JP2001036737A - Image processing device for photo processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide an image processing apparatus for a photographic processing apparatus which can shorten the processing time and has flexibility and expandability. A digital signal processor (25) that receives image information, performs special correction (dodging, defocus correction, etc.) on the image information, and outputs corrected image information, and writes the corrected image information in the digital signal processor (25). Means for changing the program to be used, and the contents of the special correction are changed by changing the program.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for a photographic processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a photographic processing apparatus, image information is read from a photographic image medium such as a negative film, for example.
This is converted into digital data, and image exposure is performed using digital image data. Image processing called special correction (an example of correction processing) is performed in order to take advantage of conversion into digital data. For example, dodging processing, image sharpening processing, blur processing, edge enhancement processing, and low contrast processing are performed. There are corrections and the like, so that high-quality photographic images can be printed. As a conventional technique for performing such special correction,
(1) A method of performing correction using a CPU, and (2) CP
There has been a method of performing correction only with hardware without using U.

[0003]

However, the above prior art has the following problems. (1) When performing special correction using the CPU, although there is flexibility in changing the contents of the special correction, a cycle is required in which the CPU retrieves an instruction from the program memory and executes the instruction. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes time for the arithmetic processing.

(2) When special correction is performed only by hardware without using a CPU, it is necessary to rework the circuit board itself to change the content of the special correction, and it takes time to change the setting. . Therefore, it is practically impossible to change the algorithm.
There was a problem of lack of expandability. Further, there is a problem that a dedicated LSI constituting hardware becomes expensive. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus for a photographic processing apparatus which can shorten the processing time and has flexibility and expandability.

[0005]

An image processing apparatus for a photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object receives image information, performs correction processing on the image information,
A digital signal processor that outputs the corrected image information, and a unit that changes a program written in the digital signal processor, and by changing the program, the content of the correction processing is changed. It is characterized by comprising.

According to this configuration, the image information is corrected using a processing chip called a digital signal processor (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a DSP). DSP
Since the logic circuit can be configured by a pipeline, the arithmetic processing speed can be increased. Also,
By changing the program or variables written in the DSP, the algorithm and setting of the correction processing can be changed, so that it is not necessary to rework the circuit board, and flexibility and expandability can be obtained. Further, since it is not necessary to provide a dedicated LSI for each content of the correction processing, it is possible to contribute to the cost reduction of the entire apparatus. As described above, the processing time can be shortened, and an image processing apparatus for a photographic processing apparatus having flexibility and expandability can be provided.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a photographic processing apparatus using the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. <Overall Configuration of Photo Processing Apparatus According to the Present Embodiment> In FIG. 1, a photo processing apparatus includes a scanner unit P1 and a printing unit P.
2 (corresponding to a digital exposure section), and the scanner section P1 converts an image frame of the negative film 1 which is an example of a photographic film into a CCD linear sensor 6 (hereinafter, referred to as a linear sensor and used as image reading means). Light source 2, a mirror tunnel 3, a negative mask 4 for positioning an image frame, a reading lens 5, a linear sensor 6, and a roller 7 for transporting the negative film 1. ing. The negative mask 4 and the roller 7 are integrated into a transport unit called a negative carrier 20.

The printing unit P2 includes a paper magazine 12 for storing paper 11 (corresponding to a photosensitive material) conveyed along a predetermined conveyance path, a conveyance roller 13 for conveying the paper 11, and a conveyance roller 13. A drive motor 14 for driving and a digital exposure head 15 for forming a digital image on the paper 11 by moving in the direction of arrow A along the transport path of the paper 11 are provided. As the digital exposure head 15, an appropriate device such as a fluorescent printer, a PLZT type printer, a CRT printer or the like can be adopted. The paper 11 on which the image is formed is subjected to processing according to the type of the paper 11, such as development processing, drying processing, and cutting processing, and is finally returned to the customer as a print. The image processing device 21 performs special correction (an example of a correction process) on the image information input from the linear sensor 6, and outputs corrected image information. The image processing device 21 includes a monitor 16 for checking the content of the image information,
A keyboard 17 for giving a command for special correction is connected.

<Structure of Image Processing Apparatus> The structure of the image processing apparatus 21 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The A / D converter 22 converts analog image information output from the linear sensor 6 into digital image information. The frame memory 23 stores digital image information for one frame.
The data transfer circuit 24 transfers digital image information to a digital signal processor (hereinafter, referred to as DSP) 25. The DSP 25 is configured by a semiconductor chip, and includes a correction circuit 25a and a program storage unit 25b. The memory control circuit 26 controls taking-in and reading-out of image information into and from the frame memory 23. CPU2
7 controls the DSP 25 and the memory control circuit 26.

Here, the special correction will be described. For example, dodging processing, image sharpening processing, image blur processing, defocus processing, low contrast correction processing, and the like, and the image information of the negative film 1 is printed on the paper 11 In exposure, it refers to a correction process for obtaining a higher quality photographic print.

The advantage of using the DSP 25 is that the arithmetic operation can be performed by the pipeline processing in the correction circuit 25a, so that the special correction processing can be performed at the same processing speed as hardware processing without using a CPU. When it is desired to change the content of the special correction, the program stored in the program storage unit 25b may be changed. Therefore, it also has flexibility and expandability.

To change the contents of the special correction, a key input from the keyboard 17 is performed to
Rewrites and changes the program in the program storage unit 25b. The image information on which the special correction processing has been performed is transferred to the digital exposure head 15, and the paper 11 is printed and exposed based on the transferred image information.

<Alternative Embodiment> In the present embodiment, the input image information is read from the negative film 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image and photographic prints stored on a floppy disk or MO disk are not limited to this. It may be input from.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a photographic processing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Negative film 6 Linear sensor 21 Image processing device 25 Digital signal processor (DSP) 25a Correction circuit 25b Program storage

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A digital signal processor which receives image information, performs a correction process on the image information, and outputs corrected image information, and means for changing a program written in the digital signal processor. An image processing apparatus for a photographic processing apparatus, comprising: changing the contents of the correction processing by changing the program.