JP6502272B2 - IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, a program, and a recording medium for creating a composite image such as a photo book using a plurality of images acquired from a plurality of user terminal devices via a network. .

  Photobook is a service that sends a plurality of images (image data) owned by the user to a service provider via the Internet, and uses the sent plurality of images to create a photo collection of a layout desired by the user. is there.

  For example, a photo book classifies a plurality of images into a plurality of groups based on shooting time and the like in consideration of continuity and relevance of the images, and automatically arranges the images included in each group on corresponding pages. Created by (automatic layout).

  In recent years, not only a photobook is created using only a plurality of images owned by one user, but one photobook is created using a plurality of images owned by a plurality of users (Patent Document 1 and (2) and the ones for obtaining a close-up message from a plurality of users and creating a close-up using the close-up messages obtained from the plurality of users (see Patent Documents 3 and 4).

JP 2008-257308 A JP, 2015-069431, A JP 2001-297051 A JP, 2015-133000, A

  Patent documents 1 to 4 describe that, when creating one composite image using a plurality of images owned by a plurality of users, creating a composite image including not only a main story page but also a close-up page. Absent. In addition, in the composite image including the main page and the page, if the number of the aligned messages to be arranged on the aligned page is insufficient, a vacant area is generated on the aligned page and the appearance is not good.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, a program, and a recording medium capable of creating a nice-looking matching writing page even when the number of writing messages is insufficient in a composite image including main pages and matching pages. To provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plurality of users with uploading an image used in a main page and a reconciliation message used in a reconciliation page to a plurality of user terminal devices via a network. Uploading notification section to send prompting information to prompt, and
An image acquisition unit for acquiring a plurality of images from a plurality of user terminal devices via a network;
A message acquisition unit for acquiring a jumble message from a plurality of user terminal devices via a network;
A message number calculation unit that calculates the number of the merged message acquired by the message acquisition unit after a fixed period of time has elapsed since the request information was sent by the upload request unit;
A page number setting unit that sets the number of pages of the merged page to one or more pages according to the number of merged messages calculated by the message number calculation unit and the upper limit number of merged messages to be arranged on one merged page. When,
And a composite image creation unit that creates a composite image composed of a main story page and a matching page,
The composite image creation unit includes a merged writing unit that creates a merged page of the number of pages set by the page number setting unit using the merged message acquired by the message acquisition unit,
The jagged writing unit calculates the product of the number of jagged messages calculated by the message number calculating unit, the product of the threshold value of the jagged messages to be placed on the 1-page jagged page and the page number of the jagged page set by the page number setting unit. In addition to the aligned message acquired by the message acquisition unit, the image acquired by the image acquisition unit is smaller than the threshold of the aligned message used in the page number of pages set by the page number setting unit, which is calculated by taking The present invention provides an image processing apparatus for creating a close-matched page using the selected image.

  Here, the page number setting unit is configured such that the number of merged messages calculated by the message number calculation unit is the upper limit number of merged messages to be arranged on a single page of 1 page, and the page of the merged pages set by the page number setting unit. If it exceeds the upper limit of the number of aligned messages to be used in the set page of the number of page calculated by taking the product of the number, the number of merged pages is calculated according to the number of aligned messages calculated by the message number calculation unit. It is preferable to increase the number of pages.

  In the page number setting unit, the number of merged messages calculated by the message number calculation unit is less than the threshold of the merged messages used in the merged pages of the set number of pages, and the number of merged pages is 2 or more. In this case, it is preferable to reduce the number of aligned pages according to the number of aligned messages calculated by the message number calculation unit.

Further, the merged writing unit divides the merged message acquired by the message acquiring unit into a number of groups corresponding to the number of pages of the merged page set by the page number setting unit;
It is preferable that each group includes a message arrangement unit that creates a corresponding page of the page corresponding to the group using the corresponding message included in the group.

  Preferably, the message division unit equally divides the merged message acquired by the message acquisition unit into groups of numbers corresponding to the page number of the merged page set by the page number setting unit.

  In addition, when the number of merged messages included in the group is less than the threshold of the merged messages to be placed on the 1-page merged page, the merged writing unit is acquired by the image acquisition unit in addition to the merged messages included in the group. Preferably, the merged image is used to create a tailored page corresponding to the group.

  In addition, the marshalling unit uses a stamp in addition to the marshalling message included in the group when the number of marshalling messages included in the group is less than the upper limit number of marshalling messages placed on one marshall page. It is preferable to create a matching page corresponding to the group.

  In addition, the message dividing unit arranges the merged message acquired by the message acquiring unit on one or more first groups including the upper limit number of merged messages to be arranged on one merged page, and the merged page of one page. It is preferable to divide into one number of groups corresponding to the number of pages of the aligned pages set by the page number setting unit, which is configured of one second group including the number of aligned messages which is equal to or higher than the threshold and not higher than the upper limit.

  In addition, when the number of merged messages included in the second group is less than the upper limit number of merged messages to be placed on one page of the merged page, the merged writing unit adds an image to the merged message included in the second group. It is preferable to create a sided page corresponding to the second group using the image acquired by the acquisition unit.

  In addition, when the number of merged messages included in the second group is less than the upper limit number of merged messages to be placed on one page of the merged page, the merged writing unit adds a stamp to the merged message included in the second group and adds a stamp. Is preferably used to create a draft page corresponding to the second group.

The image acquisition unit further acquires face images of a plurality of users from terminal devices of the plurality of users,
Preferably, the sided writing section combines the user's sided message acquired by the message acquisition unit with the corresponding user's face image acquired by the image acquisition unit to create a sided page for each user.

And an account information storage unit for acquiring and storing account information including the names of the plurality of users from the terminal devices of the plurality of users via the network.
Preferably, the gutter creation unit combines the user's gutter message acquired by the message acquisition unit with the name of the corresponding user stored in the account information storage unit for each user to create a gutter page.

Furthermore, a budget setting unit that acquires budget information of a composite image set by a first user from a terminal device of at least one first user among a plurality of users via a network;
From the terminal device of the first user, via the network, one or more image items of the size and the number of pages corresponding to the information of the budget acquired by the budget setting unit, one set by the first user And a merchandise acquisition unit for acquiring an image merchandise,
The page number setting unit further responds to the number of pages of the composite image corresponding to one image commercial item acquired by the commercial material acquisition unit, and the page number of the merged page of the synthetic image corresponding to one image commercial item. It is preferable to set the number of pages of the main page of the composite image corresponding to one image product to one or more.

Furthermore, an image number calculation unit that calculates the number of images acquired by the image acquisition unit after a certain period of time has elapsed since the request information was sent by the upload request unit;
The number of images calculated by the image number calculation unit is calculated by taking the product of the lower limit number of images to be arranged on the main page of one page and the page number of the main page set by the page number setting unit. The budget acquired by the budget setting unit via the network for the terminal device of the first user when the number is lower than the lower limit number of images used in the main page of the page number set by the page number setting unit A recommendation unit for proposing an image product having a size smaller than that of one image product among the one or more image products corresponding to the information according to the number of images calculated by the image number calculation unit It is preferable to have.

Furthermore, an image number calculation unit that calculates the number of images acquired by the image acquisition unit after a predetermined time has elapsed since the request information was sent by the upload request unit;
The number of images calculated by the image number calculation unit is calculated by taking the product of the lower limit number of images to be arranged on the main page of one page and the page number of the main page set by the page number setting unit. The budget acquired by the budget setting unit via the network for the terminal device of the first user when the number is lower than the lower limit number of images used in the main page of the page number set by the page number setting unit A recommendation unit for proposing an image product having a page number smaller than that of one image product among the one or more image products corresponding to the information according to the number of images calculated by the image number calculation unit Preferably,

Furthermore, an image number calculation unit that calculates the number of images acquired by the image acquisition unit after a certain period of time has elapsed since the request information was sent by the upload request unit;
The number of images calculated by the image number calculation unit is calculated by taking the product of the upper limit number of images arranged on the main page of one page and the page number of the main page set by the page number setting unit. When the number of pages of the main story page set by the page number setting unit exceeds the upper limit number of images used for the first user's terminal device, the budget of the budget acquired by the budget setting unit via the network is used. According to the number of images calculated by the image number calculation unit, one or more image products corresponding to the information have a recommendation unit for proposing an image product having a size larger than that of one image product. Is preferred.

Furthermore, an image number calculation unit that calculates the number of images acquired by the image acquisition unit after a predetermined time has elapsed since the request information was sent by the upload request unit;
The number of images calculated by the image number calculation unit is calculated by taking the product of the lower limit number of images to be arranged on the main page of one page and the page number of the main page set by the page number setting unit. The budget acquired by the budget setting unit via the network for the terminal device of the first user when the number is lower than the lower limit number of images used in the main page of the page number set by the page number setting unit A recommendation unit for proposing an image product having a page number greater than that of one image product among the one or more image products corresponding to the information according to the number of images calculated by the image number calculation unit Preferably,

Furthermore, an image number calculation unit that calculates the number of images acquired by the image acquisition unit after a certain period of time has elapsed since the request information was sent by the upload request unit;
The number of images calculated by the image number calculation unit is calculated by taking the product of the lower limit number of images to be arranged on the main page of one page and the page number of the main page set by the page number setting unit. A trimming unit that trims the image acquired by the image acquiring unit to create a processed image when the number of pages of the main story page set by the page number setting unit is less than the lower limit number of images used;
It is preferable that the image processing apparatus further comprises: a main creation section that creates a main page using the image acquired by the image acquisition section and the processed image generated by the trimming section.

Furthermore, an image number calculation unit that calculates the number of images acquired by the image acquisition unit after a certain period of time has elapsed since the request information was sent by the upload request unit;
The number of images calculated by the image number calculation unit is calculated by taking the product of the lower limit number of images to be arranged on the main page of one page and the page number of the main page set by the page number setting unit. The additional image to be used in the composite image via the network with respect to the terminal devices of the plurality of users when the number of pages of the main story page set by the page number setting unit is less than the lower limit number of images used And a request unit for requesting the request.

Furthermore, an image number calculation unit that calculates the number of images acquired by the image acquisition unit after a certain period of time has elapsed since the request information was sent by the upload request unit;
The number of images calculated by the image number calculation unit is calculated by taking the product of the lower limit number of images to be arranged on the main page of one page and the page number of the main page set by the page number setting unit. When the number of pages of the main story page set by the page number setting unit is less than the lower limit number of images used, each image used in the composite image via the network with respect to a plurality of user terminal devices It is preferable to provide the request part which requests the comment provided to.

In the present invention, the upload prompting unit notifies the plurality of users of uploading the image used in the main page and the merged message used in the merged page to the terminal devices of the plurality of users via the network. Sending reminder information to
The image acquisition unit acquires a plurality of images from a plurality of user terminal devices via a network;
The message acquisition unit acquires a posted message from a plurality of user terminal devices via a network;
The message number calculation unit calculates the number of side-to-side messages acquired by the message acquisition unit after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the request information was sent by the upload request unit;
The number of pages of the merged page is 1 or more in accordance with the number of merged messages calculated by the message count calculation unit and the upper limit number of merged messages to be placed on the 1-page merged page. Setting the number to
The composite image creation unit creates a composite image composed of the main story page and the matching page;
The step of creating the composite image includes the step of creating the merged page of the number of pages set by the page number setting unit using the merged message acquired by the message acquisition unit.
In the step of creating the page for marshalling, the number of the marshalling message calculated by the message number calculation unit is the threshold of the marshalling message to be arranged on the one page of the marshalling page, and the number of pages of the marshalling page set by the page number setting unit. The image acquisition is performed in addition to the aligned message acquired by the message acquisition unit, when it is less than the threshold of the aligned message used in the page of the page number set by the page number setting unit, which is calculated by taking the product of An image processing method is provided for creating a side-by-side page using an image acquired by the unit.

  The present invention also provides a program for causing a computer to execute the steps of the image processing method described above.

  The present invention also provides a computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute the steps of the image processing method described above.

  According to the present invention, when the number of marshalled messages used in the marshalled page is insufficient, the marshalling message can be created using not only the marshalled message but also the image used in the main page. As a result, in the composite image such as a photo book including the main page and the page for matching, even if the number of messages for sending out is insufficient, it is possible to create a page for matching that has a good appearance.

It is a block diagram of one embodiment showing composition of an image processing device concerning the present invention. It is a block diagram of one Embodiment showing the structure of the server shown in FIG. It is a block diagram of one Embodiment showing the structure of the information setting part shown in FIG. It is a block diagram of one Embodiment showing the structure of the information management part shown in FIG. It is a block diagram of one Embodiment showing the structure of the data acquisition part shown in FIG. It is a block diagram of one Embodiment showing the structure of the data-analysis part shown in FIG. It is a block diagram of one Embodiment showing the structure of the synthetic | combination image creation part shown in FIG. It is a block diagram of one Embodiment showing the structure of the main story preparation part shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an embodiment representing a configuration of a miswriting writing unit shown in FIG. 7; It is a block diagram of one Embodiment showing the structure of the user's terminal device shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of one Embodiment showing operation | movement of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of one Embodiment showing operation | movement of the image processing apparatus following FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an embodiment representing an operation of the image processing apparatus subsequent to FIG. 12; It is a conceptual diagram of an example showing the screen which sets the budget of a synthetic picture. It is a conceptual diagram of an example showing the screen which sets up the design of the cover page of a photo book. It is a conceptual diagram of an example showing the screen which sets up the design of the adjustment page of a photo book. It is a conceptual diagram of an example showing the screen which sets up the offer closing date of a picture and a close-up message. It is a conceptual diagram of an example showing the screen which sets up the creation period of a synthetic picture. It is a conceptual diagram of an example showing the screen which sets up the delivery date of image goods. It is a conceptual diagram of an example showing the screen which confirms the information on image goods and a schedule. It is a conceptual diagram of an example showing the screen which inputs account information. FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram of an example showing a screen indicating that a manager user's login and storage of image merchandise and schedule information have been completed. It is a conceptual diagram of an example showing the screen for creating the invitation sent to the participating user's terminal unit. It is a conceptual diagram of an example showing the screen for confirming the contents of the invitation. It is a conceptual diagram of an example showing the screen for sending an invitation to a participating user's terminal unit. It is a conceptual diagram of an example showing the screen showing the received invitation. It is a conceptual diagram of an example showing the screen for inputting the common password for accessing the screen which the participating user uploads the image used in a synthetic image, the evaluation information of an image, a meeting message, etc. It is a conceptual diagram of an example showing the screen for registering a new participating user. It is a conceptual diagram of an example showing the screen for registering the name and secret which register as a participating user. It is a conceptual diagram of an example showing a screen for a participant user to choose a picture to upload. It is a conceptual diagram of an example showing the screen for evaluating each of a plurality of pictures transmitted from a terminal unit of two or more participating users. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of an example showing a screen for notifying that a page for adjustment is included in the end of a photo book. It is a conceptual diagram of an example showing the screen for setting up the profile image of the participating user used in a side page. It is a conceptual diagram of an example showing the screen for inputting a writing-in message. It is a conceptual diagram of an example showing the screen for confirming the merge message which a participating user inputted. It is a conceptual diagram of an example showing the screen showing that the upload of a close-up message was completed.

  Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, a program, and a recording medium of the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the attached drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment showing the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. The image processing apparatus 10 shown in the figure creates a composite image such as a photo book including a page for matching, using a plurality of images acquired via the network 16 from the terminal devices of a plurality of users involved in creation of a composite image. It is The image processing apparatus 10 includes a server 12 and terminal devices (clients) 14 of a plurality of users connected to the server 12 via a network 16.

  The server 12 performs various data processing for creating a composite image based on an instruction from the terminal device 14, and is configured by, for example, a desktop PC (Personal Computer: personal computer), a work station, or the like. .

  The terminal device 14 gives various instructions to the server 12 to perform various data processing, and is configured of, for example, a smartphone, a tablet PC, a notebook PC, or the like.

  The network 16 is, for example, a telephone line or an internet line, and is connected to the server 12 and the terminal device 14 by wire or wirelessly to enable two-way communication.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment representing the configuration of the server shown in FIG. The server 12 shown in the figure acquires an information setting unit 18 that sets various information related to a composite image, an information management unit 20 that manages various information related to creation of a composite image, and various data used in the composite image. And a data analysis unit 24 that analyzes various data used in the composite image, and a composite image creation unit 26 that creates a composite image.

In the following description, one user who creates a composite image among a plurality of users involved in creating a composite image including a main page and a copy page is expressed as a managing user, and two or more users including the managing user are participating users Express as For example, the case where the manager is one of the friend groups corresponds to this.
However, in another embodiment, the number of participating users does not include the number of organizer users if the organizer itself does not provide photographs or messages, as in the case where the photo shop is in charge of acting the secretary. .

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment showing a configuration of the information setting unit shown in FIG. The information setting unit 18 shown in the figure includes a budget setting unit 28, a commercial material acquisition unit 30, a cover design setting unit 32, a side-by-side design setting unit 34, and a schedule setting unit 36.

  The budget setting unit 28 acquires information of the budget of the composite image set by the organizer user from the terminal device 14 of the organizer user via the network 16.

  Subsequently, the commercial material acquisition unit 30 is set by the managing user from among one or more image commercial materials (image commercial material information) of the size and the number of pages corresponding to the information of the budget acquired by the budget setting unit 28. The acquired one image commercial item is acquired from the terminal device 14 of the organizer user via the network 16.

The image product is a material for creating an image product, and includes, for example, a photo album such as a photo book, shuffle print, a calendar with an image, and the like. Images are mainly photographs.
In addition, the image commercial material includes plural types of image commercial materials in which at least one of the size and the number of pages is different. The number of pages of the image product is the number of pages including the main page and the matching page. Image items include image items of paper media and image items of electronic data.
The page referred to in the present invention is a unit for performing image arrangement and alignment arrangement. In the present embodiment, it refers to the spread page. However, in other embodiments it may be a single-sided page. Further, inside the image processing apparatus in the present embodiment, the number of pages of the image product may be displayed in units of spread pages and in units of single-sided pages.

  The photo book is, for example, a composite image in which a plurality of images selected by the user are arranged on a plurality of pages in a layout desired by the user. The photo book may also be a composite image in which an image selected by automatic selection is arranged on a plurality of pages in an automatic layout from images of a desired period (for example, one year) held by the user (for example, Fuji Year album made by Film Co., Ltd.). The shuffle print is a composite image in which a plurality of images are shuffled and arranged in one print. The image-attached calendar is, for example, a composite image in which an image corresponding to the calendar of each month is arranged.

In the case of the present embodiment, the composite image is a photo book including a copy page at the end of the book. The written page is a composite image in which written messages of two or more participating users acquired from the terminal devices 14 of the participating users are arranged. Match messages are the messages of the participating users used in the match page.
Also, in addition to the matching message, the profile image may be placed on the matching page. The profile image is, for example, a face image of the participating user, but may be another image.

  Subsequently, from among the designs of one or more front cover pages, front cover design setting unit 32 transmits information on the design of one front cover page set by the front manager user from the terminal device 14 of the front user via network 16. It is what you acquire.

  Information on the design of the cover page includes, for example, information on the design of the cover page, information on the design such as the illustration drawn on the cover page, information on the title of the composite image described on the cover page, color of the cover page Information etc. are included.

  Subsequently, the combined writing design setting unit 34 selects, from among the designs of one or more combined pages, the information on the design of one combined page set by the managing user from the terminal device 14 of the managing user via the network 16. It is what you acquire.

  The information on the design of the side page includes, for example, information on the profile image of the participating user and information on a template in which the position, size, etc. for arranging the side-to-side message on the side of the side on which the side page is arranged.

  Subsequently, the schedule setting unit 36 sets, via the network 16, the information of the schedule including the image and the posting deadline of the combined message set by the organizer user, the creation period of the composite image, and the delivery date of the image product. It is acquired from the terminal device 14 of the organizer user.

The deadline for submission of images and cross-sentence messages is a time limit during which the participating users can upload (post) images and cross-scoring messages, that is, the image processing apparatus 10 acquires images and cross-posted messages from the terminal devices 14 of the participating users. Represents the deadline for
Further, the creation period of the composite image represents a period for the executive user to create a composite image using a plurality of images acquired from the terminal devices 14 of a plurality of users, in other words, a time limit for ordering an image product. The delivery date of the image product represents the date on which the image product is delivered.

  Next, FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment showing a configuration of the information management unit shown in FIG. The information management unit 20 shown in the figure includes a setting storage unit 38, an account information storage unit 40, a management screen information transmission unit 42, and an upload prompting unit 44.

  The setting storage unit 38 stores the image commercial material acquired by the commercial material acquisition unit 30 and the information of the schedule acquired by the schedule setting unit 36.

  Subsequently, the account information storage unit 40 acquires the account information of the organizer user set by the organizer user from the terminal device 14 of the organizer user via the network 16. Further, the account information storage unit 40 acquires the account information of the participating user set by the participating user from the terminal device 14 of the participating user via the network 16 and stores the account information.

  For example, the account information of the organizer user is the secretary user's email address and the secretary password. On the other hand, the account information of the participating user is the name and individual password of the participating user (displayed as “secret secret” as shown in FIG. 29 for the participating user). The name of the participating user is used by the managing user to manage the participating user, and the individual password is used by the image processing apparatus 10 to identify the participating user. In the case of this embodiment, the secret code can not be changed and reissued later.

  Subsequently, the management screen information transmission unit 42 transmits a message including a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for the manager user to access the management screen for managing the image commercial material and the schedule, etc., via the network 16. To the terminal device 14 of FIG. The organizer user can change the organizer user, add the organizer user (for example, add an assistant manager described later), and the like from the management screen, in addition to changing the image product and schedule.

  The management screen information sending unit 42 sends a message including a URL for accessing the management screen to the e-mail address of the secretary user acquired by the account information storage unit 40, for example, by electronic mail.

  Subsequently, the upload prompting unit 44 sends the invitation created by the organizer user to the terminal device 14 of the participating user via the network 16.

  The invitation is a prompting information for inviting the participating users to create a composite image, and prompting the participating users to upload images used in the composite image, evaluation information for each image, a profile image, a posting message, etc. .

  The upload prompting unit 44 sends the invitation to the terminal device 14 of the participating user by, for example, a message of SNS (Social Networking Service: social networking service) or an electronic mail.

  Subsequently, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment showing a configuration of the data acquisition unit shown in FIG. The data acquisition unit 22 shown in the figure includes an image acquisition unit 46, an evaluation information acquisition unit 48, and a message acquisition unit 50.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the image acquisition unit 46 receives a letter of invitation and sends it to the image set by the schedule setting unit 36 and the posting deadline of the posted message for two or more participating users. A plurality of images (image groups) transmitted from the terminal device 14 via the network 16 are acquired. Also, the image acquisition unit 46 acquires the profile images of the participating users set by each participating user.

  Subsequently, the evaluation information acquisition unit 48, through the network 16, the evaluation information representing the evaluation on each image given by two or more participating users for a certain period of time as well as the terminal devices 14 of the two or more participating users. It is obtained from

  The evaluation information of the images is information representing an evaluation of each participating user for each image, for example, a high evaluation or a low evaluation.

  Subsequently, the message acquiring unit 50 acquires, from the terminal device 14 of each participating user via the network 16, the postscript message uploaded by each participating user for the same fixed period as well.

  Next, FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an embodiment showing a configuration of the data analysis unit shown in FIG. The data analysis unit 24 shown in the figure includes an image number calculation unit 52, an evaluation number calculation unit 54, a message number calculation unit 56, an image analysis unit 58, and an evaluation value calculation unit 60.

  The image number calculation unit 52 is acquired by the image acquisition unit 46 after a fixed period of time has passed since the invitation letter was sent by the upload prompting unit 44, that is, after the recruitment deadline of the image and the posted message has passed. The number of images is calculated.

  Subsequently, the evaluation number calculation unit 54 similarly calculates the number of evaluation information representing high evaluation and low evaluation acquired by the evaluation information acquisition unit 48 after the application closing date of the image and the coordinated message has passed. .

  Subsequently, the message number calculation unit 56 similarly calculates the number of the merged messages acquired by the message acquisition unit 50 after the recruitment deadline of the images and the merged messages has passed.

  Subsequently, the image analysis unit 58 analyzes the content of each image acquired by the image acquisition unit 46. In the case of the present embodiment, the image analysis unit 58 performs image analysis each time the image acquisition unit 46 acquires an image.

  The image analysis unit 58 analyzes, for example, the brightness and color tone of the image, the degree of blur and blur, etc., and if the image includes the face of a person, the size of the face, the position of the face, the direction of the face, Analyze the skin color of the face, facial expressions such as smiles, eyes, the number of persons included in the image, the positional relationship of the persons, etc.

  Subsequently, the evaluation value calculation unit 60 calculates an analysis evaluation value of each image based on the analysis result of each image by the image analysis unit 58. In addition, the evaluation value calculation unit 60 adds or subtracts or weights the analysis evaluation value of each image based on the evaluation information indicating high evaluation and low evaluation for each image acquired by the evaluation information acquisition unit 48. Then, the comprehensive evaluation value of each image is calculated.

  The evaluation value calculation unit 60 adds a value to the analysis evaluation value of the image based on, for example, the number of evaluation information representing the high evaluation calculated by the evaluation number calculation unit 54, and Based on the number, the integrated evaluation value of the image can be calculated by subtracting the value of the analysis evaluation value of the image.

Since the analysis evaluation value of the image is calculated based on the analysis result of the image, it becomes a reference for determining the quality of the image, and it can be said that the higher the analysis evaluation value, the better the image of the image quality.
The comprehensive evaluation value of the image is calculated based on the evaluation information representing the high evaluation and the low evaluation given by the participating users in addition to the analysis result of the image. The higher the overall evaluation value, the better the image quality, or the image preferred by the participating users.

  Next, FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an embodiment showing a configuration of the composite image creation unit shown in FIG. The composite image creation unit 26 shown in the figure includes a cover creation unit 62, a page number setting unit 72, a recommendation unit 74, a request unit 76, a main feature creation unit 64, and a writing creation unit 66.

  The cover creation unit 62 creates a cover page of a design corresponding to the information on the product stored in the setting storage unit 38 and the information on the design of the cover page acquired by the cover design setting unit 32.

  Subsequently, the page number setting unit 72 sets the number of the merged page according to the number of the merged messages calculated by the message number calculation unit 56 and the upper limit number of the merged messages to be arranged on the (paged) 1 merged page. The page number is set to one or more pages. Further, the page number setting unit 72 is responsive to the number of pages of the composite image corresponding to the information of the commercial material stored in the setting storage unit 38 and the page number of the combined writing page of the synthetic image corresponding to the information of the commercial material. And set the number of pages of the main page to one or more.

In the case of this embodiment, the number n of the participating users is 2 to 36, the threshold n _t of the aligned message to be arranged on one page of the merged page is 8 and the upper limit number n _u is 12, and the page number p is 16 create. In this case, if the number n is 36 participating user invitation was sent by the upload prompt section 44, a page number p _m of group efforts pages, n a (= 36), arranged on one page of group efforts page group efforts Divide by n _u (= 12), which is the upper limit number of messages, so that p _m = n / n _u = 3. Further, the page number p _p of the main page is p _p = p−p _m = 13 by subtracting p _m (= 3), which is the page number of the aligned page, from the page number p (= 16).

Further, in the above case, the threshold n _tall of the message used in the page of the write-in page set by the page number setting unit 72 is the threshold n _t (= 8) of the write-in message of the 1 page. The product of the page number setting unit 72 and the page number p _m (= 3), which is the page number of the aligned page, is calculated to be n _tall = n _t × p _m = 24. On the other hand, the upper limit number n _uall of the images used in the page of the _merged page set by the page number setting unit 72 is n _u (= 12) of the upper limit number of _merged messages to be placed on one _merged page. It is calculated that n _uall = n _u × p _m = 36 by taking the product of p _m (= 3), which is the page number of the _aligned page set by the number setting unit 72.

It is assumed that the number n of participating users to which the invitation has been sent is 36, but the number n _{r of} messages actually sent after the deadline is 37. In this case, an error occurs because the set upper limit of the participating users is exceeded. However, depending on the embodiment, the upper limit may be increased.

It is assumed that the number n of participating users to which the invitation has been sent is 36, but the number n _{r of} messages actually sent after the deadline is 24. In this case, the page number _{p m} of group efforts _pages, n r a (= 24), a maximum number of group efforts messages placed on one page of group efforts page _n u (= 12) was divided by _p m = n _r / n _u = 2. Then, the threshold n _tall of the image message used in the page of the set number of pages set by the page number setting unit 72 is n _t (= 8) of the threshold of the set writing message arranged on the set page of 1 page, and the page number setting A product of p _m (= 2), which is the page number of the aligned page set by the section 72, is calculated to be n _tall = n _t × p _m = 16. Since n _{r nntall} , in this case, the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 46 is not used for the page for matching.

On the other hand, it is assumed that the number n of participating users to which the invitation has been sent is 36, but the number n _{r of} messages actually sent after the deadline is 14. In this case, the page number _{p m} of group efforts _pages, rounded up n r a (= 14), by dividing by a maximum number _n u of group efforts messages placed on one page of group efforts pages (= 12), _{p m} = Ceil (n _r / n _u ) = 2. Then, the threshold n _tall of the image message used in the page of the set number of pages set by the page number setting unit 72 is n _t (= 8) of the threshold of the set writing message arranged on the set page of 1 page, and the page number setting A product of p _m (= 2), which is the page number of the aligned page set by the section 72, is calculated to be n _tall = n _t × p _m = 16. Since n _r <n _tall , in this case, the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 46 is used as one of the aligned pages.

In the present embodiment, in the case of n _{r nntall} , it is assumed that the image acquired by the image acquiring unit 46 is not used for the aligned page. However, in light of the gist of the present invention, the image acquired by the image acquiring unit 46 may be used at least in the case of n _r <n _{tall and} , in some embodiments, the image acquiring unit 46 in the case of n _r nn _tall. You may use the image acquired by this.

  The threshold value and the upper limit number of the write-in message to be placed on the 1-page write-in page are not particularly limited, but the threshold is, for example, half to 3/4 of the upper limit (6 to 8 when the upper limit is 12) It is preferable to set it as the number any one of. The upper limit number can be determined as appropriate according to the size of the characters of the matching message and the like.

  If the number of images calculated by the image number calculation unit 52 is less than the upper limit number or less than the lower limit number of images used in the main page of the page number set by the page number setting unit 72, the recommendation unit 74 Calculated by the image number calculation unit 52 from among one or more image items corresponding to the information of the budget acquired by the budget setting unit 28 via the network 16 for the terminal device 14 of the organizer user According to the number of images, an image product different from the image product corresponding to the product information stored in the setting storage unit 38 is proposed.

  Similarly, the lower limit number of images used in the main page of the number of pages set by the page number setting unit 72 is the lower limit number of images to be arranged on the main page of one page, and the main program set by the page number setting unit 72. It can be calculated by taking the product of the number of pages of a page. Further, the upper limit number of images used in the main page of the page number set by the page number setting unit 72 is the upper limit number of images to be arranged on the main page of one page and the main page set by the page number setting unit 72 It can be calculated by taking the product of the number of pages.

  The recommendation unit 74 sends the proposed image product to the managing user's e-mail address, for example, by electronic mail.

  Subsequently, the request unit 76 participates when the number of images calculated by the image number calculation unit 52 is less than the lower limit number of images used in the main story page of the number of pages set by the page number setting unit 72. The user terminal device 14 is requested via the network 16 at least one of an additional image to be used in the composite image and a comment to be added to each image to be used in the composite image.

  The request unit 76 sends the requested message to the participating user's e-mail address, for example, by e-mail.

  Subsequently, using the plurality of images acquired by the image acquisition unit 46, the main story preparation unit 64 prepares the main story pages (pages other than the cover page and the close-up page) of the pages set by the page number setting unit It is The feature creation unit 64 creates a composite image corresponding to the information of the product stored in the setting storage unit 38, and in the case of the present embodiment, a main page of the photobook.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the main part creating unit 64 includes an image dividing unit 78, an image extracting unit 80, an image arranging unit 82, a trimming unit 84, and the like.

  The image dividing unit 78 divides the plurality of images acquired by the image acquiring unit 46 into a number of groups corresponding to the page number of the main story page set by the page number setting unit 72.

  The image extraction unit 80 extracts, for each group of images, a plurality of compositing target images used in the main story page from the images included in the group based on the comprehensive evaluation value of the images.

  The image arrangement unit 82 determines, for each group of images, the size of each composition target image extracted by the image extracting unit 80 and the arrangement position in the main page, based on the comprehensive evaluation value of the image, and combines the composition target image. , Is arranged on a main story page of a page corresponding to a group of images (automatic layout).

  If the number of images calculated by the image number calculation unit 52 is less than the lower limit number of images used in the main page of the number of pages set by the page number setting unit 72, the trimming unit 84 obtains the image acquisition unit 46. The image acquired by the above is trimmed to create a processed image.

  Subsequently, using the profile image of the participating user acquired by the message acquisition unit 50 and the merged message, the sided writing unit 66 generates a sided page of the number of pages set by the page number setting unit 72. The jagged writing unit 66 creates a jagged page of a design corresponding to the information on the product stored in the setting storage unit 38 and the information on the jagged design acquired by the jagged design setting unit 34.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the near-field writing unit 66 includes a message dividing unit 86, a message arranging unit 88, an image extracting unit 90, and the like.

  The message dividing unit 86 divides the merged message acquired by the message acquiring unit 50 into a number of groups corresponding to the page number of the merged page set by the page number setting unit 72.

  The message arranging unit 88 arranges, for each group of the collated messages, the collated messages included in the group on the collated page of the page corresponding to the group of the collated messages.

  The image extracting unit 90 acquires an image when the number of merged messages calculated by the message number calculation unit 56 is less than the threshold of the merged messages used in the merged pages of the page number set by the page number setting unit 72. From the plurality of images acquired by the unit 46, the necessary number of images (extracted images) to be arranged in the free space of the aligned page are extracted based on the comprehensive evaluation value of each image.

  The control device such as a central processing unit (CPU) is an example of each part of the information setting unit 18, the information management unit 20, the data acquisition unit 22, the data analysis unit 24, and the composite image creation unit 26. , Implemented by executing a program loaded into memory. In addition, data stored by each part is stored in a storage device such as, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive: hard disk drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive: solid state drive), or an SD (Secure Digital: secure digital) memory. Ru.

  Next, FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an embodiment showing a configuration of a terminal device of the user shown in FIG. The terminal device 14 of the user shown in the figure includes an image display unit 68 and an instruction input unit 70.

  In the terminal device 14, the image display unit 68 displays various setting screens, a selection screen, a confirmation screen, an input screen, a creation screen, and the like, and is configured of, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display.

  Subsequently, the instruction input unit 70 acquires various setting instructions, selection instructions, confirmation instructions, input instructions, creation instructions, and the like input by the user, and includes, for example, input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse. Ru.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the image display unit 68 and the instruction input unit 70 are configured by a device in which a display device and an input device are integrated, such as a touch panel.

  The terminal device 14 does not have to be one device corresponding to each user involved in creation of a composite image, as long as it can correspond to the account of each user in the image processing apparatus 10 There may be a plurality of units corresponding to each user.

  Although not shown, the server 12 and the terminal device 14 are, for example, a transmitting / receiving unit which is a communication device for transmitting and receiving various data between the server 12 and the terminal device 14, a CPU for controlling the operation of each part, etc. And the like.

  Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 and the display screens shown in FIGS. 14 to 36.

  When creating a composite image, first, the organizer user accesses the website for creating a composite image provided by the image processing apparatus 10 through the instruction input unit 70 in the terminal device 14 of the secretary user.

  When the website for creating the composite image is accessed, as shown in FIG. 14, the budget setting unit 28 displays a screen for setting the budget of the composite image on the image display unit 68 of the terminal device 14 of the organizer user. Ru.

  The organizer user sets the budget of the composite image created by the secretary user via the instruction input unit 70 on the screen for setting the budget of the composite image. In the example of FIG. 14, a list of budgets of composite images is registered in advance by the pull-down menu. The organizer user selects and sets one budget, for example, 3,000 yen to 4,000 yen from the list of budgets of composite images registered in the pull-down menu.

  When the budget of the composite image is set, the budget setting unit 28 acquires information of the budget of the composite image set by the lead user from the terminal device 14 of the lead user (step S1).

  Subsequently, the commercial material acquisition unit 30 presents one or more image commercial materials corresponding to the information on the budget. In the example of FIG. 14, five photo books having different sizes and number of pages are presented as image merchandise.

  When an image product is presented, a screen for setting one image product from among the presented one or more image products by the product acquisition unit 30 is displayed on the image display unit 68 of the terminal device 14 of the lead user. Is displayed.

  The organizer user selects and sets one image commercial item from the presented one or more image commercial materials via the instruction input unit 70 on the screen for setting the image commercial material. In the example of FIG. 14, a 16-page photo book of A4 size is set.

  After the photo book is set as the image product, when the “next” button is pressed, for example, when the “next” button is tapped or clicked, the product acquisition unit 30 sets it by the lead user A single image item is acquired (step S2).

  When the “<” button is pressed, the screen can return to the previous screen. The same applies to the subsequent screens.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 15, the cover design setting unit 32 displays a screen for setting the design of the cover page of the photo book on the image display unit 68 of the terminal device 14 of the organizer user.

  On the screen for setting the cover page design, the secretary user uses the instruction input unit 70 to design one or more cover pages, and in the example of FIG. 15, one of three cover page designs in the example of FIG. Select and set the page design. Also, the secretary user can set, for example, the title of the photobook with up to 20 characters described on the cover page and the color of the cover page as the information on the design of the cover page of the photobook.

  After the cover page design is set, when the "Next" button is pressed, the cover design setting unit 32 acquires information on the cover page design set by the secretary user from the terminal device 14 of the secretary user (Step S3).

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 16, the close-up design setting unit 34 displays a screen for setting the design of the close-up page of the photo book on the image display unit 68 of the terminal device 14 of the organizer user.

  The secretary user uses the instruction input unit 70 on the screen for setting the design of the draft page, and designs one or more of the draft, and in the example of FIG. Select and set.

  When the “next” button is pressed after the set-up page design is set, the set-up design setting unit 34 acquires information on the set-up page design set by the lead user from the lead user terminal device 14 (Step S4).

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 17, the schedule setting unit 36 displays a screen for setting an image and a closing date for the collection message of the graffiti message on the image display unit 68 of the terminal device 14 of the lead user.

  The organizer user sets the image and late-call message invitation deadline via the instruction input unit 70 on the screen for setting the invitation deadline of the image and the late-call message. In the example of FIG. 17, a list of dates within a certain period from the current date is registered in advance by the pull-down menu. The organizer user selects and sets one date, for example, December 2nd, as the recruitment deadline from the list of dates registered in the pull-down menu.

  When the “next” button is pressed after the offer deadline for images and related messages has been set, the schedule setting unit 36 causes the information for the deadline for offer and images set by the organizer user to be set as the secretary. It is acquired from the user's terminal device 14 (step S5).

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 18, the schedule setting unit 36 displays a screen for setting a creation period of the composite image on the image display unit 68 of the terminal device 14 of the organizer user.

  The organizer user sets the creation period of the composite image through the instruction input unit 70 on the screen for setting the creation period of the composite image. In the example of FIG. 18, a list of dates within 30 days from the closing date of the period for soliciting images and posted messages is registered in advance by the pull-down menu. The organizer user sets December 2 to 4 as the creation period by selecting one date, for example, December 4 from the list of dates registered in the pull-down menu.

  After the creation period of the composite image is set, when the “next” button is pressed, the schedule setting unit 36 causes the information on the creation period of the composite image set by the lead user to be transmitted from the terminal device 14 of the lead user. It is acquired (step S5).

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 19, the schedule setting unit 36 displays a screen for setting the delivery date of the image product on the image display unit 68 of the terminal device 14 of the organizer user.

  The delivery date of the image product is a date after a certain period from the deadline date of the creation period of the composite image by the schedule setting unit 36, and in the example of FIG. 19, the final date of the creation period of the composite image December 4 It is automatically set on December 20 after 16 days from.

  The organizer user can change the delivery date of the image product via the instruction input unit 70 on the screen for setting the delivery date of the image product. In the example of FIG. 19, for example, the delivery date of the image product can be set to a date before December 20 by paying an additional charge and designating the express finishing.

  After the delivery date of the image product is set, when the "next" button is pressed, the schedule setting unit 36 acquires information on the delivery date of the image product (step S5).

  When creating a composite image using a plurality of images transmitted from the terminal devices 14 of a plurality of users, although time limit management is difficult, since the time limit management can be performed in the image processing apparatus 10, the burden on the lead user is It can be reduced.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 20, the setting storage unit 38 displays a screen for confirming the information on the image merchandise and the schedule on the image display unit 68 of the terminal device 14 of the organizer user.

  The secretary user confirms the information on the image product and schedule on the screen to confirm the information on the image product and schedule, and if the setting is sufficient, the "save / login" button is pressed to advance to the next screen. If you want to change the setting, press the "<" button to return to the previous screen.

  When the "save / login" button is pressed, as shown in FIG. 21, the setting storage unit 38 displays a screen for the account manager user to enter account information for logging in to the image processing apparatus 10 as the terminal device of the organizer user It is displayed on the image display unit 68 of FIG.

  As the account information for logging in to the image processing apparatus 10, the organizer user inputs the organizer user's mail address and the secretary password via the instruction input unit 70. If the organizer user has already registered as a member of the image processing apparatus 10, the user presses the "login" button. If the administrator password is forgotten after membership registration, processing for recovering the administrator password is performed by pressing the "Forget Password" button.

  When the “login” button is pressed, the account information storage unit 40 compares the already stored account information with the account information input by the secretary user, and if both match, the secretary user is an image. The processing device 10 can be logged in.

  On the other hand, when member registration has not been completed yet, processing for newly performing member registration is performed by pressing the "new member registration" button. When the “new member registration” button is pressed, the account information storage unit 40 acquires the mail address and the secretary password input by the secretary user, and stores them as the secretary user account information. The terminal device 14 of the organizer user can log in to the image processing apparatus 10 after the member registration is completed.

  Subsequently, the setting storage unit 38 stores the image commercial material acquired by the commercial material acquisition unit 30 and the information of the schedule acquired by the schedule setting unit 36.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 22, the setting storage unit 38 displays a screen indicating that the organizer user's login and storage of the image product and schedule information have been completed, the image display of the organizer user's terminal device 14 It is displayed on the part 68.

  Subsequently, the management screen information sending unit 42 sends a message including a URL for accessing the management screen. The message also includes a notification indicating that the information on the image product and the schedule has been saved.

  Further, in the example of FIG. 22, by inputting the mail addresses of participating users other than the organizing user as well as the organizing user via the instruction input unit 70, a proxy of the participating users other than the organizing user, for example, the organizing user A message including a URL for accessing the management screen can also be sent to the e-mail address etc. of the deputy lead user acting as

  Subsequently, when the “next” button is pressed, as shown in FIG. 23, the screen for creating an invitation to be sent to the terminal device 14 of the participating user by the upload prompting unit 44 is the terminal of the organizer user It is displayed on the image display unit 68 of the device 14.

  On the screen for creating the invitation, the organizer user inputs a message to be included in the invitation within a fixed number of characters, and within 150 characters in the example of FIG. 23 via the instruction input unit 70. Also, in the example of FIG. 23, an initial message "Let's give a photo book with everyone's photos and messages!" Is automatically input. In this way, it is possible to save trouble for the organizer user to input a message. The organizer user may use the initial message as it is or may input another message.

  When the “next” button is pressed, the upload prompting unit 44 acquires the information of the message to be included in the invitation, and the invitation is created (step S6).

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 24, the upload prompting unit 44 displays a screen for confirming the content of the invitation on the image display unit 68 of the terminal device 14 of the organizer user.

  The organizer user confirms the contents of the invitation on the screen for confirming the contents of the invitation, and if the contents are acceptable, the user presses the "to send invitation screen" button to advance to the next screen, and the contents If you want to change, press the "<" button to return to the previous screen.

  When the "to invitation sending screen" button is pressed, as shown in FIG. 25, the screen for sending the invitation to the terminal device 14 of the participating user is displayed by the upload prompting unit 44 as the terminal device 14 of the organizer user. Is displayed on the image display unit 68 of FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 25, the organizer user selects an SNS message or an electronic mail as a means for sending an invitation via the instruction input unit 70 on the screen for sending the invitation. The invitation is sent to the participating user's SNS account as a SNS message when the "SNS" button is pressed, and sent to the participating user's e-mail address by e-mail when the "mail" button is pressed. Be done.

  The organizer user may send an invitation to all the participating users involved in creating the composite image, or may send an invitation only to some of the participating users.

  SNS messages or e-mails, as well as invitations, images used in synthetic images, evaluation information of images, URLs for invitations to access screens where participating users upload messages, etc., and common password In the example of FIG. 25, “5865” is included.

  When the "next" button is pressed, the upload prompting unit 44 sends an invitation to the terminal device 14 of the participating user (step S7).

  The participating user receives the invitation on the terminal device 14 of the participating user, and accesses the website indicated by the invitation URL via the instruction input unit 70.

  When the website indicated by the invitation URL is accessed, as shown in FIG. 26, the upload prompting unit 44 displays a screen representing the received invitation on the image display unit 68 of the terminal device 14 of the participating user ( Step S8).

  In the invitation, in addition to the message from the organizer user, as a request to the participating users, uploading an image used in a composite image and a message to be added in the composite image, and information such as the application deadline date thereof, in the case of this embodiment 23:59 on Wednesday, December 2 is displayed.

  The participating user browses the screen showing the invitation, and the request from the managing user to the participating user is the upload of the image and copy message to be made into a photo book, and the application deadline date is December 2 To understand the.

  Subsequently, when the “I agree to the terms of use” check box is checked and the “next” button is pressed, as shown in FIG. 27, the account information storage unit 40 uses the image used in the composite image, A screen for inputting a common password for accessing a screen to which the participating user uploads the evaluation information of the image, the written message, etc. is displayed on the image display unit 68 of the terminal device 14 of the participating user.

  On the screen for inputting the common password, the participating user inputs the common password included in the received invitation, in the example of FIG. 27, “5865” via the instruction input unit 70.

  When the common password is input and the "Next" button is pressed, as shown in FIG. 28, the account information storage unit 40 displays a screen for registering a new participating user on the terminal device 14 of the participating user. It is displayed on the image display unit 68.

  On the screen for registering a new participating user, the names of users (current participating members) who have already been registered as participating users are displayed. It is not mandatory to display the names of registered participants. However, when the user newly registers as a participating user by displaying the name of the registered participating user, if the name he / she knows is among the registered participating user's names, he / she registers with confidence. It can be performed.

  If the participating user has not registered in the image processing apparatus 10 as the participating user yet, the "new registration" button is pressed, and if the participating user has already been registered as the participating user, the "content correction" button is pressed.

  When the "new registration" button is pressed, as shown in FIG. 29, the account information storage unit 40 registers the name registered as a participating user and an individual password (displayed as "secret secret" in FIG. 29). The screen for setting is displayed on the image display unit 68 of the terminal device 14 of the participating user.

  The participating users input real names or nicknames as names through the instruction input unit 70, and input arbitrary character strings as secrets.

  The participant's name and secret information become account information of the participant. As shown in FIG. 28, the participating users have already uploaded the content by pressing the “Modify content” button on the screen for registering a new participating user, and entering an already registered name and secret information. It is possible to correct images, image evaluation information, written messages, and the like.

  When the participant's name and secret comment are input and the "Next" button is pressed, the account information storage unit 40 acquires the participant's name and secret comment and saves it as the participant's account information. Be done.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 30, the image acquisition unit 46 displays a screen for selecting an image to be uploaded by the participating user on the image display unit 68 of the terminal device 14 of the participating user.

  The participating user can select the image to be uploaded by pressing the “Add image” button on the screen for selecting the image to be uploaded. The number of images selected by the participating user is displayed on the screen for selecting an image to be uploaded.

  After the image to be uploaded is selected, when the “next” button is pressed, the image acquisition unit 46 acquires the image uploaded from the participating user, that is, the image posted from the terminal device 14 of the participating user. (Step S9). As described above, the image acquisition unit 46 acquires a plurality of images transmitted from the terminal devices 14 of two or more participating users. Also, each time an image is acquired by the image acquisition unit 46, the image analysis unit 58 analyzes the image, and the evaluation value calculation unit 60 calculates an analysis evaluation value of the image based on the analysis result of the image. (Step S10).

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 31, a screen for evaluating each of the plurality of images transmitted from the terminal devices 14 of two or more participating users by the evaluation information acquisition unit 48 is the screen of the terminal device 14 of the participating user. It is displayed on the image display unit 68.

  The participating users can add evaluation information representing high evaluation or low evaluation to each image through the instruction input unit 70 on the screen for evaluating each image. For example, a participating user browses each image, adds evaluation information representing a high rating to the image that he / she likes by pressing the “Like” button, and the disliked image By pressing the "immediate" button, evaluation information representing low evaluation can be given.

  When evaluation information representing high evaluation and low evaluation is given to each image from the terminal device 14 of each participating user, the evaluation information acquisition unit 48 gives high evaluation and low for each image. Evaluation information representing an evaluation is acquired from the terminal device 14 of the participating user (step S11).

  After the evaluation information is given, when the “next” button is pressed, as shown in FIG. 32, the message acquiring unit 50 displays a screen notifying that the page is at the end of the photo book, as shown in FIG. Is displayed on the image display unit 68 of the terminal device 14 of FIG.

  The participating users browse and confirm a screen notifying that the page is at the end of the photo book.

  Subsequently, when the “next” button is pressed, as shown in FIG. 33, the message acquiring unit 50 displays a screen for setting a profile image of the participating user to be used in the page for matching, the terminal device of the participating user It is displayed on the image display unit 68 of FIG.

  By pressing the screen for setting the profile image, the participating user can select and set an image to be used as a profile image from among the images owned by the participating user on the terminal device 14 of the participating user. Also, by pressing the “Delete” button, the participating user can delete the already set profile image and set the profile image again.

  After the participating user sets the profile image, when the “next” button is pressed, the image acquiring unit 46 acquires the profile image set by the participating user from the terminal device 14 of the participating user (step S12). ).

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 34, the message acquiring unit 50 displays a screen for inputting the aligned message on the image display unit 68 of the terminal device 14 of the participating user.

  The participating user inputs a message to be included in the merged page in 150 characters or less via the instruction input unit 70 on the screen for inputting the merged message. In the example of FIG. 34, an initial message "Congratulations to marriage ... Please be happy." Is automatically input. This can save time for the participating users to input a message. The participating users may use the initial message as it is or may input another message.

  In addition, the participating users can view the written messages that other participating users have already uploaded by pressing the “view other people's written notes” button on the screen for inputting the written messages.

  After the participant user inputs the transcription message, when the “input completed” button is pressed, as shown in FIG. 35, the message acquiring unit 50 causes the screen for confirming the transmission message input by the participant user to participate, It is displayed on the image display unit 68 of the terminal device 14 of the user.

  The participating users browse and confirm the written message on the confirmation screen of the written message, and if the message is acceptable, click the "Submit" button to advance to the next screen and change the message. Press the “<” button to return to the previous screen.

  When the "post" button is pressed, the message acquisition unit 50 acquires the postscript message posted from the participating user, that is, the postscript message uploaded from the terminal device 14 of the participating user (step S13).

  In this way, when creating a composite image such as a photo book using images of a plurality of users, each participating user for the photo book recipient can be included by including not only the main page of the photo book but also the matching page. Can convey their feelings as a message.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 36, a screen indicating that the posting of the grated message has been completed is displayed on the image display unit 68 of the terminal device 14 of the participating user.

  Subsequently, when the “Done” button is pressed, the uploading of the image, the image evaluation information, and the writing message is completed.

  Subsequently, when it is detected by the schedule setting unit 36 that the offer closing date for images and side-by-side messages has passed, the image number calculation unit 52 calculates the number of images acquired by the image acquisition unit 46 (see FIG. Step S14). Further, the number of evaluation information representing the high evaluation and the low evaluation acquired by the evaluation information acquisition unit 48 is calculated by the evaluation number calculation unit 54 (step S15), and acquired by the message acquisition unit 50 by the message number calculation unit 56. The number of aligned messages is calculated (step S16).

  Subsequently, the evaluation value calculation unit 60 adds / subtracts values to / from the analysis evaluation value of each image based on the evaluation information indicating high evaluation and low evaluation for each image, for example, the number of evaluation information, A comprehensive evaluation value of each image is calculated (step S18).

  As described above, it is not essential to analyze the image and calculate its analysis evaluation value each time the image is acquired. However, every time an image is acquired, the image is analyzed and the analysis evaluation value is calculated, and after all the images are acquired, the images are collectively analyzed and the analysis evaluation value is calculated. In comparison, the comprehensive evaluation value of the image can be calculated in a short time, and as a result, the time required to create a composite image can be shortened.

  Subsequently, the organizer user instructs the composite image creation unit 26 to create a composite image via the instruction input unit 70 in the terminal device 14 of the secretary user.

  When the composite image creation unit 26 is instructed to create a composite image, the cover creation unit 62 has a design corresponding to the information on the design of the cover page, and the title set by the secretary user is described, and the secretary user The front cover page of the color set by is created (step S19).

  Subsequently, the page number setting unit 72 sets the number of pages of the merged book page of the photo book according to the number of participating users to which the invitation has been sent and the upper limit number of merged messages to be placed on the merged page of one page. Be done. In addition, the number of main program pages is set according to the information of the commercial material stored in the setting storage unit 38 and the number of pages of the matching pages.

  Subsequently, the main story creation unit 64 creates main story pages of the number of pages set by the page number setting unit 72 using at least one of the plurality of images acquired by the image acquisition unit 46 (see FIG. Step S20).

  In the main story creation unit 64, the image division unit 78 divides the plurality of images acquired by the image acquisition unit 46 into a plurality of groups corresponding to the number of main story pages set by the page number setting unit 72.

  Subsequently, for each group of images, the image extracting unit 80 uses, for example, from among the images included in the group, the main story page in order from the image with the highest overall evaluation value based on the overall evaluation value of the images. Multiple compositing target images are extracted.

  Subsequently, the size of each composition target image and the arrangement position of the main composition page are determined by the image arrangement unit 82 based on the comprehensive evaluation value of the image for each group of images, and the composition target images correspond to each other Placed on the page. For example, among the plurality of compositing target images arranged on the main story page, the compositing target image having the highest overall evaluation value is arranged at the center position of the page in a size larger than the other compositing target images.

  Subsequently, the merged writing unit 66 uses the profile image and the merged message of the participating users to create a merged page with the number of pages set by the page number setting unit 72 that corresponds to the design information of the merged page. (Step S21).

  In the merged writing unit 66, the message dividing unit 86 divides the merged message acquired by the message acquiring unit 50 into the number of groups corresponding to the page number of the merged page set by the page number setting unit 72.

  Subsequently, the message arrangement unit 88 combines, for example, the merged message included in the group and the corresponding user's profile image for each group of the merged message, and generates a merged page of the page corresponding to the merged message group. Arranged to create a page. On each page of marshalling, marshalling messages are arranged sequentially, for example, in the order in which the marshalling messages were uploaded.

  As described above, using the plurality of images acquired from the terminal devices 14 of two or more participating users, the profile image of the participating user, and the written message by the cover creation unit 62, the main feature creation unit 64, and the combined writing creation unit 66. A photobook including a cover page corresponding to the information on the design of the cover page, a main page, and a matching page corresponding to the information on the design of the matching page is automatically created.

  The image processing apparatus 10 can create not only a main page but also a composite image such as a photo book including a page for matching. In addition to the quality of the image, a plurality of participating users can be determined by determining the size of each image and the arrangement position of the main page in addition to the image used in the main page based on the overall evaluation value of the image. It is possible to create a composite image that reflects the preference of

  The number-of-pages setting unit 72 determines the number of participating users to which the invitation has been sent according to the number of written-in messages calculated by the message number calculation unit 56 after the offer closing date of the written-only messages has passed. The number of pages of the merged page may be changed by adding / subtracting the number of pages of the merged page set according to the upper limit number of the merged message arranged in the 1-page merged page.

  In the case of this embodiment, the number of pages of the image product is the number of pages including the main page and the page for matching, and when the number of pages setting unit 72 changes the number of pages for the page for matching, the number of pages for the page for merging is Change the number of pages of the main page.

  For example, if the number of merged messages calculated by the message number calculation unit 56 exceeds the upper limit number of merged messages used in the set pages of the set page number, the page number setting unit 72 causes the message number calculation unit 56 to The number of pages of the aligned page set by the page number setting unit 72 itself may be increased according to the calculated number of the aligned messages, and the number of pages of the main page may be reduced accordingly.

  For example, in addition to acquiring a welcome message from a participating user to which an invitation has been sent, a meeting message may be obtained from a participating user who has not sent an invitation, a friend of the participating user, or the like. In this case, the number of aligned messages calculated by the message number calculation unit 56 may exceed the upper limit number of aligned messages to be used in the set page of the aligned pages.

  On the other hand, in the page number setting unit 72, the number of merged messages calculated by the message number calculation unit 56 is less than the threshold of the merged messages used in the merged pages of the set page number, and the page number of the merged pages is When the number is 2 or more, the page number setting unit 72 reduces the page number of the merged page set by the page number setting unit 72 itself according to the number of the merged message calculated by the message number calculation unit 56, and correspondingly reduces the page number of the main page. You may increase it.

  Note that, before increasing or decreasing the number of pages of the main page and the page, the warning information may be sent to the terminal device 14 of the managing user to warn the managing user of increasing or decreasing the number of pages.

  If the number of images calculated by the image number calculation unit 52 is less than the lower limit number or the upper limit number of images used in the main page of the page number set by the page number setting unit 72, the recommendation unit 74 According to the number of images calculated by the image number calculation unit 52 out of one or more image items corresponding to budget information, the terminal device 14 of the organizer user is stored in the setting storage unit 38 It is also possible to propose an image product different from the product information, that is, one image product set by the organizer user.

  If the number of images calculated by the image number calculation unit 52 is less than the lower limit number of images used in the main page of the page number set by the page number setting unit 72, the recommendation unit 74 may It is possible to propose at least one of an image product having a size smaller than that of one set of image products and an image product having a small number of pages.

  On the other hand, when the number of images calculated by the image number calculation unit 52 exceeds the upper limit number of images used in the main page of the page number set by the page number setting unit 72, for example, the recommendation unit 74 It is possible to propose at least one of an image product having a size larger than one image product set by the user and an image product having a large number of pages.

  Further, if the number of images calculated by the image number calculation unit 52 is less than the lower limit number of images used in the main page of the number of pages set by the page number setting unit 72, the main story creation unit 64 That is, the creation of the photo book may be cancelled.

  Alternatively, the trimming unit 84 trims the image acquired by the image acquiring unit 46 to create a processed image, and uses the image acquired by the image acquiring unit 46 and the processed image generated by the trimming unit 84. The main story page may be created.

  Further, the request unit 76 requests the terminal device 14 of the participating user at least one of an additional image to be used in the composite image and a comment to be added to each image to be used in the composite image, The main story page may be created using the image acquired by the acquisition unit 46 and at least one of the additional image requested by the request unit 76 and the comment.

  In addition, it is possible to newly set an application deadline for images, and acquire the number of images necessary to create a main page of the number of pages set by the page number setting unit 72.

  Furthermore, for example, when the number of merged messages calculated by the message number calculation unit 56 is less than the threshold value of the merged messages used in the number of merged pages of the page number set by the page number setting unit 72 In addition to the jagged message acquired by the message acquisition unit 50, the merged page may be created using the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 46.

  In this case, the image extraction unit 90 extracts, from among the plurality of images acquired by the image acquisition unit 46, the number of images necessary for arrangement in the free space of the close-matched page. For example, the necessary number of images are extracted in order from the image having the highest comprehensive evaluation value, and the message arrangement unit 88 arranges the images extracted by the image extraction unit 90 on the alignment page in addition to the alignment message.

  As described above, in the image processing apparatus 10, when there is a shortage in the number of merged messages used in the merged page, the merged message can be created using not only the merged message but also the image used in the main page. As a result, in the composite image such as a photo book including the main page and the page for matching, even if the number of messages for sending out is insufficient, it is possible to create a page for matching that has a good appearance.

Note that the threshold n _t of the justification messages to be arranged on one page of the justification pages is a threshold for performing image arrangement in addition to the justification messages when the number of the justification messages to be arranged on one justification page is less than this threshold. It will be Apart from this, even premise for performing image placement, not arranged group efforts message to be less than this, that is, may be provided the lower limit n _l of group efforts messages placed on one page of group efforts page.

For example, when the lower limit n _l of group efforts message to place the threshold n _t of group efforts messages placed on one page of group efforts page group efforts pages of 6,1 page 2, group efforts messages placed on one page of group efforts pages If the number of is six or more, only the marshalling message is arranged, and if the number of marshalling messages to be arranged on one marshalling page is two to five, the image is arranged in addition to the marshalling message. On the other hand, if the number of marshalling messages to be arranged on one marshalling page is 1, a marshalling page is not created.

In this way, by setting the lower limit value n ₁ of the justification messages to be arranged on the one-page justification page, the number of the justification messages and the number of images in the justification pages are balanced to create a good-looking justification page. Can.

  In addition, when dividing the merged message into a plurality of groups, the message division unit 86 can, for example, equally divide the merged message into the number of groups corresponding to the number of pages of the merged page. If it is impossible to divide one page between pages if the number of sideline messages to be placed is not divisible by the page number of the side page, it is regarded as equally divided in this case as well.

  In this case, the merged writing unit 66 is included in the group when the number of the merged messages included in the group divided by the message dividing unit 86 is less than the upper limit number of the merged messages to be arranged on one merged page. In addition to the cursed message, similarly, the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 46 may be used to create a cursed page corresponding to the group of the marshalled message.

  Also, in this case, the gutter creation unit 66 uses the stamp or the image and stamp acquired by the image acquisition unit 46 in addition to the gutter message included in the group to generate a gutter page corresponding to the group of the marshall message. You may

  Alternatively, the message dividing unit 86 sets one or more first groups including the upper limit number of marshalled messages for arranging the marshalled message on the one-page marshalled page and a threshold equal to or higher than the threshold for arranging one marshalled page. It may be divided into a number of groups corresponding to the number of pages of the merged page, which is composed of one second group including the number of merged messages below the upper limit number.

For example, from the first page of matching pages, an upper limit number of writing messages to be placed on one page of matching pages is sequentially assigned to the page of matching pages in the order in which the writing messages were uploaded. In this case, an upper limit number (for example, n _u = 12) of number of aligned messages to be arranged on a single page aligned page is allocated to the page aligned pages other than the last page, and one page is allocated to the final page aligned page. Less than or equal to the upper limit number of messages to be placed on the page of matching.

In this case, the merged writing unit 66 determines that the number of merged messages included in the second group divided by the message dividing unit 86 is less than the threshold (for example, n _t = 8) of the merged messages to be arranged on one merged page. In some cases, in addition to the side-to-side message included in the second group, similarly, the side-to-side written page corresponding to the second group may be created using the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 46.

  Further, in this case, in addition to the side-to-side writing message included in the second group and the image acquired by the image acquiring portion 46, the side-to-side writing portion 66 adds the stamp or the image and the stamp acquired by the image acquiring portion 46 It may be used to create a translated page corresponding to the second group.

  In addition, the division method in case the message division part 86 divides a written message into a plurality of groups is not particularly limited. For example, an upper limit number of merge messages to be placed on one page of merge pages is placed on the first page of merge pages, and the remaining merge messages are equally divided into groups corresponding to the number of pages of the second page and subsequent merge pages. It may be divided into

  In addition, the allotment creation unit 66 combines the allegiance message of the participating user acquired by the message acquisition unit 50 with at least one of the face image and the name of the corresponding participating user for each participating user, and You may create

  The face image of the participating user may use a profile image, for example, when the profile image is a face image of the participating user, or the image acquisition unit 46 may use the terminal device 14 of each participating user. The face image of each participating user may be acquired. Also, as the name of the participating user, for example, the name of the participating user stored in the account information storage unit 40 can be used.

  In addition, it may be possible to newly set a recruitment deadline date of the matching message, and acquire the number of matching messages necessary for creating the matching pages of the number of pages set by the page number setting unit 72.

  Subsequently, the organizer user browses each page of the photo book including the cover page, the main story page, and the matching page, which are automatically created on the terminal device 14 of the organizer user. The secretary user may adopt the photobook created automatically as it is, or edit the contents of each page, for example, the image used in each page, the size of the image, the arrangement position of the image and the matching message, etc. It is also good. In addition, it is possible to add a comment, add a stamp image, and change the type and color of the background of each page.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the organizer user completes the creation of the photo book by December 4 during the creation period of the composite image set by the schedule setting unit 36, and the image product with the contents of the photo book completed. To order (step S22). The image product ordered by the secretary user includes at least one of a photobook of paper media and a photobook of electronic data.

  When the image product is ordered, a photobook of the ordered image product is created, and the delivery date of the image product set by the schedule setting unit 36 is sent to the delivery destination by December 20 in the case of this embodiment. (Step S23). In the case of a photobook of paper media, for example, a photobook of paper media is sent to a delivery destination, and in the case of a photobook of electronic data, for example, a photobook of electronic data or downloading of electronic data. The URL etc. will be sent to the delivery destination e-mail address.

  As described above, in the image processing apparatus 10, it is possible to create a composite image such as a photo book including a page for adjustment writing, using the plurality of images and the adjustment messages obtained from the terminal devices 14 for a plurality of participating users.

  Note that it is not essential that only the organizer user create a composite image, and a plurality of users involved in creating a composite image may jointly create a composite image, or at least one user of the plurality of users may A composite image may be created.

The specific structure of each part which comprises the image processing apparatus 10 is not specifically limited, The thing of various structures which can fulfill the same function can be utilized.
In the above embodiment, the server 12 includes the information setting unit 18, the information management unit 20, the data acquisition unit 22, the data analysis unit 24, and the composite image creation unit 26, but at least one of them is used as a user The terminal device 14 may be provided.

In the device of the present invention, each component of the device may be configured by dedicated hardware, or each component may be configured by a programmed computer.
The method of the present invention can be implemented, for example, by a program for causing a computer to execute each of the steps. It is also possible to provide a computer readable recording medium in which the program is recorded.

  The present invention has been described above in detail, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it goes without saying that various improvements and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

10 Image Processing Device 12 Server 14 Terminal Device (Client)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 network 18 information setting part 20 information management part 22 data acquisition part 24 data analysis part 26 composite image preparation part 28 budget setting part 30 commercial material acquisition part 32 cover design setting part 34 slip-on design setting part 36 schedule setting part 38 setting storage part 40 Account Information Storage Unit 42 Management Screen Information Transmission Unit 44 Upload Prompting Unit 46 Image Acquisition Unit 48 Evaluation Information Acquisition Unit 50 Message Acquisition Unit 52 Image Number Calculation Unit 54 Evaluation Number Calculation Unit 56 Message Number Calculation Unit 58 Image Analysis Unit 60 Evaluation Value Calculation unit 62 Cover creation unit 64 Main story creation unit 66 Copy creation unit 68 Image display unit 70 Instruction input unit 72 Number of pages setting unit 74 Recommendation unit 76 Request unit 78 Image division unit 80, 90 Image extraction unit 82 Image arrangement unit 84 Trimming unit 86 message divider 88 messages Sage placement unit

Claims (23)

An upload prompting unit for sending prompting information for prompting the plurality of users to upload an image used in the main page and an original message used in the original page to the terminal devices of the plurality of users via the network ,
An image acquisition unit for acquiring a plurality of images from the terminal devices of the plurality of users via the network;
A message acquisition unit for acquiring a jumble message from the terminal devices of the plurality of users via the network;
A message number calculation unit that calculates the number of the merged message acquired by the message acquisition unit after a fixed period of time has elapsed since the request information was sent by the upload request unit;
The number of pages of the merged page is set to the number of pages of 1 or more according to the number of merged messages calculated by the message number calculation unit and the upper limit number of merged messages to be placed on one merged page. Setting section,
And a composite image creation unit that creates a composite image composed of the main story page and the alignment page.
The composite image creation unit includes a merged writing unit that creates a merged page of the number of pages set by the page number setting unit using the merged message acquired by the message acquisition unit.
The merged writing unit is configured such that the number of merged messages calculated by the message number calculating unit is the threshold of the merged messages to be placed on the one page of the merged pages, and the page number of the merged pages set by the page number setting unit. In addition to the aligned message acquired by the message acquisition unit, when it is less than the threshold of the aligned message used in the page of the page number set by the page number setting unit, which is calculated by taking the product of An image processing apparatus for creating the merged page using the image acquired by the image acquisition unit;   The page number setting unit is configured such that the number of merged messages calculated by the message number calculation unit is the upper limit number of merged messages to be arranged on the 1-page merged page and the number of merged pages set by the page number setting unit. When exceeding the upper limit number of aligned messages to be used in the set pages of the set number of pages calculated by taking the product of the number of pages, the number of aligned messages calculated by the message number calculation unit The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of pages of the aligned page is increased.   The page number setting unit is configured such that the number of aligned messages calculated by the message number calculation unit is less than a threshold of the aligned messages used in the aligned pages of the set number of pages, and the number of pages of the integrated pages is The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of pages of the aligned page is reduced according to the number of aligned messages calculated by the message number calculation unit when the number is two or more. The merged writing unit splits the merged message acquired by the message acquiring unit into a number of groups corresponding to the page number of the merged page set by the page number setting unit;
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a message arrangement unit that creates, for each of the groups, a jagged page of the page corresponding to the group using the jagged message included in the group. .   The image according to claim 4, wherein the message division unit equally divides the merged message acquired by the message acquisition unit into groups of numbers corresponding to the number of pages of the merged page set by the page number setting unit. Processing unit.   The merged writing unit adds the merged writing message included in the group to the image acquisition unit when the number of the merged messages included in the group is less than the threshold of the merged messages to be placed on the one page of the merged page. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a merged page corresponding to the group is created using an image acquired by   The merged writing unit uses a stamp in addition to the merged messages included in the group when the number of merged messages included in the group is less than the upper limit number of merged messages placed on the one page of the merged page. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a merged page corresponding to the group is created.   The message dividing unit includes one or more first groups each including an upper limit number of the number of aligned messages, which arranges the merged messages acquired by the message acquiring unit on the aligned page of the one page, and the aligned pages of the one page The second page is divided into a number of groups corresponding to the number of pages of the merged page set by the page number setting unit, which is composed of one second group including the merged messages equal to or higher than the threshold to be arranged and the upper limit number. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The merged writing unit adds to the merged messages included in the second group when the number of merged messages included in the second group is less than the upper limit number of merged messages placed on the one page of the merged page. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a merged page corresponding to the second group is created using the image acquired by the image acquisition unit.   The merged writing unit adds to the merged messages included in the second group when the number of merged messages included in the second group is less than the upper limit number of merged messages placed on the one page of the merged page. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a stamped page is used to create a merged page corresponding to the second group. The image acquisition unit further acquires face images of the plurality of users from terminal devices of the plurality of users.
The combined writing unit is configured to create the combined writing page by combining, for each of the users, the user's combined writing message acquired by the message acquiring unit and the corresponding user's face image acquired by the image acquiring unit. The image processing apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 10. And an account information storage unit for acquiring and storing account information including names of the plurality of users from the terminal devices of the plurality of users via the network.
The combined writing unit is configured to create the combined writing page by combining, for each user, the user's combined writing message acquired by the message acquisition unit and the corresponding user's name stored in the account information storage unit. Item 12. The image processing apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 11. Furthermore, a budget setting unit configured to acquire budget information of the composite image set by the first user from the terminal device of at least one first user of the plurality of users via the network;
Set by the first user from among one or more image items of the size and the number of pages corresponding to the information of the budget acquired by the budget setting unit from the terminal device of the first user via the network A commercial material acquisition unit for acquiring one image commercial material,
The page number setting unit further includes the page number of the composite image corresponding to one image commercial item acquired by the commercial material acquisition unit, and the page number of the combined image corresponding to the one image commercial item. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the number of main story pages of the composite image corresponding to the one image commercial material is set to one or more pages according to the number of pages. Furthermore, an image number calculation unit that calculates the number of images acquired by the image acquisition unit after a predetermined period has elapsed since the request information was sent by the upload request unit;
The number of images calculated by the number-of-images calculating unit is the product of the lower limit number of images to be arranged on the main program page of one page and the page number of the main program pages set by the page number setting unit. When the calculated number of main pages of the page number set by the page number setting unit is less than the lower limit number of images used for the main user page, the budget for the terminal device of the first user is received via the network. An image whose size is smaller than the one image commercial item according to the number of images calculated by the image number calculation unit among the one or more image commercial materials corresponding to the information of the budget acquired by the setting unit The image processing apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising: a recommendation unit that proposes a product. Furthermore, an image number calculation unit that calculates the number of images acquired by the image acquisition unit after a predetermined time has elapsed since the request information was sent by the upload request unit;
The number of images calculated by the number-of-images calculating unit is the product of the lower limit number of images to be arranged on the main program page of one page and the page number of the main program pages set by the page number setting unit. When the calculated number of main pages of the page number set by the page number setting unit is less than the lower limit number of images used for the main user page, the budget for the terminal device of the first user is received via the network. Among the one or more image items corresponding to the information of the budget acquired by the setting unit, the page number is smaller than the one image item according to the number of images calculated by the image number calculation unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising: a recommendation unit that proposes an image product. Furthermore, an image number calculation unit that calculates the number of images acquired by the image acquisition unit after a predetermined period has elapsed since the request information was sent by the upload request unit;
The number of images calculated by the number-of-images calculating unit is the product of the upper limit number of images to be arranged on the main program page of one page and the page number of the main program pages set by the page number setting unit. When the calculated upper limit number of images used in the main page of the number of pages set by the page number setting unit is exceeded, the budget setting is made via the network to the terminal device of the first user An image quotient having a size larger than that of the one image item among the one or more image items corresponding to the information of the budget acquired by the department according to the number of images calculated by the image number calculation unit. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 15, further comprising: a recommendation unit that proposes a material. Furthermore, an image number calculation unit that calculates the number of images acquired by the image acquisition unit after a predetermined time has elapsed since the request information was sent by the upload request unit;
The number of images calculated by the number-of-images calculating unit is the product of the lower limit number of images to be arranged on the main program page of one page and the page number of the main program pages set by the page number setting unit. When the calculated number of main pages of the page number set by the page number setting unit is less than the lower limit number of images used for the main user page, the budget for the terminal device of the first user is received via the network. Among the one or more image items corresponding to the information of the budget acquired by the setting unit, the number of pages is larger than that of the one image item according to the number of images calculated by the image number calculation unit The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 16, further comprising: a recommendation unit that proposes an image product. Furthermore, an image number calculation unit that calculates the number of images acquired by the image acquisition unit after a predetermined period has elapsed since the request information was sent by the upload request unit;
The number of images calculated by the number-of-images calculating unit is the product of the lower limit number of images to be arranged on the main program page of one page and the page number of the main program pages set by the page number setting unit. The trimming is performed to trim the image acquired by the image acquiring unit to create a processed image when the calculated main page of the number of pages set by the page number setting unit is less than the lower limit number of images used. Department,
The main story creating unit according to any one of claims 13 to 17, further comprising: a main story creating unit that creates the main story page using the image acquired by the image acquiring unit and the processed image created by the trimming unit. Image processing device. Furthermore, an image number calculation unit that calculates the number of images acquired by the image acquisition unit after a predetermined period has elapsed since the request information was sent by the upload request unit;
The number of images calculated by the number-of-images calculating unit is the product of the lower limit number of images to be arranged on the main program page of one page and the page number of the main program pages set by the page number setting unit. When the calculated number of main pages of the number of pages set by the page number setting unit is less than the lower limit number of images used for the main pages, the combination of the terminal devices of the plurality of users is performed via the network. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, further comprising: a request unit that requests an additional image to be used in the image. Furthermore, an image number calculation unit that calculates the number of images acquired by the image acquisition unit after a predetermined period has elapsed since the request information was sent by the upload request unit;
The number of images calculated by the number-of-images calculating unit is the product of the lower limit number of images to be arranged on the main program page of one page and the page number of the main program pages set by the page number setting unit. When the calculated number of main pages of the number of pages set by the page number setting unit is less than the lower limit number of images used for the main pages, the combination of the terminal devices of the plurality of users is performed via the network. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 19, further comprising: a request unit that requests a comment to be added to each of the images used in the images. An upload request unit sends request information to notify the plurality of users of uploading an image used in the main page and an edited message used in the merged page to the terminal devices of the plurality of users via the network Step to
The image acquisition unit acquires a plurality of images from the terminal devices of the plurality of users via the network;
The message acquisition unit acquires a jumble message from the terminal devices of the plurality of users via the network;
The message number calculation unit calculates the number of the merged message acquired by the message acquisition unit after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the request information was sent by the upload request unit;
The number of pages of the merged page is 1 or more in accordance with the number of merged messages calculated by the message count calculation unit and the upper limit number of merged messages to be placed on the 1-page merged page. Setting the number to
The composite image creation unit creates a composite image composed of the main story page and the matching page;
The step of creating the composite image includes the step of creating a merged page of the number of pages set by the page number setting unit using the merged message acquired by the message acquisition unit.
In the step of creating the merged page, the number of merged messages calculated by the number-of-messages calculating unit may be the threshold of the merged messages arranged on the merged page of one page, and the merged pages set by the page number setting unit. The jagged writing acquired by the message acquiring unit when it is less than the threshold of the jagged message used in the jagged page of the page number set by the page number setting unit, which is calculated by taking the product with the page number of An image processing method for creating the merged page using an image acquired by the image acquisition unit in addition to a message.   A program for causing a computer to execute the steps of the image processing method according to claim 21.   A computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute the steps of the image processing method according to claim 21.