US20120188383A1 - Technology for combining images in a form - Google Patents

Abstract

When a plurality of image data are received, a form data from among at least one form data and a format data from among at least one format data are selected based on number of the image data. The image data, selected form data and format data are combined to generate an output image.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• The present document incorporates by reference the entire contents of Japanese priority document, 2004-266676 filed in Japan on Sep. 14, 2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to a technology for combining image data and format depicting data.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• Digital still cameras have become very popular. In these digital still cameras, photographed digital images are stored in a recording medium such as a memory card.
• When printing the photographed digital images, the digital still camera is connected to an external device, such as a personal computer, and the photographed digital images are transmitted to the external device. The photographed digital images are then printed by a printer attached to the external device.
• However, the job of connecting a digital still camera to a personal computer, transferring the photographed digital images from the digital still camera to the personal computer, connecting a printer to the personal computer, and operating the personal computer to print the photographed digital images on the printer is not an easy job for a common man. To make the printing process easy, there has been developed a technology in which a digital still camera can be directly connected to a printer.
• Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Nos. H11-8831, 2000-71575, 2002-16833 disclose various techniques for printing images with or without using a personal computer.
• In some conventional digital still cameras it is possible to insert images into spaces prepared in a template form. However, when the number of images to be printed does not match with the spaces in the form, an undesirable result is obtained. For example, when the spaces are more and the images to be printed are less, some of the spaces remain blank.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• It is an object of the present invention to at least solve the problems in the conventional technology.
• An image processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a storing unit that stores at least one form data, a plurality of image data, and at least one format data; a selecting unit that selects a form data and a format data from among the form data and the format data stored in the storing unit based on number of image data; and an image combining unit that combines the image data, selected form data and format data to generate an output image.
• A method of combining an image and a form according to another aspect of the present invention includes comprising receiving a plurality of image data; selecting a form data from among at least one form data and a format data from among at least one format data based on number of the image data; and combining the image data, selected form data and format data to generate an output image.
• An image forming device according to still another aspect of the present invention a storing unit that stores at least one form data, a plurality of image data, and at least one format data; a selecting unit that selects a form data and a format data from among the form data and the format data stored in the storing unit based on number of image data; an image combining unit that combines the image data, selected form data and format data to generate an output image; and an outputting unit that outputs the output image.
• A printing system according to still another aspect of the present invention an image capturing unit configured to capture images; and a printing unit. The printer unit includes a storing unit that stores at least one form data, a plurality of image data corresponding to images captured by the image capturing unit, and at least one format data; a selecting unit that selects a form data and a format data from among the form data and the format data stored in the storing unit based on number of image data; and an image combining unit that combines the image data, selected form data and format data to generate an output image; and an outputting unit that outputs the output image.
• The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital still camera printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of a digital still camera shown inFIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram of a printer shown inFIG. 1;
• FIGS. 4A to 4D are examples of form data;
• FIGS. 5A to 5D are schematics of a layout, form data, images, and a combined image;
• FIG. 6A is a schematic for explaining the concept of a rotation angle;
• FIGS. 6B to 6D are schematics for describing variable size modes;
• FIGS. 7A to 7D are schematics of depicting data of form additional data;
• FIG. 8 is a schematic of a combined document created according to the embodiment; and
• FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a printing processing performed by the printer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments.
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital stillcamera printing system50 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The digital stillcamera printing system50 includes a digitalstill camera100 that takes digital images, and aprinter200 that prints the digital images.
• Thedigital still camera100 and theprinter200 are capable of communicating with each other using a protocol and a data format that are compliant with the PictBridge standard established by the Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) as DC-001-2003 Digital Photo Solutions for Imaging Devices.
• FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of the digitalstill camera100. In thedigital still camera100, asystem control unit1 controls: each unit of the digitalstill camera100; writing/reading of data to/from arecording medium30; photographing; and communication between an external device via anexternal communication unit9. Furthermore, thesystem control unit1 performs various data processings, such as user interface processings when a user operates the digitalstill camera100. Asystem memory2 stores various control programs executed by thesystem control unit1, and is used as a work area of thesystem control unit1. Aparameter memory3 stores various data specific to the digitalstill camera100, and aclock circuit4 outputs the present time.
• A reader/writer5 is used to write/read data to/from therecording medium30. A photographingunit6 includes a camera mechanism used for photographing, an optical system, and a photoelectric converting unit. Adisplay unit7 displays various data to a user on a liquid crystal display. Anoperating unit8 has various keys that a user can use when operating the digitalstill camera100.
• Anexternal communication unit9 connects thedigital still camera100 to an external device, such as theprinter200. As a result, thedigital still camera100 can exchange data with the external device via theexternal communication unit9. Theexternal communication unit9 can be a versatile communication unit such as a USB.
• Thesystem control unit1, thesystem memory2, theparameter memory3, theclock circuit4, the reader/writer5, thephotographing unit6, thedisplay unit7, theoperation unit8, and theexternal communication unit9 are connected to each other by aninternal bus10. As a result, data can be exchanged between any two or more units via theinternal bus10.
• FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram of theprinter200. In theprinter200, asystem control unit21 controls: each unit of theprinter200; paper feeding; printing; and communication between an external device via anexternal communication unit28. Moreover, thesystem control unit21 performs various data processings, such as user interface processings when a user operates theprinter200. Asystem memory22 stores various control programs executed by thesystem control unit21, and is used as a work area of thesystem control unit21. Aparameter memory23 stores various data specific to theprinter200, and aclock circuit24 outputs the present time.
• Apage buffer memory25 stores printing data of one page, aprint unit26 prints an image onto paper, and anoperation display unit27 is a user interface for a user to operate theprinter200.
• Theexternal communication unit28 connects theprinter200 to an external device, such as the digitalstill camera100. As a result theprinter200 can exchange data with the external device via theexternal communication unit28. Theexternal communication unit28 can be a versatile communication unit such as a USB.
• Thesystem control unit21, thesystem memory22, theparameter memory23, theclock circuit24, thepage buffer memory25, theprint unit26, theoperation display unit27, and theexternal communication unit28 are connected to each other by aninternal bus29. As a result, data can be exchanged between any two or more units via theinternal bus29.
• FIG. 4A is an example of form data stored in theprinter200. Theprinter200 stores a plurality of such form data.
• The form data includes image combining data and form additional data. The image combining data indicates how image data is to be laid out on a page. The form additional data includes depicting elements to be added to the page. There are two types of depicting data: a depicting element that is added to image data laid out on a page (image-associated additional-depicting-data), and a depicting element that is always added to a fixed position on a page (fixed additional-depicting-data).
• As shown inFIG. 4B, the image combining data includes number of images (N) on one page of a form that is created by the form data, andlayout data #1 to #N defining a position of each of the images. As shown inFIG. 4C, each layout data includes a depicting reference position, a depicting size, a variable size mode, and a rotational angle.
• In an example shown inFIG. 5A, there are two display frames FL1 and FL2 for laying out images on a page that is created by the form data. Thus, the image combining data includes two sets oflayout data #1 and #2, corresponding to display frames FL1 and FL2. Thelayout data #1 includes a coordinate value of a point P1 at the top left corner in display frame FL1 as the depicting reference position, and a height H1 and a width W1 of the display frame FL1 as the depicting size. Moreover, 0 (zero) degrees is stored as the rotational angle, and “keep aspect ratio” is stored as the variable size mode.
• FIG. 6A is a schematic for explaining the concept of the rotational angle. The rotational angle is an angle around a reference point P in a frame FL. A rotational angel in an anti-clockwise direction is represented by a positive value, and a rotational angel in a clockwise direction is represented by a negative value.
• There are two types of variable size modes: “keep aspect ratio (ratio of height and width)”; and “fit in display frame”.FIG. 6B is a diagram showing an example of fitting a foreground image PT into the display frame FL that is smaller than the foreground image PT. When the “keep aspect ratio” mode is set, as shown inFIG. 6C, a reduced image PTa of the foreground image PT is fit into the display frame FL by retaining the aspect ratio. Specifically, the height is reduced to match that of the display frame FL, and the width is reduced correspondingly so that the reduced image PTa has the same aspect ratio as the foreground image PT. On the other hand, when the “fit in display frame” mode is set, as shown inFIG. 6D, a reduced image PTb of the foreground image PT is reduced into the same size as the display frame FL. Specifically, both the height and the width are reduced to match that of the display frame FL.
• As shown inFIG. 4D, the form additional data includes a character depicting data group, a line depicting data group, a graphic depicting data group, and an image depicting data group.
• The character depicting data group includes an Nc number of character depicting data. The character depicting data is sorted in an ascending order of an image index value.
• The line depicting data group includes an Nr number of line depicting data. The line depicting data is sorted in an ascending order of an image index value.
• The graphic depicting data group includes an Ng number of graphic depicting data. The graphic depicting data is sorted in an ascending order of an image index value.
• The image depicting data group includes an Ni number of image depicting data. The image depicting data is sorted in an ascending order of an image index value.
• The image index value is a value for referring to an image corresponding to the layout data in the image combining data. For example, animage index value 1 means that the data (image-associated additional-depicting-data) is added to a position associated to an image according tolayout data #1. Animage index value 0 means that the data is not associated to an image (fixed additional-depicting-data).
• As shown inFIG. 7A, the character depicting data includes a printing position that is a position where a character string is to be printed on a form (character reference position coordinate), a size, a font, style (bold, italic, etc.), a color, the character string, and an image index value. For example, in form data shown inFIG. 5B, the character string “P / ” at the top right corner are depicted according to character depicting data #1 (image index value: 0). This character string is indicated by a value “P pp/PP”; “pp” indicates a page number and “PP” indicates a total number of pages.
• As shown inFIG. 7B, the line depicting data includes a depicting position on a form (depicting reference position), length, line intervals, thickness of lines, color of lines, number of lines, and an image index value. For example, in the form data as shown inFIG. 5B, there are two spaces for laying out images, and lines are provided at positions associated to each space, so that a user can write in a memo. These lines are depicted according to line depicting data #1 (image index value: 1) and line depicting data #2 (image index value: 2), respectively.
• As shown inFIG. 7C, the graphic depicting data includes type of depiction (assembly of lines/bezier curve), method of depiction (line only, fill (even-odd rule, non-zero winding rule), line and fill), line color, line thickness, color of fill, a depiction position (assembly of depiction positions, including control point in the case of bezier curve), and an image index value.
• As shown inFIG. 7D, the image depicting data includes a depicting position on a form (depicting reference position), a width and a height of a source image, a width and a height of a depicted image, number of colors (monochrome, 256 colors, full-color), data size, image data, and an image index value.
• The form data shown inFIGS. 5A to 5D includes two spaces for images on one page. When a user selects three images, the first page including two images is printed out, as shown inFIG. 5D.
• The second page is printed out as shown inFIG. 8. Specifically, the third image is positioned at the space for a first image on the page, and lines are depicted at a position associated to the image. Moreover, the space for a second image on the page is left blank, without any lines depicted.
• According to the embodiment, when a page is created according to form data, and the page has a blank space because there are more spaces than the number of images selected for printing, depicting elements (characters, lines, graphics, etc.) associated to the blank space are not printed. Thus, unnecessary form elements are omitted, so that a desirable output is obtained. Moreover, unnecessary consumption of color material of the printer200 (toner, ink, etc.) is suppressed.
• FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a printing processing performed by theprinter200. In this printing processing, a plurality of images selected by a user is transferred from the digitalstill camera100 to be printed out on one page.
• A user is made to select a form data (step S101). Operation guidance and a list of form data can be displayed on theoperation display unit27 to facilitate the selection.
• Theprinter200 sets a variable C of the number of images to be included on one page to “0” (step S102), and determines whether an image is input from the digital still camera100 (step S103). When the result of the determination made at step S103 is YES, theprinter200 adds “1” to the variable C (step S104), positions the input image on a page according to Cth layout data (layout data #C), and issues a depicting command to a lower processing layer (step S105).
• The printer determines whether the variable C reached a number N of images that can be included in one page (step S106). When the result of the determination made at step S106 is NO, the system control returns to step S103, and determines whether a next image is input.
• When the digitalstill camera100 finishes inputting images to theprinter200, and the result of the determination made at step S103 is NO, theprinter200 determines whether the variable C is more than “0” (step S107). When the result of the determination made at step S107 is NO, the image printing processing ends.
• When theprinter200 finishes depicting images for one page and the result of the determination made at step S106 is YES, or when the digitalstill camera100 finishes inputting images to theprinter200 but the last page is not discharged and the result of the determination made at step S107 is YES, the processing proceeds to step S108. At this point, the variable C retains the number of images to be included on the page to be printed out.
• At step S108, theprinter200 sets a variable i to “0”. The variable i is used for sequentially scanning all the depicting data included in the form additional data. Theprinter200 acquires an i-th element in the depicting data, and determines whether the image index value of the acquired element is smaller than the variable C (step S109).
• When the result of the determination made at step S109 is YES, theprinter200 issues, to a lower processing layer, a depicting command to depict the contents of the i-th element (step S110). When the result of the determination made at step S109 is NO, step S110 is not performed.
• Theprinter200 adds “1” to the variable i (step S111), and determines whether processings for all depicting data are completed (step S112). When the result of the determination made at step S112 is NO, the system control returns to step S109, and performs processings for remaining depicting data.
• When the result of the determination made at step S112 is YES, theprinter200 discharges the depicted page (step S113), returns to step S103, and performs processings for a next page.
• Similar results can be obtained by replacing the digitalstill camera100 with a digital video camera having a function of a digital still camera. Moreover, similar results can be obtained by replacing the digitalstill camera100 with a mobile terminal having a function of a digital still camera.
• It is sufficient that the images are available, and it is not necessary that the images be taken with a camera. In other words, the images can be images prestored in a hard disk of a computer, or can be images scanned with a scanning function of a scanner, a composite machine, or a copier. The images can also be downloaded via a network such as the Internet. In other words, instead of connecting theprinter200 to the digitalstill camera100 as shown inFIG. 1, theprinter200 can be connected to a computer having a hard disk with prestored images or a communication function that allows downloading of images via a network, or theprinter200 can be connected to, or incorporated in, a scanner, a composite machine, or a copier.
• Although the invention has been described with respect to a specific embodiment for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.

Claims (12)

1. (canceled)

2. An image processing device connected directly to an image supplying apparatus, the image processing device comprising:

a memory to store therein form data, wherein the form data includes a display frame in which an image datum transferred from the image supplying apparatus is to be fitted; and

a controller configured to vary the image datum transferred from the image supplying apparatus in size to be fitted into the display frame included in the form data.

3. The image processing device ofclaim 2, wherein the controller is configured to vary the image datum in size while maintaining the aspect ratio of the image datum to be fitted into the display frame.

4. The image processing device ofclaim 2, wherein the controller is configured to vary the image datum in size to be a same size as the display frame to be fitted into the display frame.

5. The image processing device ofclaim 3, wherein the controller is further configured to vary the image datum in size to be a same size as the display frame to be fitted into the display frame.

6. The image processing device ofclaim 5, wherein the controller selects one of (1) the varying the image datum in size while keeping the aspect ratio of the image datum to be fitted into the display frame, or (2) the varying the image datum in size to be a same size as the display frame to be fitted into the display frame.

7. The image processing device ofclaim 2, wherein the form data includes layout data of the display frame.

8. The image processing device ofclaim 7, wherein the layout data includes a coordinate value of a point at a top left corner of the display frame.

9. The image processing device ofclaim 8, wherein the layout data further includes a height and width of the display frame.

10. The image processing device ofclaim 9, wherein the layout data further includes a rotational angle of the display frame.

11. An image processing method for an image processing device connected directly to an image supplying apparatus, the image processing method comprising:

storing form data in a memory, wherein the form data includes a display frame in which an image datum transferred from the image supplying apparatus is to be fitted; and

varying the image datum transferred from the image supplying apparatus in size to be fitted into the display frame included in the form data.

12. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instruction to be executed by an image processing device connected directly to an image supplying apparatus, the computer executable instructions cause the image processing device to execute:

storing form data in a memory, wherein the form data includes a display frame in which an image datum transferred from the image supplying apparatus is to be fitted; and

varying the image datum transferred from the image supplying apparatus in size to be fitted into the display frame included in the form data.

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