Method, apparatus and recording medium for generating composite image

Claim 2

A computer-readable recording medium storing template data representing a template, the template comprising: an editing description for setting a valid area in a two-dimensional plane; and editing descriptions respectively specifying a plurality of layout areas in the valid area and specifying a plurality of layout images to be laid out in the respective layout areas, wherein the specification of the plurality of layout areas is a specification of a plurality of alpha channel data files, and wherein for each of the plurality of layout areas, a corresponding default image is specified to be laid out according to the corresponding each of the plurality of alpha channel data files for generating an initial composite image.

Claim 3

A computer-readable recording medium as defined in claim 1 , wherein the template further comprises at least one editing description respectively specifying the content of image processing carried out on any one of the layout images.

Claim 4

A computer-readable recording medium storing template data representing a template, the template comprising: an editing description for specifying a base image; and editing descriptions respectively specifying a plurality of insertion areas in the base image and specifying a plurality of insertion images to be inserted in the respective insertion areas, wherein the specification of the plurality of insertion areas is a specification of a plurality of alpha channel data files, and wherein for each insertion area, a corresponding default image is specified to be inserted according to the corresponding each of the plurality of alpha channel data files for generating an initial composite image.

Claim 5

A computer-readable recording medium storing template data representing a template, the template comprising: an editing description for specifying a base image; and editing descriptions respectively specifying a plurality of insertion areas in the base image and specifying a plurality of insertion images to be inserted in the respective insertion areas, wherein the specification of the plurality of insertion areas is a specification of a plurality of alpha channel data files, and wherein for each insertion area, a corresponding default image is specified to be inserted according to the corresponding each of the plurality of alpha channel data files for generating an initial composite image.

Claim 6

A computer-readable recording medium as defined in claim 3 , wherein the template further comprises at least one editing description respectively specifying the content of image processing to be carried out on the base image and/or any one of the insertion images.

Claim 7

A computer-readable recording medium storing template data representing a template, the template comprising: an editing description for specifying a base image; at least one editing description respectively specifying an insertion area in the base image and specifying an insertion image to be inserted in the insertion area; and at least one editing description for specifying the content of image processing to be carried out on the base image and/or the insertion images, wherein the specification of the insertion area is a specification of an alpha channel data file, and wherein for each of the at least one editing description specifying the insertion area, a corresponding default image is specified to be inserted according to the corresponding at least one alpha channel data file for generating an initial composite image.

Claim 8

A computer-readable recording medium storing template data representing a template, the template comprising: an editing description for specifying a base image; at least one editing description respectively specifying an insertion area in the base image and specifying an insertion image to be inserted in the insertion area; and at least one editing description for specifying the content of image processing to be carried out on the base image and/or the insertion images, wherein the specification of the insertion area is a specification of an alpha channel data file, and wherein for each of the at least one editing description specifying the insertion area, a corresponding default image is specified to be inserted according to the corresponding at least one alpha channel data file for generating an initial composite image.

Claim 11

A composite-image generation method as defined in claim 6 , the template further comprising at least one editing description respectively specifying the content of image processing to be carried out on any one of the layout images, and the method further comprising the step of carrying out the image processing based on the editing description or descriptions specifying the content of the image processing.

Claim 14

A composite-image generation method as defined in claim 8 , the template further comprising at least one editing description respectively specifying the content of image processing to be carried out on the base image and/or any one of the insertion images, and the method further comprising the step of carrying out the image processing based on the at least one editing description specifying the content of the image processing.

Claim 17

A composite-image generating apparatus for generating a composite image having a plurality of layout images based on template data representing a template, the template including: an editing description for setting a valid area in a two-dimensional plane; and editing descriptions respectively specifying a plurality of layout areas in the valid area and specifying the layout images to be laid out in the respective layout areas, wherein the specification of the plurality of layout areas is a specification of a plurality of alpha channel data files, the composite-image generating apparatus comprising: setting means for setting the valid area based on the editing description for setting the valid area; reception means for receiving specification of the layout images based on the editing descriptions specifying the layout images; and composition means for generating the composite image by laying out the layout images based on the editing descriptions specifying the layout areas and for generating an initial composite image by laying out a corresponding default image for each of the plurality of layout areas according to the corresponding each of the plurality of alpha channel data files.

Claim 18

A composite-image generating apparatus for generating a composite image having a plurality of layout images based on template data representing a template, the template including: an editing description for setting a valid area in a two-dimensional plane; and editing descriptions respectively specifying a plurality of layout areas in the valid area and specifying the layout images to be laid out in the respective layout areas, wherein the specification of the plurality of layout areas is a specification of a plurality of alpha channel data files, the composite-image generating apparatus comprising: setting means for setting the valid area based on the editing description for setting the valid area; reception means for receiving specification of the layout images based on the editing descriptions specifying the layout images; and composition means for generating the composite image by laying out the layout images based on the editing descriptions specifying the layout areas and for generating an initial composite image by laying out a corresponding default image for each of the plurality of layout areas according to the corresponding each of the plurality of alpha channel data files.

Claim 19

A composite-image generating apparatus as defined in claim 11 , the template further including at least one editing description respectively specifying the content of image processing to be carried out on any one of the layout images, and the composition means obtaining the composite image further by carrying out the image processing based on the at least one editing description specifying the content of the image processing.

Claim 20

A composite-image generating apparatus for generating a composite image having a plurality of insertion images inserted in a base image based on template data representing a template, the template including: an editing description for specifying the base image; and editing descriptions respectively specifying a plurality of insertion areas in the base image and specifying the plurality of insertion images to be inserted in the respective insertion areas, wherein the specification of the plurality of insertion areas is a specification of a plurality of alpha channel data files, the composite-image generating apparatus comprising: reception means for receiving specification of the insertion images based on the editing descriptions specifying the insertion images; and composition means for generating the composite image by inserting the insertion images in the insertion areas in the base image based on the editing description specifying the base image and based on the editing descriptions specifying the insertion areas and for generating an initial composite image by inserting a corresponding default image for each of the plurality of insertion areas according to the corresponding each of the plurality of alpha channel data files.

Claim 21

A composite-image generating apparatus for generating a composite image having a plurality of insertion images inserted in a base image based on template data representing a template, the template including: an editing description for specifying the base image; and editing descriptions respectively specifying a plurality of insertion areas in the base image and specifying the plurality of insertion images to be inserted in the respective insertion areas, wherein the specification of the plurality of insertion areas is a specification of a plurality of alpha channel data files, the composite-image generating apparatus comprising: reception means for receiving specification of the insertion images based on the editing descriptions specifying the insertion images; and composition means for generating the composite image by inserting the insertion images in the insertion areas in the base image based on the editing description specifying the base image and based on the editing descriptions specifying the insertion areas and for generating an initial composite image by inserting a corresponding default image for each of the plurality of insertion areas according to the corresponding each of the plurality of alpha channel data files.

Claim 22

A composite-image generating apparatus as defined in claim 13 , the template further including at least one editing description respectively specifying the content of image processing to be carried out on the base image and/or any one of the insertion images, and the composition means obtaining the composite image further by carrying out the image processing based on the at least one editing description specifying the content of the image processing.

Claim 23

A composite-image generating apparatus for generating a composite image having at least one insertion image inserted in a base image based on template data representing a template, the template including: an editing description for specifying the base image; at least one editing description respectively specifying each one of at least one insertion area in the base image and specifying one of the at least one insertion image to be inserted in the insertion area, wherein the specification of the each one of at least one insertion area is a specification of corresponding at least one alpha channel data file; and at least one editing description respectively specifying the content of image processing to be carried out on the base image and/or any one of the at least one insertion image, the composite-image generating apparatus comprising: reception means for receiving specification of the at least one insertion image based on the at least one editing description specifying the insertion image; and composition means for inserting the at least one insertion image in the at least one insertion area in the base image based on the editing description specifying the base image and based on the at least one editing description specifying the insertion area and for obtaining the composite image by carrying out the image processing based on the at least one editing description specifying the content of the image processing and for generating an initial composite image by inserting a corresponding default image for the each of the at least one insertion area according to the corresponding each of the at least one alpha channel data file.

Claim 24

A composite-image generating apparatus for generating a composite image having at least one insertion image inserted in a base image based on template data representing a template, the template including: an editing description for specifying the base image; at least one editing description respectively specifying each one of at least one insertion area in the base image and specifying one of the at least one insertion image to be inserted in the insertion area, wherein the specification of the each one of at least one insertion area is a specification of corresponding at least one alpha channel data file; and at least one editing description respectively specifying the content of image processing to be carried out on the base image and/or any one of the at least one insertion image, the composite-image generating apparatus comprising: reception means for receiving specification of the at least one insertion image based on the at least one editing description specifying the insertion image; and composition means for inserting the at least one insertion image in the at least one insertion area in the base image based on the editing description specifying the base image and based on the at least one editing description specifying the insertion area and for obtaining the composite image by carrying out the image processing based on the at least one editing description specifying the content of the image processing and for generating an initial composite image by inserting a corresponding default image for the each of the at least one insertion area according to the corresponding each of the at least one alpha channel data file.

Claim 25

A computer-readable recording medium storing a program to cause a computer to execute a method of generating a composite image having a plurality of layout images based on template data representing a template, the template comprising; an editing description for setting a valid area in a two-dimensional plane; and editing descriptions respectively specifying a plurality of layout areas in the valid area and specifying the plurality of layout images laid out in the respective layout areas, wherein the specification of the plurality of layout areas is a specification of a plurality of alpha channel data files, the program comprising the procedures of: setting the valid area based on the editing description for setting the valid area; receiving specification of the layout images based on the editing descriptions specifying the layout images; inserting the layout images based on the editing descriptions specifying the layout areas; and generating an initial composite image by inserting a corresponding default image for each of the plurality of layout areas according to the corresponding each of the plurality of alpha channel data files.

Claim 26

A computer-readable recording medium storing a program to cause a computer to execute a method of generating a composite image having a plurality of layout images based on template data representing a template, the template comprising; an editing description for setting a valid area in a two-dimensional plane; and editing descriptions respectively specifying a plurality of layout areas in the valid area and specifying the plurality of layout images laid out in the respective layout areas, wherein the specification of the plurality of layout areas is a specification of a plurality of alpha channel data files, the program comprising the procedures of: setting the valid area based on the editing description for setting the valid area; receiving specification of the layout images based on the editing descriptions specifying the layout images; inserting the layout images based on the editing descriptions specifying the layout areas; and generating an initial composite image by inserting a corresponding default image for each of the plurality of layout areas according to the corresponding each of the plurality of alpha channel data files.

Claim 27

A computer-readable recording medium as defined in claim 16 , the template further comprising at least one editing description respectively specifying the content of image processing to be carried out on any one of the layout images, and the program further comprising the procedure of carrying out the image processing based on the at least one editing description specifying the content of the image processing.

Claim 28

A computer-readable recording medium storing a program to cause a computer to execute a method of generating a composite image having a plurality of insertion images inserted in a base image based on template data representing a template, the template comprising: an editing description for specifying the base image; and editing descriptions respectively specifying a plurality of insertion areas in the base image and specifying the plurality of insertion images inserted in the respective insertion areas, wherein the specification of the plurality of insertion areas is a specification of a plurality of alpha channel data files, the program comprising the procedures of: receiving specification of the insertion images based on the editing descriptions specifying the insertion images; inserting the insertion images in the respective insertion areas in the base image based on the editing description specifying the base image and based on the editing descriptions specifying the insertion areas; and generating an initial composite image by inserting a corresponding default image for each of the plurality of insertion areas according to the corresponding each of the plurality of alpha channel data files.

Claim 29

A computer-readable recording medium storing a program to cause a computer to execute a method of generating a composite image having a plurality of insertion images inserted in a base image based on template data representing a template, the template comprising: an editing description for specifying the base image; and editing descriptions respectively specifying a plurality of insertion areas in the base image and specifying the plurality of insertion images inserted in the respective insertion areas, wherein the specification of the plurality of insertion areas is a specification of a plurality of alpha channel data files, the program comprising the procedures of: receiving specification of the insertion images based on the editing descriptions specifying the insertion images; inserting the insertion images in the respective insertion areas in the base image based on the editing description specifying the base image and based on the editing descriptions specifying the insertion areas; and generating an initial composite image by inserting a corresponding default image for each of the plurality of insertion areas according to the corresponding each of the plurality of alpha channel data files.

Claim 30

A computer-readable recording medium as defined in claim 18 , the template further comprising at least one editing description respectively specifying the content of image processing to be carried out on the base image and/or any one of the insertion images, and the program further comprising the procedure of carrying out the image processing based on the at least one editing description specifying the content of the image processing.

Claim 31

A computer-readable recording medium storing a program to cause a computer to execute a method of generating a composite-image having at least one insertion image inserted in a base image based on template data representing a template, the template comprising: an editing description for specifying the base image; at least one editing description respectively specifying each one of at least one insertion area in the base image and specifying one of the at least one insertion image inserted in the insertion area, wherein the specification of the each one of at least one insertion area is a specification of corresponding at least one alpha channel data file; and at least one editing description respectively specifying the content of image processing to be carried out on the base image and/or any one of the at least one insertion image, the program comprising the procedures of: receiving specification of the at least one insertion image based on the at least one editing description specifying the insertion image; generating an initial composite image by inserting a corresponding default image for the each of the at least one insertion area according to the corresponding each of the at least one alpha channel data file; inserting the at least one insertion image in the at least one insertion area in the base image based on the editing description specifying the base image and based on the at least one editing description specifying the insertion area; and obtaining the composite image by carrying out the image processing based on the at least one editing description specifying the content of the image processing.

Claim 32

A computer-readable recording medium storing a program to cause a computer to execute a method of generating a composite-image having at least one insertion image inserted in a base image based on template data representing a template, the template comprising: an editing description for specifying the base image; at least one editing description respectively specifying each one of at least one insertion area in the base image and specifying one of the at least one insertion image inserted in the insertion area, wherein the specification of the each one of at least one insertion area is a specification of corresponding at least one alpha channel data file; and at least one editing description respectively specifying the content of image processing to be carried out on the base image and/or any one of the at least one insertion image, the program comprising the procedures of: receiving specification of the at least one insertion image based on the at least one editing description specifying the insertion image; generating an initial composite image by inserting a corresponding default image for the each of the at least one insertion area according to the corresponding each of the at least one alpha channel data file; inserting the at least one insertion image in the at least one insertion area in the base image based on the editing description specifying the base image and based on the at least one editing description specifying the insertion area; and obtaining the composite image by carrying out the image processing based on the at least one editing description specifying the content of the image processing.

Claim 35

The method of generating the composite image of claim 21 , wherein the externally specified images are images specified by a user.

Claim 36

The method of generating the composite image of claim 21 , wherein the step of generating initial composite image further comprises: reading the one or more alpha channel data files.

Claim 37

The method of generating the composite image of claim 21 , wherein the template further includes a specification of one or more image processing commands, the method further comprising: processing the one or more image processing commands.

Claim 40

The method of generating the composite image of claim 25 , wherein the externally specified images are images specified by a user.

Claim 41

The method of generating the composite image of claim 25 , wherein the step of generating initial composite image further comprises: reading the one or more alpha channel data files.

Claim 42

The method of generating the composite image of claim 25 , wherein the template further includes a specification of one or more image processing commands, the method further comprising: processing the one or more image processing commands.