event bar 37, the scenes corresponding to the event action are displayed in order in the order in which the action is performed on the event. Scene button 39, but the image data can also be classified into scenes that represent outdoor images, collective photography, images that represent up, images that represent indoors, etc., that do not depend on the activities performed on the event. At this time, the target values described in the target value array table OT1 represent characteristics of scenes such as outdoor images and group photographs.

In this way, an editing initial screen when image data is sorted into a scene that does not depend on an action performed on an event is shown in FIG. 13 as another example. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the edit initial screen. As shown in FIG. 13 , the edit initial screen 40 includes a list display field 41 displaying a list of images, a template display field 43 displaying a template for inserting a guide image, a toolbox 45 , and a scene button field 47 .

In the scene button field 47, there is displayed a scene button 49 that performs display of "outdoor", "indoor", "set", "pair", "upper", and "log" representing scenes of classified image data. Also, when the operator selects by clicking the desired scene button 49 in the scene button field 47, the album editing PC 1 refers to the correspondence table C0, and generates a list of images represented by image data classified into image groups corresponding to the selected scene. , it is displayed in the list display field 41 , and a page including a template of the image insertion area corresponding to the selected scene is displayed in the template display field 43 . This allows the operator to select an image in the image insertion area of the insertion template for each scene, as in the above-described embodiment.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the average value of the R, G, and B colors included in the image represented by the image data is used as the feature value, but it is not limited to this, and the value representing the value represented by the image may also be used. Various information of at least one of brightness, chroma, hue, image structure, and type of subject of the scene. Specifically, the color characteristics of the image (color balance of the entire image, average luminance, average chroma, color dispersion indicating color differences for each pixel, luminance histogram, chroma histogram, hue histogram, etc.) can be used , at least one of image structure characteristics (spatial frequency distribution, etc.), subject characteristics (proportion of face, blank, water, green areas, etc. to the entire image, face size, and subject shape).

In addition, as a method of classifying image data for each scene, it is not limited to the method of using the feature amount of the image represented by the image data. Arbitrary methods such as classifying image data according to shooting date or shooting time.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, even in the same scene, the clothing color of the person included in the scene may be changed according to the user's preference. In addition, the background color at the time of shooting may be changed according to the clothing or posture selected by the user. Specifically, in the case where the background of the scene is light blue, it is preferable that the color of the template is also light blue or a color similar to light blue.

Therefore, in the case where the template is constituted by a plurality of pages having a color corresponding to at least one of a plurality of scenes, it is preferable to display a page having a color corresponding to the selected scene. This will be described below as a second embodiment.

14 is a diagram showing a table in which event scenes, image groups, image insertion areas, page numbers of templates, and color information are associated. In addition, in the second embodiment, it is assumed that template T3 having three pages and having image insertion areas 1-a, 1-b, and 1-c in each page is used. As shown in Figure 14, in the correspondence table C1, scene 1, image group A corresponds to image insertion area 1-a, scene 2, image group C corresponds to image insertion area 1-b, scene 3, image group B corresponds to image The insertion region 1-c corresponds. And, scene 1, image group A and image insertion area 1-a correspond to pages 1-1 and 1-2 of the template, and scene 2, image group C and image insertion area 1-b correspond to pages 2-1 and 2 of the template -2 corresponds, scene 3, image group B and image insertion area 1-c correspond to pages 3-1 and 3-2 of the template. And, light blue and pink correspond to pages 1-1 and 1-2 respectively, yellow and pink correspond to pages 2-1 and 2-2 respectively, and the color information of light blue and yellow correspond to pages 3-1 and 2-2 respectively. 3-2.

Here, the so-called color information refers to the most colors contained in the page of the template.

In the second embodiment, the album editing PC 1 judges the color of the background of the image group A-C based on the average value of the feature values (r, g, b) of the scene of each image group A-C. Afterwards, according to the determined color, the page of the template T3 is selected. For example, if the background color of image group A is light blue, the background color of image group B is pink, and the background color of image group C is light blue, if the operator clicks scene 1 on the edit screen , 2, and 3, the album editor PC1 selects pages 1-1, 2-2, and 3-1 respectively, and displays the selected pages in the template display field 33 .

On the other hand, if the background color of image group A is pink, the background color of image group B is yellow, and the background color of image group C is yellow, if the operator clicks scenes 1 and 2 on the edit screen , 3, the album editor PC1 selects pages 2-1, 2-1 and 3-2 respectively, and displays the selected pages in the template display field 33.

For example, as shown in FIG. 15(a), in the case where an image G1 with a light blue background is included in image group A, as shown in FIG. 15(b), a page corresponding to the color information of light blue is selected. 1-1, displayed in the template display field 33. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15(c), it is possible to create an album in which the background of the image matches the color of the template.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 16(a), in the case where the image group A includes the image G1 with a pink background, as shown in FIG. 16(b), the page 1-2 corresponding to the color information of pink is selected, Displayed in the template display field 33. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16(c), it is possible to create an album in which the background of the image matches the color of the template.

In addition, in the above-mentioned second embodiment, when the operator clicks one of scenes 1, 2, and 3, the pages of the template may be displayed as a list of thumbnail images, and a page may be selected by clicking a desired page in the list. Alternatively, each time an image is selected in the list display field 31 , the feature value of the scene of the selected image may be calculated, and a template page suitable for the calculated feature value (ie, color) may be displayed in the template display field 33 .

In addition, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the processed image data representing the image data of the image selected by the operator is printed out on the mini video cameras 3A, 3B, and the printed image is pasted on a cardboard corresponding to the template to create an album. , but it is also possible to synthesize the processed image data and template data at the file server 5 to generate synthesized image data representing an image (that is, an album image) that inserts an image selected by the operator into the image insertion area of the template, and the synthesized image The data is output to the mini-viewers 3A, 3B.

As a result, an album can be produced only by printing the original album image by printing out the combined image data on the mini video cameras 3A, 3B, without having to paste the print on cardboard.

In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, an album is created using image data obtained by reading images recorded on a film, but an album may be created using image data acquired by a digital camera as it is. At this time, the file server 5 is provided with a media drive for reading image data from a medium such as a memory card in which image data obtained by shooting is recorded, and the image data read from the medium using the media drive is stored in the file server 5 . In addition, an album can also be created using image data acquired by a mobile phone with a camera. At this time, the image data transmitted from the mobile phone with a camera using the mobile phone communication network is stored in the file server 5 .

In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, after the album editor PC 1 selects an image for an album, only image data representing the image selected by the file server 5 is subjected to adjustment processing, Or, when the scanner 3C transmits image data to the file server 5 , it performs adjustment processing on all the image data and stores it in the file server 5 . In addition, the album editing PC 1 may perform adjustment processing on all image data transmitted from the file server 5 or image data selected for use in an album.

In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, the album editing PC 1 or the file server 5 may generate data (album data) in which the user's image is inserted into the template based on the layout information, and transmit it to a server or the like accessible to the user. in storage. Thereby, the user can check whether the album is completed or not before creating the album. In addition, at this time, the user can also choose to use the album data to create an album, or to edit it immediately.

Claims (5)

1. An image editing device, characterized in that it comprises: A display unit that performs various displays; The input unit accepts input of a template composed of a plurality of pages, the template has information indicating a predetermined event including a plurality of scenes, a plurality of images for the predetermined event, and a plurality of images corresponding to the scenes are respectively inserted. the image inset area for the image; an image group generation unit that classifies the plurality of images according to each of the plurality of scenes included in the predetermined event, and generates a plurality of image groups; A scene selection unit accepts selection of a desired scene from the plurality of scenes; The image display control unit generates a list of images classified by the image group corresponding to the selected scene, and displays the list of images on the display unit; a template display control unit that displays, in the display unit, a page having an image insertion area in the template in which an image corresponding to the selected scene is inserted; and The image selection unit accepts selection of an image to be inserted into the image insertion area from the image list. 2. The image editing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the template is composed of a plurality of pages having a color corresponding to at least one of the plurality of scenes, the template display control unit further displays the page having a color corresponding to the selected scene on unit in the display unit. 3. The image editing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: In the case where the plurality of scenes represent scenes of various activities performed on the prescribed event, the scene selection unit is a unit parallel to the order in which activities are performed on the prescribed event, in the display unit A plurality of scene buttons each representing the plurality of scenes is displayed, and selection of the displayed scene button is accepted. 4. The image editing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The scene selection unit displays a plurality of scene buttons respectively representing the plurality of scenes on the display unit, and accepts selection of the displayed scene buttons. 5. An image editing method, characterized in that: Accepting input of a template composed of a plurality of pages, the template having information indicating a predetermined event including a plurality of scenes, a plurality of images for the predetermined event, and a plurality of images into which images corresponding to the scenes are respectively inserted insert area; classifying the plurality of images according to each of the plurality of scenes included in the prescribed event, to generate a plurality of image groups; accepting selection of a desired scene from the plurality of scenes; generating a list of images classified by the image group corresponding to the selected scene, and displaying the list of images on the display unit; displaying, in the display unit, a page having an image insertion area in the template in which an image corresponding to the selected scene is inserted; and A selection of an image to be inserted into the image insertion area from the image list is accepted.

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