Patent Abstract:
When a plurality of image data are received, a form data from among at least one form data and a format data from among at least one format data are selected based on number of the image data. The image data, selected form data and format data are combined to generate an output image.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present document incorporates by reference the entire contents of Japanese priority document, 2004-266676 filed in Japan on Sep. 14, 2004. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a technology for combining image data and format depicting data. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Digital still cameras have become very popular. In these digital still cameras, photographed digital images are stored in a recording medium such as a memory card. 
         [0006]    When printing the photographed digital images, the digital still camera is connected to an external device, such as a personal computer, and the photographed digital images are transmitted to the external device. The photographed digital images are then printed by a printer attached to the external device. 
         [0007]    However, the job of connecting a digital still camera to a personal computer, transferring the photographed digital images from the digital still camera to the personal computer, connecting a printer to the personal computer, and operating the personal computer to print the photographed digital images on the printer is not an easy job for a common man. To make the printing process easy, there has been developed a technology in which a digital still camera can be directly connected to a printer. 
         [0008]    Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Nos. H11-8831, 2000-71575, 2002-16833 disclose various techniques for printing images with or without using a personal computer. 
         [0009]    In some conventional digital still cameras it is possible to insert images into spaces prepared in a template form. However, when the number of images to be printed does not match with the spaces in the form, an undesirable result is obtained. For example, when the spaces are more and the images to be printed are less, some of the spaces remain blank. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    It is an object of the present invention to at least solve the problems in the conventional technology. 
         [0011]    An image processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a storing unit that stores at least one form data, a plurality of image data, and at least one format data; a selecting unit that selects a form data and a format data from among the form data and the format data stored in the storing unit based on number of image data; and an image combining unit that combines the image data, selected form data and format data to generate an output image. 
         [0012]    A method of combining an image and a form according to another aspect of the present invention includes comprising receiving a plurality of image data; selecting a form data from among at least one form data and a format data from among at least one format data based on number of the image data; and combining the image data, selected form data and format data to generate an output image. 
         [0013]    An image forming device according to still another aspect of the present invention a storing unit that stores at least one form data, a plurality of image data, and at least one format data; a selecting unit that selects a form data and a format data from among the form data and the format data stored in the storing unit based on number of image data; an image combining unit that combines the image data, selected form data and format data to generate an output image; and an outputting unit that outputs the output image. 
         [0014]    A printing system according to still another aspect of the present invention an image capturing unit configured to capture images; and a printing unit. The printer unit includes a storing unit that stores at least one form data, a plurality of image data corresponding to images captured by the image capturing unit, and at least one format data; a selecting unit that selects a form data and a format data from among the form data and the format data stored in the storing unit based on number of image data; and an image combining unit that combines the image data, selected form data and format data to generate an output image; and an outputting unit that outputs the output image. 
         [0015]    The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a digital still camera printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a detailed block diagram of a digital still camera shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a detailed block diagram of a printer shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 4A to 4D  are examples of form data; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 5A to 5D  are schematics of a layout, form data, images, and a combined image; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6A  is a schematic for explaining the concept of a rotation angle; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 6B to 6D  are schematics for describing variable size modes; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 7A to 7D  are schematics of depicting data of form additional data; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a schematic of a combined document created according to the embodiment; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart of a printing processing performed by the printer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a digital still camera printing system  50  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The digital still camera printing system  50  includes a digital still camera  100  that takes digital images, and a printer  200  that prints the digital images. 
         [0028]    The digital still camera  100  and the printer  200  are capable of communicating with each other using a protocol and a data format that are compliant with the PictBridge standard established by the Camera &amp; Imaging Products Association (CIPA) as DC-001-2003 Digital Photo Solutions for Imaging Devices. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a detailed block diagram of the digital still camera  100 . In the digital still camera  100 , a system control unit  1  controls: each unit of the digital still camera  100 ; writing/reading of data to/from a recording medium  30 ; photographing; and communication between an external device via an external communication unit  9 . Furthermore, the system control unit  1  performs various data processings, such as user interface processings when a user operates the digital still camera  100 . A system memory  2  stores various control programs executed by the system control unit  1 , and is used as a work area of the system control unit  1 . A parameter memory  3  stores various data specific to the digital still camera  100 , and a clock circuit  4  outputs the present time. 
         [0030]    A reader/writer  5  is used to write/read data to/from the recording medium  30 . A photographing unit  6  includes a camera mechanism used for photographing, an optical system, and a photoelectric converting unit. A display unit  7  displays various data to a user on a liquid crystal display. An operating unit  8  has various keys that a user can use when operating the digital still camera  100 . 
         [0031]    An external communication unit  9  connects the digital still camera  100  to an external device, such as the printer  200 . As a result, the digital still camera  100  can exchange data with the external device via the external communication unit  9 . The external communication unit  9  can be a versatile communication unit such as a USB. 
         [0032]    The system control unit  1 , the system memory  2 , the parameter memory  3 , the clock circuit  4 , the reader/writer  5 , the photographing unit  6 , the display unit  7 , the operation unit  8 , and the external communication unit  9  are connected to each other by an internal bus  10 . As a result, data can be exchanged between any two or more units via the internal bus  10 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is a detailed block diagram of the printer  200 . In the printer  200 , a system control unit  21  controls: each unit of the printer  200 ; paper feeding; printing; and communication between an external device via an external communication unit  28 . Moreover, the system control unit  21  performs various data processings, such as user interface processings when a user operates the printer  200 . A system memory  22  stores various control programs executed by the system control unit  21 , and is used as a work area of the system control unit  21 . A parameter memory  23  stores various data specific to the printer  200 , and a clock circuit  24  outputs the present time. 
         [0034]    A page buffer memory  25  stores printing data of one page, a print unit  26  prints an image onto paper, and an operation display unit  27  is a user interface for a user to operate the printer  200 . 
         [0035]    The external communication unit  28  connects the printer  200  to an external device, such as the digital still camera  100 . As a result the printer  200  can exchange data with the external device via the external communication unit  28 . The external communication unit  28  can be a versatile communication unit such as a USB. 
         [0036]    The system control unit  21 , the system memory  22 , the parameter memory  23 , the clock circuit  24 , the page buffer memory  25 , the print unit  26 , the operation display unit  27 , and the external communication unit  28  are connected to each other by an internal bus  29 . As a result, data can be exchanged between any two or more units via the internal bus  29 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 4A  is an example of form data stored in the printer  200 . The printer  200  stores a plurality of such form data. 
         [0038]    The form data includes image combining data and form additional data. The image combining data indicates how image data is to be laid out on a page. The form additional data includes depicting elements to be added to the page. There are two types of depicting data: a depicting element that is added to image data laid out on a page (image-associated additional-depicting-data), and a depicting element that is always added to a fixed position on a page (fixed additional-depicting-data). 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 4B , the image combining data includes number of images (N) on one page of a form that is created by the form data, and layout data #1 to #N defining a position of each of the images. As shown in  FIG. 4C , each layout data includes a depicting reference position, a depicting size, a variable size mode, and a rotational angle. 
         [0040]    In an example shown in  FIG. 5A , there are two display frames FL 1  and FL 2  for laying out images on a page that is created by the form data. Thus, the image combining data includes two sets of layout data #1 and #2, corresponding to display frames FL 1  and FL 2 . The layout data #1 includes a coordinate value of a point P 1  at the top left corner in display frame FL 1  as the depicting reference position, and a height H 1  and a width W 1  of the display frame FL 1  as the depicting size. Moreover, 0 (zero) degrees is stored as the rotational angle, and “keep aspect ratio” is stored as the variable size mode. 
         [0041]      FIG. 6A  is a schematic for explaining the concept of the rotational angle. The rotational angle is an angle around a reference point P in a frame FL. A rotational angel in an anti-clockwise direction is represented by a positive value, and a rotational angel in a clockwise direction is represented by a negative value. 
         [0042]    There are two types of variable size modes: “keep aspect ratio (ratio of height and width)”; and “fit in display frame”.  FIG. 6B  is a diagram showing an example of fitting a foreground image PT into the display frame FL that is smaller than the foreground image PT. When the “keep aspect ratio” mode is set, as shown in  FIG. 6C , a reduced image PTa of the foreground image PT is fit into the display frame FL by retaining the aspect ratio. Specifically, the height is reduced to match that of the display frame FL, and the width is reduced correspondingly so that the reduced image PTa has the same aspect ratio as the foreground image PT. On the other hand, when the “fit in display frame” mode is set, as shown in  FIG. 6D , a reduced image PTb of the foreground image PT is reduced into the same size as the display frame FL. Specifically, both the height and the width are reduced to match that of the display frame FL. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 4D , the form additional data includes a character depicting data group, a line depicting data group, a graphic depicting data group, and an image depicting data group. 
         [0044]    The character depicting data group includes an Nc number of character depicting data. The character depicting data is sorted in an ascending order of an image index value. 
         [0045]    The line depicting data group includes an Nr number of line depicting data. The line depicting data is sorted in an ascending order of an image index value. 
         [0046]    The graphic depicting data group includes an Ng number of graphic depicting data. The graphic depicting data is sorted in an ascending order of an image index value. 
         [0047]    The image depicting data group includes an Ni number of image depicting data. The image depicting data is sorted in an ascending order of an image index value. 
         [0048]    The image index value is a value for referring to an image corresponding to the layout data in the image combining data. For example, an image index value 1 means that the data (image-associated additional-depicting-data) is added to a position associated to an image according to layout data #1. An image index value 0 means that the data is not associated to an image (fixed additional-depicting-data). 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 7A , the character depicting data includes a printing position that is a position where a character string is to be printed on a form (character reference position coordinate), a size, a font, style (bold, italic, etc.), a color, the character string, and an image index value. For example, in form data shown in  FIG. 5B , the character string “P / ” at the top right corner are depicted according to character depicting data #1 (image index value: 0). This character string is indicated by a value “P pp/PP”; “pp” indicates a page number and “PP” indicates a total number of pages. 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 7B , the line depicting data includes a depicting position on a form (depicting reference position), length, line intervals, thickness of lines, color of lines, number of lines, and an image index value. For example, in the form data as shown in  FIG. 5B , there are two spaces for laying out images, and lines are provided at positions associated to each space, so that a user can write in a memo. These lines are depicted according to line depicting data #1 (image index value: 1) and line depicting data #2 (image index value: 2), respectively. 
         [0051]    As shown in  FIG. 7C , the graphic depicting data includes type of depiction (assembly of lines/bezier curve), method of depiction (line only, fill (even-odd rule, non-zero winding rule), line and fill), line color, line thickness, color of fill, a depiction position (assembly of depiction positions, including control point in the case of bezier curve), and an image index value. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 7D , the image depicting data includes a depicting position on a form (depicting reference position), a width and a height of a source image, a width and a height of a depicted image, number of colors (monochrome, 256 colors, full-color), data size, image data, and an image index value. 
         [0053]    The form data shown in  FIGS. 5A to 5D  includes two spaces for images on one page. When a user selects three images, the first page including two images is printed out, as shown in  FIG. 5D . 
         [0054]    The second page is printed out as shown in  FIG. 8 . Specifically, the third image is positioned at the space for a first image on the page, and lines are depicted at a position associated to the image. Moreover, the space for a second image on the page is left blank, without any lines depicted. 
         [0055]    According to the embodiment, when a page is created according to form data, and the page has a blank space because there are more spaces than the number of images selected for printing, depicting elements (characters, lines, graphics, etc.) associated to the blank space are not printed. Thus, unnecessary form elements are omitted, so that a desirable output is obtained. Moreover, unnecessary consumption of color material of the printer  200  (toner, ink, etc.) is suppressed. 
         [0056]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart of a printing processing performed by the printer  200 . In this printing processing, a plurality of images selected by a user is transferred from the digital still camera  100  to be printed out on one page. 
         [0057]    A user is made to select a form data (step S 101 ). Operation guidance and a list of form data can be displayed on the operation display unit  27  to facilitate the selection. 
         [0058]    The printer  200  sets a variable C of the number of images to be included on one page to “0” (step S 102 ), and determines whether an image is input from the digital still camera  100  (step S 103 ). When the result of the determination made at step S 103  is YES, the printer  200  adds “1” to the variable C (step S 104 ), positions the input image on a page according to Cth layout data (layout data #C), and issues a depicting command to a lower processing layer (step S 105 ). 
         [0059]    The printer determines whether the variable C reached a number N of images that can be included in one page (step S 106 ). When the result of the determination made at step S 106  is NO, the system control returns to step S 103 , and determines whether a next image is input. 
         [0060]    When the digital still camera  100  finishes inputting images to the printer  200 , and the result of the determination made at step S 103  is NO, the printer  200  determines whether the variable C is more than “0” (step S 107 ). When the result of the determination made at step S 107  is NO, the image printing processing ends. 
         [0061]    When the printer  200  finishes depicting images for one page and the result of the determination made at step S 106  is YES, or when the digital still camera  100  finishes inputting images to the printer  200  but the last page is not discharged and the result of the determination made at step S 107  is YES, the processing proceeds to step S 108 . At this point, the variable C retains the number of images to be included on the page to be printed out. 
         [0062]    At step S 108 , the printer  200  sets a variable i to “0”. The variable i is used for sequentially scanning all the depicting data included in the form additional data. The printer  200  acquires an i-th element in the depicting data, and determines whether the image index value of the acquired element is smaller than the variable C (step S 109 ). 
         [0063]    When the result of the determination made at step S 109  is YES, the printer  200  issues, to a lower processing layer, a depicting command to depict the contents of the i-th element (step S 110 ). When the result of the determination made at step S 109  is NO, step S 110  is not performed. 
         [0064]    The printer  200  adds “1” to the variable i (step S 111 ), and determines whether processings for all depicting data are completed (step S 112 ). When the result of the determination made at step S 112  is NO, the system control returns to step S 109 , and performs processings for remaining depicting data. 
         [0065]    When the result of the determination made at step S 112  is YES, the printer  200  discharges the depicted page (step S 113 ), returns to step S 103 , and performs processings for a next page. 
         [0066]    Similar results can be obtained by replacing the digital still camera  100  with a digital video camera having a function of a digital still camera. Moreover, similar results can be obtained by replacing the digital still camera  100  with a mobile terminal having a function of a digital still camera. 
         [0067]    It is sufficient that the images are available, and it is not necessary that the images be taken with a camera. In other words, the images can be images prestored in a hard disk of a computer, or can be images scanned with a scanning function of a scanner, a composite machine, or a copier. The images can also be downloaded via a network such as the Internet. In other words, instead of connecting the printer  200  to the digital still camera  100  as shown in  FIG. 1 , the printer  200  can be connected to a computer having a hard disk with prestored images or a communication function that allows downloading of images via a network, or the printer  200  can be connected to, or incorporated in, a scanner, a composite machine, or a copier. 
         [0068]    Although the invention has been described with respect to a specific embodiment for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6