Digital Camera Patent AbstractThe present invention relates to a digital camera, an image processing
apparatus, an image processing method, an image processing system,
and a program in which, plural trimming areas are set to image data
displayed on a display, and the image data corresponding to the
respective set trimming areas are continuously output and printed
by a printer.
Digital Camera Patent ClaimsWhat is claimed is:
1. An image reproduction apparatus comprising: a selection unit
adapted to select an image to be printed from among plural images
stored on a recording medium; a display unit adapted to display
the selected image; a display control unit adapted to superpose
plural trimming frames on the selected image displayed by said display
unit; an operation unit adapted to set a location and a size of
a trimming frame to the selected image displayed by said display
unit; a changeover unit adapted to, after setting the trimming frame
by said operation unit, change over to setting of a next trimming
frame; an indication unit adapted to indicate to decide the settings
of the plural trimming frames; and a storage unit adapted to store
trimming frame information representing the plural trimming frames
already set up, wherein said display control unit causes to display
the trimming frame to be operated as a result of the changeover
of said changeover unit, with as color different from colors of
the trimming frames already set up.
2. An image reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
said display control unit causes said display unit to display a
new trimming frame as the trimming frame to be operated next, according
to the changeover by said changeover unit.
3. An image reproduction apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
said display control unit causes to display the new trimming frame
at the center of said display unit.
4. An image reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: an output unit adapted to sequentially output plural
trimming images based on the trimming frame information stored in
said storage unit.
5. An image reproduction apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
said image reproduction apparatus includes a digital camera, and
said output unit outputs the plural trimming images to a printer
connected to the digital camera.
6. A method comprising: a selection step for selecting an image
to be printed from among plural images stored on a recording medium;
a display step for displaying the selected image; a display control
step for superposing plural trimming frames on the same selected
image displayed in said display step; an operation step adapted
to set a location and a size of a trimming frame to the selected
image displayed in said display step; a changeover step adapted
to, after setting the trimming frame in said operation step, change
over to setting of a next trimming frame; an indication step adapted
to indicate to decide the settings of the plural trimming frames;
and a storage step adapted to store trimming frame information representing
the plural trimming frames already set up, wherein said display
control step causes to display the trimming frame to be operated
as a result of the changeover in said changeover step, with a color
different from colors of the trimming frames already set up.
7. An method according to claim 6, wherein said display control
step causes display of a new trimming frame as the trimming frame
to be operated next, according to the changeover by said changeover
step.
8. A method according to claim 6, wherein said display control
step causes to display the new trimming frame at the center of a
display unit.
9. A method according to claim 6, further comprising: an output
step adapted to sequentially output plural trimming images based
on the trimming frame information stored in said storage step.
10. A method according to claim 9, wherein said method is performed
in a digital camera, and said output step outputs the plural trimming
images to a printer connected to the digital camera.
11. A print system comprising: a selection unit adapted to select,
from among plural images stored in a recording medium, an image
as a print target; a display unit adapted to display the selected
image; a display control unit adapted to enable plural trimming
frames to be superposed and displayed on the selected image displayed
by said display unit; an operation unit adapted to set a location
and a size of a trimming frame to the selected image displayed on
said display unit; a changeover unit adapted to, after setting the
trimming frame by said operation unit, change over to setting of
a next trimming frame; an indication unit adapted to indicate to
decide the settings of the plural trimming frames; and a storage
unit adapted to store trimming frame information representing the
plural trimming frames already set up, wherein said display control
unit causes to display the trimming frame to be operated as a result
of the changeover of said changeover unit with a color different
from colors of the trimming frames already set up.
12. A print system according to claim 11, wherein said display
control unit causes to display a new trimming frame as the next
trimming frame according to the changeover by said changeover unit.
13. A print system according to claim 12, wherein said display
control unit causes to display the next trimming frame at the center
of said display unit.
14. A print system according to claim 11, further comprising a
print unit adapted to sequentially print plural trimming areas based
on the trimming frame information representing the plural trimming
frames stored in said storage unit. Digital Camera Patent DescriptionBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a digital camera, an image processing
apparatus, an image processing method and an image processing system
which perform a process for trimming an image for printing, and
a program for executing the above image processing method.
2. Related Background Art
Conventionally, in case of connecting a camera with a printer,
performing trimming of a part of an image held in the camera, and
then printing the trimming-processed image using a printer, a user
performs trimming setting operation while watching an original image,
prints the trimming-processed image, then performs another trimming
setting operation while watching the image, and prints that trimming-processed
image. That is, the trimming setting operation and printing operation
are alternately repeated.
Moreover, in case of performing different trimming operation to
an identical image, it is necessary to perform the trimming setting
operations while comparing a print result output on a paper or the
like with an image on a display device.
On one hand, in case of performing trimming of a part of the image
held in the camera and then printing the trimming-processed image,
if the size of the output paper or the like is limited, it is known
that the trimming to the same size is designated respectively to
adjacent areas on the original image, and the plural trimming-processed
images are printed. Then, the printed outputs are aligned, whereby
a panoramic image is formed. In the conventional technique, a trimming
setting is performed every time a print output of the image is performed.
That is, the user performs a trimming setting operation of the same
size on the area adjacent to the area which previously has been
subjected to the trimming setting operation, while comparing the
image already printed on the paper with the image presently displayed
on the display device. Thus, it is necessary to alternately repeat
the trimming setting operation and printing operation.
As described above, in such a conventional related background art,
even in the case where the plural different trimmings operation
and printing operations are performed to the identical image, it
is necessary to reperform the trimming setting operation every time
the printing of one trimming-processed image ends. Here, a certain
time is necessary to perform the printing of one trimming-processed
image, and the user has to wait for the end of the printing of one
trimming-processed image and then perform next trimming setting
operation. Thus, there is a problem that it takes a long time to
complete continuous printing.
Moreover, when the user performs the next trimming setting operation,
while watching and observing the result of the previous printing
of the trimming-processed image, he has to perform the next trimming
setting operation while comparing the image already printed on the
paper with the image presently displayed on the display device of
the camera or the printer. Thus, there is a problem that it is impossible
to provide a user-friendly printing system.
Moreover, in the above conventional related background art, when
a panoramic image is formed by appropriately aligning the plural
printed outputs obtained from the adjacent areas and based on the
same-sized trimmings, it is necessary to reperform the trimming
setting operation every time the printing of one trimming-processed
image ends. Here, since a certain time is necessary to perform the
printing of one trimming-processed image, the user has to be on
standby while the printing is being performed. Thus, the user has
to wait for the end of the printing of one trimming-processed image
and then perform the next trimming setting operation. Moreover,
when the user performs the next trimming setting operation while
watching and observing the result of the previous trimming processed
image printing, he has to set trimming frames of the same size on
the adjacent areas while comparing the image already printed on
the paper with the image presently displayed on the printing system.
Thus, there is the problem that it is impossible to provide a user-friendly
printing system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been accomplished in order to solve the
above conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide
a digital camera, an image processing apparatus, an image processing
method and an image processing system which improve operability
of continuous printing in a trimming printing operation, and a program
which is to execute the above image processing method.
As a means for achieving the above object, the present provides
a digital camera comprising:
a display means for displaying image data;
a setting means for setting plural trimming areas to the image
data; and
print control means for causing a print device to continuously
print and output the image data corresponding to each trimming area
set by the setting means.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital
camera, an image processing apparatus, an image processing method
and an image processing system which simplifies comparison of plural
settings concerning a trimming printing operation, and a program
which is to execute the above image processing method.
As a means for achieving the above object, the present provides
an image processing apparatus which performs a process for trimming-processed
image printing,comprising: a display means for displaying image
data;and a setting means for setting plural trimming areas to the
image data, wherein the setting means causes the display means to
display trimming frames of the set plural trimming areas set by
the setting means so as to superimpose each trimming frame on the
image data.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a digital
camera, an image processing apparatus, an image processing method
and an image processing system which simplifies trimming setting
operation concerning a panoramic printing operation, and a program
which execute the above image processing method.
As a means for achieving the above object, the present provides
an image processing apparatus which performs a process for trimming-processed
image printing, comprising: display means for displaying image data;
and setting means for setting plural trimming areas to the image
data, wherein the setting means sets the plural trimming areas by
dividing one designated trimming area, and causes the display means
to display trimming frames of the trimming areas set by the means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above objects of the present invention will become apparent
from the attached drawings and the detailed explanation based on
those drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a print system
according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a view showing the structure of trimming data in the
first embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a view showing a GUI (Graphical User Interface) operation
unit;
FIG. 4 is a view showing a screen used for performing print setting;
FIG. 5 is a view showing a screen where trimming setting is performed;
FIG. 6 is a view showing a screen where the trimming setting is
performed;
FIG. 7 is a view showing a screen where the trimming setting is
performed;
FIG. 8 is a view showing a screen where the trimming setting is
performed;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process flow when printing is performed;
FIG. 10 is a view showing a state of dividing a trimming setting
area into lattice-like areas in a screen where the trimming setting
operation according to the second embodiment is performed;
FIG. 11 is a view showing the structure of trimming data in the
second embodiment;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a process flow of trimming-processed
image printing in the second embodiment; and
FIG. 13 is a view showing an example of a JUMP key provided on
the GUI operation unit shown in FIG. 3.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be explained
with reference to the attached drawings.
First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a print system
which includes a digital camera 100 and a printer 120 according
to the present invention.
It is assumed that image data shot by an imaging unit 111 is recorded
in a CF (Compact Flash) 101 being a removal flash memory card. A
user performs various operations by operating a GUI operation unit
110. The GUI operation unit 110 is connected to a GUI control unit
107, which interprets an operation performed by the user in accordance
with the conditions and sends commands to each unit through a bus
104 to realize a users request.
An example of the GUI operation unit 110 is shown in FIG. 3. In
this example, an operation unit of the digital camera corresponds
to the GUI operation unit.
In order to print a recorded image after performing a trimming
operation, an image to be printed is selected and then trimming
setting operation is performed. More particularly, the user operates
the GUI operation unit 110 to display an image selection screen.
In this time, a operation performed by the user is interpreted by
the GUI control unit 107, which issues an image display command
to an image selection unit 106. The image selection unit 106 issues
an instruction to an I/O control unit 102 in order to read image
data currently selected. The I/O control unit 102 reads designated
image data from the CF 101 and sends the image data to a display
unit 108 through the bus 104. The display unit 108 displays the
sent image data.
The user can select a display format of a screen by the GUI operation
unit 110. With respect to the display format, there are a format
of displaying a piece of image by using almost an entire area of
the display unit 108 and a format of simultaneously and collectively
displaying plural pieces of images, of which sizes are reduced,
on the display unit 108. When the format of simultaneously displaying
the plural pieces of images, of which sizes are reduced, is selected,
the image selection unit 106 requires image data necessary for a
display to the I/O control unit 102 and then the necessary image
data is sent to the display unit 108.
The user selects an image to be printed while watching the images
displayed on the display unit 108. If the image currently displayed
is to be printed, the user depresses a selection button in the GUI
operation unit 110 and then performs the trimming setting operation.
The trimming setting is performed by using such a screen as shown
in FIG. 4. When a SET button 305 in the GUI operation unit 110 in
a display state for selecting the image, a print dialog box as shown
in FIG. 4 is displayed on the image currently displayed on the display
unit 108. The user operates a cross-shaped key 303 and selects a
trimming button 401. When the user depress the SET button 305 in
the GUI operation unit 110 in a display state for selecting the
trimming button 401, a trimming setting screen shown in FIG. 5 is
displayed on the display unit 108.
In the display screen shown in FIG. 5, a trimming setting frame
501 is displayed at the center of the screen by green color, in
a state superimposed on the selected image. In this state, the user
can move the trimming setting frame 501 up and down, right and left
on the image by operating the cross-shaped key 303 of the GUI operation
unit up and down, right and left respectively. Further, if the user
depresses the WIDE key 302 in the GUI operation unit 110,the size
of the trimming setting frame is increased. The trimming setting
frame 501, of which the size and position are changed (reduced and
shifted up to the right), is shown in FIG. 6.
When a maximum sized trimming setting frame 501 is displayed, if
the user then again depress the WIDE key 302, the trimming operation
is cancelled. After the cancellation, since trimming information
before the cancellation is stored, the trimming data before the
cancellation can be recalled by resetting the trimming operation.
If the user depresses the TELE key 301 in the GUI operation unit
110, the size of the trimming setting frame is reduced. If the user
depress the DISPLAY key 306 in the GUI operation unit 110, the trimming
setting frame is rotated 90 degrees.
When the position, the size and the longitudinal/lateral directions
of a trimming operation are set to the desired condition, if the
user depresses the SET key 305 of the GUI operation unit 110, the
trimming setting at the present time is fixed, the fixed trimming
frame 501 is displayed, e.g., in blue color as shown in FIG. 7,
then a new trimming setting frame 502 is displayed at the center
of the screen, e.g., in green color. Thereafter, operation performed
using the WIDE key 302, the TELE key 301, the DISPLAY key 306 and
the cross-shaped key 303 and the cross-shape key 303 of the GUI
operation unit 110 does not give any influence on the previously
fixed trimming frame 501 but becomes an operation for the new trimming
setting frame 502, wherein the size and the position of the trimming
setting frame can be changed and/or the trimming setting frame 502
can be rotated 90 degrees. Also, in this time, since the previously
fixed trimming frame 501 is displayed, a new trimming setting operation
can be performed while comparing with the condition of the previous
trimming setting 501. While the trimming setting frame 502 can be
displayed at a desired position with the desired size, another new
trimming setting frame 503 further maybe be displayed, as shown
in FIG. 8, by depressing the SET key 305 of the GUI operation unit
110.
After repeating the necessary trimming settings, if the user depresses
the MENU key 304 in the GUI operation unit 110, the trimming setting
operation ends, and the print dialog box shown in FIG. 4 is displayed
again on the display unit 108. When the print dialog box shown in
FIG. 4, is being displayed, the user can select print button 402
by operating the cross-shaped key 303 in the GUI operation unit
110; and when the user depresses the SET button 305 of the GUI operation
unit 110, a print process is executed in accordance with the trimming
setting.
If a print execution is instructed, print data is generated by
a print data generation unit 105. In the print data generation unit
105, the image data currently selected is read from the CF 101 through
the image selection unit 106 via the I/O control unit 102. Furthermore,
trimming data is read from a data holding unit 103, and a necessary
area is extracted from the image data in accordance with the trimming
data. The extracted image data is converted into data adapted to
the connected printer 120 and the converted data is sent to the
printer 120 through a communication unit 109. The printer 120 executes
a print process in accordance with the sent print data.
After the printing of one sheet ended, data for the printing is
continuously formed in accordance with the next trimming setting,
and the print data is similarly sent to the printer to execute a
print process according to the next trimming setting. The processes
are repeated for all trimming settings until the processes end.
FIG. 2 is a view showing the data structure of the trimming data
to be stored at a time of performing a trimming setting operation
in the print system of the present embodiment. The trimming data
is held (stored) in the data holding unit 103. The trimming data
is a structure object consisting of at least six members, and each
member has length of four bytes data.
Numeral 201 denotes a trimming setting flag, which can take two
values: "true" or "false." If it is in a state
of true, it indicates that the contents of the remaining members
of the trimming data structure object are meaningful contents. However,
if it is in a state of false, it is meaningless even if the remaining
members have whatever contents. Therefore, if the trimming setting
flag 201 is in a state of false, it is treated that the trimming
setting has not been performed.
Numeral 202 denotes a trimming cancellation flag, which can take
one of two values of "true" or "false." If it
is in a state of true, it indicates that the trimming setting is
cancelled. The state that the trimming setting flag 201 is in a
state of true and the trimming cancellation flag 202 is in a state
of true indicates that the trimming setting is performed and all
the members of the trimming data structure object hold meaningful
values, however, the trimming process itself is cancelled. If the
trimming cancellation flag 202 is in a state of true at a time of
printing, a trimming-processed image trimming print is not performed,
but rather a print process of an entire image, to which the trimming
operation is not performed, is executed.
Numeral 203 denotes a print mode at a time of setting the trimming.
The print system in the present embodiment has three print modes
of "margin," "no margin" and "division
seal sheet," and each of the modes differs in an image aspect
ratio of the printed result. If the trimming process is not set
by the same aspect ratio as that of the printed result, since an
area surrounded by the trimming frame differs from the printed result,
the print mode at a time of setting the trimming process has to
be held as the trimming data.
A paper type 204 denotes the paper size at a time of setting the
trimming process. When the print mode 203 corresponds to the "no
margin" or the "division seal sheet," the image aspect
ratio of the printed result invites difference according to a paper
type. Therefore, the paper type has to be also held as the trimming
data for the same reason as that of the print mode 203.
Pointers for trimming frame data 210, 211, 212 and 213 are stored
in members 205, 206, 207 and 208. Data of the trimming X coordinate
210 indicates an X coordinate on an image at a left upper corner
in the trimming frame. Data of the trimming Y coordinate 211 indicates
a Y coordinate on the image at the left upper corner in the trimming
frame. Data of the trimming width 212 indicates length in the horizontal
direction of the trimming frame. Data of the trimming height 213
indicates length in the vertical direction of the trimming frame.
The position and size of the trimming frame are determined by the
four data of 210, 211, 212 and 213.
When the plural trimming settings are instructed for one piece
of image, the trimming frame data of 210, 211, 212 and 213, the
number of which are the same as the number of the trimming settings
are prepared, and the position and the size for each of the trimming
settings are held.
Since the pointers for each of the trimming frame data are stored
in the members 205, 206, 207 and 208, the number of these items
corresponds to the number of the trimming settings that were prepared
plus one. By setting zero in the last member of the pointer for
the trimming frame data (numeral 208 in FIG. 2), it is indicated
that the pointer for the trimming frame data does not continue any
more. Therefore, the number of the trimming settings and the position
and size of the each trimming setting can be known by investigating
the trimming data structure object.
Numeral 209 which denotes an image number, indicates to which image
the trimming data structure object corresponds. In the images stored
in the CF 101, the same plural image numbers do not exist. That
is, the one image is indicated by one respective image number.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process flow of reading and storing
the trimming data in the print system in the present embodiment.
In a step S301, an image to be printed is selected. In a step S302,
the trimming setting operation for the selected image is performed.
As to the method of the trimming setting operation, it obeys the
above description. At this time, the trimming setting already has
been already performed for a target image. That is, if the trimming
setting flag 201 is in a state of true, that setting is followed,
and the trimming frame data stored in a place of indicated by the
pointer for the trimming frame data which starts from the pointer
205 is read, then a trimming setting screen is displayed on the
display unit 108 in accordance with the read trimming data. At this
time, the size, the position and the longitudinal/lateral directions
of the trimming frame to be displayed depend on the read trimming
data.
If the trimming data is not stored, the trimming data is not read,
and a default trimming frame is generated to display it on the display
unit 108.
In a step S303, the end of the trimming setting operation is judged
(detected). More particularly, when operating in the trimming setting
screen, if the user depresses the SET button 305 in the GUI operation
unit 110, since the trimming setting operation is to be continued,
a flow returns to the step S302, where the user is enabled to perform
the arbitrary number of the trimming settings operations.
When operating in the trimming setting screen, if the user depresses
the MENU button 304 in the GUI operation unit 110, the trimming
setting operation ends, and processing will be in a state capable
of starting the printing operation. Further, if the printing is
instructed by a user, the printing is started in a step S304.
The print process is achieved by reading the trimming data shown
in FIG. 2, extracting the image in accordance with the trimming
frame data of 210, 211, 212 and 213, which were traced from the
pointer stored in the member 205 and transmitting data, which was
converted into print data, to the printer 120.
When a trimming-processed image print for one sheet ends, it is
investigated whether or not the next trimming-processed image print
is instructed in a step S305. In the above, since the trimming-processed
image print was performed by the trace of the pointer 205 for data
1, the trimming print is performed in accordance with data of the
next pointer 206. As long as the pointer for the trimming frame
data is not set to zero, the trimming-processed image print is continuously
performed similarly. If the pointer for the trimming frame data
is set to zero, it is judged that the print process is not be continued
in the step S305, and the process ends.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, plural
trimming settings operation can be performed for the same image
on the same screen, and all the trimming print processes can be
set in a single printing operation can be sequentially performed.
Accordingly, another trimming setting operation can be performed
while comparing it with plural prior trimming settings. As a result,
additionally trimming setting can be previously and collectively
performed without being kept waiting in the course of the printing,
and improved operability can be obtained.
Second Embodiment
In the present embodiment, a case of applying the present invention
to panorama printing will be explained. A digital camera in the
present embodiment has the same internal structure as that shown
in FIG. 1, the same operation unit as that shown in FIG. 3 and the
same setting screen as that shown in FIG. 4 can be displayed. Therefore,
in the present embodiment, each structural unit having the same
function as that in the first embodiment is indicated by the same
reference numeral and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.
However, in the present embodiment, a JUMP key (not previously shown;
see FIG. 13) used for designating an area of the panorama printing
is provided in the GUI operation unit 110.
A state of dividing a trimming frame into small lattice-like rectangular
areas is shown in FIG. 10. Each of images 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004
and 1005 shown in FIG. 10 occupies an entire portion of an image
to be displayed on the display unit 108.
First, the trimming frame corresponding to one sheet of a print
output paper is displayed as indicated by the image 1001, and when
a right side button of the cross-shaped key is depressed while depressing
the JUMP key of the GUI operation unit 110, the trimming frame is
enlarged in the right direction and divided into two rectangular
areas as indicated by the image 1002. Further, when the right side
button of the cross-shaped key is depressed while depressing the
JUMP key in the GUI operation unit 110, the trimming frame is enlarged
in the right direction, and the trimming frame is divided into three
rectangular areas as indicated by the image 1004. Further, when
an upper side button of the cross-shaped key is depressed while
depressing the JUMP key in the GUI operation unit 110, the trimming
frame is enlarged in the upper direction, and the trimming frame
is divided into six rectangular areas as indicated by the image
1005.
As above, when the right side button, left side button, upper side
button or a lower side button of the cross-shaped key is depressed
while depressing the JUMP key in the GUI operation unit 110, the
trimming frame is enlarged in each direction and divided into the
rectangular areas in each direction. Further, in a state of the
trimming frame indicated by the image 1002, by depressing the DISPLAY
key 306, the trimming operation in the longitudinal direction also
can be performed, as indicated by the image 1003. After setting
the position, the size and the longitudinal/lateral directions of
the trimming operation to the desired condition, if the MENU key
304 in the GUI operation unit 110 is depressed, the trimming setting
is fixed.
After repeating the trimming settings, if the user depresses the
MENU key 304 in the GUI operation unit 110 is depressed, the trimming
setting ends, and a print dialog box shown in FIG. 4 is displayed
on the display unit 108. When in a state of displaying the print
dialog box shown in FIG. 4, if the uses print selects the print
button 402 is selected while operating the cross-shaped key 303
and the SET button 305, printing is executed in accordance with
the trimming setting.
If a print execution is instructed, print data is generated by
the print data generation unit 105. In the print data generation
unit 105, the image data currently selected is read from the CF
101 through the image selection unit 106 via the I/O control unit
102, and further trimming data is read from the data holding unit
103 to extract a necessary area from the image data in accordance
with the trimming data. The extracted image data is converted into
data adapted to the connected printer 120 and the converted data
is sent to the printer 120 through the communication unit 109.
The printer 120 executes the print process in accordance with the
sent print data. After the printing of one sheet ended, data for
the next printing is continuously formed in accordance with the
trimming setting, and the print data is similarly sent to the printer
120 to execute the next print process in accordance with the trimming
setting. In the trimming settings, the print processes are repeated
until all the processes end.
FIG. 11 is a view showing the data structure of the trimming data
to be stored at a time of performing the trimming setting of an
image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
Since a trimming setting flag 1101, a trimming cancellation flag
1102, a print mode 1103 and a paper type 1104 shown in FIG. 11 function
as the trimming setting flag 201, the trimming cancellation flag
202, the print mode 203 and the paper type 204, the explanation
thereof will be omitted here.
Data of a trimming X coordinate 1105 indicates an X coordinate
on an image at a left upper corner in an entire trimming frame.
Data of a trimming Y coordinate 1106 indicates a Y coordinate on
the image at the left upper corner in the entire trimming frame.
In case of existing the plural adjacent trimming frames, data of
the trimming X coordinate 1105 and data of the trimming Y coordinate
1106 indicate the X coordinate and the Y coordinate of the trimming
frame on the left upper portion in the entire frame. Data of a trimming
width 1107 indicates the length in the horizontal direction of one
trimming frame. Data of a trimming height 1108 indicates length
in the vertical direction of one trimming frame. The The number
of X-direction trimmings 1109 indicates the number of trimmings
in the X-direction. The number of Y-direction trimmings 1110 indicates
the number of trimmings in the Y-direction. In a case where only
the one trimming frame exists, as the number of X-direction trimmings
1109 and the number of Y-direction trimmings 1110, "1"
is recorded for the respective numbers of trimmings. In the case
of the image 1005 shown in FIG. 10, the number of X-direction trimmings
1109 corresponds to "3," and the number of Y-direction
trimmings 1110 corresponds to "2."
In case of the image 1001 shown in FIG. 10, the trimming frame
is not divided, and the number of X-direction trimmings 1109 and
the number of Y-direction trimmings 1110 respectively corresponds
to "1." When the state shifts from a case of the image
1001 to a case of the image 1002, the trimming frame is divided
into two lattice-like rectangular areas, and the number of X-direction
trimmings 1109 becomes "2" by adding "1." When
the state shifts from a case of the image 1002 to a case of the
image 1004, the trimming frame is divided into three lattice-like
rectangular areas, and the number of X-direction trimmings 1109
becomes "3" by further adding "1." When the
state shifts from a case of the image 1004 to a case of image 1005,
the trimming frame is divided into six lattice-like rectangular
areas, and the number of X-direction trimmings 1109 is not changed
with "3" but the number of Y-direction trimmings 1110
becomes "2" by adding "1." From the contents
of the trimming X coordinate 1105 and the trimming Y coordinate
1106, since a trimming frame having the width of (the trimming width
1107.times.the number of X-direction trimmings 1109) and the height
of (the trimming height 1108.times.the number of Y-direction trimmings
1110) and the divided lattice-like small rectangular areas formed
from the trimming width 1107 and the trimming height 1108 consisted
of (the number of X-direction trimmings 1109.times.the number of
Y-direction trimmings 1110) pieces are displayed by net-shaped lines,
a printed result with each of the output sheets according to the
trimming setting can be recognized.
Therefore, the number of print sheets, to which the trimming setting
is performed, and the position and the size of each of the trimming
settings can be known by investigating the trimming data structure
object.
Numeral 1111 which denotes an image number, indicates the image
to trimming data structure object shown in FIG. 11 corresponds to
what image. With respect to the image number, the same plural image
numbers do not exist at the same time in the image processing apparatus
according to the present embodiment. The one image is indicated
by the image number. After selecting an image to be printed and
performing the trimming setting to the selected image, if the trimming
setting has been already performed to the target image, that is,
the trimming setting flag 1101 in FIG. 11 is in a state of true,
that setting is followed, and the trimming setting frame is displayed
on the display unit 108. At is time, the size, the position and
the longitudinal/lateral directions of the trimming frame to be
displayed and each of rectangular areas obtained by dividing the
trimming frame into the lattice-like areas depend on the read trimming
data. In a case where the trimming data is not stored, the trimming
data is not read and a default trimming frame is generated to display
it on the display unit 108.
In the trimming setting frame shown in FIG. 4, if the user depresses
the MENU button 304 is depressed, a trimming setting ends, and the
camera will be in a state capable of starting the printing. Further,
if the printing is instructed by a user, a printing operation is
started. From the contents of the trimming data shown in FIG. 11,
when the trimming frame is divided into the lattice-like rectangular
areas, an X coordinate and a Y coordinate of each of the lattice-like
rectangular areas can be known by performing the calculation of
using the coordinate positions of the trimming X coordinate 1105
and the trimming Y coordinate 1106, the trimming width 1107 and
the trimming height 1108.
The printing can be achieved by extracting an image, of which the
size and the position are calculated from the trimming data, as
to the rectangular areas obtained by dividing the trimming frame
into the lattice-like areas for an image of the image number 1111
and transmitting data, which was converted into data for the printing,
to the printer 120.
A process flow of reading and storing the trimming data in the
print system in the present embodiment is similar to that in the
flowchart shown in FIG. 9 in the first embodiment. That is, the
trimming setting accompanied by the generation of a panorama area
shown in FIG. 10 is performed in the steps S302 and S303, and the
print process based on the setting of the panorama area is performed
in the steps S304 and S305.
Next, a process flow of a trimming print according to the trimming
data in the steps S304 and S305 in the present embodiment will be
explained in detail with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.
12.
First, in a step S1201, a numerical value 0 is substituted for
parameters i and j. Then, when it is judged that the parameter i
is smaller than the number of X-direction trimmings 1109 in a step
S1202 and the parameter j is smaller than the number of Y-direction
trimmings 1110 in a step S1203, a trimming printing according to
an X coordinate=the trimming X coordinate 1105+(i.times.the trimming
width 1107), a Y coordinate=the trimming Y coordinate 1106+(j.times.the
trimming height 1108), the trimming width 1107 and the trimming
height 1108 is executed in a step S1204.
When one trimming printing ends, "1" is added to the
parameter j in a step S1205 and the trimming print processes in
step S1204 are repeated for so long as the parameter j is smaller
than the number of Y-direction trimmings 1110 (a case of yes in
step S1203). When the parameter j is equal to the number of Y-direction
trimmings 1110, "1" is added to the parameter i, and "0"
is substituted for the parameter j in a step S1206. In this manner,
the trimming print processes are continuously executed until the
parameter i becomes equal to the number of X-direction trimmings
1109.
Thus, according to the embodiment of the present invention, in
the case of forming a panorama image by arranging print outputs
of plural sheets formed by the trimming process executed in the
same sized adjacent areas, the trimming setting of image groups
corresponding to the lattice-like small rectangular areas can be
performed by a simple operation and each printing of those image
groups can be sequentially performed by the once printing operation.
As a result, a trimming setting can be previously and collectively
performed without being kept waiting in the course of the print
process can be obtained.
Other Embodiment
In the above embodiments, an example of extracting an area, to
which a trimming process is instructed, from image data stored in
a camera, generating print data which can be interpreted by a printer,
transmitting the generated data to the printer and executing a print
process by the printer in accordance with the transmitted print
data, in a print system wherein the camera is connected to the printer
has been explained.
If a printer which has the function of the print data generation
unit 105 in the above embodiments is provided, it is possible to
transmit the image data itself read from the CF 101 and the trimming
data read from the data holding unit 103 to the printer via the
communication unit 109, extract the area, to which the trimming
process is instructed, from the image data on the basis of the transmitted
image data and the trimming data in the printer, generate data necessary
for the print from the extracted data and execute the print process.
An effect of the present invention can be sufficiently demonstrated
by both of the methods.
Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 13, the JUMP key may be provided
on, e.g., the GUI operation unit of FIG. 3. Moreover, if the trimming
setting in the first embodiment and the trimming setting in the
second embodiment are provided respectively as independent modes,
the keys such as the WIDE key, the TELE key and the like other than
the JUMP key, may be used as the keys having the same function as
that of the JUMP key.
The present invention can be similarly applied to such a printer
which has an image display unit and a mounting unit for mounting
the CF 101.
Further, the present invention can be applied to such the structure
of providing the above process to a digital camera or a printer
through a storage medium as firmware.
It is needless to say that an object of the present invention can
be achieved in a case where a storage medium storing the program
codes of software for realizing the functions of the above embodiments
is supplied to a system or an apparatus and then a computer (or
CPU or MPU) in the system or the apparatus reads and executes the
program codes stored in the storage medium.
In this case, the program codes themselves read from the storage
medium realize the functions of the above embodiments, and the storage
medium storing such the program codes constitute the present invention.
As the storage medium for supplying the program codes, for example,
a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magnetooptical
disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card,
a ROM or the like can be used.
It is needless to say that the present invention includes not only
a case where the functions of the above embodiments are realized
by the execution of the program codes read by the computer, but
also a case where an OS (operating system) or the like functioning
on the computer executes all the process or a part thereof according
to the instructions of the program codes, thereby realizing the
functions of the above embodiments.
Further, it is needless to say that the present invention includes
a case where the program codes read from the storage medium are
first written in a memory provided in a function expansion board
inserted in the computer or a function expansion unit connected
to the computer, then a CPU or the like provided in the function
expansion board or the function expansion unit executes all the
process or a part thereof according to the instructions of such
the program codes, thereby realizing the functions of the above
embodiments.
As apparent from the above explanation, according to the present
invention, since the arbitrary number of division areas are set
for a partial area or all the area of image data and the sequential
printing of image data corresponding to each of the division areas
is enabled, the setting of the division areas being the target to
be printed does not be performed every time while comparing the
display image with a printed result. As a result, usability can
be improved, for example, in the trimming printing.
According to the present invention, since image data corresponding
to each of the division areas is transmitted from an image processing
apparatus to a printer, it is not required to perform an extraction
of the image data or the trimming setting at the printer side. As
a result, it becomes possible to perform the sequential printing
of the image data corresponding to each of the division areas.
Further, according to the present invention, since information
and image data regarding the division areas are transmitted from
the image processing apparatus to the printer, the image data corresponding
to each of the division areas is generated, and it becomes possible
to perform the sequential printing of the generated data. Accordingly,
transference of the information from the image processing apparatus
to the printer ends only once. As a result, effective use of network
resources can be obtained.
As described above, the present invention has been explained on
the basis of the preferable embodiments. However, the present invention
is not limited to the above embodiments, but may be modified in
various manners within the scope of the following claims. |