Abstract:
An image printing apparatus is provided. The image printing apparatus includes a touch screen panel, having a display screen to display an image, configured to acquire a locating instruction from a user for specifying a location on the display screen; and an image processing unit configured to perform predetermined image processing on a facial area containing a human face within a target image, the target image being targeted for printing by the image printing apparatus, wherein the image processing unit includes: a target image display control unit configured to display the target image on the display screen; and a processing area identifying unit configured to identify the facial area within the target image subject to the predetermined image processing based on the locating instruction, the locating instruction being acquired by the touch screen panel and specifying a location within an area on the display screen where the facial area is present.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-6494 filed on Jan. 16, 2007, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a technique for determining an area to which image processing is applied in an image printing apparatus. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    In an image printing apparatus such as a printer or a scanner-printer-copier (also called a “multi-function printer” or “MFP”), a processed image is printed by applying image processing in advance to the image to be printed. The image processing techniques performed by the image printing apparatus include those desirable for application only to localized areas of the image such as a facial area, exemplified by the red-eye reduction processing that modifies the color of human eyes. To perform such image processing, an area subject to the image processing is detected by analyzing the image, and the image processing is applied to the detected area subject to the image processing. 
         [0006]    However, when areas subject to the image processing are detected by analyzing the image, even an area not desirable for processing may be detected as that subject to processing, or an area desirable for processing may not be detected as that subject to processing. There is a risk of not getting a desirable image if the detection result is not desirable, as in these cases. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    An object of the present invention is to improve image processing results in an image printing apparatus. 
         [0008]    According to an aspect of the present invention, an image printing apparatus is provided. The image printing apparatus includes a touch screen panel, having a display screen to display an image, configured to acquire a locating instruction from a user for specifying a location on the display screen; and an image processing unit configured to perform predetermined image processing on a facial area containing a human face within a target image, the target image being targeted for printing by the image printing apparatus, wherein the image processing unit includes: a target image display control unit configured to display the target image on the display screen; and a processing area identifying unit configured to identify the facial area within the target image subject to-the predetermined image processing based on the locating instruction, the locating instruction being acquired by the touch screen panel and specifying a location within an area on the display screen where the facial area is present. 
         [0009]    With this configuration, the user is able to specify a facial area within the target image subject to predetermined image processing by specifying a location within the target image displayed on the display screen of the touch screen panel. As a result, identification of the facial area subject to image processing may be performed more accurately, and the user may obtain improved image processing result. 
         [0010]    The present invention may be implemented in various embodiments. For example, it can be implemented as an image printing apparatus and a method for image processing therein; a control device and a control method of the image printing apparatus; a computer program that realizes the functions of those devices and methods; a recording medium having such a computer program recorded thereon; and a data signal embedded in carrier waves including such a computer program. 
         [0011]    These and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a multi-function printer  10  as an embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2A  is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the multi-function printer  10 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 2B  illustrates an example of the operation panel  500 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart showing an image printing routine for printing an image. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a target image selection menu MN 1  displayed on the display screen  512 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 4B  is an illustration showing the user providing an instruction for selecting a target image to the multi-function printer  10 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 4C  is an illustration showing the user specifying a printing method. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing a face modification routine executed in Step S 160 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a detection execution screen MN 3  displayed on the display screen  512  of the touch screen panel  510  during the execution of Step S 210 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 6B  illustrates a detection result display screen MN 4  displayed on the display screen  512  in Step S 220 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 6C  illustrates a facial area selection screen MN 5  displayed on the display screen  512  in Step S 250 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 7A  is an illustration showing a facial area being selected by the user. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7B  illustrates a parameter setup screen MN 6  for setting up a parameter of the face modification processing. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7C  illustrates a detection result display screen MN 4   a  showing the facial area detection result after execution of the face modification processing. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing a face modification routine in the second embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9A  illustrates a facial area addition screen MN 7  displayed on the display screen  512  in Step S 212 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 9B  illustrates a stroke obtaining screen MN 8  displayed on the display screen  512  for obtaining information on strokes. 
           [0029]      FIG. 9C  illustrates a facial area addition screen MN 7   a  displayed after the facial area is detected within the line TSF drawn as in  FIG. 9B . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0030]    Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in the following order.
   A. First Embodiment:   B. Second Embodiment:   C. Variations:   
 
       A. First Embodiment 
       [0034]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a multi-function printer  10  as an embodiment of the present invention. The multi-function printer  10  functions as a printer and a scanner and is able to scan or print an image stand-alone mode without being connected to any external computer. The multi-function printer  10  has a memory card slot  200 , an operation panel  500 , and a stylus holder  600  for storing a stylus  20 . The stylus holder  600  is mounted adjacent to the operation panel  500 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 2A  is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the multi-function printer  10 . The multi-function printer  10  includes a main controller  100 , the memory card slot  200 , a scan engine  300 , a print engine  400 , and the operation panel  500 . 
         [0036]    The main controller  100  has a memory card controller  110 , a scanning execution unit  120 , a printing execution unit  130 , an operation panel controller  140 , and an image processing execution unit  150 . The main controller  100  is configured as a computer equipped with a central processing unit (CPU) and the memory, which are not shown in the figure. The function of each component included in the main controller  100  is performed by the CPU executing the program stored on the memory. The image processing execution unit  150  (hereinafter, also termed simply as “image processor”) performs predetermined processing on an image. The image processor  150  includes a processing area detecting unit  152  and a processing area selecting unit  154 . The image processing at the image processing execution unit  150  will be explained later. 
         [0037]    The memory card slot  200  is a mechanism that receives a memory card MC. The memory card controller  110  stores a file into the memory card MC inserted in the memory card slot  200 , or reads out the file stored in the memory card MC. The memory card controller  110  may only have a function of reading out the file stored in the memory card MC, as well. In the example of  FIG. 2A , a plurality of image files GF are stored in the memory card MC which is inserted in the memory card slot  200 . 
         [0038]    The scan engine  300  is a mechanism that scans an original positioned on a scanning platen (not shown in the figure) and generates scan data representing the image formed on the original. The scan data generated by the scan engine  300  is supplied to the scanning execution unit  120 . The scanning execution unit  120  generates image data in a predetermined format from the scan data supplied from the scan engine  300 . It is also possible to configure the scan engine  300  to generate the image data instead of the scanning execution unit  120 . 
         [0039]    The print engine  400  is a printing mechanism that executes printing in response to given printing data. The printing data supplied to the print engine  400  is generated by the process wherein the printing execution unit  130  extracts image data from the image file GF in the memory card MC via the memory card controller  110  and performs color conversion and halftoning on the extracted image data. The printing data can also be generated by image data obtained from the scanning execution unit  120 ; image data supplied from a digital still camera connected via a USB connector, which is not shown in the figure; or received data supplied from an external device connected via the USB connector to the multi-function printer  10 . It is also possible to configure the print engine  400  to carry out the color conversion and halftoning instead of the printing execution unit  130 . 
         [0040]    The operation panel  500  is a man-machine interface built in the multi-function printer  10 .  FIG. 2B  illustrates an example of the operation panel  500 . The operation panel  500  includes a touch screen panel  510 , a power button  520  for turning on and off the power of the multi-function printer  10 , and a shift button  530 . 
         [0041]    The touch screen panel  510  has a display screen  512 . The touch screen panel  510  displays an image on the display screen  512  based on the image data supplied from the operation panel controller  140 . The touch screen panel  510  also detects touching status of the stylus  20 , which is provided with the multi-function printer  10 , to the display screen  512 . More specifically, the touch screen panel  510  detects where the touch location of the stylus  20  is situated within the display screen  512 . The touch screen panel  510  accumulates time-series information on detected touch locations, and supplies the accumulated results to the operation panel controller  140  as touching status information. The shift button  530  is a button for changing interpretation of user&#39;s instruction provided to the multi-function printer  10  with the stylus  20 . 
         [0042]    The multi-function printer  10  obtains an instruction provided by the user based on the touching status information supplied from the touch screen panel  510  via the operation panel controller  140 . More specifically, each component of the main controller  100  generates menu image data that represents menu prompting the user for an instruction, and supplies the generated menu image data to the touch screen panel  510  via the operation panel controller  140 . The touch screen panel  510  displays the menu on the display screen  512  based on the menu image data supplied thereto. Next, each component of the main controller  100  obtains the touching status information from the touch screen panel  510  via the operation panel controller  140 . The component determines whether the stylus  20  touches to a particular area on the menu displayed on the display screen  512 , based on the obtained touching status information. If the stylus  20  contacts to the particular area, a user&#39;s instruction corresponding to the contacted area is obtained. Hereinafter, the user&#39;s act of touching a particular area of the menu displayed on the display screen  512  with the stylus  20  will be expressed as the user “operating” the particular area. 
         [0043]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart showing an image printing routine for printing an image. This image printing routine is executed in response to a user&#39;s instruction for printing provided to the multi-function printer  10  with the stylus  20 . 
         [0044]    In Step S 110 , the printing execution unit  130  ( FIG. 2 ) displays a menu for selecting images to be printed (target image selection menu) on the display screen  512  of the touch screen panel  510  ( FIG. 2 ). Then, the printing execution unit  130  obtains an instruction for selecting a target image given by the user with the stylus  20 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a target image selection menu MN 1  displayed on the display screen  512  ( FIG. 2 ) in Step S 110 . In the target image selection menu MN 1 , a prompt message PT 1  that prompts a selection of images to be printed, a “BACK” button BB 1 , a “FORWARD” button BF 1 , a “RETURN” button BR 1  and nine images DD 1  through DD 9  are displayed. 
         [0046]    The nine images DD 1 ˜DD 9  displayed in the target image selection menu MN 1  are those of nine image files among a plurality of image files GF stored in the memory card MC ( FIG. 2 ). When the user uses the stylus  20  to operate the “BACK” button BB 1  or “FORWARD” button BF 1 , these nine images DD 1 ˜DD 9  are modified in the order sorted in the image files GF. 
         [0047]      FIG. 4B  is an illustration showing the user providing an instruction for selecting a target image to the multi-function printer  10  ( FIG. 2 ). In the example of  FIG. 4B , the user touches an area with the stylus  20  where the image DD 8  in the target image selection menu MN 1  is displayed. Thus, the image DD 8  displayed in the target image selection menu MN 1  is selected as a target image due to user&#39;s operation of the image DD 8 . 
         [0048]    In Step S 120  of  FIG. 3 , the printing execution unit  130  determines whether the “RETURN” button BR 1  in the target image selection menu MN 1  is operated. If the “RETURN” button BR 1  is operated, the image printing routine of  FIG. 3  terminates. On the contrary, if the “RETURN button BR 1  is not operated, that is, one of the images DD 1 ˜DD 9  is selected, the process advances to Step S 130 . In the example of  FIG. 4B , since the user operates the image DD 8 , Step S 130  is executed. 
         [0049]    In Step S 130 , the printing execution unit  130  displays a menu for specifying a printing method (printing method specification menu). Then, an instruction by the user using the stylus  20  for selecting a printing method is obtained. 
         [0050]      FIG. 4C  is an illustration showing the user specifying a printing method. As shown in  FIG. 4C , a printing method specification menu MN 2  contains a prompt message PT 2  that prompts the user to specify a printing method, a “RETURN” button BR 2 , and four selection items INR, IRT, IRE and IPA of printing methods. In the example of  FIG. 4C , the user operates the area where the selecting item “FACE MODIFICATION PRINTING” IRT is displayed. 
         [0051]    In Step S 140  of  FIG. 3 , the printing execution unit  130  determines whether the “RETURN” button BR 2  of the printing method specification menu MN 2  is operated. If the “RETURN” button is operated, the process goes back to Step S 110  for selecting a target image. Meanwhile, if the “RETURN” button BR 2  is not operated, that is, one of the selecting items INR, IRT, IRE or OPA is selected, the process advances to Step S 150 . In the example of  FIG. 4C , since the user operates the selecting item “FACE MODIFICATION PRINTING” IRT, Step S 150  is executed. 
         [0052]    In Step S 150 , the printing execution unit  130  determines whether the printing method selected in Step S 130  requires image processing. If the selected printing method does not require image processing, that is, the selecting item “NORMAL PRINTING” INR is operated, the process advances to Step S 170 . Then, in Step S 170 , the printing execution unit  130  prints out a target image on which image processing is not performed. On the contrary, if the selected printing method requires image processing, the process advances to Step S 160 , and image processing is executed corresponding to the selected printing method. Thus, in Step S 170 , the printing execution unit  130  prints out a target image on which image processing is performed. 
         [0053]    In the example of  FIG. 4C , the user specifies the selected item “FACE MODIFICATION PRINTING” IRT in the printing method specification menu MN 2 . As a result, face modification processing is performed on the image DD 8  in Step S 160 , and the image on which the face modification processing is performed is printed in Step S 170 .  FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing a face modification routine executed in Step S 160  of  FIG. 3  as shown in the example of  FIG. 4C . 
         [0054]    In Step S 210 , the processing area detecting unit  152  of the image processing execution unit  150  ( FIG. 2 ) detects a facial area in the target image, which is subject to the face modification processing, by analyzing the target image.  FIG. 6A  illustrates a detection execution screen MN 3  displayed on the display screen  512  of the touch screen panel  510  during the execution of Step S 210 . The detection execution screen MN 3  displays a message PT 3  notifying the user that the facial area detection is in progress, as well as a target image DIM subject to the face modification processing. 
         [0055]    In Step S 220  of  FIG. 5 , the processing area selecting unit  154  of the image processing execution unit  150  ( FIG. 2 ) displays the facial areas detection result on the target image. Then, an instruction by the user regarding the facial areas subject to the modification is obtained. More specifically, either an instruction to perform face modification processing on all of the detected facial areas, or an instruction to perform the face modification processing on a particular facial area among the facial areas, is obtained. 
         [0056]      FIG. 6B  illustrates a detection result display screen MN 4  displayed on the display screen  512  in Step S 220 . In the detection result display screen MN 4 , three facial frames WFL, WFM and WFR indicating detected facial areas are superimposed on target image DIM. The detection result display screen MN 4  also shows a message PT 4  that notifies the number of the detected facial areas to the user and prompts the user to specify target of modification, an “ALL” button BAL that specifies performance of the face modification processing on all the detected facial areas, a “SELECT” button BSL that specifies performance of the face modification processing on particular facial areas, and an “EXIT” button BE 4 . 
         [0057]    In Step S 230 , the processing area selecting unit  154  determines whether the “EXIT” button BE 4  in the detection result display screen MN 4  ( FIG. 6B ) is operated. If the “EXIT” button BE 4  is operated, the process returns to the image printing routine shown in  FIG. 3 . On the contrary, if the “EXIT” button BE 4  is not operated, the process advances to Step S 240 . In the example of  FIG. 6B , since the user operates the “SELECT” button BSL, the process advances to Step S 240 . 
         [0058]    In Step S 240 , the processing area selecting unit  154  determines whether the instruction obtained in Step S 220  is the one for performing the face modification processing on all facial areas detected in Step S 210 . If the user&#39;s instruction is for performing the face modification processing on all facial areas, the process goes to Step S 280 . On the other hand, if the user&#39;s instruction is for performing the face modification processing on a particular facial area, the process advances to Step S 250 . In the example of  FIG. 6B , the user selects the “SELECT” button BSL that specifies performance of the face modification processing on a particular facial area. As a result, it is determined that the user&#39;s instruction is the one for performing the face modification processing on a particular facial area, and the process advances to Step S 250 . 
         [0059]    In Step S 250 , the processing area selecting unit  154  obtains user&#39;s instruction selecting a facial area subject to the face modification processing among the facial areas detected in Step S 210 .  FIG. 6C  illustrates a facial area selection screen MN 5  displayed on the display screen  512  in Step S 250 . The facial area selection screen MN 5  shows a target image DIM, facial frames WFL, WFM and WFR, a “RETURN” button BR 5 , and a prompt message PT 5  that prompts the user to select a facial area. As shown in  FIG. 6C , since each of the facial frames WFL, WFM and WFR is an image for locating the facial areas in the target image, each of the facial frames may be called as “facial area locating image.” Also, the processing area selecting unit  154  may be called as “detection result display control unit” that displays the target image DIM in overlay with facial frames WFL, WFM and WFR, which are facial area locating images. 
         [0060]    In Step S 260  of  FIG. 5 , the processing area selecting unit  154  determines whether the “RETURN” button BR 5  in the facial area selection screen MN 5  is operated. If the “RETURN” button BR 5  is operated, the process goes back to Step S 220 , and an instruction regarding subject of the modification is obtained. On the contrary, if the “RETURN” button BR 5  is not operated, that is, one of the facial frames WFL, WFM or WFR is operated, the process advances to Step S 270 . Then, the face modification process is performed on the facial areas selected in Step S 270  before the process goes back to Step S 220 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 7A through 7C  are illustrations showing that a facial area is selected by the user, and the modification processing is performed on the selected facial area. The facial area selection screen MN 5  in  FIG. 7A  differs from the facial area selection screen MN 5  of  FIG. 6C  in that the central facial area is selected with the stylus  20 , and the line style of the facial frame WFS of the selected facial area is changed to solid line, which indicates that the area is selected, from dotted line. Other points are the same with the facial area selection screen MN 5  of  FIG. 6C . As evident in  FIG. 7A , the facial area subject to the face modification processing may be identified by the location where the tip of the stylus  20  contacts to the screen, that is, by the location on the target image DIM specified by the user with the stylus  20 . 
         [0062]    Once a facial area is selected for the modification processing, the image processing execution unit  150  ( FIG. 2 ) displays a parameter setup screen MN 6  for setting up a parameter of the face modification processing, as shown in  FIG. 7B . The parameter setup screen MN 6  shows a prompt message PT 6  that prompts the user to set up a parameter, a “DONE” button BD 6 , an “UNDO” button BU 6 , and a slide bar for changing the parameter SDB. The parameter setup screen MN 6  also shows a pre-modification image FIM prior to the modification processing being performed on the selected facial area WFS, and a post-modification image FIMa subsequent to the modification processing. 
         [0063]    When the user drags a slide button SBN mounted in a slide bar SDB to the right direction using the stylus  20 , the amount of eye enlargement gets larger as the slide button SBM moves. Thus, once the user operates the “DONE” button BD 6  after setting up the modification parameter, the face modification processing is performed on the target image DIM ( FIG. 7A ) according to the set modification parameter. When the user operates the “UNDO” button BU 6 , the modification parameter is reset to the initial value. 
         [0064]      FIG. 7C  illustrates a detection result display screen MN 4   a  showing the facial area detection result displayed on the display screen  512  of the touch screen panel  510  ( FIG. 2 ) in Step S 220  after execution of the face modification processing in Step S 270  of  FIG. 5 . The detection result display screen MN 4   a  shown in  FIG. 7C  differs from the detection result display screen MN 4  shown in  FIG. 6B  in that the target image DIM is changed to the one after the face modification processing DIMa. Other points are the same as the detection result display screen MN 4  shown in  FIG. 6B . 
         [0065]    In Step S 240  of  FIG. 5 , if it is determined that the user&#39;s instruction obtained in Step S 220  indicates that the face modification processing is to be performed on all facial areas, the face modification processing is performed on all facial areas. In this case, a modification parameter is set up for each facial area as shown in  FIG. 7B , and the face modification processing is performed according to each of the set modification parameters. It is also available to set one same modification parameter for all facial areas. In this case, all facial areas are modified according to a preset default modification parameter. 
         [0066]    Thus, in the first embodiment, the user is able to select a facial area subject to the face modification processing among facial areas within the target image DIM by touching the target image DIM, which is displayed on the display screen  512  of the touch screen panel  510 , with the stylus  20 . This allows the user to select a facial area subject to the face modification processing while viewing the target image DIM, so that the subject of the face modification processing can be selected more easily. 
       B. Second Embodiment 
       [0067]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing a face modification routine in the second embodiment. The face modification routine of the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in terms that four steps from Step S 212  to Step S 218  are added between Step S 210  and Step S 220 . Other points are the same as the face modification routine in the first embodiment. 
         [0068]    In Step S 212 , the processing area detecting unit  152  of the image processing execution unit  150  ( FIG. 2 ) displays the facial area detection result detected in Step S 210 . Then, an instruction by the user as to whether to add a facial area is obtained. 
         [0069]      FIG. 9A  illustrates a facial area addition screen MN 7  displayed on the display screen  512  in Step S 212 . The facial area addition screen MN 7  displays facial frames WFL and WFR representing two detected facial areas in overlay with the target image DIM. The facial area addition screen MN 7  also displays a message PT 7  that notifies the number of detected facial areas to the user and prompts the user to evaluate the facial area detection result; an “OK” button BOK indicating that the result is good; and an “ADD FACE” button BAF that indicates an addition to the facial area is required. In the example of  FIG. 9A , the face of the person at the center among the target images DIM is not detected. So, the user operates the “ADD FACE” button BAF. 
         [0070]    In Step S 214  of  FIG. 8 , the processing area detecting unit  152  determines whether the “OK” button BOK is operated. If the “OK” button BOK is operated, the process goes to Step S 220 . On the contrary, if the “OK” button BOK is not operated, that is, the “ADD FACE” button BAF is operated, the process advances to Step S 216 . In the example of  FIG. 9A , the user operates the “ADD FACE” button BAF with the stylus  20 . As a result, it is determined that the “OK” button BOK is not operated in Step S 216 , and the process advances to Step S 216 . 
         [0071]    In Step S 216  of  FIG. 8 , the processing area detecting unit  152  obtains information on the location of undetected facial areas, so that the processing area detecting unit  152  obtains a graphic image (stroke) drawn by the user on the display screen  512  with the stylus  20 . 
         [0072]      FIG. 9B  illustrates a stroke obtaining screen MN 8  displayed on the display screen  512  for obtaining information on strokes. The stroke obtaining screen MN 8  displays facial frames WFL and WFR representing two detected facial areas in overlay with the target image DIM similar to the facial area addition screen MN 7 . The stroke obtaining screen MN 8  also shows a prompt message PT 8  that prompts the user to enclose the location of undetected facial area with the stylus  20 , a “DONE” button BD 8 , and an “UNDO” button BU 8 . 
         [0073]    In the example of  FIG. 9B , the user has drawn a line TSF around the face of the person at the center whose facial areas is not detected among the target images DIM. Thus, when the user operates the “DONE” button BD 8  after drawing the line TSF, the drawn line TSF is obtained as a stroke specifying the facial area location. On the other hand, when the user operates the “UNDO” button BU 8 , the line TSF drawn by the user is deleted and the display returns back to the state in which facial area location is not specified. 
         [0074]    In Step S 218  of  FIG. 8 , the processing area detecting unit  152  reexecutes the detection processing on the facial area within the stroke obtained in Step S 216 . In the facial area the detection processing performed in Step  216 , the parameter for the detection processing is changed so as to allow detection of a facial area which is not detected by the facial area detection processing performed in Step S 210 . Then, due to the change in the parameter for the detection processing, a facial area within the stroke is detected additionally. 
         [0075]    After the facial area detection processing in Step S 218 , the process goes back to Step S 212 . Then, in Step S 212 , facial area detection results in Step S 210  and Step S 218  are displayed on the display screen  512  of the touch screen panel  510  ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0076]      FIG. 9C  illustrates a facial area addition screen MN 7   a  displayed in Step S 212  after the facial area is detected within the line TSF drawn in Step S 218  as in  FIG. 9B . In Step S 218 , the facial area of the person at the center among the target images DIM, which is located within the line TSF drawn in  FIG. 9B , is detected. As a result, the facial area addition screen MN 7   a  displays a facial frame WFM representing the facial area of the person at the center, in addition to the two facial frames WFL and WFR, which are already displayed in the facial area addition screen MN 7  in  FIG. 9A , in overlay with each target image DIM. Also, the prompt message PT 7   a  is changed to notify that three facial areas are detected, including the one additionally detected in Step S 218 . 
         [0077]    Thus, in the second embodiment, a facial area is additionally detected due to the entrance of a graphic image (stroke) for adding a facial area on the target image DIM which is displayed on the display screen  512  of the touch screen panel  512 . Therefore, the face modification processing on the facial area, which is not detected by the analysis of the entire target image, may be performed. 
         [0078]    In the second embodiment, additional detection of facial areas is implemented (Step S 218 ) by performing the facial area detection processing within the stroke obtained in Step S 216 . It is also possible to perform additional detection of a facial area as long as the approximate location of the face to be detected can be obtained. For example, the location of the face to be additionally detected may be specified by the location on the display screen  512  at the stylus  20  makes contact. In this case, the additional facial area detection processing may be performed within a given size area around the contact point of the stylus  20 . 
         [0079]    In addition, in the second embodiment, the facial area detection processing is performed in Step S 218 . It is also possible to omit the facial area detection processing, and to specify the area within the stroke obtained in Step S 216  as the facial area. Thus, the undetected facial area is obtained more reliably, by specifying the area within the stroke as a facial area. 
         [0080]    Moreover, in the second embodiment, it is possible to omit the facial area detection processing in Step S 210 . Even if the facial area detection processing in Step S 210  is omitted, a facial area subject to the face modification processing is obtained by repeating the steps from Step S 212  to Step S 218 . 
       C. Variations 
       [0081]    The present invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinabove and may be reduced to practice in various forms without departing the scope thereof including the following variations, for example. 
       C1. Variation 1: 
       [0082]    In each of the embodiments hereinabove, the present invention is applied to the face modification processing performed on the target image. The present invention is also applicable to any image processing, as long as the image processing is performed on facial areas within the target image. For example, the present invention can be applied to red-eye reduction processing. 
       C2. Variation 2: 
       [0083]    In each of the embodiments hereinabove, the user provides an instruction to the multi-function printer  10  by touching the display screen  512  of the touch screen panel  510  ( FIG. 2 ) with the stylus  20  ( FIG. 2 ). It is also possible for the user to provide the instruction to the multi-function printer  10  without using the stylus  20 . In general, a touch screen panel is required only to obtain instruction from the user specifying a location on the display screen  512 . For example, the touch screen panel  510  may obtain positional information on the display screen  512  specified by the user, by detecting a location where the user&#39;s finger touches to the display screen  512 . In this way, the multi-function printer  10  is also able to obtain various instructions from the user based on the locating instruction obtained by the touch screen panel  512 . 
       C3: Variation 3: 
       [0084]    In each of the embodiments hereinabove, the present invention is applied to the multi-function printer  10  ( FIG. 2 ). The present invention is also applicable to any device, as long as the device has the touch screen panel  510  and it is an image printing apparatus capable of performing predetermined image processing. For example, the present invention can be applied to printers lacking scanner or copier functions. 
         [0085]    Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.