JP5116417B2 - Print setting apparatus and print setting method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print setting apparatus and a print setting method that can set images to be printed for a plurality of image areas in a print layout.

  Conventionally, a layout printing designation method for allocating and printing a plurality of images on a single sheet of paper is to select a plurality of images to be printed and a layout pattern so that a printing apparatus (or a PC print application, etc.) ), But it was automatically printing layout. That is, the printing apparatus automatically arranges the selected image in a standard layout pattern in which a plurality of image print areas are arranged, and performs layout printing. The print layout in which images are automatically arranged by the printing apparatus can be confirmed by the user by performing print preview after image selection and layout selection. In addition, editing such as rotation and resizing of an image to be printed during the print preview can be performed (Patent Document 1).

In the layout setting of an image processing apparatus for album editing, first, an image to be placed on an album is selected to acquire an image, and after the image is acquired, the user arranges the image at an arbitrary position and sets the layout. , Editing an album.
JP2003-231323

  However, in the above conventional example, image selection, layout setting, image editing, and print preview are performed on different setting screens. For this reason, when these settings are to be performed alternately, an operation for changing the setting screen must be performed in the meantime, causing a problem that the flow of the operation is interrupted.

  Further, in a printing apparatus with a limited number of operation members, the cross key and the left / right key must be used for image selection and layout setting. For this reason, the function assigned to the button was switched by switching the mode.

  Therefore, each time the mode is switched, the function of the button is switched, causing confusion for the user, which is very inconvenient.

  Further, the printing apparatus has limited operation members. When setting to print an arbitrary image assigned to an image area in a standard layout in which a plurality of image areas are arranged, setting of image selection and image allocation to the image area is performed with a small number of operation members and a small size. Must be done on the display screen. For this reason, there is a problem that the operation becomes complicated and is difficult for the user to understand.

  In order to solve such a problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-layout setting method that enables image selection and layout setting to be performed simultaneously without switching modes and setting screens. Also, it is possible to set a layout with a simple operation even in an apparatus having a limited operation unit such as a printing apparatus, and to provide a layout setting method capable of confirming the set contents simultaneously with the layout setting. Objective.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the print control apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration.

  A print setting device having display means for displaying an image and capable of setting an image to be printed for a plurality of image areas in a print layout, a reading means for reading an image stored in a storage medium, and a storage medium Display control means for simultaneously displaying on the display means an image display area for reading and displaying an arbitrary image among the images stored in the display means, and a layout display area for displaying the print layout, and a plurality of display control means Setting means for setting an image to be printed for each of the image areas. In the print layout display area, a plurality of image areas are displayed together with a number for specifying the image area. When an image set for printing is displayed in the image display area, a number for specifying the image area is displayed together with the image, and the setting means A plurality of image areas can be set for one image. When a plurality of image areas are set for one image, a plurality of numbers for specifying each image area are displayed. It is characterized by that.

  The present invention can realize multi-layout printing setting in which an arbitrary image is assigned and printed in a standard layout in which a plurality of image areas are arranged. In addition, the image selection operation and the image area selection operation in the layout can be performed simultaneously without switching the mode. Further, it is possible to easily confirm which image is set in which image area in the layout.

Example 1
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing apparatus according to the present invention.

  The printing apparatus of the present invention can print by specifying a layout when printing an image acquired from a memory card such as a memory card, a digital camera, or a PC. Furthermore, in a standard layout in which a plurality of image print areas are arranged, it has a multi-layout function capable of setting a print image by assigning an arbitrary image to the image print area. Furthermore, in multi-layout printing, it is possible to set a print image by designating an image print area in the layout.

  A bus 101 connects each block, and data exchange between the blocks is performed through the bus.

  The memory card 102 is a removable memory in which a plurality of image data is recorded.

  The IO control unit 103 controls reading / writing of data from / to the memory card 102. Since the memory card 102 cannot be directly connected to the bus 101, data is exchanged with each block through the IO control unit 103.

  The layout selection unit 104 holds a plurality of print layouts, and supplies data for individual print layouts as required. The print layout has a plurality of patterns for each of card size / L size / postcard size.

  The icon display unit 105 stores various icon data to be displayed on the screen, transmits icon data to the display control unit 108 in response to a request, and displays an icon image on the screen.

  The image reproduction unit 106 reads out the image data held in the memory card 102 through the IO control unit 103, performs a decoding process, converts the data into a format that can be displayed, and displays the image on the display control unit 108.

  The display image selection unit 107 accesses the memory card 102 through the IO control unit 103 and creates and holds a list of images. At this time, a unique identification number (hereinafter referred to as “image ID”) is added to each image recorded in the memory card 102, and the image is managed and identified by the image ID in the display image selection unit 107.

  The display control unit 108 creates display screen data to be displayed on the LCD 207 in response to a display request from each block, and performs control for displaying the display screen on the LCD.

  The data holding unit 109 temporarily holds various data. It is used as a work area for performing each process.

  The print data generation unit 110 responds to a print request from each block and converts layout data and image data into print data. The print data is composed of three colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C), and Y / M / C color data of the size of one sheet is sequentially created, and the print data is sent to the printing unit 111 for each color. Send data.

  The printing unit 111 receives the print data of each color Y / M / C from the print data generation unit 110 and performs printing on the printing paper.

  The layout generation unit 112 generates a data group necessary for the print data generation unit 110 to generate print data. The designated print layout data is acquired from the layout selection unit 104, and a data group as shown in FIG. 4 is generated as a result of pasting the designated image on the area for the layout. Details will be described later.

  The print image selection unit 113 stores the image ID of the image designated by the user in association with the print region designated by the region selection unit 114.

  The area selection unit 114 holds the image area designated by the user in association with the print layout.

  The GUI control unit 115 determines the button operation of the GUI operation unit 116 by the user. Since the meaning of the button operation changes depending on the situation, the meaning of the button operation is interpreted according to the situation, and a necessary instruction is issued to each block.

  The GUI operation unit 116 includes an operation member and a display device (LCD 207) as shown in FIG. The operation content is sent to the GUI control unit 115 and interpreted.

  Each of these blocks is controlled by a CPU (not shown). The CPU reads a program code from a program memory (not shown) and controls each block based on the program.

  FIG. 2 shows an operation unit of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

Each operation member and a display device (LCD) are arranged on the operation panel 201.
A power button 202 is used to turn on / off the power of the system.
An EDIT button 203 is used for trimming printing and changing print settings.
A DISP button 204 is used for switching the screen display.
A CREATE button 205 is used to select a print function.
A MENU button 206 is used to display a menu.
A display device (LCD) 207 is used for displaying images, displaying various icons, displaying print settings, and the like.
An enlargement button 208 is used for enlarging the display image and switching the display mode.
Reference numeral 209 denotes a reduction button which is used to lower the enlargement ratio of an image being enlarged and reproduced or to switch the display mode.
210 is used for moving the trimming frame and moving the view during image enlargement display.
A left button 211 is used for returning the display image to the previous one, moving the trimming frame, and moving the view during image enlargement display.
Reference numeral 212 is used for moving the trimming frame and moving the view during image enlargement display.
A right button 213 is used to move the display image forward by one, move a trimming frame, or move a view during image enlargement display.
A SET button 214 is used for determining various selection items, switching to the next screen, and the like. A PRINT button 215 is used to start printing.
A return button 216 is used to return to the previous screen.

FIG. 3 shows a multi-layout setting screen (single display).
Reference numeral 301 denotes an LCD of the display device, and the display control unit 108 creates display screen data in response to an instruction from each block in FIG. 1 and displays it on the LCD.
An image display area 302 displays an image read from the memory card 102 in this frame.
Reference numeral 303 denotes an image return guidance icon, 304 denotes an image advance guidance icon, and icon data read from the icon display unit 105 is displayed.

By pressing the left button 211 corresponding to the image return guidance icon 303, the image displayed in the image display area 302 can be returned to the previous one,
Further, it is shown that an image displayed in the image display area 302 can be sent to the next one by pressing the right button 213 corresponding to the image advance guidance icon 304.

  At this time, the image displayed in the image display area 302 is determined by the display image selection unit 107.

  Reference numeral 305 denotes a print layout display area. In FIG. 3, a 4up layout in which four images are arranged on one sheet is displayed. A layout designated in advance by the user is read from the layout selection unit 104, and the designated layout is displayed in the print layout display area.

  Reference numeral 306 denotes an image area in the print layout. It shows that an image is arranged and printed in this area. In FIG. 3, since a layout for arranging four images is selected, four image areas in the print layout are also prepared. A number corresponding to the image area number is displayed in each of the four image areas 306 in the print layout.

  Reference numeral 307 denotes a color different from other image areas in order to distinguish an image area to which an image has already been assigned from among the image areas 307 in the print layout. In this embodiment, an image area to which an image has already been assigned is represented in yellow, and an image area to which no image has been assigned is represented in white so that the color is changed. However, for example, it may be expressed by surrounding it with a frame or changing the thickness of the frame.

  Reference numeral 308 denotes a frame indicating the currently selected image area among the image areas in the print layout. The user assigns an image to be printed to an image area in the selected print layout. In the present embodiment, the currently selected image area is shown surrounded by a selection frame such as 308. However, the display may be performed so that it can be distinguished from other image areas. Or may be displayed with a mark added. It is sufficient if the image area in the currently selected print layout can be confirmed.

  Reference numeral 309 denotes a DISP guidance icon, which indicates that the selected image area is switched when the DISP button is pressed. The selected image area is switched in the order of image area numbers. That is, when the DISP button is operated in the state of FIG. 3, the selection of the image area is switched from the image area 2 to the image area 3, and the selection frame 308 is also moved from the image area 2 to the image area 3.

  A numeral display unit 310 indicates whether the image displayed in the 302 image display area is an image assigned to the image area in the print layout.

  If a number is displayed, it indicates that the currently displayed image is assigned to the image area. This number indicates which image area the image being displayed is assigned to, and the image being displayed in the image display area 302 is assigned to the image area in the print layout corresponding to the number in the number display portion. It is shown that. That is, in the case of FIG. 3, since the image being displayed in the image display area 302 is displayed as “1” in the number display unit 310, the image area (image) displayed as “1” in the layout 305. That is, the print setting is assigned to the image area (area number 1).

  In the printer according to the present embodiment, when a number is assigned to each image area in the print layout and an image assigned to the image area is displayed in the image display area, it corresponds to the assigned image area. The number is displayed on the number display unit 310. Therefore, it is possible to confirm to which image area on the print layout the image displayed in the image display area is assigned only by looking at the numeric display section.

  Reference numeral 312 denotes a SET guidance icon for proceeding to the next screen. By pressing the SET key, the setting is determined by the setting of the multi-layout currently being set, and it is possible to proceed to the screen next to the screen currently displayed in FIG. In this embodiment, it is possible to proceed to a print confirmation screen displayed after the GUI screen in FIG.

  Reference numeral 311 denotes a return guidance icon for returning to the previous screen. FIG. 3 shows that the screen before the currently displayed screen can be returned to by pressing the return key. In this embodiment, since the images are assigned in order from the image region 1, the images assigned to the image regions in the print layout can be released one by one with the return key.

  Guidance icons 303, 304, 311, 312, icon data and areas read from the number display unit 310, the assigned print layout 307, and the icon display unit 105.

  The display control unit creates display screen data based on these icons and images read from the memory card 102, and displays a GUI screen on the LCD.

  By displaying such a multi-layout setting screen, it is possible to perform image selection and image assignment operation during print layout on one setting screen.

  Also, if an image is assigned to an image area in the layout display area, it is expressed by changing the color of the area, so it is possible to determine which image area is already assigned during layout by setting multi-layout. Can be confirmed.

  When an image already assigned to any image area in the print layout is displayed in the image display area, a number corresponding to the area in the print layout is displayed on the number display unit. It is possible to check whether the image displayed in the image display area has already been laid out or set in which display area.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent the same image from being selected twice by mistake.

  In this embodiment, when selecting an image, the right button 213 and the left button 211 which are cross keys (direction keys) are used to set a print image for the image area and move to the next print layout. Sometimes the DISP button is used. Since operation is performed using different operation members for image selection and layout setting, the function of the operation unit is not switched by mode switching etc., and a user-friendly printing device is realized without causing confusion to the user Yes.

  When the display unit is large or the image processing capability is high, it is also possible to reduce and display an image assigned to the image area in the print layout. However, if the display unit is not so large as in a printing device, it is possible that the image will become invisible if the image is reduced in the image area. It's easy to do. In addition, it is possible to display the image display area 310 with an icon indicating which image area is assigned without showing the image area assigned with a numeral. However, in the case of such an icon, a large number of icons corresponding to the print layout are required. On the other hand, when displaying which image area is assigned numerically as in the present embodiment, it is possible to use the same thing in a plurality of different layouts, and therefore, a plurality of layouts with less resources. It can correspond to.

  FIG. 4 shows the data structure of print layout data generated by the layout generation unit 112.

  The layout selection unit 104 holds four types of print layout data for each paper size. An appropriate layout data template is acquired from the layout selection unit 104 according to the paper size and layout selected by the user, and the layout generation unit 112 generates layout data.

  The layout data is a set of data having a data length of 4 bytes for each item, and the number of data items differs depending on the layout.

  In FIG. 4, a case where a 4up layout is selected will be described as an example.

  For this reason, there are four image areas of the print layout: image area 1, image area 2, image area 3, and image area 4.

  The layout data has three items as headers, and the data for each frame continues by the number of image areas.

  Reference numeral 401 describes a layout ID indicating a layout pattern stored in the printing apparatus. The layout ID is a value uniquely determined by the printing apparatus.

  Reference numeral 402 denotes the number of image areas that can be arranged in this layout. When there are four image areas, “4” is recorded.

In the data structure of the print layout data, the total number of items is (number of image areas) x 3 + 3
Therefore, it is possible to know the number of valid items by referring to 402. Since the data length is 4 bytes per item, the effective data length can be known.

  Reference numeral 403 denotes a selected image area ID, which is a number indicating the currently selected image area. If the focus frame 307 indicating the currently selected image area is moved, the selected image area number is also changed and recorded. As many image area numbers (image area IDs) as the number of image areas are prepared, and an image number corresponding to the image area selected for reduction is recorded in 403.

  Up to this point, 401, 402, and 403 are header portions. The structure up to this point is the same for all layouts.

  After 404, the data item is repeated for each image area on the layout. There are three items per image area, and data for the number described in 402 continues.

Image areas 1 to 4 correspond to image area numbers 1 to 4, respectively.
Reference numeral 404 denotes an image ID arranged in the image area 1. If no image is arranged in this area, 0 is entered.
Reference numeral 405 denotes the X-direction coordinates of the image arranged in the image area 1 on the paper.
Reference numeral 406 denotes the coordinates in the Y direction on the paper of the image arranged in the image area 1.
When 0 is entered in 404, no image is arranged, so 405 and 406 are invalid values.
Reference numeral 407 denotes an image ID arranged in the image area 2. If no image is arranged in this area, 0 is entered.
Reference numeral 408 denotes coordinates in the X direction on the paper of the image arranged in the image area 2.
Reference numeral 409 denotes Y-direction coordinates of the image arranged in the image area 2 on the paper.
If 0 is entered in 407, no image is arranged, so 408 and 409 are invalid values.
Reference numeral 410 denotes an image ID arranged in the image area 3. If no image is arranged in this area, 0 is entered.
Reference numeral 411 denotes coordinates in the X direction on the paper of the image arranged in the image area 3.
Reference numeral 412 denotes coordinates in the Y direction on the paper of the image arranged in the image area 3.
When 0 is entered in 410, no image is arranged, so 411 and 412 are invalid values.
Reference numeral 413 denotes an image ID arranged in the image area 4. If no image is arranged in this area, 0 is entered.
Reference numeral 414 denotes coordinates in the X direction on the paper of the image arranged in the image area 4.
Reference numeral 415 denotes coordinates in the Y direction on the sheet of the image arranged in the image area 4.
If 0 is entered in 413, no image is arranged, so 414 and 415 are invalid values.

  The image areas do not have to be arranged in order, and there may be an area without an image in the middle.

  In 404 to 406, 407 to 409, 410 to 412, and 413 to 415, image area information corresponding to each image area is recorded.

  In FIG. 4, a 4up layout in which four images can be arranged is taken as an example, but the present invention can be applied to other layouts.

  Further, this print layout data is recorded in a memory (not shown) in the printing apparatus, and when performing multi-layout setting, it is temporarily recorded by the data holding unit 109 for user operation and setting. At the same time, data update processing is performed as appropriate.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for setting the multi-layout of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

  These processes are performed under the control of a CPU (not shown).

  The CPU executes these processes based on a program read from a program memory (not shown).

  When the power button 202 is pressed, the printing apparatus is activated, and the IO control unit 103 searches the contents of the memory card 102. Then, the display image selection unit 107 creates an image list from a plurality of image data stored in the memory card 102, assigns an image ID to each image, and manages the images. The image list is sorted in the order in which the image data is created, and a young ID is assigned in the oldest order. When the printing apparatus is activated, the latest image with a new date is displayed on the LCD 207.

  When the CREATE button 205 is pressed while an image is displayed on the LCD 207, a layout selection screen (not shown) is displayed on the LCD 207.

  In step 501, a desired layout is selected from a layout pattern list displayed on the LCD 207 on a layout selection screen (not shown). On the layout selection screen, a list of layout patterns held in the layout selection unit is displayed. Since the focus frame is displayed in one of the layout pattern list displays, the user presses the up / down / left / right buttons (210 to 213) to move the focus frame. When the SET frame 214 is pressed while the focus frame is displayed in the desired layout, the layout can be selected. When the SET button 214 is pressed on the layout selection screen, the layout is confirmed and the process proceeds to the next step. A multi-layout setting screen as shown in FIG. 3 is created by the display control means and displayed on the LCD 207.

  In step 502, first, a print layout display area 305 is generated and displayed. In accordance with the layout selected in step 501, the necessary number of image areas in the print layout are drawn and displayed at appropriate locations. At this time, the image area number is displayed on each image area so as to overlap the image area. Also, the currently selected image area is determined with reference to 403, and a selection frame is displayed as 308 for the selected image area. Since the print layout data is reconstructed when the layout is selected in S501, the initial value 1 is almost 1 in most cases. However, when the previously set print layout data is called, the area other than the image area 1 is used. May be selected.

  Further, an image area to which an image has already been assigned is displayed in yellow, and an image area to which no image is assigned is displayed in white.

  In step 503, an image is displayed in the image display area 302. The image to be displayed is an image assigned to the image area where the selection frame is currently displayed. Specifically, the image area where the selection frame is displayed is known with reference to 403, and the image ID is obtained from the image ID storage portion (404, 407, etc.) of the image area. An image corresponding to this image ID is read from the memory card 102 by the display image selection unit 107, converted by the image reproduction unit 106, and displayed on the LDC by the display control unit 108.

  When the image ID is 0 (the print layout data is reconstructed in S501 and the image ID is 0 for bundled images), there is no image assigned, so the image displayed before pressing the creative button 205 is displayed. Is displayed as it is.

  In step 504, if the image displayed in the image display area is assigned to any image area, it indicates that the display image has already been assigned to the image area of the print layout. Accordingly, the number of the image area number of the assigned image area is displayed in numerical form. First, referring to the print layout data, the image ID (404, 407, etc.) of the image area is read. Next, if the image ID of the image area that matches the image ID being displayed in the image display area 302 is in the print layout data, it is determined that the image being displayed is assigned to the image area. When it is determined that the image displayed in the image display area 302 is assigned to the image area, the number of the image area number of the image area to which the image displayed in the image display area 302 is assigned is displayed numerically. Displayed on the unit 310. If assigned to a plurality of image areas, a plurality of numbers may be displayed on the number display unit 310.

  Although not described in the flowchart, guidance icons 303, 304, 309, 311, and 312 are read from the icon display unit as GUI screen components, and the display control unit 108 displays these icons at predetermined positions on the GUI screen. Let

  When the screen display is completed after the processing of steps 502 to 504 is completed, a key input waiting state is entered.

  It is determined whether or not the key pressed in step 505 is the right button 213 or the left button 211 that is a button corresponding to an image advance (return) instruction. When the pressed key is the right button 213 or the left button 211, it is an image advance (return) instruction, so the process advances to step 506 to perform image advance processing. Details of the processing will be described later. If the pressed key is not the right button 213 or the left button 211, the process proceeds to step 507.

  It is determined whether the key pressed in step 507 is the upper button 210 or the lower button 212 corresponding to the image selection instruction. When the pressed key is the up button 210 or the down button 212, it is an instruction for image selection, so the process proceeds to step 508 to perform image selection processing. Details of the processing will be described later. If the pressed key is not the up button 210 or the down button 212, the process proceeds to step 509.

  It is determined whether or not the key pressed in step 509 is the DISP button 204 corresponding to the area selection instruction. When the pressed key is the DISP button 204, it is an instruction for area selection, so the process proceeds to step 510 to perform area selection processing. Details of the processing will be described later. If the pressed key is not the DISP button 204, the process proceeds to step 511.

  It is determined whether or not the key pressed in step 511 is the SET button 214. If the pressed key is not the SET button 214, the key input waiting state is continued.

  If the pressed key is the SET button 214, the layout setting process on the multi-layout setting screen ends, and the process proceeds to the next print confirmation screen (not shown). The multi-layout setting is finalized when the SET button is pressed.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the image feed process.

  If it is determined in step 505 in FIG. 5 that the user's operation is image feed, the process advances to image feed processing in step 506. The details of the image feed processing are shown in FIG.

  First, in step 601, an image ID currently displayed is acquired.

  In step 602, it is determined whether the key input is the right button 213 or the left button 211.

  If the key input is the right button 213, it is determined that an image feed instruction has been input, and the process proceeds to step 603, where the display image selection unit 107 acquires the image ID of the image next to the image currently displayed in the image display area. . As described above, the display image selection unit 107 creates an image list from the stored image data group by searching the contents of the memory card 102 when the printing apparatus is activated by pressing the power button 202, and assigns an image ID to each image. Assigned. Since the image list is sorted in the order in which the image data was created and assigned a young ID from the oldest, an entry for the current image ID is searched from the image list in order to obtain the next image ID. Get it.

  If the key input is the left button 211, it means that an image return instruction has been input, and the process proceeds to step 604, where the display image selection unit 107 displays the image ID of the image before the image displayed in the current image display area. To get. In this case, an entry for the current image ID may be searched from the image list and the previous image ID may be acquired.

  If the image ID to be displayed next can be acquired, the process proceeds to step 605, where the display image selection unit 107 acquires an image corresponding to the image ID from the memory card 102. The acquired image is converted into data by the image reproduction unit and displayed in the image display area 302 under the control of the display control unit 108.

  In step 606, it is determined whether the image displayed in the image display area 302 is assigned to the image area in the layout. This determination is performed as follows. First, the image ID (404, 407, etc.) of the image area is read with reference to the print layout data of FIG. Next, if there is an image ID of an image area that matches the currently displayed image ID, it is determined that the image being displayed is assigned to the image area. If it is determined that the image displayed in the image display area 302 is assigned to the image area, the number of the image area number of the image area to which the image displayed in the image display area 302 is assigned in step 607. Is displayed on the number display unit 310. If assigned to a plurality of image areas, a plurality of numbers may be displayed on the number display unit 310.

  If the image ID assigned to the image area and the displayed image ID do not match, in step 608, the numbers for the display image are not displayed and the number display unit 310 itself is not displayed.

  In step 609, the image feed process ends and returns to the caller. Since the caller is step 506 in FIG. 5, the process returns to the key input waiting state.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of image selection processing.

  If it is determined in step 507 in FIG. 5 that the user operation is image selection, the process proceeds to image selection processing in step 508. The details of the image selection processing are the processing in FIG. In the image selection process, an image is assigned to the selected image area and a process for releasing the image is performed.

  First, in step 701, the image ID of the image currently displayed in the image display area 302 is acquired.

  In step 702, it is determined whether an image is assigned to the image area currently selected and displaying the selection frame. This obtains the image ID arranged in the selected image area in the print layout data, and determines whether the image ID is 0 or not. If it is determined that the acquired image ID is not 0 but assigned to the selected image area, the user's image selection operation in step 507 in FIG. 5 cancels the image assignment. Therefore, in step 706, the image assigned to the currently selected image area is released, so that the color of the selected image area is changed from yellow to white. In step 707, the print layout data is updated. That is, the image ID data of the image area corresponding to the selection frame is changed to “0” indicating that no image is assigned. As described above, in steps 706 and 707, the processing for canceling the assignment of the image to the selected image region is performed.

  If it is determined in step 702 that no image is assigned to the selected image area, the user's image selection operation in step 507 in FIG. 5 is determined to be an image assignment instruction. Therefore, in step 703, a number corresponding to the selected image area is displayed on the number display portion 310 of the currently displayed image, and the image displayed in the image display area is assigned to the currently selected image area. It is clearly stated that Subsequently, since an image is assigned to the selected image area, in step 704, the color of the currently selected image area is changed from white to yellow and displayed. In step 705, the print layout data is updated. Here, the image ID displayed in the image display area is assigned as the image ID corresponding to the selected image area. As described above, in steps 703 to 705, processing for setting image allocation for the selected image region is performed.

  That is, in the image selection process, if the user operation is image allocation, the image ID (404, 407, etc.) of the selected image area indicated by 403 in FIG. 4 is replaced with the image ID currently displayed. If the user operation is to cancel the image assignment, the image ID (404, 407, etc.) of the selected image area indicated by 403 in FIG. Perform the process.

  In step 708, the image selection process ends and returns to the caller. Since the caller is step 508 in FIG. 5, the process returns to the key input waiting state.

  Further, after the image allocation process, the selected image area may be automatically changed to the next image area. At this time, in the case of canceling image allocation, the selected image area is not changed. Only when an image is assigned to the selected image area, it is possible to immediately move to an operation for assigning an image to the next image area, and the operability is improved. The process for changing the selected image area is the same as the image area selection process in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of image region selection processing.

  If it is determined in step 509 in FIG. 5 that the user operation is area selection, the process proceeds to image area selection processing in step 510. The details of the image area selection processing are shown in the flowchart in FIG.

  In step 801, information on where the currently selected image area is is obtained. Specifically, referring to the currently selected image area number (image area ID) indicated by the print layout data 403 in FIG. 4, it can be confirmed where the currently selected image area is.

  In step 802, the image area ID of the print layout data is changed to the ID of the next image area. A value obtained by adding 1 to the image area acquired in step 801 becomes the next image area. If the number of the next image area is larger than the number of image areas in the layout 402 of the print layout data in FIG. The number of the next image area is 1. This means that once the selection has been made to the end of the image area in the layout, the next will return to the first image area.

  With the change of the selected image area, in step 803, the selection frame 308 is moved to the changed image area and displayed.

  If the selected image area is changed, it is next determined in step 804 whether there is an image assigned to the newly selected image area. This determination is made by the following method. With reference to the print layout data of FIG. 4, the selected image area ID 403 is read, and the image ID (404, 407, etc.) corresponding to the selected image area is read. Next, if the image ID of the selected image area is “0”, it is determined that there is no image assigned to the newly selected image area. On the other hand, if the image ID is not “0”, it is determined that there is an image assigned to the newly selected image area.

  If it is determined that there is an image assigned to the newly selected image area, the image ID of the image assigned to the image area is acquired in step 805. In step 806, an image corresponding to the image ID acquired in step 805 is displayed in the image display area 302. In step 807, the selected image area ID, that is, the number of the selected image area is displayed on the number display unit 310. At this time, the image area ID may be acquired from the print layout data 403.

  If it is determined that there is no image assigned to the newly selected image area, the display image in the image display area 302 is not changed and the display in the number display unit 310 is not changed, and the processing of S804 to S807 is performed. Skipped.

  When the processing up to step 807 is completed, the image area selection processing is ended in step 808 and the process returns to the caller. Since the caller is step 510 in FIG. 5, the process returns to the key input waiting state.

  As described above, by repeating the processes in steps 505 to 511 of FIG. 5 as necessary, it is possible to assign an arbitrary image to each image area of the selected layout and set a print image for the image area.

  If no image is assigned to the image area in the above process, 0 remains in the image ID area of the print layout data in FIG. When printing, the image is not developed in this portion, so that area is printed blank.

  In this way, it is possible to realize multi-layout printing settings in which an arbitrary image is assigned to an image print area and printed in a standard layout in which a plurality of image print areas are arranged.

  Also, with the configuration as in the above embodiment, the image selection operation and the image area selection operation in the layout can be performed simultaneously without switching the mode.

  In addition, it is possible to easily check which print layout image display area is assigned to the image.

  It is possible to easily check which image is the image assigned to the selected image area.

  Image assignment and focus movement can be performed with a single operation, and image assignment can be easily performed.

  Since the set contents are immediately reflected in the print layout data table, the image image display area, the layout display area, etc., the set contents can be confirmed during the multi-layout setting.

  The image itself assigned to the image area may be displayed in the print layout display area. However, by displaying numbers instead of images, printing can be performed even on an apparatus having only a small LCD such as a printing apparatus. You can check the settings.

(Example 2)
In the first embodiment, the left button 211 and the right button 213 are used for image feed, the up button 210 and the down button 212 are used for image selection, and the DISP button 204 is used for image area selection on the print layout.

  In the second embodiment, buttons different from those in the first embodiment are assigned to each of image feed, image selection, and image area selection by using an operation unit as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 shows an operation unit of the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Each operation member and a display device (LCD) are arranged on the operation panel 901.
A power button 902 is used to turn on / off the power of the system.
Reference numeral 903 denotes an EDIT button which is used for trimming printing and changing print settings.
A DISP button 904 is used for switching the screen display.
A CREATE button 905 is used to select a print function.
A menu button 906 is used to display a menu.
A display device (LCD) 907 is used for displaying images, displaying various icons, displaying print settings, and the like.
Reference numeral 908 denotes an enlarge button, which is used for enlargement of a display image and switching of a display mode.
Reference numeral 909 denotes a reduction button, which is used to reduce the enlargement ratio of an image being enlarged and reproduced and to switch the display mode.
Reference numeral 910 denotes an up button, which is used for moving a selection frame, moving a trimming frame, and moving a view during image enlargement display.
A left button 911 is used for moving a selection frame, selecting an image area on a print layout, moving a trimming frame, and moving a view during image enlargement display.
A down button 912 is used to move the selection frame, select an image area on the print layout, move the trimming frame, and move the view during image enlargement display.
A right button 913 is used to move a selection frame, select an image area on a print layout, move a trimming frame, and move a view during image enlargement display.
A SET button 914 is used for determining various selection items, switching to the next screen, and the like.
A PRINT button 915 is used to start printing.
A return button 916 is used to return to the previous screen.
Reference numeral 917 denotes a-button, which is used to reduce the number of printed sheets.
A + button 918 is used to increase the number of printed sheets.
Reference numeral 919 is a wheel that can be rotated in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, and is used to display the next image or the previous image.

  In the second embodiment, when the wheel 919 is used for image feeding and the wheel is turned clockwise, the image displayed in the image display area 302 is advanced according to the amount of rotation.

  When the wheel 919 is rotated counterclockwise, the image is returned in accordance with the amount of rotation.

  That is, the image feed and return operations are performed by the wheel 919.

  When the up button 910 is pressed, the image area selection frame 308 moves to the image area one level up. If the focus is on the uppermost image area before moving, the focus is moved to the lowermost image area.

  When the down button 912 is pressed, the image area selection frame 308 moves to the next lower image area. If the bottom image area is focused before moving, the focus is moved to the top image area.

  When the right button 913 is pressed, the image area selection frame 308 moves to the right image area. If the focus is on the rightmost image area before moving, the focus is moved to the leftmost image area.

  When the left button 911 is pressed, the image area selection frame 308 moves to the left image area. If the leftmost image area is focused before moving, the focus is moved to the rightmost image area.

  As described above, the image area in the layout is selected by the up / down / left / right buttons instead of the DISP button as in the first embodiment.

  The operation of assigning and releasing the image in the image selection process is executed by the SET button. When all the settings are completed and the PRINT button is pressed, all the settings for the multi-layout printing are completed and the print confirmation screen is displayed.

  The contents of other processes are the same as in the first embodiment.

(Example 3)
Example 3 will be described. The basic operation and processing of the third embodiment are the same as those of the first and second embodiments. In FIG. 10, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment have the same functions as those in the first embodiment. Here, the description will focus on the parts different from the first and second embodiments.

  FIG. 10 is a multi-layout setting screen. Basically, it is the same as the multi-layout setting screen of FIG. 3, but a plurality of images are displayed in the image display area 302 on the setting screen of FIG. In FIG. 10, since a layout that can specify four images is specified on the previous layout setting screen (not shown), a print layout having four image areas 306 is displayed on the print layout display unit 305. Yes.

  In a single image display mode in which one image is displayed in the image display area as shown in FIG. 3, by pressing the reduction button 209, a plurality of images in which a plurality of images are displayed in the image display area as shown in FIG. It is possible to switch to the multi-layout setting screen in the image display mode. Further, when the enlarge button 208 is pressed from the multi-layout setting screen in the multi-image display mode, it is possible to switch to the multi-layout setting screen in the one-image display mode.

  When switched to the multiple image display mode, an image is displayed in the image display area as follows.

  First, as in the first embodiment, the image ID of the image assigned to the image area where the focus frame 307 is currently displayed is acquired. Then, a plurality of image IDs including the image ID are acquired from the image list. Specifically, the display image selection unit searches the image list for the image ID of the image assigned to the image area, and reads out the image IDs of the images before and after the image ID for the image to be displayed in the display area. When nine images are displayed in the image display area 302 as shown in FIG. 10, nine image IDs including the image ID of the image assigned to the currently selected image area 307 are acquired. An image corresponding to the acquired image ID is read from the memory card 102 by the display image selection unit 107, converted by the image reproduction unit 106, and displayed in the image display area by the display control unit 108. When displaying in the image display area, the images are arranged and displayed in the order of the image list.

  Further, among the plurality of displayed images, an image assigned to the currently focused image area 307 is displayed with an image selection frame 313 and displayed separately from other images. The image selection frame 313 indicates which image is currently selected from the plurality of images.

  If no image is assigned to the currently selected image area, the images before and after the image displayed in the image display area 302 before the image display mode switching are displayed and displayed before the switching. An image selection frame 313 is displayed on the image.

  In addition, when each image displayed in the image display area 302 is provided with a numeric display unit 310 and each image is assigned to an image area in the print layout, an image area number (image area) of the print layout is displayed. ID) is displayed. When a plurality of image areas are assigned to one image, a plurality of numbers are displayed. By doing so, it is possible to confirm which image is assigned to the image area while viewing a plurality of images.

  A plurality of image areas are assigned to one image, and displaying a plurality of numbers may make it difficult to see the image. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, when a plurality of image areas are assigned to one image, an icon indicating that a plurality of image areas are assigned is displayed and the MENU button is pressed. Then, it may be switched to display a plurality of numbers as shown in FIG. Further, when displaying a plurality of images in the image display area 302, an icon indicating that a plurality of image areas are allocated is displayed. When displaying one image as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of numbers are displayed. May be displayed. In this case, it is possible to switch between displaying a plurality of numbers or displaying an icon indicating that a plurality of image areas are assigned by using the enlarge button and the reduce button.

  An icon indicating that a plurality of image areas are allocated is not limited to the icon as shown in FIG. 11, and a check mark may be simply displayed. It is only necessary to know that a plurality of image areas are assigned.

  In this way, by displaying a plurality of images at once in the image display area, it is possible to select an image to be assigned to the currently selected image area while confirming an image already assigned to the image area. Operability is improved.

  Even if an image area of a plurality of print layouts is specified for one image, which image area is assigned to which image area of the print layout by comparing the number of the print layout with the number display portion displayed on the image Can be confirmed.

  Next, image feed processing will be described.

  When the right button 213 for instructing image forwarding is pressed, the image selection frame 313 moves to the next image. By pressing the right button 213, the image selection frame is moved from Image A → Image B → image C → Image D → image E →, →→ Image I. When the right button 213 is pressed in the state of FIG. 10, an image selection frame is displayed on ImageD. When an image selection frame is displayed on ImageI, the image selection unit reads the next nine images of ImageI on the image list and displays them in the image area. When the left button 211 for instructing to return an image is pressed, the image selection frame moves in the direction opposite to the image forwarding.

  With such a configuration, a complicated multi-layout setting can be performed by a simple operation even in an apparatus with few operation members such as a printer.

Example 4
Example 4 will be described. The basic operation and processing of the fourth embodiment are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

  A description will be given centering on differences from the above-described embodiment.

  FIG. 13 shows a print layout editing mode screen.

  In the above-described embodiment, an image area of a plurality of print layouts is assigned to one image, and some of the image areas of the plurality of print layouts may be deleted. In the fourth embodiment, when image areas of a plurality of print layouts are assigned to one image, by pressing a specific button, some of the image areas assigned to the image are deleted. You can switch to the layout editing mode.

  In the fourth embodiment, a MENU button is used as a specific button. When the MENU button is pressed to enter the layout editing mode, the image area assigned to the image displayed in the image display area or the image selected in the image display area is selected. All numbers are displayed. The number of one of the image areas is displayed surrounded by a selection frame 1301.

  In the layout editing mode, by operating the JUMP button, the selection frame 1301 can move the image area number in the currently displayed (selected) image. When the SET button is pressed when the selection frame 1301 is displayed for the number of the image area to be deleted, the number of the image area selected at that time is deleted, and the image of the deleted image area in the print layout data is displayed. The ID is also deleted. Further, the color of the image area corresponding to the deleted image area in the layout display area 305 is changed to white.

  Also, when executing deletion of image area numbers (deallocating an image to an image area), the user can select whether the image area to be deleted is a blank area or an image is allocated together. good.

  In this way, even if print areas having a plurality of print layouts are assigned to one image, the user can easily delete the print areas.

(Example 5)
Example 5 will be described. The basic operation and processing of the fifth embodiment are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

  The description will focus on the different points described above.

  FIG. 14 shows a multi-layout setting screen.

  In this embodiment, when a plurality of image areas are assigned to an image, a MENU button is used to select one of the image areas.

  When a plurality of image area numbers are displayed on the number display portion, a selection frame 1401 is displayed on one of them. By pressing the MENU button, the selection frame 1401 moves to another number displayed on the number display unit. As the selection frame 1401 moves, the image area selection frame 308 displayed in the layout display area 305 also moves. The selection frame 308 moves to an image area having the same image area number as the image area number of the selection frame 1401 after movement.

  At this time, the image assigned to the selected image area can be canceled by pressing one of the up and down buttons. Therefore, even when a plurality of images are assigned to one image area, it is possible to release the image assignment for only the selected image area.

(Other examples)
Although the present invention has been described in detail based on preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the present invention are also included in the present invention. included. In the above embodiment, the case where the multi-layout setting is performed in the printing apparatus has been described. However, for the multi-layout setting of the present invention, an electric device for performing image print setting such as a digital camera, a personal computer, an image reproducing apparatus, and a mobile phone. Can adapt to

  Also, when a software program that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied from a recording medium directly to a system or apparatus having a computer that can execute the program using wired / wireless communication, and the program is executed Are also included in the present invention.

  Accordingly, the program code itself supplied and installed in the computer in order to implement the functional processing of the present invention by the computer also realizes the present invention. That is, the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention is also included in the present invention.

  In this case, the program may be in any form as long as it has a program function, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a magnetic recording medium such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD- RW etc. can be considered. Further, it may be an optical / magneto-optical storage medium or a nonvolatile semiconductor memory.

  As a program supply method using wired / wireless communication, the following method can be considered. That is, a computer program itself or a program data file forming the present invention is stored in a server on a computer network, and the program data file is downloaded to a connected client computer.

  Here, the program data file includes a file compressed with a computer program forming the present invention and including an automatic installation function.

  In this case, the program data file can be divided into a plurality of segment files, and the segment files can be arranged on different servers.

  That is, the present invention includes a server device that allows a plurality of users to download a program data file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. 3 is an operation unit of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. 4 is an example of a multi-layout setting screen of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. 3 is a data structure of print layout data of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of image feed processing of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of image selection processing of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of image selection cancellation processing of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. 3 is an operation unit of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. 4 is an example of a multi-layout setting screen of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. 6 is an example of a multi-layout setting screen of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. 4 is an example of a multi-layout setting screen of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. It is a screen of the layout edit mode which concerns on this invention. 4 is an example of a multi-layout setting screen of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Bus 102 Memory card 103 IO control part 104 Layout selection part 105 Icon display part 106 Image reproduction part 107 Display image selection part 108 Display control part 109 Data holding part 110 Print data generation part 111 Printing part 112 Layout generation part 113 Print image selection Part 114 Area selection part 115 GUI control part 116 GUI operation part 201 Operation panel 202 Power button 203 EDIT button 204 DISP button 205 CREATE button 206 MENU button 207 LCD
208 Enlarge button 209 Reduce button 210 Up button 211 Left button 212 Down button 213 Right button 214 SET button 215 PRINT button 216 BACK button 901 Operation panel 902 Power button 903 EDIT button 904 DISP button 905 CREATIVE button 906 MENU button 907 Display device (LCD) )
908 Enlarge button 909 Reduce button 910 Up button 911 Left button 912 Down button 913 Right button 914 SET button 915 PRINT button 216 BACK button 919 Wheel

Claims (10)

A print setting device having display means for displaying an image and capable of setting an image to be printed for a plurality of image areas in a print layout,
Reading means for reading the image stored in the storage medium;
An image display area for reading and displaying an arbitrary image among the images stored in the storage medium by the reading means and a layout display area for displaying the print layout are simultaneously displayed on the display means. Display control means;
Setting means for setting an image to be printed for each of the plurality of image areas;
In the print layout display area, the plurality of image areas are displayed together with a number for specifying the image area, and an image set to be printed in the image area by the setting unit is displayed in the image display area. , Display a number for specifying the image area together with the image ,
The setting means can set a plurality of image areas for one image, and when a plurality of image areas are set for one image, the setting means specifies a plurality of image areas. print setting device according to claim Rukoto to display the numbers. Image region selection means for selecting one of a plurality of image regions displayed in the layout display region;
The print setting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets an image displayed in the image display region as an image to be printed with respect to the image region selected by the image region selection unit. .   The print setting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image area selected by the image area selecting unit is displayed separately from other image areas.   The image area in which an image to be printed is set by the setting means and an image area in which an image to be printed is not set are displayed separately. Print setting device. A print setting method capable of setting images to be printed for a plurality of image areas in a print layout,
A reading step of reading an image stored in a storage medium;
A display step of simultaneously displaying an image display area for reading and displaying an arbitrary image of the images stored in the storage medium by the reading unit; and a layout display area for displaying the print layout;
A setting step for setting an image to be printed for each of the plurality of image regions,
In the print layout display area, the plurality of image areas are displayed together with a number for specifying the image area, and an image set to be printed in the image area in the setting step is displayed in the image display area. , Display a number for specifying the image area together with the image ,
In the setting step, a plurality of image areas can be set for one image. When a plurality of image areas are set for one image, a plurality of image areas are specified for specifying each image area. print settings wherein the Rukoto to display the numbers. An image region selection step of selecting one of a plurality of image regions displayed in the layout display region,
6. The print setting method according to claim 5 , wherein, in the setting step, an image displayed in the image display region is set as an image to be printed with respect to the image region selected in the image region selection step. . The print setting method according to claim 6 , wherein the image area selected in the image area selecting step is displayed separately from other image areas. An image area where the image to be printed by said setting step is set, according to any one of claims 5 to 7 images to be printed and displaying distinguishes between unconfigured image area Print setting method. A program for causing a computer to execute the print setting method according to any one of claims 5 to 8 . A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 9 .

Images