JP2000358141A - Image reader and image read method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow an image reader to read an image with a wide dynamic range and to configure the image reader at a low cost. SOLUTION: An area CCD 32 preliminarily reads a film image recorded on a photograph film 16, and a density in each LCD cell of an LCD 38 is calculated in the case of main-reading the film image so that an incident luminous quantity onto the area CCD 32 is larger to the utmost without causing saturation of stored charges in each photoelectric conversion cell on the basis of image data obtained through reading. Then main reading of the film image is conducted in a state that the density in each LCD cell of the LCD 38 is controlled matching the calculated density.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus and an image reading method, and in particular, photoelectrically converts incident light from an image to be read into a plurality of pixels in units of each pixel. The present invention relates to an image reading method for reading the image, and an image reading apparatus to which the image reading method can be applied.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, light emitted from a light source and transmitted through an image recorded on a photographic film or the like is transmitted through a charge storage type optical sensor (for example, CC).
D) performs photometry (photoelectric conversion) for each pixel, amplifies the photometric signal output from the CCD by an electronic circuit including an amplifier circuit, and converts the amplified photometric signal into digital data using an A / D converter. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known an image scanner configured to read an image by converting the image into an image (obtain image data representing a density value of each pixel of the image).

An image scanner of this type is provided with a light source such that a photometric value obtained by light incident without a photographic film set substantially coincides with the maximum value of the photometric value and the value does not become saturated. (In the case of color, the light amount is adjusted for each component color), the amplification factor of the amplifier circuit for amplifying the photometric signal output from the CCD is adjusted, and
In general, the image is read (first reading method) after the charge accumulation time of D is adjusted (in the case of color, adjustment may be made for each component color).

In the first reading method, a dynamic range DR of an analog photometric signal output from an amplifier circuit
Assuming that the black level of the photometric signal is Vdrk and the maximum level is Vsat, DR = Vsat / Vdrk. To read an image with a wider dynamic range, the black level Vdrk may be reduced and the maximum level Vsat may be increased. In particular, the black level Vdrk is (1) dark current output from the CCD, and (2) output from the CCD. (1) to (4) hinder widening the dynamic range of photographic film reading, because it depends on the noise to be read, (3) the drift of the amplifier circuit, and (4) the noise output from the amplifier circuit. Was a factor. Among the above factors (1) to (4), (1) and (3)
Is substantially removed by dark current correction (correcting the level of the photometric signal by the difference between the ideal level (usually 0) of the photometric signal when reading optical black and the actual level). Can be.

When the dark current correction is performed, the black level Vdrk
Is replaced by the noise level Vnoi of the CCD and the amplifier circuit, so that the dynamic range DR of the photometric signal is DR = Vsat / Vnoi. Therefore, in order to widen the dynamic range of reading with the scanner having the above configuration, in addition to performing dark current correction, (2) noise output from the CCD and (4) noise output from the amplifier circuit are reduced. It is necessary to use a low-noise, high-performance CCD as the CCD, and it is necessary to design the amplifier circuit with low noise, so that the cost is increased.

When the analog section of a scanner including a CCD and an amplifier circuit is designed to have a wide dynamic range,
As an A / D converter for converting a photometric signal into digital data, it is necessary to use an A / D converter for decomposing and converting the level of an input signal into multi-bit data.
The cost of the / D converter increases as the number of bits increases. In particular, when handling image data composed of a large number of pixels, such as an image scanner, it is required that the speed of analog-to-digital conversion be high, so that the A / D converter becomes very expensive. Therefore, at present, the specifications of each part of the image scanner are determined so as to obtain the maximum wide dynamic range under the constraint of cost, and the performance (dynamic range of photometry, speed of analog-digital conversion) is determined. (Image reading speed depending on the image reading speed) was not always satisfactory.

A negative image recorded on a color negative film is divided into a plurality of pixels (for example, 1000 pixels) for the purpose of obtaining exposure conditions used when a photographic printer exposes an image to a photosensitive material such as photographic paper. In addition, a high-precision negative scanner for reading a negative image with high accuracy by separating each pixel into each component color and performing photometry is also known. This type of high-precision negative scanner detects the density of the lowest density pixel in the negative image in advance by performing photometry (pre-scan) on each negative image under photometric conditions that do not cause saturation. CC for each negative image
The maximum dynamic range is ensured by adjusting the charge accumulation time of D to the longest time during which the output is not saturated by light from the lowest density pixel (in the case of color, for each component color) ( Second reading method).

In the second reading method, for example, for a high-density negative image overexposed, since the density of the lowest density pixel is often relatively high, the charge accumulation time during fine scan is adjusted to be long. Since the density of the lowest density pixel is often relatively low (consistent or close to the film base density) for a low density negative image with an exposure under, the charge accumulation time during fine scan is also shortened. Adjusted.

Since the negative film has a small gradient of the change in density with respect to the change in exposure (γ≪1), the tone of the negative image is soft and the contrast of the negative image is low. Also,
Since the high-precision negative scanner described above uses a CCD having a relatively coarse photometric point density (pixel density), the light amount ratio (contrast) of light incident on the CCD from each pixel of the negative image is further reduced. Therefore, by adjusting the charge accumulation time according to the density of the lowest density pixel as in the second reading method, negative images in various exposure states (over-exposed negative image / normally exposed negative image / under-exposed negative image) can be obtained. Each can be read with a wide dynamic range.

However, in the second reading method, a negative image having a high contrast such as a negative image obtained by shooting a backlight scene, a negative image obtained by using a strobe, or a negative image containing a light source in the image is used. It is difficult to read an image with a wide dynamic range. Further, an image recorded on a reversal film having a large gradient of change in density with respect to a change in exposure amount (γ ≒ 1) is read, or the image is read in high definition by dividing it into a large number of pixels (for example, hundreds of thousands of pixels). Also in this case, the light amount ratio (contrast) of the light incident on the CCD from each pixel of the image becomes extremely high.
The dynamic range of reading is not enough.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and has as its object to provide an image reading apparatus and an image reading method which can read an image with a wide dynamic range and are inexpensive.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, an image reading apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that an image to be read is divided into a large number of pixels, and each of the pixels is used as a unit. A first reading unit that reads the image by photoelectrically converting the incident light, and determines an appropriate reading condition for the image for each pixel or each small region including a plurality of pixels based on a result of reading the image. The first reading unit reads the image based on the result of reading the image based on the determination result by the first determining unit, and reads the image in pixel units or small area units under appropriate reading conditions. And a first control means for controlling so as to obtain output image data equal to.

The reading means according to the first aspect of the present invention reads the image by photoelectrically converting incident light from the image in units of each pixel when the image to be read is divided into a large number of pixels. Note that the reading unit includes, for example, a large number of cells, and a reading sensor (for example, a charge that accumulates signal charges obtained by photoelectric conversion) that reads the image by photoelectrically converting incident light from an image to be read in each cell. (A storage type reading sensor). The incident light from the image to be read may be light transmitted through the image or reflected light.

Here, the reading of the image by the reading means is performed by saturating the photoelectric conversion output when the amount of incident light (or the integral value of the amount of incident light during the reading period) is excessively large compared to the sensitivity of the reading means. If the reading accuracy decreases and the incident light amount is too small compared to the sensitivity of the reading means, the photoelectric conversion output becomes too small and the reading accuracy decreases. It is desirable to control the reading conditions so that the amount of incident light is as large as possible within a range where saturation does not occur. However, since the density value or the brightness value of the image to be read differs for each pixel or for each small area, the appropriate reading conditions also differ for each pixel of the image.

[0015] On the other hand, the first aspect according to the first aspect of the present invention.
The judging unit judges an appropriate reading condition for the image for each pixel or for each small area including a plurality of pixels based on the result of reading the image. As a result of reading the image, for example, a result (so-called pre-scan) of previously reading the image to be read by the first reading unit may be used, or an image reading unit different from the first reading unit may be used. In the case where the first determining means is included, the result (pre-scan) of reading the image by the image reading means can be used. Further, as described in claim 10, the first
The result obtained by the reading unit performing image reading a plurality of times under different reading conditions may be used.

The reading conditions include a physical quantity relating to the sensitivity of the reading means (for example, a reading period by the reading means (corresponding to a charge storage time in a charge storage type reading sensor: the length of the reading period even if the incident light amount is constant). The output value of the reading means changes according to the change, so that the apparent sensitivity of the reading means changes)), and at least one of the physical quantities related to the incident light amount, and the appropriate reading conditions for the image as the physical quantity values By calculating and setting a value representing the above, an appropriate reading condition can be obtained.

The first control means according to the first aspect of the present invention, based on the result of the judgment by the first judgment means, reads the image in pixel units or small area units from the result of reading the image by the first reading means. Control is performed so as to obtain output image data equivalent to those read under appropriate reading conditions.

In the above-mentioned control for obtaining the output image data, for example, the first reading means sets the image reading condition to a pixel or a small area composed of a plurality of pixels. In a case where the unit is configured to be changeable, the reading condition for each pixel or each small area in reading the image by the first reading unit matches the appropriate reading condition determined by the first determining unit. It can be realized by controlling the first reading means. Thereby, the first
In one image reading by the reading unit, the image to be read is read under appropriate reading conditions in units of pixels or small areas, and the reading result by the first reading unit can be used as output image data.

Further, the control to obtain the output image data may be performed, for example, by performing the image reading by the first reading means a plurality of times under different reading conditions. It can also be realized by selecting data corresponding to the most appropriate reading condition determined by the first determination unit from the obtained image data for each pixel or each small area, and combining the selected data as output image data. In this case, based on the result of the image reading performed by the first reading unit a plurality of times, output image data equivalent to that of the image to be read read in the unit of pixel or small area under appropriate reading conditions is synthesized.

As described above, the image to be read is read in a unit of pixel or small area under the reading condition determined to be appropriate (a reading condition in which the amount of incident light is as large as possible within a range where the photoelectric conversion output is not saturated). Since the same output image data is obtained, it is possible to obtain output image data corresponding to the result of reading the image in a wide dynamic range even when the image to be read has a high contrast, for example.

Further, according to the first aspect of the present invention, by selecting reading conditions in units of pixels or small regions, output image data equivalent to reading an image in proper reading conditions in units of pixels or small regions can be obtained. Therefore, it is not necessary to configure a reading unit including an expensive member such as a low-noise reading sensor in accordance with a dynamic range required for reading an image, and the image reading apparatus can be configured at low cost. be able to.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the image reading apparatus reads the image by photoelectrically converting incident light from the image in units of each pixel when the image to be read is divided into a large number of pixels. A second reading unit capable of changing a reading condition of the image in units of a pixel or a small area composed of a plurality of pixels; and an appropriate reading condition for the image based on a result of reading the image. A first determining means for determining each small area composed of pixels, and an appropriate reading condition determined for each pixel or each small area in reading the image by the second reading means, determined by the first determining means. And second control means for performing control so as to match each of the conditions.

The second reading means according to the second aspect of the present invention is capable of changing an image reading condition in units of a pixel or a small area composed of a plurality of pixels, and the first judging means reads the image. Based on the result, an appropriate reading condition is determined for each pixel or each small area, and the second control means determines whether the reading condition for each pixel or each small area in reading the image by the second reading means is the determined appropriate reading condition. Control is performed so as to match each of the various reading conditions. Therefore, similarly to the first aspect, an image can be read in a wide dynamic range, and the image reading apparatus can be configured at low cost.

It is to be noted that the second reading means is configured so that the reading condition of the image can be changed in a unit of a pixel or a small area composed of a plurality of pixels.
A reading sensor that reads the image by photoelectrically converting incident light from the image for each pixel, and an incident light amount changing unit that can change the amount of incident light to the reading sensor in pixel units or small area units. It can be realized by comprising.

The incident light amount changing means is, for example, a transmission light amount adjusting device such as an LCD having a large number of cells and capable of changing the transmitted light amount for each cell, or a DMD having a large number of cells and capable of changing the reflected light amount for each cell. (Digital micromirror device) etc.
By making each cell correspond to a pixel or a small area, and controlling the amount of transmitted light or reflected light of the device for each cell, the amount of light incident on the reading sensor can be changed in a pixel unit or a small area unit.

In the case where the second reading means is constituted as described above, the control of the reading condition by the second control means is performed by setting the light quantity of the incident light incident on the reading sensor via the incident light quantity changing means to the pixel or the small area. It can be performed by controlling independently as a unit. According to the third aspect of the present invention, as the reading sensor of the second reading means, a reading sensor having a complicated configuration such as a charge storage type reading sensor capable of independently changing the charge storage time in units of pixels or small areas. There is an effect that it becomes unnecessary to use.

Further, the second reading means may be configured so that the reading condition of the image can be changed in units of pixels or a small area composed of a plurality of pixels.
Including a charge storage type reading sensor capable of changing the charge storage time independently for each pixel or small area while reading the image by photoelectrically converting incident light from the image for each pixel and storing the charge as electric charge. It can also be realized by configuring.

When the second reading means is constituted as described above, the control of the reading condition by the second control means can be performed by independently controlling the charge accumulation time of the reading sensor in units of pixels or small areas. it can. According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, although the configuration of the reading sensor is complicated, in controlling the image reading condition in units of a pixel or a small area including a plurality of pixels, the incident light amount changing unit according to the third aspect Is no longer an indispensable part, so that the number of parts can be reduced.

Further, the image reading apparatus according to the present invention is configured such that light from other than the image to be read is also incident on the reading sensor (for example, the image to be read is recorded on a recording medium such as a photographic film. Light transmitted through or reflected from an area other than the image recording area on the medium is also incident on the reading sensor.)
In particular, when the amount of incident light from an image other than the image to be read is larger than the amount of incident light from the image to be read, for example, if the read sensor is a charge storage type read sensor, Incident light from other than the image to be read adversely affects the reading of the image, such as saturation of the charge accumulated in the reading sensor due to incident light from other than the image.

It is possible to prevent the incident light from the image other than the image to be read from adversely affecting the reading of the image, for example, by blocking the incident light from the image other than the image to be read with a mask or the like. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the second reading means includes an incident light amount changing means, and the second control means determines the light amount of the incident light incident on the reading sensor via the incident light amount changing means as a pixel or In an aspect in which the reading condition is controlled by controlling the small area as a unit, the second control means may include:
The amount of light incident on the reading sensor is controlled in units of pixels or small areas by the incident light amount changing means so that the amount of light incident on the reading sensor from the image other than the image to be read is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Is preferred.

On the other hand, as in the invention of claim 6, the second reading means is constituted by including a charge storage type reading sensor capable of independently changing the charge storage time in units of pixels or small areas. In an aspect in which the control means controls the reading condition by independently controlling the charge accumulation time of the reading sensor in units of pixels or small areas, the second control means may control the reading condition by controlling the reading time. It is possible to control the charge accumulation time of the reading sensor in units of pixels or small areas so that the charge accumulation time in photoelectric conversion of incident light from the image other than the image to be read out of the incident light to the sensor is equal to or less than a predetermined value. preferable.

By controlling the amount of incident light or the charge accumulation time as described above, the structure of the image to be read can be reduced without complicating the configuration by providing a mask for shielding the incident light from other than the image to be read. It is possible to avoid that incident light from other sources adversely affects image reading.

Further, in the result of reading the image by the reading sensor, there may be a variation in units of each pixel due to the image reading device. Causes of this variation include, for example, unevenness in the amount of light applied to the image to be read, aberrations in an optical system that causes light from the image to enter the reading sensor, and variations in sensitivity of each pixel of the reading sensor. . If the image to be read is an image visualized by subjecting the subject to photographing and recording on a photographic film by a camera and performing processing such as development, the aberration of the optical system of the camera causes the image to be read to be an image to be read. Since the density unevenness occurs, the aberration of the optical system of the camera also causes a variation in the reading result of the image by the reading sensor in units of pixels.

The variation in the read result of the image in units of pixels can be avoided, for example, by performing a correction process for correcting the read result of the image in units of pixels. As described above, the second reading unit is configured to include the incident light amount changing unit, and the second control unit sets the amount of incident light incident on the reading sensor via the incident light amount changing unit in units of pixels or small areas. In a mode in which the reading condition is controlled by controlling, the method according to claim 5 is preferred.
As described in the above, the second control means is such that the unevenness in the density of the image to be read or the variation of the result of reading the image by the reading sensor, which is caused by the image reading device, is corrected in units of pixels. It is preferable that the amount of light incident on the reading sensor be controlled by the incident light amount changing means in units of pixels or small areas.

On the other hand, as in the invention of claim 6, the second reading means is constituted by including a charge storage type reading sensor capable of independently changing the charge storage time in units of pixels or small areas. In an aspect in which the control means controls the reading conditions by independently controlling the charge accumulation time of the reading sensor in units of pixels or small areas, the second control means may control the reading condition by controlling the reading time. The charge accumulation time of the reading sensor is set in units of pixels or small areas so that the unevenness in density of the target image or the variation in the reading result of the image by the reading sensor due to the image reading device is corrected in units of pixels. It is preferable to control.

By controlling the amount of incident light or the charge accumulation time as described above, it is possible to prevent the result of reading an image from varying in units of pixels, and to reduce the result of reading an image in units of pixels. There is no need to perform correction processing for correction.

According to the third or sixth aspect of the present invention, as described in the ninth aspect, the amount of at least one of the illumination light for illuminating the image and the incident light from the image to the reading sensor can be adjusted. The second reading unit may include a light amount adjusting unit. In this case, the second control means can also control the reading conditions by controlling at least one of the illumination light and the incident light via the light quantity adjusting means.

The light amount adjusting means can be constituted by a stop, a neutral density filter, or the like, but an image reading apparatus is generally provided with these optical components. Therefore, according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the light amount is controlled through the light amount adjusting means, so that the incident light amount can be changed by the incident light amount changing means according to the third aspect or the reading sensor according to the sixth aspect can be changed. The change width of the charge accumulation time can be reduced, and an increase in the number of components can be avoided by using an existing aperture, a neutral density filter, or the like as the light amount adjusting means.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus, comprising: light amount adjusting means for adjusting the amount of at least one of illumination light for illuminating an image to be read and incident light from the image. In each pixel when divided into a large number of pixels, the image is read a plurality of times by photoelectrically converting the incident light incident from the image, and the light amount of the incident light is adjusted by the light amount adjusting means. And a third reading unit that makes the reading conditions in each reading different from each other, and based on the image data obtained by the plurality of image readings by the third reading unit, among the reading conditions in each image reading, A second determining unit that determines the most appropriate reading condition for each pixel or each small area including a plurality of pixels, and a plurality of times of image reading by the third reading unit Therefore, third control means for selecting data corresponding to the most appropriate reading condition determined by the second determination means for each pixel or small area from each obtained image data, and combining the selected data as output image data; It is comprised including.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the third reading means comprises:
When the incident light incident from the image to be read is photoelectrically converted in units of each pixel when the image is divided into a large number of pixels and the image is read, the light amount of the incident light is reduced by the light amount adjusting means. By adjusting, the reading conditions in each reading are made different from each other. Claim 1
As the light amount adjusting means according to the zeroth invention, an existing aperture, a neutral density filter, or the like can be used.

The second determining means determines the most appropriate reading condition among the reading conditions in each image reading by the third reading means for each pixel or for each small area including a plurality of pixels. The data corresponding to the determined most appropriate reading condition is selected for each pixel or each small area from the image data obtained by the plurality of image readings, and synthesized as output image data. As a result, based on the result of the plurality of image readings performed by the third reading unit, output image data equivalent to that obtained by reading the image to be read in units of pixels or small areas under appropriate reading conditions is synthesized. As in the first and second aspects of the present invention, an image can be read in a wide dynamic range, and the image reading apparatus can be configured at low cost.

When the reading conditions are made different by adjusting the amount of incident light, for example, if the third reading means is configured to include a charge storage type reading sensor, the image reading is performed a plurality of times. In at least some of the cells, the accumulated charge amount is saturated. However, if a charge storage type reading sensor having blooming resistance (eg, an overflow drain structure sensor) is used, the accumulated charge overflows from the saturated cell. This is preferable because it can prevent the charge from adversely affecting. In the case where the above-mentioned reading sensor is used in the invention of claim 10, the most appropriate reading condition determination is
The determination can be made based on whether or not the saturation of the stored charge has occurred in each cell.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image reading method, an appropriate reading condition for the image to be read is determined for each pixel or for each small area including a plurality of pixels, and the image to be read is converted to a large number of pixels. From the result of reading the image by photoelectrically converting incident light from the image in units of each pixel when divided into units, based on the result of the determination, the image is appropriately adjusted in units of pixels or small regions. Since the output image data is controlled so as to be equivalent to the image read under the reading condition, the image can be read in a wide dynamic range without causing a large increase in the cost of the apparatus, similarly to the first aspect of the present invention. .

[0044]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an optical system of a film scanner 10 according to the first embodiment. The optical system of the film scanner 10 includes a light source unit 1
2 and a reading unit 14 arranged on the opposite side of the light source unit 12 with the photographic film 16 interposed therebetween.

The light source section 12 has a lamp 20 such as a halogen lamp. A reflector 22 is provided around the lamp 20, and a part of the light emitted from the lamp 20 is reflected by the reflector 22 and emitted in a certain direction. A UV / IR cut filter (not shown) for cutting ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths along the optical axis L of the light emitted from the reflector 22 is provided on the light exit side of the reflector 22. A light source aperture 24 (corresponding to the light amount adjusting means according to claim 9) for adjusting the light amount of the irradiation light, a turret 26, and a light diffusion box 30 for diffusing the light irradiated on the photographic film 16 are provided in this order. I have. The light source aperture 24 is connected to an aperture driving unit 50 (FIG. 2).
See).

The turret 26 has three component colors (R, G,
B) color separation filters 28 are fitted respectively, and these color separation filters 28 are selectively positioned on the optical axis L as the turret 26 rotates. The turret 26 is rotated so that the color separation filters 28 of the respective component colors are sequentially positioned on the optical axis L, and the individual color separation filters 28
When the reading unit 14 (details will be described later) reads a film image in a state where it is positioned above, the film image recorded on the photographic film 16 is separated into each component color and can be read. I have. Turret 26
Is rotationally driven by a turret drive unit 48 (see FIG. 2).

Above the light diffusion box 30, a film carrier (not shown) for drawing out the photographic film 16 from the cartridge 18 containing the photographic film 16 and transporting the same is provided. A plurality of film images are recorded on the photographic film 16 along the longitudinal direction. The photographic film 16 pulled out from the cartridge 18 has a state in which the recorded film images are aligned with the optical axis L at the center of the screen. Are intermittently transported so as to be sequentially positioned.

The reading section 14 is a monochrome area CCD 32
(Corresponding to the reading sensor according to claim 3).
Also, between the photographic film 16 and the area CCD 32, along the optical axis L, a lens 34 that forms light transmitted through the film image on a light receiving surface of the area CCD 32, and a light amount of light incident on the area CCD 32. A lens stop 36 for adjustment (corresponding to the light amount adjusting means according to claim 9), and an LCD in which a large number of LCD cells are arranged in a matrix.
38 (corresponding to the incident light amount changing means according to claim 3) are arranged in order. Photographic film 16 (film image)
Is transmitted through the lens 34 and the lens aperture 36
, Through the LCD 38 and the area CC
D32 is incident. The lens stop 36 is also driven by the stop drive unit 50 (see FIG. 2).

More specifically, the area CCD 32 is a photoelectric conversion cell including a CCD cell, a photodiode, and the like, which has a function of photoelectrically converting incident light and accumulating it as electric charges.
A large number of sensing units are arranged in a line along a predetermined direction to form a sensing unit, and the sensing units are arranged in a large number in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction, and uniformly control the charge accumulation time in all photoelectric conversion cells. An electronic shutter mechanism is provided. In the vicinity of each sensing unit,
A transfer unit composed of a large number of CCD cells is provided corresponding to each sensing unit.
The charges stored in the cell (the charge amount represents an integral value of the amount of incident light during the charge storage period) are sequentially transferred to the outside via the corresponding transfer unit.

As shown in FIG. 2, an amplifier 40, an A / D converter 42, and an image memory 44 are sequentially connected to a signal output terminal of the area CCD 32 (not shown).
The signal output from the CD 32 is amplified by the amplifier 40 and converted into digital data by the A / D converter 42, and then stored in the image memory 44. The image memory 44 is connected to a control unit 46 including a microcomputer and the like.

A turret driving section 48 is connected to the control section 46. The control unit 46 sets the rotation target position of the turret 26 with respect to the turret driving unit 48, and the turret driving unit 48 sets the turret 2 to the designated rotation target position.
The turret 26 is rotationally driven so that 6 rotates. Further, an aperture driving unit 50 is connected to the control unit 46. The controller 46 sets the movement target positions of the light source diaphragm 24 and the lens diaphragm 36 with respect to the diaphragm driving unit 50, and the diaphragm driving unit 50 moves the light source diaphragm 24 and the lens diaphragm 36 respectively to the set movement target positions. The light source aperture 24 and the lens aperture 36 are driven as described above.

The control unit 46 is connected to the area CCD 32 via a CCD driver 52. Control unit 46
Sets the charge accumulation time of the area CCD 32 at the time of reading a film image to the CCD driver 52, and the CCD driver 52 sets the area CCD 3 according to the set charge accumulation time.
Area CCD so that 2 reads the film image
32 is controlled. Further, the control unit 46 is connected to the LCD 38 via the LCD driver 54. The control unit 46 inputs control data for controlling the light transmittance of each LCD cell of the LCD 38 when reading a film image to the LCD driver 54. LCD driver 54 is LCD3
The operation of the LCD 38 is controlled so that the light transmittance of each of the LCD cells 8 has a value corresponding to the input control data.

Next, as an operation of the first embodiment, an image reading control process executed by the control unit 46 when reading a film image will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step 100, a reading condition calculation / image data correction process is started. This process is executed by the control unit 46 in parallel with the image reading control process, and will be described later in detail. In the next step 102, the photographic film 16 is conveyed by the film carrier in the direction of being pulled out of the cartridge 18, and the film image recorded at the top of the photographic film 16 is read (the center of the screen of the film image coincides with the optical axis L). Position).

The film scanner 10 according to the first embodiment performs two readings at different resolutions on each film image recorded on the photographic film 16. In the first reading at relatively low resolution (pre-scan), when the density of the film image is very low (for example, a negative image with an exposure under under a negative film)
The position of the light source aperture 24 and the lens aperture 36 during pre-scanning, the charge accumulation time for each component color of the area CCD 32, and each LCD cell of the LCD 38 so as to prevent saturation of accumulated charge in each cell of the area CCD 32. (Hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as “reading conditions”) are set in advance. By performing reading at a low resolution, arithmetic processing and the like using image data obtained by reading can be speeded up.

The second reading (fine scan: details will be described later) of the film image once prescanned is performed at a relatively high reading resolution. However, as in the first embodiment, an area sensor is used as a reading sensor. In the mode using the (area CCD 32), the switching of the reading resolution (obtaining image data of different resolutions in each reading) is performed by, for example, performing reading at the same high resolution during pre-scanning as at fine scanning. Performing post-processing such as pixel thinning or pixel integration on the obtained image data, or performing multiple readings using an area sensor during fine scanning, and using an actuator such as a piezo element at each reading to set an integer pixel spacing. By moving the area sensor by a distance equivalent to one-half, It can be.

From the next step 104 onward, a prescan is performed on the film image positioned at the reading position. That is, in step 104, the turret 26 is rotationally driven via the turret drive unit 48 so that the color separation filter 28 of the predetermined component color is located on the optical axis L. In step 106, the reading conditions at the time of the pre-scan are fetched, and the charge accumulation time of the area CCD 32 for a predetermined component color in the fetched reading conditions is set in the CCD driver 52.

In step 108, the target movement positions of the light source diaphragm 24 and the lens diaphragm 36 among the read reading conditions are set in the diaphragm driving unit 50. In the next step 110, the light transmittance of each LCD cell of the LCD 38 is determined. LCDs of the LCD 38 set under the read reading conditions
Control data for controlling the light transmittance of the cell is input to the LCD driver 54. In the reading conditions at the time of the pre-scan, a constant (for example, the maximum light transmittance) value is set as the light transmittance of each LCD cell of the LCD 38.

In step 112, the film image positioned at the reading position is read by the area CCD32. As a result, the positioned film image is read for a predetermined component color in accordance with a preset reading condition at the time of pre-scanning, and the read result is output via the amplifier 40 and the A / D converter 42 to the predetermined component color. Is stored in the image memory 44 as low-resolution image data.

In step 114, it is determined whether or not reading (pre-scanning) has been completed for all component colors of the film image positioned at the reading position.
If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 104, and steps 104 to 114 are repeated until the determination in step 114 is affirmative. As a result, a pre-scan for sequentially reading the film image positioned at the reading position for each component color is performed, and the image memory 44 stores low-resolution image data of the film image.

When the determination in step 114 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 116, where it is determined whether or not the prescan has been completed for all the film images recorded on the photographic film 16. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 102 to position the next film image at the reading position, and repeats the above-described pre-scan (steps 104 to 116). When the pre-scanning of all the film images is completed, the determination in step 116 is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 118, and waits until the calculation of the reading condition is completed by the reading condition calculation / image data correction process started in step 100. I do.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the reading condition calculation / image data correction processing, it is determined in step 150 whether or not there is a film image for which the pre-scan has been completed. If the determination is negative, the determination is affirmative. Wait until When the pre-scanning of a certain film image is completed, the determination in step 150 is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 152. When the pre-scanning is completed, the low-resolution image data of the film image stored in the image memory 44 is fetched. It is converted into data (pre-scan image data) representing the density value of the film image based on the reading conditions at the time of scanning.

From step 154 onward, when the film image corresponding to the captured pre-scan image data is read again (at the time of fine scan) based on the captured pre-scan image data, the individual photoelectric charges of the area CCD 32 are read out. In the conversion cell, an appropriate reading condition is determined so that the accumulated charge amount is increased as much as possible without causing saturation of the accumulated charge.

In the first embodiment, the LCD 38
By changing the light transmittance of the cells, the reading conditions (the amount of light incident on the area CCD 32) when reading the film image can be adjusted. However, the number of LCD cells of the LCD 38 is larger than the number of photoelectric conversion cells of the area CCD 32. LC
When the light transmittance of a single LCD cell of D38 is changed, the amount of light incident on a plurality of photoelectric conversion cells of the area CCD 32 changes. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the LCD
By independently changing the light transmittance of each of the LCD cells in units of individual LCD cells, the photoelectric conversion cells of the area CCD 32 correspond to a plurality (composed of a plurality of pixels) of the film image to be read. The reading conditions can be changed in units of areas.

Changing the light transmittance of the LCD 38 when reading the film image by the area CCD 32 is equivalent to adjusting the density of the film image viewed from the area CCD 32.
4 forms an image on the light receiving surface of the area CCD 32, while the LCD 38 is arranged at a predetermined distance from the area CCD 32, so that the film image to be read is optically blurred at the position where the LCD 38 is arranged. .

For this reason, when reading a film image, the LC
D38 light transmittance of each LCD cell (1 of reading condition)
First, in step 154, the pre-scan image data of each component color is subjected to a process such as filtering on the pre-scan image data captured in the previous step 152 for each component color data. , Each of the low frequency components is extracted.

In step 156, step 154
Converts the low frequency component data (low frequency component data) extracted for each component color into data having a resolution corresponding to the number of LCD cells of the LCD 38. Thus, when reading a film image corresponding to the pre-scanned image data, data representing the density value for each component color of the film image at the arrangement position of each LCD cell of the LCD 38 (image density data on the LCD) ) Is obtained.

In step 158, the maximum pixel density P for each component color is determined based on the image density data on the LCD.
Extract RED _max respectively. In the next step 160,
Area CCD3 during fine scan of film image
LCD 3 for increasing the amount of light incident on the photoelectric conversion cells 2 as far as possible without causing saturation of the accumulated charges in the individual photoelectric conversion cells.
8 to calculate the density DLCD _ij (LCD density control data, i and j are codes for identifying each LCD cell) of each LCD cell.

The LCD density control data represents the reading conditions for the LCD 38 when reading a film image. For example, the maximum pixel density PRE extracted for each component color is displayed.
D _{ma x,} and on the basis of the density value PRED _ij for each component color of the individual pixels (LCD cell) represented by the image density data on the LCD, according to the following arithmetic expression for each individual LCD cells and each of the component colors It can be obtained by calculating the density DLCD _ij . DLCD _ij ← PRED _max −PRED _ij

In the above equation, as the density value PRED _ij (the density of a small area on the film image corresponding to the LCD cell) on the LCD cell increases, the density DLCD _{ij of the} LCD cell decreases. (Density value DLCD _ij = 0 when density value PRED _ij = maximum pixel density PRED _max
Becomes). Since the density value PRED _ij represents the low-frequency component of the film image, the LCD 38 is controlled by controlling the density of each LCD cell of the LCD 38 to match the density value DLCD _ij when performing a fine scan of the film image.
38 cancels low frequency components of the film image. Therefore, regardless of the density of each part on the film image, it is possible to prevent the amount of light incident on each photoelectric conversion cell of the area CCD 32 from being excessively large or small, and to read the film image with high accuracy by the area CCD 32. be able to.

In the next step 162, the reading conditions other than the LCD density control data, that is, the charge accumulation time of the area CCD 32 and the movement target positions of the light source aperture 24 and the lens aperture 36 are set for each component color based on the prescan image data. Is calculated. As a result, the reading conditions (LCD density control data, charge accumulation time of the area CCD 32, movement of the light source aperture 24 and the lens aperture 36) when performing fine scan on the film image corresponding to the pre-scan image data captured in step 152 The calculation of the (target position) is completed.

In the next step 164, the photographic film 1
It is determined whether the calculation of the reading conditions at the time of fine scan has been performed for all the film images recorded in No. 6. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 150.
Therefore, every time the pre-scanning of a certain film image is completed, the reading conditions at the time of performing the fine scanning on the film image are calculated until the reading conditions at the time of the fine scanning are calculated for all the film images. Is calculated. When the calculation of the reading conditions at the time of the fine scan has been completed for all the film images, it is determined at step 166 whether or not there is a film image for which the fine scan has been completed, and the process waits until the determination is affirmed.

On the other hand, in the image reading control process (FIG. 3), if the determination in step 166 of the reading condition calculation / image data correction process is affirmative, the determination in step 118 described above is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 120. Then, the photographic film 16 is transported by the film carrier in the direction of rewinding to the cartridge 18, and the film image recorded at the end of the photographic film 16 is controlled to be positioned at the reading position.

From the next step 122 onward, a fine scan is performed on the film image positioned at the reading position. That is, in step 122, the turret 26 is rotationally driven via the turret driving unit 48 so that the color separation filter 28 of the predetermined component color is positioned on the optical axis L. In step 124, the reading conditions at the time of fine scanning calculated by the reading condition calculation / image data correction processing are fetched, and the charge accumulation time of the area CCD 32 for a predetermined component color in the fetched reading conditions is set to the CCD driver 52. I do.

In step 126, the target movement positions of the light source aperture 24 and the lens aperture 36 are set in the aperture drive unit 50 among the read conditions for the acquired fan scan.
In the next step 128, the light transmittance of each LCD cell of the LCD 38 is determined based on the LCD density control data for a predetermined component color in the read conditions at the time of the fine scan. rate, and inputs the control data for controlling the light transmittance corresponding to the density DLCD _ij of each LCD cell indicated by the LCD density control data to the LCD driver 54.

As a result, the density of each LCD cell of the LCD 38 is controlled by each LC determined by the LCD density control data.
Is controlled such that each match the density value DLCD _ij for each D cell, the density pattern corresponding to the LCD density control data L
It will appear on CD38.

In step 130, the film image positioned at the reading position is read by the area CCD 32. As a result, the film image being positioned is converted into a predetermined reading
The image is read in accordance with the reading conditions at the time of the fine scan calculated in the image data correction process, and the read result is
0, and is stored in the image memory 44 as high-resolution image data of a predetermined component color via the A / D converter 42.

[0079] As mentioned earlier, during fine scan of the film image, based on the LCD density control data obtained from the prescan image data to match the concentration of the individual LCD cells LCD38 to the density value DLCD _ij Since reading is performed in such a controlled state, a film image can be accurately read for each photoelectric conversion cell of the area CCD 32.

In step 132, it is determined whether or not reading (fine scan) has been completed for all component colors of the film image positioned at the reading position. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 122,
Until the determination in step 132 is affirmed, step 122
Step 132 is repeated. As a result, a fine scan for sequentially reading the film image positioned at the reading position for each component color is performed, and the image memory 44 stores high-resolution image data of the film image.

When the determination in step 132 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 134, where it is determined whether or not the fine scan has been completed for all the film images recorded on the photographic film 16. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 120 to position the next film image at the reading position, and performs the above-described fine scan (steps 122 to 122).
Step 134) is repeated. When the fine scan of all film images is completed, the determination in step 134 is affirmed, and the image reading control process ends.

When the fine scan for a single film image is completed, the determination in step 166 of the reading condition calculation / image data correction process (FIG. 4) is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 168.

In step 168, fine scan is performed.
Upon completion, the file stored in the image memory 44 is
The high-resolution image data of the
Scanning conditions for fine scan of image data (for details, see
The charge accumulation time of the rear CCD 32, the light source aperture 24 and the lens
(The position of the aperture stop 36). In the following,
The image data after the correction in step 168 is fine-scanned.
Image data IMG _mn(M and n are images
Code for identifying each pixel of the data).

This fine scan image data IMG
Represents an image in which low-frequency components have been removed from a film image to be read, that is, an image corresponding to the medium and high frequency components of the film image to be read. Therefore, in the next step 170 and thereafter, the fine scan image data IM
By adding an image corresponding to the low frequency component of the film image to be read to G, image data representing the film image to be read is obtained.

That is, in step 170, the LCD density control data D, which is one of the reading conditions at the time of fine scanning of the film image corresponding to the previously captured image data,
Take in the LCD. In the next step 172, the acquired LCD density control data is converted into data FINED having the same resolution as the fine scan image data IMG for each component color data.

Then, in step 174, the fine scan
Data FINE after resolution conversion of image data IMG
D and the maximum pixel density PR extracted in the previous step 158
ED _maxThe film image to be read.
Image data FIMG. Note that the image data FI
MG represents the pixel density for each component color according to the following equation (1).
Can be obtained by calculation. FIMG_mn← PRED_max+ IMG_mn-FINED_mn… (1)

(PRED _max −FIN) in the equation (1)
ED _mn ) represents a low frequency component of the film image to be read, and (PRE) is _added to the fine scan image data IMG.
D _{ma x} -FINED _mn) by adding, for each photoelectric conversion cell of the area CCD 32, equal image data FIMG to read accurately a film image with a high dynamic range (pre-scan image data and the image average density and histograms It is possible to obtain high-precision and high-resolution image data having the same shape.

In the above description, the maximum pixel density PRED _max
Since the value obtained by subtracting the density value PRED _ij from the image data is used as the LCD density control data DLCD _ij , in order to match the image average density represented by the fine scan image data IMG with the image average density represented by the prescan image data (1)
Although the maximum pixel density PRED _max is added by the formula, if the process of matching the pre-scan image data with the image average density (or histogram shape) after obtaining the fine scan image data IMG is performed separately, the maximum pixel it may be obtained fine scan image data IMG by using an arithmetic expression without added concentration PRED _max.

When the correction for the image data of a single film image is completed as described above, the next step 1
At 76, it is determined whether or not the above-described correction processing has been performed on all the film images. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 166, and every time the fine scan for a single film image is completed, the image data obtained by the fine scan is corrected (steps 168 to 174).

When the correction of the image data has been completed for all the film images, the determination in step 176 is affirmed, and the reading condition calculation / image data correction processing ends. As a result, for all the film images recorded on the photographic film 16, the image data FIM is equivalent to reading the film image with high dynamic range and high accuracy.
G can be obtained respectively. Also, the image data FIMG
In order to obtain image data equivalent to the above, it is not necessary to use expensive components such as a low-noise reading sensor and a multi-bit A / D converter, so that the film scanner 10 can be configured at low cost.

As described above, steps 120, 130, 132, and 134 of the image reading control process (FIG. 3) are performed in the area CC.
D32, LCD 38, light source aperture 24 and lens aperture 36
Together with the first reading means of the present invention (more specifically, claim 2
(More specifically, the second reading means described in claims 3 and 9). Steps 152 to 162 of the reading condition calculation / image data correction process (FIG. 4) correspond to the first determination means of the present invention, and steps 122 to 128 of the image reading control process and reading condition calculation / image data correction Steps 170 to 174 of the processing correspond to the first control means (more specifically, the second reading means described in claim 2 (more specifically, claim 3 and claim 9)) of the present invention.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following, the same portions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 5 shows a film scanner 60 according to the second embodiment. In this film scanner 60, the area CCD 3
A line CCD 62 (also corresponding to the reading sensor according to the third aspect) is provided in place of the second CCD.

The line CCD 62 is composed of a large number of photoelectric conversion cells including CCD cells and photodiodes and having a function of photoelectrically converting incident light and accumulating them as electric charges. Are formed, and three lines of the sensing units are provided in parallel with each other at intervals. Each sensing unit is provided with an electronic shutter mechanism for uniformly controlling the charge storage time in each photoelectric conversion cell belonging to the same sensing unit, and the R, G, and B colors are provided on the light incident side of each sensing unit. Each of the separation filters is attached (so-called 3-line color CC
D). In the vicinity of each sensing section, a transfer section composed of a large number of CCD cells is provided corresponding to each sensing section, and electric charges accumulated in each CCD cell of each sensing section are transferred via the corresponding transfer section. Are sequentially transferred to the outside.

In the film scanner 60 according to the second embodiment, the line CCD 62 is a three-line color CCD.
Therefore, the turret 26 and the color separation filter 28 are omitted. Instead of the color separation filter 28, a balance filter that changes the balance of the light amounts of the respective component color lights according to the color balance of the film base of the photographic film 16 may be provided.

The film scanner 60 is connected to the line CC.
Corresponding to D62, the width of the photographic film 16 along the transport direction gradually decreases toward the upper side (light exit side) along the optical axis direction, and the width (direction of the photographic film 16) is orthogonal to the transport direction. A light diffusion box 64 having a shape (not shown) whose width along the width direction is gradually increased (not shown) is provided. The light emitted from the lamp 20 is transmitted to the light diffusion box 6.
4, the photographic film 16 is irradiated as slit light whose longitudinal direction is the width direction of the photographic film 16. The photographic film 16 is curved by an unillustrated guide so as to protrude upward at a position (reading position) where the slit light from the light diffusion box 64 is irradiated. Thereby, the flatness of the photographic film 16 at the reading position is ensured.

Further, in the film scanner 60, instead of the LCD 38 in which the LCD cells are arranged in a matrix, an LCD cell row in which a large number of LCD cells are arranged in the width direction of the photographic film 16 is used. A predetermined row along the transport direction (LCD 6 along the film transport direction)
6, the width of the slit light transmitted through the photographic film 16 is L.
The LCD 66 (which also corresponds to the incident light amount changing means according to the third aspect) is provided with only the number of columns (the number of rows which is slightly larger than the light beam width at the CD 66 arrangement position).

In the film scanner 60 having the above structure, the film image is read (pre-scan and fine scan) by the line CCD 62 by the line CCD 62 while the photographic film 16 is being conveyed at a constant speed. Are read in parallel for each component color.

Therefore, the above-described film scanner 60 converts the color image data of the film image obtained by the pre-scan into monochrome image data based on a known NTSC conversion formula and the like, and based on the monochrome image data. LCD density control data is obtained for each line of the film image. Then, at the time of the fine scan of the film image, the density of each LCD cell of the LCD 66 is controlled at a timing synchronized with the image reading of the line unit based on the LCD density control data in the line unit.

In this way, it is possible to prevent the amount of light incident on each photoelectric conversion cell of the line CCD 62 from being excessively large or small during the fine scan, and to reduce the image data obtained by the fine scan from the image data equivalent to the fine scan image data. Find resolution data FINED (1)
By performing the calculation of the equation, the image data F equivalent to reading the film image with high dynamic range and high accuracy is obtained.
IMG can be obtained.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the reading condition (the amount of light incident on the photoelectric conversion cells) is adjusted by the LCD in units of small areas composed of a plurality of photoelectric conversion cells. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, as the LCD, an LCD having LCD cells equal to or more than the number of photoelectric conversion cells of the reading sensor is used, and the reading sensor and the LCD are arranged in close contact with each other, so that reading is performed in pixel units. It is also possible to configure so as to adjust the conditions.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, the film scanner 70 according to the third embodiment does not include the LCD 38 (the LCD driver 54 is also omitted: not shown).
Further, the area CCD 32 according to the first embodiment is provided with an electronic shutter mechanism for uniformly controlling the charge accumulation time of all the photoelectric conversion cells. However, in the third embodiment,
Instead of the area CCD 32, an area CCD 72 (corresponding to a charge storage type reading sensor according to claim 6) provided with an electronic shutter mechanism capable of adjusting the charge storage time for each photoelectric conversion cell is provided.

The area CCD 72 switches to a first state in which charges obtained by photoelectrically converting incident light in the photoelectric conversion cells are stored in the CCD cells or a second state in which the charges are discharged to the substrate side. An electronic shutter mechanism including an element is provided in each of the photoelectric conversion cells. The CCD driver 52 controls the electronic shutter mechanism of each photoelectric conversion cell by generating and outputting an electronic shutter control signal for each photoelectric conversion cell to the area CCD 72 (the state of the switching element is changed to the first state). State or the second state).

The film scanner 7 according to the third embodiment
In the case of 0, at the time of pre-scan, the film image is read for a fixed charge accumulation time as in the first embodiment, and the density value of the pixel is determined based on the density value of each pixel of the film image represented by the pre-scan image data. The charge accumulation time of the area CCD 72 at the time of fine scan is set for each photoelectric conversion cell so that the charge accumulation time for the pixel becomes longer as the height becomes higher (so that the charge accumulation time becomes shorter as the density value becomes lower). (A process corresponding to the first determination unit).

At the time of fine scanning, the charge accumulation time set for each photoelectric conversion cell is input to the CCD driver 54, and the CCD driver 54
In each of the photoelectric conversion cells, the electrons generated in each of the photoelectric conversion cells are stored such that only the charges generated in the photoelectric conversion cells within the period corresponding to the input charge storage time are stored in each of the photoelectric conversion cells. A shutter control signal is generated and the area C
Output to the CD 72 (process corresponding to the second control means according to claim 6). As a result, in the area CCD 72, the saturation of the accumulated charge in the individual photoelectric conversion cells or the decrease of the accumulated charge is prevented, and the film image can be read with high accuracy for each pixel.

In the third embodiment described above, an example was described in which the area CCD 72 was used as a charge storage type reading sensor capable of independently changing the charge storage time in units of photoelectric conversion cells (pixels). However, the present invention is not limited to this. One or a plurality of photoelectric conversion cell rows (sensing units) are arranged like a line CCD, and the charge storage time can be changed independently for each photoelectric conversion cell (pixel). A line sensor may be used.

In the third embodiment, the area CCD 72 (charge storage type reading sensor) capable of adjusting the charge storage time for each photoelectric conversion cell (pixel) is used, and the charge storage time of the area CCD 72 is determined. Although the control is performed independently on a photoelectric conversion cell basis, the invention of claim 6 is not limited to the above. For example, the charge is controlled for each cell group (a small area including a plurality of pixels) including a plurality of photoelectric conversion cells. A charge accumulation type reading sensor capable of adjusting the accumulation time may be used, and the charge accumulation time of the reading sensor may be independently controlled in small area units.

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Although not shown, the film scanner according to the fourth embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the film scanner 70 according to the third embodiment described above.
Instead of the area CCD 72 in which the charge accumulation time can be adjusted for each photoelectric conversion cell, an area CC according to the first embodiment is used.
D32 (an area CCD having an electronic shutter mechanism for uniformly controlling the charge accumulation time of all the photoelectric conversion cells) is provided.

Next, an image reading control process according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. In step 200, the charge accumulation time of the area CCD 32 for the predetermined component color is set in the CCD driver 52. In step 201, the aperture driving unit 50
The lens diaphragm 36 (corresponding to the light amount adjusting means according to claim 10) is moved to a predetermined position via the. Step 2
02, the photographic film 16 is controlled by the
Is transported to position the leading film image at the reading position. In step 204, the turret 26 is rotationally driven via the turret drive unit 48, and the color separation filter 28 of a predetermined component color is positioned on the optical axis L.

In the next step 206, the light source diaphragm 24 is moved to a predetermined position (minimum light intensity position) where the amount of light (illumination light for illuminating the film image) passing through the light source diaphragm 24 is minimized. Then, in step 210, the film image positioned at the reading position is read by the area CCD32. This reading is performed at a high resolution corresponding to the fine scan, and the image memory 44 stores high-resolution image data.

In step 212, the high-resolution image data stored in the image memory 44 is fetched, and in step 21
In No. 4, the value of each pixel represented by the captured high-resolution image data is compared with a predetermined value (a value corresponding to a boundary as to whether or not saturation of accumulated charge occurs in a corresponding photoelectric conversion cell). It is determined whether or not there is a pixel (photoelectric conversion cell) in which the saturation of the accumulated charge has occurred in the reading of.
In the current reading, the light source aperture 24 has been moved to the minimum light amount position, and the light amount of the illuminating light on the film image has been extremely reduced. Not step 2
The determination at 14 is negative, and the routine goes to step 220.

In step 220, it is determined whether or not reading of a predetermined component color has been performed a plurality of times on the film image positioned at the reading position. If the determination is negative, the light source aperture 24 is
Is moved by a predetermined amount in the direction in which the amount of illumination light on the film image increases, and the process returns to step 210. Accordingly, steps 210 to 222 are repeated until the determination of step 220 is affirmed, and while gradually increasing the amount of illumination light to the film image,
Reading of a predetermined component color with respect to the positioned film image is performed a plurality of predetermined times.

As the amount of illuminating light for the film image is gradually increased, cells (pixels) in which the accumulated charges are saturated occur in each photoelectric conversion cell of the area CCD 32. As a result, the determination in step 214 is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 216, in which the pixel data obtained in the previous reading is fetched from the image memory 44 for the cell (pixel) in which the accumulated charge is saturated in the current reading.

In step 218, the captured pixel data is converted into data representing the density value on the film image based on reading conditions such as the position of the light source aperture 24 and the charge accumulation time in the previous reading. Are stored in the image memory 44 as output pixel data, and the process proceeds to step 220. The cell (pixel) in which the output pixel data has been stored in the image memory 44 is excluded from the target of the determination in step 214 (the output pixel data stored in the image memory 44 is not updated).

For the positioned film image,
When reading of the predetermined component color is performed a plurality of times, the determination in step 220 is affirmed, and step 2 is performed.
The process proceeds to 24, where it is determined whether or not there is a pixel in which the output pixel data is not stored in the image memory 44 (a pixel (cell) in which the accumulated charge has not been saturated in a predetermined plurality of readings). If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 228.

On the other hand, if the determination is affirmative, in the next step 226, the data fetched in the previous step 212 (the data obtained in the current (last) reading)
From the pixel data, and converts the extracted pixel data into data representing the density value on the film image based on reading conditions such as the position of the light source aperture 24 and the charge accumulation time in the current reading. Are stored in the image memory 44 as output pixel data, and the process proceeds to step 228.

In step 228, it is determined whether or not reading of all the component colors has been completed for the positioned film image. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 204, and steps 204 to 228 are repeated until the determination in step 228 is affirmed. As a result, the above reading is sequentially performed for the other component colors with respect to the positioned film image. If the determination in step 228 is affirmative, the output pixel data of all component colors and all pixels stored in the image memory 44 is stored as output image data.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the reading is performed a plurality of times while gradually increasing the amount of illumination light to the film image. For the generated cell, the data obtained by reading immediately before the saturation of the accumulated charge is used as the output pixel data, and also for the cell in which the saturation of the accumulated charge has not occurred, when the amount of illumination light is maximized. The data obtained by reading will be used as output pixel data. Therefore, it is possible to obtain, for each cell, output image data equivalent to that obtained by reading an image with high dynamic range and high accuracy.

As described above, in the image reading control processing described above, steps 202 to 212, step 22
0, 222, 228, and 232 are area CCDs 32 and C
The CD driver 52 and the light source aperture 24 correspond to the first reading unit (more specifically, the third reading unit according to the tenth aspect) of the present invention. Specifically, the second method according to claim 10
Determination means), and corresponds to steps 216, 218,
Reference numerals 226 and 230 correspond to the first control means of the present invention (more specifically, the third control means of the tenth aspect).

In step 232, it is determined whether or not reading of all film images recorded on the photographic film 16 has been completed.
Steps 2 to 232 are repeated. And step 2
If the determination at 32 is affirmative, the image reading control process ends.

[Fifth Embodiment] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following, the same parts as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the film scanner 94 according to the fifth embodiment, the LCD 38 corresponding to the incident light amount changing means is disposed between the photographic film 16 and the lens 34. I have. The LCD 38 is
Of the photoelectric conversion cells of the area CCD 32, when reading a film image, the photoelectric conversion cells close to the photographic film 16 for the purpose of reducing the amount of light incident on the respective photoelectric conversion cells corresponding to outside the image recording area on the photographic film 16. It is located at the location.

The control unit 46 according to the fifth embodiment includes a non-volatile memory (not shown) such as an rewritable EEPROM or a RAM connected to a backup power supply.
Or a non-rewritable ROM of the storage content), and the non-volatile memory stores reading device shading correction data SCANSHADE _ij and camera shading correction data CAMERASHADE _ij .

[0124] The photographic film 16 is
When the lamp 20 of the light source unit 12 is turned on in a state where is not set, and when a fixed time during which the accumulated charge is not saturated in each photoelectric conversion cell is set as the charge accumulation time in the area CCD 32, each of the area CCD 32 The amount of charge stored in the photoelectric conversion cells differs for each photoelectric conversion cell. The variation in the accumulated charge amount is caused by unevenness in the amount of light emitted from the light source unit 12 of the film scanner 94, aberration of the lens 34 (peripheral dimming, etc.), each photoelectric conversion cell of the area CCD 32, and the like. And an image reading result varies according to a variation in the amount of accumulated charge. Therefore, an image reading result caused by the image reading device according to claim 5 or claim 8 can be obtained. And the resulting variation in units of pixels.

Scanner shading correction data SCANSH
The ADE _ij corrects the variation in the accumulated charge amount caused by the film scanner 94, and sets the area CCD when the photographic film 16 is not set on the film scanner 94.
This is data for controlling the light transmittance of the LCD 38 for each LCD cell so that a fixed amount of charge is accumulated in each of the 32 photoelectric conversion cells. The photographic film 16 is not set on the film scanner 94. State, area CCD
It is set based on the variation in the amount of charge stored in each photoelectric conversion cell of the area CCD 32 represented by data output from the A / D converter 32 through the amplifier 40 and the A / D converter 42.

The film image recorded on the photographic film 16 has density unevenness caused by the camera used for photographing and recording the image (specifically, aberration of the optical system of the camera (for example, peripheral dimming)). Due to the density unevenness of the film image, the area CCD 3
The amount of charge stored in each of the photoelectric conversion cells varies in each of the photoelectric conversion cells with respect to the amount of charge corresponding to the subject photographed and recorded on the photographic film 16. The variation in the accumulated charge amount of each of the photoelectric conversion cells of the area CCD 32 due to the uneven density of the film image may be caused by reading the image read due to the uneven density of the image to be read. And the resulting variation in units of pixels.

Camera shading correction data CAMERASH
The ADE _ij controls the LCD 38 so that the variation in the amount of charge accumulated in each photoelectric conversion cell of the area CCD 32 (variation in the amount of light incident on the area CCD 32) due to the density unevenness caused by the camera used for capturing and recording the image is corrected. This is data for controlling the light transmittance for each LCD cell, and can be used to control various changes in the amount of received light (exposure) at each position on the photographic film caused by the camera lens when capturing and recording an image by the camera. Each of the lenses is set for each of various lenses based on the measurement results, and is stored in the nonvolatile memory in association with information indicating the type of the lens.

When the light transmittance of a single LCD cell of the LCD 38 is changed, the amount of light incident on a plurality of photoelectric conversion cells of the area CCD 32 corresponding to the single LCD cell changes. Since the variation in the accumulated charge of each photoelectric conversion cell of the area CCD 32 due to the uneven density of the image 94 is a gradual variation of the low frequency, the variation of the accumulated charge described above is a unit of the individual LCD cells of the LCD 38. By changing the light transmittance and changing the amount of incident light in units of a plurality of photoelectric conversion cells of the area CCD 32 corresponding to a single LCD cell, correction can be made with high accuracy.

In reading a film image,
The area of the light receiving surface of the area CCD 32 where the light transmitted through the image recording area on the photographic film 16 is incident differs depending on the size, aspect ratio, and reading magnification of the film image to be read. In this embodiment, since the reading magnification is fixedly set for each size and aspect ratio of the film image to be read, an area (light image) of the light receiving surface of the area CCD 32 where the light transmitted through the image recording area enters. The light receiving area corresponding to the recording area changes according to the size and aspect ratio of the film image to be read.

On the other hand, if the photographic film 16 is a negative film, the density of the area outside the image recording area on the photographic film 16 is lower than that of the image recording area.
In the photoelectric conversion cell of the light receiving surface 2 where light transmitted outside the image recording area on the photographic film 16 is incident (the light receiving area corresponding to the outside of the image recording area), the saturation of the accumulated charge when reading the film image. Occurs.

Even if the photographic film 16 to be read is a reversal film, for example, the photographic film 16 is transferred using a film carrier capable of transporting a photographic film having a larger size than the photographic film 16 for reading a film image. In the case of conveyance, since the size of the opening through which the light from the lamp 20 of the light source unit 12 passes is too large with respect to the size of the film image, part of the light passing through the opening is a photograph to be read. Since the light is incident on the area CCD 32 without passing through the film 16 (without being dimmed by the photographic film 16), saturation of the stored charge occurs in the photoelectric conversion cells in the light receiving area corresponding to the area outside the image recording area.

For this reason, in the fifth embodiment, it is determined that the saturation of the accumulated charge occurs in the photoelectric conversion cells in the light receiving area corresponding to the area outside the image recording area by setting the light transmittance of the corresponding LCD cell of the LCD 38 to a predetermined value or less. In order to prevent
LCD cell identification data for identifying the LCD cell corresponding to the outside of the image recording area among the LCD cells of the LCD 38 is stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory in association with the information indicating the size and the aspect ratio of the film image. .

Next, reading of a film image in the fifth embodiment will be described. In the fifth embodiment, each L of the LCD 38 is used at the time of pre-scanning a film image.
In controlling the light transmittance of the CD cell (step 110 in the flowchart of FIG. 3), first, the reading device shading correction data SCANSHADE _ij is fetched from the nonvolatile memory, and the lens used for photographing and recording the film image to be read is read. Attempt to detect the type.

For example, a film with a lens (hereinafter referred to as “L
A specific mark indicating the type of LF is recorded on the photographic film set at the time of manufacture. Therefore, when the specific mark is recorded on the photographic film 16, it is possible to specify the type of LF that has captured and recorded an image on the photographic film 16 based on the specific mark. It is possible to detect the type of the lens used for capturing and recording the film image to be read on the basis of this.

If the photographic film 16 is a photographic film on which a transparent magnetic layer is formed (240-size photographic film: so-called APS film), the type of camera and lens Information indicating the type may be magnetically recorded on the magnetic layer by a camera, and is used for capturing and recording a film image to be read by reading the information from the magnetic layer when the film carrier conveys the photographic film 16. It is also possible to detect the type of the lens.

As described above, when the type of lens used for photographing and recording the film image to be read can be detected, the camera stored in the nonvolatile memory corresponding to the detected lens type. Shading correction data CA
Import MERASHADE _ij . If the lens type cannot be detected, the camera shading correction data
CAMERASHADE _{ij is set} to 0 (no correction).

Next, an attempt is made to detect the size and aspect ratio of the film image to be read. The size and aspect ratio are automatically detected based on the DX code or the like recorded on the photographic film depending on the type of the photographic film 16 because, for example, the size and the aspect ratio of the film image are constant in an APS film. it can. Also, in 135 size photographic film, the aspect ratio of the film image is undefined (for example, full size and panorama size are mixed), but when the aspect ratio is specified by the operator, for example, the specified aspect ratio is set. (The size of the photographic film can be automatically detected based on the DX code, so if the aspect ratio of the film image can be detected, the size of the film image can be detected automatically.) it can). When the size and the aspect ratio of the film image to be read can be detected as described above, the LCD cell identification data stored in the nonvolatile memory corresponding to the detected size and the aspect ratio is fetched.

Next, based on the taken LCD cell identification data, each LCD cell of the LCD 38 is set to an LCD cell corresponding to outside the image recording area and an LCD cell corresponding to the image recording area.
Based on the reading device shading correction data SCANSHADE _ij and the camera shading correction data CAMERASHADE _ij which are discriminated from the cells, the density DLCD _ij of each LCD cell of the LCD 38 represented by the LCD density control data is calculated according to the following equation. DLCD _ij ← SCANSHADE _ij + CAMERASHADE _ij : Density of LCD cell corresponding to image recording area DLCD _ij ← Maximum density DLCD _max : Density of LCD cell corresponding to outside of image recording area

Based on the above LCD density control data, L
By controlling the light transmittance of each LCD cell of the CD 38, among the photoelectric conversion cells of the area CCD 32, the incident light amount is reduced for each of the photoelectric conversion cells outside the image recording area, so that the accumulated charge is reduced. The amount of incident light is controlled so that the saturation is prevented and the photoelectric conversion cells corresponding to the image recording area are corrected so that the film scanner 94 and the variation of the accumulated charge amount due to the uneven density of the image are corrected. Therefore, it is possible to accurately read the film image to be read. Note that each L of the LCD 38
Controlling the light transmittance of the CD cell as described above corresponds to the second control means according to claims 4 and 5.

When performing prescanning, the size and aspect of the film image to be read may be unknown. In this case, the LCD cell corresponding to the outside of the image recording area cannot be discriminated from the LCD cell corresponding to the image recording area.
The concentration DLCD _ij of each LCD cell 8 calculated in accordance with an arithmetic expression below. DLCD _ij ← SCANSHADE _ij + CAMERASHADE _ij + predetermined density D When the light transmittance of each LCD cell of the LCD 38 is controlled based on the above LCD density control data, the reading accuracy of the film image to be read is slightly reduced. Even when the LCD cell corresponding to the outside of the image recording area cannot be discriminated, it is possible to reliably prevent the saturation of the stored charge in the photoelectric conversion cell of the area CCD 32 corresponding to the LCD cell.

In the fifth embodiment, the film image
At the time of fine scan of the image,
Control light transmittance (steps in the flowchart of FIG. 3)
128), as in the case of pre-scan,
Scanning correction data SCANSH from the volatile memory
ADE_ij, Camera shading correction data CAMERASHADE _ij
As well as the readings detected by the prescan.
Based on the size and aspect ratio of the film image
And an LCD cell corresponding to the size and the aspect ratio.
The identification data is taken from the nonvolatile memory.

Then, based on the LCD cell identification data, each LCD cell of the LCD 38 is discriminated into an LCD cell corresponding to outside the image recording area and an LCD cell corresponding to the image recording area, and the reading device shading correction data SCANSHAD
E _ij and camera shading correction data CAMERASHADE _ij
Based on, it calculates the concentration DLCD _ij of each LCD cell LCD38 represented by LCD density control data according to the calculation formula. DLCD _ij ← PRED _max −PRED _ij + SCANSHADE _ij +
CAMERASHADE _ij : Density of LCD cell corresponding to image recording area DLCD _ij ← Maximum density DLCD _max : Density of LCD cell corresponding to outside of image recording area

Based on the above LCD density control data, L
By controlling the light transmittance of each LCD cell of the CD 38, among the photoelectric conversion cells of the area CCD 32, the incident light amount is reduced for each of the photoelectric conversion cells outside the image recording area, so that the accumulated charge is reduced. Saturation is prevented from occurring. Further, for each photoelectric conversion cell corresponding to the image recording area, the incident light amount is controlled so as to correct the variation in the accumulated charge amount caused by the film scanner 94 and the uneven image density, and each of the photoelectric conversion cells on the film image is controlled. It is possible to prevent the amount of light incident on each photoelectric conversion cell from becoming too large or too small irrespective of the density of the portion.
2, the film image can be read with high accuracy. Controlling the light transmittance of each LCD cell of the LCD 38 as described above also corresponds to the second control means according to claims 4 and 5.

[Sixth Embodiment] Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the sixth embodiment has the same configuration as the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the respective parts, and the description of the configuration is omitted, and the operation of the sixth embodiment is described as the operation of the sixth embodiment. Only the parts different from the above will be described.

The control section 46 according to the sixth embodiment also includes a non-volatile memory (not shown), similar to the fifth embodiment. The non-volatile memory includes a reader shading correction data SCANSHADE _mn and a camera shading correction data CAMERASHADE. _mn is stored.

The reading device shading correction data SCANSHADE _{mn according} to the sixth embodiment is used to correct the electric charge of each photoelectric conversion cell so that the variation of the accumulated electric charge of each photoelectric conversion cell of the area CCD 72 caused by the film scanner is corrected. This is correction data for correcting the accumulation time. When the photographic film 16 is not set in the film scanner, the area CCD 72 switches the amplifier 40 and the A / D converter 4.
2 is set based on the variation in the amount of charge stored in each photoelectric conversion cell of the area CCD 72 represented by the data output through the second CCD.

The camera shading correction data CAMERASHADE _{mn according} to the sixth embodiment is based on an area CCD due to density unevenness caused by the camera used for image recording.
72 is correction data for correcting the charge storage time of each photoelectric conversion cell so as to correct the variation in the amount of charge stored in each photoelectric conversion cell, and is caused by the camera lens when the camera captures and records an image. The variation of the amount of received light (the amount of exposure) at each position on the photographic film is set for each of the various lenses based on the results of measuring each of the various lenses,
The information is stored in the nonvolatile memory in association with the information indicating the type of the lens.

For this reason, in the nonvolatile memory according to the sixth embodiment, among the photoelectric conversion cells of the area CCD 72, saturation of accumulated charge occurs in the photoelectric conversion cells in the light receiving area corresponding to the area outside the image recording area. The photoelectric conversion cells for identifying the photoelectric conversion cells corresponding to the outside of the image recording area among the photoelectric conversion cells of the area CCD 72 in order to prevent the charge accumulation time of the photoelectric conversion cells from being shorter than a predetermined time. The identification data is stored in advance in the non-volatile memory in association with the information indicating the size and the aspect ratio of the film image.

Next, reading of a film image in the sixth embodiment will be described. In the sixth embodiment, the area CCD 72 is used during pre-scanning of a film image.
In setting the charge storage time of each photoelectric conversion cell,
As in the fifth embodiment, the scanner shading correction data SCANSHADE _mn is fetched from the non-volatile memory, the detection of the type of lens used for capturing and recording the film image to be read is attempted, and the detection is performed in accordance with the detected lens type. To capture the camera shading correction data CAMERASHADE _mn stored in the non-volatile memory (if the lens type cannot be detected, the camera shading correction data CAMERASHADE _{mn is set} to 0 (no correction)), and the film to be read Attempt to detect the size and aspect ratio of the image, and fetch the photoelectric conversion cell identification data stored in the nonvolatile memory corresponding to the detected size and aspect ratio.

Next, the area CCD 72 during pre-scanning
Is set as follows for each photoelectric conversion cell. That is, each photoelectric conversion cell of the area CCD 72 is discriminated into a photoelectric conversion cell corresponding to the outside of the image recording area and a photoelectric conversion cell corresponding to the image recording area based on the taken photoelectric conversion cell identification data. Is set to a very short time (may be 0) for each of the photoelectric conversion cells corresponding to, and for each photoelectric conversion cell corresponding to the image recording area, the reading device shading which takes in the predetermined charge storage time is used. Correction data SCAN
SHADE _mn and camera shading correction data CAMERASHA
Correct according to DE _mn . Then, the charge accumulation time of the area CCD 72 set for each photoelectric conversion cell is input to the CCD driver 54.

The CCD driver 54 has an area CCD 72.
In each of the photoelectric conversion cells, an electronic shutter is provided for each of the photoelectric conversion cells so that only the charges generated in the photoelectric conversion cells within the period corresponding to the input charge storage time are accumulated in each of the photoelectric conversion cells. Generates control signals and outputs area CC
Output to D72 (process corresponding to the second control means according to claim 6).

As a result, of the photoelectric conversion cells of the area CCD 72 corresponding to the area outside the image recording area, the charge storage time is extremely shortened, thereby preventing the saturation of the stored charge. Regarding each photoelectric conversion cell corresponding to the image recording area, the film image to be read is controlled by controlling the charge accumulation time so that the variation in the accumulated charge amount caused by the film scanner and uneven image density is corrected. It can be read with high accuracy. Note that controlling the charge storage time in each photoelectric conversion cell of the area CCD 72 as described above is described in claim 7.
And the second control means described in claim 8.

On the other hand, when the size and aspect of the film image to be read are unknown, the charge accumulation time of all the photoelectric conversion cells of the area CCD 72 is shortened by a predetermined time.
As a result, although the reading accuracy of the film image to be read is slightly lowered, even when the corresponding photoelectric conversion cell outside the image recording area is unknown, it is possible to surely prevent the saturation of the accumulated charge in the photoelectric conversion cell. can do.

In the sixth embodiment, when the charge storage time of each photoelectric conversion cell of the area CCD 72 is set at the time of fine scanning of a film image, the shading correction data SCANSHADE of the reader is read from the nonvolatile memory as at the time of pre-scanning. _{m n,} fetches the camera shading correction data CAMERASHADE _mn, based on the size and aspect ratio of the reading target film image detected by the pre-scan, the non-volatile memory photoelectric conversion cell identification data corresponding to the size and aspect ratio Take in from.

The area CC at the time of fine scan
The charge accumulation time of D72 is set as follows for each photoelectric conversion cell. That is, each photoelectric conversion cell of the area CCD 72 is discriminated into a photoelectric conversion cell corresponding to the outside of the image recording area and a photoelectric conversion cell corresponding to the image recording area based on the taken photoelectric conversion cell identification data. Is set to a very short time (for example, 0) for each photoelectric conversion cell corresponding to. In addition, the charge accumulation time of each photoelectric conversion cell corresponding to outside the image recording area is based on the density value of each pixel of the film image represented by the pre-scan image data, and the charge accumulation time increases as the pixel density value increases. After the setting, the correction is performed according to the reading device shading correction data SCANSHADE _mn and the camera shading correction data CAMERASHADE _mn that take in the set charge accumulation time.

According to the above charge accumulation time, area CC
By controlling the charge accumulation period in each photoelectric conversion cell of D72, the charge accumulation time of each photoelectric conversion cell of the area CCD 72 corresponding to outside the image recording area is extremely shortened. This prevents saturation of the stored charge. In addition, for each photoelectric conversion cell corresponding to the image recording area, the variation in the accumulated charge amount caused by the film scanner and the uneven density of the image is corrected, and the saturation of the accumulated charge occurs or the accumulated charge becomes too small. By controlling the charge accumulation time so as to prevent the occurrence of an image, a film image can be read with high accuracy by the area CCD 72. Controlling the charge accumulation time in each photoelectric conversion cell of the area CCD 72 as described above also corresponds to the second control means according to the seventh and eighth aspects.

In the first to third embodiments, the prescan and the fine scan are performed by the same reading sensor. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a lamp 80, a reflector 82,
A second film scanner 90 including an aperture 84, a lens 86, and a line sensor 88 (which may be an area sensor)
(Image reading means), and the second film scanner 9
The prescan may be performed at 0, and the fine scan may be performed at the film scanner 10. Further, it goes without saying that the second film scanner 90 may be a combination of the film scanner 60 described in the second embodiment and the film scanner 70 described in the third embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment, the amount of illumination light on the film image is gradually increased. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The amount of illumination light is gradually reduced from the maximum amount. The reading of the film image may be repeated while the cells whose accumulated charges are initially saturated may store data when the accumulated charges are no longer saturated as output pixel data. In adjusting the amount of light incident on the reading sensor, the lens aperture 36 may be moved instead of moving the light source aperture 24, or the light source aperture 24 and the lens aperture 36 may be individually moved. Good.

Further, in the fifth embodiment, the case where the inventions of claims 4 and 5 are applied to the film scanner having the structure described in the first embodiment (the structure using the area CCD 32 as the reading sensor) has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a film scanner 96 having the configuration described in the second embodiment (a configuration using the line CCD 62 as a reading sensor) or an example shown in FIG. As shown, the present invention can be applied to a film scanner configured to perform prescan and fine scan using different reading sensors. Further, in FIG. 11, an LCD corresponding to an optical system
Is not provided, but an LCD is provided in the optical system, and the fifth
It goes without saying that the inventions of claims 4 and 5 may be applied as described in the embodiments.

Further, in the sixth embodiment, a seventh aspect is provided.
The case where the invention of claim 8 is applied to a film scanner (a structure using the area CCD 72 as a reading sensor) having the structure described in the third embodiment has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to apply the present invention to a film scanner configured to use a line CCD as a reading sensor as in the embodiment, or to a film scanner configured to perform prescan and fine scan with different reading sensors.

In the above description, a CCD sensor has been described as an example of a reading sensor. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, another reading sensor such as a MOS type image sensor may be used.

Further, the case of reading a photographic film has been described above as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this.
The present invention can be applied to a scanner (for example, a scanner of a copying machine) for reading an image recorded on a recording material (reflective original) such as photographic paper, plain paper, or thermal paper.

[0163]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image is read by photoelectrically converting incident light in units of each pixel of the image to be read, and an appropriate reading condition for the image is determined by the pixel. From the result of reading the image, based on the result determined for each or each small area consisting of a plurality of pixels, output image data equivalent to reading the image under appropriate reading conditions in pixel units or small area units, respectively. Since the control is performed so as to obtain the image, there is an excellent effect that the image can be read in a wide dynamic range and the image reading apparatus can be configured at low cost.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an appropriate reading condition for the image is determined for each pixel or each small area including a plurality of pixels based on the result of reading the image to be read, and the image reading condition is determined. By the second reading means that can be changed in units of pixels or small areas, the reading conditions for each pixel or each small area when reading the image to be read by photoelectrically converting incident light in units of each pixel of the image, Since the control is performed so as to match each of the determined reading conditions, there is an excellent effect that an image can be read with a wide dynamic range and the image reading apparatus can be configured at low cost.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reading sensor, and an incident light amount changing means capable of changing the amount of incident light to the reading sensor in pixel units or small area units. The second reading unit is configured to control the reading conditions by independently controlling the amount of incident light incident on the reading sensor via the incident light amount changing unit in units of pixels or small areas. This eliminates the need to use a reading sensor having a complicated configuration.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the light applied to the reading sensor is controlled so that the amount of incident light from the part other than the image to be read is less than a predetermined value. Since the amount of incident light is controlled in units of pixels or small areas by the incident light amount changing means, in addition to the above-described effects, incident light from other than the image to be read can be imaged without complicating the configuration by providing a mask or the like. This has the effect that it is possible to avoid adversely affecting the reading of the data.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the unevenness of the image reading result, which is caused by the image reading apparatus, in units of pixels is corrected. Since the amount of incident light to the reading sensor is controlled in units of pixels or small areas by the incident light amount changing means, in addition to the above-described effects, it is possible to avoid that the reading result of the image varies in units of each pixel, There is an effect that it is not necessary to perform a correction process for correcting an image reading result for each pixel.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the second reading means includes a charge storage type reading sensor capable of independently changing the charge storage time in units of pixels or small areas. Since the reading condition is controlled by independently controlling the charge accumulation time of the reading sensor in units of pixels or small areas, the number of components can be reduced in addition to the above effect.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, the charge accumulation time in photoelectric conversion of incident light from the image other than the image to be read out of the incident light to the reading sensor is set to a predetermined value or less. Since the charge accumulation time of the reading sensor is controlled in units of pixels or small areas, in addition to the above-described effects, incident light from an image other than the image to be read can be read without complicating the configuration by providing a mask or the like. This has the effect of avoiding adverse effects on

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in accordance with the sixth aspect of the present invention, the unevenness of the image reading result in units of pixels caused by the density unevenness of the image to be read or the image reading device is corrected. In addition, since the charge accumulation time of the reading sensor is controlled in units of pixels or small areas, in addition to the above-described effects, it is possible to avoid a variation in image reading results in units of pixels, and to reduce the image in units of pixels. There is an effect that it is not necessary to perform a correction process for correcting a reading result.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in accordance with the third or sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light amount adjusting means capable of adjusting at least one of an illumination light for illuminating an image and an incident light from the image to the reading sensor. Since the reading condition is controlled by controlling the light amount via the control unit, in addition to the above effects, the change width of the incident light amount by the incident light amount changing unit or the change width of the charge accumulation time by the reading sensor can be reduced. This has the effect that an increase in the number of parts can be avoided.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, an image is read a plurality of times by photoelectrically converting incident light with each pixel of an image to be read as a unit, and the reading condition in each reading is adjusted by adjusting the amount of incident light. Are different from each other, the most appropriate reading condition among the reading conditions in a plurality of image readings is determined for each pixel or for each small region including a plurality of pixels, and from the image data obtained by the plurality of image readings, Since data corresponding to the most appropriate reading condition is selected for each pixel or each small area and synthesized as output image data, an image can be read in a wide dynamic range, and the image reading device can be configured at low cost. It has an excellent effect.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, an appropriate reading condition for an image to be read is determined for each pixel from the result of reading the image by photoelectrically converting incident light for each pixel of the image to be read. Or, based on a result determined for each small area composed of a plurality of pixels, control is performed so that output image data equivalent to reading the image under appropriate reading conditions in pixel units or small area units is obtained. Therefore, the present invention has an excellent effect that an image can be read in a wide dynamic range without causing a significant increase in cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an optical system of a film scanner according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a signal processing system and a control system of the film scanner.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the content of an image reading control process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of a reading condition calculation / image data correction process.

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of an optical system of a film scanner according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of an optical system of a film scanner according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the content of an image reading control process according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an optical system of a film scanner according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of an optical system of a film scanner according to another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of an optical system of a film scanner according to another embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an optical system of a film scanner according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Film Scanner 16 Photo Film 24 Light Source Aperture 32 Area CCD 36 Lens Aperture 38 LCD 46 Controller 60 Film Scanner 62 Line CCD 66 LCD 70 Film Scanner 72 Area CCD 94 Film Scanner 96 Film Scanner

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B047 AA05 AB02 AB04 BA01 BB02 BB04 BC01 BC07 CA19 CB21 DA04 DC06 5C051 AA01 BA03 DA03 DA06 DB01 DB09 DB13 DB26 DE12 DE18 DE27 FA04 5C072 AA01 BA08 CA15 DA14 FB19 QA07 UA02 WAA

Claims (11)

[Claims] A first reading unit that reads the image by photoelectrically converting incident light from the image in units of each pixel when the image to be read is divided into a large number of pixels; and reads the image. A first determination unit configured to determine an appropriate reading condition for the image for each pixel or each small area including a plurality of pixels based on a result; and a first reading unit configured to determine based on a determination result by the first determination unit. A first control for obtaining, from a result of reading the image, output image data equivalent to reading the image under appropriate reading conditions in pixel units or small area units, respectively;
An image reading device comprising: a control unit. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the image to be read is divided into a large number of pixels, the image is read by photoelectrically converting incident light from the image in units of each pixel, and a reading condition of the image is set to a pixel or a plurality of pixels. A second reading unit that can be changed in units of small regions composed of pixels; and a second unit that determines an appropriate reading condition for the image for each pixel or each small region composed of a plurality of pixels based on a result of reading the image. (1) a second determining unit that controls the reading conditions for each pixel or each small area in reading the image by the second reading unit so as to match the appropriate reading conditions determined by the first determining unit; An image reading device comprising: a control unit. 3. The reading device according to claim 2, wherein the second reading unit reads the image by photoelectrically converting incident light from the image for each pixel, and determines a light amount of the incident light on the reading sensor in a pixel unit or a small area unit. And an incident light amount changing means that can be changed by the above. The second control means controls the light amount of the incident light incident on the reading sensor via the incident light amount changing means to a pixel or a small area. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reading condition is controlled by independently controlling the reading conditions. 4. The light amount of light incident on the reading sensor such that the light amount of light incident on the reading sensor other than the image to be read is less than a predetermined value. 4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit controls the incident light amount in units of pixels or small areas. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second control unit is configured to correct a variation in an image reading result of the reading sensor in units of pixels, which is caused by uneven density of an image to be read or an image reading device. 4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the amount of incident light on the reading sensor is controlled by the incident light amount changing unit in units of pixels or small areas. 6. The second reading unit reads the image by photoelectrically converting incident light from the image for each pixel and accumulating the charge as an electric charge, and independently sets a charge accumulation time for each pixel or small area. The second control means controls the reading condition by independently controlling the charge storage time of the reading sensor in units of pixels or small areas. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image reading is performed. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second control unit controls a charge accumulation time in photoelectric conversion of incident light from an image other than an image to be read out of incident light to the reading sensor to be a predetermined value or less.
7. The image reading apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the charge storage time of the reading sensor is controlled in units of pixels or small areas. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second control unit is configured to correct variations in density of an image to be read or variations in a result of reading the image by the reading sensor in units of pixels, which are caused by the image reading apparatus. 7. The image reading apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the charge storage time of the reading sensor is controlled in units of pixels or small areas. 9. The second control unit further comprises a light amount adjustment unit capable of adjusting the amount of at least one of illumination light for illuminating the image and light incident on the image sensor from the image. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the reading condition is controlled by controlling at least one of the illumination light and the incident light via the light amount adjusting unit. . 10. A light amount adjusting means for adjusting an amount of at least one of illumination light for illuminating an image to be read and incident light from the image, wherein each pixel when the image is divided into a large number of pixels is provided. As a unit, reading the image by photoelectrically converting incident light incident from the image is performed a plurality of times, and adjusting the light amount of the incident light by the light amount adjusting means, the reading conditions in each reading are mutually different. A third reading unit to be different, and, based on image data respectively obtained by a plurality of image readings by the third reading unit, a most appropriate reading condition among the reading conditions in each image reading is set for each pixel or a plurality of times. A second determination unit that determines each small region composed of pixels; and image data obtained by a plurality of times of image reading by the third reading unit. Image reading apparatus includes a third control means for the data corresponding to the most appropriate reading condition which is determined by the second determining means is selected for each pixel or each small region, synthesized as output image data. 11. An appropriate reading condition for an image to be read is determined for each pixel or for each small area including a plurality of pixels, and each pixel when the image to be read is divided into a large number of pixels is determined as a unit. From the result of reading the image by photoelectrically converting incident light from the image, based on the result of the determination, output image data equivalent to reading the image in pixel units or small area units under appropriate reading conditions is obtained. An image reading method for controlling so as to obtain.