JP2001275006A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor which can perform special correction such as correction processing for the color and shape of a pupil image, carried out through digital arithmetic processing, by a simple procedure with good operability. SOLUTION: The image processor is equipped with a scanning means which obtains image information by scanning and reading a film, a converting means which converts the image information into a digital image, a storage means which stores the digital image, a prejudgment picture display means which displays the digital image, an input means which indicates and inputs in a prejudgment picture the correction processing contents of correction and special correction of the color and density of the digital image, and an arithmetic processing means which executes the correction processing contents.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recent photographic processing apparatus will be described as an example of an image processing apparatus. 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various photographic processing apparatuses that can adjust color and density when producing prints from films such as negative films and positive films have been proposed or put into practical use. In particular, a photographic processing apparatus that can improve color balance by adjusting exposure conditions for a photographic photosensitive material (hereinafter, photosensitive material) such as photographic paper and produce a color print at a low cost has become widespread.

[0003] Such a photographic processing apparatus is easy to operate and does not require special photographic processing techniques or experience.
It is widely used because stable mass production such as color printing can be performed at low cost. With the introduction of such an apparatus, a business format for providing color prints and the like at a low cost has become established, and at the same time, cost competition for color prints and the like has become increasingly severe.

On the other hand, techniques for converting image information into digital data by a computer or the like and performing arithmetic processing on the data have been advanced. This technology is also applied to the production of color prints, etc., and it is possible to obtain correction values for colors and densities based on the calculation results based on digital data and change exposure conditions. It is also possible to freely correct the image itself and the image itself.

[0005] Among the techniques utilizing the operation result of digital data, correction of color and density is performed by displaying image information on a so-called pre-judge screen and determining a correction value. Even if the correction value is selected so that the color and the density are increased or decreased in several steps, a quite favorable correction effect can be obtained.

In other cases, for example, in the case of so-called special correction such as processing for correcting the color or shape of only the pupil image, a large number of pixel data must be retained and only the target image area must be determined. (A simple set of discrete values) and complicated arithmetic processing is required to obtain the optimal correction.Therefore, it is positioned as a special correction in the technical field of photo processing equipment. Detailed correction instructions are given.

[0007] In such a mode of performing the separate processing, a correction instruction screen different from the pre-judge screen is required in the photographic processing apparatus, and it is necessary to move to the correction instruction screen and issue a correction instruction. It is troublesome and troublesome, and the workability is low, and the cost of producing the print for performing the special correction is high.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a simple procedure with good workability for performing special corrections such as color and shape correction of a pupil image performed by digital arithmetic processing. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus which can be executed by the above.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus comprising: a scanning unit for scanning a film to obtain image information; a converting unit for converting the image information into a digital image; and storing the digital image. Storage means, pre-judgment screen display means for displaying a digital image, input means for instructing and inputting correction processing contents of color and density correction and special correction for the digital image on the pre-judge screen, and executing the correction processing contents Arithmetic processing means.

[0010] According to the apparatus, a special correction other than the color and the density can be instructed and input on the pre-judgment screen. In this special correction, the pre-judgment screen is changed to another instruction screen or another instruction screen. There is no need to change to a processing mode selection screen or the like for shifting, and there is no need to perform an input operation via the other instruction screen.

In this specification, the special correction is a correction performed by digital arithmetic processing other than color and density correction, that is, correction of the color and shape of only the pupil image, skin color correction of the human image, automatic number of persons. This is a concept including a correction for changing the number of images created by reading.

Conventionally, such special correction has been performed with the aid of image processing software or the like via a separate correction instruction screen. However, by improving the arithmetic processing method, the special correction can be performed by the same input operation as color and density correction. Now that it's getting better, it's now possible to give correction instructions only on the pre-judge screen.

[0013] Therefore, since the screen switching is not required for the color and density correction and the special correction, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost due to the execution of the special correction without reducing the workability at the time of the correction instruction.

Further, the scanning means scans and reads the entire film to obtain image information, the input means includes means for inputting a trimming correction instruction, and the arithmetic processing means comprises a trimming correction instruction by the input means. May be configured to execute the content of the correction processing when is input.

As a special correction as described above, there is a so-called trimming correction. In the conventional scanning reading for each frame, the scanning reading of image information may not completely cover the image area due to a shift of the film or the like. In this case, trimming cannot be performed. Since the whole image (the data between frames is read as data) is scanned and displayed on the pre-judgment screen, the boundary of the image area in the film can be accurately displayed, and trimming correction can be performed.

Further, since the trimming correction can be performed on the pre-judge screen, the screen does not need to be switched.
It is possible to accurately perform trimming correction while suppressing an increase in cost without reducing workability.

[0017]

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

First Embodiment As an example of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention, a photograph provided with an image processing apparatus configured to input instructions for color and density corrections and special corrections other than these corrections on a pre-judge screen. The processing device will be described. The instruction input of color and density corrections and special corrections other than these corrections is collectively referred to as correction instruction input.

This image processing apparatus is characterized in that the special correction is also input on the same screen as the color and density corrections, and the results of these corrections are added to the digital image for print production. As a data, the production means for producing a print or the like itself obtained from the print production data may be another image forming means such as an electrophotography other than the silver halide photographic method described below or a print by an ink jet method. From this viewpoint, the object of the present invention is not limited to a so-called photograph, and the produced image is referred to as a print or the like.

First, the pre-judgment screen will be described. FIGS. 1 and 2 are explanatory plan views each showing an example of a pre-judgment screen on which an image processing method according to the present invention can be performed. FIGS. 3 and 4 show keyboards for performing input instructions on the pre-judgment screen. It is a plane explanatory view showing each example of a key arrangement.

The pre-judge screen is displayed by the pre-judge screen display means, and a digital image is displayed on this screen. The screen displayed by the pre-judge display means may be simply referred to as a pre-judge screen.

The input of the correction instruction is made by the input means. The input means provides a button display on the pre-judgment screen, and performs a method such as clicking this button with a mouse through the pre-judgment screen with a button and a mouse, or a keyboard or the like separately from the pre-judgment screen. May be connected to the pre-judgment screen and performed via this keyboard. It should be noted that the keyboard may be a dedicated keyboard, or the functions may be defined for general-purpose keys.

1 and 2, reference numeral 71 denotes a frame image;
Is a file name display button, 73 (73a to 73f) are special correction buttons described later, 74 and 75 are color and density correction buttons, 76 is a rotation operation button, and 77 is a number designation button. The color and density correction buttons are input, for example, by inputting a correction instruction to change the numerical values of the three primary colors, cyan, magenta, and yellow, and the density stepwise.

Thus, the pre-judge screen 70 includes:
In addition to providing operation buttons 74 and 75 for performing normal color and density correction, for special correction, an auto contrast button 73a, an auto sharpness button 73b, a skin color correction button 73c, an automatic number reading correction button 73d, and a red-eye correction button It is preferable to include an instruction button such as 73e, and further include a correction instruction button such as a trimming correction button 73f.

In order to specify a range for trimming correction, it is preferable that the pre-judge screen display means be provided with a cursor generating means so that a line cursor, a cross cursor, and the like are displayed in the frame image. Specify the desired range in the frame image with these cursors,
A correction instruction such as enlarging an image in the range is issued.

Further, the pre-judge screen can be provided with a screen movement operation button 79 for trimming, a rotation operation button 76 for rotating the image, and a number designation button 77 for designating the number of images.

Next, a case where the keyboard 80 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is used will be described. For keyboard 80, 83 (83a
83f) are special correction keys to be described later, 84 and 85 are color and density correction keys, 86 is a rotation operation key, and 87 is a number designation key. In addition, the start key 88a, the repeat designation key 88b,
Passkey (delay in frame movement) 88c, fine adjustment key 8
8d, a cancel key 88e, a function key 88f, and the like can be provided.

In order to input a correction instruction using the keyboard 80, the keyboard 80 is provided with color and density correction keys 84 and 85, which are operation keys for performing normal color correction and density correction.
In addition, as special corrections, an automatic contrast correction key 83a, an auto sharpness correction key 83b, a skin color correction key 83c, a person automatic reading correction key 83d, a red-eye correction key 83e,
Etc., and a trimming correction key.
It is preferable to provide a correction instruction key such as 83f.

Also in the case of the keyboard 80, a screen movement operation key 89 for selecting or changing a frame image, a rotation operation key 86 for rotating an image, and a number designation key 87 for designating the number of images.
Can be provided.

When the keyboard 80 is used, the types of functions that can be operated can be increased as compared with the case where the instruction button is provided on the pre-judge screen. For example, auxiliary keys 88g such as menu keys and function keys (FIGS. FIG. 4) may be provided.

Therefore, according to the present prejudgment screen, troublesome screen switching is not required for color and density correction and special correction, so that special correction can be performed without reducing workability at the time of a correction instruction. . As a result, it is possible to minimize the increase in cost that occurs when special correction is performed. In particular, in the case of screen switching, other digital arithmetic processing is not interrupted, so that the flow of the work-in-progress is not interrupted.

As shown in FIG. 6, an image processing apparatus having a pre-judge screen 70 having a function of instructing correction of these special corrections has a scanning means 62 and a pre-judge screen display means 70.
The image processing unit includes a pre-judge screen display unit 70, a conversion unit 52, a storage unit 53, an input unit 54, and an arithmetic processing unit 55, and is connected, for example, as illustrated. It is configured.

An instruction button for inputting a correction instruction for special correction on the pre-judge screen 70 or an instruction key on the keyboard is connected to the processing circuit of the arithmetic processing means 55 for the correction processing. A correction signal that can be instructed to be corrected when there is a
The correction signal is sent to 55 and the storage means 53.

Further, the shape and arrangement of these instruction buttons and instruction keys and the display mode of the correction contents can be changed in consideration of usability. For example, a picture of the pupil can be displayed on the red-eye correction button 73e, and a person image can be displayed on the automatic reading correction button 73d. By being able to input correction instructions for these special corrections on the pre-judge screen, it is possible to instruct these special corrections to the same extent as image processing by general-purpose image processing software.

The pre-judge screen display means preferably displays these correction instruction functions with good operability.
CRT (cathode ray tube) and LCD (liquid crystal di
A display device such as a splay) can be used.

As described above, since the input means for inputting the correction instruction is constituted, it is possible to input a special correction other than the color and the density on the pre-judgment screen. There is no need to change to an instruction screen, a processing mode selection screen, or the like, and there is no need to perform an input operation via another instruction screen.

Conventionally, such special correction has been performed with the aid of image processing software or the like through a separate correction instruction screen. However, by improving the arithmetic processing method, the special correction can be performed by the same input operation as that for color and density correction. As a result, all correction instructions can be input with only one operation on the pre-judge screen.

The details of these special corrections will be described. Auto-contrast correction adjusts the contrast (light / dark difference) of the entire image in frame units.
As shown in FIG. 7, the output is changed using all the gradations of the image with respect to the input, and the middle part is changed while both ends of the brightest part and the darkest part are fixed. .

As shown in FIG. 7A, the output of the intermediate portion can be increased to increase the output brightness, and as shown in FIG. 7B, the output of the intermediate portion can be reduced to make the output darker. At this time, if the inclination is steep, the contrast of the image is increased, and if the inclination is gentle, the contrast is reduced.

The auto-sharpness correction refers to a process of enhancing sharpness to sharpen the image, or vice versa. This processing is referred to as so-called spatial frequency processing, and often uses a convolution (convolution) operation of multiplying a pixel of interest and peripheral pixels by an appropriate coefficient to perform weighted averaging. If the coefficient of the weighted average of the pixels other than the pixel of interest becomes negative, processing for enhancing sharpness is performed, and if it becomes positive, processing for blurring is performed.

As a correction relating to color conversion, for example, there is a skin color correction. In order to perform this correction, various colors can be created by calculating each color signal value by the matrix calculation formula shown in [Equation 1] and changing the matrix coefficient.

(Equation 1)

As a correction that involves shape correction in addition to color correction, there is red-eye correction for performing color conversion of a pupil image. This red-eye correction was originally developed from converting so-called red-eye, which occurs in a captured image when a flash is fired, to black-eye, but it also converts it to a natural-looking color instead of just black. Various types of color and shape corrections are performed until an image is added or correction is performed to adjust the shape of the boundary between eyelids and eyelashes.

In the automatic person reading correction, an image of a person is determined from the image based on characteristics such as the color and shape of the head of the person, the number of persons in the image is calculated, and the setting of the number of prints is performed. And automatically corrects it.

The red-eye correction and the automatic person reading correction are related to image processing relating to the shape. For example, it is necessary to perform boundary discrimination, template matching, and the like. ), And the storage means stores, for example, parameters and templates for boundary determination.

The trimming correction is conventionally known as a technique for enlarging only a specified range of an image at the time of exposure or performing additional exposure called so-called post-burning. In the present invention, this range designation and this range are specified. Is adjusted by digital arithmetic processing.

In the present invention, it is possible to scan and read the entire film in the width direction, that is, from one edge to the other edge, including perforations, so that the boundary of the image area for each frame can be accurately determined. I can understand. If the boundaries of the image areas are displayed on the pre-judgment screen with a shift, the shift is corrected first. in this way,
When the entire film is scanned and read, the convenience of using the special correction is extremely improved, which is advantageous. In this case, the data of the perforated portion or the like may be compressed to save storage capacity.

Conventionally, scanning reading is performed for each frame. In this method, there is a case where the scanning reading of image information does not completely cover the image area due to a film shift or the like. Although trimming could not be performed, in the present invention, the whole film is configured to be scanned and read and displayed on the pre-judge screen, the boundary of the image area in the film is accurately displayed, and trimming correction is performed. can do.

Further, since the trimming correction can be performed on the pre-judge screen described above, the trimming correction can be accurately performed without switching the screen, reducing the workability, and suppressing the increase in cost.

The correction performed by the above-described digital arithmetic processing has a large number of pixel data, and only the target image area must be determined (from a mere set of discrete values). In order to obtain the result, the trial result is displayed on the pre-judgment screen, and the operator evaluates the suitability and decides whether to repeat the trial or determine whether or not to adopt the final image data.

Other components of the image processing apparatus described above will be described. First, the scanning means 62 is for scanning and reading a film to obtain image information. Usually, the scanning means 62 separates and measures each pixel of a color image of a color negative film or the like into three primary colors of blue, green and red. Blue for each,
In many cases, a color scanner is used which sequentially reads out the light intensities of green and red as color signals for each color.

The conversion means 52 converts an analog pixel value scanned and read by a color scanner into a digital value, and a well-known A / D converter is used.

The storage means 53 stores digital images related to the image processing apparatus, data in the course of arithmetic processing of the digital images, predetermined data relating to the thresholds for discriminating boundaries and template matching, and LUT (luckup table). Remember. Therefore, it is configured by a RAM, a ROM, and the like.

In the present invention, since special corrections other than color and density are performed by digital arithmetic processing, a larger storage capacity is provided than in the conventional case where only the color and density are prejudged. Is preferred.

The arithmetic processing means 55 performs arithmetic processing for generating thresholds and LUTs for color and density correction, the above-described special correction, and various parameters for these corrections, and generally to an image. To be able to perform various image processing such as toning (color, density) and gradation, scaling mainly for trimming correction, other rotation, inversion, projection, shading, synthesis, division, etc. It is composed of various logic circuits, arithmetic circuits, registers, processors and the like.

The input means 54 is an interface capable of inputting and outputting additional instructions and information relating to color and density corrections and special corrections. As described above, a button or the like is provided directly on the pre-judge screen and this button is provided. May be input by a mouse click operation or the like performed on the pre-judgment screen, and an arbitrary point or area of the image on the pre-judgment screen is designated while viewing the pre-judgment screen. A pointing device such as a mouse may be provided as a display unit.

Next, another configuration of the photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described. This photographic processing apparatus includes the scanning unit 62, the image processing unit 50, the photographic processing unit 60, and the overall control unit 90, similarly to the photographic processing apparatus using the silver halide photographic method. The main configuration will be briefly described while following the process flow. Although the description will be made taking color printing as an example, the same processing is performed for monochrome printing.

The scanning means 62 scans and reads image information such as a color negative F. In the image processing unit, color and density correction and special correction are performed according to the pre-judge screen 70. With these corrections, the corrected digital image is determined as exposure data.

The photographic processing unit 60 includes an exposure device 63, a processing device 61,
A transport device 43 and the like are provided. The photosensitive material 40 is pulled out of the magazine 42 and is transported by a roller or the like of the transport device 43. The photosensitive material is cut, for example, to a fixed size, and in the exposure device section 41, the photosensitive material 40 is exposed by the exposure device 63.

The processing device 61 develops the photosensitive material,
Various chemical treatments such as fixing, washing and drying (chemical solution Q etc.) or physical treatments (dry H etc.) are automatically performed in a series of steps.
The transport device 43 transports the photosensitive material 40 during these steps.

The operation of the entire photographic processing apparatus 1 as described above is controlled by the overall control unit 90. The overall control unit 90 controls the operation of the image processing unit 50 by using a power supply or the like (see FIG. (Not shown) to control the entire photographic processing apparatus 1.

[0061]

The image processing apparatus according to the present invention can input the correction processing contents of the color and density correction and the special correction for the digital image on the pre-judgment screen.
Special corrections other than color and density can be input on the pre-judgment screen. For this special correction, there is no need to change the pre-judgment screen to another instruction screen or processing mode selection screen. There is no need to perform input operations via the screen.

Therefore, since the color and density correction and the special correction are performed on the same pre-judge screen and the screen switching is not required, the cost for performing the special correction can be increased without reducing the workability at the time of instructing the correction. This has the effect that it can be suppressed.

Further, since the scanning means can be configured to scan and read the entire film to acquire image information, the boundary of the image area in the film can be accurately displayed, and trimming correction can be performed. it can.

Further, since the trimming correction can be performed on the pre-judge screen, the present image processing apparatus can accurately perform the trimming correction without reducing the cost, without reducing the workability, without switching the screen. Has the advantage that

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of a pre-judgment screen according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing another example of a pre-judge screen according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of a key arrangement of input means for a pre-judgment according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing another example of a key arrangement of input means for a pre-judge according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration explanatory view showing the configuration of a photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are graphs showing the principle of auto-contrast correction according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

40: photosensitive material, 43: conveying device, 50: image processing unit, 51: conversion means, 53: storage means, 54: input means, 55: arithmetic processing means, 62: scanning means, 70: pre-judge screen display means, 80
... keyboard, 90 ... overall control unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/387 H04N 1/40 D 5C077 1/407 101E 5C079 1/48 1/46 A F term (Reference) 2H106 AA62 BA23 BA27 BA37 BA55 BA58 2H110 AC14 BA07 BA17 BA18 CE07 5B050 AA09 BA15 DA04 EA03 EA09 EA13 EA15 EA16 FA02 FA09 FA12 5B057 AA20 BA02 BA24 BA25 BA26 CA01 CA08 CA12 CA16 CB01 CE17 CE18 CE18 CE01 AA02 AA24 AA26 AA27 AA31 AA32 BA06 CA02 5C077 LL16 LL17 MM02 MP08 PP15 PP19 PP21 PP37 PQ12 PQ22 RR01 SS01 SS05 SS06 TT09 5C079 HB01 LA12 LA39 LB04 MA02 MA11 MA17 MA19 NA17 NA27 PA08

Claims (2)

[Claims] A scanning means for scanning a film to obtain image information; a converting means for converting the image information into a digital image; a storage means for storing the digital image; and a pre-judge screen display for displaying the digital image Means,
An image processing apparatus comprising: input means for inputting instructions on the correction processing of color and density and special correction for a digital image on a prejudgment screen; and arithmetic processing means for executing the correction processing. . 2. The scanning means scans and reads the entire film to obtain image information, and the input means includes means for inputting a trimming correction instruction. The arithmetic processing means comprises a trimming correction instruction by the input means. Is entered,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction processing is performed.