JP2000349968A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor that can conduct image processing to correct improper pixels and conduct simplified image processing without correction improper pixels. SOLUTION: Whether a film is a black/white photographic film is discriminated and in the case of the black/white photographic film, main processing is finished without conducting improper pixel correction processings. When the film is not a black/white photographic film, pixels of infrared ray IR luminous quantity data, whose IR luminous quantity is threshold or lower are detected as pixels (improper pixels) including dust adhesion or a flaw in a frame image, and image data corresponding to the improper pixels are corrected on the basis of fine scan image data placed around the improper pixels.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus that performs image processing based on image data obtained by photoelectrically reading an original image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a frame image recorded on an original such as a photographic film is photoelectrically read by a reading sensor such as a CCD, and digital image data obtained by the reading is subjected to image processing such as enlargement / reduction and various corrections. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a technique of performing processing and forming an image on a recording material by a laser beam modulated based on digital image data on which image processing has been performed.

As described above, in the technique of digitally reading a frame image using a reading sensor such as a CCD, the frame image is preliminarily read (so-called pre-scan) and the density of the frame image is read in order to realize accurate image reading. Reading conditions (for example, the amount of light applied to a frame image and CC
D, etc.), and the frame image is read again under the determined reading conditions (so-called fine scan).

[0004] In the image reading means, there is known a method of diffusing light from a light source and irradiating the original with light in order to reduce the influence on image reading due to dust or scratches attached to the original.

However, merely irradiating the original with diffused light as described above cannot completely eliminate the influence of dust and scratches on the original on image reading. It is becoming difficult to respond.
Therefore, in order to perform image processing of higher image quality, the original is irradiated with infrared light, the amount of transmitted infrared light is read, and pixels whose read light amount is equal to or less than the threshold value are determined as pixels that are not appropriate due to adhesion of scratches or dust. And an image processing apparatus having a function of correcting the inappropriate pixel in the visible light image data read with visible light (hereinafter referred to as “incorrect pixel correction function”) (Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-78991). ).

[0006]

However, in the above-described image processing apparatus, all originals are irradiated with infrared light to read the amount of transmitted infrared light. Is determined to be an inappropriate pixel due to the attachment of scratches or dust, and the inappropriate pixel in the visible light image data read with visible light is corrected. Therefore,
When processing a film such as a black-and-white photographic film in which the amount of transmitted infrared light changes according to the image density and it is not possible to detect incorrect pixels accurately, If it becomes necessary to perform image processing based on image data that is still affected by dust or the attachment of dust, the image processing must be performed by a separate image processing device that does not have an inappropriate pixel correction function. There was an inconvenience. Further, the image processing including the process of detecting an inappropriate pixel using infrared light and correcting the inappropriate pixel is more complicated and takes a longer time than the image processing not including these processes. Therefore, if it becomes necessary to perform image processing in a short time, there is a disadvantage that the image processing must be performed by a separate image processing apparatus having no inappropriate pixel correcting function, as described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an image processing apparatus having an incorrect pixel correcting function is provided for performing simplified image processing without correcting an incorrect pixel. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus capable of performing the processing.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an image reading means for reading an image recorded on an image recording medium, and irradiating the image recording medium with invisible light. Detecting means for detecting a defective portion of an image represented by image data obtained by reading by the image reading means based on the invisible light transmitted or reflected by the image recording medium; and detecting the image data by the detecting means. An image processing apparatus comprising: a correction unit that corrects a defective portion; and a control unit that controls so that at least one of the detection unit and the correction unit is disabled under a predetermined condition.

According to the present invention, the incorrect image can be corrected, so that the image can be corrected with high accuracy. In addition, under the predetermined conditions, the control can be performed so that the incorrect image is not corrected. The same image processing apparatus can perform image processing according to the type of the image recording medium to be read and the needs of the customer.

[0010] The control means may be configured as follows.
If the type of the image recording medium is a predetermined type, it may be controlled to prohibit the operation of at least one of the detection unit and the correction unit,
According to a third aspect, when the type of the image recording medium is a black-and-white photographic film, control may be performed so as to prohibit at least one of the operation of the detection unit and the correction unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the image processing apparatus further comprises instruction means for instructing the detection means and the correction means to inhibit the operation of the image processing apparatus. When the operation prohibition of at least one of the detection unit and the correction unit is instructed, control may be performed to prohibit the operation of at least one of the detection unit and the correction unit.

[0012]

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

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a schematic configuration of a digital laboratory system 10 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the digital lab system 10 includes an area CCD scanner 14, an image processing unit 16, a laser printer unit 18, and a processor unit 20. The processing unit 16 is integrated as the input unit 26 shown in FIG.
Are integrated as an output unit 28 shown in FIG. The area CCD scanner 14 is connected to the image processing unit 16,
The image processing section 16 is connected to a laser printer section 18, and the laser printer section 18 is connected to a processor section 20.

The area CCD scanner 14 is for reading a frame image recorded on a photographic film such as a negative film or a reversal film.
5 size photographic film, 110 size photographic film, and photographic film with a transparent magnetic layer (24
0 size photographic film: so-called APS film), 12
Frame images of photographic film of size 0 and size 220 (Brownie size) can be read. In this embodiment, the photographic film 2 of 135 size is used.
2 will be described as a digital lab system 10 to which the second embodiment is applied.

The image processing section 16 stores image data (scanned image data) output from the area CCD scanner 14.
Is input, image data obtained by photographing with the digital camera 34 or the like, and a document (for example, a reflection document)
Data obtained by reading the image with a scanner 36 (flat bed type), image data generated by another computer and recorded in a floppy disk drive 38, MO drive or CD drive 40, and received via a modem 42 The communication image data and the like (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as “file image data”) can be input from the outside.

The image processing section 16 outputs the image data subjected to the image processing to an external device as an image file (for example, outputting the image data to a storage medium such as an FD, an MO, a CD, or other information via a communication line). For example, to a processing device).

The laser printer unit 18 includes a laser driver 5
And R, G, and B laser light sources 52 on the laser driver 54. A polygon mirror 58 and an fθ lens 60 are installed on the optical axis of the laser
A printing paper 62 is provided at a position where light is focused by the lens 60.

(Configuration of Area CCD Scanner) Next, the configuration of the area CCD scanner 14 will be described. FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of an optical system of the area CCD scanner 14.

This optical system includes a light source 64 such as a metal halide lamp or a halogen lamp.
A parabolic reflector 24 is provided so that 4 is located at the focal position. On the optical axis L of the light emitted from the light source 64, a disk-shaped turret 66, a photographic film 22, and a lens unit 72 are installed so as to be perpendicular to the optical axis L in order from the light source 64 side. The area CCD 30 is installed at a position where the light transmitted through is formed by the lens unit 72. On the turret 66, color separation filters 70R, 70G, 70B, an ND filter 70ND, and an infrared filter 70IR are arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. Photographic film 22
Stores an image frame 22A and a DX code 22B. Further, the area CCD 30 has a function of arranging a plurality of pixels for detecting light in a plane along the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the photographic film 22 and accumulating electric charges in accordance with light received by all pixels. And frame images (2D)
Can be read electrically.

Next, the control system of the digital laboratory system 10 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a part of the control system of the digital laboratory system 10 shown in FIG.

The setup unit 100 includes a CP (not shown)
It includes a microcomputer including a U, a ROM, a RAM, and an input / output port. The setup unit 100 is connected to the image memory unit 44 and the film data storage unit 104 inside the image processing unit 16 and further has the area CCD scanner 14, keyboard 16K and image display unit 16M outside the image processing unit 16. Is also connected.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

First, the operator operates the film carrier 78.
When the photographic film 22 is inserted into the camera and the start of the frame image reading is instructed by the keyboard 16K of the image processing section 16, the film carrier 78 starts to convey the photographic film 22. When the DX code 22B is read by a sensor (not shown) and the data relating to the film type is stored in the film data storage unit 102, the film carrier 78 conveys the first image frame of the photographic film 22 to the reading position. The pre-scan processing routine shown in FIG.

In step 120, it is determined whether the read film is a black and white photographic film. If the film is not a black and white photographic film, in step 132, the photographic film 22 is irradiated with RGB light in order to read image frames. That is, the light emitted from the light source 64 irradiates the photographic film 22. In step 150 (FIG. 6), the turret 66 is rotated to dispose the color separation filter 70R on the optical axis L, and the red color (hereinafter, “ R), and irradiates the photographic film 22 with R light. In step 152, the R component image transmitted through the photographic film 22 and condensed on the area sensor 30 is displayed.
Read with. In step 154, the photographic film 22 is irradiated with green (hereinafter, referred to as "G") light in the same manner as described above, and in step 156, the G component image is read. Furthermore,
At step 158, the photographic film 22 is irradiated with blue (hereinafter, referred to as "B") light in the same manner as described above, and at step 160, the B component image is read. Step 134
The turret 66 is rotated to dispose an infrared filter 70IR on the optical axis L to remove light components other than infrared light (hereinafter referred to as "IR") and irradiate the photographic film 22 with IR. In step 136, the area sensor 30 reads the amount of IR light that is transmitted through the photographic film 22 and collected on the area sensor 30.

Next, at step 138, the photographic film 22 is conveyed by one frame by the film carrier 78, and at step 140, it is determined whether or not reading of all the frame images of the photographic film 22 has been completed. If not completed, the process returns to step 132 and the following processing is repeated.

If it is determined in step 120 that the film is a black-and-white photographic film, unlike the case of a color film, the photographic film 22 is irradiated with a single light to perform image frame reading processing, and irradiation with IR is performed. No reading process is performed. That is, in step 122, the turret 66
Is rotated to dispose the ND filter 70ND on the optical axis L, adjust the amount of light from the light source 64, and irradiate the photographic film 22. In step 124, the light transmitted through the photographic film 22 and collected on the area sensor 30 is read. In step 126, the photographic film 22 is conveyed by one frame by the film carrier 78, and in step 128, it is determined whether or not reading of all the frame images of the photographic film 22 has been completed. If not, step 122
Return to and repeat the following processing. If it is determined in step 128 or 140 that the reading of all the frame images on the photographic film 22 has been completed, the present process is terminated. In the case of a black-and-white photographic film, since the image reading process is performed in the above-described procedure, the number of image reading processing steps can be reduced.

The prescan image data and the data on the IR light amount read by the area sensor 30 as described above are converted into digital data by the A / D converter 32, and the image memory unit in the image processing unit 16 Send to 44. Based on the pre-scanned image data and the data on the IR light amount, the setup unit 100 sets reading conditions at the time of fine scan processing described later.

When the setting of the reading conditions is completed, the photographic film 22 is conveyed in the direction opposite to that in the pre-scanning, and the fine scan processing starts from the last frame to the first frame. The fine scan process is executed in exactly the same procedure as the prescan process (see FIG. 5), but the reading time of one frame is set longer than that at the time of the prescan, and the reading resolution is increased accordingly. In addition, since the image state (for example, the photographed image aspect ratio, a photographing state such as under, normal, over, and super over, and the presence or absence of flash photography) is recognized at the time of the prescan processing, the image is read under appropriate reading conditions. be able to.

The A / D converter 32 converts the fine scan image data and the IR light amount data read by the area sensor 30 into digital data as described above, and the image memory unit in the image processing unit 16. Send to 44. When the image memory 44 receives the fine scan image data and the data on the IR light amount, FIG.
Is started.

At step 170, the film data storage unit 1
02 and read the film type data from step 17
In step 2, it is determined whether the film is a black-and-white photographic film.
If the film is a black-and-white photographic film, the process ends without performing the inappropriate pixel correction process. If the film is not a black-and-white photographic film, the fine scan image data and the data on the IR light amount are read from the image memory 44 in step 174. In step 176, a pixel having an IR light amount equal to or smaller than a threshold value in the data on the IR light amount is detected as a pixel having a flaw or dust attached to the frame image (hereinafter, referred to as an “inappropriate pixel”). In step 178, the image data corresponding to the inappropriate pixel is corrected based on the fine scan image data located around the inappropriate pixel, and the process ends.

The image data having undergone the above-described processing is supplied to the color gradation processing section 46 and the hypertone processing section 4 of the image processing section 16.
8. After various processes such as correction are performed by the hyper sharpness processing unit 50 and the like, the data is output to the laser printer unit 18 as recording image data.

The laser printer section 18 controls the laser driver 54 to record image data input from the image processing section 16 (temporarily stored in the image memory 56).
The printing paper is irradiated with a laser beam modulated according to the scanning exposure (in the present embodiment, mainly the polygon mirror 58,
An image is recorded on the printing paper 62 by an optical system using the fθ lens 60). The photographic paper 62 on which the image has been recorded is conveyed to the processor section 20, where color development, bleach-fixing, washing with water,
Each processing of drying is performed. Thus, an image is formed on the printing paper 62.

According to the present embodiment, when performing image processing with an image processing apparatus having an incorrect pixel correcting function, an improper pixel correction process corresponding to the adhesion of scratches and dust on a photographic film is performed for a color film. By doing, it is possible to improve the image quality of the photo print,
When processing a film, such as a black-and-white film, in which the amount of transmitted IR light varies depending on the recorded image density, the detection of incorrect pixels cannot be performed accurately. An image processing apparatus that can simplify the processing can be provided.

In this embodiment, the photographic film 2
2, the film type is identified by reading the DX code 22B. However, the identification of the film type is not limited to this method, and the operator inputs the film type from the keyboard 16K and identifies the film type based on the input information. It is also possible.

Further, in this embodiment, the control is performed so as to prohibit the operation of the improper pixel correction processing for the black-and-white photographic film. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other film types are registered in advance. It is also possible to control the operation of the inappropriate pixel correction processing to be prohibited.

Further, irrespective of the type of film, even if there is a customer's need, for example, a request for performing image processing in a short time, or if there is a flaw on the original film, the image processing is performed faithfully on the original film. In response to the request to perform the operation, the operator can control the operation of the inappropriate pixel correction process by prohibiting the operation of the inappropriate pixel correction process by inputting an instruction to the operation. This can meet the customer's time needs for photographic film processing and needs for improper pixel correction.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, the control means for controlling the image processing apparatus having the incorrect pixel correcting function to inhibit the operation of the incorrect pixel correcting process under a predetermined condition is provided. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus having an incorrect pixel correcting function, which can perform simplified image processing without correcting an incorrect pixel. Has excellent effects.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a digital laboratory system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an optical system of the area CCD scanner.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system of the digital laboratory system.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a routine of a prescan process and a fine scan process.

FIG. 6 is a part of a flowchart showing a routine of a prescan process and a fine scan process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a routine of an inappropriate pixel correction process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 digital laboratory system 14 area CCD scanner 16 image processing unit (correction unit) 22 photographic film (image recording medium) 30 area CCD (image reading unit) 100 setup unit (control unit)

Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 2G051 AA41 AB01 AB02 BA04 BA06 BA08 BA10 BA20 CA03 CA04 CB01 CB02 DA06 EA11 EA12 EA14 EA17 EA23 EB01 EB02 ED07 ED14 5C062 AB03 AB17 AC58 5C072 AA01 AA05 VA05 TA03 QA05 LL01 MM03 PP05 PP19 PP28 PP43 PQ08 RR14

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image reading means for reading an image recorded on an image recording medium, irradiating the image recording medium with invisible light, and reading the image based on the invisible light transmitted or reflected by the image recording medium. An image processing apparatus comprising: a detecting unit configured to detect a defective portion of an image represented by image data obtained by reading by the unit; and a correcting unit configured to correct a defective portion of the image data detected by the detecting unit. An image processing apparatus further comprising control means for controlling so as to prohibit at least one of the detection means and the correction means from operating under predetermined conditions. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the operation of at least one of the detection unit and the correction unit when the type of the image recording medium is a predetermined type. The image processing device according to claim 1. 3. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls the operation of at least one of the detection unit and the correction unit when the type of the image recording medium is a black-and-white photographic film. Item 2. The image processing apparatus according to Item 1. 4. The image processing apparatus further comprises instruction means for instructing prohibition of operation of at least one of the detection means and the correction means, and the control means controls the detection means and the control means via the instruction means. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when an operation prohibition of the correction unit is instructed, control is performed to prohibit at least one of the detection unit and the correction unit.