PROGRAM, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS

Abstract

To set, after a print application program is allowed to share image data by the other application program, the setting size of an image based on the shared image data to an appropriate size.SOLUTION: There is provided a program in which the setting size of a first image displayed in a first application program is controlled to be a first size set in a second application program, and the setting size of an image set to a second image displayed in the first application program is controlled to be a second size set in the second application program.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, an image processing method, and an image processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, a technology has been known in which a page is displayed, an image is displayed on the displayed page, and a print instruction for the page is executed. A print application program that executes a print instruction has, as one of the image acquisition methods, a method of acquiring image data when the program is started in cooperation with another application program that holds the image data. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which image data is shared from a source application program to a destination application program. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2012-212348 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the prior art, no consideration is given to what size a print application program should set the image size based on the shared image data after the print application program has shared image data with another application program.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to set an appropriate size for an image based on shared image data after a print application program shares image data with another application program. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a program according to the present invention is a first application program, a setting step of setting, in the first application program, one of a plurality of settings indicating a size of an image to be displayed in the first application program when the first application program is started by a second application program different from the first application program; Based on a predetermined user operation being performed on a screen provided by the second application program, When the first application program is started by the second application program, a display step of displaying the first image and the second image on one page within a screen provided by the first application program, and an instruction step of selecting a printing device for printing the one page based on a specific user operation on the screen provided by the first application program and instructing the printing device to print the one page, When a first setting among the plurality of settings is set in the setting step and the first application program is started by the second application program, a set size of the first image displayed in the first application program in the display step is controlled to be a first size set in the second application program, and a set size of the second image displayed in the first application program is controlled to be a second size set in the second application program. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, after a print application program receives image data shared by another application program, the print application program can set the size of an image based on the shared image data to an appropriate size. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a host computer as an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a screen configuration of an application having a function for arranging and editing images on a page according to the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display for setting an image slot size according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of an application according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5]FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of an application according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display for setting an image slot size according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of an application according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the solution of the present invention. In the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated explanations are omitted.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) <Device configuration> 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a host computer 100 as an image processing device according to this embodiment. The host computer 100 of this embodiment is an image processing device of any type capable of image processing, and can be realized by devices of various types, such as a personal computer (PC), a server, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal.

[0011] The host computer 100 has hardware such as a CPU 108, a hard disk (HD) 107, a RAM 109, and a ROM 110. These are connected to each other via an internal bus (not shown). The CPU 108 controls the operation of the host computer 100 by reading a program stored in the ROM 110 into the RAM 109 and executing it. The RAM 109 is used as a temporary storage area when the CPU 108 performs various processes. For example, an operating system (OS) 102 and application software 101 described later are stored in the ROM 110 or the hard disk (HD). The host computer 100 is also connected to a printer 105 and a monitor 106, which are external devices, via an external I / F (not shown). The host computer 100, the monitor 106, and the printer 105 may be directly connected by a cable or the like, or may be connected via a wired or wireless LAN or the like.

[0012] The host computer 100 also has, as its software configuration, an application program (hereinafter, application) 101, an OS (operating system) 102, a printer driver 103, and a monitor driver 104. For example, the host computer 100 includes one or more applications 101, such as a word processor, a spreadsheet, an Internet browser, or a combination thereof.

[0013] An application program (hereinafter, application 101a), which is one of the applications 101 and has a function of arranging (laying out) an image on a page and editing it, will be described. Specifically, the application 101a executes a predetermined process and issues various drawing process commands (image drawing commands, text drawing commands, graphics drawing commands, etc.) to generate an image that displays the result of the execution of the process. The drawing process commands issued by the application 101a are input to a monitor driver 104 via the OS 102. If the drawing process commands are related to printing, they are also input to a printer driver 103 via the OS 102. The printer driver 103 is software that processes the input drawing process commands to create print data and causes the printer 105 to print it. The monitor driver 104 is software that processes the input drawing process commands to display an image on a monitor 106.

[0014] The host computer 100 creates output image data using the application 101a, using text data classified as text such as characters, graphics data classified as graphics such as figures, image data classified as photographic images, etc. Then, an image based on the output image data is displayed on the monitor 106. When printing an image based on the output image data, the application 101a requests the OS 102 to print it out. At this time, a group of drawing commands, the text data portion of which is composed of text drawing commands, the graphics data portion of which is composed of graphics drawing commands, and the image data portion of which is composed of image drawing commands, is issued to the OS 102.

[0015] (Screen configuration example) 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an editing screen displayed by the above-mentioned application 101a. The application 101a here is software that creates output image data in which, for example, a plurality of images to be printed are arranged. For example, in this software, the output image data is displayed on the editing screen, and the images to be printed arranged on the output image data can be edited by a user operation. In this example, the editing screen includes a menu operation section 201, a page display area 202, a thumbnail image display area 205, a print setting section 206, a printer's mark setting section 211, and a print button 212.

[0016] The menu operation unit 201 is an area for accepting a user's selection of functions such as terminating the application 101a, specifying the addition of an image on a page, editing, etc. When the user selects a command displayed on the menu operation unit 201, each function is executed by the application 101a. For example, the user can select an image to be displayed on the thumbnail image display area 205 from the file menu of the menu operation unit 201. Then, the user can drag the image displayed on the thumbnail image display area 205 and drop it on the page display area 202 to display the image in the page display area 202. Note that the image selected by the user from the file menu of the menu operation unit 201 may be displayed on the page display area 202 instead of the thumbnail image display area 205. In this case, the following invention may be reflected as one of the methods for displaying an image on the page display area 202 described later.

[0017] The file menu in the menu operation unit 201 includes a menu for displaying the setting screen 300. The setting screen 300 will be described later. In this embodiment, the menu for displaying the setting screen 300 is included in the menu operation unit 201, but it may be displayed in any area of ​​the screen of the application 101a, and the form does not matter.

[0018] The page display area 202 displays pages, images, and image slots created on the page display area 202. That is, the user can place an image to be printed in the page display area 202. The page display area 202 also accepts editing operations of image data placed on the page. These images can be selected, for example, by a pointing device, and settings for the selected image can be performed on the page. For example, settings such as moving and enlarging / reducing the selected image can be performed on the page display area 202. The page display area 202 displays a print area 213 that represents an area on the page that is actually printed, and a non-print area 214 that represents an area on the page that is not actually printed. The print area 213 corresponds to an area on the recording medium where recording (printing) is performed, and the display size of the print area 213 is set based on the size of one sheet of paper set as the paper to be printed. The non-print area 214 corresponds to an area on the recording medium where recording is not performed. It should be noted that, on the editing screen, it is possible to place an image in the non-printing area 214, but even if printing is instructed in that state, printing will not be performed on the area overlapping the non-printing area 214. The non-printing area 214 is a margin area reserved to prevent the inside of the device from becoming dirty when, for example, there is a misalignment between the recording medium and the formed image or when there is a large amount of toner. In the case of this embodiment, the page display area 202 displays a page in a state in which roll paper is set as the printing target. However, it may also display a page in a state in which cut paper including standard paper such as A3 and A4 is set as the printing target. When there are multiple pages, the page display area 202 is also capable of transitioning between pages.

[0019] The thumbnail image display area 205 displays thumbnail images showing images displayed in the page display area 202, and thumbnail images showing candidates for images that can be arranged in the page display area 202. Furthermore, together with the thumbnail images, the thumbnail image display area 205 also displays icons showing how many images corresponding to each thumbnail image are displayed in the page display area 202. Note that the thumbnail image display area 205 may display images stored in the hard disk (HD) 107, or, when a folder is designated by a user operation, thumbnail images of images stored in the folder may be displayed.

[0020] The print setting unit 206 accepts user operations for various settings related to printing, such as the printer, paper type, and paper size. Here, printer settings will be described. For example, printer settings are pull-down. First, the user can register a printer that can be connected to the application 101a by selecting "Add Printer" in the pull-down menu of the printer settings on the application 101a. Specifically, when "Add Printer" is selected, a setting screen for adding a printer is displayed. Then, the displayed setting screen displays printers that are connected to the network to which the host computer 100 is connected and that are compatible with the application 101a. Then, the user can register the displayed printer in the application 101a. Then, the pull-down menu of the printer setting screen displays the names of the registered printers, and the user can select the printer to print the print target. Note that the method of indicating the printers displayed in the pull-down menu is not limited to displaying the names, and other methods may be used. The selected printer is wirelessly connected to the host computer 100, and executes printing when a print button 212, which will be described later, is pressed. The communication method used to connect the devices is, for example, the IEEE802.11 series communication standard (Wi-Fi) or Bluetooth (Bluetooth Classic, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), etc.). The devices may not be connected wirelessly. Specifically, for example, the devices may be connected to an access point such as a wireless LAN router or base station via Wi-Fi or mobile communications (3G, 4G, 5G), and communication between the devices may be performed via Internet communication via the access point. Furthermore, wired connections may also be used.

[0021] When a print setting unit 206 accepts a user operation, a page display area 202 displays the results of changes made based on the accepted settings such as the printer, paper type, and paper size.

[0022] The printer's mark setting unit 211 accepts settings for printer's marks to be set on an image selected on the page display area 202. The printer's mark setting unit 211 may accept settings for not only printer's marks to be set on an image selected on the page display area 202, but also, for example, settings for a plurality of printer's marks to be set on all images displayed on the page display area 202. The additional selection unit 207 accepts an operation from a user to determine whether or not to set a printer's mark on an image selected on the page display area 202. For example, the additional selection unit 207 is a check box. For example, when the check box is turned on, it is determined that a printer's mark is to be set on an image selected on the page display area 202. Then, the type selection unit 208, the center printer's mark selection unit 209, and the offset position setting unit 210 become capable of accepting user operations. The type selection unit 208 accepts a selection of a type of printer's mark to be set on an image selected on the editing screen. The center printer's mark selection unit 209 accepts an operation from a user to determine whether or not to set a center printer's mark on an image selected on the page display area 202. Further, the offset position setting unit 210 accepts the setting of the offset position of the printer's marks to be set on the image selected on the page display area 202. Thus, in response to the additional selection unit 207 accepting an operation for setting printer's marks when any image in the page display area 202 is selected, the page display area 202 displays the printer's marks-included image 203 in which the printer's marks are set on the selected image. Note that the printer's marks are set on the image, but may be set on the image slot. This is because, when the image allocation method described below is allocation method 1, margins (borders) are created between any two sides of the image slot, either the top and bottom two sides or the left and right two sides, and the top and bottom two sides or the left and right two sides of the image. In this case, the printer's marks are set at the intersections of the sides of the image inserted in the image slot, not at the intersections (corners) of the sides of the image slot, but may be set at the intersections of the sides of the image slot. In the case of allocation method 2 or when the aspect ratio of the image and the image slot are the same, the register marks set on the image and the register marks set on the image slot are displayed so as to be set in the same position.

[0023] Here, the image slot is a frame (box) into which an image is inserted. For example, an image displayed on the page display area 202 by a user operation is displayed on the page display area 202 in a state 204a inserted into the image slot. It is also possible to create an image slot 204b in a state in which no image is inserted on the page display area 202. By providing an image slot, when an image displayed on the page display area 202 is to be changed to another image, it is possible to change only the image without changing the size or arrangement to be displayed. When a printout consisting of different images with the same arrangement across multiple pages is to be created, a page in which only the image slot is arranged in advance is duplicated. Then, a different image is inserted for each page into the image slot of each page, so that the user can reduce the work time. Here, as described above, an image is inserted into the image slot and displayed on the page display area 202. That is, the set size of the image displayed on the page display area 202 is set based on the set size of the image slot, and the image is inserted into the image slot and displayed. As a result, the display size of the image is set based on the display size of the image slot. The definitions of the set size and the display size will be described later. Here, it is possible that the aspect ratio (width to height ratio) of the set size of the image slot and the set size of the image to be inserted into the image slot do not match. A method of inserting an image into an image slot that corresponds to this case (hereinafter referred to as an image allocation method) will be described. There are two image allocation methods. The first method is a method in which the set size of the image is enlarged or reduced to match the set size of the image slot so that all four (all) sides of the image fit within the image slot, and then inserted. Specifically, the image is enlarged or reduced until all four sides of the image fit within the image slot, and one of the top and bottom two sides and the left and right two sides of the image contact one of the top and bottom two sides and the left and right two sides of the image slot, respectively, and then the image is placed in the center of the image slot with the enlarged or reduced set size. When an image is inserted and displayed in the image slot by this method, a margin (border) is created between one of the top and bottom two sides and the left and right two sides of the image slot and the top and bottom two sides and the left and right two sides of the image. In other words, the entire image is displayed in the image slot.The second method is to enlarge or reduce the set size of the image to match the set size of the image slot so that either the top and bottom two sides or the left and right two sides of the image fit within the image slot, and then insert the image. Specifically, the image is enlarged or reduced until either the top and bottom two sides or the left and right two sides of the image fit within the image slot, and the two sides of the image that fit are in contact with either the top and bottom two sides or the left and right two sides of the image slot, respectively, and the image is placed in the center of the image slot with the enlarged or reduced set size. When an image is inserted and displayed in the image slot by this method, no margins (borders) are created between either the top and bottom two sides or the left and right two sides of the image slot and either the top and bottom two sides or the left and right two sides of the image, and the image is displayed in the entire image slot. In other words, a part of the image, including the two sides that do not fit within the image slot, does not fit within the image slot. The part that does not fit within the image slot is not displayed in the page display area 202, and is not printed.

[0024] Note that the user can set whether allocation method 1 or allocation method 2 will be applied when an image is inserted into an image slot; this setting will be described later. Note that if the aspect ratio of the set size of the image slot matches that of the set size of the image to be inserted into that image slot, the set size of the image is enlarged or reduced to match the set size of the image slot, and then inserted so that all four sides of the image contact all four sides of the image slot.

[0025] The print button 212 accepts a print execution instruction by a user operation. When the print button 212 is pressed, the application 101a issues various drawing process commands based on the output image data displayed in the page display area 202 and the set paper type and paper size. Then, when the various drawing process commands are input to the printer driver 103 via the OS 102, the printer driver 103 processes the input drawing process commands to create print data. Then, the printer driver 103 transmits the print data to a printer (printer 105 here) selected in the print setting section 206. The printer 105 receives the print data and executes printing based on the received print data. Note that, if the application 101a has a printer driver function, the application 101a issues various drawing process commands, and then processes the various drawing process commands to create print data. Then, the application 101a transmits the print data to the printer (printer 105 here) selected in the print setting section 206. Here, a method of displaying an image on the page display area 202 will be described. In this embodiment, it is assumed that there are two image display methods supported by the application 101a. The first method is an image display method by drag-and-drop operation (hereinafter, referred to as image display method 1). Specifically, image display method 1 is a method in which an image in the thumbnail image display area 205, the desktop of the host computer 100, a folder, or the like is dragged and dropped on the page display area 202, thereby displaying the image in the page display area 202. Note that image display method 1 may also be an image display method by copy-and-paste operation. Specifically, image display method 1 may also be a method in which an image in the thumbnail image display area 205, the desktop of the host computer 100, a folder, or the like is copied and pasted on the page display area 202, thereby displaying the image in the page display area 202.

[0026] The second method is an image display method by cooperative startup (hereinafter referred to as image display method 2). First, cooperative startup will be described. As described above, the application 101 is composed of one or more applications, including the above-mentioned application 101a and an image editing application (hereinafter referred to as application 101b) such as Adobe Photoshop (registered trademark). The application 101a can obtain an image from the application 101b. For example, if a print button is present on the screen displayed by the application 101b and the user presses the print button, the application 101a is started. In this manner, starting the application 101a by a startup method in which the application 101a is started based on an operation on a screen displayed by another application is hereinafter referred to as cooperative startup. In this cooperative startup, the application 101b can start the application 101a while copying image data generated in the application 101b and sharing (passing) it to the application 101a. Here, a method of sharing image data will be described. For example, the application 101b puts image data into a folder that is designated as a plug-in of the application 101a and is accessible to the application 101a and the application 101b. Then, application 101a obtains the image data stored in the specified folder. As a result, the image data is shared from application 101b to application 101a. The location where the image data is stored may not be inside a folder, but may be memory space or other locations. The image itself or large data may be stored in a folder, and data related to the image may be stored in memory space. The location where the image data is stored may be determined depending on the type of application program. The sharing method may be in other forms.

[0027] That is, image display method 2 is a method of displaying an image based on image data shared from application 101b to application 101a at the time of cooperative startup on page display area 202. In this embodiment, cooperative startup is performed in a state where application 101a is terminated. A case will be described where application 101a is not terminated and an operation for cooperative startup is performed in application 101b. In this case, application 101a in a running state is displayed in the foreground, and application 101a may obtain image data from application 101b at this time. Application 101a does not need to include all of these methods for displaying an image on page display area 202, and may display an image by any one of the methods.

[0028] Here, the size related to the image defined in this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, it is assumed that there are a set size, a display size, and a print size as sizes related to an image, an image slot, and a page. The set size is a size set as a value for each image, each image slot, and a page. The set size of a page corresponds to a paper size set as a print target. The display size is a size displayed on the screen by the application 101a. More specifically, it is a size that represents a relative size of the set size managed by the application 101a with respect to the set size of the page displayed in the page display area 202. For example, a case will be described where the paper size of the page displayed in the page display area 202 is 1000 mm x 1000 mm, and the set size of the image managed by the application 101a is 300 mm x 300 mm. In this case, the display size of the certain image is 3 / 10 of the display size of the page. The print size is the size of the certain image on the paper when the certain image is printed, and printing is performed so that the print size of the certain image is the same value as the set value of the set size of the certain image.

[0029] However, in the past, an appropriate size was not set in the application 101a for an image based on image data shared from the application 101b to the application 101a by the cooperative startup. Therefore, the image was not displayed at an appropriate display size. Furthermore, when the image was printed, the print size was not appropriate.

[0030] For example, a user may terminate application 101a with an image slot created on page display area 202, adjust (set) the size of the image to be printed in application 101b, and start application 101a in conjunction with the application 101b. Then, the size of the image slot displayed in conventional application 101a becomes the size of the image slot that was displayed on page display area 202 the previous time application 101a was terminated.

[0031] In other words, the set size of the image slot into which the image displayed on the page display area 202 of the conventional application 101a is inserted does not reflect the set size of the image adjusted in the application 101b. As a result, the set size of the image displayed on the page display area 202 also does not reflect the set size of the image adjusted in the application 101b.

[0032] This is true not only for the set size, but also for the display size and print size. That is, the display size of an image slot into which an image displayed on the page display area 202 of the conventional application 101a is inserted does not reflect the relative size of the set size of the image adjusted by application 101b to the paper size of the page. As a result, the display size of an image inserted to fit into such an image slot also does not reflect the relative size of the set size of the image adjusted by application 101b to the paper size of the page. Therefore, the print size is also not the same value as the set size of the image adjusted by application 101b.

[0033] Therefore, after the collaborative startup, the user must readjust the set size of the image slot for the image displayed on the page display area 202 of the application 101a, which reduces convenience.

[0034] The same applies when image data of a plurality of images is shared from application 101b to application 101a through cooperative startup.

[0035] For example, a user ends application 101a in a state where an image slot has been created on page display area 202, adjusts the set size of multiple images to be printed in application 101b, and starts application 101a in conjunction with the application. Then, the set size of the image slots of the multiple images displayed in application 101a becomes the set size of the image slots displayed on page display area 202 when application 101a was previously terminated. In other words, the set size of each image slot of the multiple images displayed on page display area 202 of conventional application 101a does not reflect the set size of each image adjusted in application 101b. As a result, the set size of the multiple images inserted to fit into each such image slot also does not reflect the set size of each image adjusted in application 101b.

[0036] This applies not only to the set sizes of multiple images, but also to the display sizes and print sizes of multiple images managed by application 101a. Therefore, after starting up the collaboration, the user must readjust the set sizes of the image slots of the multiple images displayed on page display area 202 of application 101a.

[0037] The multiple images are displayed inserted one by one into the image slots displayed one by one on each of the multiple pages in the page display area 202. Therefore, when you want to display image slots for multiple images on one page, you have to move the image slots for the multiple images on one page, which reduces convenience.

[0038] As another example, a case will be described in which application 101a is terminated in a state in which no image slot has been created in page display area 202, and application 101a is linked and launched. In this case, no image is displayed in page display area 202, and application 101a is launched in a state in which an image is displayed in thumbnail image display area 205. Therefore, the user first drags an image displayed in thumbnail image display area 205 and drops it on page display area 202 to display the image in page display area 202. After that, the user must readjust the set size of the image slot for the displayed image, which reduces convenience.

[0039] Also, for example, the user cannot specify the setting size of the image slot for the image displayed on the page display area 202 when the application 101a is started in a linked manner.

[0040] Furthermore, for example, the user was not able to separately specify the setting of the image slot size when an image is displayed by image display method 1 and the setting of the image slot size when an image is displayed by image display method 2, as described above.

[0041] Therefore, in this embodiment, an appropriate setting size is set in application 101a for an image based on image data shared by application 101b to application 101a through cooperative startup, and the image is displayed at an appropriate display size. As a result, when the image is printed, the print size is made appropriate. Specifically, during cooperative startup, application 101a is able to specify a setting size based on image data shared by application 101b for the setting size of the image slot of the image displayed on page display area 202.

[0042] The same is true when image data of multiple images is shared from application 101b to application 101a through coordinated startup. Specifically, it is possible to specify a set size based on the image data shared from application 101b to application 101a for the set size of the image slots for multiple images displayed on one page in page display area 202 through coordinated startup.

[0043] The same is true when application 101a is terminated without an image slot being created on page display area 202. That is, a slot with an appropriate set size is created in application 101a for an image based on image data shared from application 101b by cooperative startup, and the image is inserted into this slot. This executes control so that not only the set size but also the display size and print size are appropriate.

[0044] Furthermore, when the application 101a is started in a linked manner, the setting size of the image slot for the image displayed on the page display area 202 can be specified.

[0045] Furthermore, it is possible to separately specify the setting of the size of the image slot when an image is displayed on the page display area 202 by the image display method 1 and the setting of the size of the image slot when an image is displayed by the image display method 2. By using these, a form for improving the convenience for the user will be described.

[0046] <Processing example> 3 is a screen displayed by application 101a, and is an example of an image slot size setting screen (hereinafter referred to as setting screen 300) that enables setting of the image slot size of an image displayed on page display area 202. This screen is displayed when a predetermined menu is selected in menu operation unit 201. Setting screen 300 has setting sections 301 to 307.

[0047] Setting section 301 accepts an operation from the user for setting a set size of an image slot to be displayed on page display area 202. Setting section 301 includes setting section 302 and setting section 304 described below, either of which is selected by the user as the above operation. Setting section 301 is an area for executing settings related to an image slot into which an image to be displayed on page display area 202 by image display method 1 is inserted. However, as described later, setting section 301 may also be an area for executing settings related to an image slot into which an image to be displayed on page display area 202 by image display method 2 is inserted.

[0048] The setting unit 302 accepts an operation from the user to enable a setting (hereinafter, referred to as a first setting) for displaying the set size of the image slot displayed on the page display area 202 at a size designated by the user. For example, the setting unit 302 is a radio button. For example, when the radio button is turned on, the application 101a determines that the first setting is enabled. Then, the setting unit 303, which is, for example, a pull-down, becomes capable of accepting a user operation. The setting unit 303 accepts a designation of the set size of the image slot displayed on the page display area 202 in the first setting from the user. Specifically, the setting unit 303 has items such as "A4 size", "postcard size", and "set size of the image to be inserted". That is, in the first setting, the image slot is managed by the application 101a as being set to a set size based on the size designated by the setting unit 303. In the first setting, the image slot is displayed on the page display area 202 at a display size based on the size designated by the setting unit 303.

[0049] The setting unit 304 accepts an operation from the user to enable a setting (hereinafter, second setting) for setting the set size of the image slot displayed on the page display area 202 to the same size as the set size of the image slot last adjusted in size on the page display area 202 when the application 101a was previously closed. For example, the setting unit 304 is a radio button. Also, for example, when the radio button is turned on, it is determined that the second setting is enabled.

[0050] Either the first setting or the second setting is enabled in setting unit 301. As a result, the size of an image slot displayed when an image is displayed on page display area 202 by at least image display method 1 is set according to either the first setting or the second setting. As a result, the size of an image inserted to fit into an image slot with such a size is also set according to either the first setting or the second setting.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, not only can an image slot be displayed on page display area 202 together with a newly inserted image, but it is also possible to display the image slot alone on page display area 202 without inserting an image. In this embodiment, even when an image slot is displayed on page display area 202 in this way, the image slot is set to a set size based on the setting in setting section 301 (i.e., either the first setting or the second setting) and is displayed on display area 202.

[0052] The setting unit 305 accepts an operation from the user for setting a set size of an image slot into which an image displayed on the page display area 202 by the image display method 2 is inserted. The setting unit 305 includes setting units 306 and 307 described below, either of which is selected by the user as the above operation. The setting of the setting unit 305 may be made changeable depending on the type of the cooperation source application 101b. For example, the name of the application 101b that can cooperate with the application 101a may be displayed in the setting unit 305, and the setting of the setting unit 305 may be made possible for each type of application 101b. Also, depending on the type of the cooperation source application 101b, the setting of the setting unit 305 may not be reflected.

[0053] Setting unit 306 accepts an operation from the user to enable a setting (hereinafter, a third setting) for following the setting of setting unit 301 with respect to the set size of the image slot displayed on page display area 202 by image display method 2. For example, setting unit 306 is a radio button. Also, for example, when the radio button is turned on, it is determined that the third setting is to be enabled.

[0054] For example, a case will be described where the third setting is set to be valid by setting unit 306 and the first setting is set to be valid by setting unit 302. In this case, it is determined that the set size of the image slot displayed on page display area 202 by image display method 2 is set according to the first setting. That is, the set size of the image slot displayed on page display area 202 by image display method 2 is set based on the size specified by setting unit 303, and the image slot is displayed on page display area 202.

[0055] Further, for example, a case will be described in which the third setting is set to be valid by the setting unit 306 and the second setting is set to be valid by the setting unit 304. In this case, it is determined that the set size of the image slot displayed on the page display area 202 by the image display method 2 is set according to the second setting.

[0056] Setting unit 307 accepts an operation from the user to enable a setting (hereinafter, a fourth setting) for making the set size of the image slot displayed in page display area 202 by image display method 2 the same as the set size of the image slot displayed in page display area 202 when application 101a was previously closed. For example, setting unit 307 is a radio button. Also, for example, when the radio button is turned on, application 101a decides to enable the fourth setting.

[0057] Either the third setting or the fourth setting is enabled in setting unit 305. As a result, the size of an image slot into which an image to be displayed on page display area 202 by image display method 2 is inserted is set according to either the third setting or the fourth setting. In turn, the size of an image to be inserted so as to fit into an image slot with such a size set is also set according to either the third setting or the fourth setting.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the image slot can be displayed not only together with a newly inserted image on the page display area 202, but also by itself on the page display area 202 without inserting an image. Even when the image slot is displayed on the page display area 202 in this way, in this embodiment, the image slot is set to a set size based on the setting of the setting unit 305 (i.e., either the third setting or the fourth setting) and is displayed on the display area 202.

[0059] The setting unit 308 receives an operation from the user to enable the setting of the image allocation method. The setting unit 308 includes a setting unit 309 and a setting unit 310 described below, and one of them is selected by the user as the above operation. The setting unit 309 receives an operation from the user to enable the setting for applying the allocation method 1 when an image is inserted into the image slot. For example, the setting unit 309 is a radio button. For example, when the radio button is turned on, the application 101a determines that the setting for applying the allocation method 1 is enabled. The setting unit 310 receives an operation from the user to enable the setting for applying the allocation method 2 when an image is inserted into the image slot. For example, the setting unit 310 is a radio button. For example, when the radio button is turned on, the application 101a determines that the setting for applying the allocation method 2 is enabled. The setting unit 308 can accept a user operation when the first setting is enabled by the setting unit 302, when the third setting is enabled by the setting unit 306, and when the first setting is enabled by the setting unit 302. Here, the allocation method when the second setting is enabled by the setting unit 304 and when the third setting is enabled by the setting unit 306 and when the second setting is enabled by the setting unit 304 will be described. In this case, an image is inserted into an image slot according to the allocation method set when an image slot whose size was last adjusted in the page display area was created in the page display area when the application 101a was previously terminated. In addition, as for the allocation method when the setting unit 307 enables a fourth setting, an image is inserted into an image slot according to the allocation method set when an image displayed in the page display area was created in the page display area when the application 101a was previously terminated. In any case, a user operation to select an allocation method may be accepted. In addition, even after an image is displayed in the page display area 202, the allocation method may be changeable. For example, a setting screen may be displayed by selecting a displayed image, allowing the allocation method to be changed.

[0060] Here, a use case in which the settings in the setting screen 300 are reflected will be specifically described. For example, a case will be described in which the third setting and the first setting are enabled in the setting screen 300, and the "set size of the image to be inserted" is selected in the setting unit 303. The item "set size of the image to be inserted" is a setting item for setting the set size of the image to be inserted adjusted in the application 101b to the set size of the image slot in the application 101a. For example, the user adjusts the set size of the image to be printed in the application 101b and starts the application 101a in cooperation. Then, when the above settings are made in the setting screen 300, the image slot of the image displayed on the page display area 202 of the application 101a reflects the set size of the image to be printed adjusted in the application 101b. Furthermore, the image slot is displayed at a display size based on the set size of the image to be printed adjusted in the application 101b. Therefore, the user does not need to adjust the set size of the image slot of the image displayed on the page display area 202 of the application 101a again, improving convenience.

[0061] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by application 101a when an image is displayed in page display area 202 by image display method 1. For example, this flowchart is realized by CPU 108 reading application 101a stored in ROM 110 into RAM 109 and executing it. For example, CPU 108 starts this processing based on detection by application 101a that an operation for image display method 1 has been performed on page display area 202 of application 101a. Note that the operation for image display method 1 is an operation of dropping an image from thumbnail image display area 205, the desktop of host computer 100, or the like.

[0062] In S401, the CPU 108 acquires information set in the print setting section 206. The information set in the print setting section 206 is, for example, information on various settings related to printing, such as the printer, paper type, paper size, and paper feed method. Furthermore, information set in the layout mode is acquired. Here, the layout mode is a mode that differs depending on how many images are arranged on one sheet of paper. For example, it is a setting item that can select a standard (one image) mode, an allocation (multiple faces) mode, or an automatic arrangement mode in which images are automatically arranged according to an arrangement provided by the application 101a. The standard mode is a mode in which only one image is arranged on one page on the page display area 202. When multiple images are inserted in the standard (one image) mode, one image is displayed on each of the multiple pages on the page display area 202. The allocation mode is a mode in which multiple images are arranged on one page on the page display area 202. Even in the allocation mode, it is possible to create multiple pages.

[0063] The automatic arrangement mode is a mode in which the application 101a automatically changes and sets the arrangement of images displayed by the application 101a without receiving an operation from the user to specify the destination of the image. When the application 101a is operating in the automatic arrangement mode, when the first image is displayed on the page display area 202, the first image is automatically arranged by the application 101a at the top left of the first page on the page display area 202. Then, when the second image is displayed on the page display area 202, the application 101a automatically arranges the first image to the right with a predetermined interval. This is repeated, and when the image overlaps the non-print area 214, a new line is started, and the application 101a automatically arranges the image to the top left of the area that does not overlap with existing images on the first page. Then, the application 101a automatically repeats the operation of arranging the image to the right with a predetermined interval. The automatic arrangement mode may be a mode in which images are arranged automatically using another algorithm. The layout mode may be another mode, and there may be only the automatic arrangement mode.

[0064] In S402, CPU 108 acquires information set in setting unit 301. The information set in setting unit 301 includes, for example, information on whether or not a radio button in setting unit 302 is on, and information on whether or not a radio button in setting unit 304 is on. Furthermore, when a radio button in setting unit 302 is on, the information set in setting unit 301 includes information on which item was selected in setting unit 303. When a radio button in setting unit 304 is on, the information set in setting unit 301 includes information on the set size of the image slot that was last adjusted in size on page display area 202 when application 101a was previously closed.

[0065] In S403, information on the image to be displayed by image display method 1 is acquired. The acquired information includes information on the number of images dropped onto page display area 202, the set size set for the image dropped onto page display area 202, the aspect ratio of the set size, and the like. The set size for each image may be set by an application other than application 101a, or may be set by each image itself stored on the desktop or in a folder accepting a setting operation.

[0066] In S404, the CPU 108 determines whether or not the operation for image display method 1 detected at the start of this flowchart was an operation of dropping an image into an image slot on the page display area 202. If the determination is YES, the CPU 108 proceeds to S405, and if the determination is NO, the CPU 108 proceeds to S407.

[0067] In S405, the CPU 108 determines whether or not the operation for image display method 1 detected at the start of this flowchart was a drop operation of multiple images. If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to S408, and if the determination is NO, the process proceeds to S406.

[0068] In S406, CPU 108 sets the set size of the image dropped into the image slot on page display area 202 based on the set size of the image slot that was the drop destination of the image. Specifically, based on the information of the set size set for the image operated in image display method 1 obtained in S403, CPU 108 sets the set size of the image to the set size of the image slot that was the drop destination of the image. After that, CPU 108 inserts the image into the image slot. Then, CPU 108 displays the image inserted into the image slot on page display area 202 at a display size that corresponds to the relative relationship of the set size of the image to the set size of the page displayed in page display area 202. After that, this flowchart process ends.

[0069] In S407, which is executed if S404-NO, the CPU 108 determines whether or not the operation for image display method 1 detected at the start of this flowchart was an image drop operation into an area on the page display area 202 but outside the image slot. The page display area 202 includes the print area 213 and the non-print area 214. If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to S408, and if the determination is NO, the process proceeds to S411.

[0070] In S408, the CPU 108 creates an image slot based on the information acquired in S402. First, the CPU 108 checks the state of the radio button in the setting section 301. If the radio button in the setting section 302 is on and the first setting is enabled, an image slot is created with a set size based on the size selected in the setting section 303. If the radio button in the setting section 304 is on and the second setting is enabled, an image slot is created with a set size of the image slot that was last adjusted in size on the page display area 202 when the application 101a was previously terminated. As described above, if there are multiple images to be displayed on the page display area 202 by the operation of the image display method 1, the process proceeds to S408 regardless of whether or not the image is dropped into the image slot. However, it is also possible to insert one image out of the multiple images into the image slot at the drop destination as described in S406, and to regard the remaining images as being dropped into an area on the page display area 202 outside the image slot, and to proceed to S408. Therefore, for a plurality of images that have been dropped onto an area on the page display area 202 but outside the image slots, an image slot is created for each image as described above in the process of S408.

[0071] In S409, CPU 108 sets the set size of the image dropped into the image slot on page display area 202 based on the set size of the image slot created in S408. Specifically, based on the set size information set for the image operated in image display method 1 obtained in S403, the set size of the image is set to the set size of the image slot created in S408. Thereafter, the image is inserted into the image slot. Note that when multiple images are dropped into an area on page display area 202 outside the image slot, the images are inserted into multiple image slots created for each image.

[0072] In S410, the CPU 108 determines the position of the image slot, into which the image was inserted, created in S409, when it is displayed on the page display area 202, based on the print settings and layout mode information set in the application 101a acquired in S401. Furthermore, the CPU 108 displays the image slot on the page display area 202 at a display size corresponding to the relative relationship of the set size of the image slot to the set size of the page displayed in the page display area 202. The CPU 108 may also display the image slot, into which the image was inserted, created in S409, at the position on the page display area 202 where the image was dropped. Note that, when a plurality of images are dropped in an area on the page display area 202 outside the image slot, the display sizes of the plurality of image slots into which the plurality of images are respectively inserted are adjusted as described above and displayed on the page display area 202. Thereafter, the process of this flowchart ends.

[0073] In S411, which is executed if S407-NO, the CPU 108 determines whether or not the operation for image display method 1 detected at the start of this flowchart was an operation of dropping an image onto the thumbnail image display area 203. If the determination is YES, the CPU 108 proceeds to S412, and if the determination is NO, the CPU 108 ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0074] In S412, CPU 108 displays the images that have been operated in image display method 1 in thumbnail image display area 203, not in page display area 202. Then, this flowchart process ends. Note that the images displayed in thumbnail image display area 203 are displayed left-justified in the order in which they were operated in image display method 1, but other formats are also possible.

[0075] By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to set an appropriate set size for the image displayed on the page display area 202 by the image display method 1, and to display the image at an appropriate display size.

[0076] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of application 101a when an image is displayed by operating image display method 2. For example, this flowchart is realized by CPU 108 reading application 101a stored in ROM 110 into RAM 109 and executing it. For example, CPU 108 starts this processing when application 101a is started in cooperation with application 101b.

[0077] Since S501 is the same process as S401, the explanation will be omitted.

[0078] In S502, the CPU 108 acquires information set in the setting unit 305. The information set in the setting unit 305 includes, for example, information on whether or not the radio button in the setting unit 306 is on, and whether or not the radio button in the setting unit 307 is on. Furthermore, when the radio button in the setting unit 306 is on, the information set in the setting unit 305 includes information on whether or not the radio button in the setting unit 302 is on, and whether or not the radio button in the setting unit 304 is on. Then, when the radio button in the setting unit 302 is on, the information set in the setting unit 305 includes information on which item was selected in the setting unit 303. When the radio button in the setting unit 304 is on, the information set in the setting unit 305 includes information on the set size of the image slot that was last adjusted in size on the page display area 202 when the application 101a was previously terminated. Furthermore, when the radio button of the setting section 307 is on, the information set by the setting section 305 includes information on the set size of the image slot that was displayed on the page display area 202 when the application 101a was previously closed.

[0079] In S503, the CPU 108 determines whether or not image data has been shared from the application 101b. If the determination is YES, the CPU 108 proceeds to S504, and if the determination is NO, the CPU 108 ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0080] In S504, the CPU 108 identifies any image data that has not yet been identified in S504, among the image data shared from the application 101b. For example, when multiple pieces of image data are shared, one of the pieces is identified, and when one piece of image data is shared, the image data of that piece is identified.

[0081] In S505, the CPU 108 acquires image information related to the image data specified in S504. The acquired information includes information such as the set size in which the image is set and the aspect ratio of the set size.

[0082] In S506, CPU 108 determines whether or not the radio button of setting unit 306 in setting unit 305 is on. If the radio button of setting unit 306 is on and the third setting is enabled (YES in S506), CPU 108 proceeds to S507, and sets the image slot, the set size of the image, and the display size based on the third setting in the subsequent processing. If the radio button of setting unit 306 is not on and the fourth setting is enabled (NO in S506), CPU 108 proceeds to S513. If S513-NO, CPU 108 sets the image slot, the set size of the image, and the display size based on the fourth setting in the subsequent processing.

[0083] In S507, the CPU 108 determines whether or not an image slot was displayed on the page display area 202 when the application 101a was previously terminated. If the determination is YES, the CPU 108 proceeds to S508, and if the determination is NO, the CPU 108 proceeds to S510.

[0084] In S508, CPU 108 creates an image slot with the same set size and in the same position as the image slot that was displayed on page display area 202 when application 101a was previously terminated. CPU 108 then inserts an image into the created image slot. Note that if there are multiple image slots that were displayed on page display area 202 when application 101a was previously terminated, the image may be inserted into the most recently created image slot among the most recently displayed image slots, or into another image slot.

[0085] In S509, the CPU 108 sets the set size of the image slot into which the image is inserted, created in S508, based on the information (setting of the setting unit 301) acquired in S502. In addition, along with the setting of the set size of the image slot, the set size of the image inserted in the image slot is also set. Then, the image slot into which the image is inserted is displayed on the page display area 202 at a display size corresponding to the relative relationship of the set size of the image slot to the set size of the page displayed in the page display area 202. Specifically, based on the information acquired in S502, the set size of the image slot into which the image is inserted, created in S508, is changed. First, the CPU 108 checks the state of the radio button of the setting unit 301. If the radio button of the setting unit 302 is on and the first setting is enabled, the set size of the image slot into which the image is inserted is set to a set size based on the size selected in the setting unit 303. For example, if the size selected in the setting unit 303 is the "set size of the image to be inserted", the set size of the image slot is created to the set size of the image to be inserted. In other words, when the set size of the image to be printed is adjusted in application 101b and application 101a is started in cooperation, the set size of the image slot into which the image is inserted is created with the set size of the image adjusted in application 101b. Therefore, the image is inserted into the image slot with the set size adjusted in application 101b. This allows an appropriate set size to be set in application 101a for an image based on image data shared from application 101b to application 101a by the cooperation start, and the image can be displayed at an appropriate display size. As a result, when the image is printed, it will be the appropriate print size.

[0086] A case will be described where the radio button of the setting section 304 is on and the second setting is enabled. In this case, the set size of the image slot into which the image is inserted is set to the set size of the image slot whose size was last adjusted on the page display area 202 when the application 101a was previously terminated. The order of the processes of S508 and S509 may be any. That is, the set size of the image slot displayed on the page display area 202 when the application 101a was previously terminated is set based on the information acquired in S502. Then, the set size of the image is set based on the set size of the image slot so that the image is inserted into the image slot. In this way, an image slot into which an image is inserted based on the information acquired in S502 may be created.

[0087] In S510, which is executed if S507-NO, CPU 108 creates an image slot based on the information acquired in S502. First, CPU 108 checks the state of the radio button in setting section 301. If the radio button in setting section 302 is on and the third setting is enabled, an image slot is created with a set size based on the size selected in setting section 303. For example, if the size selected in setting section 303 is "set size of image to be inserted," the set size of the image slot is created with the set size of the image to be inserted. In other words, if the set size of the image to be printed is adjusted in application 101b and application 101a is started in conjunction, the set size of the image slot into which the image is inserted is created with the set size of the image adjusted in application 101b.

[0088] When the radio button in the setting section 304 is on and the third setting is enabled, an image slot is created in the page display area 202 with the setting size of the image slot that was last resized when the application 101a was last closed.

[0089] In S511, CPU 108 sets the set size of the image based on the set size of the image slot created in S510. Specifically, based on the information on the set size set for the image on which the image display method 2 operation was performed, acquired in S505, the set size of the image is set to the set size of the image slot created in S510. After that, the image is made to be inserted into the image slot. For example, if the set size of the created image slot is the "set size of the image to be inserted", the set size of the image is set based on the set size of the image slot, so the set size of the image is set to the "set size of the image to be inserted". In other words, when the set size of the image to be printed is adjusted in application 101b and application 101a is started in cooperation, the set size of the image is set to the set size adjusted in application 101b. Therefore, the image is inserted into the image slot with the set size adjusted in application 101b. As a result, an appropriate set size can be set in application 101a for the image based on the image data shared from application 101b to application 101a by the cooperation start, and the image can be displayed in an appropriate display size. As a result, when the image is printed, it will be printed at an appropriate size.

[0090] In S512, based on the print settings and layout mode information set in application 101a obtained in S501, CPU 108 determines the position of the image slot, into which the image has been inserted and created in S511, when it is displayed in page display area 202. Furthermore, CPU 108 displays the image in page display area 202 at a size relative to the paper size of the page displayed in page display area 202.

[0091] In S513 executed if S506-NO, the CPU 108 judges whether or not an image slot was displayed on the page display area 202 when the application 101a was previously terminated. If the judgment is YES, the CPU 108 proceeds to S514, and if the judgment is NO, the CPU 108 proceeds to S515.

[0092] In S514, CPU 108 creates an image slot with the same set size and in the same position as the image slot displayed on page display area 202 when application 101a was previously terminated. Then, CPU 108 sets the set size of the image to the set size of the created image slot and inserts the image into the image slot. Furthermore, CPU 108 displays the image slot with the image inserted in the page display area 202 at a display size corresponding to the relative relationship of the set size of the image slot to the set size of the page displayed in page display area 202. Note that if there are multiple image slots displayed on page display area 202 when application 101a was previously terminated, the image may be inserted into the last created image slot among the last displayed image slots, or into another image slot.

[0093] In S515, CPU 108 does not display the images that have been operated in image display method 2 in page display area 202, but displays them in thumbnail image display area 203. Note that the images displayed in thumbnail image display area 203 are displayed left-justified in the order in which they were operated in image display method 1, but other formats may also be used.

[0094] In S516, CPU 108 judges whether all image data shared from application 101b have been identified. If the judgment is NO, CPU 108 returns to S504 and identifies image data that has not yet been identified among the multiple image data shared from application 101b. CPU 108 then arranges an image based on that image data on one page at a set size based on the settings on the screen in FIG. 3. This makes it possible to arrange multiple images based on the multiple image data shared from application 101b on one page at a size designated by the user. If the judgment is YES, CPU 108 ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0095] As described above, according to this embodiment, the user can display, in application 101a, an image based on image data shared from application 101b by cooperative startup, in an appropriate size in application 101a. This reduces the occurrence of image slots being displayed in an unintended image slot size in page display area 202, improving user convenience.

[0096] Second embodiment In the first embodiment, a process was described for displaying an image based on image data shared from application 101b to application 101a through coordinated startup in an appropriate size in application 101a. In the second embodiment, a process different from that in the first embodiment will be described for displaying an image based on image data shared from application 101b to application 101a through coordinated startup in an appropriate size in application 101a. Note that an example of a process of application 101a when displaying an image by operating image display method 1 according to the second embodiment is similar to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, so the following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0097] <Processing example> FIG. 6 is an example of an image slot size setting screen (hereinafter, referred to as a setting screen 600) that is a screen displayed by the application 101a and enables the user to set the image slot size of an image displayed on the page display area 202. This screen is displayed by selecting a specific menu in the menu operation unit 201. The setting screen 600 has setting units 301-305, 307 and setting units 601-606. The setting units 301-305, 307 are the same as those in FIG. 3, and therefore will not be described. The setting unit 601 accepts an operation from the user to enable a setting (hereinafter, referred to as a fifth setting) that displays the set size of the image slot displayed on the page display area 202 at a size designated by the user in the operation of the image display method 2. For example, the setting unit 601 is a radio button. For example, when this radio button is turned on, it is determined that the fifth setting is enabled. Then, for example, the setting unit 602, which is a pull-down, becomes capable of accepting a user operation. The setting unit 602 receives a designation of the set size of the image slot from the user in the fifth setting. Specifically, the setting unit 602 has items such as "A4 size," "postcard size," and "set size of image to be inserted." That is, in the fifth setting, the image slot is managed by the application 101a with the set size based on the size designated in the setting unit 602. Also, in the fifth setting, the image slot is displayed on the page display area 202 with the display size based on the size designated in the setting unit 602.

[0098] The setting unit 603 accepts an operation from the user for enabling a setting (hereinafter, sixth setting) for displaying the image slot in the page display area 202 in the same size as the image slot whose size was last adjusted in the page display area 202 when the application 101a was previously closed, in the image display method 2. For example, the setting unit 603 is a radio button. Also, for example, when the radio button is turned on, it is determined that the sixth setting is enabled.

[0099] In the setting unit 305, an image is displayed on the application 101a based on the fifth setting, the sixth setting, or the fourth setting. In the setting unit 305, one of the fifth setting, the sixth setting, or the fourth setting is enabled. As a result, the set size of an image slot into which an image is inserted, which is displayed on the page display area 202 by at least image display method 2, is set according to one of the fifth setting, the sixth setting, or the fourth setting. In turn, the set size of an image to be inserted so as to fit into an image slot whose size has been set in this way is also set according to one of the fifth setting, the sixth setting, or the fourth setting.

[0100] A setting section 604 receives an operation from the user for enabling the setting of the allocation method for images to be inserted into image slots displayed on the page display area 202 in the operation of image display method 2. The setting section 604 includes setting sections 605 and 606 shown below, either of which is selected by the user as the above operation. Setting sections 605 and 606 are set in the same manner as setting sections 309 and 310, respectively, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0101] 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of application 101a when an image is displayed by operating image display method 2. For example, this flowchart is realized by CPU 108 reading application 101a stored in ROM 110 into RAM 109 and executing it. For example, CPU 108 starts this processing when application 101a is started in cooperation with application 101b.

[0102] Since S701 is the same process as S501, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0103] In S702, the CPU 108 acquires information set by the setting unit 305. The information set by the setting unit 305 includes, for example, information on whether the radio button of the setting unit 601 is on or not, whether the radio button of the setting unit 603 is on or not, and whether the radio button of the setting unit 307 is on or not. Furthermore, when the radio button of the setting unit 601 is on, the information set by the setting unit 305 includes information on which item was selected in the setting unit 602. Furthermore, when the radio button of the setting unit 603 is on, the information set by the setting unit 305 includes information on the setting size of the image slot that was last adjusted in size on the page display area 202 when the application 101a was last terminated. Furthermore, when the radio button of the setting unit 307 is on, the information set by the setting unit 305 includes information on the setting size of the image slot that was last adjusted in size on the page display area 202 when the application 101a was last terminated.

[0104] Since steps S703 to S705 are similar to steps S503 to S505, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0105] In S706, CPU 108 determines whether or not any of the radio buttons in setting section 601 and setting section 603 in setting section 305 is on. If any of the radio buttons in setting section 601 and setting section 603 is on and either the fifth setting or the sixth setting is enabled (YES in S706), CPU 108 proceeds to S707. If any of the radio buttons in setting section 601 and setting section 603 is not on and either the fourth setting is enabled (NO in S706), CPU 108 proceeds to S713.

[0106] Since steps S707 and S708 are similar to steps S507 and S508, respectively, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0107] In S709, CPU 108 sets the set size of the image slot into which the image was inserted, created in S708, based on the information acquired in S702. In addition, along with setting the set size of the image slot, the set size of the image inserted in the image slot is also set. Then, the image slot into which the image was inserted is displayed on page display area 202 at a display size corresponding to the relative relationship of the set size of the image slot to the set size of the page displayed in page display area 202.

[0108] Specifically, the setting size of the image slot into which the image is inserted, created in S708, is changed based on the information acquired in S702. First, the CPU 108 checks the state of the radio button in the setting unit 305. When the radio button in the setting unit 601 is on and the fifth setting is enabled, the setting size of the image slot into which the image is inserted is set based on the size selected in the setting unit 602. For example, when the size selected in the setting unit 602 is the "setting size of the image to be inserted," the setting size of the image slot is created based on the setting size of the image to be inserted. In other words, when the setting size of the image to be printed is adjusted in the application 101b and the application 101a is started in cooperation, the setting size of the image slot into which the image is inserted becomes the setting size of the image adjusted in the application 101b. Therefore, the image is inserted into the image slot with the setting size adjusted in the application 101b. As a result, an appropriate setting size can be set in the application 101a for the image based on the image data shared from the application 101b to the application 101a by the cooperation start, and the image can be displayed in an appropriate display size. As a result, when the image is printed, it will be printed at an appropriate size.

[0109] A case will be described where the radio button of the setting section 603 is on and the sixth setting is enabled. In this case, the set size of the image slot into which the image is inserted is set to the set size of the image slot whose size was last adjusted on the page display area 202 when the application 101a was previously terminated. The order of the processes of S708 and S709 may be any. That is, the set size of the image slot displayed on the page display area 202 when the application 101a was previously terminated is set based on the information acquired in S702. After that, the set size of the image is set based on the set size of the image slot, and the image is inserted into the image slot. In this way, an image slot into which an image is inserted based on the information acquired in S702 may be created.

[0110] In S710, which is executed if S707-NO, the CPU 108 creates an image slot based on the information acquired in S702. First, the CPU 108 checks the state of the radio button in the setting section 305. If the radio button in the setting section 601 is on and the fifth setting is enabled, the image slot is created with a set size based on the size selected in the setting section 602. For example, if the size selected in the setting section 602 is "set size of image to be inserted," the set size of the image slot is created with the set size of the image to be inserted. In other words, if the set size of the image to be printed is adjusted in the application 101b and application 101a is started in conjunction, the set size of the image slot into which the image is inserted becomes the set size of the image adjusted in the application 101b.

[0111] When the radio button in the setting section 603 is on and the sixth setting is enabled, an image slot is created with the set size of the image slot that was last resized on the page display area 202 when the application 101a was last closed.

[0112] Since steps S711 to S716 are similar to steps S511 to S516, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0113] As described above, according to this embodiment, the user can display, in application 101a, an image based on image data shared from application 101b by cooperative startup, in an appropriate size in application 101a. This reduces the possibility of an image slot being displayed in an unintended image slot size in page display area 202, improving user convenience. Furthermore, it is possible to enable the second setting for the set size of the image slot displayed by image display method 1, and enable both the third setting and the first setting for the set size of the image slot displayed by image display method 2.

[0114] This reduces the operational burden on the user and improves user convenience.

[0115] (Other embodiments) In the above, a configuration has been described in which the set size and display size of an image slot are determined based on the settings on the setting screens of Figures 3 and 6, and the set size and display size of an image to be inserted into the image slot are also determined. However, this is not limiting. An image slot may not be used, and an image may simply be placed on the page display area 202. In this case, the set size and display size of the image are determined based on the settings on the setting screens of Figures 3 and 6 in the same manner as the set size and display size of the image slot are determined above.

[0116] The above-mentioned embodiment can also be realized by executing the following process. That is, software (programs) that realize the functions of the above-mentioned embodiment are supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and a computer (CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads and executes the program. The program may be executed by one computer, or may be executed by multiple computers in cooperation with each other. It is not necessary to realize all of the above-mentioned processes by software, and some or all of the processes may be realized by hardware such as ASIC. The CPU is also not limited to one that performs all processes by one CPU, and multiple CPUs may perform processes in cooperation with each other as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 100 host computer 101 Application Program

Claims

1. A first application program, On the computer, a setting step of setting, in the first application program, any one of a plurality of settings indicating a size of an image to be displayed in the first application program when the first application program is started by a second application program different from the first application program; a display step of displaying the first image and the second image on one page within a screen provided by the first application program when the first application program is started by the second application program based on a predetermined user operation performed on a screen provided by the second application program; an instruction step of selecting a printing device for printing the one page and instructing the printing device to print the one page based on a specific user operation on a screen provided by the first application program; Run the command, when a first setting of the plurality of settings is set in the setting step and the first application program is started by the second application program, a set size of the first image displayed in the first application program in the display step is controlled to be a first size set in the second application program, and a set size of the image set for the second image displayed in the first application program is controlled to be a second size set in the second application program. Features programs.

2. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the set size is a size at which the image is printed on a recording medium.

3. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined user operation is to select the first application program on a screen provided by the second application program.

4. A program as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that when a first arrangement mode is set, the first image controlled to have the first size and the second image controlled to have the second size are displayed on one page in a screen provided by the first application program, and when a second arrangement mode having an arrangement method different from that of the first arrangement mode is set, the first image controlled to have the first size is displayed on a first page in the screen provided by the first application program, and the second image controlled to have the second size is displayed on a second page in the screen provided by the first application program.

5. The program described in claim 4, characterized in that the first arrangement mode is a mode in which multiple images are arranged on a single page of a screen provided by the first application program, in a predetermined direction from a starting position, with a predetermined interval between them, and if the images overlap a non-printing area corresponding to an area on a recording medium where printing is not performed, the images are automatically arranged by starting a new line.

6. When a second setting different from the first setting is set among the plurality of settings in the setting step, the first image and the second image are displayed on a screen provided by the first application program based on a size of an image slot that was displayed the previous time the first application program was terminated, A program as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that if a third setting different from both the first setting and the second setting is set among the multiple settings in the setting step, the first image and the second image are displayed on a screen provided by the first application program based on the size of the image slot that was last resized on the first application program.

7. 7. The program according to claim 6, wherein the image slot is a frame into which the image is inserted when the image is displayed on a screen provided by the first application program.

8. The display step displays an image size setting screen, and the image size setting screen includes: a first image size setting area for receiving a size setting to be applied to an image displayed on a screen provided by the first application program by a drag-and-drop operation; The program according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it further comprises a second image size setting area that accepts size settings to be applied to an image displayed on a screen provided by the first application program when the first application program is launched by the second application program rather than by the drag-and-drop operation.

9. 9. The program according to claim 8, wherein the image size setting screen is a screen for setting a size of an image slot.

10. 10. The program according to claim 1, wherein the printing device that prints the one page is a large format printing device.

11. An image processing device, a setting means for setting, in the first application program, one of a plurality of settings indicating a size of an image to be displayed in the first application program when the first application program is started by a second application program different from the first application program; a display means for displaying a first image and a second image on one page within a screen provided by the first application program when the first application program is started by the second application program based on a predetermined user operation performed on a screen provided by the second application program; an instruction means for selecting a printing device for printing the one page and issuing an instruction to print the one page based on a specific user operation on a screen provided by the first application program; Equipped with when a first setting of the plurality of settings is set in the setting means and the first application program is started by the second application program, a set size of the image set for the first image displayed in the first application program in the display means is controlled to be the first size set in the second application program, and a set size of the image set for the second image displayed in the first application program is controlled to be the second size set in the second application program.

1. An image processing device comprising:

12. A control method for an image processing device, comprising: a setting step of setting, in the first application program, any one of a plurality of settings indicating a size of an image to be displayed in the first application program when the first application program is started by a second application program different from the first application program; a display step of displaying the first image and the second image on one page within a screen provided by the first application program when the first application program is started by the second application program based on a predetermined user operation performed on a screen provided by the second application program; an instruction step of selecting a printing device for printing the one page and instructing the printing device to print the one page based on a specific user operation on a screen provided by the first application program; Equipped with when a first setting of the plurality of settings is set in the setting step and the first application program is started by the second application program, a set size of the image set for the first image displayed in the first application program in the display step is controlled to be a first size set in the second application program, and a set size of the image set for the second image displayed in the first application program is controlled to be a second size set in the second application program. The method of the present invention.

Images