JP2005028876A - Template data structure and image reproduction system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a template data structure capable of reproducing a predetermined text together with an undetermined object in a predetermined font and editing a predetermined text.
SOLUTION: A frame area in which frame information defining a playback frame of an undetermined object is recorded, a text area in which text to be played back together with the undetermined object is recorded, and a playback frame of text recorded in the text area A frame area in which frame information for defining the text is recorded; a font area in which font information for defining a font of the text recorded in the text area is recorded; and an image reproduction system based on the font information in the text area. When the recorded text cannot be reproduced, the font information defines the text that can be reproduced in the reproduction frame recorded in the frame area instead of the text recorded in the text area. A text image area in which a text image representing an image reproduced in a font is recorded. Template data structure for selection [selection figure]

Description

  The present invention relates to a structure of template data that defines a reproduction format of an undetermined object such as a digital photographic image and an image reproduction system using the structure.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image reproduction system that prints and displays an object such as a digital photographic image based on a predetermined reproduction format is known. In such an image reproduction system, an arbitrary object (undecided object) to be input is determined in advance based on template data recorded with an image frame or the like that defines where to place a drawing area such as a print sheet or a screen. You are playing an object in a playback format. Such template data includes, in addition to an image frame, text that can be reproduced together with an undetermined object, a text frame that defines its arrangement, and font information that defines its font. The text recorded in the template data is reproduced together with a digital photographic image or the like based on an outline font or a bitmap font recorded in advance in a memory of the image reproduction system. Because text is smaller than images, fonts can be scaled faster and easier to edit, template data records text and font information rather than images that represent character strings. However, the data can be reduced, and it becomes easy to cope with enlargement / reduction, editing of a character string, and the like.

  If such template data is used, digital photographic images and the like can be easily reproduced in various reproduction formats. Therefore, even a user who is unfamiliar with image processing has assigned a digital photographic image or the like recorded by himself, a message card Etc. can be created easily. Such template data can be input to the image reproduction system by downloading it from a server installed at a remote location, for example.

  However, if no font is recorded in the memory of the image playback system or if a font corresponding to the font information recorded in the input template data is not recorded in the memory of the image playback system, it is specified by the template data. There is a problem that a photographic image or the like cannot be reproduced in the reproduced format.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-254758

The present invention has been created in view of such a problem, and is a template data structure that can reproduce a predetermined text together with an undetermined object in a predetermined font and that can edit the predetermined text. The primary purpose is to provide
A second object of the present invention is to provide an image reproduction system capable of reproducing the template text together with the undetermined object even when the text cannot be reproduced based on the font information recorded in the template data.

  In order to achieve the above object, a template data structure according to the present invention includes a frame area in which frame information that defines a playback frame of an undetermined object is recorded, and a text area in which text to be played with the undetermined object is recorded. A frame area in which frame information defining a playback frame of text recorded in the text area is recorded; a font area in which font information defining a font of text recorded in the text area is recorded; and the font Based on the font information recorded in the area, the text recorded in the text area can be reproduced in the playback frame recorded in the frame area instead of the text recorded in the text area when the text recorded in the text area cannot be reproduced by the image reproduction system. The text recorded in the text area is reproduced with the font specified by the font information. Characterized in that it comprises a text image area in the text image is recorded representing the image, the. When a text image representing an image reproduced by a font defined by the template is recorded in the template data together with the text, the image reproduction system cannot reproduce the text based on the font information recorded in the template data. In addition, the text can be reproduced with a predetermined font by using the text image. Further, by recording not only the text image but also the text in the template data, it is possible to easily edit the text in the image reproduction system.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image reproduction system according to the present invention includes frame information that defines a reproduction frame of an undetermined object, text that is reproduced together with the undetermined object, and frame information that defines a reproduction frame of the text. Means for inputting template data including font information defining a font of the text and a text image representing an image reproduced from the text in a font defined by the font information; a font memory in which the font is recorded; Means for inputting an object to be reproduced in a reproduction frame of an undetermined object of the inputted template data, and means for reproducing the text of the inputted template data together with the inputted object, wherein the inputted Font corresponding to the font information of the template data When the template is recorded in the font memory, the template data text input in the font recorded in the font memory is reproduced in the input template data text reproduction frame, and the input template When the font corresponding to the font information of the data is not stored in the font memory, the text of the template data that has been input instead of the text of the template data that has been input is reproduced And a means for reproducing in a frame. The image reproduction system inputs a text image representing an image reproduced by a font specified by the template data together with the text according to the presence or absence of a font corresponding to the font information recorded in the template data. By reproducing any one of the images, even when the text cannot be reproduced, the text can be reproduced with a predetermined font using the text image.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image reproduction system according to the present invention includes frame information that defines a reproduction frame of an undetermined object, text that is reproduced together with the undetermined object, and frame information that defines a reproduction frame of the text. Means for inputting template data including font information defining a font of the text and a text image representing an image obtained by reproducing the text in the font; a font memory in which a font is recorded; and the template input Means for inputting an object to be reproduced in a reproduction frame of an undetermined object of data, and means for reproducing the text of the inputted template data together with the inputted object, wherein the text of the inputted template data The corresponding font is stored in the font memory. When recorded, the text of the template data input in the font recorded in the font memory is played back in the playback frame of the text of the input template data and corresponds to the text of the input template data. Means for reproducing the text image of the template data in the reproduction frame of the text instead of the text when the font to be stored is not stored in the font memory. The image reproduction system reproduces text in either the font defined by the template data or the font recorded in the image reproduction system, so that the font defined by the template data is not recorded in the image reproduction system. Even in the case, the text of the template data can be reproduced.

The functions of the plurality of means provided in the present invention are realized by hardware resources whose functions are specified by the configuration itself, hardware resources whose functions are specified by a program, or a combination thereof. The functions of the plurality of means are not limited to those realized by hardware resources that are physically independent of each other.
The present invention can be specified not only as an apparatus invention but also as a program invention, a recording medium recording the program, and a method invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on a plurality of examples.
(First Example)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the printer 1 as an image reproduction system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The printer 1 is a so-called stand-alone printer.
The display 11 is composed of an LCD or the like. The display control unit 12 includes a VRAM, a drive circuit, and the like.
The operation unit 13 is provided with a plurality of switches. The operation unit 13 accepts operations such as selection of a standard size of printing paper as a reproduction medium, selection of a template, and start / stop of printing.

  The input unit 14 serving as template data input means is controlled by the control unit 15, reads the template data stored in the removable memory 19, and stores it in the work memory 16. The input unit 14 also functions as an input unit for photographic image data as an undetermined object, and stores the photographic image data stored in the removable memory 19 in the work memory 16. The removable memory 19 is a recording medium that is detachable from the input unit 14, and is specifically a card-type IC memory that is detachable from a digital camera, for example. An image scanner, a network interface, or the like may be used as photographic image data input means.

  The control unit 15 as a reproducing unit includes a CPU and a ROM 8 (not shown). The CPU controls the entire printer 1 by executing an image reproduction program stored in the ROM 8. The control unit 15 generates print target image data based on the photographic image data and template data stored in the work memory 16 and stores the print target image data in the work memory 16. Various types of data such as these programs and reference templates may be downloaded and input from a predetermined server via a network, or may be read and input from a computer-readable storage medium such as a removable memory.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the font memory 40 recorded in the ROM 8. In the font memory 40, font data files 41, 42, 43, and 44 of fonts are recorded for each font. Each font data file has an identifier (for example, “Gothic”, “Mincho”, etc.) for specifying a font name as font information corresponding to the font data file. Here, the font data file is a file in which font data of characters and symbols is recorded for each character type. Font data is a representation of character and symbol shapes that differ for each character type in a format that can be recognized by the image playback system. Bitmap fonts that represent character shapes as a collection of small dots, or character shapes. There is an outline font that is expressed by control points that define the outline. Specifically, for example, in the case of a bitmap font, font data 45, 45, 47, 48, etc. having a size of 8 points and 10 points are recorded in the font data file 41 of the font “Gothic”.

The image processing unit 17 is an ASIC that executes processing for converting print target image data stored in the work memory 16 into print data in cooperation with the control unit 15. Whether the control unit 15 or the image processing unit 17 performs the process for converting to print data is a design matter. Specifically, for example, the image processing unit 17 performs color space conversion processing, resolution conversion processing, halftone processing, interlace processing, and the like on the print target image data stored in the work memory 16.
The printer engine 18 is controlled by the control unit 15 and prints an image on a print sheet based on the print data generated by the image processing unit 17. The printer engine 18 forms an image on printing paper by, for example, an inkjet method, a laser method, a sublimation thermal transfer method, a dot impact method, or the like.

  4A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer 1, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged view showing the display 11 and the operation unit 13 of the printer 1. As shown in FIG. The operation unit 13 is provided with a plurality of switches such as an upper switch 22, a lower switch 24, a determination switch 25, a return switch 23, a print switch 26, and a cancel switch 27. A menu for making various settings is displayed on the display 11. The upper switch 22, the lower switch 24, the determination switch 25, and the return switch 3 are switches for selecting menu items. The print switch 26 is a switch for instructing the start of printing. A cancel switch 7 is a switch for instructing to cancel printing.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing template data according to an embodiment of the present invention. The template data 30 includes the size of the paper to be printed based on the template data (for example, “postcard”), the text to be printed (for example, “happy new year”), and the position of the print area of the text on the paper. Text frame coordinates (for example, “(X11, Y11) (X12, Y12)”)) indicated by the coordinates of the upper left point and lower right point of the rectangular area, and a font name (for example, “ "Pop" "), the size of the text (for example," 20 points "), and the position on the paper of the print area of the photographic image to be printed together with these texts is indicated by the coordinates of the upper left point and lower right point of the rectangular area Photo image frame coordinates (for example, “(X21, Y21) (X22, Y22)”) and a text image obtained by reproducing the text in the font are recorded. The data format of the text image is preferably compressed using, for example, the JPEG format. Here, the text frame coordinates specify the upper left and lower right two points of the rectangular area, but the size of the rectangular area is uniquely determined by the size of the text and the number of characters. May be specified.

  FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram for explaining generation of print target image data. The print target image data is generated based on the template data 30 and the photographic image data input from the removable memory 19. That is, the photographic image 32 is assigned to the photographic image frame 31 defined by the photographic image frame coordinates of the template data 30, and the font defined by the template data 30 is assigned to the text frame 33 defined by the text frame coordinates. The text or text image 34 is allocated to generate print target image data. FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram showing a result printed on a postcard-size paper 35 based on the print target image data.

  FIG. 6 is a data flow diagram showing processing of the image reproduction program. In processing 54 executed by the control unit 15 and the image processing unit 17, printing is performed based on the photographic image data read from the removable memory 19, the template data read from the removable memory 19 or the ROM 8, and the font data file read from the ROM 8. Target image data is generated, and print data is generated based on the print target image data. Details of this processing will be described later. In processing 55 executed by the printer engine 18, printing is performed based on the print data. Here, the photographic image data may be read not only from the removable memory 19 but also by an image scanner or downloaded via a network. The template data and font data may be downloaded not only from the removable memory 19 or the ROM 8 but also via a network.

  FIG. 7 is a transition diagram of screens displayed on the display 11 in a mode for selecting photographic image data to be printed and a layout to be printed. When the item “image selection” for selecting photographic image data is selected by operating the upper switch 22, the lower switch 24, and the determination switch 25 on the menu screen 61, the image reproduction program is read from the removable memory 19. The name of the photographic image data is displayed on the display (screen 62). On the screen 62, the photographic image data to be printed is selected by pressing the upper switch 22 and the lower switch 24, and the photographic image data to be printed is determined by pressing the decision switch 25. When the photographic image data to be printed is confirmed on the screen 62, a menu screen 61 is displayed on the display 11. When “layout” is selected by operating the upper switch 22, the lower switch 24, and the decision switch 25 on the menu screen 61, the image reproduction program displays the name of the template data read from the removable memory 19 on the display (screen). 63). In the screen 63 for displaying the name of the template data read from the removable memory 19, the template data corresponding to the layout to be printed is selected by pressing the upper switch 22 and the lower switch 24, and the print target is selected by pressing the decision switch 25. The template data is determined. In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the template data is recorded for each paper size, and it is not possible to select only the paper size in selecting a layout for printing. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing 54 for generating print data based on photographic image data, template data, and font data to be printed. In step S100, a font data file corresponding to the font name of the template data to be printed is retrieved from the font memory 40, and if the font data file corresponding to the font name of the template data is recorded in the font memory 40, Step S101 is executed, and if not recorded, step S102 is executed.

  When a font data file corresponding to the font name of the template data is recorded in the font memory 40, in step S101, from the font data file of the font name recorded in the template data to be printed selected on the screen 63. The font data corresponding to each character of the text is read at the size recorded in the template data, and the text reproduced based on the font data is assigned to the text frame indicated by the text frame coordinates. If the font data file represents an outline font, the font data may be converted to the size recorded in the template data.

  When the font data file corresponding to the font name of the template data is not recorded in the font memory 40, in step S102, the text image recorded in the template data to be printed is displayed in the text frame indicated by the text frame coordinates. Assign to. Even when the font data file corresponding to the font name of the template data is not recorded in the font memory 40, the font data corresponding to the text from the font data file corresponding to the text recorded in the template data. And the text may be reproduced. That is, the text image of the template data is reproduced only when the font corresponding to the text of the input template data is not stored in the font memory 40. Otherwise, it is defined by the template data. The text image of the template data may be reproduced with any one of the fonts or the alternative fonts.

  Next, in step S103, the photographic image data to be printed selected on the screen 62 is allocated to the photographic image frame recorded in the template data. In step S104, the allocated text and photographic image data described above are allocated. Based on the above, print target image data is generated, and in step S105, print data is generated.

  As described above, according to the template structure and the image reproduction system of the first embodiment of the present invention, since the text image is recorded in the template data, the font in which the font data is not recorded in the memory of the image reproduction system. But you can play the text. In the template data structure of the first embodiment of the present invention, since text is recorded in the template data, for example, when the image reproduction system has a function of editing the text of the template data, it is easy to You can edit the text and get the desired playback results.

(Second embodiment)
As a second embodiment of the image reproduction system of the present invention, a printer 1 that can select a printing paper size that is different from the size of the selected template data and can print with the selected printing paper size will be described. About the part substantially the same as a 1st Example, description is abbreviate | omitted using the same code | symbol.
FIG. 9 is a paper size selection screen. The paper size selection screen is displayed on the display 11 after template data is selected on the screen 63 of FIG. On the screen 64, the printing paper size is selected by pressing the upper switch 22 and the lower switch 24, and the printing paper size is determined by pressing the determination switch 25.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of processing for generating print data when the selected print paper size is different from the size of the selected template data. In this process, the selected template data is enlarged / reduced to the print paper size, and print data is generated based on the enlarged / reduced template data. Details will be described below.

  In step S110, the enlargement / reduction ratio is calculated from the size of the selected template data and the printing paper size. In step S111, the text coordinate frame and photo coordinate frame of the selected template data are multiplied by the enlargement / reduction ratio calculated in step S110. In step S112, the text size corresponding to the enlargement / reduction ratio calculated in step S110 is calculated.

  In step S100, a font data file corresponding to the font name of the selected template data is searched from the font memory 40. If the font data file corresponding to the font name is recorded in the font memory 40, step S113 is executed. If it is not recorded, step S115 is executed.

  When a font data file corresponding to the font name is recorded in the font memory 40, a font having a text size corresponding to the enlargement / reduction ratio calculated in step S112 is added to the font data file corresponding to the font name in step S113. If data is recorded, step S114 is executed, and if not recorded, step S115 is executed.

  When the font data file corresponding to the font name is recorded in the font memory 40 and the font data having the text size corresponding to the enlargement / reduction ratio is recorded in the font data file corresponding to the font name, Next step S114 is performed. In step S114, font data of text having a size corresponding to the enlargement / reduction ratio calculated in step S112 is read from the font data file corresponding to the font name, and is assigned to a text frame multiplied by the enlargement / reduction ratio in step S111. If the font data file represents an outline font, the font data may be converted to a size corresponding to the enlargement / reduction ratio calculated in step S112.

  The font data file corresponding to the font name is not recorded in the font memory 40 or the font data of the text size corresponding to the enlargement / reduction ratio is not recorded in the font data file corresponding to the font name. Performs the next step S115. In step S115, the text image recorded in the selected template data is subjected to enlargement / reduction processing at the enlargement / reduction rate calculated in step S110, and the enlarged / reduced text image is enlarged / reduced in step S111. Assign to the text frame multiplied by.

  Next, in step S116, enlargement / reduction processing is performed on the photographic image data to be printed selected on the screen 62 based on the enlargement / reduction rate calculated in step S110, and the enlargement / reduction rate is set in step S111. Assign to the photo frame you have multiplied. In step S104, print target image data is generated based on the allocated text and photographic image data, and in step S105, print data is generated.

  As described above, according to the template data structure and image reproduction system of the second embodiment of the present invention, since text is recorded together with the text image, editing of the text image and the template relating to the text, specifically, Reduction is easy.

It is a schematic diagram which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a block diagram concerning the example of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a perspective view concerning the example of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a data flow figure concerning the example of the present invention. It is a screen transition diagram concerning the example of the present invention. It is a flowchart which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer (image reproduction system) 14 Input part (input means) 15 Control part (reproduction means) 17 Image processing part (reproduction means) 18 Printer engine (reproduction means) 30 Template data 40 Font memory

Claims (3)

A frame area in which frame information defining the playback frame of the undetermined object is recorded;
A text area in which text for playback with the undetermined object is recorded;
A frame area in which frame information defining a playback frame of the text recorded in the text area is recorded;
A font area in which font information defining the font of the text recorded in the text area is recorded;
Based on the font information, the text recorded in the text area can be reproduced in the reproduction frame recorded in the frame area instead of the text recorded in the text area when the text recorded in the text area cannot be reproduced in the image reproduction system. A text image area in which a text image representing an image obtained by reproducing the text recorded in the text area with a font specified by the font information is recorded;
A template data structure characterized by containing Frame information defining a playback frame of an undetermined object, text for playback with the undetermined object, frame information defining a playback frame of the text, font information defining a font of the text, and the text Means for inputting template data including a text image representing an image reproduced in a font specified by font information;
A font memory in which the font is recorded;
Means for inputting an object to be reproduced in a reproduction frame of an undetermined object of the inputted template data;
Means for reproducing the inputted text of the template data together with the inputted object, and when the font corresponding to the font information of the inputted template data is recorded in the font memory, the font memory; The text of the template data inputted in the font recorded in the template is reproduced in the reproduction frame of the text of the inputted template data, and the font corresponding to the font information of the inputted template data is stored in the font memory. If not, means for playing back the text image of the input template data instead of the text of the input template data in the playback frame of the text of the input template data;
An image reproduction system comprising: Frame information defining a playback frame of an undetermined object, text for playback with the undetermined object, frame information defining a playback frame of the text, font information defining a font of the text, and the text Means for inputting template data including a text image representing an image reproduced in font;
A font memory in which the font is recorded;
Means for inputting an object to be reproduced in a reproduction frame of an undetermined object of the inputted template data;
Means for reproducing the inputted text of the template data together with the inputted object, and a font corresponding to the inputted text of the template data is recorded in the font memory; The template data text inputted in the recorded font is reproduced in the reproduction frame of the inputted template data text, and the font corresponding to the inputted template data text is stored in the font memory. If not, means for reproducing the text image of the template data in the reproduction frame of the text instead of the text;
An image reproduction system comprising:

Images