Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Light pen for fluid matrix display panel
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-05
2001-05-22
Shalwala, Bipin (Department: 2673)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Light pen for fluid matrix display panel
C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06236389
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to image editing apparatus such as film scanners, and more particularly, to image editing apparatus capable of readily setting editing regions.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
A film scanner is a device which optically reads an original image from a photographic film (hereinafter simply referred to as a “film”) and outputs the image as an image signal. The device is provided with an image display device for monitoring an output image and is capable of editing the image, such as trimming of an original image (extraction of part of the image), and expanding and reducing the image.
In general, such a film scanner is used in combination with a color printer. The color printer forms a hard copy image corresponding to an original image (hereinafter referred to as a “film image”) in response to an image signal output from the film scanner.
A conventional film scanner is provided with a display device such as a liquid crystal display using an entire display screen as an image display region, and an operation panel with various operation keys arranged thereon. Various operations including those for image editing are instructed based on a key input system.
In other words, an operator conventionally designates an image editing mode by selectively operating operation keys corresponding to a desired operation on an operation panel provided separately from an image display screen.
For example, for designating a trimming region, an operator presses a trimming key on the operation panel, with a film image displayed on the screen. Then, a trimming mode is set to display a frame line (hereinafter referred to as a “trimming frame”) indicative of an outline of the trimming region overlapped with the film image at the center of the screen.
Then, the operator sets the trimming region to have a desired size and to be located at a desired position by adequately using a key for instructing expansion or reduction of the trimming region and four keys for moving the trimming region upwards and downwards, and rightwards and leftwards.
Thereafter, when the operator presses a key for commanding output of an image signal, an image of the trimming region in the film image is output.
A multi-function film scanner, in particular, is provided with a touch panel system operation panel having a screen for switchedly displaying selection items of operations (operation buttons) according to operation situations in order to make an operation plain, simple, and small in size.
A conventional scanner has an image display region of a fixed area provided on a screen. In other words, an image display region is provided, which is of a size corresponding to a largest size of a readable film image and in which images of various sizes are displayed. The image display region has a blank portion (no image is displayed) when displaying a film image of a size other than the largest size.
An allowable extent to which a trimming frame is shifted is provided such that the trimming frame does not go out of the image display region.
An operator therefore has to determine a position of the trimming frame not to go out of the film image into the above-described blank portion with care at the time of selecting a trimming region. This makes the operation complicated and might result in selecting a portion (that is, a blank portion) other than the film image as a trimming region.
With a conventional scanner, an operator, in an operation after an image is displayed, should watch both of a display screen and an operation panel.
Thus, adopted to a scanner is an operation input system similar to that of an image forming apparatus such as CAD. According to the position input system, an image and operation selection items are displayed on the same screen and a predetermined position on the screen is designated to designate a region of the image and to select an selection item.
In other words, a display screen is divided into an image display region and an operation region equivalent to an operation panel such that the display screen is used both for image displaying and operation. Such arrangement reduces a shift length of an operator's eye gaze during operation, thereby facilitating the operation of the operator.
The position designating system includes a cursor shifting system using a track ball and a mouse and a touch panel system using touch of a screen with a pen or a finger. The cursor shifting system is particularly desirable in terms of resolution of a designated region of an image.
However, the above-described position input system does not make an operation procedure so different from that of a conventional system. For example, in order to designate a trimming region, an operator should take a two-step operation including shifting a cursor to a position corresponding to a selection item of a trimming mode to designate a trimming mode and shifting the cursor to an image display region to designate the trimming region.
Therefore, when the cursor is located apart from the selection item of the trimming mode before the trimming mode is designated, the cursor shift length is increased, which is disadvantageous in operability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to accurately and quickly designate an image editing region in an image editing apparatus.
Another object of the present invention is to improve operability of an image editing apparatus in image processing.
A further object of the present invention is to improve operability of an image editing apparatus in designating an image editing region.
A still further object of the present invention is to move a previously designated editing region by shifting a cursor in an image editing apparatus.
The above-described objects of the present invention can be achieved by an embodiment of the present invention, such embodiment having a display region, a window movable within said display region, and a cursor having a display shape. While the display region displays an image, the cursor is used to move the window about the display region in accordance with cursor motion. The display shape of the cursor changes in accordance with a position of said window.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4586035 (1986-04-01), Baker et al.
patent: 4686522 (1987-08-01), Hernandez et al.
patent: 4837635 (1989-06-01), Santos
patent: 4931783 (1990-06-01), Atkinson
patent: 4941057 (1990-07-01), Lehmbeck et al.
patent: 5051927 (1991-09-01), Tada et al.
patent: 5065346 (1991-11-01), Kawai et al.
patent: 5073771 (1991-12-01), Satta et al.
patent: 5079724 (1992-01-01), Shiraki et al.
patent: 5091866 (1992-02-01), Takagi
patent: 5119081 (1992-06-01), Ikehira et al.
patent: 5136399 (1992-08-01), Aoyama
patent: 5142669 (1992-08-01), Inoue et al.
patent: 5172103 (1992-12-01), Kita
patent: 5185598 (1993-02-01), Sakamoto et al.
patent: 5191643 (1993-03-01), Alsenz
patent: 5230063 (1993-07-01), Hoeber et al.
patent: 5263134 (1993-11-01), Paal et al.
patent: 5333247 (1994-07-01), Gest et al.
patent: 5337405 (1994-08-01), Lindauer et al.
patent: 59-106037 (1984-06-01), None
patent: 62-131109 (1987-03-01), None
patent: 2-294687 (1990-12-01), None
Imaizumi Shoji
Kusumoto Keiji
Muroki Kenichi
Minolta Co. Ltd
Osorio Ricardo
Shalwala Bipin
Sidley & Austin
LandOfFree
Image editing apparatus capable of setting image processing... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Image editing apparatus capable of setting image processing..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Image editing apparatus capable of setting image processing... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2562636