JP2006285578A - Page editing device, page editing method and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability when a page template is changed. <P>SOLUTION: As for a page workpiece where images are arranged based on a first page template Tm1, when a request for changing the layout of pages to a second page template Tm2 is made from an operator, the image used for the page workpiece before change is used as it is for the second page template Tm2. At that time, the image data and the layout regions are associated so that the sequence of layout frames LF at the attachment destinations of the images can be matched before and after the change of the page templates. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for pasting an image on a page using a page template that defines the layout position of the image on the page, with an area having a predetermined size as a unit of editing as a page.

  A computer can easily organize a large number of image data by using image management software. Some image management software of this type can arrange and output photographic images taken with a digital camera (digital still camera) in the same manner as a paper album. In this image management software, a page can be laid out by preparing a page image corresponding to an album mount and determining the position and size of one or a plurality of photographic images for the page image.

  As the layout method, there is a method of preparing a page template in which a rectangular arrangement frame is set in advance and pasting a photographic image into the arrangement frame of the page template (for example, Patent Document 1 below). .

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-4768

  By the way, the operator may want to replace the photo template with a different page template after pasting it into the page template. In this case, the operator once discards the page template to which the photo image has been pasted first. I had to start over from the beginning. In other words, it is necessary to read out a new page template and perform an editing operation for pasting a photographic image on the page template again. As a result, workability was poor.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to improve workability when replacing page templates.

  As means for solving at least a part of the problems described above, the following configuration is adopted.

The page editing apparatus of the present invention
Using an area of a predetermined size, which is a unit of editing, as a page, a plurality of page templates that prescribe the layout position of an image on the page are prepared in advance, and a page template selected from the plurality of types is used. A page editing device for pasting an image on a page,
Page template storage means for storing, as the page template, data including at least arrangement area information indicating an arrangement area defining an image layout position in the page and rank information indicating a rank assigned to each arrangement area; ,
An image is arranged on a page by selecting a first page template from the plurality of types of page templates and associating each arrangement area in the first page template with image data representing an image by association information. Page work creation means to create a page work,
A replacement request means for outputting a request to replace the page template in the page work created by the page work creating means with the second page template, in accordance with a command from the operator;
When the replacement request is received from the replacement request means, the second page template is selected from the plurality of types of page templates, and the association information of each image data used in the page work is selected. Page work changing means for switching from the first page template to the second page template so that the association destination is an arrangement region in which the ranks of the rank information match before and after the replacement. It is characterized by.

  According to the page editing apparatus having the above configuration, switching is performed when an operator requests to switch the page layout to the second page template for a page work in which an image is arranged based on the first page template. The image data of the image previously used for the page work is used as it is for the second page template. At that time, the image data is associated with the arrangement area so that the order of the arrangement area where the image is pasted is the same before and after the replacement of the page template. For example, an image that was pasted in the first placement area in the first page template before the replacement is pasted in the first placement area in the second page template after the replacement, The image that has been pasted in the second placement area in the first page template before the replacement is pasted in the second placement area in the second page template after the replacement.

  For this reason, it is possible to save the trouble of re-reading image data from the storage device when replacing page templates. Furthermore, since the pasting destination of the image is determined based on the order assigned to the placement area before the replacement, if the operator can accept the placement destination, the work of pasting the image into each placement area Can be omitted. Therefore, the present invention has an effect that it is excellent in workability when replacing page templates.

  The order indicated by the order information may be an order in which images are arranged. According to this configuration, the arrangement position of the image in the second template data is determined based on the order in which the images are arranged in the arrangement area using the first template data.

  In the case where the second number of placement areas defined in the second page template is greater than the first number of placement areas defined in the first page template, the page work changing means In the second page template, the image data may not be associated with an arrangement region having rank information having a rank corresponding to a number larger than the first number.

  Further, the page work changing means has a first number of arrangement areas defined in the first page template larger than a second number of arrangement areas defined in the second page template. In this case, in the first page template, the image data associated with the arrangement area having the rank order information corresponding to the number larger than the second number is not associated with the second page template. It is good also as a structure.

  According to these configurations, it is possible to cope with the case where the number of arrangement areas defined in the templates before and after the replacement is different.

  In the page editing apparatus having the configuration in which the number of arrangement areas is reduced by replacing the template, the page editing apparatus includes a page template arrangement unit that arranges the page template according to a size on a canvas arranged in a lowermost layer. The work changing means may include a means for arranging the image data that is not associated with the first canvas on the first canvas.

  According to this configuration, the image data that is not associated can be arranged in the page work including the canvas. Therefore, the image data can be reused without being read out from the storage device again. . Therefore, it is more excellent in workability.

  The page template is also configured to define a layout position for materials other than images, and when the replacement request is received from the replacement request unit, the association with material data for materials other than the images is deleted. It is good also as a structure provided with the other material correlation deletion means to perform.

  According to this configuration, for materials other than images such as graphics, the association with the replaced new page template is deleted.

  The page editing apparatus provided with the other material association erasure unit may include a unit that arranges the image data that is no longer associated with the other material association erasure unit on a canvas on which the page template is arranged.

  According to this configuration, since other materials other than images can be arranged in the page work including the canvas, reuse can be achieved without reading the other materials from the storage device again. Therefore, it is more excellent in workability.

  The image data may be data of a photographic image taken with a digital still camera. According to this configuration, it is possible to create an album work in which photographic images are arranged.

The page editing method of the present invention includes:
Using an area of a predetermined size, which is a unit of editing, as a page, a plurality of types of page templates that prescribe the layout position of an image on the page are prepared in advance, and a page template selected from the plurality of types is used. A page editing method for pasting an image on a page,
A process of storing, as the page template, data including at least arrangement area information indicating an arrangement area that defines a layout position of an image in the page, and rank information indicating a rank assigned to each arrangement area;
An image is arranged on a page by selecting a first page template from the plurality of types of page templates and associating each arrangement area in the first page template with image data representing an image by association information. The process of creating a new page work,
A process of outputting a request to replace the page template in the created page work with the second page template according to an instruction from the operator;
When the output replacement request is received, the second page template is selected from the plurality of types of page templates, and the association destination of each image data used in the page work by the association information And a step of switching from the first page template to the second page template so as to be an arrangement region in which the ranks of the rank information match before and after the replacement. .

The computer program of the present invention is:
Using an area of a predetermined size, which is a unit of editing, as a page, a plurality of types of page templates that prescribe the layout position of an image on the page are prepared in advance, and a page template selected from the plurality of types is used. In a computer program for pasting an image on a page,
A first function for storing, as the page template, data including at least arrangement area information indicating an arrangement area defining an image layout position in the page and rank information indicating a rank assigned to each arrangement area; ,
An image is arranged on a page by selecting a first page template from the plurality of types of page templates and associating each arrangement area in the first page template with image data representing an image by association information. The second function to create a page work,
A third function for outputting a request to replace a page template in the created page work with a second page template in accordance with an instruction from an operator;
When the replacement request is received from the third function, the second page template is selected from the plurality of types of page templates, and the association information of each image data used in the page work And a fourth function for switching from the first page template to the second page template so that the association destination is an arrangement region in which the order of the order information matches before and after the replacement. It is characterized by being realized.

  The page editing method and the computer program of the present invention also have an effect that the workability at the time of page template replacement is excellent, as in the page editing apparatus of the present invention.

  The recording medium of the present invention is characterized by a computer-readable recording medium that records the computer program of the present invention. This recording medium has the same operation and effect as each computer program of the present invention.

  The present invention includes other aspects as follows. The 1st aspect is an aspect as a program supply apparatus which supplies the computer program of this invention via a communication path. In this first aspect, the above-described method and apparatus are realized by placing a computer program on a server or the like on a computer network, downloading a necessary program to a computer via a communication path, and executing the program. Can do.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described based on examples. This embodiment will be described in the following order.
A. Device configuration:
B. Page template:
C. Display window configuration:
D. Replacing page templates:
D-1. Replacement request:
D-2. Computer processing:
E. Action / Effect:
F. Other embodiments:

A. Device configuration:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The computer system of this embodiment mainly includes a personal computer 10 constituting the page editing apparatus of the present invention, and includes a display 20, a keyboard 22, and a mouse 24 as peripheral devices. Furthermore, a digital camera 26, a CD drive 28, and a printer 29 are connected to the personal computer 10. The mouse 24 can be replaced with other pointing devices such as a trackball, a trackpad, and a tablet.

  The personal computer 10 includes a memory 13, a display image memory 14, a hard disk drive 15, an input control unit 16, a display control unit 17, an output control unit 18, and the like that are mutually connected by a bus 12 around a CPU 11 as a central processing unit. Is provided. The memory 13 stores various data and becomes a work area of the CPU 11. The display image memory 14 is a memory that temporarily stores image data of an image to be displayed on the display 20.

  The hard disk drive 15 stores a computer program Pr as software of the page editing device. The hard disk drive 15 stores a large number of image data Dp. The image data Dp is a photographic image taken by the digital camera 26 and is stored in a predetermined area (for example, a folder) of the hard disk drive 15. A plurality of types of page templates Tm that define the layout of pages to be described later are also stored.

  The input control unit 16 is a control unit that captures input operations from the keyboard 22 and the mouse 24, captures image data from the digital camera 26, and captures data from the CD drive 28. The display control unit 17 is a control unit that controls signal output to the display 20. The output control unit 18 is a control unit that controls printing on the printer 29.

  The computer program Pr is originally stored in a CD-ROM (not shown) as a recording medium. The computer program Pr can be read from the CD-ROM and installed in the hard disk drive 15 by setting the CD-ROM in the CD drive 28 and starting a predetermined installation program. Various configuration requirements of the page editing apparatus of the present invention are realized by the CPU 11 executing the computer program Pr. Note that the page template Tm is also stored in advance on the CD-ROM, and is stored in the hard disk drive 15 at the same time when the computer program Pr is installed.

  In FIG. 1, various components of the page editing apparatus of the present invention are shown by functional blocks implemented in the CPU 11. That is, the CPU 11 includes a page work creation unit 11a and a page work change unit 11b as functions. This computer program Pr is actually an album editing application program that edits photo images taken by the digital camera 26 into an album form, and the functions of the above-described units 11a and 11b are controlled by some of the modules. This is realized in the personal computer 10.

  The computer program Pr is provided as a configuration stored in another portable recording medium (portable recording medium) such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, and an IC card in place of the CD-ROM. It can be. Further, the computer program Pr can be provided via a network from a specific server connected to an external network. The network may be the Internet or a computer program obtained by downloading from a specific homepage. Alternatively, it may be a computer program supplied in the form of an email attachment.

B. Page template:
Next, the page template Tm stored in the hard disk drive 15 will be described. The page template Tm is for defining the layout position of an image on the page, with an area having a predetermined size as a unit of editing as a page. Here, the image corresponds to a photographic image taken by the digital camera 26 and stored in the hard disk drive 15.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an image represented by the page template Tm. As illustrated, the page template image includes a page PG as a rectangular area having a predetermined size, and one or a plurality (two in this example) of arrangement frames LF are provided in the page PG. . The arrangement frame LF defines a rectangular area for arranging an image, and represents a size and a position on the page PG. In addition, the number NB is attached | subjected to the upper left corner of each arrangement frame LF. This number NB indicates the order in which the images of the respective arrangement frames LF are arranged, and can be switched between display / non-display by a command from the operator. The arrangement frame LF corresponds to the “arrangement area” of the present invention.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of the page template Tm. As shown in the figure, the page template Tm includes a page information field Fa for storing information about the page PG and an arrangement frame information field Fb for storing information about n (n is an arbitrary number of 1 or more) arrangement frames. (1) to Fb (n). The illustrated one represents the page template Tm of the image illustrated in FIG. 2, and n = 2.

  The page information field Fa stores information about the vertical and horizontal sizes of the page and the background design of the page. In the arrangement frame information fields Fb (1) to Fb (n), position data, angle data, and rank data are stored in pairs. The position data is data indicating the layout position in the page, and describes offset X and Y components of each vertex of the rectangle. The angle data is data indicating a rotation angle from an upright state. The rank data is a number indicating the order in which images are arranged. Further, association information LK is added to each arrangement frame information field Fb (1) to Fb (n). The association information LK indicates an image arranged in each arrangement frame, and specifically stores a file name of image data. The association information LK is in a null state for the arrangement frame LF before the image is arranged.

  Here, the association information LK is “image data file name” as described above, but it may be replaced with other information such as address information indicating the storage location of the image data. In short, any configuration may be used as long as it indicates the connection between the image data and the arrangement frame. For example, the association between the arrangement frame and the image data is managed in a table separate from the page template Tm. You can also Here, only the image data is associated with the page template Tm, but other material data such as clip art and graphics can be associated with the image data. Other material data is directly associated with the page template Tm together with association information including position data without preparing an arrangement frame.

  As described above, items such as image data, clip art, and figures associated with the page template Tm are resized integrally with the page template Tm when the page template Tm is resized. The hard disk drive 15 that stores the page template Tm corresponds to the “page template storage unit” of the present invention.

C. Display window configuration:
Next, the interface with the operator will be described. When the computer program Pr is started and the [Edit] button is clicked on the top screen, a page editing window (hereinafter referred to as “page editing window”) is displayed.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the page edit window WD. The page editing window WD constitutes a graphical user interface (GUI). As shown in the figure, the page edit window WD is provided with a work field FL1, a material / template designation field FL2, and an edit page designation field FL3.

  In the work field FL1, an area (hereinafter referred to as “canvas”) CV indicating a single-page mount constituting the album is drawn. The size of the canvas CV is a predetermined size that can be changed by the operator. The canvas CV is a plain image.

  The material / template designating field FL2 is for designating a page template and material to be arranged on the canvas CV. As “material”, images, clip art, texts, and the like are prepared. The state shown in the figure is the one when the [Page Template] tab TB1 is clicked (click using the mouse 24, hereinafter the same), and a list of thumbnails Tmt of a plurality of types of page templates Tm is displayed. The operator can select a desired one from a plurality of types of page templates Tm stored in the hard disk drive 15 by clicking on a desired one from a plurality of thumbnails Tmt.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the page editing window WD after a desired page template Tm is selected by the operator. As shown in the figure, the page template Tm selected by the operator is fitted and displayed on the canvas CV displayed in the work field FL1. Specifically, the page template Tm is enlarged / reduced and arranged on the canvas CV displayed in the work field FL1 so as to match the size. In the illustrated example, an image of the page template Tm shown in FIG. 2 is displayed.

  The material / template designation field FL2 is the one when the [Image] tab TB3 is clicked. As shown in the figure, in the material / template designation field FL2, a list of icons (Fm) of films (or folders) storing image data and a list of thumbnails Pt of image data stored in the designated film are displayed. Is done. The operator clicks a desired icon Fm and clicks a desired thumbnail Tm to store a plurality of image data stored in advance in a predetermined recording medium, in this embodiment the hard disk drive 15. Desired image data can be selected and designated from a large number of image data Dp. The film or folder indicates a place where data files are put together.

  As for the clip art, when the [Clip Art] tab TB2 is clicked, a desired one of a plurality of clip arts is selected based on an operation command using the mouse 24 from the operator as in the case of the image data. Can be selected and specified.

  An [Arrange] button BT1 is provided above the material / template designation field FL2. The operator clicks the thumbnail Tm of the image data Dp in the material / template designating field FL2, and then clicks the [Place] button BT1, whereby the image data Dp is placed in the layout frame LF laid out on the page template Tm. Can be pasted. As described above, since the order in which the images are arranged is assigned to each arrangement frame LF, a series of first specifying the thumbnail Tm of the image data Dp and clicking the [Place] button BT1. When the arrangement work is performed, the image data Dp is transferred to the arrangement frame LF1 to which the number NB of “1” is attached. Next, when the series of arrangement work is performed, the number NB of “2” is assigned. The image data Dp is transferred to the attached arrangement frame LF2. In this way, each image data Dp is semi-automatically pasted at the position of the arrangement frame LF previously positioned on the page template Tm.

  When the image data Dp is pasted on the arrangement frame LF, if there is a difference between the two sizes, the image size is changed while keeping the aspect ratio (aspect ratio) of the image constant, and the arrangement frame LF The image is circumscribed in either the vertical or horizontal direction. As a result of pasting the image data Dp to the layout frame LF, in the page template Tm, the layout data information fields Fb (1) to Fb (n) are associated with each other to identify the pasted image data Dp. Information LK (see FIG. 3) is added.

  As for the clip art, the operator selects a desired clip art in the material / template designation field FL2, and then clicks the [Place] button BT1, so that the clip art is stored in advance in the page template Tm. It can be arranged at a predetermined position. The position of the placed clip art can be changed as required by the operator's command, and the size can be freely changed. FIG. 6 shows an example of the clip art CL arranged in the page template Tm.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the page editing window WD after the image data Dp is pasted on the layout frame LF of the page template Tm. As shown in the drawing, a page template Tm is fitted on the canvas CV displayed in the work field FL1, and “image A” and “image B” are placed in the arrangement frames LF1 and LF2 laid out on the page template Tm. The image data Dp are respectively pasted. The page work is completed in this way. The processing so far corresponds to the page work creation unit 11a (FIG. 1). This page work is stored in the hard disk drive 15 when the [Save Page] button BT3 is clicked.

  In this computer system, the page layout created as described above can be easily changed by replacing the page template with another one. Since the present invention is characterized by the configuration when the page templates are replaced, this point will be described in detail below.

D. Replacing page templates:
D-1. Replacement request:
When the operator wants to replace the page template of the already created page work with another one, the operator performs the following operation on the page editing window WD. As shown in FIG. 6, with the page work displayed in the work field FL1, the operator clicks the [Page Template] tab TB1, and the thumbnail Tmt of the page template Tm is displayed in the material / template designation field FL2. Display a list. Next, the operator clicks a desired one from among the plurality of thumbnails Tmt, so that a page different from the previously used page template is selected from the plurality of types of page templates Tm stored in the hard disk drive 15. Select a template. Hereinafter, the previously used page template Tm shown in FIG. 2 is referred to as “first page template Tm1”, and another page template Tm selected later is referred to as “second page template Tm2”.

  After the selection of the second page template Tm2, the operator clicks the [Replace] button BT2 provided above the material / template designation field FL2, thereby changing the page template Tm from the first page template Tm1 to the first page template Tm1. A request to replace the two-page template Tm2 can be sent to the personal computer 10. This configuration corresponds to the “replacement request unit” of the present invention.

D-2. Computer processing:
The above-described page template replacement is realized by the CPU 11 executing a page template replacement routine which is a partial module of the computer program Pr. This page template replacement routine corresponds to the page work changing unit 11b (FIG. 1).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a page template replacement routine. This page template replacement routine is repeatedly executed every predetermined time. When the process is started, the CPU 11 first determines whether or not the above-described replacement request from the operator has been received (step S100). Here, if it is determined that there is no replacement request, the process returns to “Return”, and the page template replacement routine is temporarily terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S100 that there is a replacement request, the CPU 11 executes the following processing. First, the CPU 11 performs a process of erasing association information other than the association information LK for the layout frame LF from the page work created using the first page template Tm1 as described above (step S110). As described above, association information LK for associating with an image is added to the arrangement frame LF defined in the first page template Tm1 as necessary, but here, only the association information for the arrangement frame LF is added. , And the association information about other material data such as other clip art and graphics is deleted from the first page template Tm1.

  Next, the CPU 11 performs a process of replacing the page template provided in the page work from the first page template Tm1 to the second page template Tm2 (step S120). Specifically, the second page template Tm2 after replacement specified by the replacement request is read from the plurality of page templates Tm stored in the hard disk drive 15, and the page template provided in the page work is converted to the second page template. Switch to Tm2.

  Thereafter, the CPU 11 compares the number S1 of arrangement frames LF defined in the first page template Tm1 with the number S2 of arrangement frames LF defined in the second page template Tm2, and S1 = S2, S1. <S2, S1> It is determined whether it is S2 (step S130).

  If it is determined in step S130 that the number S1 of placement frames LF defined in the first page template Tm1 is equal to the number S2 of placement frames LF defined in the second page template Tm2, the CPU 11 The arrangement frame LF defined in the second page template Tm2 in accordance with the arrangement order defined in the first page template Tm1 for all the image data Dp defined in the arrangement frame LF of the first page template Tm1. Are sequentially pasted (step S140).

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating how replacement is performed as a result of step S140. As shown in the drawing, first, “image A” arranged in the arrangement frame LF1 having the first arrangement order in the first page template Tm1 is arranged in the arrangement frame LF11 having the first arrangement order in the second page template Tm2. Then, “image B” arranged in the arrangement frame LF2 in the first page template Tm1 and in the arrangement order No. 2 in the first page template Tm1 has the arrangement order No. 2 in the second page template Tm2. The placement frame LF12 is pasted. Actually, this pasting is performed by associating the image data Dp of “image A” and “image B” with the arrangement frames LF11 and LF12 by the association information.

  In other words, in step S140, the CPU 11 ranks the image data Dp associated with the layout frames LF1 and LF2 of the first page template Tm1 before replacement in the page work in the order of the pasted layout frames LF. The page template of the page work is switched by associating with the arrangement frame LF of the second page template Tm1 so that the (arrangement order) matches before and after the replacement (so as not to change).

  When pasting image data into a new layout frame LF, the image size is changed while keeping the aspect ratio (aspect ratio) of the image constant, and the image is placed in either the vertical or horizontal direction of the layout frame LF. The process is circumscribed, and the processes in steps S150 and S160 described later are the same. Returning to FIG. 7, after executing step S <b> 140, the process returns to “RETURN” and this processing routine is temporarily terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S130 that the number S2 of placement frames LF defined in the second page template Tm2 is greater than the number S1 of placement frames LF defined in the first page template Tm1, The CPU 11 arranges all the image data defined in the layout frame LF of the first page template Tm1 in the layout frame LF defined in the second page template Tm2 in the layout order defined in the first page template Tm1. Are sequentially pasted (step S150). The process in step S150 is similar to the process in step S140.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying what kind of replacement is performed as a result of step S150. As shown in the figure, three layout frames LF are laid out in the second page template Tm2. First, “image A” arranged in the arrangement frame LF1 having the first arrangement order in the first page template Tm1 is pasted into the arrangement frame LF21 having the first arrangement order in the second page template Tm2. Next, the “image B” arranged in the arrangement frame LF2 having the second arrangement order in the first page template Tm1 is compared with the arrangement frame LF22 having the second arrangement order in the second page template Tm2. Is pasted. Note that the arrangement frame L23 in which the remaining arrangement order is No. 3 remains empty.

  In other words, in step S150, the CPU 11 ranks the image data Dp associated with the layout frames LF1 and LF2 of the first page template Tm1 before the replacement in the page work in the order of the pasted layout frames LF. The page template of the page work is switched by associating with the arrangement frame LF of the second page template Tm1 so that the (arrangement order) is the same before and after the replacement (so that there is no change). For the arrangement frame LF23 in the arrangement order, that is, the arrangement frame in the arrangement order in which the arrangement order in the second page template Tm2 is larger than the number S1 of arrangement frames LF defined in the first page template Tm1. The data Dp is not associated.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the replacement shown in FIG. 9 in three dimensions including the canvas CV. In the drawing, the relationship between the layers is schematically shown by expanding the layers in the vertical direction. As shown in the figure, before the replacement, the first page template Tm1 is located on the canvas CV, and the layout frame LF1 designated in the first page template Tm1 is associated with the “image A” by the association information LK. The arrangement frame LF2 and the “image B” are associated by the association information LK.

  After the replacement, the second page template Tm2 is located on the canvas CV, and the arrangement frame LF21 designated in the second page template Tm2 and “image A” are associated by the association information LK, and the arrangement The frame LF22 and “image B” are associated by association information LK. Note that the arrangement frame LF23 whose number has been increased by switching to the second page template Tm2 remains empty and is not associated with the image data Dp. In FIG. 10, the association information LKlk is indicated by two broken lines, but this is merely a schematic representation of the connection between the arrangement frame and the image. In fact, as shown in FIG. It is related by the data structure. Returning to FIG. 7, after the execution of step S150, the process returns to “RETURN” and this processing routine is temporarily terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S130 that the number S1 of layout frames LF defined in the first page template Tm1 is larger than the number S2 of layout frames LF defined in the second page template Tm2. The CPU 11 transfers the image data defined in the layout frame LF of the first page template Tm1 to the layout frame LF defined in the second page template Tm2 in the layout order defined in the first page template Tm1. The process of pasting in order is performed (step S160). In this step S150, the image data (hereinafter referred to as “surplus”) that has not been pasted yet after the pasting of the image to all the arrangement frames LF defined in the second page template Tm2. For the image data, the association information is deleted.

  After executing step S160, the CPU 11 performs a process of drawing surplus image data from which the association information has been deleted on the canvas CV (step S170). The drawing position is the same as the position arranged in the first page template Tm1 before the replacement.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating how replacement is performed as a result of steps S160 and S170. As illustrated, three layout frames LF are laid out in the first page template Tm1, and three layout frames LF are laid out in the second page template Tm2. First, “image A” arranged in the arrangement frame LF31 having the first arrangement order in the first page template Tm1 is pasted into the arrangement frame LF41 having the first arrangement order in the second page template Tm2. Next, the “image B” arranged in the arrangement frame LF32 having the second arrangement order in the first page template Tm1 is compared with the arrangement frame LF42 having the second arrangement order in the second page template Tm2. Is pasted. Thereafter, the association with “image C” arranged in the arrangement frame LF33 whose arrangement order is No. 3 in the first page template Tm1 is deleted.

  In other words, in step S160, the CPU 11 ranks the image data Dp associated with the layout frames LF31 and LF32 of the first page template Tm1 before replacement in the page work in the order of the pasted layout frames LF. The page template of the page work is switched and pasted by associating it with the arrangement frame LF of the second page template Tm1 so that the (arrangement order) is the same before and after the replacement (so that there is no change). The association information is deleted for surplus image data that has no destination. In FIG. 11, “image C” is drawn with a broken line, but “image C” will be described with reference to FIG. 12.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing the replacement shown in FIG. 11 in three dimensions including the canvas CV. In the drawing, the relationship between the layers is schematically shown by expanding the layers in the vertical direction. As shown in the figure, before replacement, the first page template Tm1 is located on the canvas CV, and the arrangement frame LF31 and the “image A” designated in the first page template Tm1 are arranged with the arrangement frame LF32. “Image B” is associated with the arrangement frame LF33 and “image C” by the association information LK.

  After the replacement, the second page template Tm2 is located on the canvas CV, and the arrangement frame LF1 designated in the second page template Tm2 and “image A” are associated by the association information LK, and the arrangement The frame LF2 and “image B” are associated by the association information LK. It should be noted that the “image C”, which has become a surplus due to the absence of the pasting destination by switching to the second page template Tm2, is directly drawn on the canvas CV by the processing of step S170. The drawing position is the same as the position arranged in the first page template Tm1 before replacement. On the canvas CV, the second page template Tm2 is fitted. In the second page template Tm2, when the image C is drawn on the canvas CV, only the position of the image C becomes transparent, and the image C Appears in the page work.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, when the image (that is, the image B) arranged on the second page template Tm2 overlaps the image C, the overlapping portion of the image C is as follows. Hidden in image B, does not appear in the page work. When the entire image C is hidden by the image B, the presence of the image C is not noticed. However, the following configuration can solve the problem. That is, a number indicating the arrangement order assigned to the arrangement frame LF33 pasted in the first page template Tm1 for the image C is pasted on the canvas together with the image C, and only the number floats on the image B. It may be configured to rise. According to this configuration, even if the image C is completely hidden under the image B, the operator can know that some image exists under the image B from the number that appears. Returning to FIG. 7, after executing step S <b> 140, the process returns to “RETURN” and this processing routine is temporarily terminated.

  A new page work created by the page template replacement routine is displayed in the work field FL1 of the page edit window WD. Note that the position of the image data arranged in the second page template Tm2 after replacement can be changed or the size can be changed as required by an operator's command.

  The page template Tm described above is stored in advance in the hard disk drive 15. In this embodiment, the page template newly created or modified by the operator is shown in [Register Mount] shown in FIG. By clicking the button BT4, it can be added to the hard disk drive 15.

E. Action / Effect:
According to the computer system of this embodiment configured as described above, for a page work in which an image is arranged based on the first page template Tm1, a request for switching the page layout to the second page template Tm2 is made by the operator. In such a case, the image data Dp used for the page work before switching is used as it is for the second page template Tm2. At that time, the image data is associated with the arrangement area so that the order of the arrangement area where the image is pasted is the same before and after the replacement of the page template.

  For this reason, it is possible to save the trouble of re-reading image data from the hard disk drive 15 when replacing page templates. Furthermore, since the image paste destination is determined based on the order assigned to the layout frame LF before the replacement, if the operator can accept the paste at the paste destination, the image is pasted on each layout frame LF. Can be omitted. Therefore, it is excellent in workability when replacing page templates.

F. Other embodiments:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and can be carried out in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the following modifications are possible. is there.

(1) In the above-described embodiment, when the first page template Tm1 is replaced with the second page template Tm2, the association information about other material data such as clip art and graphics is deleted, and other material data is used as it is. However, instead of this, after deleting the association information about the other material data, the material data may be drawn on the canvas CV. Note that the drawing position is the same as the position placed in the first page template Tm1 before the replacement. According to such a configuration, reuse can be achieved without reading another material from the storage device again. Therefore, workability can be further improved.

(2) In the above embodiment, the page template is arranged on the canvas, which is a plain area, but instead, the page template without the canvas and the material such as the image arranged on it and the empty page are used. It can also be configured to create works.

(3) In the above embodiment, the order of the order information to be matched before and after the replacement of the page template is the order in which the images are arranged in the arrangement frame, but instead of this, the order assigned from the position on the page template. It may be. For example, the position of the upper left corner of the layout frame is searched in which position of the page template, and the layout frame at the left position is the upper position if it is at the same vertical position. The order is assigned so that the order comes first. Furthermore, when a plurality of images are overlapped, a priority order can be determined. In short, any configuration may be used in which rank information indicating a rank having some meaning is assigned to the arrangement frame.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, after the selection of the second page template Tm2, the replacement request is output in response to the operation of clicking the [Replace] button BT2. ] Button BT2 may be clicked, and then second page template Tm2 may be selected. Further, instead of the operation of clicking the [Replace] button BT2 provided on the screen, an operation in which a predetermined key provided on the keyboard 22 is input may be performed. In short, any configuration may be used as long as a replacement request is output in accordance with an operator's instruction.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, the “arrangement region” is a rectangle, but may be a circle, an ellipse, another polygon, or the like instead.

(6) In the above embodiment, the image data Dp is a photographic image taken by a digital camera. However, instead of this, it may be image data such as a silver salt photograph or a gravure obtained using a scanner or the like. . Alternatively, a storage device such as the hard disk drive 15 may be prepared in advance. Or what was taken in from the outside via a network may be used.

It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the computer system to which one Example of this invention is applied. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the image represented by page template Tm. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of page template Tm. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the page edit window WD. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the page edit window WD after the desired page template Tm is selected by the operator. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the page edit window WD after sticking the image data Dp to the arrangement frame LF of the page template Tm. It is a flowchart which shows a page template replacement routine. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of replacement of the image when the number of arrangement frames is equal before and after replacement. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the replacement of the image when the number of the arrangement frames after replacement is large before and after replacement. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the replacement shown in FIG. 9 in three dimensions including the canvas CV. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the replacement | exchange of an image when the number of the arrangement frames before replacement before and after replacement is large. It is explanatory drawing which shows the exchange shown in FIG. 11 in three dimensions including the canvas CV.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... Personal computer 11 ... CPU
11a ... Page creation section 11b ... Page creation change section 12 ... Bus 13 ... Memory 14 ... Display image memory 15 ... Hard disk drive 16 ... Input control unit 17 ... Display control unit 18 ... Output control unit 20 ... Display 22 ... Keyboard 24 ... Mouse 26 ... Digital camera 28 ... CD drive 29 ... Printer Pr ... Computer program Dp. ..Image data Tm ... Page template Fa ... Page information field Fb ... Layout frame information field LK ... Association information WD ... Page edit window FL1 ... Work field FL2 ... Material / Template designating field FL3 ... Edit page designating field TB1 ... [Page template] tab TB2 ... [Clip art] tab TB3 ... [Image] tab BT1 ... [Arrange] button BT2 ... [Replace] button BT3 ... [Save page] button BT4 ... [Background registration] button CV ... Canvas Tm1 ... First page template Tm2 ... Second page template PG. ..Page LF ... Frame NB ... Number

Claims (14)

Using an area of a predetermined size, which is a unit of editing, as a page, a plurality of types of page templates that prescribe the layout position of an image on the page are prepared in advance, and a page template selected from the plurality of types is used. A page editing device for pasting an image on a page,
Page template storage means for storing, as the page template, data including at least arrangement area information indicating an arrangement area defining an image layout position within the page and rank information indicating a rank assigned to each arrangement area; ,
An image is arranged on a page by selecting a first page template from the plurality of types of page templates and associating each arrangement area in the first page template with image data representing an image by association information. Page work creation means to create a page work,
A replacement request means for outputting a request to replace the page template in the page work created by the page work creating means with the second page template, in accordance with a command from the operator;
When the replacement request is received from the replacement request means, the second page template is selected from the plurality of types of page templates, and the association information of each image data used in the page work is selected. A page work changing means for switching from the first page template to the second page template so that the association destination is an arrangement region in which the ranks of the rank information match before and after the replacement. Editing device.   The page editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the order indicated by the order information is an order in which images are arranged. The page editing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The page work changing means is:
If the second number of placement areas defined in the second page template is greater than the first number of placement areas defined in the first page template, the second page A page editing apparatus having a configuration in which the image data is not associated with an arrangement area having rank information corresponding to a number larger than the first number in the template. The page editing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The page work changing means is:
The first page template when the first number of placement areas defined in the first page template is greater than the second number of placement areas defined in the second page template In the page editing apparatus, the image data associated with the arrangement area having the rank order information corresponding to the number greater than the second number is not associated with the second page template. The page editing device according to claim 4,
The page template is provided with a page template placement means for placing the page template according to the size on the canvas placed at the bottom layer,
The page work changing means is:
A page editing apparatus comprising: means for arranging the image data not associated with each other on the canvas. The page editing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The page template is a configuration that defines a layout position for materials other than images,
further,
A page editing apparatus comprising: another material association erasure unit for erasing the association of material other than the image with material data when the exchange request is received from the exchange request unit. The page editing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein
A page editing apparatus comprising: means for arranging the image data that is no longer associated by the other material association erasure unit on a canvas on which the page template is arranged.   8. The page editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data is data of a photographic image taken with a digital still camera. Using an area of a predetermined size, which is a unit of editing, as a page, a plurality of types of page templates that prescribe the layout position of an image on the page are prepared in advance, and a page template selected from the plurality of types is used. A page editing method for pasting an image on a page,
A process of storing, as the page template, data including at least arrangement area information indicating an arrangement area that defines a layout position of an image in the page, and rank information indicating a rank assigned to each arrangement area;
An image is arranged on a page by selecting a first page template from the plurality of types of page templates and associating each arrangement area in the first page template with image data representing an image by association information. The process of creating a new page work,
A process of outputting a request to replace the page template in the created page work with the second page template according to an instruction from the operator;
When the output replacement request is received, the second page template is selected from the plurality of types of page templates, and the association destination of each image data used in the page work by the association information And a step of switching from the first page template to the second page template so as to be an arrangement region in which the ranks of the rank information match before and after the replacement. Using an area of a predetermined size, which is a unit of editing, as a page, a plurality of types of page templates that prescribe the layout position of an image on the page are prepared in advance, and a page template selected from the plurality of types is used. In a computer program for pasting an image on a page,
A first function for storing, as the page template, data including at least arrangement area information indicating an arrangement area defining an image layout position in the page and rank information indicating a rank assigned to each arrangement area; ,
An image is arranged on a page by selecting a first page template from the plurality of types of page templates and associating each arrangement area in the first page template with image data representing an image by association information. The second function to create a page work,
A third function for outputting a request to replace a page template in the created page work with a second page template in accordance with an instruction from an operator;
When the replacement request is received from the third function, the second page template is selected from the plurality of types of page templates, and the association information of each image data used in the page work And a fourth function for switching from the first page template to the second page template so that the association destination is an arrangement region in which the ranks of the rank information match before and after the replacement. A computer program for realizing this.   The computer program according to claim 10, wherein the order indicated by the order information is an order in which images are arranged. A computer program according to claim 10 or 11,
The fourth function is:
If the second number of placement areas defined in the second page template is greater than the first number of placement areas defined in the first page template, the second page A computer program having a configuration in which the image data is not associated with an arrangement area having rank information corresponding to a number larger than the first number in the template. A computer program according to any one of claims 10 to 12,
The fourth function is:
The first page template when the first number of placement areas defined in the first page template is greater than the second number of placement areas defined in the second page template In the computer program, the image data associated with the arrangement area having the rank order information corresponding to the number greater than the second number is not associated with the second page template.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the computer program according to any one of claims 10 to 13 is recorded.

Images