Program, image processing method, and image processing device

Abstract

To appropriately arrange an image to which register marks are set when the arrangement of an image displayed by an application program is automatically set by the application program.SOLUTION: There is provided a program having a changing step of, when automatically arranging an image at a predetermined position in a screen provided by an application program, automatically changing the arrangement of the image so that the image and register marks set to the image fall within a print area corresponding to an area where printing is performed on a recording medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

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, application programs that display pages and images and allow users to change the layout of images displayed on the page have become known. Furthermore, with the advent of large printers that use roll paper, there are more opportunities to create artwork by printing images on large sheets of paper and then cutting them. For this reason, printer's marks are sometimes set on images displayed by the application programs to serve as a guide for cutting positions. Patent Document 1 discloses a method for enlarging the print area so that printer's marks can be printed when they overlap the erase area at the edge of the paper and cannot be printed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-58303 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, there is a technology in which an application program automatically sets the layout of images to be displayed by the application program. However, Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration how to arrange images with printer's marks set when the layout of images to be displayed by the application program is automatically set by the application program.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to appropriately arrange an image to which register marks are set when the arrangement of an image displayed by an application program is automatically set by the application program. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An application program On the computer, a display step of displaying on a screen, on a page, a plurality of images to be printed and a printer's mark set for at least one image of the plurality of images or an image slot of the image; When an operation for automatically changing the layout of the plurality of images on the screen is accepted, the layout is changed so that a first image of the plurality of images that is arranged at the top left of the page and a printer's mark set on the top left side of the first image or the image slot of the first image are at least within a print area corresponding to an area where printing is performed on a recording medium. to a changing step of automatically changing the layout of the plurality of images; Run 、 The changing step automatically changes the arrangement of the plurality of images when the first image arranged at the top left of the page or at least one of the printer's marks set other than the top left side of the image slot of the first image does not fit within the print area, and when the second image different from the first image or at least one of the printer's marks set other than the top left side of the image slot of the second image does not fit within the print area, so that at least a part of the first image arranged at the top left of the page and the first image or the printer's marks set on the top left side of the image slot of the first image are fitted within the print area, and the second image and the printer's marks set in the image slot of the second image are arranged outside the print area. It is characterized by the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, when the layout of an image displayed by an application program is automatically set by the application program, the image on which the printer's marks are set can be appropriately laid out. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a host computer as an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 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. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of application processing according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of application processing according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the 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. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be 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 includes hardware such as a CPU 108, a hard disk (HD) 107, a RAM 109, and a ROM 110. These components are interconnected via an internal bus (not shown). The CPU 108 controls the operation of the host computer 100 by loading 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. The ROM 110 or the hard disk (HD) stores, for example, an operating system (OS) 102 and application software 101 (described below). The host computer 100 is also connected to external devices such as a printer 105 and a monitor 106 via an external I / F (not shown). The host computer 100, the monitor 106, and the printer 105 may be connected directly via 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 referred to as 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 referred to as application 101a), which is one of the applications 101 and has the function of arranging (laying out) and editing images on a page, will be described. Specifically, 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 results of the process. The drawing process commands issued by application 101a are input to monitor driver 104 via OS 102. If the drawing process commands are related to printing, they are also input to printer driver 103 via OS 102. Printer driver 103 is software that processes the input drawing process commands to create print data and causes printer 105 to print the data. Monitor driver 104 is software that processes the input drawing process commands to display an image on monitor 106.

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

[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, for example, software that creates output image data in which multiple images to be printed are arranged. For example, this software displays output image data on an editing screen, and the images to be printed arranged on the output image data can be edited by user operations. 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 crop mark setting section 211, and a print button 212.

[0016] The menu operation unit 201 is an area for accepting user selections regarding functions such as closing the application 101a, specifying the addition of an image to a page, and editing. When the user selects a command displayed on the menu operation unit 201, the application 101a executes each function. For example, the user can select an image to be displayed in the thumbnail image display area 205 from the file menu of the menu operation unit 201. The user can then drag the image displayed in 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 an image selected by the user from the file menu of the menu operation unit 201 may be displayed in the page display area 202 instead of in the thumbnail image display area 205. In this case, the following invention may be implemented as one method for displaying an image in the page display area 202, as described below.

[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 the menu 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 in the page display area 202. That is, the user can arrange images to be printed in the page display area 202. The page display area 202 also accepts editing operations for image data arranged on the page. These images can be selected, for example, with a pointing device, and settings for the selected image can be made on the page. For example, settings such as moving and scaling the selected image can be performed in the page display area 202. The page display area 202 displays a print area 213, which represents the area on the page that will actually be printed, and a non-print area 214, which represents the area on the page that will not actually be printed. The print area 213 corresponds to the area on the recording medium where recording (printing) will occur, 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 on. The non-print area 214 corresponds to the area on the recording medium where recording will not occur. It is possible to place an image in the non-printing area 214 on the editing screen, 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, for example, when there is misalignment between the recording medium and the formed image or when there is a large amount of toner. In this embodiment, the page display area 202 displays a page when roll paper is set as the printing target. However, it may also display a page when cut paper, including standard paper sizes such as A3 and A4, is set as the printing target. If there are multiple pages, the page display area 202 also allows you to move between pages.

[0019] The thumbnail image display area 205 displays thumbnail images that indicate images that are displayed in the page display area 202, and thumbnail images that indicate candidate 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 that indicate 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, may display thumbnail images of images stored in that folder.

[0020] The print setting unit 206 accepts user operations for various printing-related settings, such as the printer, paper type, and paper size. Here, printer settings will be described. For example, printer settings are displayed using a pull-down menu. First, the user can register a printer connectable to the application 101a by selecting "Add Printer" from the printer settings pull-down menu on the application 101a. Specifically, when "Add Printer" is selected, a setting screen for adding a printer is displayed. The displayed setting screen displays printers compatible with the application 101a from among those connected to the network to which the host computer 100 is connected. The user can then register the displayed printer in the application 101a. The pull-down menu on the printer setting screen then displays the names of the registered printers, allowing the user to select the printer to use for printing the target document. Note that the printers displayed in the pull-down menu may not be displayed by name, but may be displayed in other ways. The selected printer is wirelessly connected to the host computer 100, and printing is performed when a print button 212 (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 communication (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 the print setting unit 206 accepts a user operation, the 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 register mark setting unit 211 accepts settings for register marks to be set on an image selected on the page display area 202. The register mark setting unit 211 may accept settings for not only register marks to be set on an image selected on the page display area 202, but also, for example, multiple register marks to be set on all images displayed on the page display area 202. The additional selection unit 207 accepts an operation from the user to determine whether or not to set register marks on an image selected on the page display area 202. For example, the additional selection unit 207 is a checkbox. For example, when the checkbox is checked, it is determined that register marks will be set on the image selected on the page display area 202. Then, the type selection unit 208, the center register 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 the type of register mark to be set on an image selected on the editing screen. Furthermore, the center register mark selection unit 209 accepts an operation from the user to determine whether or not to set a center register mark on an image selected on the page display area 202. The offset position setting unit 210 also accepts settings for the offset position of the printer's marks to be set on the image selected in the page display area 202. Therefore, when the additional selection unit 207 accepts an operation to set printer's marks while one of the images in the page display area 202 is selected, the page display area 202 displays an image with printer's marks 203 in which the selected image has been set. While printer's marks are set on the image, they may also 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 of the top and bottom sides or left and right sides of the image slot and any two of the top and bottom sides or left and right sides of the image. In this case, printer's marks are set at the intersections of the sides of the image inserted in the image slot, rather than at the corners of the sides of the image slot. However, printer's marks may also 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, an image slot refers to a frame (box) into which an image is inserted. For example, an image displayed in the page display area 202 by a user operation is displayed in 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 the page display area 202 without an image inserted. The existence of an image slot makes it possible to change the image displayed in the page display area 202 without changing the desired size or layout. To create a printed material with different images in the same layout across multiple pages, a user can duplicate a page in which only the image slot is already placed. Then, by inserting different images into the image slots for each page, the user can reduce work time. As described above, an image is inserted into an image slot and displayed in the page display area 202. That is, the set size of the image displayed in 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 set size and display size will be described later. Here, it is possible that the aspect ratio (width to height ratio) of the image slot's preset size and the image to be inserted into that image slot do not match. This section explains how to insert an image into an image slot in this case (hereinafter referred to as the image allocation method). There are two image allocation methods. The first method involves scaling the image's preset size to fit the image slot's preset size so that all four sides of the image fit within the image slot, and then inserting the image. Specifically, the image is scaled until all four sides fit within the image slot and one of the top and bottom edges or two left and right edges of the image touches one of the top and bottom edges or two left and right edges of the image slot, respectively, and then the image is centered in the image slot at the scaled preset size. When an image is inserted and displayed in the image slot using this method, margins (borders) are created between either the top and bottom edges or two left and right edges of the image and either the top and bottom edges or two left and right edges of the image. In other words, the entire image is displayed within the image slot.The second method is to scale the image's set size to match the set size of the image slot so that either the top or bottom two sides or the left or right two sides of the image fit within the image slot, and then insert the image. Specifically, the image is scaled until either the top or bottom two sides or the left or right two sides fit within the image slot, and the two sides of the image that fit are respectively touching either the top or bottom two sides or the left or right two sides of the image slot, and then the image is placed in the center of the image slot at the scaled set size. When an image is inserted and displayed in the image slot using this method, no margins (borders) are created between either the top or bottom two sides or the left or right two sides of the image slot and either the top or bottom two sides or the left or right two sides of the image, and the image is displayed entirely within the image slot. In other words, part of the image, including the two sides that do not fit within the image slot, does not fit within the image slot. The portion that does not fit within the image slot is not displayed in the page display area 202 or printed.

[0024] When an image is inserted into an image slot, the user can set which allocation method will be applied, Allocation Method 1 or Allocation Method 2; this setting will be explained later. 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 touch all four sides of the image slot.

[0025] The print button 212 accepts a print instruction issued by a user. 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. The various drawing process commands are input to the printer driver 103 via the OS 102, and the printer driver 103 processes the input drawing process commands to create print data. The printer driver 103 then transmits the print data to the printer (printer 105 in this example) selected in the print setting unit 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, then processes the various drawing process commands to create print data. The application 101a then transmits the print data to the printer (printer 105 in this example) selected in the print setting unit 206. Here, a method for displaying an image in the page display area 202 will be described. In this embodiment, the application 101a supports two image display methods. The first method is an image display method using a drag-and-drop operation (hereinafter referred to as image display method 1). Specifically, image display method 1 is a method in which an image is displayed in the page display area 202 by dragging an image from the thumbnail image display area 205, the desktop of the host computer 100, a folder, or the like, and dropping the image onto the page display area 202. Note that image display method 1 may also be an image display method using a copy-and-paste operation. Specifically, image display method 1 may be a method in which an image is copied from the thumbnail image display area 205, the desktop of the host computer 100, a folder, or the like, and pasted onto the page display area 202 to display the image onto the page display area 202.

[0026] The second method is an image display method using coordinated launch (hereinafter referred to as image display method 2). Coordinated launch will be explained first. As described above, application 101 consists of one or more applications, including application 101a and an image editing application (hereinafter referred to as application 101b) such as Adobe Photoshop (registered trademark). Application 101a can acquire images from application 101b. For example, if a print button is present on a screen displayed by application 101b and the user presses the print button, application 101a is launched. This launch of application 101a based on an operation on a screen displayed by another application is hereinafter referred to as coordinated launch. In this coordinated launch, application 101b can launch application 101a while copying image data generated in application 101b and sharing (passing) it to application 101a. Hereinafter, a method for sharing image data will be explained. For example, application 101b stores image data in a folder accessible by applications 101a and 101b, which is specified in a plug-in for application 101a. 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 in a folder, but may be in memory space or some other location. 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 also be determined depending on the type of application program. The sharing method may also 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 in page display area 202 during cooperative startup. In this embodiment, cooperative startup is performed when application 101a is closed. A case will be described in which an operation for cooperative startup is performed in application 101b while application 101a is not closed. In this case, application 101a in the 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 images in page display area 202, and may instead display images using any one of these methods.

[0028] Here, the image-related sizes defined in this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the sizes related to images, image slots, and pages include a set size, a display size, and a print size. The set size is the size set as a value for each image, image slot, and page. The set size of a page corresponds to the paper size set for printing. The display size is the size displayed on the screen by the application 101a. More specifically, it is a size that represents the 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, assume that 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 image is 3 / 10 of the display size of the page. The print size is the size of the image on paper when the image is printed, and printing is performed so that the print size of the image is the same as the set value of the set size of the image.

[0029] The application 101a can operate in automatic arrangement mode. 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 a user operation specifying the destination of the image. When the application 101a is operating in automatic arrangement mode, when the first image is displayed in the page display area 202, the first image is automatically arranged by the application 101a in the upper left corner of the first page in the page display area 202. When the second image is displayed in the page display area 202, the application 101a automatically arranges the first image to the right, leaving a predetermined distance between them. This process is repeated until the image overlaps the non-print area 214, at which point a new line is started and the application 101a automatically arranges the image in the upper left corner of the area of ​​the page that does not overlap with any existing images. The application 101a then automatically arranges the image to the right, leaving a predetermined distance between them. This operation is then automatically repeated by the application 101a. Note that the automatic arrangement mode may be a mode in which images are automatically arranged using another algorithm.

[0030] As described above, the page display area 202 includes a print area 213 and a non-print area 214. If a print command is issued when the printer's marks set for an image or image slot overlap the non-print area 214, the printer's marks that overlap the non-print area 214 will not be printed. In this case, if the printer's marks set for the image or image slot are not positioned so that they fit within the print area 213 in the automatic layout mode, and are positioned so that they extend beyond the non-print area 214, the printer's marks will not be printed. This results in reduced convenience for users who want to use printer's marks on printed materials. Furthermore, for example, if the user manually adjusts the printer's marks so that they do not overlap the non-print area 214 in order to print them, this requires a lot of effort on the part of the user. Therefore, the following describes an embodiment that improves user convenience by controlling the positioning of both the image and the printer's marks set for the image slot so that they fit within the print area 213 when the automatic layout mode is set.

[0031] (Processing example) Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the application 101 when setting printer's marks on an image or image slot arranged on the page display area 202 in Fig. 2. For example, this flowchart is realized by the CPU 108 reading the application 101 stored in the ROM 110 into the RAM 109 and executing it. For example, the CPU 108 starts this processing when the automatic arrangement mode set in the print setting section 206 is selected by the user (when the user performs an operation to instruct automatic arrangement in the automatic arrangement mode).

[0032] In S301, the CPU 108 acquires image slot information on the page display area 202. The information acquired here is information as to whether or not an image slot exists on the page display area. If an image slot exists, the information also includes information as to whether or not a printer's mark is set on the image. Note that an image may or may not be inserted in the image slot. If an image is inserted in the image slot but no printer's mark is set on the image, the information also includes information as to whether or not a printer's mark is set on the image slot.

[0033] In S302, the CPU 108 determines whether or not an image slot exists on the page display area 202. If the determination is YES, the CPU 108 proceeds to S303, and if the determination is NO, the CPU 108 proceeds to S311.

[0034] In S303, the CPU 108 identifies one image slot that is located at the top left of the page display area 202 among the image slots that were determined to exist in the page display area 202 in S302 and that have not yet been identified in S303. The top left image slot in the page display area 202 specifically refers to the image slot whose top edge is located at the top of the page display area 202 compared to the other image slots and whose left edge is located at the leftmost position on the page display area 202 compared to the other image slots. However, the top left image slot in the page display area 202 may also refer to the image slot whose left edge is located at the top of the page display area 202 compared to the other image slots and whose top edge is located at the top of the page display area 202 compared to the other image slots. The page display area 202 includes a print area 213 and a non-print area 214. An image may or may not be inserted into the image slot. In this embodiment, in S303, the image slot located at the top left on the page display area 202 is identified, but the image slot located at the top right on the page display area 202 may be identified, and the form is not important.

[0035] In S304, the CPU 108 determines whether or not a printer's mark is set on the image in the specified image slot. If the determination is YES, the CPU 108 proceeds to S305, and if the determination is NO, the CPU 108 proceeds to S306.

[0036] In S305, CPU 108 creates rectangle information of a size that includes the image of the specified image slot and the printer's marks set for that image. Note that printer's marks may be set for either the image or the image slot. If printer's marks are set for the image slot, rectangle information of a size that includes the specified image slot and the printer's marks set for that image slot is created. Note that the rectangle information is not displayed in page display area 202, but a rectangle based on the created rectangle information may be displayed.

[0037] In S306, CPU 108 automatically arranges the rectangular information created in S305 in page display area 202 according to the automatic arrangement mode so that it fits within print area 213. Specifically, CPU 108 automatically arranges the created rectangular information in page display area 202 according to the automatic arrangement mode so that at least the intersection of the left side and top side of the rectangular information fits within print area 213. For example, CPU 108 arranges the rectangular information in the upper left corner of one page in page display area 202. In this way, rectangular information of a size for which a printer's mark is set is created in an image slot, and by automatically arranging it in page display area 202 according to the automatic arrangement mode so that it fits within print area 213, control is performed so that the printer's marks do not extend into non-print area 214.

[0038] The file menu in the menu operation unit 201 has a setting item (hereinafter referred to as "image slot spacing setting in automatic arrangement mode") that can set a predetermined spacing that is the spacing referenced in automatic arrangement mode and is the spacing between each image slot arranged in automatic arrangement mode. This setting item allows the user to input any value that is set as the predetermined spacing.

[0039] In this embodiment, the predetermined spacing is the spacing between images arranged in automatic alignment mode, but is not limited to this. For example, the predetermined spacing may be the spacing between rectangular pieces arranged in automatic alignment mode. Furthermore, the predetermined spacing may be the spacing between image slots arranged in automatic alignment mode. In this embodiment, one rectangular piece is set to include a certain image slot, the image inserted in that image slot, and the register marks added to that image. Therefore, by controlling the spacing between rectangular pieces to be the predetermined spacing, the register marks are controlled so that they do not overlap other register marks, images, or image slots.

[0040] The value of the predetermined interval may be a value designated by user input as described above, or may be a value set in advance in the application 101a so as to be applied in the automatic arrangement mode.

[0041] In this embodiment, the menu for displaying the image slot interval setting 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.

[0042] The following description will be given assuming that printer's marks are set for adjacent rectangular information that are automatically arranged in the page display area 202 according to the automatic arrangement mode so that they fit within the print area 213. Hereinafter, the intersection of a straight line in the length (vertical) direction of the paper and a straight line in the width (horizontal) direction of the paper in the printer's marks of rectangular information will be referred to as the printer's mark intersection. For example, the printer's marks set at the intersection of the left and top edges and the right and top edges of each rectangular information may be arranged so that the coordinate values ​​in the length (vertical) direction of the paper are the same as the coordinate values ​​in the length (vertical) direction of the paper for the intersection of the left and top edges and the right and top edges of adjacent rectangular information. This ensures that when a user cuts paper in the width (horizontal) direction of the paper, the intersections of the printer's marks for multiple images are aligned in a straight line in the cutting direction, improving usability when cutting. As mentioned above, if the coordinate values ​​of the paper length (vertical) direction of the intersection of the register marks set in adjacent rectangular information are the same, the straight lines in the paper width (horizontal) direction of the adjacent register marks of each rectangular information may be arranged so that they overlap. Even in this case, the straight lines in the paper width (horizontal) direction of the register marks are arranged so that they do not overlap the images of adjacent rectangular information. In this case, if the image has a border, the border is also considered to be part of the image, and the straight lines in the paper width (horizontal) direction of the register marks are arranged so that they do not overlap the border of the image. Note that a border is an area created by Allocation Method 1, an area in an image slot where no image is placed, and an area located above, below, or to the left or right of an image placed in the image slot. Alternatively, the border may include an area with a width set to surround the image. This reduces paper margins.

[0043] Also, if no printer's marks are set for the specified image slot, rectangle information of the size that the printer's marks are set for the image slot is not created, and the image slot itself becomes the rectangle information. In other words, the rectangle information has the size of the image slot itself. The rectangle information is then automatically arranged in the page display area 202 according to the automatic arrangement mode so that it fits within the print area 213.

[0044] In S307, CPU 108 determines whether any intersections other than the intersection of the left and top sides of the created rectangle information extend into the non-print area 214. If the determination is YES, CPU 108 proceeds to S308; if the determination is NO, CPU 108 proceeds to S310. Here, the intersections other than the intersection of the left and top sides of the created rectangle information refer to at least one of the intersections of the left and bottom sides, the intersection of the top and right sides, and the intersection of the right and bottom sides of the created rectangle information. A case will be described in which the intersection of the top and right sides and the intersection of the bottom and right sides of the created rectangle information extend into the non-print area 214. For example, this occurs when the length of the top and bottom sides of the created rectangle information is longer than the width of one page provided by the automatic layout mode, causing the rectangle information to exceed the print area 213. A case will also be described in which the intersection of the left and bottom sides and the intersection of the bottom and right sides of the created rectangle information extend into the non-print area 214. For example, this may occur when the length of the right and left sides of the created rectangular information is longer than the length of one page provided by the automatic arrangement mode and the information cannot fit into the print area 213, or when multiple rectangular information cannot fit into the length of one page provided by the automatic arrangement mode.

[0045] In S308, CPU 108 determines whether the created rectangle information was created based on the second or subsequent image slot identified in S303. If the determination is YES, CPU 108 proceeds to S309; ​​if the determination is NO, CPU 108 proceeds to S310. Here, we will explain the case where the determination is NO in S303, that is, rectangle information not created based on the second or subsequent image slot. This refers to rectangle information created based on the first image slot identified in S303, which is the image slot located at the top left of the image slots determined to exist in page display area 202 in S301. In other words, if a portion of rectangle information created based on the first image slot identified in S303 already extends into non-print area 214, it is placed as is. This is because rectangle information created based on the first image slot identified can indicate to the user that it extends into non-print area 214.

[0046] In S309, if the created rectangle information is created based on an image slot identified second or later in S303, CPU 108 places the created rectangle information in non-print area 214. For example, it may be placed in the lower right corner of the paper in non-print area 214, but the placement location is not important. This is to inform the user that rectangle information created based on an image slot identified second or later extends into non-print area 214. Note that in S308, even rectangle information created based on the image slot identified first in S303 may be placed in non-print area 214 (i.e., the determination in S308 may not be necessary).

[0047] In S310, the CPU 108 determines whether or not all image slots on the page display area 202 have been identified. If the determination is YES, the CPU 108 proceeds to S311, and if the determination is NO, the CPU 108 returns to S302.

[0048] In S311, the CPU 108 displays the status of the automatically arranged page. That is, when all image slots on the page display area 202 have been identified in S310, the CPU 108 displays the page display area 202 including the rectangular information arranged in the print area 213. Note that when no image slots exist on the page display area 202 in S301, the CPU 108 displays the page as is.

[0049] As described above, according to this embodiment, when printer's marks are set for a selected image slot or image and the automatic arrangement mode is applied, the image slot including the printer's marks is automatically arranged in the print area 213 on the page display area 202. As a result, the printer's marks set for the image or image slot do not extend into the non-print area 214, and the image to be printed, including the printer's marks, is printed on the paper. In addition, the printer's marks are automatically arranged so that they do not overlap with other printer's marks or images. Therefore, the user does not need to perform an operation to move the printer's marks or images to a position where they do not extend beyond the print area while checking the print preview, which reduces the operational burden on the user.

[0050] In the above description, the image to be automatically arranged in the automatic arrangement mode is the image displayed in the page display area 202 when the user performs an operation to instruct automatic arrangement in the automatic arrangement mode. However, this is not limiting. For example, an image that is dragged from the thumbnail image display area 205, the desktop, a folder, or the like and dropped onto the page display area 202 after the user performs an operation to instruct automatic arrangement in the automatic arrangement mode may also be automatically arranged.

[0051] (Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, the processing when an image slot including printer's marks is automatically arranged in the print area 213 on the page display area 202 has been described.

[0052] In this embodiment, even in the case of an automatic arrangement mode that has a function for classifying and sorting image slots by attributes, a process will be described in which image slots containing printer's marks are automatically arranged in the print area 213 on the page display area 202. Here, the attributes in the classification of image slots by attribute will be described. The attributes include whether an image has been inserted into the image slot (so that images without images are identified more slowly), the size of the image slot, the presence or absence of printer's marks, the allocation method for images inserted into image slots, and the position of printer's marks set in the image slot (setting information for what happens after the image is inserted even if there is no printer's mark; if the printer's mark is added to the image, the priority is lowered). In the automatic arrangement mode, image slots are classified, sorted, and displayed by these attributes, making it easier for the user to understand the settings of the image slots. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0053] (Processing example) Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the application 101 when setting printer's marks on an image arranged in the page display area 202 in Fig. 2. For example, this flowchart is realized by the CPU 108 reading the application 101 stored in the ROM 110 into the RAM 109 and executing it. For example, the CPU 108 starts this processing when the automatic layout mode set in the print setting section 206 is selected.

[0054] S401 is the same process as S301, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0055] In S402, the CPU 108 classifies the image slots on the page display area 202 by attributes. Specifically, for example, the CPU 108 classifies the image slots on the page display area 202 by attributes such as whether an image has been inserted in the image slot, the size of the image slot, the presence or absence of printer's marks, the allocation method for the image inserted in the image slot, and the position of the printer's marks set for the image slot. First, the CPU 108 classifies the image slots on the page display area 202 by, for example, whether an image has been inserted in the image slot. That is, the image slots are classified into image slots into those into which an image has been inserted and those into which no image has been inserted. Note that if an image is inserted after being classified as an image slot into which no image has been inserted and the automatic arrangement mode is selected again, the image slot is classified as an image slot into which an image has been inserted.

[0056] Next, CPU 108 classifies the set sizes of the image slots into, for example, 10 levels. Then, the image slots on page display area 202 are classified into one of the 10 set size levels. For example, image slots having a set size within a predetermined range set for a certain level are classified into that level. Therefore, image slots on page display area 202 with similar set sizes are classified into each level. CPU 108 performs this classification for classified image slots with images inserted therein and image slots without images inserted therein.

[0057] Next, CPU 108 classifies the image slots according to whether or not the image or image slot has a register mark set for it. For example, when classifying image slots according to the set size of the image slot, CPU 108 classifies image slots according to whether or not the image inserted in the image has a register mark set for it. Note that if an image slot is classified as one in which no register marks are set, and then register marks are set and automatic alignment mode is selected again, the image slot is classified as one in which register marks are set for the image or image slot.

[0058] Next, CPU 108 classifies the image slots according to the allocation method of the images inserted into them. For example, among image slots classified at a certain level, image slots classified according to the presence or absence of images or register marks set in the image slot are further classified according to the allocation method used to insert the images into the image slot. For example, they are further classified according to whether the image slot is for an image inserted using allocation method 1, an image slot for an image inserted using allocation method 2, etc.

[0059] Next, CPU 108 further classifies the images and image slots according to the positions of the register marks. For example, image slots classified by an allocation method at a certain stage are further classified according to the positions of the register marks. For example, classification is performed based on whether the register marks are set in the image slot or the image, whether the register marks are set at a predetermined distance from the corners of the image or image slot (whether an offset position for the register marks is set), etc. Note that even images and image slots without register marks are further classified based on the positions at which the register marks would be set if they were set.

[0060] The CPU 108 then performs classification by the presence or absence of register marks, classification by allocation method, and classification by register mark position at all levels of classification by the set size of the image slot. For example, if the set size of the image slot is 10 levels, all image slots in the page display area 202 classified into each level are further classified by the presence or absence of register marks, classification by allocation method, and classification by register mark position. Note that in this embodiment, classification by allocation method is performed before classification by register mark position, but either can be performed first.

[0061] Furthermore, the CPU 108 rearranges the arrangement of the image slots on the page display area 202 so that, as a result of classification by all attributes, image slots having the same attribute are arranged in order from the top left on the page display area 202. Specifically, for example, the CPU 108 identifies the top left image slot of the image slots on the page display area 202 from the information on the image slots on the page display area 202 acquired in S401. Then, from among the image slots excluding the identified top left image slot, the CPU 108 identifies the top left image slot (image slot 1) that has the same attribute as the identified top left image slot. Furthermore, from among the image slots excluding the identified top left image slot, the CPU 108 identifies the top left image slot (image slot 2) that does not have the same attribute as the identified top left image slot. Then, if the identified image slot 2 is located above the identified image slot 1 on the page display area 202, the CPU 108 rearranges the arrangement locations of the image slots 1 and 2. Then, if there are image slots that have not yet been identified as image slot 1, CPU 108 identifies image slot 1 from among them. Also, CPU 108 identifies image slot 2. Similarly, if identified image slot 2 is located to the upper left of identified image slot 1 on page display area 202, CPU 108 swaps the placement locations of image slot 1 and image slot 2. Thus, once image slot 1 is identified and its placement location is swapped, it will not be identified again, but image slot 2 may be identified multiple times and its placement location may be swapped. By repeatedly swapping placement locations, CPU 108 can arrange image slots that have the same attribute as the upper leftmost image slot among the image slots on page display area 202 in order from the top left on page display area 202.

[0062] Next, the CPU 108 identifies the top-left image slot among the image slots that do not have the same attribute as the identified top-left image slot. Then, the CPU 108 rearranges the image slots in the page display area 202 in the same way as the top-left image slot in the page display area 202. Note that, when classifying image slots based on whether an image is inserted in them, the attributes of image slots without images inserted are specified after the attributes of image slots with images inserted. This is to prevent blank spaces from being created when an image slot without an image inserted is printed. Furthermore, when classifying image slots without images based on the position of printer's marks to be set in the image slot, the attributes of printer's marks to be set on the image are specified after the attributes of printer's marks to be set in the image slot. This is because the attributes of printer's marks are set on the image when an image is inserted in an image slot without an image inserted, and so the attributes of printer's marks to be set in the image slot take priority.

[0063] As described above, the CPU 108 can rearrange the placement of all image slots on the page display area 202 to arrange image slots having the same attributes in order from the top left of the page display area 202, but other arrangements are also possible.

[0064] In S404, which will be described later, the image slot displayed in the upper left of the page display area 202 is identified, but if the identification is not started from the upper left image slot of the page display area 202, it is not necessary to rearrange the placement locations from the upper left image slot. In other words, if the identification is started from the upper right of the page display area 202 in S404 or in some other form, the order in which the placement locations are rearranged may be started from the upper right image slot of the page display area 202, or may be some other form.

[0065] S403 to S406 are the same processes as S302 to S305, and therefore the explanation will be omitted.

[0066] In S407, CPU 108 determines whether the rectangle information created in S407 is rectangle information based on an image slot with the same attribute as the rectangle information placed immediately before. If the determination is YES, CPU 108 proceeds to S408, and if the determination is NO, CPU 108 proceeds to S409. Note that if the rectangle information is the first to be placed, CPU 108 proceeds to S409.

[0067] In S408, if the CPU 108 determines that the rectangle information created in S406 is not rectangle information based on an image slot with the same attribute as the previously placed rectangle information, it places the rectangle information on a new line in the print area 213. Here, the CPU 108 automatically arranges the rectangle information in the page display area 202 according to the automatic arrangement mode so that it does not overlap with the rectangle information already placed and fits within the print area 213. For example, it arranges the rectangle information in the upper left of page 1 in the page display area 202.

[0068] In S409, the CPU 108 automatically arranges the rectangular information created in S406 in the page display area 202 in accordance with the automatic arrangement mode so that the rectangular information does not overlap with any rectangular information already arranged and fits within the print area 213. For example, the rectangular information is arranged in the upper left corner of page 1 in the page display area 202.

[0069] Steps S410 to S414 are the same as steps S307 to S311, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0070] As described above, according to this embodiment, when printer's marks are set in the image slot of a selected image and the automatic arrangement mode is applied, the image slot containing the printer's marks is automatically arranged in the print area 213 on the page display area 202. Therefore, the set printer's marks do not overlap the non-print area 214. This eliminates the need for the user to move the printer's marks or images to a position where they do not extend beyond the print area while checking the print preview, thereby reducing the user's operational burden. Furthermore, images are classified based on whether they are inserted in the image slot, the size of the image slot, the presence or absence of printer's marks, the allocation method for images inserted in the image slot, the position of the printer's marks set in the image slot, and other factors, and are automatically arranged according to the same attributes. This makes it easier for the user to understand the settings for the image slots.

[0071] (Other embodiments) In the present invention, the CPU 108 starts this process when the automatic arrangement mode set in the print setting section 206 is selected, but it may also start this process when printer's marks are set in a selected image slot in the page display area 202. It may also start this process when printer's marks are set in all image slots displayed in the page display area 202. It may also start this process when an image is inserted into an image slot in the page display area 202 for which printer's marks are set. It may also start this process when an image is inserted into all image slots in the page display area 202 for which printer's marks are set.

[0072] The above-described embodiments can also be realized by executing the following process. That is, software (programs) that realize the functions of the above-described embodiments 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 a single computer or by multiple computers working in conjunction with each other. Furthermore, it is not necessary to implement all of the above-described processes using software; some or all of the processes may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC. Furthermore, the CPU is not limited to one that performs all processes using a single CPU; multiple CPUs may perform processes in cooperation with each other as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 100 host computer 101 Application Program

Claims

1. An application program On the computer, a display step of displaying on a screen a plurality of images to be printed and a printer's mark set for at least one image of the plurality of images or an image slot of the image; a changing step of automatically changing the layout of the plurality of images on the screen when an operation for automatically changing the layout of the plurality of images is received so that a first image of the plurality of images that is arranged at the top left of the page and a printer's mark set on the top left side of the first image or the image slot of the first image are at least contained within a print area corresponding to an area where printing is performed on a recording medium; Execute The change step is a program characterized in that, when the first image placed at the top left of the page or at least one of the printer's marks set other than the top left side of the image slot of the first image does not fit within the printing area, and when a second image different from the first image or at least one of the printer's marks set other than the top left side of the image slot of the second image does not fit within the printing area, the program automatically changes the arrangement of the multiple images so that at least a portion of the first image placed at the top left of the page and the first image or the printer's marks set in the top left side of the image slot of the first image fit within the printing area, and the second image and the printer's marks set in the image slot of the second image or the second image are positioned outside the printing area.

2. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the register marks are set in the image slot.

3. 3. The program according to claim 2, wherein the image slot is a frame into which the image is inserted when the image is displayed.

4. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the change step automatically changes the arrangement of the multiple images so that the multiple images are classified according to the attributes of the image slots of each image and are displayed on one page within the screen for each identical attribute.

5. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the change step classifies the multiple images on which the registration marks are set according to the attributes of the image slots of each image, and automatically changes the arrangement of the multiple images so that the registration marks of the multiple images arranged according to the same attributes fit within the printing area.

6. 6. The program according to claim 4, wherein the attribute is a set size of an image slot.

7. 7. The program according to claim 6, wherein the set size is a size set as a value for the image or the image slot.

8. 6. The program according to claim 4, wherein the attribute is an image allocation method.

9. 9. The program according to claim 8, wherein the allocation method is such that an image is inserted into an image slot by either a first allocation method or a second allocation method.

10. 10. The program according to claim 9, wherein the first allocation method changes a set size of the image so that four sides of the image fit within the image slot, and inserts the image into the image slot.

11. 10. The program according to claim 9, wherein the second allocation method changes the set size of the image so that two sides of the image fit within the image slot, and inserts the image into the image slot.

12. 6. The program according to claim 4, wherein the attribute is the position of the register mark.

13. 13. The program according to claim 12, wherein the position of the register mark is determined by whether or not the register mark set on the image or image slot is set at a position spaced a predetermined distance from a corner of the image or image slot.

14. A program described in any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that in the display step, when the image is automatically placed at a predetermined position on the screen, the coordinates in the length direction of the page at the intersection of each of the adjacent registration marks of the placed multiple images are the same.

15. 15. The program according to claim 14, wherein the intersection of the register marks is an intersection of a straight line in the length direction of the page and a straight line in the width direction of the page in the register marks.

16. A program according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that, in the display step, when the image is automatically placed at a predetermined position within the screen, the straight lines in the width direction of the page of each of the printer's marks of adjacent multiple images overlap.

17. An image processing device, a display means for displaying on a screen a plurality of images to be printed on a page and a printer's mark set for at least one of the plurality of images or an image slot of the image; a change means for automatically changing the layout of the plurality of images on the screen when an operation for automatically changing the layout of the plurality of images is received, so that a first image of the plurality of images that is arranged at the top left of the page and a printer's mark set on the top left side of the first image or the image slot of the first image are at least contained within a print area corresponding to an area where printing is performed on a recording medium; and The modification means automatically modifies the arrangement of the multiple images so that, when the first image positioned at the top left of the page or at least one of the printer's marks set other than the top left side of the image slot of the first image does not fit within the printing area, and when a second image different from the first image or at least one of the printer's marks set other than the top left side of the image slot of the second image does not fit within the printing area, at least a portion of the first image positioned at the top left of the page and the first image or the printer's marks set in the top left side of the image slot of the first image fit within the printing area, and the second image and the printer's marks set in the image slot of the second image are positioned outside the printing area.

18. A control method for an image processing device, comprising: a display step in which a display means of the image processing device displays on a screen a plurality of images to be printed and a printer's mark set for at least one image of the plurality of images or an image slot of the image; a change step in which, when the change means of the image processing device receives an operation for automatically changing the layout of the plurality of images on the screen, the change means automatically changes the layout of the plurality of images so that a first image of the plurality of images that is arranged at the top left of the page and a printer's mark set on the top left side of the first image or the image slot of the first image are at least contained within a print area corresponding to an area where printing is performed on a recording medium; and The change step is a control method characterized in that, when the first image placed at the top left of the page or at least one of the printer's marks set other than the top left side of the image slot of the first image does not fit within the printing area, and when a second image different from the first image or at least one of the printer's marks set other than the top left side of the image slot of the second image does not fit within the printing area, the change step automatically changes the arrangement of the multiple images so that at least a portion of the first image placed at the top left of the page and the first image or the printer's marks set in the top left side of the image slot of the first image fit within the printing area, and the second image and the printer's marks set in the image slot of the second image are placed outside the printing area.

Images