JP2000295460A - Image processing method and apparatus, printing system, printing method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To combine and print a desired panoramic image in a storage means for storing an image in a case where a panoramic image has not been captured or which is not desired to be printed. Then, even if the printer simply reads the image designation information, the printer cannot know which image is to be synthesized. On the other hand, it is possible to know the image to be combined by using the attached information stored in the header section of each image, but the image to be combined must be read from the stored image. I can't know everything. In addition, since a printer usually does not have much memory, there is a limit to the number of sheets for reading all stored images. An image specifying process for specifying a plurality of images to be combined and printed, and a recording process for recording print specifying information in the image specifying process in an area different from image data for storing information for printing And characterized in that:

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for specifying an image to be printed, a printing method and an apparatus, and a printing system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, it has become possible to print out image data taken by a digital camera without using a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC). As a method, a digital camera records image data in a detachable memory, and a printer reads out the image data via the memory to realize printout, or a printer is connected to the digital camera by wire or wirelessly. For example, there is a method of realizing printout by transferring an image to a printer. As a function of a digital camera or a PC, information (called a print mark) for designating an image to be printed out of a photographed image is composed of a file different from the image, and the printer detects the file. As a result, some printouts can be easily performed without reselecting an image.

[0003] On the other hand, an image (called a panoramic image) obtained by dividing a subject such as a landscape landscape that does not fit on the screen in one shot, into a plurality of shots (called a panoramic image) has information indicating that the image is a panoramic image. , Are often stored in the header section of each image file.

[0004] There is known an apparatus for synthesizing (referred to as panoramic synthesizing) and reproducing this panoramic image by reading accessory information attached to each image as described above.

[0005]

However, for example, in a storage means for storing an image, a desired panoramic image is synthesized while a panoramic image is not recorded or is not desired to be printed. If you try to print the image, even if you store the above specified information in a separate file from the image file and read the file into the printer, the printer can determine the image to read, but I couldn't tell if it was an image to be done.

On the other hand, as described above, it is possible to know the image to be combined by using the auxiliary information stored in the header portion of each image, etc. Otherwise, it is not possible to know all the images to be combined, it takes a lot of processing time, and usually the printer does not have much memory, so there is a limit to the number of images to read all the stored images. is there.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image processing method according to a main invention of the present application comprises: an image specifying step of specifying a plurality of images to be combined and printed; A printing process for printing the print designation information in the process in an area different from the image data indicating the plurality of images.

An image processing method according to another invention of the present application is characterized in that a plurality of divided and stored images are designated as a plurality of images to be combined and printed.

An image processing method according to still another aspect of the present invention is the image processing method according to the first aspect, wherein one image designated as an image to be combined and printed is an image to be combined with another image. The image is combined with one image and designated as an image to be printed.

An image processing method according to still another invention of the present application notifies, when there is only one image to be characterized by being combined and printed and one designated image, that fact.

An image processing method according to still another invention of the present application is characterized in that the arrangement of images to be combined is also specified.

An image processing method according to still another invention of the present application is characterized in that a paper size to be printed is also specified.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system, comprising: image designation means for designating a plurality of images to be combined and printed; and print designation information of the image designation means, the image designating the plurality of images. A storage unit for storing the image data in an area different from the data, and an image specified by the image specification information is read from the storage unit in accordance with image specification information discrimination of a data area different from the image data, and an image is synthesized and printed. And printing means.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the storage unit of the printing system is detachable from the printing unit.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the image designating means of the printing system is provided in a photographing device that has photographed the plurality of images.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing method according to the first aspect, wherein print designation information for designating an image to be combined and printed is determined, and the image designated by the print designation information is stored in the storage means. , An image reading process, a combining process of combining the read images, and a printing process of printing the image combined in the combining process.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows, as print designation information, designation information of an image to be printed as it is (called a print mark) and designation information of an image to be combined and printed ( FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for recording a panoramic print mark in a data area different from image data. The present invention can be realized by various hardware such as a digital camera or a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as PC).

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 104 denotes an image storage means for storing an image. When FIG. 1 is configured by a digital camera, the image storage means is realized by a memory card or the like in which a captured image is recorded. When the present invention is implemented by a PC, it is possible to realize the memory card as an image storage unit by using a device that can read and write the memory card used in the digital camera. Further, in the case of a PC to which a digital camera can be connected by an RC-232 cable or the like, the digital camera itself can be regarded as an image storage unit. As described later, a print mark and a panorama print mark indicating whether or not to print the image are stored in the image storage unit 104 in a file different from the image data.

Reference numeral 105 denotes input means for a user to perform operations. The input means 105 is realized by various switches and buttons in the case of a digital camera, and is realized by a keyboard and a mouse in the case of a PC.

Reference numeral 103 denotes display means for displaying images and various information, which is realized by a liquid crystal display device on a main body in the case of a digital camera, and by a CRT display in the case of a PC.

Reference numeral 101 denotes an image acquisition unit for acquiring an image from the image storage unit and displaying the image and various information on the display unit. The image acquiring means can be realized as a program stored in RAM or ROM of a PC or digital camera.

Reference numeral 100 denotes a mark adding means as an image designating means for assigning an identifier as an image to be printed as it is or combined with image data in accordance with an instruction from the input means. Mark addition means is RAM of PC and digital camera
Or a program stored in a ROM.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a panoramic print mark proposed in the present invention. The panorama print mark is a mark that instructs to perform panorama synthesis and print.When a printer that has a function to perform panorama synthesis finds this mark, it automatically finds an image to perform panorama synthesis and performs synthesis. You can start and print the results.

Reference numeral 701 in FIG. 7 represents a set of images to be subjected to panoramic synthesis, for example, "P1 (0,0) 0012.JPG A42"
“P1” of “8” indicates that panorama synthesis is performed with another image written as P1. Reference numeral 702 denotes coordinates indicating the arrangement of images when performing panorama synthesis. For example, “(0, 0) 0012” in “P1 (0, 0) 0012.JPG A428”
“0)” indicates that the image is arranged at a position where the x coordinate is 1 and the y coordinate is 0. Reference numeral 703 denotes a file name of the image. 70
Reference numeral 4 denotes a paper size when printing is performed. For example, “A4” in “P1 (0,0) 0012.JPG A428” indicates that the combined result is printed on A4 size paper. . Reference numeral 705 denotes a focal length of the lens when the corresponding image is captured, for example, “P1 (0,0) 0012.
"28" of "JPG A4 28" means that this image is 28mm (3
5mm film equivalent value). As is already known, when performing panoramic synthesis, it is necessary to map an image onto a spherical surface, a cylinder, a plane, or the like using the focal length information and deform it. Therefore, by recording the focal length information on the panoramic print mark, an image can be synthesized by performing the above-described mapping even in a printer having a panoramic synthesizing function. Note that the focal length written on the panoramic print mark is not a 35 mm film equivalent value, but may be the actual focal length of the optical system. In that case, information such as the vertical and horizontal size of the CCD of the digital camera that captured the image is also written so that the focal length in terms of 35 mm film can be calculated.

Hereinafter, the operation for creating such a panoramic print mark will be described.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a process of displaying a panoramic image on the display means.

First, in step 201, the image obtaining means 101 reads out the image stored in the image storing means 104 and displays it on the display means 103.

In step 202, the image obtaining means 1
01 determines whether there is an image having a panorama identifier in the image. This panorama identifier is used when a digital camera is switched into a dedicated mode called panorama mode, and a subject such as a landscape landscape that cannot be captured in one shot is divided into multiple shots.
This is information indicating that the images are in the same set and how the images are arranged. By examining the panorama identifier, even when there are a plurality of sets of images captured in the panorama mode, it is possible to determine only one set of images. This panorama identifier is recorded together with the image by the digital camera at the time of shooting.

In step 203, if there are images having a panorama identifier, the image obtaining means 101 notifies the user that these images are included, and the images are classified and displayed. Then, the process proceeds to the process of adding the panorama print mark.

Thus, the user can easily find a set of panoramic images and add a panoramic print mark to an image to be printed. At that time, the mark adding means 100 acquires the arrangement information of the image recorded in the panorama identifier, and writes the correct arrangement of the image on the panorama print mark according to the arrangement. Further, when the user also specifies the size of the paper to be printed by the input unit 105, the mark adding unit 100 also writes the paper size on the panoramic print mark. When the focal length of the lens at the time of shooting is written on the image, the mark adding unit 100 writes the focal length on the panoramic print mark.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, by repeating the above steps, an image to be printed can be selected from all the images stored in the image storage means.

FIG. 3 shows an example of an operation when a print mark is added to an image.

In step 301, the display means 103
When the user looks at the image displayed in step (a) and tries to add a print mark to one image, in step 302, the image acquisition unit 101 checks whether the image has a panorama identifier. If the image does not have a panorama identifier, a print mark is simply added. If the image does have a panorama identifier, in step 303, the image acquisition unit 101 sets the display unit 1
03, the user is notified by text or the like that the image is a part of the divided image, and the panorama print mark is added to all the images of the same set. At that time, the mark adding means 100 acquires the arrangement information of the image recorded in the panorama identifier, and writes the correct arrangement of the image on the panorama print mark according to the arrangement. Further, when the user also specifies the size of the paper to be printed by the input unit 105, the mark adding unit 100 writes the size on the panoramic print mark. If the focal length of the lens at the time of shooting is also known, the mark adding unit 100 writes the focal length on a panoramic print mark.

Accordingly, the panorama print mark is automatically added to all the images included in one set, even if the user does not recognize the image with the print mark as a panorama image. Can improve user operability.

In step 303, the user may be allowed to select whether to add a panoramic print mark to all images in the same set as the divided image or to add a print mark as it is. . By doing so, it is possible to meet the user's desire to print an image that has been divided even for a panoramic image.

FIG. 4 shows an operation for adding a separately defined panoramic print mark to an image, not just a print mark.

In step 401, the display means 103
If the user looks at the image displayed in, and tries to add a panoramic print mark to one of the images,
In step 402, the image acquisition unit 101 checks whether the image has a panorama identifier. If the image has a panorama identifier, in step 403, the mark adding means 100 displays on the display means 103 that the image is a part of the divided image by notifying the user with characters or the like, and notifies the user of the same. Panoramic print marks are added to all images in the set. At that time, the mark adding means acquires the arrangement information of the image recorded in the panorama identifier, and writes the correct image arrangement on the panorama print mark according to the arrangement information. Further, when the user also specifies the size of the paper to be printed by the input unit 105,
The mark adding means 100 also writes the size on the panoramic print mark. If the focal length of the lens at the time of shooting is written in the image, the mark adding means 100
Writes the focal length on a panoramic print mark.

Thus, a panoramic print mark can be automatically added to all images included in one set, and it is possible to prevent forgetting to attach a panoramic print mark.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an operation when a panorama print mark is added to an image which does not have a panorama identifier even if it is a panorama image.

If the user attempts to combine and print an image obtained by dividing one scenery or the like without using the above-described panoramic mode, in step 501, the image photographed by dividing without using the panoramic mode is used. And prompt the user to make a selection. When this selection is completed, in step 502, it is instructed to arrange them in a correct arrangement. When the arrangement is set, in step 503, the mark adding means 100 writes the specified image on the print mark according to the arrangement.
Furthermore, when the user also specifies the size of the paper to be printed by the input unit, the mark adding unit 100 writes the size on the panoramic print mark. When the focal length of the lens at the time of shooting is written on the image, the mark adding unit 100 writes the focal length on the panoramic print mark.

Thus, even in the case of a panoramic image having no panorama identifier, image composition can be performed in a correct arrangement.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the operation when the same set of images as the image to which the panorama print mark is added is not specified.

In step 601, the user
If it is determined that the end of the apparatus or system of the present invention has been instructed by the input device 105 or the like, step 602
In, the mark adding means 100 refers to the panoramic print mark and checks the image of the set of images to be panoramic combined.

Since the panorama print mark is used to designate an image to be subjected to panorama synthesis, it is meaningful only for a set composed of two or more images. Therefore, in step 602, if there is no other image of the same set, a character or the like is displayed on the display unit 103 in step 603 to warn the user, and delete the panorama print mark as necessary. .

Thus, even in an apparatus in which a mode for selecting a sheet for a panoramic image is set based on, for example, discrimination of a panoramic print mark, the mode for panoramic printing is set for one image. Can be prevented.

Alternatively, in step 603, an instruction may be given to attach the same panoramic print mark to another image.

In this way, it is also possible to prevent a panoramic print mark from being added to only one sheet.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a printer that determines a panorama print mark, reads a designated image, performs panorama synthesis, and prints.

Reference numeral 104 denotes an image storage unit similar to that shown in FIG. 1, and specifically, a memory card detachable from a digital camera or a printer, a storage unit directly connected from a storage unit such as a digital camera or a CP, and the like. .

When the print information reading unit 802 of the printer 801 reads the information of the image designated for printing, the image corresponding to the designation is read from the image storage unit 104. If the print designation information includes a panoramic print mark, the image combining processing unit 803 combines the image specified by the panoramic print mark and sends the combined image to the image forming processing unit. If the print designation information includes a print mark, the image synthesis processing unit 8
03 sends the image specified by the print mark to the image forming processing unit 804 as it is.

The image forming processing unit 804 converts image data into image forming data,
For example, it converts to YMCK data. In addition, print mark,
When the paper size information is included in the panoramic print mark, the image can be enlarged or reduced in accordance with the information.

The image forming unit 805 prints on a horizontally long sheet of panoramic image at the time of panoramic printing, and prints on a fixed sheet of A4, B5 or the like at the time of normal printing, according to the image forming data.

Further, according to the present invention, when the image information and the designation information of the image to be printed are stored in the memory card by an operation on a digital camera, for example, the user can bring the memory card to a print shop or the like. It is possible to realize high-quality printing if it is possible, and by sending data with this memory card to a printer that can read image data from a memory card, it is possible to print a desired image without using a PC etc. It is also possible to automatically compose and print even a panoramic image.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the file structure of the storage means for storing the print mark and the panoramic print mark which are the designation information of the image to be printed.

In the present embodiment, the print designation information file 95
, Information for designating an image to be printed is stored. Reference numeral 96 stores an image to which a simple print mark is added.
In this case, 0001. Image files JPG and 0003.JPG are stored as images to be printed. 97 is
An image to which a panoramic print mark is added, which is a feature of the present embodiment, is stored. Since this content has been described in the description of FIG. 7, the description is omitted here. Thus, the designation information of the image to be printed is stored in a different directory from the image file.

For example, when a memory card for storing data as shown in FIG. 9 is set in a printer and printing is instructed, the printer first reads a print designation information file and determines an image to be printed. Thereafter, the designated image is printed as described with reference to FIG.

As described above, since the image to be printed can be known only by reading the print designation information file by the printer, it is not necessary to read all the images, and the panorama synthesis is performed by a printer which does not have a very large memory. It is suitable for printing.

Even if a plurality of sets of panoramic images exist in the storage means, by adding a panoramic print mark, it is possible to selectively designate only the panoramic image to be synthesized and printed.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible based on the spirit of the present invention.

[0060]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to easily designate that a desired panoramic image is synthesized and printed.

Further, by adding a panoramic print mark by using information indicating that the image is a divided photograph, it is possible to specify the mark more securely without forgetting to attach the mark.

Further, by adding the arrangement information to the panoramic print mark, the operation of designating the image arrangement at the time of printing becomes unnecessary.

Further, by adding the size information of the printing paper to the panoramic print mark, the printer can perform image processing according to the paper size.

Further, even if the image data is not read,
Just read the specification information of the image to be composited and printed,
Since the image to be combined can be known, the image data reading process of the printer can be performed simply and quickly.

Further, the present invention is particularly effective when image data and print information are stored and printed using a memory card detachable from a printer as a recording means.

Further, if an image to be printed can be designated by a digital camera, a special device such as a personal computer is not required, so that a panoramic image can be easily printed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for recording designation information of an image to be printed and designation information of an image to be combined and printed in a data area different from image data.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a process of displaying a panorama image on a display unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation when a print mark is added to an image.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation when a panoramic print mark is added to an image.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation when a panorama print mark is added to an image having no panorama identifier.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation when an image of the same set as an image to which a panorama print mark is added is not specified.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a panoramic print mark.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a printer that determines a panorama print mark, reads a designated image, performs panorama synthesis, and prints the image.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a file configuration of a storage unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 mark addition means 101 image acquisition means 103 display means 104 image storage means 105 input means 802 print information reading section 803 image synthesis processing section 804 image formation processing section 805 image formation section 806 CPU 807 RAM 808 ROM

Continued on front page F term (reference) 2C087 BB10 BD07 CA03 CB03 CB06 CB13 DA07 5B021 AA01 AA02 BB02 CC05 CC06 DD07 EE01 KK02 5C076 AA12 AA19 AA36 CA02 CA10 9A001 BB03 FF03 GG01 HH28 HH34 JJ35 KK

Claims (26)

[Claims] An image specifying step of specifying a plurality of images to be combined and printed; and a recording step of recording print specification information in the image specifying step in an area different from image data indicating the plurality of images. When,
An image processing method comprising: 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the print designation information designates an image that has been divided and stored. 3. When one image designated as an image to be combined and printed in the image designation step is an image to be combined with another image, the other image is combined with the one image. 3. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the image is automatically designated as an image to be printed. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the image specifying step, when there is only one image to be combined and printed by the printing unit and the specified image, the fact is notified. An image processing method according to any one of the above. 5. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the print designation information further includes arrangement information of an image to be combined. 6. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said print designation information further includes information on paper size to be printed.
The image processing method according to any one of the above. 7. An area in which the print designation information is recorded,
7. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein a directory is different from a data area in which the image data is recorded. 8. An image designating means for designating a plurality of images to be combined and printed, and recording for recording print designation information in the image designating means in a data area different from image data representing the plurality of images. And an image processing apparatus. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the print designation information designates a plurality of divided and stored images. 10. When one image designated as an image to be combined and printed in the image designation step is an image to be combined with another image, the other image is combined with the one image. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image is automatically designated as an image to be printed. 11. The image combining process according to claim 8, wherein in the image designating step, when there is only one image to be combined and printed by the printing means and the designated image, the image combining process is not performed. An image processing device according to any one of the above. 12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the print designation information further includes arrangement information of an image to be combined. 13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the print designation information further includes information on paper size to be printed. 14. An area in which the print designation information is recorded is a data area in which the image data is recorded.
14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein directories are different. 15. An image designating means for designating a plurality of images to be combined and printed, and storage means for storing print designation information of the image designating means in an area different from image data indicating the plurality of images. A printing unit that reads an image specified by the image specification information, synthesizes the image, and prints the image according to determination of image specification information in a data area different from the image data from the storage unit. And printing system. 16. The printing system according to claim 15, wherein said storage means is detachable from said printing means. 17. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image designating means is provided in a photographing device that photographs said plurality of images.
17. The printing system according to any one of 5 to 16. 18. When one image specified as an image to be synthesized and printed by the image specifying means is an image to be synthesized with another image, the other image is synthesized together with the one image. 18. The printing system according to claim 15, wherein the printing system is automatically designated as an image to be printed. 19. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the print designation information further includes arrangement information of an image to be combined.
19. The printing system according to any one of claims 18 to 18. 20. The printing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the print designation information further includes size information of a sheet to be printed.
20. The printing system according to any one of claims 19 to 19. 21. An image reading means for reading an image specified by the print specification information from a storage means in accordance with a determination of print specification information for specifying an image to be combined and printed, and the read image Synthesizing means for synthesizing, a printing means for printing the image synthesized by the synthesizing means,
A printing device comprising: 22. The printing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the print designation information includes arrangement information of an image to be combined, and the combining unit combines the images using the arrangement information. 23. The printing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the print designation information includes information on a paper size to be printed, and the printing unit processes the composite image according to the paper size. 24. An image reading step for reading an image specified by the print specification information from a storage means, as print specification information for specifying an image to be combined and printed is determined. And a printing process for printing an image synthesized in the combining process. 25. The printing method according to claim 24, wherein the print designation information includes arrangement information of an image to be combined, and the combining process combines the images using the arrangement information. 26. The printing method according to claim 24, wherein the print designation information includes information on a paper size to be printed, and the printing process processes the composite image in accordance with the paper size.