JP2000231639A - Photographic processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the photographic processor having an image processing part which can specifies a place (eye) to be corrected in a relatively short time without requiring skillfulness. SOLUTION: When places to be corrected are the eyes 31 and 32 of a person 30, the photographic processor specifies, as two specific points 41 and 42, the points where the straight line connecting the right eye 31 and left eye 32 and the outline of the face of the person 30 cross each other and can specify the eyes 31 and 32 as the parts to be corrected by using the straight line 43 connecting the two points 41 and 42.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographic processing apparatus, and more particularly, to a photographic processing apparatus having an image processing unit for specifying a modified portion when performing some modification on a subject such as a person. Things.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printing of an image (formed) on a photographic film (hereinafter simply referred to as "film") on a photosensitive material (such as photographic paper) is performed by using light from a light source unit or the like. And by directly exposing the image of the film to a photosensitive material.

However, in recent years, information of an image formed (recorded) on a film is converted into an electric signal (hereinafter, the converted electric signal is referred to as “image information data”), and the image is converted into an electric signal. Development of a so-called digital photographic processing device (hereinafter simply referred to as a "photo processing device") in which printing is performed on a photosensitive material based on information data is underway. Such a photographic processing apparatus includes, for example, an image reading unit having a function of forming image information data according to the image information after reading the image information recorded on the film, and various modifications or changes to the image information data. An image processing unit having a function of performing a correction or the like (hereinafter referred to as “modification etc.”) and image information data (or modified image information data (hereinafter referred to as “modified image information data”)). And an image recording unit having a function of printing an image on the photosensitive material by scanning and exposing the photosensitive material.

[0004] In the image processing section constituting such a photographic processing apparatus, as described above, various modifications (for example, addition, deletion or change of image information) can be performed on image information data. It is possible. In the image recording section, printing is performed by scanning and exposing a photosensitive material based on the modified image information data and then developing the photosensitive material.

Here, in the case where the image information data is modified in the image processing section, conventionally, an image based on the image information data is displayed on a display, and a modified portion or the like in the image is designated by a mouse. After performing a process of specifying using such a method (hereinafter, also referred to as a “retouched portion specifying step”), addition, deletion, or change of image information data for the retouched portion has been performed.

[0006] For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when a subject is a person 100 and the left eye 101 of the person 100 is subjected to some kind of modification or the like, the modification location specifying step has conventionally been performed as follows. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the left eye 101 of the person 100 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, a description will be given based on FIGS. 10 and 11.

First, the operator visually confirms the position and the like of the left eye 101 from the image displayed on the display. Next, using a pointing device such as a mouse, for example, a plurality of points (first designated point 111 to eighth designated point 118) that are as close as possible to left eye 101 are designated so as to surround left eye 101. I do. Then, the designated first designated point 111 to the eighth designated point 118 are sequentially connected by a straight line or the like, and the area connected by the straight line or the like is recognized as a retouched portion, and the retouched portion (left eye 101).

[0008]

However, according to the above-mentioned prior art, there is a problem that the process of specifying a modified portion in the image processing section constituting the photo processing apparatus is very complicated.

More specifically, as described above, in order to specify one modified portion (the left eye 101), a plurality of points (the above-described conventional technique) are set in a relatively narrow area on the display by using a pointing device such as a mouse. It is necessary to specify eight points in the technology), so that it takes too much time. Further, in order to specify both eyes using this process, the same process needs to be performed twice, so that there is a problem that it takes twice as long.

[0010] Further, in the modification location specifying step according to the prior art, as described above, it is necessary to specify a plurality of points in a relatively narrow area on the display. There is a problem that the process may be spoiled, and this process requires unexpected skill.

[0011] Therefore, according to the above-described modification point specifying step according to the prior art, it takes too much time to identify the modification point and also requires skill in the operation. In order to perform this process, there is a problem that it takes time and labor and also requires a skilled operator.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and it is possible to specify a retouched portion in a relatively short time without requiring skill. It is an object to provide a photo processing device having an image processing unit.

[0013]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a photographic processing apparatus provided with an image processing section capable of performing various modifications on image information data. Unit, an image display unit that displays an image using the image information data, a pointing device that can specify an arbitrary point on the image display unit, based on the arbitrary point specified by the pointing device An arithmetic processing unit that can specify a retouched part by
It is characterized in that at the time of the retouched portion specifying step before the retouching of the image, the retouched portion can be specified by designating two predetermined points using the pointing device. Here, the image information data is recorded on a recording medium such as a film, a floppy disk, and an optical disk.

According to the photographic processing apparatus of the present invention, when specifying the retouched portion, it is not necessary to perform complicated processing such as surrounding the retouched portion as conventionally performed.
It is possible to obtain a photographic processing apparatus having an image processing section capable of specifying a retouched portion in a relatively short time and without requiring skill.

Further, in the photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention, the retouching is performed based on a fixed relationship existing between a straight line connecting the two points designated by using the pointing device and the retouching point. It is preferable to adopt a configuration in which the location can be specified. According to this preferred example, it is possible to easily specify the modified portion by using the arithmetic processing section in which the fixed relation is stored and the straight line obtained by designating the two points. Can be obtained.

Further, in the photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention, the two points are designated so that the straight line passes over the retouched portion, and a fixed point existing between the length of the straight line and the retouched portion is provided. Based on the relationship, it is preferable that the modified portion can be specified. According to this preferred example, by specifying the two points so that the straight line passes over the retouched portion, the relationship between the straight line and the retouched portion can be simplified (for example,
The relationship may be only the length between the straight lines). Therefore, it is possible to further simplify the information stored in the arithmetic processing unit, and obtain the information by specifying the arithmetic processing unit storing the simplified fixed relation and the two points. By using the straight line, it is possible to obtain a photographic processing device capable of easily specifying the retouched portion.

Further, in the photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention, when the modified portion is the eyes 31, 32 of the person 30, the straight line connecting the right eye 31 and the left eye 32 of the person and the face of the person 30 Are designated as the two points 41 and 42, and the straight lines 43 connecting the two points 41 and 42 are used to specify the points 31 and 32 as the modified points.
Is preferable.

Further, in the photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention, the length S of the straight line 43 connecting the two points 41 and 42, and the straight line 43 from the outer corner 31a of one eye close to one end of the straight line. the distance S ₁ to one end of the distance S of from the one eye of the eye area 31a and the distance S ₂ to the inner corner 31b of one eye said, from the one eye inner canthus 31b to inner corner 32b of the other eye ₃ and is based on having a relationship represented by the formula [number 1] below, it is preferred that the particular is possible structure of the eye.

[0019]

[Equation 1] S ₁ ≒ S ₂ ≒ S ₃ ≒ S / 5

According to this preferred example, the calculation processing section storing a relatively simple relationship (the relationship based on the above equation [1]) and the straight line 43 allow the eye to be the modified portion to be easily determined. It is possible to obtain a photographic processing device capable of specifying the items 31 and 32.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a simplified flowchart of the processing steps in an image processing section of a photographic processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the image processing unit constituting the photo processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, two processes are roughly divided. One process is a modification location specifying step (Step 11) for specifying a modification location in an image by some method, and the other process is a specific modification of the location specified in the modification location specification process of Step 11. (Step 12).

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of the modification location specifying step in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram in which the entire image of the image to be modified is displayed on the display device. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the modification location identification when modifying a specific portion of the image to be modified in FIG. FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a process. FIG. 4A shows a process related to step 21 and step 22 in FIG.
FIG. 4B shows a process related to Steps 23 and 24 in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4C shows a process related to Step 25 in FIG. Hereinafter, FIG.
Based on FIG. 4 and the like, the modification location specifying step according to the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment,
A specific portion of the image to be retouched is both eyes (right eye 31 and left eye 32) of the person 30 as the subject, and a retouching portion specifying process in the case where some retouch is performed on both eyes will be described.

First, in step 21 of FIG. 2, a first designated point when both eyes are modified points is designated.
As the first designated point, specifically, an extension line connecting the right eye 31 (position considered to be the center part) and the left eye 32 (position considered to be the center part) by a straight line, a contour line of the face, (Points considered to be (hereinafter simply referred to as "contour points")) are designated. This step 2
In 1, the contour point close to the right eye 31 is the first designated point 4
1 (see FIG. 4A).

Next, in step 22 of FIG. 2, a second designated point when both eyes are set as modified portions is designated. As the second designated point, the other of the contour points, specifically,
The contour point close to the left eye 32 is designated as the second designated point 42 (see FIG. 4A).

Next, in step 23 of FIG. 2, the first designated point 41 and the second designated point 42 are connected by a straight line 43,
As shown in FIG. 4B, the straight line 43 is displayed on the image to be modified. Hereinafter, this straight line 43 is referred to as a specific straight line 43.
That.

Next, in step 24 of FIG. 2, an arithmetic processing unit for specifying a modified portion from the line segment of the specific straight line 43 is performed by the arithmetic processing unit. The arithmetic processing performed in step 24 is performed, for example, as follows.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the face of the person 30 used for explaining an example of the arithmetic processing performed in step 24. Although there is an individual difference between the outline (or outline) of the face and the position of the human eyes in the face, the following relationship generally exists. That is, on a line segment connecting the first contour point 51 and the second contour point 52 (on a line segment of length L in FIG. 5), a distance of approximately L / 5 from each contour point 51, 52 Are located at the corners 31a and 32a of the eyes 31 and 32, respectively, and are separated from the corners 31a and 32a of the eyes by the eyes 31b and 32.
b is approximately L / 5, and the inner corner 31 of the right eye 31
The relationship is that the distance between b and the inner corner 32b of the left eye 32 is approximately L / 5. Therefore, in a state where such a relation or the like is stored in the arithmetic processing unit, in step 24,
On the basis of the above-mentioned relationship and the specific straight line 43, the positions of the eyes 31, 32 to be modified are specified on the specific straight line 43.

Specifically, in FIG. 4B, when the length of the specific straight line 43 is S, based on the above relationship, the center of each of the eyes 31 and 32 is shifted from each of the designated points 41 and 42. About 3
It is considered that they exist at positions separated by S / 10.
Therefore, it is assumed that the position is the center position of each eye 31, 32, and the radius S / 10
(Or a radius of about S / 10 to 1.75 S / 10), a circular area is formed, and the inside of this circular area is specified as a modified portion in the present embodiment.

Next, in step 25 of FIG. 2, the modified portions 44 and 45 specified using steps 21 to 24 are displayed on the screen (see FIG. 4C). The modified portions 44 and 45 are visually confirmed, and the modified portion specifying step in FIG. 2 is completed.

As described above, after the modified portion is specified based on steps 21 to 25 in FIG.
After the end of step 11 in step (1)), the processing (modification step) of step 12 in FIG. 1 is subsequently performed. Specifically, desired retouching is performed on the retouched portions (the right eye 31 and the left eye 32 in the present embodiment). Here, the “desired modification” includes, for example, coloring the pupil to an arbitrary color, removing red eyes (converting red eyes to black eyes), and wearing a color contact lens (or removing a contact lens). State), the pupil area is made blacker and the surrounding white eye area is changed to whiter to enhance the contrast of the eyes, or the white light is added to the selected iris area to catchlight. Makes the effect effective and enlarges and expands only the eyes around the identified eyes
Various processes (modification) such as reducing the size of the eye to a patchy eye or a small eye are exemplified.

According to the photographic processing apparatus according to the present embodiment,
As described above, only two points (the first designated point 41 and the second designated point 42) are designated when the position (or area) is specified as a pre-stage for modifying both eyes of the person 30. The retouched part (right eye 31, left eye 3
2) can be specified. In the prior art, even when specifying only one eye, it is necessary to specify a plurality of points, and in the case of both eyes, it is necessary to specify twice as many points. It can be said that according to the modification location specifying step according to the above, the time for specifying the modification location can be greatly reduced.

Further, according to the photographic processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to designate a small area (area around the eyes) as in the prior art, but to designate a relatively large area (face outline). Thus, it is possible to specify the retouched portion, so that when specifying a plurality of points, the frequency of failing to specify is reduced. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform the retouched portion specifying step without requiring the skill of the related art.

From the above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain a photographic processing apparatus having an image processing unit capable of specifying a retouched portion in a relatively short time and without requiring skill. Can be.

In this embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the first and second designated points 4 are considered to be contour points.
Although the case where the specific straight line 43 is formed by designating 1, 42 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Therefore, for example, the corners of each eye are designated as first and second designated points, respectively, and a straight line connecting these designated points is defined as a specific straight line.
The region of the eye that is the retouched portion may be specified. In this case, by using a relation such as the above-described equation [Equation 1] or the like and performing a process substantially similar to that of the present embodiment, with an appropriate relational expression stored in the arithmetic processing unit, It is possible to appropriately specify the region of the eye that is the retouched portion.

Further, in the present embodiment, a case has been described where the next step 24 (arithmetic processing) is performed immediately after the processing of step 23 (display of a specific straight line) of the flowchart shown in FIG. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. So, for example,
As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, a configuration in which the process of step 61 is provided between step 23 and step 24 may be adopted. In step 61 of FIG. 6, the position of the specific straight line is adjusted. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, when the position of the first specified straight line (hereinafter, referred to as “initial specified straight line”) 71 is shifted due to some cause (such as inappropriate designation of a designated point). Then, the user initially clicks the specific straight line 71 with a mouse or the like and moves it in the direction of arrow X. By doing so, it is possible to initially set the specific straight line 71 as the specific straight line 72 existing at an appropriate position. If the specific straight line can be adjusted by adding the step 61, even if the specific straight line is shifted, the specific straight line can be appropriately moved without re-designating the respective designated points. Accordingly, the subsequent processing (the processing after step 24) can be appropriately performed, so that the efficiency of the work process can be realized.

Further, in the present embodiment, a case has been described in which, when the processing of step 25 (display of the repaired portion) in the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 is completed, step 11 (the repaired portion specifying step) in FIG. 1 is completed. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Therefore, for example, as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
The processing of step 81 may be provided after 5. In step 81 of FIG. 8, adjustment of the repaired portion is performed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, when the position of the first modified portion 91 (hereinafter referred to as “initial modified portion”) 91 is shifted for some reason, the initial modified portion 91 is moved to a mouse or the like. Click to move. By doing so, it is possible to make the retouched portion 91 initially a retouched portion 92 existing at an appropriate position. By adding such a step 81 to enable adjustment of the position of the retouched portion, even if the retouched portion is misaligned, it is possible to re-designate each designated point without re-designating the designated point.
By appropriately moving the retouched portion, the subsequent processing (step 12 (retouching process) in FIG. 1) can be appropriately performed, so that the efficiency of the work process can be realized.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the modified portions are both eyes of the person has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Therefore, for example, the retouched portion may be a person's nose, mouth, or the like. Then, in such a case, the corresponding arithmetic processing (for example, step 24 in FIG. 2) may be performed according to the ratio according to the modified portion. Further, in the present embodiment, the case where any modification is performed on a person has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the position can be approximately specified using some ratio. For example, the present invention can be appropriately applied to objects other than persons (animals, plants, buildings, and the like).

Further, in the present embodiment, the first and second designated points 4 are arranged such that the specific straight line 43 connecting the first and second designated points 41 and 42 passes over the retouched point.
Although the case where 1, 42 is specified has been described, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Therefore, for example, even if the specific straight line does not pass over the retouched portion, there is a certain relationship between the specific straight line and the retouched portion, and based on the relationship, the specified line connecting the two designated points is specified. It suffices if the retouched part can be specified from the straight line.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, a modified portion can be specified by designating fewer designated points than in the past, so that it is possible to specify the modified portion in a relatively short time and without skill. In addition, it is possible to obtain a photographic processing apparatus having an image processing unit capable of specifying a retouched portion.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of processing steps in an image processing unit of a photographic processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a modification location specifying process in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an overall image of a correction target image.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a modification location specifying step in the case where modification is performed on a specific portion of the modification target image in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a general relationship (ratio) existing between a contour of a human face and an eye position in the face;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a modification location specifying process in another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the flowchart of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a modification location specifying process in another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining the flowchart of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an overall image of a modification target image according to the related art.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a process for specifying a retouch position in the image processing unit constituting the photo processing apparatus according to the related art (retouch position specifying process).

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 30 person 31 right eye 31a, 32a outer corner 31b, 32b inner corner 32 left eye 41 first designated point 42 second designated point 43 specific straight line 44, 45 modified point 51, 52 contour point 71 initially specific straight line 91 initially modified point

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) AA06 BA18 CA14 CA24 DA01 EA27 EA35 FA14 FA15 FA43 FA45 FA59 FA69

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A photograph processing apparatus provided with an image processing unit capable of performing various modifications on image information data, wherein the image processing unit displays an image using the image information data. A pointing device that can specify an arbitrary point on the image display unit, and an arithmetic processing unit that can specify a retouched portion based on the arbitrary point specified by the pointing device, A photographic processing apparatus wherein, at the time of a retouched portion specifying step before performing image retouching, the retouched portion can be specified by designating two predetermined points using the pointing device. . 2. The modification location can be specified based on a fixed relationship existing between a straight line connecting the two points specified by using the pointing device and the modification location. A photographic processing apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the two points are specified so that the straight line passes over the modified point, and the point of the modified point is determined based on a fixed relationship existing between the length of the straight line and the modified point. 3. The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the photographic processing apparatus can be specified. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the retouched portion is an eye (3) of a person (30).
1) and (32), the right eye (3
The point at which the straight line connecting 1) and the left eye (32) intersects the contour of the face of the person (30) is defined as the two points (41),
(42), and the two points (41), (4)
The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the eyes (31) and (32), which are the modified portions, can be specified by using a straight line (43) connecting the points (2). 5. The straight line (43) extending from the length S of a straight line (43) connecting the two points (41) and (42) and the outer corner of one eye (31a) close to one end of the straight line. and the distance S ₁ to one end, and the distance S ₂ of from the one eye of the outer corner of the eye (31a) to inner corner (31b) of one eye said, from the one eye inner corner (31b) of the other eye Eyes (32
The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the eye can be specified based on a relationship between the distance S ₃ and b) expressed by the following expression. S ₁ ≒ S ₂ ≒ S ₃ ≒ S / 5