PROGRAM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD

Abstract

To provide a technique which enables a user to more easily recognize information about an image arranged in a page.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus is configured to display, based on a user selecting an image arranged in a page, on a display, a page image indicating a layout of the image in the page. Especially when a selected image is arranged in a page, the information processing apparatus displays a page image indicating a layout of the image in the page.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, an information processing device, and an information processing method for displaying a page image showing an arrangement of images on a page on a display. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been a technology in which a user uses an application to place multiple images on a template for a photo album and create a photo album. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a user can replace images to be placed in an album. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-124776 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As described in Patent Document 1, when a user edits an image to be placed on a page, the user can recognize information about images that have already been placed on the page, allowing the user to properly place the desired image on the desired page.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables a user to more easily recognize information about an image arranged on a page. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In consideration of the above problems, the present invention provides a program that causes a computer to function as an arrangement means for arranging an image on a page, and a display means for displaying, on a display, a page image showing the arrangement of the image on the page by the arrangement means, and the display means displays the page image showing the arrangement of the image on the page based on the fact that an image selected by a user is arranged on the page. The display means displays the page image such that an area of ​​the page image corresponding to the selected image is emphasized more than areas of the page image corresponding to other images arranged on each of the pages. A program characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a user can more easily recognize information about an image arranged on a page. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system configuration. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a list of images available for an album. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a list of images arranged on a page. [Figure 4] 1 is an example of a screen displayed for editing an album. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process of generating page thumbnails. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process for displaying a page corresponding to a page thumbnail. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention.

[0010] In this embodiment, a technique for editing images arranged in an album, such as replacing the images, will be described. At this time, the user can appropriately arrange a desired image on a desired page by recognizing information about the images arranged in the album. Such information includes, for example, the page on which the image selected by the user is arranged and the position on the page on which the image is arranged.

[0011] In this embodiment, when a user selects an image that is already used in an album (already arranged on a page), a list of thumbnails of the pages on which the image is used is displayed. Furthermore, in the thumbnails, the portion on which the image selected by the user is arranged is highlighted. As a result, the user can easily recognize the position on the page on which the image is arranged and the size of the image relative to the entire page or other images. Therefore, the user can easily confirm, for example, whether the same image is used on multiple pages and which pages the multiple pages are. Furthermore, the user can easily confirm in what position and with what size the image is arranged on each page.

[0012] First, the configuration of an information processing device 1004 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The information processing device 1004 used in this embodiment is a device such as a PC or a smartphone, and is capable of creating an album (photo album, photo book) from input image data. The information processing device 1004 can also output the created album as print data to a printer 1005 for printing, or upload the album to an external server 1002. The external server 1002 then causes a printer 1001 to print the uploaded print data.

[0013] The CPU 1011 is a central processing unit, and controls the information processing device 1004 by executing various programs stored in the storage device 1008, ROM 1009, and RAM 1010. The CPU 1011 also executes programs stored in the ROM 1009 and RAM 1010 to realize each function of the information processing device 1004, and also calculates and processes information, and controls each piece of hardware included in the information processing device 1004. The ROM 1009 is a read-only memory. The RAM 1010 is a random access memory, and functions as a work memory for the CPU 1011. If the RAM 1010 is a non-volatile RAM, each program is stored therein.

[0014] A program corresponding to an album creation application (to be described later) and an OS (operating system) are stored in the ROM 1009 or a storage device 1008 (to be described later). The CPU 1011 executes the program of the album creation application on the OS, thereby executing the process shown in FIG. 5 (to be described later).

[0015] The network 1003 is, for example, the Internet, and is connected to the information processing device 1004 and the external server 1002, and is a communication network for transmitting information between the connected devices. The external server 1002 has an input / output interface (not shown) for connecting to the printer 1001, and is connected to the printer 1001. The external server 1002 may be configured as a single server device, or a server system in which multiple server devices work together may operate as the external server 1002.

[0016] The album created by the information processing device 1004 is uploaded to the external server 1002 via the network 1003. The external server causes the printer 1001 to print the uploaded album. The external server is an album order / management server, and performs order management and payment processing. For example, if album creation is a paid service, the external server 1002 receives an order for album creation and performs payment based on customer information (name, address, etc.) and payment information received from the information processing device 1004. The user uploads the album created by the information processing device 1004 to the external server 1002, and the external server 1002 causes the printer 1001 to print the album after the necessary album purchase procedures have been completed. The output printout is then bound and delivered to the user.

[0017] The album data uploaded to the external server 1002 is image data in which images have already been arranged in a template. Alternatively, images to be arranged in the album, templates, and layout information such as the position and size at which the images are arranged in the template (described later with reference to FIG. 3) may be uploaded as the album data. In this case, the external server 1002 arranges the images in the template according to the layout information, and causes the printer 1001 to print the image data in which the images are arranged. Alternatively, the above images, templates, and layout information may be transmitted from the external server 1002 to the printer 1001, and the images may be arranged and printed by the printer 1001.

[0018] The information processing device 1004 also includes a printer 1005, a monitor 1006, an input device 1007, a storage device 1008, and an input / output interface (not shown) for connecting to the network 1003.

[0019] The printer 1005 is a printer for printing print data corresponding to an album created by the information processing device 1004. The user uses the information processing device 1004 to determine images to be arranged in the album, their arrangement positions, arrangement size, and the like, and prints the album in which the images are arranged using the printer 1005 that the user owns. The user may then perform bookbinding by himself to complete the album.

[0020] The monitor 1006 is a display device (display) for displaying various pieces of information created by the information processing device 1004. The input device 1007 is a device for a user to input instructions to the information processing device 1004, such as a keyboard or a pointing device. Note that the monitor 1006 and the input device 1007 may be integrated into a touch panel, in which case the user can give various instructions to the information processing device 1004 by touching the touch panel.

[0021] The storage device 1008 is a storage device such as an HDD or SSD that stores image data, templates, etc. In Fig. 1, the monitor 1006, the input device 1007, and the storage device 1008 are described as being external to the information processing device 1004. However, this is not limiting, and the information processing device 1004 may include some or all of the monitor 1006, the input device 1007, and the storage device 1008 (which may be shared with the RAM of the information processing device 1004) as components.

[0022] As described above, the ROM 1009 or the storage device 1008 stores an album creation application. The CPU 1011 executes the album creation application to create an album in which images are arranged on a template on the monitor 1006. The CPU 1011 also executes the album creation application to upload album data to the external server 1002 and perform order processing.

[0023] When creating an album by executing an album creation application, the CPU 1011 first prompts the user to determine the number of pages of the album to be created. After the number of pages is determined by the user, the CPU 1011 selects images to be used in the album by the album creation application.

[0024] As this image selection, the CPU 1011 prompts the user to select an image to be used in the album, for example, and the image is selected by the user. For example, the CPU 1011 displays a list of multiple images stored in the storage device 1008 on the monitor 1006 using an album creation application or a function of the OS. The user then selects a desired image. Alternatively, the CPU 1011 may execute the album creation application to automatically select an image with good image quality or an image including a specific person designated by the user. Hereinafter, the method of selecting an image by the user as described above will be referred to as manual image selection, and the method of automatically selecting an image by the CPU 1011 will be referred to as automatic image selection.

[0025] When the images are selected as described above, the CPU 1011 uses an album creation application to lay out the images in templates corresponding to each of a plurality of facing pages of the album. Note that a facing page is a layout area that corresponds to two pages, one on the left and one on the right, when the album is opened, and is a layout area in which images presented to the user when the user opens the page are arranged.

[0026] In laying out images, the CPU 1011 may automatically lay out images at positions and sizes predetermined in a template, or may lay out images at positions and sizes according to user instructions. Hereinafter, the former layout method will be referred to as automatic layout, and the latter layout method will be referred to as manual layout. Note that the user may be allowed to select the automatic layout or manual layout as the layout method.

[0027] In the case of automatic layout, multiple images are laid out on multiple double-page spreads of the album. At this time, the order in which the multiple images are laid out can be determined by various methods. For example, if the image file containing the images includes information on the date and time of shooting, the multiple images are sorted according to the date and time of shooting. Then, images with earlier shooting dates and times are laid out in order starting from the first page of the album, thereby realizing a layout according to the date and time of shooting. Alternatively, the images may be sorted according to an order selected by the user. With such automatic layout, the user can create album data in which images are laid out with simple operations.

[0028] When the CPU 1011 performs the automatic layout or manual layout as described above, it displays the layout results on the monitor 1006. This display will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0029] The CPU 1011 also manages a list of images that can be used for creating an album. The list of images that can be used for creating an album includes both images that have been selected by the automatic image selection or manual image selection described above and images that have not been selected.

[0030] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a list of images available in an album. Note that the list shown in Fig. 2 is created by the CPU 1011 before or after automatic image selection or manual image selection is performed and before a screen described later in Fig. 4 is displayed.

[0031] In FIG. 2, "image ID" is an ID for identifying an image that can be used in an album, and "file path" is a file path for accessing an image file that includes an image corresponding to the "image ID". In the example shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that image files with image IDs of "001" to "017" exist as a plurality of images that can be used in an album. In the example shown in FIG. 3, it is assumed that the image files are general images such as photographs taken by the information processing device 1004 or a digital still camera, and that the file format is JPEG. Note that the file path may include a folder that stores the image file. Also, for the sake of explanation, an example in which an image ID is included as the file name of the image file has been described here, but the file name may be any name. When creating the list shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 1011 assigns an image ID to a plurality of image files with any file name.

[0032] Furthermore, the CPU 1011 manages, among images that can be used in an album, images that are used in the album (that is, laid out on pages), the pages on which those images are laid out, and the layout positions and layout sizes of the images.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a list of images arranged on pages in an album. The example shown in FIG. 3 shows an example of an album consisting of 10 pages. In FIG. 3, "page number" indicates the page number of a double-page spread in the album. In other words, a page number of 1 indicates the first page of the album. Note that in this embodiment, a page unit of an album is one double-page spread, but this is not limited thereto, and CPU 1011 may manage the left and right pages of a double-page spread as one page each.

[0034] In Fig. 3, "image ID" is an ID for identifying an image, and is the same as the image ID shown in Fig. 2. That is, among the image IDs included in the list shown in Fig. 2, the image IDs of the images used in the album are included in the list shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, the image IDs are associated with the page numbers, thereby managing which image is placed on which double-page spread.

[0035] In FIG. 3, "x" and "y" indicate the position where each image is placed on the page. Specifically, the top left corner of a double-page spread is defined as the origin position (0,0) of the coordinate system, and "x" and "y" in FIG. 3 indicate the x and y coordinates of the top left point of the image. "Width" and "height" in FIG. 3 indicate the width and height of the image in the above coordinate system. Note that information about images is not limited to that shown in FIG. 3. For example, if an image can be laid out at any angle, the rotation angle of the image is included in the list shown in FIG. 3. Furthermore, images are not limited to rectangles and may be of any shape. For example, the coordinates of the center point when rotating an image are included in the list shown in FIG. 3 as the x and y coordinates of the image.

[0036] When the layout method is the automatic layout described above, the list shown in Fig. 3 is created when the automatic layout is executed. When the layout method is the manual layout, the list shown in Fig. 3 is not created at the start of the layout. Then, when the user lays out any image on any page, the CPU 1011 creates the list shown in Fig. 3.

[0037] In either the automatic layout or manual layout, when the user performs a predetermined edit on the images, the CPU 1011 updates the list shown in Fig. 3 as needed. This predetermined edit includes replacing (changing), adding, or deleting images used in the album, as well as changing the layout position or layout size of the images.

[0038] Next, a screen for editing an album will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a screen displayed for editing an album, and an editing screen 4000 shown in Fig. 4 is displayed on the monitor 1006 (display). When the layout method is automatic layout, the editing screen 4000 shown in Fig. 4 is displayed after the automatic layout described above is executed. On the other hand, when the layout method is manual layout, the editing screen 4000 is displayed after an image is selected. However, in the case of manual layout, although each page can be displayed, no images are laid out in the initial stage.

[0039] Reference numeral 4001 in Fig. 4 denotes an album display section that displays the album being edited. Reference numeral 4002 in Fig. 4 denotes a facing page included in the album being edited, and is displayed in the album display section 4001. Reference numeral 4003 in Fig. 4 denotes the page number of the facing page displayed as the facing page 4002. Note that the editing screen 4000 is displayed so that an image arranged on the facing page 4002 can be edited by a user's operation on the facing page 4002. This editing includes processes such as deleting an image from the facing page 4002, changing it to another image, changing the size or position of the image, and changing the color.

[0040] Reference numerals 4004 and 4005 in Fig. 4 indicate images arranged on the double-spread page 4002. Reference numeral 4006 in Fig. 4 is a forward button for displaying the previous double-spread page as the double-spread page 4002. Reference numeral 4007 in Fig. 4 is a backward button for displaying the next double-spread page as the double-spread page 4002.

[0041] Reference numeral 4008 in Fig. 4 denotes an image list display section that displays a list of images that can be used in editing an album. Images 4009 to 4013 that can be arranged in an album are displayed in the image list display section 4008 in Fig. 4. Images that are stored and managed in the image list of Fig. 2 are displayed in the image list display section 4008 in Fig. 4. In other words, images that are not currently laid out in the album (images with image IDs "015" to "017" in the examples of Figs. 2 and 3) are also included in the image list display section 4008. Reference numeral 4014 in Fig. 4 denotes a scroll bar for scrolling the image list display section.

[0042] Reference numeral 4015 in FIG. 4 denotes a page thumbnail display section in which thumbnail images of facing pages (hereinafter referred to as page images or page thumbnails) are displayed. Through processing described later, the CPU 1011 creates a page thumbnail (page image) for a facing page on which an image (hereinafter referred to as a selected image) selected by the user in the image list display section 4008 is arranged. Then, the CPU 1011 displays the created page thumbnail (page image) in the page thumbnail display section 4015. Reference numerals 4016 and 4017 denote examples of page thumbnails. In the example of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, when the image 4012 corresponding to the image ID "001" is selected by the user, the page number on which the image 4012 is arranged (pages 1 and 5 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) and the page thumbnails 4016 and 4017 are displayed. Furthermore, the CPU 1011 performs emphasis on the portion of the page thumbnail corresponding to the selected image by, for example, superimposing a red frame on the portion. That is, the page thumbnail display area 4015 displays the position, size, and spread of the selected image on which page in the album the selected image is arranged. For example, when multiple images are arranged on a spread page, the selected image among the multiple images is emphasized more than the other images.

[0043] Next, a method of displaying the edit screen 4000 shown in Fig. 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the processing in this embodiment. Note that the processing of the flow chart shown in Fig. 5 is executed when the above-mentioned automatic layout is completed or when manual layout is started.

[0044] In S5000, the CPU 1011 displays the edit screen 4000 shown in Fig. 4 as a print preview screen for the album. However, in the case of manual layout, images have not yet been arranged in S5000.

[0045] After S5000, the user can appropriately edit the images arranged on the double-page spread 4002 (replace images, change the position or size of images) during the execution of the process shown in Fig. 5. The information in the list shown in Fig. 3 is also updated as needed during the execution of the process shown in Fig. 5. Other edits (color conversion, etc.) on the images may also be performed during the execution of the process shown in Fig. 5.

[0046] In S5001, the CPU 1011 determines whether the user has selected an image from the image list display unit 4008. If it is determined in S5001 that an image has been selected, in S5002 the CPU 1011 acquires the image ID of the selected image selected by the user (hereinafter, selected image ID) from the list shown in FIG.

[0047] In S5003, the CPU 1011 determines whether the selected image has already been arranged in the album. Specifically, the CPU 1011 determines whether the image ID acquired in S5002 is included in the list shown in Fig. 3, and if the image ID is included in the list, it is determined that the selected image has already been arranged in the album.

[0048] If it is determined that the selected image has been arranged in the album, CPU 1011 generates a page thumbnail (page image) in S5004. Details of the processing of S5004 will be described later with reference to Fig. 6. In S5005, CPU 1011 displays the page thumbnail generated in S5004 in page thumbnail display portion 4015 of Fig. 4.

[0049] If a page thumbnail is displayed in S5005, or if it is determined No in S5001, or if it is determined No in S5003, the process proceeds to S5006. In S5006, CPU 1011 determines whether a page thumbnail has been selected in page thumbnail display unit 4015. If it is determined that a page thumbnail has been selected, in S5007 CPU 1011 displays the double-page spread corresponding to the selected page thumbnail as double-page spread 4002 on edit screen 4000 in Fig. 4. Details of the process of S5007 will be described later with reference to Fig. 7.

[0050] When the process of S5007 is executed, or when it is determined No in S5006, the process proceeds to S5008. In S5008, the CPU 1011 determines whether to end the display of the editing screen 4000 as a preview display. For example, when the window of the album creation application is closed, it is determined that the display of the editing screen 4000 is to be ended. Alternatively, when a "back button" (not shown) or an "order button" (not shown) included in the editing screen 4000 receives an instruction from the user, it is determined that the display of the editing screen 4000 is to be ended. Note that when the "order button" receives an instruction from the user, the display of the editing screen 4000 switches to a screen for ordering printing of the album.

[0051] If the determination in S5008 is Yes, the CPU 1011 ends the display of the edit screen 4000, and ends the processing shown in Fig. 5. If the determination in S5008 is No, the processing returns to S5001.

[0052] Next, the process in S5004 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the process of generating page thumbnails.

[0053] In S6001, CPU 1011 acquires the page number of the facing page on which the selected image is arranged. Specifically, CPU 1011 acquires the page number associated with the image ID acquired in S5002 of FIG. 5 in the list of FIG. 3. In S6002, CPU 1011 generates a thumbnail of the facing page of the page number acquired in S6001. For example, if an image of the layout result for the facing page of the page number acquired in S6001 already exists in, for example, RAM 1010, CPU 1011 acquires the image in S6002 to generate a thumbnail. On the other hand, if an image of the layout result does not exist, a facing page is created according to the lists shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, and the image of the facing page is reduced to generate a thumbnail. Specifically, the image ID of the image to be laid out on the target page is acquired from the list shown in FIG. 3, and an image file corresponding to the image ID is read from the file path of the list shown in FIG. 2. Then, the position and size of the image in the read image file are specified using the list shown in FIG. 3, and a double-page spread is created.

[0054] Also, if a thumbnail of the target page has already been stored in the RAM 1010, that thumbnail may be read out in S6002. As described above, whether or not a layout result of a two-page spread exists and whether or not a thumbnail exists depends on various conditions. For example, in the case where the layout result and thumbnail are created once in the information processing device 1004 and then cached in the RAM 1010, the cached data is used as described above.

[0055] In S6003, CPU 1011 specifies the arrangement position of the selected image on the facing page. In particular, CPU 1011 specifies the portion (area) on the facing page where the selected image is arranged. Specifically, CPU 1011 refers to the list shown in Fig. 3 and acquires the x coordinate, y coordinate, width (width), and height (height) corresponding to the image ID of the selected image. CPU 1011 specifies the area on the facing page where the selected image is arranged based on this information.

[0056] In S6004, the CPU 1011 performs processing for highlighting an area (portion) of the page thumbnail that corresponds to the selected image. In S6002, the CPU 1011 scales the x coordinate, y coordinate, width, and height acquired in S6003 in accordance with the ratio between the size of the thumbnail generated in S6002 in FIG. 6 and the size of the double-page spread that is the reference in FIG. 3. Through this scaling, the CPU 1011 identifies an area (portion) of the thumbnail generated in S6002 that is smaller than the double-page spread and corresponds to the selected image. The CPU 1011 then highlights the identified area. Various highlighting methods can be used as the highlighting method in S6004. For example, the CPU 1011 draws a red frame over the portion of the thumbnail generated in S6002 that corresponds to the selected image.

[0057] In addition, in the list of Fig. 3, if there are multiple page numbers corresponding to the image ID of the selected image, that is, if the selected image is arranged on multiple spread pages, the process shown in Fig. 6 is executed for each of the multiple spread pages. Therefore, for each of the multiple spread pages on which the selected image is arranged, a thumbnail is generated and the area of ​​the thumbnail corresponding to the selected image is highlighted. Therefore, in S5005, if the selected image is arranged on multiple spread pages, multiple page thumbnails are displayed as shown in Fig. 4.

[0058] 6, if the selected image selected by the user is arranged on one or more facing pages, the one or more facing pages are identified. Then, page thumbnails are generated and the above-mentioned highlighting process is performed for the identified one or more facing pages.

[0059] Next, the details of the process of S5007 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the display process of a page corresponding to a page thumbnail.

[0060] In S7001, CPU 1011 identifies the facing page corresponding to the page thumbnail selected by the user. Note that in S5005 of Fig. 5, CPU 1011 displays the page thumbnail by associating the display position of the page thumbnail with the page number of the facing page corresponding to the page thumbnail. Therefore, when a page thumbnail is determined to be selected in S5006 of Fig. 5, CPU 1011 can identify the page number to which the page thumbnail corresponds in S7001.

[0061] In S7002, CPU 1011 displays the double-page spread corresponding to the page number specified in S7001 as double-page spread 4002 in Fig. 4. For example, if an image of the double-page spread of the page number specified in S7001 already exists in RAM 1010, CPU 1011 displays that image in S7002. On the other hand, if such an image does not exist, CPU 1011 obtains the image ID of the image to be laid out on the target page in S7002 from the list shown in Fig. 3. Then, CPU 1011 reads out the image file corresponding to the image ID from the file path in the list shown in Fig. 2. Then, CPU 1011 specifies the position and size at which the image in the read image file is to be placed from the list shown in Fig. 3, and places the image in the template corresponding to the double-page spread.

[0062] If the page displayed as the facing page 4002 on the edit screen 4000 is different from the page displayed in S7002, the facing page 4002 is changed by the process in S7002.

[0063] As described above, according to the process of this embodiment, when a user selects an image that can be used in an album and the selected image is arranged in the album, thumbnails of the facing pages on which the selected image is arranged are displayed. For example, when the selected image is displayed on multiple facing pages, multiple page thumbnails are displayed. Furthermore, in each page thumbnail, an area (part) corresponding to the selected image is highlighted. Therefore, the user can easily recognize one or multiple facing pages on which the selected image is arranged. Furthermore, the user can easily recognize the area (part) on each facing page on which the selected image is arranged.

[0064] Furthermore, by selecting a page thumbnail, the user can display the facing page corresponding to the page thumbnail as facing page 4002 in FIG. 4 and perform various edits within the facing page. For example, the process in this embodiment can easily perform editing to prevent a specific image from being placed on multiple facing pages. Specifically, the user first selects the specific image as a selected image. Then, when two page thumbnails are displayed, the user selects one of them to display facing page 4002. Then, editing can be performed in the facing page 4002 to replace the selected image with another image.

[0065] In particular, in the above-described embodiment, the page thumbnail as a page image showing a facing page is displayed smaller than the facing page 4002 for editing. Therefore, even when a selected image is used on multiple pages, that is, multiple page images are displayed, they can be displayed in a list. Then, when a page image is selected, the facing page corresponding to that page image is displayed large as the facing page 4002 so that it can be edited. Therefore, the user can easily edit the large facing page.

[0066] In the above embodiment, when a user selects a selected image, only the page thumbnail of the double-page spread on which the selected image is located is displayed in the page thumbnail display area 4015. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Page thumbnails of all pages may be displayed in the page thumbnail display area 4015, and the page thumbnail of the double-page spread on which the selected image is located may be highlighted. In addition, an area of ​​the page thumbnail that corresponds to the selected image may be highlighted.

[0067] 4, when the user selects a selected image in the image list display portion 4008, the selected image is highlighted in the page thumbnail as described above. At this time, the selected image may also be highlighted in the image list display portion 4008, for example by superimposing a red frame on the selected image. When the selected image is included in the facing page 4002, the selected image may also be highlighted in the facing page 4002, for example by superimposing a red frame on the selected image.

[0068] Also, assume that a page thumbnail for a certain selected image is displayed in the page thumbnail display area 4015 and another selected image is selected in the image list display area 4008. In this case, the previously displayed page thumbnail disappears from the page thumbnail display area 4015, and the page thumbnail of the newly selected selected image is displayed in the page thumbnail display area 4015. Alternatively, the page thumbnail of the newly selected selected image may be displayed in the page thumbnail display area 4015 while the previously displayed page thumbnail remains in the page thumbnail display area 4015. In this case, the previously displayed page thumbnail is displayed at a position moved downward in the page thumbnail display area 4015.

[0069] 4 may display various information other than page thumbnails. For example, when the image 4004 or 4005 is selected by the user on the two-page spread 4002, a menu for performing various edits on the selected image (image replacement, color conversion, etc.) may be displayed on the page thumbnail display portion 4015. Also, when the user drags an image from the image list display portion 4008 to the two-page spread 4002, the image is added to the two-page spread 4002. In this case, the above menu for editing the added image may be displayed on the page thumbnail display portion 4015.

[0070] Furthermore, when the user designates a portion of the album display portion 4001 other than the buttons of the facing pages 4002, 4006, and 4007 by clicking the mouse or the like, page thumbnails of all the pages of the album may be displayed in the page thumbnail display portion 4015. In this case, the portion of the selected image is not highlighted as described above, but the facing page corresponding to the page thumbnail selected by the user is displayed.

[0071] The above-mentioned menu and page thumbnails of all pages in page thumbnail display portion 4015 are displayed even during the processing in Fig. 5. For example, assume that the menu and page thumbnails of all pages are displayed while edit screen 4000 shown in Fig. 4 is displayed. In this case, page thumbnails 4016 and 4017 may disappear from page thumbnail display portion 4015, or may remain in page thumbnail display portion 4015.

[0072] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a photo album creation application is given as an example of an application, but the application is not limited to this example. For example, the processing in this embodiment may be realized by any application having a similar image layout function.

[0073] In the above-described embodiment, a PC or a smartphone is assumed as the information processing device. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and other devices such as a mobile phone, a mobile information terminal, a digital still camera, a digital video camera, a mobile music player, a game, a set-top box, and an Internet home appliance may operate as the information processing device.

[0074] Furthermore, as the network configuration for connecting the information processing apparatus of the above-described embodiment to other devices, any other network configuration such as Ethernet, wireless LAN, IEEE1394, Bluetooth, etc. may be adopted.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the thumbnail of a double-page spread is shown as an example of a page image to be partially emphasized, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an image of the same size as a double-page spread or an image of a larger size than a double-page spread may be displayed as a page image instead of the above page thumbnail. In this case, in S6003 of FIG. 6, the acquired x coordinate, y coordinate, width, and height are scaled according to the ratio of the size of the page image to the size of the double-page spread that is the reference in FIG. 3.

[0076] In the above embodiment, an example of superimposing a red frame on the page thumbnail is shown as a method of emphasizing the area of ​​the selected image in the page thumbnail. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any color frame can be used for emphasis. In addition, although an example of adding a frame is shown as a method of emphasis, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, any method of emphasis can be used, such as a method of superimposing a semi-transparent rectangle on the area of ​​the selected image or making the area other than the selected image semi-transparent.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the user selects an image in the image list display area 4008, but this is not limiting, and the user may select an image in the facing page 4002. Then, multiple page thumbnails may be displayed based on this selection.

[0078] The functions of this embodiment can also be realized by the following configuration. That is, the functions can also be achieved by supplying a program code for performing the processing of this embodiment to a system or device, and having the computer (or CPU or MPU) of that system or device execute the program code. In this case, the program code itself read out from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-mentioned embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code also realizes the functions of this embodiment.

[0079] In addition, the program code for realizing the functions of this embodiment may be executed by one computer (CPU, MPU), or may be executed by multiple computers working together. Furthermore, the program code may be executed by a computer, or hardware such as a circuit for realizing the functions of the program code may be provided. Alternatively, part of the program code may be realized by hardware, and the remaining part may be executed by a computer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1009 ROM 1010 RAM 1011 CPU

Claims

1. a placement means for placing an image on a page; a display means for displaying on a display a page image showing the layout of the image on the page by the layout means; The computer functions as The display means displays a page image showing an arrangement of the image on the page based on the image selected by the user being arranged on the page, The display means is a program characterized by displaying the page image so that an area of ​​the page image corresponding to the selected image is emphasized more than areas corresponding to other images placed on each of the pages.

2. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that the display means further displays, based on the user's selection of one of the page images, a page corresponding to the selected page image on the display so that the image to be placed on the page can be edited.

3. 3. The program according to claim 2, wherein the display means displays a page corresponding to a selected page image together with the page image on the display based on the user's selection of the page image.

4. 4. The program according to claim 3, wherein said display means displays said page image on said display in a size smaller than said page.

5. The display means includes: displaying on the display an image that can be arranged on a page by the arrangement means; 5. The program according to claim 1, wherein the page image is displayed based on an image selected by a user from among the images being arranged on a page.

6. The program according to claim 5, characterized in that when a first image is placed on a page by the placement means and a second image is not placed on the page by the placement means, the display means does not display the page image when the second image of the multiple images is selected by a user.

7. 7. The program according to claim 1, wherein the layout means lays out the images on each of a plurality of pages included in the album.

8. 8. The program according to claim 7, wherein said display means displays a plurality of page images each showing a plurality of facing pages included in the album.

9. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, when images are arranged on multiple pages by the arrangement means, the display means identifies one or more pages among the multiple pages on which the selected image is arranged, and displays one or more page images corresponding to the identified one or more pages.

10. a placement means for placing an image on a page; a display means for displaying on a display a page image showing the layout of the image on the page by the layout means; having The display means displays a page image showing an arrangement of the image on the page based on the image selected by the user being arranged on the page, The information processing device is characterized in that the display means displays the page image so that an area of ​​the page image corresponding to the selected image is emphasized more than areas corresponding to other images arranged on each of the pages.

11. an arrangement step of arranging the image on the page; a display step of displaying on a display a page image showing the arrangement of the images on the page by the arrangement step; having In the display step, a page image showing an arrangement of the images on the page is displayed based on the arrangement of the images selected by the user on the page; An information processing method characterized in that, in the display process, the page image is displayed so that an area of ​​the page image corresponding to the selected image is emphasized more than areas corresponding to other images placed on each of the pages.

Images