JP2000199931A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stably obtain a high quality image, having no density uneveness without making the periphery of the image dark by correcting input image data, in accordance with the characteristic of the density irregularity corresponding to the kind of camera by which the image on photographic film is photographed and photographing data. SOLUTION: Based on discrimination information on the kind of the camera, the kind of shutter and photographing lens and the information on the photographing data, such as shutter speed and a diaphragm value, a data supply part 63 reads out the characteristic of the photographing lens and the characteristic of the density uneveness, in response to the information or information on the characteristic of the shutter and the characteristic of the diaphragm value from a memory and supplies them to peripheral light quantity correction parts 62A and 66A. The correction parts 62A and 66A calculated dimming quantity according to a pixel position by using the characteristic of the photographing lens and other various characteristic concerning the film F supplied from the supply part 63 and the information on the pixel position, and the density uneveness caused by fluctuation such as the lowering of peripheral light quantity caused by the photographing lens itself and the lowering of the peripheral light quantity due to the uneveness of the shutter and the diaphragm value is corrected.

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 which photoelectrically reads an image on a film and applies predetermined image processing to the obtained image data to obtain image data for output. Density unevenness in an image of one frame (frame) generated in an image taken by a film, a compact camera, or the like, for example, due to shutter unevenness due to a shutter speed at the time of shooting, or a decrease in light amount or an aperture amount around an image due to a shooting lens. The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having a function of correcting fluctuations in peripheral light quantity reduction and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printing an image photographed on a photographic film (hereinafter, referred to as a film) such as a negative film or a reversal film onto a photosensitive material (photographic paper) involves projecting an image of the film onto the photosensitive material. Surface-exposing the material,
So-called direct exposure (analog exposure) has been the mainstream.

On the other hand, in recent years, a printing apparatus using digital exposure, that is, an image recorded on a film is photoelectrically read, the read image is converted into a digital signal, and then various image processing is performed. 2. Description of the Related Art Digital photo printers have been put to practical use, in which image data (latent images) are recorded by scanning and exposing a photosensitive material with recording light modulated in accordance with the image data, and the resulting images are printed.

In a digital photo printer, exposure conditions at the time of printing can be determined by image data processing using an image as digital image data, so that image skipping and blurring caused by backlight, strobe photography, and the like can be corrected, and sharpness can be reduced. By suitably performing (sharpening) processing, correction of color or density feria, etc., it is possible to obtain high-quality prints that cannot be obtained by conventional direct exposure. Further, synthesis of a plurality of images, image division, and synthesis of characters can also be performed by image data processing, and a print that has been freely edited / processed according to the intended use can be output. Moreover,
According to the digital photo printer, not only can the image be printed and output, but also the image data can be supplied to a computer or the like or stored on a recording medium such as a floppy disk. It can be used for various applications.

[0005] Such a digital photo printer basically includes a scanner (image reading device) for photoelectrically reading an image recorded on a film, and image data (exposure conditions) for processing the read image and outputting the image. An image input device having an image processing device, a printer (image recording device) for scanning and exposing a photosensitive material in accordance with image data output from the image input device to record a latent image, and And an image output device having a processor (developing device) that performs a development process to produce a print.

In a scanner, reading light emitted from a light source is incident on a film to obtain projection light carrying an image photographed on the film, and the projection light is formed by an imaging lens onto an image sensor such as a CCD sensor. The image is read by imaging and photoelectrically converted, subjected to various processes as needed, and then sent to an image processing apparatus as film image data (image data signal). The image processing apparatus sets image processing conditions from image data read by a scanner, performs image processing according to the set conditions on the image data, and outputs the image data to a printer as output image data (exposure conditions) for image recording. send.

In a printer, for example, if the apparatus uses light beam scanning exposure, the light beam is modulated in accordance with image data sent from an image processing apparatus, and the light beam is deflected in the main scanning direction. By transporting the photosensitive material in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, the photosensitive material is exposed (printed) by a light beam carrying an image to form a latent image, and then developed in a processor in accordance with the photosensitive material. After performing processing and the like, an image photographed on the film is set as a reproduced print (photograph).

[0008]

In order to obtain high-quality prints, it is preferable that as many images of the scene (image information) taken as possible be recorded on the film as faithfully as possible. However, in general, when the performance of the lens is not so high, there is a problem that the amount of light in the periphery is reduced as compared with the center of the image, and density unevenness occurs in the image. In particular, in the case of a so-called lens-equipped film in which a lens and a photographic film are integrated, the cost is severe, and the performance of the lens cannot be increased so much. In addition, compact cameras also have limited lens performance due to cost constraints, and it is unavoidable to reduce peripheral light quantity. As a result, there is a problem that in the finished print, the periphery of the image becomes dark, density unevenness is seen in the image, and the image quality is deteriorated.
The density unevenness includes a decrease in peripheral light quantity caused by the performance of the lens itself, a density unevenness related to a camera model (that is, a shutter type) and a shutter speed, and a decrease in peripheral light quantity caused by a lens related to an aperture value. Fluctuations are included. For example, shutter types of camera models include a pendulum type shutter for a film with a lens, a lens shutter for a compact camera, and a focal plane shutter for a single-lens reflex camera.

However, among the problems of the density unevenness described above, with respect to the decrease in the amount of peripheral light caused by the performance of the lens itself, many methods of correcting the image quality deterioration have been proposed, but the camera model, shutter type and shutter speed have been proposed. Regarding the fluctuation of the density unevenness related to the image density and the fluctuation of the peripheral light amount related to the aperture value, no effective image quality deterioration correction method has been known yet.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has been made in consideration of the density of an image related to a shutter type and a shutter speed, in addition to a peripheral light amount reduction related to the performance itself of a lens, which has been conventionally corrected. By correcting the fluctuation of the decrease in the peripheral light amount of the image related to the unevenness and the aperture value, it is possible to stably obtain a high-quality image without density unevenness and without darkening the periphery of the image. It is an object to provide an image processing device.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned object, the present inventor has conducted intensive studies on image quality deterioration of a finished print. The inventor applied for Japanese Patent Application No. 10
Although the image quality deterioration correction by the image processing device proposed in US Pat. No. 77046 is very effective, there is a density unevenness of an image in a frame which cannot be eliminated by this image processing device. It was found that the density unevenness related to the speed, that is, the shutter unevenness and the decrease in the peripheral light amount caused by the lens were caused by the variation of the aperture value, and further, it was found that these density unevenness were considered to occur as follows.

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining the operation of the simplest pendulum type shutter, and FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate the change in the exposure amount on the film image corresponding to each of them. FIG. In FIG. 10,
Reference numeral 1 denotes an optical path (lens), 2a denotes a state in which the shutter closes the optical path, and 2b denotes a state in which the shutter opens the optical path. That is, the shutter performs a predetermined image exposure on the film via the optical path 1 by reciprocating between 2a and 2b in FIG. FIG.
FIG. 1A is a diagram showing area division on a film image, and FIG.
FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a change in the exposure amount in each divided area for different shutter speeds (the shaded portion is a slower shutter). As is clear from both figures, in the shutter of such an operation type, unevenness of the exposure amount occurs in the film image, thereby causing unevenness of the image density.

[0013] A similar phenomenon is observed depending on the aperture value of the camera at the time of photographing. That is, as shown in FIG.
When the aperture value is large (indicated by a broken line), that is, when only the central part of the lens is used, the light amount in the peripheral part tends to be large, which is also a cause of uneven image density. Becomes Here, the magnitude of the density unevenness caused by the shutter speed or the aperture value is about one-seventh to one-tenth of the magnitude of the density unevenness caused by the decrease in the peripheral light amount caused by the lens characteristic itself described above. In order to stably obtain high-quality images, it is important to perform appropriate corrections on these, and these corrections are performed by the image processing apparatus proposed by the present inventor in Japanese Patent Application No. 10-77046. The inventors have found that the correction can be performed in the same manner as the peripheral light amount correction, and have arrived at the present invention.

That is, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
An image processing apparatus that performs predetermined image processing on input image data obtained by photoelectrically reading an image of a photographic film and outputs the processed image data as output image data. The image processing apparatus further includes a density unevenness characteristic acquiring unit that obtains the density unevenness characteristic corresponding to at least one of them, and an image data correction unit that corrects the input image data in accordance with the density unevenness characteristic thus obtained.

Here, the photographing data is preferably at least one of a shutter speed and an aperture value of the camera model, and the density unevenness characteristic is preferably density unevenness data of the image. In addition, the density unevenness characteristic acquiring unit may store the density unevenness characteristic in advance for each camera model that captures an image of the photographic film, or for each combination of this camera model and its shooting data. Storage means, and information of the camera model that has taken the image of the photographic film, or means for acquiring information of the camera model and its photographing data, the acquired information of the camera model, or the camera It is preferable to read out from the first storage means the camera model, or the density unevenness characteristic corresponding to the camera model and the shooting data, based on information on the model and the shooting data.

The first storage means stores a reference density non-uniformity characteristic at a reference shutter speed for each camera model, and the density non-uniformity characteristic acquisition means further includes a shutter density in the camera model. When the speed is different from the reference shutter speed, it is preferable to include means for calculating a density unevenness characteristic corresponding to the shutter speed from the reference density unevenness characteristic. Further, it is preferable that the reference density unevenness characteristic is reference density unevenness data corrected for each image reading apparatus that reads an image on the photographic film.

Further, the image data correcting means develops the density unevenness characteristic acquired by the density unevenness characteristic acquiring means into a first reduced light quantity corresponding to the position of the image, and the first reduction means. It is preferable that the input image data includes a first density unevenness correction unit that corrects density unevenness of the image by using a light amount. Further, it is preferable that the first light quantity reducing means is a means for calculating a light quantity reduction according to the distance from the image center of the image based on the density unevenness characteristic. In addition, the first density unevenness correction unit includes:
It is preferable that density unevenness in the image is corrected using the distance from the image center of the image and the first light reduction amount.

Further, the image data correcting means changes the correction intensity of the density unevenness correction in accordance with the photographic film density of the image, and sets the minimum density of the photographic film (for example,
Near the base density which is the unexposed part in the negative film, the density of the fogged part in the reversal film) or around the maximum density of the photographic film (for example, the density of the fogged part in the negative film, the base density which is the unexposed part in the reversal film). In this case, it is preferable that the correction intensity is weak and the correction intensity is increased as the distance from the minimum density or the maximum density increases. Further, the image processing apparatus of the present invention is the image processing apparatus described above, further comprising: a means for acquiring information on the photographic film; and a photographic film density obtained by using characteristics of the photographic film obtained from the information on the photographic film. And a unit for mutually converting between the photographing light amount and the image data correcting unit performs the density unevenness correction in the photographing light amount region.

Further, the image data correcting means performs a pre-scan for reading the image at a low resolution prior to the image reading for creating the output image data. It is preferable to perform the density unevenness correction after performing only the color balance adjustment in the image analysis processing. Further, the image data correcting means does not perform the density unevenness correction so much around the minimum density or the maximum density of the image, and strongly performs the density unevenness correction in a density region away from the minimum density or the maximum density. In the intermediate density region, it is preferable to perform the intermediate density unevenness correction.

Further, the image processing apparatus of the present invention is the above-mentioned image processing apparatus, further comprising photographing lens characteristic acquiring means for acquiring characteristics of a photographing lens of a camera which photographs the image of the photographic film, The image data correction means includes:
Means for developing the characteristics of the photographing lens acquired by the photographing lens characteristic acquiring means into a second amount of light reduction corresponding to the position of the image; and A second density non-uniformity correction unit for correcting density non-uniformity due to a decrease in the amount of peripheral light in a frame of the image.

Here, it is preferable that the second reduced light amount developing means is means for calculating a reduced light amount according to the distance from the image center of the image based on the density unevenness characteristic. The photographing lens characteristic acquiring unit may acquire the photographing lens information, and may store a photographing lens characteristic for each photographing lens information created in advance.
It is preferable that the characteristic of the taking lens corresponding to the information of the taking lens obtained by the taking lens information obtaining means is read out from the second storing means. Further, the first storage unit and the second storage unit are configured by one storage device, and the first density unevenness correction unit and the second density unevenness correction unit are configured by one unit. It is preferable that the input image data is corrected for density unevenness in the image by adding the first and second light reduction amounts.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a digital photo printer including an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. A digital photo printer (hereinafter, simply referred to as a photo printer) 10 shown in FIG. 1 basically includes an image reading device (hereinafter, simply referred to as a photo film) F that photoelectrically reads an image photographed on a photographic film (hereinafter, simply referred to as a film) F.
A scanner 12), an image processing device 14 that performs image processing of the read image data (image information), and operates and controls the entire photo printer 10, and the like, according to the image data output from the image processing device 14. And a printer 16 for exposing a photosensitive material (photographic paper) to an image with the modulated light beam, developing it, and outputting it as a (finished) print. In the following description, a negative film is taken as a representative example of the photographic film F, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that a positive film such as a reversal film may be used. The image processing apparatus 14 has a keyboard 1 for inputting (setting) various conditions, selecting and instructing processing, and instructing color / density correction.
An operation system 18 having a mouse 8b and a mouse 18b is connected to a display 20 for displaying images read by the scanner 12, various operation instructions, condition setting / registration screens, and the like.

The scanner 12 is a device for photoelectrically reading an image photographed on a film F or the like one frame at a time.
A variable aperture 24 and a diffusion box 28 for making the reading light incident on the film F uniform in the plane direction of the film F.
, An imaging lens unit 32, and line CCDs corresponding to reading of R (red), G (green) and B (blue) images
Image sensor 34 having a sensor, amplifier (amplifier) 36, and A / D (analog / digital) converter 38
It is composed of

In the photo printer 10, the type and size of a film such as a new photographic system (advanced photo system) or a 135-size negative (or reversal) film, the form of a film such as strips and slides, etc. A dedicated carrier 30 that is freely attachable to the main body of the scanner 12 is provided. By replacing the carrier 30, various types of films and processes can be handled. An image (frame) photographed on a film and provided for printing is conveyed by the carrier 30 to a predetermined reading position. Such a scanner 12
In reading an image captured on the film F, the reading light emitted from the light source 22 and adjusted in light amount by the variable aperture 24 is made incident on the film F set at a predetermined reading position by the carrier 30, By transmitting the light, projection light carrying an image photographed on the film F is obtained.

The carrier 30 corresponds to the film F (cartridge) of the new photographic system. As shown schematically in FIG. 2, the carrier 30 allows the film F to be set at a predetermined reading position, and the line CCD of the image sensor 34. The reading position is set in the sub-scanning direction to convey the film F in the sub-scanning direction (direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 3) orthogonal to the extending direction (main scanning direction) of the sensor (see FIG. 3). A pair of transport rollers 30a and 30b interposed therebetween and a mask 40 having a slit 40a extending in the main scanning direction and positioned in correspondence with the reading position, which regulates the projection light of the film F into a predetermined slit shape. Have. Film F
Is read by the carrier 30 while being conveyed in the sub-scanning direction at the reading position. As a result, the film F is two-dimensionally slit-scanned by the slit 40a extending in the main scanning direction, and the image of each frame captured on the film F is read.

As is well known, a magnetic recording medium is formed on the film of the new photographic system, and various kinds of information are recorded on the magnetic recording medium in advance. Various types of information are written to the recording medium, and are read as needed. More specifically, as conceptually shown in FIG. 4, the film F of the new photographic system includes a predetermined area on the front end side of the top frame G1 in the pull-out direction (the direction of arrow A in the drawing) from the cartridge, and each frame. The width direction (main scanning direction) of the area corresponding to G and the predetermined area on the rear end side of the rear end frame (not shown)
A transparent magnetic recording medium S (S1, S2) extending in the longitudinal direction (sub-scanning direction) is formed near both ends.

On the magnetic recording medium S1 at the front (rear) end of the film F, information on the entire film F, such as the cartridge ID, film type, sensitivity, and development date, is magnetically recorded. In S2, photographing data such as photographing date and time, shutter speed and aperture value at the time of photographing, information of each frame such as presence / absence of strobe light emission at the time of photographing, title and the like are recorded. Basically, camera-related information including camera model, shutter type, photographing lens information and the like are recorded on one side in the width direction of the magnetic recording medium S, and lab-related information is recorded on the other side. You. Reference numeral 46 in the drawing denotes a cartridge main body that stores the film F, and reference numeral P denotes a perforation hole for transporting (sending and rewinding) the film F.

The carrier 30 corresponding to the film F of the new photographic system has a magnetic head for reading information recorded on the magnetic recording medium S and recording necessary information corresponding to the two magnetic recording media S. 42, 42 are arranged.
Further, between the magnetic head 42 and the mask 40, a DX code optically recorded on a film, an extended DX code,
A code reader 44 for optically reading a bar code such as an FNS code is provided. The means for reading a barcode recorded on such a film is not limited to the carrier 30 of the new photo system, but may be a normal (film).
If it is a carrier, it is arranged. Magnetic head 42 and code reader 44 (camera model and shutter type, means for acquiring photographing data such as shutter speed and aperture value at the time of photographing, information on photographing lens, etc., means for acquiring film information)
The various types of information read by the computer are sent to predetermined portions such as the image processing device 14 as needed.

As described above, the reading light is applied to the carrier 30.
Is transmitted through the film F held by the camera and becomes projection light for carrying an image. The projection light is imaged on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 34 by the imaging lens unit 32. As shown in FIG. 3, the image sensor 34 includes a line CCD sensor 34R for reading an R image, a line CCD sensor 34G for reading a G image, and a line CCD sensor 34B for reading a B image. In the line color CCD sensors, each line CCD sensor extends in the main scanning direction as described above. The projection light of the film F is separated into three primary colors of R, G and B by the image sensor 34 and read photoelectrically. The output signal of the image sensor 34 is amplified by an amplifier 36 and converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter 38.
It is sent to the image processing device 14.

The scanner 12 reads an image photographed on the film F by two image readings: a pre-scan for reading at a low resolution and a main scan for obtaining image data of an output image. Prescan is
The scanning is performed under pre-scanning conditions set in advance so that the image sensor 34 can read the images of all the films targeted by the scanner 12 without saturation. On the other hand, the main scan is performed under the main scan reading conditions set for each frame from the pre-scan data so that the image sensor 34 is saturated at a density slightly lower than the minimum density of the image (frame). The output signals of the pre-scan and the main scan are basically the same data except that the resolution and the output level are different.

The scanner 12 constituting the image input apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the one using the slit scanning, but may be one using the surface exposure, which reads the entire image of one frame at a time. Good. In this case, for example, using an area CCD sensor, providing means for inserting R, G, and B color filters between the light source and the film F, inserting a color filter, and reading an image with the area CCD sensor. By sequentially performing the processing with the R, G, and B color filters, the image captured on the film F is separated into three primary colors and read.

As described above, the digital signal output from the scanner 12 is output to the image processing device 14 (hereinafter, simply referred to as the processing device 14). FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the fourth embodiment. Processing unit 14
Are a data processing section 48, a Log converter 50, a prescan (frame) memory 52, a main scan (frame) memory 54, a prescan processing section 56, and a main scan processing section 5.
8, a condition setting unit 60, a film characteristic storage unit 61, and a lens characteristic and photographing data supply unit 63. FIG. 5 mainly shows parts related to image processing. The processing device 14 includes a CPU that controls and manages the entire photo printer 10 including the processing device 14, a photo printer, and the like. A memory or the like for storing information necessary for the operation of the operation system 10 is provided.
8 and the display 20 are such CPUs (CPU bus).
Is connected to each part via.

The R, G, and B digital signals output from the scanner 12 are subjected to predetermined data processing such as darkness correction, defective pixel correction, and shading correction in a data processing unit 48, and then are subjected to Log conversion. Is converted by the device 50 into digital image data (density data),
The pre-scan data is stored (stored) in the pre-scan memory 52 and the main scan data is stored in the main scan memory 54. The pre-scan data stored in the pre-scan memory 52 is transmitted to a pre-scan processing unit 56 having an image data processing unit (hereinafter, simply referred to as a processing unit) 62 and an image data conversion unit 64, and to a main scan memory 54, on the other hand. The stored main scan data is read out to a main scan processing unit 58 having an image data processing unit (hereinafter, simply referred to as a processing unit) 66 and an image data conversion unit 68.

A processing unit 62 of the prescan processing unit 56;
The processing unit 66 of the main scan processing unit 58 converts the image type (image data) read by the scanner 12 into a camera type, a shutter type, a shooting type, and the like according to processing conditions set by a condition setting unit 60 described later. A portion that performs correction according to at least one of the shutter speed and the aperture value (photographing data) at the time of the correction, correction according to the lens characteristics and film characteristics of the camera that captured the image, and other predetermined image processing. .

The predetermined image processing in the processing units 62 and 66 includes color balance adjustment, contrast correction (gradation processing), brightness correction, dodging processing (density dynamic range compression / expansion), and color saturation. Degree correction,
Examples include sharpness (sharpening) processing. These are performed by a well-known method that appropriately combines arithmetic, processing by an LUT (look-up table), matrix (MTX) arithmetic, processing by a filter, and the like. In the illustrated example, color balance adjustment, brightness LUT for correction and contrast correction, MT for saturation correction
X is performed. Further, other sharpness processing and dodging processing are performed in blocks 62B and 66B according to an instruction from an operator, image data, and the like.

Here, before the LUTs of the processing units 62 and 66, a peripheral light amount correction unit 62A for prescan processing and a peripheral light amount correction unit 66A for main scan processing are respectively provided.
Is arranged. In the processing device 14 according to the present invention,
If necessary, these peripheral light amount correction units 62A and 66A
, Based on lens characteristics and image position information, at least one of a shutter type, a shutter speed and an aperture value, and image position information, including a decrease in light amount around an image photographed on the film F by image processing. Density unevenness is corrected, so that it does not become dark even around the image, and prints in which high-quality images with no unevenness in density within one frame (frame) are reproduced are output stably. I have.

The image data conversion section 68 in the main scan processing section 58 converts the image data processed by the processing section 66 using, for example, a 3D (three-dimensional) -LUT or the like, and records the image data by the printer 16. Is supplied to the printer 16 as image data corresponding to. The image data conversion unit 64 in the pre-scan processing unit 56 thins out the image data processed by the processing unit 62 as necessary, and similarly converts the image data using a 3D-LUT, etc. Is displayed on the display 20 in the form of image data corresponding to the display by. The processing conditions in both cases are set by a condition setting unit 60 described later.

The condition setting section 60 includes a pre-scan processing section 5
6 and various processing conditions in the main scan processing section 58 are set. The condition setting unit 60 includes a setup unit 7
2, a key correction unit 74 and a parameter integration unit 76.

The setup section 72 sets read conditions for the main scan using the prescan data and the like, supplies the read conditions to the scanner 12, and creates image processing conditions for the prescan processing section 56 and the main scan processing section 58. (Calculation) and supplies the result to the parameter integration unit 76. More specifically, the setup unit 72 reads out the pre-scan data from the pre-scan memory 52, creates a density histogram from the pre-scan data, and calculates the average density, highlight (minimum density or minimum density), shadow (maximum density or minimum density). The image processing unit 66 (62) calculates the image characteristic amount such as maximum density, determines the scanning conditions for the main scan, and according to the operator's instruction performed as necessary, the color balance in the image processing unit 66 (62). Image processing conditions such as adjustment and gradation adjustment are set.

The key correcting section 74 is provided for adjusting the density (brightness), color, contrast, sharpness, saturation, etc., set on the keyboard 18a, and various instructions input by the mouse 18b. The amount of adjustment of the image processing conditions (for example, the amount of correction of the LUT) is calculated and supplied to the parameter integration unit 76. The parameter integration unit 76
The LUT correction amount calculated by the key correction unit 74 and the image processing conditions set by the setup unit 72 are received, and these are set in the processing unit 62 of the pre-scan processing unit 56 and the processing unit 66 of the main scan processing unit 58, Further, the image processing condition set for each part is corrected (adjusted) or the image processing condition is reset according to the adjustment amount calculated by the key correction unit 74.

The film characteristic storage section 61 stores film characteristics of various photographic films. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the characteristics (gradation characteristics) of the film are represented by the relationship between the logarithm (LogE) of the exposure amount E and the density (D). Note that the example shown in FIG. 6 is an example of a negative film, and shows only one characteristic curve. However, when the film F is a color film, the characteristic curves are R, G, and B.
There are three according to. Such a characteristic curve differs depending on the type of film even in a negative film, and also differs between R, G and B even for the same film. Of course, the shape of the characteristic curve of the reversal film is different from that of the negative film, but the film type and the three primary colors R,
The difference between G and B is similar.

In the film characteristic storage section 61, data of the minimum density (D _min ), the maximum density (D _max ) and the density D for a predetermined LogE corresponding to various films are stored in a database as film characteristics and stored. Have been. For example, it is exemplified that the characteristic curve of the film is stored as a function as shown below, but the present invention is not limited to this. _{D = D min (i) +} (D max (i) -D min (i)) × 1 / (1 + e -logE / a (i)) (i = R, G, B) Parameter [R] D _{min ( R)} , _{Dmax (R)} , a (R) [G] _{Dmin (G)} , _{Dmax (G)} , b (G) [B] _{Dmin (B)} , _{Dmax (B)} , c (B )

There is no particular limitation on the method of detecting the film type. For example, in the case of the film F of the new photographic system as shown in the figure, the magnetic head 42 of the scanner 30 uses the magnetic head 42 of the scanner 30 to detect the magnetic recording medium S1 of the film F. Read the information,
What is necessary is just to detect the film type from the magnetic information and supply it to the film characteristic storage unit 61. Normal (135 size, etc.)
Regardless of the film of the new photographic system, the code reader 44 may read the DX code or the like to detect the film type, or the operator may input the film type using the keyboard 18a or the like.

In the illustrated apparatus, the characteristics of various films are stored in a database and stored in the film characteristic storage unit 61, and the film type is detected and read out. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, in the case of the film F of the new photographic system, the film characteristics may be magnetically recorded on the magnetic recording medium S1, read by the magnetic head 42 of the scanner 30, and supplied to the film characteristic storage unit 61. In addition to the normal and new photographic systems, the characteristics of the film are optically recorded using a bar code or the like outside the image (frame) area of the film, and the recorded characteristics are read by the scanner 30 using the code reader 44 or the film reader. Similarly, the image data may be read by the image sensor 34.

Further, the operator may input the film characteristics using the keyboard 18a or the like. In this case,
The film characteristics may be recorded on the main body of the film with a lens, the film cartridge, or the like, and may be read and input. At present, it is considered to attach an IC memory to the cartridge of the new photo system, but this may be used to determine the film type and to acquire the film characteristics.

In the embodiment in which the film characteristics are stored in the film characteristic storage unit 61 or the like as a database as in the above-described example, input from the keyboard 18a or the like, reading from a recording medium such as a floppy disk, or computer communication is performed. It is preferable to be able to easily add, update, or rewrite film characteristic data by using data supply from the Internet. Basically, these film property data are preferably supplied by a film maker.

The lens characteristic data and photographing data supply unit 63 includes, from the film F, information on the type of camera that photographed the film F, information on the photographing lens and shutter type thereof, photographing data when photographing each image frame, For example, information such as a shutter speed and an aperture value is obtained, and the characteristics of the lens of the photographing camera corresponding to the obtained determination information, and
The shutter type corresponding to the photographing camera, information of the obtained photographing data, that is, information of the shutter speed and the aperture value at the time of photographing each image frame of the film F, etc. are collected as much as possible, that is, a memory, for example, a memory which is prepared in advance. Peripheral light amount correction units 62A and 66A
It is a part to supply to.

That is, the lens characteristic data and photographing data supply unit (hereinafter simply referred to as a data supply unit) 63
A memory (correspondence table) is provided. This memory stores a correspondence table between the information of the camera model or its photographic lens created in advance and the characteristics of the photographic lens, such as lens characteristics corresponding to various camera models and their photographic lenses. At least one of the following information, information on the camera model or its shutter type, information on shutter speed and aperture value that are shooting data at the time of shooting, and density unevenness characteristics (or shutter characteristics and aperture characteristics).
Table, for example, information on density unevenness characteristics (or shutter characteristics and aperture characteristics) according to various camera models and their shutter types, shutter speeds and aperture values, and more specifically, images corresponding to various lenses Information on the amount of light reduction according to the distance from the center, density unevenness data or light reduction at each pixel position of the image corresponding to the shutter type, shutter speed at shooting, and aperture value, or density according to the distance from the image center Unevenness data, information on light reduction, and the like are stored in advance.

Here, in the case of density unevenness caused by the characteristics of the photographing lens, the light amount obtained when a light source having a uniform light amount (light intensity) is developed as an image on a photographic film image through the photographing lens. When the change, that is, the decrease in the amount of peripheral light or the amount of reduced light becomes concentric, for example, it can be developed into a mathematical expression of the distance from the center of the image, for example, a polynomial such as a linear expression, a quadratic expression, or a cubic expression. Therefore, as the characteristics of the photographing lens, the mathematical formula itself or the order of the mathematical formula and the coefficient of each term may be stored in the memory of the data supply unit 63. For example, when the following cubic expression is used as a polynomial, its coefficients a, b, c, d
May be stored in the memory for each photographing lens. Here, for example, E represents the amount of light reduction, and r represents the distance from the center of the image.
E = ar ³ + br ² + cr + d On the other hand, in the case where the change in the light amount, that is, the decrease in the peripheral light amount or the reduced light amount becomes, for example, an elliptical shape, and the shape changes with the distance from the center of the image. The distance from the center of the image cannot be expressed as a mathematical expression or is difficult, or if expressed as a mathematical expression, the expression becomes complicated, processing and calculation are complicated, and processing and calculation take time. For this reason, as the characteristics of the taking lens, for example, a mask pattern of the entire image,
When there is symmetry, a basic part thereof, for example, when there are two orthogonal symmetry axes as in the case of an elliptical shape, a quarter mask pattern of the entire image is used as a data supply unit. 63 may be stored in the memory.

The photographing data such as the shutter speed and the aperture value at the time of photographing are to be recorded in principle for the camera of the new photographing system, so that the photographing data can be surely obtained. Some information is not recorded as information at the time of shooting. What is not recorded in this manner may be appropriately input by the operator using the operation system 18 such as the keyboard 18a and the mouse 18b at the time of printing. In this case, a standardized shutter speed is tabulated for each camera model, and
This may be used. That is, even if density non-uniformity characteristics corresponding to all shutter speeds and aperture values, that is, density non-uniformity data and information on light reduction are not stored, for example, density non-uniformity data serving as a reference corresponding to a reference shutter speed may be used. Only information on density unevenness characteristics such as light intensity and light reduction is stored, and for a shutter speed different from this, density unevenness data corresponding to the shutter speed is obtained from density unevenness data serving as the above reference or information on light reduction. If information on the amount of light and the amount of light reduction is obtained by calculation or the like, the memory capacity can be reduced. It is preferable that the density unevenness data is converted into a reduced light amount of the photographing light amount.

Here, the reference density unevenness characteristic, that is, the density unevenness data and the reduced light amount can be created as follows. Here, a description will be given using the reference density unevenness data as the reference density unevenness characteristic. First, the shutter type of the camera model to be created, for example, a pendulum shutter for a film with a lens, a lens shutter for a compact camera, a focal plane shutter for a single-lens reflex camera, etc., and a combination of the shutter speed and the aperture value. Modeling the pattern of density unevenness. For example, in a pendulum shutter of a film with a lens, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 0, since the movement is a pendulum movement, the first opening position is closed last. For this reason, in a film with a lens, modeling is performed so that the exposure amount at the position where the pendulum first opens is large. Next, by actually photographing the film with the combination to be actually created and reading the film with a scanner, the parameters of the model of the density unevenness pattern are optimized based on the actual density unevenness data, and the reference density unevenness is obtained. Can be data. At this time, it is desirable that the reference density unevenness data is created based on the amount of photographing light.

The reference density unevenness data used in the present invention is preferably corrected for each scanner 12 used in the photo printer 10 to which the image processing device 14 of the present invention is applied. In general, the scanner 12 differs in how the reading density is assigned to the output signal for each model. In the scanner 12, for example, there are cases in which the density is linearly assigned, and cases in which the luminance is linearly assigned. Further, the color balance may change depending on the spectral sensitivity of the scanner 12. For this reason, it is possible to standardize by performing the process of correcting the characteristics of the scanner 12 when performing the process of correcting the density unevenness. However, in the present invention, if the reference density unevenness data is created so as to be assigned to the scanner signal, high-speed processing can be performed. Such reference density unevenness data may be created before using the image processing device 14 of the present invention. However, the manufacturer of the image processing device 14, the scanner 12, and the photo printer 10 , Image processing apparatus 1 of the present invention
Film makers and compact cameras that manufacture films to be processed in 4, especially films with lenses, etc.
A manufacturer such as a camera maker that manufactures an eye reflex camera or the like prepares in advance and uses a user who uses the image processing apparatus 14, the scanner 12, or the photo printer 10 of the present invention,
For example, it is preferable that the information is distributed to a photographic print maker or each lab store by communication such as the Internet, a LAN, and computer communication.

The data supply unit 63, based on the acquired camera model, shutter type and photographing lens discrimination information and photographing data information such as shutter speed and aperture value, obtains the characteristics of the photographing lens and the density unevenness characteristic in accordance with the information. For example,
Density unevenness data, reference density unevenness data, and the like, or information on shutter characteristics and aperture characteristics are read from the memory and supplied to the peripheral light amount correction units 62A and 66A. Note that information of photographing data such as a photographing lens characteristic, a density unevenness characteristic (or a shutter characteristic and an aperture characteristic), a shutter speed and an aperture value are not limited to those stored in a memory included in the data supply unit 63. May be stored in a database connected to the printer 10 and accessed and read therefrom. Alternatively, when reading the film F, a camera model, shutter type, shutter speed, aperture value, shutter characteristic, It may be input from outside as information on the aperture characteristics and the photographing lens.

The peripheral light amount correction units 62A and 66A are provided with a photographing lens characteristic of the film F supplied from the data supply unit 63, a shutter type (camera model), a shutter speed at the time of photographing, an aperture value, and a density unevenness characteristic based on these. (Density unevenness data, reference density unevenness data, etc.) or shutter characteristics, aperture characteristics, etc., and information on the position of image data (pixels), coordinate positions from the center of the image (number of pixels from the center pixel), etc. Calculate the amount of light reduction according to the pixel position, preferably the coordinate position from the center of the image, and correct the density unevenness such as the decrease in the amount of peripheral light due to the photographing lens itself, the unevenness in the shutter, and the fluctuation in the decrease in the amount of peripheral light due to the aperture value. Do. In the following description, these density unevenness are collectively referred to as peripheral light amount unevenness,
This correction of the peripheral light amount unevenness is collectively referred to as peripheral light amount correction. This peripheral light amount correction will be described later.

Hereinafter, the image processing apparatus of the present invention will be described in more detail by describing the operation of the processing apparatus 14, particularly the peripheral light amount correction section 62A (66A). After the operator loads the carrier 30 corresponding to the film F, here the negative film F, into the scanner 12, sets the film F (cartridge) at a predetermined position of the carrier 30, and inputs necessary instructions such as a print size to be created. ,
Instructs the start of print creation. Thereby, the scanner 1
The aperture value of the variable aperture 24 and the image sensor (line C)
The accumulation time of the CD sensor 34 is set in accordance with the prescan reading conditions, and then the carrier 30 pulls out the film F from the cartridge and transports the film F in the sub-scanning direction at a speed corresponding to the prescan, and the prescan starts. At the predetermined reading position, the film F is slit-scanned and the projection light is
And the image photographed on the film F is decomposed into R, G, and B and photoelectrically read.

When the film F is conveyed, the magnetic information recorded on the magnetic recording medium S is read by the magnetic head 42 and the DX is read by the code reader 44.
A bar code such as a code is read, and necessary information is sent to a predetermined site. In this embodiment, the film type and lens information and at least one of the camera model, shutter type, shutter speed and aperture value are detected from the magnetic information recorded on the magnetic recording medium S1. And shooting data supply unit 63
Supplied to

In the present invention, the pre-scan and the main scan may be performed one frame at a time, or the pre-scan and the main scan may be performed continuously for all frames or a predetermined plurality of frames. In the following example, one frame of image reading will be described as an example to simplify the description.

The output signal of the image sensor 34 by the pre-scan is amplified by the amplifier 36, and is amplified by the A / D converter 3.
8 and converted into a digital signal. The digital signal is
The data is sent to the processing device 14, subjected to predetermined data processing by the data processing unit 48, converted into digital image data by the Log converter 50, and stored in the prescan memory 52. When the pre-scan data is stored in the pre-scan memory 52, the peripheral light amount correction unit 62A for the pre-scan processing of the processing unit 62 reads the data and performs the peripheral light amount correction.

Hereinafter, the peripheral light amount correction will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, step 10 in FIG.
0, the peripheral light amount correction unit 62A
2. Read the pre-scan data from step 2 and step 110
, The negative density D1 is calculated for each of R, G, and B by referring to Table 1 (negative density conversion table). Next, in step 120, referring to Table 2 (photographing light amount conversion table), the film characteristics shown in FIG. , B are required), and as shown in FIG.
Is calculated.

On the other hand, in step 130, the peripheral light amount correction section 62A acquires the image position (x, y) to be processed, and in step 140, refers to table 3 (photographing lens characteristic conversion table) to obtain the lens characteristic. And a dimming amount ΔLogE (ΔLogE) indicating a decrease in the amount of light in the pixel using the lens characteristics given from the photographing data supply unit 63.
Eb) is calculated. In some cases, the shutter speed of a film with a lens or some compact cameras is fixed at a constant speed. When an image is captured by such a camera, the peripheral light amount correction unit 62A uses the shutter characteristic or the density unevenness characteristic based on the information of the camera model and the shutter type provided from the data supply unit 63 in step 140 to generate a table. 4 (fixed shutter unevenness conversion table), for the image position (x, y) to be processed, a reduced light amount ΔLogE (ΔLogEc) indicating the unevenness in density (shutter unevenness) in the pixel is calculated. Of course, in this case, the aperture value is set to a predetermined value.

Some compact cameras, twin-lens reflex cameras, and single-lens reflex cameras can take pictures at different shutter speeds. If the image is taken by such a camera, the peripheral light amount correction unit 62A determines in step 140 the shutter characteristic or density unevenness characteristic based on the information of the camera model (shutter type) and the shutter speed given from the data supply unit 63. Table 5 using
Referring to the (shutter unevenness characteristic table), for the image position (x, y) to be processed, the amount of light reduction ΔLogE (ΔLogE) indicating the density unevenness (shutter unevenness) in the pixel.
c) is calculated. Further, when the image is taken by a camera having a variable aperture, the peripheral light amount correction unit 62A determines in step 140 the aperture based on the information of the camera model (aperture type) and the information of the aperture value given from the data supply unit 63. With reference to the table 6 (aperture non-uniformity table) using the characteristic or the density non-uniformity characteristic, the density non-uniformity (fluctuation of the decrease in peripheral light amount) in the pixel is shown for the image position (x, y) to be processed. ΔLogE (ΔLogEd)
Is calculated. When the shutter speed and the aperture value are variable as described above, as described above, the reference density unevenness characteristic (reference density unevenness data) at the reference shutter speed and the aperture value is used.
Alternatively, conversion formulas for the reference shutter characteristics and aperture characteristics and the reference shutter speed and reference aperture value are stored in the table 5, and the reduced light amount ΔLogE (density unevenness data) indicating the density unevenness (density unevenness data) at an arbitrary shutter speed and aperture value is stored. ΔLogEc
And ΔLogEd), the memory capacity of the table 5 can be reduced. Here, the table 3, the table 4, the table 5, and the table 6 correspond to the data supply unit 63 or the peripheral light amount correction unit 62A (66A).
May be stored as at least one of the memories or an external memory.

Each of the reduced light amounts ΔLogE (ΔL
ogEa, ΔLogEb or ΔLogEc and ΔLogE
By adding at least one of d), density unevenness (peripheral light amount unevenness) to be corrected in the present invention can be calculated. Note that these reduced light amounts ΔLogEa, ΔL
Which of ogEb, ΔLogEc, and ΔLogEd is to be added may be selected as appropriate, but may be selected according to, for example, the density unevenness of a correction target described later.
In addition, in the addition of these reduced light amounts, each reduced light amount may be weighted and added as needed. Here, lens characteristics, shutter characteristics, aperture characteristics, and peripheral light amount unevenness data such as peripheral light amount reduction data and density unevenness data provided from the data supply unit 63 are obtained in advance as photographing light amount data, more preferably, as reduced light amount data. By doing so, high-speed calculation of the amount of light reduction is possible. Normally, the magnitude of the density unevenness correction to be performed on the shutter speed and the aperture value, that is, the magnitude of the light quantity reduction correction is several times the magnitude of the density unevenness correction and the light quantity reduction correction to be performed on the lens characteristics described above. Since it is about one-tenth, as described below,
It is only necessary to determine how much correction is to be performed on the pixel, and perform correction for necessary density unevenness and light amount reduction.

Next, in step 150, a weighting coefficient k indicating how much correction is to be performed on the pixel is determined with reference to the table 7 (weighting table). Peripheral light correction, especially correction of peripheral light reduction due to lens characteristics,
As shown in FIG. 8, the weight coefficient k is set to 0 near the darkest base density of the negative which is the unexposed portion, that is, near the minimum density.
The weight coefficient k is set to 1 (or to the minimum) or to a portion far from the base density (minimum density) with little or no correction (ie, the degree of correction Low in FIG. 8). Maximum or large, strong or strongest correction (degree of correction High in FIG. 8)
), It is preferable to perform an intermediate correction on the intermediate area. This is because if a strong correction is made in the vicinity of the base density, the density in the vicinity increases, resulting in an unnatural image. That is, in the present invention, it is preferable to change the correction intensity of the peripheral light amount correction in accordance with the negative density of the image. By doing so, the correction strength can be reduced (the weight coefficient k is reduced) near the base density, and the correction strength can be increased (the weight coefficient k is increased) as the distance from the base density increases, and a picture with a natural finish can be obtained. It can be printed.

That is, in step 160, the correction light quantity ΔV, which is the light quantity to be corrected by multiplying the weighting coefficient k by the light reduction quantity ΔLogE, is calculated. In step 170,
This is added to the photographing light amount LogE1, and the corrected photographing light amount LogE2 is added.
Ask for. Next, in step 180, the corrected light amount LogE2 is converted again into the negative density D2 using the film characteristics shown in FIG. 6, and is output as an image signal in step 190. In the illustrated example, the peripheral light amount reduction due to the lens characteristic, the shutter unevenness, the fluctuation of the peripheral light amount reduction due to the aperture value, and the density unevenness are all converted into the reduced light amount ΔLogE and added to obtain the total reduced light amount ΔLogE, and the correction for this is performed. Although the light quantity ΔV is obtained, the correction light quantity ΔV may be obtained for each density unevenness and added to obtain the total corrected light quantity ΔV, or the corrected photographing light quantity L for correcting one density unevenness
ogE2 may be obtained, and the corrected photographing light amount LogE2 for correcting the next density unevenness may be sequentially obtained based on the obtained ogE2.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the negative density is calculated from the image signal, converted into the photographing light amount using the film characteristic curve, corrected within the photographing light amount range, and returned to the negative density again. ing. In a region where the characteristic curve is substantially a straight line, the correction can be performed in the density region by converting the amount of light to be corrected into the negative density and adding it to the density. In the example described above, the image of the negative film is subjected to the peripheral light amount correction, the correction intensity of the peripheral light amount correction is changed in accordance with the negative density of the image, and the correction intensity is increased near the base density indicating the minimum density of the unexposed portion. Although it is made weaker, the correction intensity becomes stronger as the distance from the base density increases, but the present invention is not limited to this,
For example, for a reversal film image, the correction strength may be weakened near the base density, which indicates the maximum density of the unexposed portion, and the correction strength may be increased as the distance from the base density increases, or fogging may be performed on a negative film. In the reversal film, the fog density indicating the maximum density or the fog density indicating the minimum fog density in the reversal film is reduced, and the correction intensity is increased as the distance from the maximum density or the minimum density (fog density) increases. There may be.

The data subjected to the peripheral light amount correction is passed to the condition setting section 60, where the conditions for image processing are set, and various image analysis processes are performed. This is illustrated in FIG. 9A. Here, the peripheral light amount correction is performed for each of R, G, and B, but may be performed only for the brightness as described later.

The setup unit 72 of the condition setting unit 60
Receiving the corrected data from the peripheral light amount correction unit 62A,
It creates a density histogram, calculates image features such as highlights and shadows, sets the scanning conditions for the main scan and supplies it to the scanner 12, and performs various image processing such as tone adjustment and gray balance adjustment. The conditions are set and supplied to the parameter integration unit 76. Upon receiving the image processing conditions, the parameter integration unit 76 converts the image processing conditions into the pre-scan processing unit 56 and the main scan processing unit 58.
Is set to a predetermined part (hardware).

The image on which the peripheral light amount correction has been performed is then L
After being processed by UT and MTX, at block 62B,
Necessary image processing such as sharpness processing and dodging processing is performed, and then converted by the image data conversion unit 64 and displayed on the display 20 as a simulation image. The operator checks the image, that is, the processing result, by viewing the display on the display 20, and adjusts the color, density, gradation, and the like using the adjustment keys and the like set on the keyboard 18a as necessary.

The main scan is performed in the same manner as the pre-scan described above, except that the read conditions for the main scan in which the read conditions such as the aperture value of the variable aperture 24 are set, and the output signal from the image sensor 34 is The signal is amplified by the A / D converter 38, converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 38, processed by the data processing unit 48 of the processing device 14, and converted by the Log converter 50.
The main scan data is sent to the main scan memory 54. When the main scan data is sent to the main scan memory 54, the main scan data is read out by the main scan processing unit 58,
In the processing unit 66, image processing similar to the processing in the pre-scan processing unit 62 described above is performed, that is, in the peripheral light amount correction unit 66A, similarly to the peripheral light amount correction unit 62A, the density unevenness (periphery) described above is performed. Correction of light amount unevenness) is performed, and other image processing is performed. Then, the image data is converted by the image data conversion unit 68 into image data for output, and output to the printer 16.

In the example described above, as shown in FIG. 9A, the peripheral light amount correction is performed for each of R, G, and B before the image analysis processing such as the auto setup processing.
As shown in (b), only the color balance adjustment (color analysis correction) may be performed before the peripheral light amount correction. That is, the color balance is made uniform (R, G, B
Peripheral light amount correction is performed with the gray component, then brightness gradation correction (brightness analysis correction) is performed, and then other image analysis processing such as sharpness processing and dodging processing is performed. In this case, only one characteristic curve is required.

Although the image processing apparatus of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various improvements and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Of course.

[0073]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Even for images taken with a lens-equipped film or an inexpensive compact camera, in addition to the decrease in the peripheral light amount related to the performance of the lens itself, the peripheral light amount unevenness of the image related to the shutter type and shutter speed, and the aperture value Image processing that can stably obtain a high-quality image with a natural finish without darkening the periphery of the image by also correcting density unevenness such as fluctuations in peripheral light amount reduction of the image related to The device can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a photo printer using an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view for explaining a carrier mounted on the photo printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image sensor of the photo printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a film of the new photographic system.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an image processing apparatus of the photo printer illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a film characteristic curve and a method of performing peripheral light amount correction using the film characteristic curve.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating peripheral light amount correction in the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a degree of peripheral light amount correction in the present embodiment.

FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a procedure of peripheral light amount correction in the present embodiment, and FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of a procedure of peripheral light amount correction.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of a pendulum type shutter.

11A is a diagram illustrating area division on a film image, and FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating a change in exposure amount in each divided area.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a change in an exposure amount on a film image due to an aperture value of a camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 (Digital) Photo Printer 12 Scanner 14 (Image) Processing Device 16 Printer 18 Operation System 20 Display 30 Carrier 34 Image Sensor 34R, 34G, 34B Line CCD Sensor 38 A / D Converter 40 Mask 42 Magnetic Head 44 Code Reader 48 Data Processing unit 50 Log converter 52 Prescan (frame) memory 54 Main scan (frame) memory 56 Prescan processing unit 58 Main scan processing unit 60 Condition setting unit 61 (Film) characteristic storage unit 62, 66 (Image data) processing unit 62A, 66A Peripheral light amount correction unit 63 Lens characteristic and photographing data supply unit 64, 68 Image data conversion unit 72 Setup unit 74 Key correction unit 76 Parameter integration unit

Claims (17)

[Claims] An image processing apparatus for subjecting input image data obtained by photoelectrically reading an image of a photographic film to predetermined image processing to obtain output image data, wherein the camera captures the image of the photographic film A density unevenness characteristic acquiring unit that acquires a density unevenness characteristic corresponding to at least one of a model and photographing data; and an image data correction unit that corrects the input image data according to the density unevenness characteristic thus acquired. Image processing device. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing data is at least one of a shutter speed and an aperture value of the camera model. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the density unevenness characteristic is density unevenness data of the image. 4. The density unevenness characteristic acquiring means stores the density unevenness characteristic in advance for each camera model that captures an image of the photographic film, or for each combination of this camera model and its photographic data. First storage means, and information of the camera model that has taken the image of the photographic film, or means for acquiring information on the camera model and its shooting data, information on the acquired camera model, Or reading the density unevenness characteristic corresponding to the camera model or the camera model and the shooting data from the first storage unit based on information of the camera model and the shooting data. The image processing device according to any one of the above. 5. The camera according to claim 1, wherein said first storage means stores a reference density unevenness characteristic at a reference shutter speed for each camera model, and said density unevenness characteristic acquisition means further includes a shutter in said camera model. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a unit configured to calculate a density unevenness characteristic corresponding to the shutter speed from the reference density unevenness characteristic when the speed is different from the reference shutter speed. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the reference density unevenness characteristic is reference density unevenness data corrected for each image reading apparatus that reads an image on the photographic film. 7. The image data correcting means includes means for developing the density unevenness characteristic acquired by the density unevenness characteristic acquiring means into a first reduced light amount corresponding to a position of the image; The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: first density unevenness correction means for correcting density unevenness of the image on the input image data using a light amount. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first light-amount developing unit calculates a light-attenuated amount according to the distance from the center of the image based on the density unevenness characteristic.
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first density unevenness correction unit corrects the density unevenness in the image using the distance from the image center of the image and the first light quantity reduction. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 10. The image data correction means changes the correction intensity of the density unevenness correction in accordance with the density of the photographic film of the image, and performs the correction near the minimum density of the photographic film or near the maximum density of the photographic film. Weak strength,
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the correction intensity increases as the distance from the minimum density or the maximum density increases. 11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for acquiring information on the photographic film; and using characteristics of the photographic film obtained from the information on the photographic film. Means for mutually converting photographic film density and photographing light amount, wherein the image data correction means performs the density unevenness correction in the photographing light amount region. 12. The image data correction means according to claim 1, wherein said image data correction means performs a pre-scan operation for reading said image at a low resolution prior to image reading for creating said output image data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the density unevenness correction is performed after performing only the color balance adjustment in the image analysis processing. 13. The image data correcting means does not significantly perform the density unevenness correction in the vicinity of the minimum density or the maximum density of the image, and strongly performs the density unevenness correction in a density region apart from the minimum density or the maximum density. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate density unevenness correction is performed in the intermediate density area. 14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a photographing lens characteristic acquiring unit for acquiring characteristics of a photographing lens of a camera that photographs an image of the photographic film. The image data correction unit further includes: a unit that expands the characteristics of the photographic lens acquired by the photographic lens characteristic acquisition unit into a second reduced light amount corresponding to the position of the image; An image processing apparatus, comprising: a second density unevenness correcting unit for correcting, on the input image data, density unevenness due to a decrease in peripheral light amount in a frame of the image. 15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the second light quantity developing means calculates a light quantity corresponding to a distance from the image center of the image based on the density unevenness characteristic. Image processing device. 16. A photographing lens characteristic acquiring unit, comprising: a photographing lens information acquiring unit; and a second storage for storing the photographing lens characteristic for each photographing lens information created in advance. 16. The image according to claim 14, further comprising: reading out characteristics of the photographing lens corresponding to information of the photographing lens obtained by the photographing lens information acquiring unit from the second storage unit. Processing equipment. 17. The first storage means and the second storage means are constituted by one storage device, and the first density unevenness correction means and the second density unevenness correction means are one means 17. The image processing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the input image data is corrected for density unevenness in the image by adding and using the first and second light reduction amounts.