JP2012221364A - Image processor, control method for the same, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor that achieves a reduction in the burden of operation by a user when the user selects an image to be enlarged from reduced and displayed images and enlarges and displays the selected image, and provide a control method for the same and a program.SOLUTION: An image processor 100 comprises: reduced image display means for individually reducing multiple images and displaying them as reduced images on a CRT display 101; and enlarged display means for individually enlarging the reduced images that are selected by a user from the reduced image displayed on the CRT 101, and sequentially displaying the enlarged images on the CRT display 101.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a control method therefor, and a program, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus that displays an enlarged image, a control method therefor, and a program.

  In recent years, with the widespread use of digital cameras, digital image output environments using computers have been developed as means for printing captured images with a printing device or transmitting them using the Internet.

  Accordingly, many image processing means have been developed using application programs on computers, printing systems, and Internet systems.

  On the other hand, digital cameras and the Internet have become widespread, and the memory of digital cameras has increased. As a result, many images have been taken and the number of images used has increased. For this reason, there is an image processing method in which a number of images are displayed and a part of the images is selected, and then desired image processing is performed.

  Conventionally, in an image processing method for selecting an image to be enlarged from a reduced image and displaying the selected image in an enlarged manner, when confirming the content of the image confirmed by the selection, an enlargement display panel is opened. In general, an enlarged image is displayed for confirmation.

  Conventionally, a method for confirming the contents of a selected image by enlarging and displaying the selected image for a predetermined time has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-099271 A

However, in the image processing method as described above, after the selection process is completed, an operation step is increased because the image is enlarged and checked. Specifically, the following steps are generally required.
・ Select an image. Repeat several times until image selection is complete.
・ Select an image to enlarge.
-Enlarge the selected image. At this time, a new display area is created, for example, by newly displaying an enlarged display panel.
・ Change the image to be enlarged.
・ End enlarged display processing
This increases the number of processes operated by the user, and it is necessary to reduce the burden on the user.

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1, one image is enlarged and displayed on the entire screen, and is enlarged and displayed for a predetermined time. Accordingly, it is impossible to sequentially enlarge and display a plurality of images to be selected. Further, when proceeding to the next selection process or another process, there is a problem that the next operation cannot be performed immediately because it is necessary to wait for the end of the enlarged display process.

  Since only a plurality of images can be checked in enlarged display by simply executing an image selection operation and a selection confirmation operation, the operability of the image selection process is improved and the user's process can be reduced.

  An object of the present invention is to select an image to be enlarged by a user from reduced images, and to enlarge and display the selected image. To provide a program.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to claim 1 is an image processing apparatus that includes a display unit that processes an image selected from a plurality of images and displays information. Reduced image display means for displaying on the display means as reduced images respectively reduced, and among the reduced images displayed on the display means, the enlarged images obtained by enlarging each of the reduced images selected by the user are sequentially displayed. And an enlarged display means for displaying on the means.

  According to the present invention, when the user selects an image to be enlarged from the reduced display image and enlarges and displays the selected image, the image processing apparatus and the control method thereof, which reduce the operation burden on the user, and A program can be provided.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the window transition which CPU in FIG. 1 performs an image processing program, and displays on a CRT display. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the image selection confirmation process performed by CPU in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the enlarged display process performed by step S302 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the enlarged display process performed by step S302 of FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an enlarged display end determination process executed in step S402 of FIG. 4 and step S502 of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement of a window in the case of performing the process which cancels selection of a display image during the enlarged display of the image of a selection candidate.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, on the display screen of the CRT display 101 (display means), for example, a list display of images and thumbnail images (reduced images), icons, messages, menus, and other user interface information are displayed as information to be displayed. Note that thumbnail images may be created in advance for all images, or some images may be created as necessary.

  In the VRAM 102, an image to be displayed on the display screen of the CRT display 101 is drawn (generated). The image data generated in the VRAM 102 is transferred to the CRT display 101 according to a predetermined rule, whereby an image is displayed on the CRT display 101.

  The BMU (bit move unit) 103 controls, for example, data transfer between memories (for example, the VRAM 102 and another memory) and data transfer between the memory and each I / O device (for example, the network interface 111). .

  The keyboard 104 has various keys for inputting documents and the like. A PD (pointing device) 105 is used, for example, to instruct icons, menus, and other objects displayed on the display screen of the CRT display 101.

  The CPU 106 controls each device connected to the CPU 106 based on a control program stored in the ROM 107, HDD 109, or flexible disk.

  The ROM 107 holds various control programs and data. The RAM 108 has a work area for the CPU 106, a data save area for error processing, a control program load area, and the like. The HDD 109 can store each control program and content executed in the image processing apparatus 100.

  For example, the HDD 109 stores image data, thumbnail image data, an image display program, and the like. For example, a folder is created on a file system of an operating system (OS), and all image data input from an external image input device such as a digital camera is stored in the folder. The stored image can be deleted or moved.

  An FDD (flexible disk drive) 110 controls access to the flexible disk. The network interface 111 can communicate with other information processing apparatuses, printers, and the like via the Internet 113.

  The CPU bus 112 includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus. The provision of the control program to the CPU 106 can be performed from the ROM 107, the HDD 109, and the FDD 110, or can be performed from another information processing apparatus or the like via the network interface 111 and the Internet 113.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of window transition displayed on the CRT display 101 by the CPU 106 in the image processing apparatus executing the image processing program. Specifically, (A) shows a screen on the selection source image display area 201 on which thumbnail images selected by the user from among a plurality of images stored in the HDD 109 as candidates are displayed. . (B) shows a screen on which enlarged images obtained by enlarging each thumbnail image selected by the user after selection of the enlarged display image are sequentially displayed, and (C) shows a reduced display of the image selected at the end of the enlarged display. Shows the screen.

  In the selection source image display area 201, thumbnail images of all or some of the images stored in the HDD 109 are displayed in the area where the selection source image is displayed. In the selection confirmation image display area 202, a thumbnail image of the selected image is displayed. The selection button 203 is a button for instructing selection confirmation. The reduced image selected by the user is a reduced image selected for performing a predetermined process on the image indicated by the reduced image. The predetermined process may be expressed as the next process in the following description. As described above, the image processing apparatus 100 includes reduced image display means for displaying on the CRT display 101 as thumbnail images obtained by reducing a plurality of images.

  The next button 205 is a button for instructing to perform the next process on the selected and confirmed image, and the return button 206 is a button for instructing to return to the previous process. As the next processing described above, for example, output processing such as slide show reproduction or printing of the selected and confirmed image can be cited. As described above, when the enlarged image is displayed on the CRT display 101, the image processing apparatus 100 further displays the next button 205 (execution instruction image) for executing the next process according to the user's instruction.

  In FIG. 2A, two candidate images are selected from the selection source images and the frame is highlighted. Next, when the selection button 203 is pressed, the screen changes to FIG. The enlarged display area 204 is created and the two selected candidate images are enlarged in the enlarged display area 204 and displayed in order. The image displayed in the enlarged display area 204 may be changed automatically at a fixed time, or may be changed manually by determining the operation of the keyboard 104 or PD 105, but this image changing process will be described in detail later. Describe.

  Next, when the enlarged display is completed, the screen changes from FIG. 2 (B) to FIG. 2 (C). The enlarged display area 204 displayed in FIG. 2B is deleted and hidden, and the image whose selection is confirmed is displayed as a reduced image in the selection confirmed image display area 202. At this time, a candidate image to be selected and confirmed is added to the selection confirmed image display area 202. The process for terminating the enlarged display will be described in detail later. As described above, the image processing apparatus 100 further includes other reduced image display means for displaying the thumbnail image displayed as an enlarged image on the CRT display 101 on the CRT display 101.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the image selection confirmation process executed by the CPU 106 in FIG.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is an example of the image selection confirmation method, and is a flowchart showing a flow of a program stored in the ROM 107 as software for executing the method. In accordance with this program, the CPU 106 executes image selection confirmation and image enlargement display processing.

  Specifically, it is a flowchart illustrating image processing from when the selection button 203 in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, a list of selected images is acquired from the HDD 109 (step S301). Next, the enlarged display process described later with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 is executed (step S302) (enlarged display means). In step S302, processing for enlarging the image acquired in step S301 is performed.

  When the enlargement display process ends, the selected image is added to the selection confirmed image data (step S303), and this process ends.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the enlarged display process executed in step S302 of FIG.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the enlarged display process, and is a flowchart showing a process when images displayed in the enlarged display area 204 are sequentially changed in a certain time.

  In FIG. 4, an image is selected from the image list to be enlarged and displayed in the enlarged display area 204 (step S401). As the image list here, for example, a list of images arranged in the order selected by the user for enlargement display can be cited. The step S401 may be repeatedly executed, but the images are displayed in the order of the image list.

  Next, an enlarged display end determination process for determining whether or not the process for displaying the enlarged image is completed is executed (step S402). This enlarged display end determination process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a certain time has elapsed since the start of the enlarged display of the image (step S403). As a result of the determination in step S403, if a predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S403), it is further determined whether or not the enlargement display end determination process in step S402 is determined to be ended (step S404).

  As a result of the determination in step S404, when it is determined not to end in step S402 (NO in step S404), the process returns to step S501. At this time, the next image is selected from the image list as an enlarged display target. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S402 to end (YES in step S404), this process ends. As described above, the image is sequentially changed and enlarged when a predetermined time elapses.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the enlarged display process executed in step S302 of FIG.

  The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process when an image displayed in the magnified display area 204 is changed by a user operation using the keyboard 104 or the PD 105 in an example of the magnified display process. .

  In FIG. 5, an image is selected from the image list to be enlarged and displayed in the enlarged display area 204 (step S501). The image list here is as described in FIG.

  Next, an enlarged display end determination process is performed to determine whether or not the process for displaying the enlarged image is ended (step S502). This enlarged display end determination process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a fixed time has elapsed since the start of the enlarged display of the image (step S503). As a result of the determination in step S503, when a certain time has elapsed (YES in step S503), it is further determined whether or not the enlargement display end determination process in step S502 is determined to be ended (step S505).

  As a result of the determination in step S505, when it is determined not to end in step S502 (NO in step S505), the process returns to step S501. At this time, the next image is selected from the image list as an enlarged display target. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S502 to end (YES in step S505), this process ends.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S503, if the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in step S503), it is determined whether or not the user operation is an operation for changing the enlarged display image (step S504).

  As a result of the determination in step S504, when the user operation is an operation for changing the enlarged display image (YES in step S504), the process returns to step S501. When the user operation is not an operation for changing the enlarged display image (NO in step S504), the process returns to step S503.

  Note that the type of user operation in step S504 may be determined in advance. For example, a right operation for moving the mouse pointer to the right and a left operation for moving the mouse pointer to the left are determined. In the case of the right operation, a transition is made so that the next image is enlarged. In the case of the left operation, the previous image is displayed. May be changed so as to be enlarged.

  As a user operation for transitioning images in this way, whether there is a pointing device input in the enlarged image area or a key input determined by keyboard key input, whether to change to the next image by that input Transition to enlarge the previous image.

  Alternatively, as the user operation for ending the enlarged display by the enlarged display end determination, the following operation can be given. First, there is an operation for starting the transition process of the operation screen by pressing the next button 205 or the return button 206 with the pointing device. In addition, an operation for starting the next selection process by inputting in the selection source image display area 201 using a pointing device or the like automatically ends the enlarged display when another process is started, and performs the next operation. You may make it progress to. Accordingly, when the user issues an instruction to execute the next process with the next button 205, the enlarged display may be stopped.

  Further, the enlargement display end condition in the enlargement display end determination process is set according to the user operation. For example, in the case where enlarged images are sequentially changed after a lapse of a certain time, the number of candidate images whose selection has been confirmed is set in order to finish the enlarged display by looking through the candidate images to be selected and confirmed. Alternatively, the entire time T may be set, each image may be displayed (T / N) divided by the number of candidate images N for which selection has been confirmed, and the enlarged display may be terminated after the time T has elapsed. .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when a predetermined time has elapsed after starting the enlarged display, the enlarged display is stopped or reduced by a predetermined number after the enlarged display is started. When the image is enlarged and displayed, the enlarged display is stopped.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the enlarged display end determination process executed in step S402 of FIG. 4 and step S502 of FIG.

  In FIG. 6, first, the user operation is determined (step S601). It is determined whether or not the determined user operation is a user operation for ending the enlarged display (step S602). As a result of the determination in step S602, when the user operation is a user operation for ending the enlarged display (step S602), it is determined that the operation is ended, and this processing is ended.

  As a result of the determination in step S602, when the user operation is not to end the enlarged display (NO in step S602), it is determined whether or not the setting is to end with the display count (step S603). The setting that ends with the number of display times is a setting that ends when images are enlarged and displayed by the number of images to be enlarged and displayed.

  As a result of the determination in step S603, when it is set to end with the number of display times (YES in step S603), it is further determined whether or not the display is displayed for the number of display times (step S604). As a result of the determination in step S604, when the number of times of display is displayed (step S604), it is determined that the process is ended, and the present process is ended.

  On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in step S604 (NO in step S604) or a negative determination is made in step S603 (NO in step S603), it is determined whether or not the setting is to end with the passage of time (step S605). The setting that ends when the time elapses is a setting that ends the enlarged display after the elapse of time T described above.

  As a result of the determination in step S605, when it is not set to end with the elapse of time (NO in step S605), it is determined that the processing is not ended and this processing is ended.

  On the other hand, when the setting is to end with the passage of time (YES in step S605), it is determined whether or not the time has passed (step S606), and when the time has passed (YES in step S606), it is determined to end. The process ends. If the time has not elapsed (NO in step S6060), it is determined that the process has not ended, and the process ends.

  In addition, as a user operation for ending the enlarged display in step S602, an operation in which another process is started may be applied in general.

  For example, when the next button 205 is used to move to the next operation to be performed on the selected and confirmed image with respect to the selected and confirmed image, the enlarged display process is terminated. Further, the enlargement display process is terminated at the stage where another process is executed, such as an operation for re-execution of the selection operation or a case where the return button 206 is used to move to pre-processing.

  By performing the operation to be performed next, the enlarged display processing is completed and the processing can be continued as it is, so that the next image processing can be smoothly performed. In addition, since the enlarged display process is completed when the set number of image display ends or the set time elapses and the process can be continued as it is, the next image process can be performed without waiting for a long time even if the number of selected and confirmed images is large. Can be migrated to.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the window when executing the process of deselecting the display image during the enlarged display of the selection candidate image.

  FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a display example when an operation is performed so as not to select a selection candidate image that is being enlarged. A button 701 for canceling selection is provided in the enlarged display area. When the button 701 is pressed, the enlarged display of the target image is terminated, and the target image is not added to the selection confirmation data when the enlarged display ends. Since it is possible to perform an operation so as not to select an image that is being enlarged, a selection canceling operation can be performed while confirming the image content. Thus, in the present embodiment, the following display is performed when the enlarged image is displayed on the CRT display 101. That is, a button 701 (execution cancel image) for canceling the selection to prevent the next process from being executed by the user's instruction is further displayed on the CRT display 101 for the image corresponding to the currently displayed enlarged image.

  FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a display example in which selection is not performed when a selection candidate image is not suitable as an image to be selected during enlarged display. A message panel 702 is displayed in the display area to indicate that it is not suitable for the user as the selected image, and the message panel 702 is deleted when the enlarged display ends, so that the target image is not added to the selection confirmed image.

  As an example that is not suitable as a selection image, when the selection candidate image being enlarged and displayed already exists in the selection confirmation data as the selected image, the fact that it is duplicated is notified and not added to the selection confirmation data. Thus, in the present embodiment, when an enlarged image is displayed on the CRT display 101, when the image corresponding to the currently displayed enlarged image is already an image for executing the next process, Specify to the user that the image is the next process.

  If the selection candidate image being magnified is an image that is not suitable for the next image processing, for example, if the resolution is insufficient or the image is not targeted, an inappropriate condition is notified so as not to be added to the selection confirmation data. If the resolution is insufficient, the message panel 702 is displayed instead of the message panel 703. As described above, when the image being enlarged and displayed is an image having a condition that is not suitable for selection, the condition that is not suitable is notified, so that an image that is not suitable for selection can be easily confirmed. As described above, in the present embodiment, when an enlarged image is displayed on the CRT display 101, when the image corresponding to the currently displayed enlarged image is not suitable as an image for executing the next process, It is clearly indicated to the user that the image is not suitable for executing the process.

  By doing so, it is possible to realize a means for selecting an image to be operated from images while confirming it with easy operations.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail based on preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the present invention are also included in the present invention. included. A part of the above-described embodiments may be appropriately combined. Also, when a software program that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied from a recording medium directly to a system or apparatus having a computer that can execute the program using wired / wireless communication, and the program is executed Are also included in the present invention. Accordingly, the program code itself supplied and installed in the computer in order to implement the functional processing of the present invention by the computer also realizes the present invention. That is, the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention is also included in the present invention. In this case, the program may be in any form as long as it has a program function, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS. As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a magnetic recording medium such as a hard disk or a magnetic tape, an optical / magneto-optical storage medium, or a nonvolatile semiconductor memory may be used. As a program supply method, a computer program that forms the present invention is stored in a server on a computer network, and a connected client computer downloads and programs the computer program.

100 Image processing device 104 Keyboard 105 PD
106 CPU
107 ROM
108 RAM
109 HDD
201 Selection source image display area 202 Selection confirmed image display area 203 Selection button 204 Enlarged display area 205 Next button 206 Back button

Claims (11)

An image processing apparatus including a display unit that processes an image selected from a plurality of images and displays information,
Reduced image display means for displaying on the display means as reduced images obtained by reducing the plurality of images respectively;
An image processing apparatus comprising: an enlarged display unit that sequentially displays, on the display unit, enlarged images obtained by enlarging each of the reduced images selected by a user among the reduced images displayed on the display unit. The reduced image selected by the user is a reduced image selected to perform a predetermined process on the image indicated by the reduced image,
2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising another reduced image display means for displaying the reduced image displayed as an enlarged image on the display means on the display means.   The execution instruction image for executing the predetermined processing according to an instruction of the user is further displayed when the enlarged image is displayed on the display means by the enlarged display means. 2. The image processing apparatus according to 2.   4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the execution instruction image instructs the user to execute the predetermined process, the enlarged display by the enlarged display unit is stopped.   5. The image processing according to claim 1, wherein the enlarged display unit stops the enlarged display when a predetermined time has elapsed since the enlarged display was started. apparatus.   5. The zoom display device according to claim 1, wherein the zoom display unit stops the zoom display when the zoom image is displayed in a predetermined number of times after the zoom display is started. 5. The image processing apparatus described.   When the magnified image is displayed on the display by the magnified display unit, the predetermined process is not executed on the image corresponding to the currently displayed magnified image by the user's instruction. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an execution canceling image to be displayed on the display unit.   When the magnified image is displayed on the display by the magnified display unit, when the image corresponding to the currently displayed magnified image is already an image for executing the predetermined process, The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus clearly indicates to a user that the image is to execute a predetermined process.   When the enlarged image is displayed on the display unit by the enlarged display unit, when the image corresponding to the currently displayed enlarged image is not suitable as an image for executing the predetermined process, The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus clearly indicates to a user that the image is not suitable as an image for executing a predetermined process. A method of controlling an image processing apparatus including a display unit that processes an image selected from a plurality of images and displays information,
A reduced image display step of displaying on the display means as a reduced image obtained by reducing the plurality of images,
An enlarged display step of sequentially displaying on the display means enlarged images obtained by enlarging each of the reduced images selected by the user from among the reduced images displayed on the display means. A program for processing a selected image from a plurality of images and causing a computer to execute a control method of an image processing apparatus including a display unit that displays information,
The control method is:
A reduced image display step of displaying on the display means as a reduced image obtained by reducing the plurality of images,
An enlarged display step of sequentially displaying on the display means an enlarged image obtained by enlarging each of the reduced images selected by the user among the reduced images displayed on the display means.

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