Image processing method and apparatus for generating sequential still images by extracting still images from moving image data, and printing apparatus

Abstract

An image processing apparatus controls to print a plurality of sequential still images, which can be observed as a flip moving image, on the basis of moving image data. The image processing apparatus provides a window which has a start point button, end point button, seek bar, and the like. The user designates a desired still image extraction range from the moving image data by operating the start and end point buttons. This window also provides a preview button. When the user clicks the preview button, a predetermined number of sequential still images are generated from the designated still image extraction range in the moving image. These sequential still images are displayed while being sequentially switched in the order they appear in the moving image data.

1 . An image processing apparatus for generating sequential still images on the basis of moving image data, comprising:
 a designation unit adapted to designate a desired range of the moving image data;   a generation unit adapted to generate a predetermined number of sequential still images using frames within the desired range of the moving image data;   a display control unit adapted to control to execute switching display where the predetermined number of sequential still images generated by said generation unit are displayed while sequentially switching the sequential still images; and   a change unit adapted to display a slide bar and a knob for changing a switching time interval of the sequential still images and to change the switching time interval in accordance with a movement operation of the knob on the slide bar during the switching display executed by said display control unit, the switching time interval representing a period for displaying each still image of the sequential still images during the switching display executed by said display control unit,   wherein said display control unit, during the switching display, reflects a switching time interval of the sequential still images changed by said change unit in the switching display of the sequential still images.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a print control unit adapted to control to print still images generated by said generation unit. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a range designation operation in said designation unit and display by said display control unit are implemented on a single window. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said designation unit can designate the desired range by designating desired start and end positions on a figure corresponding to a full range of the moving image data. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said generation unit extracts a predetermined number of frames from the desired range at equal intervals, and generates still images corresponding to the extracted frames as the sequential still images. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising a print unit adapted to print the sequential still images under the control of said print control unit. 
   
   
       7 . An image processing method for generating sequential still images on the basis of moving image data, comprising:
 a designation step of designating a desired range of the moving image data;   a generation step of generating a predetermined number of sequential still images using frames within the desired range of the moving image data;   a display control step of controlling to execute switching display where the predetermined number of sequential still images generated in the generation step are displayed while sequentially switching the sequential still images; and   a change step of displaying a slide bar and a knob for changing a switching time interval of the sequential still images and changing the switching time interval in accordance with a movement operation of the knob on the slide bar during the switching display executed by said display control step, the switching time interval representing a period for displaying each still image of the sequential still images during the switching display executed in said display control step,   wherein said display control step, during the switching display, reflects a switching time interval of the sequential still images changed in said change step in the switching display of the sequential still images.   
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising the print control step of controlling to print still images generated in the generation step. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein a range designation operation in the designation step and display in the display control step are implemented on a single window. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the designation step includes the step of designating the desired range by designating desired start and end positions on a figure corresponding to a full range of the moving image data. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the generation step includes the step of extracting a predetermined number of frames from the desired range at equal intervals, and generating still images corresponding to the extracted frames as the sequential still images. 
   
   
       12 . A computer readable memory that stores a control program for making a computer execute an image processing method for generating sequential still images on the basis of moving image data, said image processing method comprising:
 a designation step of designating a desired range of the moving image data;   a generation step of generating a predetermined number of sequential still images using frames within the desired range of the moving image data;   a display control step of controlling to execute switching display where the predetermined number of sequential still images generated in the generation step are displayed while sequentially switching the sequential still images; and   a change step of displaying a slide bar and a knob for changing a switching time interval of the sequential still images and changing the switching time interval in accordance with a movement operation of the knob on the slide bar during the switching display executed by said display control step, the switching time interval representing a period for displaying each still image of the sequential still images during the switching display executed in said display control step,   wherein said display control step, during the switching display, reflects a switching time interval of the sequential still images changed in said change step in the switching display of the sequential still images.   
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said generation unit generates a plurality of sequential still images which can be observed as a flip moving image. 
   
   
       14 . An image processing apparatus for generating sequential still images on the basis of moving image data, comprising:
 a designation unit adapted to designate a desired range of the moving image data;   a generation unit adapted to generate a predetermined number of sequential still images using frames within the desired range of the moving image data;   a display control unit adapted to control to execute switching display where the predetermined number of sequential still images generated by said generation unit are displayed while sequentially switching the sequential still images;   a setting unit adapted to set a total time required to display, by the switching display executed by said display control unit, all of the predetermined number of sequential still images based on an input from a user; and   an adjusting unit adapted to adjust switching time interval of the switching display of the predetermined number of sequential still images by said display control unit in accordance with the total time set by said setting unit, the switching time interval representing a period for displaying each still image of the sequential still images during the switching display executed by said display control unit.   
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 7  wherein said generation step generates a plurality of sequential still images which can be observed as a flip moving image. 
   
   
       16 . An image processing method for generating sequential still images on the basis of moving image data, comprising:
 a designation step of designating a desired range of the moving image data;   a generation step of generating a predetermined number of sequential still images using frames within the desired range of the moving image data;   a display control step of controlling to execute switching display where the predetermined number of sequential still images generated in said generation step are displayed while sequentially switching the sequential still images;   a setting step of inputting a total time required to display, by the switching display executed in said display control step, all of the predetermined number of sequential still images based on an input from a user and   an adjusting step of adjusting switching time interval of the switching display of the predetermined number of sequential still images in said display control step in accordance with the total time set in said setting step, the switching time interval representing a period for displaying each still image of the sequential still images during the switching display executed in said display control step.   
   
   
       17 . A computer readable memory that stores a control program for making a computer execute an image processing method for generating sequential still images on the basis of moving image data, the image processing method comprising:
 a designation step of designating a desired range of the moving image data;   a generation step of generating a predetermined number of sequential still images using frames within the desired range of the moving image data;   a display control step of controlling to execute switching display where the predetermined number of sequential still images generated in said generation step are displayed while sequentially switching the sequential still images;   a setting step of inputting a total time required to display, by the switching display executed in said display control step, all of the predetermined number of sequential still images based on an input from a user; and   an adjusting step of adjusting switching time interval of the switching display of the predetermined number of sequential still images in said display control step in accordance with the total time set in said setting step, the switching time interval representing a period for displaying each still image of the sequential still images during the switching display executed in said display control step.