JP3672711B2 - Image information recording medium, image reproducing method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to print media used in digital photo services.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a service for creating a photographic print by recording a digital image read from a negative film on photographic paper is known. Unlike a service that creates a print by printing exposure, such a print service can easily perform image processing on a read digital image, so gradation correction and color correction are usually performed in the process of creating a print. Such image processing is performed.
[0003]
That is, even if the prints are made from the same negative film, the print finish will be different if the image processing performed in the laboratory is different. Therefore, in order to obtain a print with the same finish later, it is necessary to remember information relating to image processing performed in the laboratory.
[0004]
As means for this purpose, a method is known in which information on color correction and gradation correction is printed as character information on the back side of a completed print. In this method, the lab operator creates a finished print close to the brought-in print by adjusting the various processing conditions of the print system with reference to the information on the back side of the print brought from the customer. Can do.
[0005]
On the other hand, a magnetic tape attached to an APS film is known as a means for recording various kinds of information related to images in a digital photo service. When an APS film is used, information such as a shooting date is recorded on the magnetic tape, and this is read and used in a laboratory system.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the method of printing image information as characters on the back side of the print is inefficient because the operator must check the back side of the print one by one. Further, when complicated image processing is performed, that is, when there is a lot of image information recorded on the back side of the print, the burden on the operator is very large. In particular, when filtering processing is performed as image processing, for example, even if the filter size is a relatively small 3 × 3 size, nine pieces of filter data are read from the back side of the print and input to the system. There must be. For this reason, in the current service, detailed information such as filter data is not recorded on the back side of the print, and only a part of the image processing parameters are recorded.
[0007]
As a method of reducing the burden on the operator, a method of recording filter data or the like on the magnetic tape attached to the APS film can be considered. For example, when only the optimum image processing conditions need be recorded, this method can always obtain a print processed under the optimum image processing conditions without imposing a burden on the operator.
[0008]
However, there are cases where it is desired to remember several types of information related to image processing, for example, when comparing the finish levels of a plurality of service shops or when trying various processing conditions. In this case, if image processing information relating to a plurality of photo prints is recorded on one negative film, there is a problem that it is difficult to associate the photo prints with the recorded information. In particular, since photographic prints are managed by the user, the lab operator cannot know the correspondence unless the user has stored which print information is what number on the magnetic tape.
[0009]
In view of the above problems, the present invention records the image information used when printing the image in a form that anyone can understand the correspondence with the print, and the laboratory operator records the image information. The purpose is to make it possible to efficiently create a print having the same finish as that print.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes a new print medium in which image information used in printing is held in the print itself. In other words, the image information recording medium of the present invention is an image information recording medium on which information relating to an image is recorded. When the image is printed as a visible image, and when the image is printed on the print surface And a digital data recording unit in which used image information is recorded as digital data.
[0011]
Here, the “printing surface” may be one surface of the digital data recording unit when the digital data recording unit is formed (or covered) with a printable member and the member has a printable surface. Alternatively, a print-dedicated member such as photographic paper may be attached to the digital data recording unit, and the attached surface may be used as a print surface. The “print surface” is not necessarily a flat surface, and may be a curved surface, a spherical surface, or the like.
[0012]
The “digital data recording unit” is preferably one that magnetically stores digital data or one that electrically stores digital data, such as a magnetic tape or an IC card. Specifically, for example, a form in which a magnetic tape or a magnetic plate is attached to the back surface of the printing paper for printing, or a form in which the magnetic tape or the magnetic plate is sandwiched between two printing papers can be considered. Furthermore, a form in which photographic paper is pasted on the IC card or directly printed on the IC card is also conceivable.
[0013]
As “image information”, correction parameters for color and gradation, filter data of an image processing filter, and the like can be considered. Also, the type of negative, the cartridge number of the film, the frame number of the image, etc. may be recorded as the image information.
[0014]
Furthermore, image data representing the printed image itself may be recorded as image information in the digital data recording unit. However, here, there are two types of “image data representing the printed image itself”: image data as read from the negative and processed image data after image processing. When recording the image data as read from the negative, information such as image processing parameters used at the time of printing is recorded together. On the other hand, when the processed image data is recorded, the image processing parameters and the like are not necessarily recorded.
[0015]
The image reproduction method and apparatus of the present invention is a method and apparatus for reproducing an image recorded on the image information recording medium.
[0016]
That is, the image reproduction method of the present invention is a method of reading information about an image from an image information recording medium and reproducing the image as a visible image on a predetermined recording medium,
The image information recording medium includes a print surface on which the image is printed as a visible image, and a digital data recording unit on which image information used when printing the image on the print surface is recorded as digital data. Recording medium,
Read the image information from the digital data recording unit,
The image processing using the read image information is performed, and an image having the same finish as the image printed on the print surface is reproduced on the predetermined recording medium.
[0017]
The image reproduction apparatus of the present invention is an image reproduction apparatus comprising data reading means for reading information relating to an image from an image information recording medium, and data reproduction means for reproducing the image as a visible image on a predetermined recording medium. There,
The image information recording medium includes a print surface on which the image is printed as a visible image, and a digital data recording unit on which image information used when printing the image on the print surface is recorded as digital data. The data reading means reads the image information from the digital data recording unit,
The data reproduction means performs image processing using the read image information and reproduces an image having the same finish as the image printed on the print surface on the predetermined recording medium. Is.
[0018]
“Image processing using read image information” means that if the correction parameter is included in the image information, correction processing is performed using the parameter, and if filter data is included in the image information. Filtering processing is performed using the filter data. If image data as read from the negative is included as image information, it means that the image processing as described above is performed on the data. Furthermore, when image-processed data is included as image information, this means that the data is transferred to the printer as it is.
[0019]
If the image data is not included as image information, the image data is read by reading a negative film or searching for image data stored in advance on a hard disk or the like, as in normal print processing. Shall be obtained.
[0020]
【The invention's effect】
The image information recording medium of the present invention is a print medium provided with a print surface and a digital data recording unit, and a photographic print itself can store data used for printing. Since the print and the data are recorded on the same medium, there is no concern that the correspondence between the print and the data will be unclear, and the data recorded in the digital data recording unit can be directly used in the printing system. Therefore, the burden on the operator is small, and in some cases, it is possible to provide a print service as an unmanned system.
[0021]
If the digital data recording unit is a magnetic recording medium such as a magnetic tape or a magnetic plate, the cost can be kept relatively low. In the case of a magnetic tape, since it can be easily pasted on a printing paper or the like, the print medium of the present invention can be realized in substantially the same shape as a conventional photographic print.
[0022]
On the other hand, if the digital data recording unit is a semiconductor memory element such as an IC chip, the cost is slightly higher than that of a magnetic tape, but the durability as a medium is increased. There is no need to worry about changes. In addition, since the data recording density is high, the amount of information that can be recorded is large.
[0023]
Also, if filter data, which has conventionally been omitted as characters because the operator's burden is too great, is recorded as image processing information, it is easier and more faithful than conventional methods with less burden than before. Can be played.
[0024]
Furthermore, if image data representing the printed image itself is also recorded in the digital data recording unit, a negative film is not required when ordering the print. As a result, even if a photographic print is given by a person, for example, if only that print is brought into the laboratory, a print with exactly the same finish can be obtained.
[0025]
Also, the image reproduction method and apparatus of the present invention reads the image information from the image information recording medium and uses it for processing during image reproduction. Therefore, the image recorded on the print surface is reproduced faithfully. be able to.
[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a view showing an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a front view (a) and a side view (b) of an image information recording medium. As shown in the side view (b), this image information recording medium is obtained by adhering a magnetic tape 2 to a printing paper 1 made of the same material as that of a conventional photographic print. As shown in a front view (a), A photographic image is printed on the printing paper 1.
[0027]
Various types of information relating to photographic images recorded on the print paper 1 are magnetically recorded on the magnetic tape 2. For example, information about whether this photographic image was read from 135 film, read from APS film, or taken from a digital camera is recorded in a predefined numerical code. . Further, a number for distinguishing the film (cartridge number, etc.), a frame number of the photographic image, a store number of the service store that performed the printing, and the like are recorded. In addition, when printing the photographic image, the type of image processing applied to the image data is recorded as a number. Further, for example, correction parameters, filter data, and the like are recorded for each type of image processing.
[0028]
For example, when frequency processing is performed using a 3 × 3 high-pass filter 3 as shown in FIG. 2, the information “3, 3” indicating the size of the filter and the filter data in order from the upper left to the right. The indicated information “1, −2,1, −2,5, −2,1, −2,1” is “3,3,1, −2,1, −2,5, −2,1”. , -2, 1 ".
[0029]
When a yellow filter +2 and a magenta filter -5 are added to a rectangular area 3 cm horizontally and 2 cm vertically from the upper left of the print, information “0, 0” indicating the upper left point of the rectangular area and the right Information “3, 2” indicating the lower and information “0, 2, −5” indicating the respective filter data of cyan, yellow, and magenta are “0, 0, 3, 2, 0, 2, −5”. "Is recorded as a numeric string such as
[0030]
The content or data format recorded as the image information is not limited to the above example, and any content or format may be used as long as it is determined in advance.
[0031]
Although one embodiment of the image information recording medium of the present invention has been described above, the image information recording medium of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. It may be a form sandwiched between. Or you may be comprised not by the magnetic tape but by the thicker magnetic board and IC card.
[0032]
For example, when the data recording unit is an IC card, the covering member covering the IC, that is, the card shape has no trouble in printing an image (for example, the color is white and printing with ink is performed). If it has a surface (of a material that can be), a photographic image may be printed directly on the surface. That is, the print surface may be one surface of the data recording unit.
[0033]
Further, when a relatively large amount of data can be recorded like an IC card, the image data itself representing the image recorded on the print surface may be recorded on the IC card. As such a method, there are two methods: a method of recording image data read from the negative together with an image processing parameter and filter data on an IC card, and a method of recording processed image data after image processing. Can be considered.
[0034]
The image information recording medium as described above is handled by, for example, an image reproducing device as shown in FIG. The image reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is an apparatus for handling an image information recording medium in a form in which a magnetic tape 2 is attached to a printing paper 1. The image reading unit 4 reads image information recorded on the magnetic tape and reproduces data. The data read by the means 5 is reproduced on the photographic print 6.
[0035]
The data reading means 4 is a device that reads the magnetic information by scanning the magnetic surface as shown in the example of FIG. 4 when the data recording portion is made of a magnetic tape, and when the data recording portion is an IC card, the data reading means 4 A device such as a card reader having a terminal for electrical transmission may be used.
[0036]
The data reproducing means 5 is assumed to be a known digital photographic printer connected to a dedicated image processing machine or a general-purpose personal computer or workstation incorporating dedicated image processing software. The data reproducing means 5 uses the image information transferred from the data reading means 4 to perform the color, gradation correction, filtering processing and the like as described above on the image data, and the processed data is sent to the photographic printer. Output. As a result, the finished photo print 6 has the same finish as the photo print on the print paper 1.
[0037]
The photographic print 6 may be a conventional photographic print made only of print paper or the print medium of the present invention. When the photographic print 6 is used as the print medium of the present invention, magnetic recording means is provided in addition to the means shown in FIG. 4, and the information read from the magnetic tape 2 is recorded in the data recording section of the photographic print 6 as it is. Good.
[0038]
As described above, according to the image information recording medium and the image reproducing method and apparatus of the present invention, the image information is recorded on the print itself, so the correspondence between the print and the image information is clear, and the recording is performed. Since the image information thus obtained can be directly used as digital data in a print system, an efficient print service can be realized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an image information recording medium of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image processing filter. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of an image information recording medium of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an image reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Print paper 2 Magnetic tape 3 High pass filter 4 Data reading means 5 Data reproduction means 6 Photo print

Claims (9)

An image information recording medium on which information about an image is recorded,
A printed surface on which the image is printed as a visible image;
An image information recording medium comprising: a digital data recording unit on which image information used when printing the image on the print surface is recorded as digital data. 2. The image information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the digital data recording unit is a medium that magnetically stores digital data, and the image information is magnetically stored in the medium. The image information recording medium according to claim 2, wherein the medium is a magnetic tape. 2. The image information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the digital data recording unit comprises a medium for electrically storing digital data, and the image information is electrically stored on the medium. 5. The image information recording medium according to claim 4, wherein the medium is an IC card. 6. The image information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the image information is information including filter data of an image processing filter used at the time of printing. The image information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the image information is information including image data representing a printed image itself. In an image reproduction method of reading information about an image from an image information recording medium and reproducing the image as a visible image on a predetermined recording medium,
The image information recording medium includes a print surface on which the image is printed as a visible image, and a digital data recording unit on which image information used when the image is printed on the print surface is recorded as digital data. Recording medium,
Read the image information from the digital data recording unit,
An image reproduction method comprising: performing image processing using the read image information and reproducing an image having the same finish as the image printed on the print surface on the predetermined recording medium. In an image reproducing apparatus comprising data reading means for reading information relating to an image from an image information recording medium, and data reproducing means for reproducing the image as a visible image on a predetermined recording medium,
The image information recording medium includes a print surface on which the image is printed as a visible image, and a digital data recording unit on which image information used when the image is printed on the print surface is recorded as digital data. Recording medium,
The data reading means reads the image information from the digital data recording unit;
The data reproduction means performs image processing using the read image information and reproduces an image having the same finish as the image printed on the print surface on the predetermined recording medium. Image playback device.

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