Method and apparatus for processing an image, and storage medium

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to a method, apparatus, and storage medium for processing an image, capable of performing a desired editing process on an image.

#The present invention also relates to a method, apparatus, and storage medium which allow an editing process to be designated in an easy fashion.

#The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a layout registration process;

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, an image inputting device 1 is, for example, a scanner and serves as image inputting means for optically scanning and inputting an image of a document. Instead of the scanner, a removable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or an MO capable of recording image data which can be input to the image processing apparatus may also be employed as the image inputting device 1. Alternatively, the image inputting device 1 may be a communication interface for downloading image data from a terminal connected via a communication line. Images in various forms may be input to the image processing device 1. For example, an image recorded on a recording medium such as paper may be optically scanned and input. An image formed on a film may be input using a film scanner serving as the image inputting device 1. An image in the form of a digital image taken via a digital camera or the like may also be input.

#An image display device 2, including a memory (ROM) 3, a memory (RAM) 4, a microprocessor 5, and a display screen 6, serves as image display means for displaying image data input via the image inputting device 1. The memory 4 serves to store image data input via the image inputting device 1. The memory 4 also serves as a work memory for storing data produced during a process. The memory 4 is also used to store registered data according to the present invention. A control program for executing a process which will be described later with reference to a flow chart may be stored in either the memory 3 or the memory 4. In the case where the control program is installed from a removable storage medium (such as a CD-ROM, FD, and MO, not shown in FIG. 1) or downloaded from another terminal connected via a communication line, the control program is stored in the memory 4. The process according to the present invention is executed under the control of the microprocessor 5 in accordance with the control program stored in the memory 3 or 4. The display screen 6 is realized by a CRT or a liquid crystal display. The display screen 6 is used to display various screen images thereby allowing a user to edit and register image data and associated data. A cursor 8 is displayed on the display screen 6 so that a desired coordinate on the display screen 6 can be designated by moving the cursor to a desired point on the display screen 6.

#As for the inputting means 7 for inputting various data, a keyboard or the like for inputting characters and functions or coordinate inputting means such as a mouse or a tablet may be employed. The printer 9 serves as outputting means for outputting data such as image data, graphic data, and strings produced on the display screen 6. Specific examples of the printer 9 include an LBP and an ink-jet printer. When an editing process such as movement, rotation, enlargement, or reduction is performed upon an image which is displayed on the display screen 6 after being input via the image inputting device 1, a specific editing command is input via the inputting means 7, and an editing process corresponding to the editing command is executed by the microprocessor 5. The resultant edited image is then output via the printer 9.