Image processing apparatus and control method

An image processing apparatus includes: a display unit capable of displaying image data in a one-image display mode, in which images are displayed one by one, and a multi-screen display mode, in which a plurality of images is displayed at the same time; a selection unit configured to select between the one-screen display mode and the multi-screen display mode; an editing unit configured to edit the image data; and a control unit configured to control the display unit so that when the one-screen display mode is selected by the selection unit, the image data edited by the editing unit is displayed and when the multi-screen display mode is selected by the selection unit, information indicating that the image data is edited is displayed together with the edited image data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a control method therefor. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image processing apparatus configured to read digital image data from a recording medium storing digital image data taken with a digital camera, perform at least one processing such as red-eye correction and trimming on digital image data.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, a digital camera has been widely used which converts a photographed image into image data and stores the converted image data on a memory card.

Under such circumstances, a low-cost card direct printing apparatus is proposed, to which the memory card can be attached and in which an operation for printing image data is easy and an image processing apparatus and a printer are integrated.

A conventional card direct printing apparatus includes a card slot into which a memory card can be directly installed. In addition, a conventional card direct printing apparatus includes a display device for displaying various contents, a menu, and image data according to an operation of an operation panel by a user. The conventional card direct printing apparatus is used for generating a print instruction by selecting a desired image from among image data in a memory card.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-247906 discusses a printing apparatus that performs various processing on image data in a memory card such as red-eye correction and trimming. In red eye correction, a portion of image data showing a pupil of a person that is red at the time of shooting is corrected to be black. In trimming, an image is trimmed in the shape of a rectangle and printed.

The printing apparatus discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-247906 employs a red-eye reduction system in which whether an image includes a red-eye phenomenon is detected without an operation by a user and each red pixel in a portion of the image showing a red pupil is changed into a pixel of a specific color.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-324512 discusses an apparatus that automatically corrects an aspect ratio in a trimming area in the case where a print paper is changed after a trimming rectangle is designated.

In such a conventional apparatus, a user usually views an image on a display device, designates a trimming area as necessary, designates whether to perform red-eye correction for a desired image, designates a number of prints of the image, and performs printing. At the time of viewing the designated image after these operations are performed, if red-eye correction is already designated on a specific image, an image that has been corrected for red-eye is displayed.

In addition, if trimming is already designated, the trimming rectangle designated by the user is displayed on an image in an overlapping manner, to indicate that the image has been trimmed and at the same time show a size and position of the trimming rectangle.

With a “multi image display” function, in which a plurality of images is displayed at the same time, a user can switch between a one-image display mode and a multi image display mode as the user desires.

As the size of a liquid crystal display of a display device becomes larger, in the case of a one-image display mode, visibility in confirming a result of correction is improved with respect to red-eye correction and display accuracy in a trimming area rises when trimming is designated.

However, in such a conventional apparatus, when the above-described display is performed in the case of a multi image display, the display size of one image is relatively small. Therefore, it is not easy to confirm the corrected image when the red-eye correction is designated.

Furthermore, in the conventional apparatus, when a trimming rectangle is displayed overlapping with an image at the time of designation for trimming, it is not easy to confirm the image in detail and an error in designating the size and position of the trimming rectangle becomes larger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an image processing apparatus and a control method with which it can be easily confirmed that correction has been set for an image in the case of a one-image display mode, and an image can be clearly viewed with satisfactory visibility in the case of a multi image display mode.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus includes: a display unit configured to display image data, the display unit including a one-image display mode, in which images are displayed one by one, and a multi-screen display mode, in which a plurality of images is displayed at the same time; a selection unit configured to select between the one-image display mode and the multi-screen display mode; an editing unit configured to edit the image data; and a control unit configured to control the display unit so that when the one-image display mode is selected by the selection unit, the image data edited by the editing unit is displayed and when the multi-screen display mode is selected by the selection unit, information indicating that the image data is edited is displayed together with the edited image data.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Now, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below.FIG. 1illustrates an image processing apparatus PR1according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The image processing apparatus PR1is an inkjet printer. Note that the present exemplary embodiment can be applied to a thermal transfer printer (including a melting type printer and a sublimation type printer), a dot printer, a laser printer, a light emitting diode (LED) printer, and any other appropriate type printers.

The image processing apparatus PR1includes a memory card connection unit3, an operation panel4, and a display device5.

The memory card connection unit3is a connection unit for reading image data stored in a memory card2(i.e., a recording medium). By inserting the memory card2into the memory card connection unit3, the memory card2is connected to the image processing apparatus PR1, and in this state, the image processing apparatus PR1can read image data from the memory card2.

The operation panel4is used for accepting a user operation. The user presses a key provided on the operation panel4to select image data to be printed, designate correction of an image, and designate image processing for changing the size of a trimming area and a position of a trimming area.

The display device5is, for example, a liquid crystal panel illustrated inFIG. 1. The content displayed on the display device5varies according to operation of the operation panel4by the user. In one case, after reading image data recorded on the memory card2, the display device5displays an image number unique to the read image and a number of prints of the image data. In another case, the display device5displays items used for selecting a print type from a displayed menu and for changing settings for the image processing apparatus PR1.

FIG. 2illustrates an example of the operation panel4and the display device5.

In the present exemplary embodiment, when the memory card2is inserted into the memory card connection unit3, a content illustrated inFIG. 2is displayed.

The operation panel4includes a function key41and up/down/left/right/OK keys42(keys42athrough42e). The function key41includes function keys F1 and F2.

The display device5, which includes a liquid crystal panel, displays a cursor C1for indicating an item currently selected.

In the state illustrated inFIG. 2, the functions keys F1 and F2 and the left and right keys42cand42dare invalid. When the user selects an item by moving the cursor C1up (using up key42a) and down (using down key42b) and presses the OK key42e, the processing advances to a next step.

FIG. 3illustrates a state in which a print target image is displayed on the display device5.

When the user selects a selection item “select and print image,” the state illustrated inFIG. 3is displayed. The user can designate the number of prints of each image via the screen inFIG. 3. Every time the user presses the left key42cand right key42d, an image displayed in an image display area53shifts to a next image. Thus, the user selects a desired number of prints for each image. When the user presses the up key42aand down key42b, the print number displayed in a print number display area54is changed. Thus, the user sets the desired print number.

When the selection of print target images and the setting of the print number of each image are completed and the user presses the OK key42e, the processing shifts to a next step.

The display device5displays an outline of the function keys41and guidance items51and52. The user can only operate the function keys41when the guidance items51and52are displayed.

FIG. 4Aillustrates a state in which the user has pressed the function key F1 inFIG. 3in order to view the change display method menu as indicated by the guidance51above the function key F1.

FIG. 4Billustrates a state in which the user has pressed the down key42binFIG. 4Ato shift the focusing state of the cursor C1to the items of a “nine-screen display.”

For example, in the state illustrated inFIG. 3, when the user presses the function key F1, the display device5displays a function menu55inFIG. 4A, via which the display method can be changed.

The function menu55will be described below.

When the user presses the function key F2, the display device5displays a correction menu (FIG. 6A) via which a correction method can be selected (described later).

In this state, as illustrated inFIG. 4A, the function menu55is displayed. Then, the user presses the up and down keys42aand42bto operate the cursor C1, and selects the display method of the item selected at the time the OK key42eis pressed. InFIG. 4A, the cursor C1is focused to an item “default screen display,” which is a previous display method.

FIG. 5illustrates a state immediately after the OK key42eis pressed inFIG. 4B.

When the user selects the “nine-screen display,” the display device5displays nine images. In this state, the up/down/left/right keys42a,42b,42c, and42dare used for selecting an image. InFIG. 5, the image displayed in an upper left position on the screen is surrounded with a thick line rectangle, which indicates that the image is an object of the user operation.

When the user presses a print number up/down key (not shown), the user can designate the number of prints of the operation target image. The user can change the display method and select the correction method by operating the function keys F1 and F2.

Now, an operation of the function key F2 will be described below.

FIG. 6Aillustrates a state before the focusing of the cursor C1is shifted to an item “correct red-eye.”

FIG. 6Billustrates a state in which the focusing of the cursor C1is shifted to the item “correct red-eye” when the user operates the down key42binFIG. 6A.

When the user presses the function key F2 inFIG. 4A, a correction menu56is displayed on the display device5as illustrated inFIG. 6A. In the present exemplary embodiment, the selectable correction methods include “trimming settings,” “correct red-eye,” “correct backlight,” and “correct skin smoothness.” The operation for selecting the correction methods is similar to the operation in the function menu55. That is, the user operates the cursor C1with the up/down keys42aand42band selects the correction method by pressing the OK key42e.

The user selects the item “correct red-eye” to correct the red-eye appearing on a person included in the image. The user selects the item “correct backlight” to correct backlight occurring on the image. With the backlight correction function, the image processing apparatus PR1detects that backlight has occurred on the image, by extracting the person included in the image. The backlight is corrected based on the skin color of the person in the image. The user selects the item “correct skin smoothness” to correct smoothness of the portion of the image corresponding to the skin of the person in the image. With the skin smoothness correction function, the image processing apparatus PR1detects a liver spot, a mole, and a wrinkle on the skin of the person in the image and perform correction to show more smooth skin.

Furthermore, selectable correction methods can include embedding date and time in the image according to photographic information included in the image.

When the user presses the OK key42ein the state illustrated inFIG. 6B, the image processing apparatus PR1extracts the face of the person in the selected image to detect the position of the face. Then, the image processing apparatus PR1detects the position of the eyes of the person. If it is detected that red-eye phenomenon has occurred in the image, the image processing apparatus PR1corrects the red-eye by substituting the pixel of a specific color with a black pixel.

FIG. 7illustrates a state after the correction of red-eye is completed upon pressing of the OK key42einFIG. 6B.

When the user presses the OK key42ein the state in which the cursor C1is focused on the item “trimming settings” in the correction menu56illustrated inFIG. 6A, the screen shifts to the “trimming settings” screen illustrated inFIG. 8A.

In the state illustrated inFIG. 8A, a trimming area57is displayed in an overlapping manner on the selected image, and the user designates the position of the trimming area57by operating the up/down/left/right keys42a,42b,42c, and42d.

FIG. 8Billustrates a state in which when the user presses the right key42donce inFIG. 8A, the trimming area57is moved to the right by one positional unit.

In this state, the user uses the function keys F1 and F2 to enlarge and reduce the trimming area57.

FIG. 9illustrates a state in which the finally determined trimming area57is displayed in the overlapping manner on the selected image.

When the user has finally designated the desired trimming area57in the display state illustrated inFIG. 8Aand presses the OK key42e, the screen shifts from the “trimming settings” screen to the previous screen. In this state, the finally designated trimming area57is displayed in the overlapping manner on the image. When the image is printed, the portion of the image clipped according to the finally determined trimming area57is printed.

FIG. 10illustrates a state in which the item “correct red-eye” in the correction menu56is substituted with an item “cancel red-eye correction.” If the user presses the function key F2 when the image is displayed on which red-eye correction has already been performed, the item “correct red-eye” in the correction menu56is substituted with the item “cancel red-eye correction” as illustrated inFIG. 10.

FIG. 11illustrates a state in which the item “trimming settings” in the correction menu56is substituted with an item “cancel trimming.”

If the user presses the function key F2 when the trimming area57has already been designated, the item “trimming settings” in the correction menu56is substituted with the item “cancel trimming” as illustrated inFIG. 11.

With respect to the other correction methods, the operation similar to the operation described above is performed.

FIG. 12illustrates a state of display after the item “cancel trimming” is selected by the user.

When the user selects the item “cancel trimming” in the state illustrated inFIG. 11, the screen shifts to the screen illustrated inFIG. 12. On the screen illustrated inFIG. 12, the user operates the up/down keys42aand42bto designate whether the canceling of trimming is performed only on the currently selected image or on all the images already designated to be trimmed. When the user presses the OK key42eafter performing the designation, the trimming setting for the selected image is cancelled.

In the description above, the canceling of the designation for the trimming area is explained as an example. The similar operation is performed in the case of canceling the designation for “red-eye correction.” That is, the user can designate whether the designation for the “red-eye correction” is to be cancelled for all the images on which red-eye correction is designated, or only for the currently selected image.

As described above, when the user has performed a correction such as red-eye correction and trimming, the image corrected for red-eye is displayed (FIG. 7) and the trimming area57is displayed in the overlapping manner on the image (FIG.9).

FIG. 13Aillustrates a state in which red-eye correction and trimming are designated at the same time.

In the state illustrated inFIG. 13A, when the user selects the item “nine-screen display” via the correction menu56, the image corrected for red-eye and the trimming area57overlapping with the image cannot be effectively displayed. Because the size of each of the nine images is small, visibility is low and likelihood of an error in designation is large.

FIG. 13Billustrates a state in which icons ICN1and ICN2indicating that correction has been set are displayed in the overlapping manner on each image.

As illustrated inFIG. 13B, when the nine-screen display is performed, the icons ICN1and ICN2indicating that correction has been set are displayed in the overlapping manner on each image. The ICN1indicates that red-eye correction has been set. The ICN2indicates that trimming setting has been performed.

Thus, in the present exemplary embodiment, the method of displaying an image is switched according to the mode of displaying a screen. The physical display size of an image differs according to the size of the liquid crystal display. Accordingly, a unit for determining the size of the display target image can be provided to decide whether the display using an icon is to be displayed or not according to the determined size of the display target image.

FIG. 14illustrates an example in which the icons ICN1and ICN2are displayed at a position close to the image.

In the present exemplary embodiment, when nine screens are displayed, the icons ICN1and ICN2indicating that correction has been performed are displayed in the overlapping manner on each image. However, the icons ICN1and ICN2can be displayed at a position close to the image.

When trimming is performed for trimming the image with a rectangle for a print area, the size of the trimming area is changed according to the designation on the trimming area by the user while the aspect ratio is the same as the print area. In this case, print magnification can be computed according to the sizes of the print area and the trimming area at the time printing starts. Based on the computed print magnification, magnification process can be performed to print the image in the trimming area within digital image data.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, the display of information about whether the setting for correcting each image is performed, is switched according to the display method of the image. Thus, in the case of displaying one image, the user can easily confirm that the correction has been performed on the displayed image. Furthermore, in the case of displaying multiple images, an icon is displayed in an overlapping manner on each image (or near each image) to indicate that the correction has been performed on the image. Thus, the image can be displayed at a high visibility, without deteriorating the browsability.

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-168354 filed Jun. 19, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.