JP2002077554A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance efficiency of image data processing by facilitating handling of image data outputted to an image file. SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus for processing digital image data obtained by reading a document image photoelectrically and printing out the image data while storing it in an image file comprises means for generating a file where the image data stored in the image file is partially omitted, a data base for storing the original image file before omitting corresponding to the omitted file along with information for identifying the image file, and means for storing the omitted file along with the identification information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for performing predetermined image processing on digital image data, outputting the image as a reproduced print, and storing the image data as an image file.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printing an image photographed on a photographic film (hereinafter referred to as a film) such as a negative film or a reversal film onto a photosensitive material (photographic paper) involves projecting the image of the film onto the photosensitive material. Exposure, so-called direct exposure, has been the mainstream.

On the other hand, in recent years, a printing apparatus using digital exposure, that is, an image recorded on a film is photoelectrically read, the read image is converted into a digital signal, and then various image processing is performed. 2. Description of the Related Art Digital photo printers have been put to practical use as image data for recording, in which a photosensitive material is scanned and exposed with recording light modulated according to the image data to record an image (latent image) and print (finished).

This digital photo printer basically includes a scanner (image reading device) that photoelectrically reads an image recorded on a film by reading light incident on the film and reading the projected light. An image processing apparatus that performs predetermined processing on image data read by the digital camera and image data supplied from a digital camera or the like to obtain image data (exposure conditions) for image recording, and image data output from the image processing apparatus. In response to this, a printer (image recording apparatus) that scans and exposes the photosensitive material by light beam scanning to record a latent image, and develops the photosensitive material exposed by the printer to reproduce an image (finished image) ) A processor (developing device) for printing.

According to such a digital photo printer, image processing (optimization) can be performed by processing image data. Therefore, gradation adjustment, color balance adjustment, color / density adjustment, and the like can be suitably performed. Thus, high-quality prints that cannot be obtained by conventional direct exposure can be obtained. Further, since images are handled as digital image data, not only images photographed on a film but also images photographed by a digital camera or the like or images acquired by a communication means such as the Internet can be output as prints.

Further, since images are handled as digital image data, not only photographic prints but also image data (image files) of images reproduced in photographic prints can be stored on CD-ROMs.
It can also be output to various recording media such as R and MO (magneto-optical recording media), and photo prints and image files (recording media on which image files are recorded) according to customers' requests (print requesters). Can be provided.

The present applicant has disclosed an image processing apparatus (image recording apparatus) capable of outputting both a photographic print and an image file as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. Hei 10-117262 and No. 11-234514. Are disclosed. According to the devices disclosed in these publications, both a photographic print and an image file can be output and provided to a customer as needed. Further, according to the digital photo printer using these devices, not only can the image be printed and output, but also the image data can be recorded and stored on a recording medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk. Further, additional printing can be performed without a negative film or the like serving as a document.

Further, when the customer receives the CD-R to which the image data has been output, the customer can use the digital image in various ways by using the received CD-R. . For example, it is possible to read digital image data recorded on a CD-R, display the digital image data on a personal computer screen, view a photograph taken by the user on the personal computer screen, and print a photograph using a personal printer. it can. Further, the customer can use his / her predetermined image processing software to perform image processing and editing of his / her own preference, and can also create a postcard or an album. In addition, photos can be sent along with text by e-mail.

[0009]

However, the CD-
When digitizing by outputting image data to an image file such as R, if the complete image data handled in the lab is output, the data amount is enormous, and a CD-R having such an enormous amount of data There is a problem that even if the customer receives it, it is difficult to handle it. That is, even if the customer tries to use the data recorded on the CD-R with his / her personal computer, the amount of data is enormous and too heavy, the processing is slow, and the handling is very inconvenient. On the other hand, the lab also has a problem in that it takes time to write the image file, and the productivity of simultaneous printing itself deteriorates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and makes it easy to handle image data output to an image file so that reordering can be easily performed. It is an object to provide an image forming apparatus capable of efficiently performing both image file output.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a method for reading a document image photoelectrically to obtain digital image data, subjecting the document image to predetermined image processing, and producing a print corresponding to the image data. An image forming apparatus that performs both output and saving as an image file, and as the image file, an abbreviated file creating unit that creates an abbreviated file in which a part of image data saved in the image file is omitted. A database for storing an image file before omitting corresponding to the omitting file together with identification information for identifying the image file, and a storing unit for storing the omitting file together with the identification information. An image forming apparatus is provided.

[0012] It is preferable that the omission file creating section omits a part of the image data by lowering an image resolution.

It is preferable that the omission file creating section omit a part of the image data by reducing the number of bits per pixel of the image data.

Further, it is preferable that the omission file creating section omit a part of the image data by increasing a compression ratio of the image data.

Further, it is preferable that the storage unit records and saves the omitted file and the identification information in a portable recording medium.

[0016] Further, it is preferable that the storage unit transmits the abbreviated file and the identification information to a predetermined e-mail address as an e-mail and stores them.

Further, it is preferable that the storage unit stores the omitted file and the identification information on a server accessible from a network.

[0018] It is preferable that a program enabling preview of the omitted file and online reordering of the print be written on the recording medium together with the omitted file and the identification information.

Further, it is preferable that a program for creating a print reorder sheet for previewing and reordering the omitted file is written on the recording medium together with the omitted file and the identification information. .

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described based on a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.
This will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 basically includes a scanner 12 that photoelectrically reads an image captured on a film F, image processing of read image data, operation and control of the entire image forming apparatus 10, and the like. And a printer 16 for exposing a photosensitive material (photographic paper) to an image with a light beam modulated in accordance with the image data output from the image processing apparatus 14, developing it, and outputting it as a (finished) print ,
Database 6 for storing image data and related information
0 and image data and the like as an image file. Further, the image processing apparatus 1
4, an operation system 18 having a keyboard 18a and a mouse 18b for inputting (setting) various conditions, selecting and instructing processing, and instructions for color / density correction, and the like;
A display 20 for displaying an image read by the scanner 12, various operation instructions, a condition setting / registration screen, and the like is connected.

The scanner 12 is a device for photoelectrically reading an image photographed on a film F or the like one frame at a time.
A variable aperture 24, a diffusion box 28 for making the reading light incident on the film F uniform in the surface direction of the film F, an imaging lens unit 32, R (red), G (green), and B
An image sensor 34 having a line CCD sensor corresponding to each image reading of (blue), an amplifier (amplifier) 36 and an A / D converter 38 are provided.

In the image forming apparatus 10, the type and size of an original such as a new photographic system (Advanced Photo System) or a 135-size negative (or reversal) film, the form of a film such as strips and slides, etc. In addition, a dedicated carrier 30 that can be mounted on the main body of the scanner 12 is prepared, and by replacing the carrier 30, it is possible to cope with various films and processes. An image (frame) photographed on a film and provided for print production is conveyed to a predetermined reading position by this carrier. When an image captured on the film F is read by such a scanner 12, the reading light emitted from the light source 22 and the light amount of which is adjusted by the variable aperture 24 is transmitted by the carrier 30 to a predetermined reading position. By entering the F and transmitting the light, projection light carrying an image photographed on the film F is obtained.

The carrier 30 has a line CCD of the image sensor 34 while the film F is positioned at a predetermined reading position.
The film F is conveyed in such a manner that the longitudinal direction of the film F coincides with the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the sensor (main scanning direction). The film F is positioned at the reading position by the carrier 30 and is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction while receiving the reading light,
The slit scanning is performed in a dimensional manner, and the image of each frame captured on the film F is read. Also, as is well known, a magnetic recording medium is formed on the film of the new photographic system, and various information such as a film type, a photographing date, whether or not strobe light is emitted at the time of photographing, and a title are recorded therein. . A magnetic head for recording information necessary for the magnetic recording medium and reading the magnetically recorded information is arranged on a carrier corresponding to the new photographic system. Various kinds of information read by the magnetic head are transferred to the image processing apparatus 1 as needed.
4 and so on.

As described above, the reading light is transmitted through the film F held by the carrier 30 and becomes projection light for carrying an image. This projection light is formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 34 by the imaging lens unit 32. Imaged. The image sensor 34 is a so-called three-line color CCD sensor having three line CCD sensors for reading R, G and B images, respectively.
The sensor extends in the main scanning direction as described above. The projection light of the film F is separated into three primary colors of R, G and B by the image sensor 34 and read photoelectrically. The output signal of the image sensor 34 is
The digital signal is amplified by the A / D converter 38 and sent to the image processing device 14.

The scanner 12 reads the image captured on the film F at two resolutions, a pre-scan for reading at a low resolution, and a subsequent main scan for obtaining image data for output. Perform by reading. The pre-scan is performed under pre-scan reading conditions set in advance so that the image of all the films targeted by the scanner 12 can be read without saturation of the image sensor 34. Using the image data (pre-scan data) obtained by this pre-scan, the image sensor 3 is set at a density slightly lower than the minimum density of the image (frame).
The reading condition of the main scan for each frame is set so that 4 becomes saturated. Accordingly, the output signal differs in pixel density and signal intensity between the pre-scan and the main scan.

In the embodiment, the image reading by the scanner serving as the image data supply source is not limited to the slit scanning exposure, but may be a surface exposure in which the entire surface of one frame is read at a time. Good. In this case,
For example, using an area CCD sensor, a light source and a film F
Means for inserting R, G, and B color filters are provided between them, and the reading of an image with the area CCD sensor by inserting the color filters is sequentially performed by the R, G, and B color filters, so that the film F The image photographed is separated into three primary colors and read. As an image data supply source, in addition to a scanner for reading such a film, an image reading device for reading an image of a reflection original, an imaging device such as a digital camera or a digital video camera, a LAN (Local A
Communication means such as a rea Network) and a computer communication network, and a medium (recording medium) such as a memory card and an MO (magneto-optical recording medium) are also preferably exemplified.

As described above, the digital signal output from the scanner 12 is output to the image processing device 14 (hereinafter, referred to as the processing device 14). FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the processing device 14. The processing device 14 converts an output signal from the scanner 12 into digital image data, performs predetermined image processing on the image data, and outputs the image data to the printer 16 or a database (image storage unit) 60 as output image data. At the same time, the image data is output to the storage unit 62 as an abbreviated file in which a part of the image data is omitted. The processing device 14 mainly includes a data processing unit 40, a prescan (frame) memory 42, a main scan (frame) memory 44, a condition setting unit 46, a prescan processing unit 48, a main scan processing unit 50, and an abbreviated file creation unit. 52.

FIG. 2 mainly shows parts related to image processing. The processing device 14 includes a CPU for controlling and managing the entire image forming apparatus 10 including the processing device 14, A memory and the like for storing information necessary for the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 and the like are arranged, and the operation system 18 and the display 20 are connected to each part via the CPU or the like (CPU bus).

The R, G and B digital signals output from the scanner 12 are converted to L
og conversion (gradation conversion), dark correction, defective pixel correction, DC
Predetermined data processing such as offset correction and shading correction is performed. The pre-scan (image) data is stored in the pre-scan memory 42, and the main scan (image) data is stored in the main scan memory 44. Note that the output signal from the scanner 12 in the pre-scan and the main scan is basically the same data except that the pixel density and the output level are different.

The pre-scan data recorded in the pre-scan memory 42 is processed by a pre-scan data processing unit 48.
The main scan data recorded in the main scan memory 44 is processed by the main scan data processing unit 50, respectively. The pre-scan data processing section 48 and the main scan data processing section 50 perform predetermined image processing on each image data according to the image processing conditions set by the condition setting section 46 based on the pre-scan data. Each of these processing units 4
The processes in steps 8 and 50 are basically the same except that the resolution of the image data is different. The condition setting unit 46
Read conditions for main scan, prescan data processing unit 48
Further, various processing conditions in the main scan data processing unit 50 are set.

The image data processed by the pre-scan data processing section 48 is subjected to a predetermined conversion and displayed on the display 20. The image data processed by the main scan data processing unit is subjected to a predetermined conversion, sent to the printer 16, output as a finished print, and stored as an image file in the database 60 together with its identification information. At the same time, the processed image data is converted to an abbreviated file in which a part thereof is omitted in the abbreviated file creating unit 52, and is output to the storage unit 62 together with information for identifying the corresponding image file before the omission. You.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by describing the operation of the present embodiment. For example, a customer brings a photographed film (document) to a lab and places an order for printing and a C as a portable recording medium.
Suppose you order the output to DR. On the lab side receiving the order, the operator first sets the film F on the carrier 30 and reads the film F by the scanner 12 in the frame order.

Then, a pre-scan and a main scan are performed. First, a pre-scan is performed, and a reading condition and an image processing condition of the main scan are set by the condition setting unit 46 based on the pre-scan data. The main scan is performed according to the set reading conditions. Predetermined image processing is performed on the main scan data according to the set image processing conditions. The processed image data is converted for print output, sent to the printer 16,
Output as a finished print.

At this time, the processed image data is simultaneously converted so as to be output as an image file, and stored in the database 60 together with identification information for identifying the image file. Also, as data to be provided to the customer, the omitted file creating unit 52 creates an omitted file by omitting some information of the image data stored as the image file. The reason for creating an abbreviated file by omitting some information of image data is that if complete image data stored in the database 60 is passed to the customer as an image file, the amount of data is too large, This is because it is too heavy to handle and impairs operability. Therefore,
If the customer prints out with an inkjet printer or the like, for example, the print may be somewhat unsatisfactory, but at the expense of that, the operability of the personal computer is more emphasized. It should be noted that even the omitted data is enough data to be displayed on the personal computer screen.
The data stored in the database 60 may be data in which unprocessed data is associated with image processing conditions for the data.

Here, as a method of omitting a part of information of the image data, for example, a method of omitting by lowering the image resolution (image recording density) is exemplified. However, the method of omitting the image data is not limited to the reduction of the image resolution. For example, the number of bits per pixel of the image data may be changed from 12 bits to 8 bits. The image data may be omitted by dropping it, or may be omitted by increasing the compression ratio of image data (for example, compression by JPEG).

The created abbreviated file is sent to the storage unit 62 together with the identification information for searching the corresponding image file before the omission from the database 60 where it is stored. In the storage unit 62, the omitted file and the identification information are recorded on a predetermined recording medium (recording medium) designated by the customer. Here, as a recording medium,
As a portable recording medium, in addition to a CD-R, for example, a floppy disk, a removable hard disk (Zi
p, Jaz, etc.), DAT (digital audio tape)
And other known recording media such as magneto-optical recording media such as MO (magneto-magnetic) disk, MD (mini-disk) and DVD (digital video disk), and card memory such as PC card and smart media. It is.

When the omitted file and the identification information are recorded on the recording medium, the program is used to display (preview) the omitted file on the personal computer screen and to order the print again by the personal computer through online. It is good to write the program together. The recording medium on which these abbreviated files and the like and the program are recorded is handed over to the customer together with the print. The customer who receives the recording medium can preview the image on a personal computer screen by using these programs,
While watching this, from a PC terminal via online,
You can reorder prints from the lab. When previewing an image on a screen, the image data is data in which information is omitted from the complete data, so that the processing speed of the computer is high and the operability is good.

In addition, a preview program and a program for printing a print order form may be written together with the data such as the omitted file on a recording medium. In this case, the customer
While previewing the image on the personal computer screen, it is possible to specify reprint order and print the reorder sheet on which necessary items are written. The customer can take the reorder form and go to the lab to apply for a reorder, or send the reorder form to the lab by fax and reorder.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the omitted file and the identification information are not recorded on a portable recording medium and provided to the customer, but using an information communication network such as the Internet. , Directly to the customer side.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the personal computer of the customer and the center computer of the laboratory are connected by an information communication network such as the Internet. This embodiment is also the same as the first embodiment up to the creation of the omitted file. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 62 to which the created omitted file and the identification information are sent.
Transmits the omitted file and identification information to an e-mail address designated by the customer.

At this time, a program for previewing the image data on the personal computer screen can be transmitted together, or the customer can download the program to his / her computer. The customer can preview the images on a personal computer screen and, while watching the images, apply for a reorder online via e-mail.

In addition, the storage unit 62 may store the omitted file and the identification information on a server accessible from a network. In this case, the customer can preview the image on the Web and place an order again while viewing the image. Also in the second embodiment, the image data to be transmitted is omitted and the data amount is reduced, so that the processing speed is much faster than in the case of handling all data. Also, the operability is good when the customer processes this image data on a personal computer.

As described above, since the image data is omitted in the omitted file received by the customer with emphasis on the operability of the personal computer, when the customer prints with his own printer, the image quality is slightly lowered, but the customer has a higher quality. If high quality prints are desired, high quality prints can be obtained by ordering from a lab. At this time, as described above, the method of reordering is also very simple. In addition, the lab has the advantage that even if the image data has been delivered to the customer, the customer orders the lab again.

As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment, an abbreviated file in which the image file data is omitted is created and output for customer provision, so that digitizing and print output can be performed simultaneously. Improve operability when customers handle image data on their personal computers without compromising productivity when performing, simplify the method of reordering, and encourage customers to make reorders into labs This can also benefit the lab.

Although the image forming apparatus of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course it is good.

[0047]

As described above, according to the present invention, image data output to an image file can be handled easily, reordering can be easily performed, and print output and image file output can be performed. Both can be done efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the image processing apparatus of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 (Digital) photo printer 12 Scanner 14 (Image) processing apparatus 16 Printer 18 Operation system 18a Keyboard 18b Mouse 20 Display 22 Light source 24 Variable aperture 28 Diffusion box 30 Carrier 32 Imaging lens unit 34 Image sensor 36 Amplifier 38 A / D conversion Unit 40 data processing unit 42 pre-scan memory 44 main scan memory 46 condition setting unit 48 pre-scan processing unit 50 main scan processing unit 52 omitted file creation unit 60 database 62 storage unit

Claims (9)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus that photoelectrically reads a document image to generate digital image data, performs predetermined image processing, and performs both output as a print according to the image data and storage as an image file. An abbreviation file creating unit for creating an abbreviation file in which a part of image data stored in the image file is omitted as the image file; and an image file before abbreviation corresponding to the abbreviation file, An image forming apparatus comprising: a database that stores a file together with identification information for identifying the file; and a storage unit that stores the omitted file together with the identification information. 2. The omission file creation section omits a part of the image data by lowering an image resolution.
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the omission file creation unit omits a part of the image data by reducing the number of bits per pixel of the image data. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the omission file creating section omits a part of the image data by increasing a compression ratio of the image data. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit records and saves the omitted file and the identification information on a portable recording medium. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit transmits the omitted file and the identification information to a predetermined e-mail address as an e-mail and stores them. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores the omitted file and the identification information on a server accessible from a network. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a program for enabling preview of the omitted file and reordering prints online is written together with the omitted file and the identification information on the recording medium. . 9. A program for creating a print reorder sheet for previewing and reordering the omitted file on the recording medium together with the omitted file and the identification information. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1.