JP2000078406A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To output color image data by adjusting them to gradation suitable for respective images when the color image data are outputted by performing gradation conversion by using a gradation conversion parameter for color output when the color image data are outputted as a color image and using the gradation conversion parameter for black-and-white output when the color image data are outputted as a black-and-white image. SOLUTION: Gradation conversion processing is performed for image data to which operation processing is performed by a matrix operation part 131 by using a set look up table by a gradation conversion part 137 of an image processor part 136. In this case, gradation conversion processing is performed by using the gradation conversion parameter which is changed in accordance with whether a photographic film to be read is color or black-and-white and whether the kind of the image to be outputted is color or black-and-white by the gradation conversion part 137. Image processing such as the magnification/ reduction, gradation conversion, color conversion and hypertone processing of the image are also performed other than the gradation conversion processing by the image processor part 136.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus capable of outputting one of a color image and a black-and-white image based on image data obtained by reading an image recorded on a photographic photosensitive material. It relates to a processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image recorded on a photographic photosensitive material such as a negative film or a reversal film (hereinafter referred to as a photographic film) (a negative image visualized by photographing a subject and developing the subject). Or a positive image;
It is called a film image. ) Is printed on a photographic paper via an optical system.
A film image is read by using a photoelectric conversion element such as, and the obtained image data is subjected to, for example, image enlargement / reduction, gradation conversion, color conversion, and compression of the ultra-low frequency luminance component gradation of the image. Performs various corrections such as hyper-tone processing and hyper-sharpness processing that emphasizes sharpness while suppressing graininess, records images on recording materials such as photographic paper, and outputs them to a monitor based on the corrected image data. Digital image processing systems are attracting attention.

This image processing system is characterized in that the image quality of a recorded image can be freely controlled by image processing on image data, as compared with a conventional photographic processing system that records a film image on photographic paper by surface exposure. are doing.

Recently, using such an image processing apparatus, an image recorded on a black-and-white photographic film is read to output a black-and-white image, and image data obtained by reading an image recorded on a color photographic film is obtained. It has also been proposed to perform a black-and-white conversion process of adjusting a color and outputting a black-and-white image.

Incidentally, the exposure amount (log) of a photographic film
The gradient (γ) of the change in the linear portion of the characteristic of (H) -color density (D) (hereinafter referred to as the characteristic change gradient γ) is, for example, as shown in FIG. Is different. For this reason, in an analog image processing system, when printing black-and-white image data read from a black-and-white film, a photographic paper for a black-and-white film is used in combination with the gradation characteristics of the film and the photographic paper. When outputting color image data read from a color film, a final print gradation is realized by using a photographic paper for the color film.

[0006]

However, in the digital image processing system as described above, the photographic paper used for reading and outputting the image from the black and white film and for reading and outputting the image from the color film can be used. It is common to use the same type of photographic paper, so if the gradation characteristics of photographic paper are matched to the case where an image is read from a color film and output, the final result is obtained when an image read from a black and white film is output. Cannot properly adjust the gradation of the resulting image. Conversely, if the gradation characteristics of photographic paper are matched to the case of reading and outputting an image from a black-and-white film, it is not possible to appropriately adjust the gradation of the finally obtained image when reading and outputting an image from a color film. There are difficulties. This is a problem that also occurs when outputting to a monitor.

Another problem is that a black-and-white image generally looks better if it is softer than a color image. Therefore, when converting color image data into a black-and-white image and outputting the same, the same color image data is used as a color image. There is a drawback that the appearance is deteriorated if the gradation is converted to the same as the case of outputting.

As described above, the present invention provides an image processing apparatus which can adjust and output gradations suitable for an image in both cases where color image data is converted into black-and-white image data and output as color image data. The first object is to provide

Further, an image processing apparatus capable of adjusting and outputting gradations suitable for each image when outputting monochrome image data read from a monochrome film or when outputting color image data read from a color film is provided. Is a second purpose.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a color photographing device for reading an image recorded on a photographic photosensitive material by separating the image into three colors. To output color image data read from a photosensitive material as a color image, use the tone conversion parameter for color output. To convert it to black and white image data and output it as a black and white image, tone conversion for black and white output A gradation conversion unit that performs gradation conversion using a parameter,
Have.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image recorded on a color photographic material is separated into three colors and read.
The configuration is such that the tone conversion parameters used by the tone conversion means are changed between the case where this is output as a color image and the case where it is converted into a black and white image and output. Thus, in both the case where the color image data is converted into black-and-white image data and output, and the case where the color image data is output as color image data, it is possible to adjust and output the gradation suitable for the image.

Preferably, when the color image data read by the reading means is converted into black-and-white image data and output, the gradation converting means preferably outputs the color image data. The image data is converted using a grayscale conversion parameter for a black-and-white image having a characteristic of converting softer than a grayscale conversion parameter. As a result, a beautiful black-and-white image can be obtained even when the color image data is converted to black-and-white image data and output.

As described above, the tone conversion means is softer when converting color image data and outputting it as black and white image data than when outputting color image data without converting it into black and white image data. The gradation conversion process is performed as described above, so that the obtained black-and-white image has a preferable gradation.

Further, the image processing apparatus of the invention according to claim 3 is
When converting color image data read from a color photographic light-sensitive material by a reading unit that separates an image recorded on the photographic light-sensitive material into three colors and reading the color image data into black-and-white image data and outputting it as a black-and-white image, a color image In the case where black-and-white image data read from a black-and-white photographic light-sensitive material by the reading means is output as a black-and-white image using the gradation conversion parameter for conversion, the gradation conversion parameter for the black-and-white photographic light-sensitive material is used. Tone conversion means for performing tone conversion,
Have.

That is, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the gradation conversion means performs the gradation conversion of the image read from the color photographic material and the gradation conversion of the image read from the black-and-white photographic material. The gradation conversion is performed after switching the gradation conversion parameter to be used when performing the conversion to a gradation conversion parameter suitable for each image. Therefore, even when the color image data read from the color photographic light-sensitive material is output as a color image or converted to black-and-white image data, or when the black-and-white image data read from the black-and-white photographic light-sensitive material is output as a black-and-white image, The output can be adjusted to a gradation suitable for each image.

Preferably, the tone conversion parameter for a black-and-white image adapted to the monochrome image data read by the reading means is replaced with a tone conversion parameter for a color image conversion adapted to the color image data. It has a characteristic of converting to a softer tone. As a result, when converting color image data read from a color photographic light-sensitive material to black-and-white image data and outputting the same, conversion to the same desirable gradation as when outputting black-and-white image data read from a black-and-white photographic light-sensitive material is performed. Output.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, a digital lab system according to the present embodiment, including the image processing device according to the present invention, will be described.

(Schematic Configuration of Entire System) FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a digital laboratory system 10 according to the present embodiment, and FIG.
Is shown. As shown in FIG. 1, the lab system 10 includes a line CCD scanner 14, an image processing unit 16, a laser printer unit 18, and a processor unit 20, and the line CCD scanner 14 and the image processing unit 16 The laser printer unit 18 and the processor unit 20 are integrated as an input unit 26 shown in FIG.
Are integrated as an output unit 28 shown in FIG.

The line CCD scanner 14 scans a film image recorded on a photographic material (hereinafter simply referred to as a "photographic film") such as a photographic film (for example, a negative film or a reversal film). For example, a 135-size photographic film, a 110-size photographic film, and a photographic film on which a transparent magnetic layer is formed (a 240-size photograph) Film: so-called APS film), 120 size and 22
A film image of a photographic film of size 0 (Brownie size) can be read. The line CCD scanner 14 reads the film image to be read by a three-line color CCD, and outputs R, G, and B image data.

As shown in FIG. 2, the line CCD scanner 14 is mounted on a work table 30. The image processing section 16 is stored in a storage section 32 formed below the work table 30, and an opening / closing door 34 is attached to an opening of the storage section 32. Normally, the inside of the storage unit 32 is concealed by the open / close door 34, and when the open / close door 34 is rotated, the inside is exposed, and the image processing unit 16 can be taken out.

The work table 30 has a display 164 mounted on the back side and two types of keyboards 166A and 166B. One keyboard 166 </ b> A is embedded in the work table 30. The other keyboard 166B is housed in the drawer 36 of the work table 30 when not in use, and is taken out of the drawer 36 when used and is arranged on the keyboard 166A. When the keyboard 166B is used, a connector (not shown) attached to the tip of a cord (signal line) extending from the keyboard 166B,
The keyboard 166 </ b> B is electrically connected to the image processing unit 16 via the jack 37 by being connected to the jack 37 provided on the work table 30.

A mouse 40 is arranged on the work surface 30U of the work table 30. The mouse 40 has a code (signal line) extending through the hole 42 provided in the work table 30 into the storage unit 32.
Is connected to The mouse 40 is stored in the mouse holder 40A when not in use, and is taken out of the mouse holder 40A when in use and placed on the work surface 30U.

The image processing section 16 receives image data (scan data) output from the line CCD scanner 14 and obtains image data obtained by photographing with a digital camera and a document other than a film image (for example, a reflection document). , Etc.) by scanning with a scanner, computer-generated image data, etc.
It is also possible to externally input these (collectively referred to as file image data) (for example, input via a storage medium such as a memory card or input from another information processing device via a communication line). Is configured.

The image processing unit 16 performs, for example, hypertone processing for compressing the gradation of the ultra-low frequency luminance component of the image, Various correction processes such as hyper-sharpness processing that emphasizes sharpness while suppressing image data are performed, and the obtained image data is output to the laser printer unit 18 as recording image data. The details will be described later.
Further, the image processing unit 16 outputs the image data subjected to various correction processes to an external device as an image file (for example, outputs the image data to a storage medium such as a memory card, or transmits the image data to another information processing device via a communication line). Etc.) are also possible.

The laser printer unit 18 has R, G, and B laser light sources, and irradiates a photographic paper with laser light modulated in accordance with recording image data input from the image processing unit 16 to perform scanning exposure. To record an image on photographic paper. Further, the processor unit 20 performs each process of color development, bleach-fix, washing, and drying on the photographic paper on which the image is recorded by the scanning exposure by the laser printer unit 18. Thus, an image is formed on the printing paper.

(Configuration of Image Processing Unit) Next, the image processing unit 1
6 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the description will be made with emphasis on the configuration of the main part according to the present invention.

The image processing section 16 is provided with a line scanner correction section 122 for performing a correction process in accordance with R, G, B data inputted from the line CCD scanner 14. The line scanner correction unit 122 includes a line CCD
When the scan data is input from the line CCD scanner 14 by reading the photographic film, the dark-corrected data for reducing the dark output level of the cell corresponding to each pixel from the input scan data, Density conversion for logarithmic conversion to data representing film density,
Shading correction for correcting the data subjected to the density conversion in pixel units in accordance with the light amount unevenness of the light illuminating the photographic film, and a signal corresponding to the light amount of the incident light is not output among the data subjected to the shading correction. Each process of a defective pixel correction newly generated by interpolating data of a cell (a so-called defective pixel) from data of surrounding pixels is sequentially performed.

The output terminal of the line scanner correction unit 122 is connected to the input terminal of the selector 132, and the data subjected to each of the above-described processes in the line scanner correction unit 122 is input to the selector 132 as scan data. Also,
The input terminal of the selector 132 is also connected to the data output terminal of the input / output controller 134. The input / output controller 134 outputs file image data input from the external input unit 17 to the auto setup engine 1 described later.
The signal is input to the selector 132 via 44.

The output terminal of the selector 132 is connected to the input / output controller 134 and the data input terminal of the image processor unit 136, respectively. The selector 132 can selectively output the input image data to each of the input / output controller 134 and the image processor unit 136.

The image processor section 136 includes a memory controller, an image processor, and a frame memory (not shown). Each of the frame memories has a capacity capable of storing image data of one or more frames of film images, and the image data input from the selector 132 is stored in the frame memory by the memory controller.

The image processor 136 has a look-up table (hereinafter, referred to as LUT1) of gradation conversion parameters for a color image used when outputting color image data based on image data read from a color photographic film. .), And a look-up table (hereinafter referred to as LUT2) of gradation conversion parameters for a black-and-white image used when converting color image data read from a color photographic film into black-and-white image data for output.
And a LUT storage unit 133 for storing a look-up table (hereinafter referred to as LUT3) of gradation conversion parameters for a black-and-white photographic film used when outputting black-and-white image data read from the black-and-white photographic film. I have.

In this embodiment, as an example, the above LUT1 to LUT3 each have the following conversion characteristics. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, an LU used when outputting color image data based on image data read from a color photographic film.
Compared to T1, the LUT 2 used when converting color image data read from a color photographic film into black-and-white image data and outputting it has a characteristic of softer conversion. The LUT 3 used when outputting black and white image data read from a black and white photographic film is, for example,
As shown in FIG. 6, in consideration of the difference in the characteristic change gradient γ between the color photographic film and the black-and-white photographic film, the film has a characteristic that is converted to be softer than the LUT2.

Further, the image processor unit 136 includes:
A matrix operation unit 131 that fetches image data stored in the frame memory and performs a matrix (MTX) operation in accordance with an instruction from an auto setup engine 144 described later, and an auto setup engine 144 described later.
From the LUT storage unit 133 based on the instruction from the
A gradation conversion unit 137 that sets any one of T1 to LUT3 and performs a gradation conversion process using the set gradation conversion parameter.

The matrix operation unit 131 adjusts the R value, the G value, and the B value such that R = G = B when converting the color image data into black-and-white image data and outputting the obtained image data. Is performed. When outputting as color image data without conversion to black and white image data, a well-known matrix operation process is performed.

The gradation conversion section 137 is provided by the matrix operation section 1
A gradation conversion process is performed on the image data subjected to the arithmetic processing in 31 using the set look-up table.
At this time, the gradation conversion unit 137 outputs the gradation that has been changed according to whether the type of the output image is color or black and white and whether the photographic film to be read is color or black and white. A gradation conversion process is performed using the conversion parameters.

In the image processor 136,
In addition to the above-described gradation conversion processing, for example, image enlargement / reduction, gradation conversion, color conversion, hypertone processing for compressing the gradation of an ultra-low frequency luminance component of the image, and hyper for enhancing sharpness while suppressing graininess. Known image processing such as sharpness processing is also performed.

The auto setup engine 144, to which the image processor unit 136 and the input / output controller 134 are connected, includes a CPU, a RAM (for example, a DRAM),
An OM (for example, a rewritable ROM)
These are connected to each other via a bus. The auto setup engine 144 includes an external input / output unit 1 such as a personal computer that outputs image data (file image data) other than image data such as file image data read by the line CCD scanner 14.
7, a keyboard 166B for inputting various instructions such as a conversion instruction for converting a color image into a black-and-white image, and an output terminal of the barcode sensor 141 are connected.

The bar code sensor 141 is a line CCD.
The light-emitting element includes a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element provided in a film transport section of the scanner 14, and the light-emitting element irradiates light to a barcode recorded outside the image forming area, and the light-receiving element is blocked by the barcode. In this configuration, the light that has not been received is converted into an electric signal and output. The bar code contains information on whether the photographic film to be read is color or black and white.
Determines whether the photographic film is color or black and white based on the electric signal output from the bar code sensor 141. The bar code may be read by the CCD without using the bar code sensor 141 to determine whether the photographic film is color or black and white. Alternatively, the bar code may be input from the keyboard 166B.

The auto setup engine 144 receives an input instruction from the keyboard 166B and the bar code sensor 1
Processing conditions for image processing are determined by calculation based on the output information from 41 and output to the image processor unit 136.

The output terminal of the image processor 136 is
The image data that has been connected to the input / output controller and has been subjected to various correction processes is temporarily stored in a frame memory (not shown), and then output to the input / output controller 134 at a predetermined timing.

The input / output controller 134 is an I / F circuit 1
It is connected to the laser printer section 18 via 56.
When the image data after image processing is used for recording an image on photographic paper, the image data processed by the image processor 136 is transferred from the input / output controller 134 via the I / F circuit 156 to the recording image. The data is output to the laser printer unit 18 as data. Further, the auto setup engine 144 is connected to the external input / output unit 17. When the image data after the image processing is output to the outside as an image file, the image data processed by the image processor unit 136 is output to the input / output controller 1.
The signal is output to the external input / output unit 17 from the external setup input / output unit 34 via the auto setup engine 144.

(Operation) Next, a control routine stored in the ROM of the auto setup engine 144 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, the film image recorded on the photographic film is converted to a line CCD.
The scanner 14 reads the image data and determines whether the image data is a black-and-white photographic film or a color photographic film based on the barcode information read and output by the barcode sensor 141 in step 500. If it is determined that the film is a black-and-white photographic film, the process proceeds to step 502 and the LUT storage unit 1
33 which is a gradation conversion characteristic used when outputting black and white image data read from a black and white photographic film
3 is set in the gradation conversion unit 137. As a result, the gradation conversion unit 137 performs a gradation conversion process based on the LUT3.

If it is determined in step 500 that the film is a color photographic film, the flow advances to step 506 to determine whether or not to convert the image into monochrome image data based on the conversion instruction input from the keyboard 166B and output the image.
If the image is not converted to black and white image data but is output as a color image, the process proceeds to step 508, where the LUT storage unit 13
3 calls LUT1 and sets it in the gradation conversion unit 137. As a result, the tone conversion unit 137 executes a tone conversion process based on the LUT1.

If it is determined in step 506 that the image data is to be converted into monochrome image data and output, step 51
2 and the matrix operation unit 131 sets R = G
= B so that the matrix operation is performed, and then the routine proceeds to step 514, where the LUT storage unit 1
The LUT 2 is called from 33 and set in the gradation conversion unit 137. As a result, the tone conversion unit 137 executes a tone conversion process based on the LUT2.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the type of photographic film to be read (ie, color photographic film or black-and-white photographic film) and the type of image to be output (ie, color image or black-and-white) Image), the gradation conversion parameters (LUT1 to LUT1)
Since any one of the LUTs 3) is selected and the gradation conversion process is performed, a preferable gradation can be obtained regardless of whether the output image is color or black and white.

[0046]

As described above, according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, it is possible to convert color image data into black-and-white image data and output it as color image data. The effect is obtained that the output can be adjusted to an appropriate gradation.

According to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, color image data read from a color photographic material is converted into a color image or converted into black and white image data and output. When outputting black-and-white image data read from a material as a black-and-white image, it is possible to obtain the effect that the gradation can be adjusted to each image and output.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a digital laboratory system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a digital laboratory system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing unit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an LUT used by a gradation conversion unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control routine stored in a ROM of the auto setup engine 144 in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing exposure characteristics of a color photographic film and exposure characteristics of a black-and-white photographic film, respectively.

[Explanation of symbols]

 14 Line CCD scanner 16 Image processing unit 17 External input unit 18 Laser printer unit 122 Line scanner correction unit 131 Matrix operation unit 132 Selector 133 LUT storage unit 134 Input / output controller 136 Image processor unit 137 Gradation conversion unit 141 Barcode sensor 144 Auto Setup engine 156 I / F circuit 166B Keyboard

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5C062 AB03 AB17 AB22 AB44 AB46 AC21 AE03 AE04 5C065 BB46 DD02 DD16 DD19 GG27 GG31 GG32 HH02 5C077 MP08 NP01 PP15 PP32 PP41 PQ08 PQ23 RR06 TT02 5C079 HB01 MA12 PA08

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A color output floor when color image data read from a color photographic light-sensitive material by reading means for reading an image recorded on the photographic light-sensitive material after being separated into three colors is output. An image processing apparatus comprising: tone conversion means for performing tone conversion by using tone conversion parameters for monochrome output when converting to black-and-white image data using a tone conversion parameter and outputting as a monochrome image. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the grayscale conversion parameter for black-and-white output has a characteristic of converting grayscale softer than the grayscale conversion parameter for color output. 3. A color image data read from a color photographic light-sensitive material by a reading means for reading an image recorded on the photographic light-sensitive material by separating the image into three colors and outputting the converted black-and-white image data as a black-and-white image. In the case, using a tone conversion parameter for color image conversion, when outputting black and white image data read from a black and white photographic photosensitive material by the reading unit as a black and white image,
An image processing apparatus comprising: tone conversion means for performing tone conversion using tone conversion parameters for black-and-white photographic photosensitive materials. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the gradation conversion parameter for the black-and-white photographic light-sensitive material has a characteristic of converting a gradation to be softer than the gradation conversion parameter for the color image conversion. .