JP2002218183A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correct image data depending on the luminous quantity of an image read light. SOLUTION: An LED 15 emits light to a photo film 21 via a diffusion box 16. An image recorded on the photo film 21 is formed on the surface of a CCD sensor 19. The formed image is subjected to photoelectric conversion and given to an image signal correction section 37 as a digital image signal via an amplifier 42 and an analog/digital converter 43. The bottom face of a film carrier 17 is provided with a luminous quantity sensor 35 to measure the luminous quantity of the image read light. The measured luminous quantity data are given to the image signal correction section 37. The image signal correction section 37 corrects the image signal to be a proper value that may be obtained when the image read light with a referenced luminous quantity is emitted.

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 more particularly, to a film carrier having a transport path for transporting two types of photographic films having different widths. The present invention relates to an image reading device that selectively moves to an image reading position and reads an image recorded on a photographic film.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image recorded on a photographic film is photoelectrically read by a reading sensor such as a CCD sensor and converted into digital image data. The image data is subjected to various types of image processing and output for recording. 2. Description of the Related Art A digital lab system that scans and exposes a photosensitive material with recording light modulated based on output image data after creating image data and develops the photosensitive material to obtain a photographic print is widely used.

In an image reading system for photoelectrically reading an image recorded on such a photographic film by a CCD sensor, red (R), green (G), 2. Description of the Related Art There is an image reading apparatus using a light emitting diode (hereinafter, referred to as an LED) that emits three primary colors of blue (B) light. When reading an image, R, G,
Each color light of B is sequentially irradiated on the photographic film, and the transmitted light is read by a CCD sensor to create image data of each color.

Further, as a film carrier for supporting and transporting the photographic film, photographic films having different width dimensions,
For example, when a 135-size photo film and an IX240 type photo film are mixed,
There has been proposed a printer having two different widths of the film transport path so that the setup can be easily changed. At the time of image reading, one of the film transport paths is slid to the image reading position and set as needed, and the image recorded on the photo film is read.

[0005]

However, in the above-described image reading apparatus, since the light emission intensity is not constant with respect to the light emission time due to the characteristics of the LED, the image recorded on the photographic film can be properly processed as it is. Cannot read. Therefore, a temperature sensor is provided for the LED, a change in the light emission characteristics of the LED is detected from the measured temperature, and an image signal output from the CCD sensor is corrected according to the amount of the change to obtain appropriate image data. Image reading devices have been devised, but have not been satisfactory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and detects the amount of image reading light applied to a photographic film, and appropriately adjusts an image signal output from a reading sensor in accordance with the amount of light. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading device that can correct the value.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an image reading apparatus according to the present invention transports a photographic film having a first width and a photographic film having a second width. A film carrier having a second transport path, a light emitting diode for emitting image reading light, and a diffusing member for diffusing the image reading light and irradiating the photographic film with one of the predetermined transport paths. An image reading apparatus which moves to a reading position, irradiates image reading light diffused by a diffusion member toward a photographic film, detects the transmitted light with a reading sensor, and reads an image recorded on the photographic film. A sensor for detecting the amount of image reading light between the image forming apparatus and the diffusion member; and an image signal correcting unit for correcting an image signal of the reading sensor in accordance with an output of the sensor.

The sensor is preferably provided on the side of the film carrier facing the diffusion member and at a position where the distance from the center in the width direction of the first and second transport paths is substantially the same. The sensor is preferably provided with a lens for condensing the image reading light toward the light incident surface, and is preferably provided with a light guide member for guiding the image reading light toward the light incident surface.

[0009]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a digital laboratory system according to the present invention. The digital lab system 10 includes an image reading device 11, an image processing device 12,
It comprises an image output device 13. Image reading device 11
Are a light emitting diode 15, a diffusion box 16, a film carrier 17, a lens unit 18, a CCD sensor 19
And these are arranged along the optical axis.

Light emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as LED) 1
5 is red (R), green (G), blue (B), infrared (I
R) emitting LED elements 15R, 15G, 15B,
15IR, and a plurality of them are arranged on the substrate 25 in an array. Each LED element 15R, 15
G, 15B, and 15IR are controlled to be turned on by the LED driver 26. When reading an image, which will be described later,
By individually lighting the elements 15R, 15G, 15B, and 15IR in each color, light of R, G, B, and IR is sequentially emitted toward the photographic film 21. Reference numeral 27 denotes a protective cover formed of a transparent material such as plastic, and prevents the LED elements 15R, 15G, 15B, and 15IR from being damaged.

As shown in FIG. 2, the LED 15 has a light emission characteristic in which the light emission intensity increases with the light emission time in the initial stage of light emission, and thereafter, the light emission intensity reaches a peak and the light emission intensity gradually decreases with time. . Further, by repeating light emission, the temperature of the LED 15 rises, the light emission characteristics fluctuate from the solid line A to the two-dot chain line B, and the light emission intensity decreases. Such a light emission characteristic is due to a change in junction temperature at the pn junction of the LED 15. In order to prevent this, in FIG.
In the vicinity of the ED 15, a fan 28 is provided,
Cool so that D15 falls within a predetermined temperature range.

On the lower and upper surfaces of the diffusion box 16,
Diffusion plates 30 for diffusing light are provided.
The R, G, B, and IR light emitted from each of the LED elements 15R, 15G, 15B, and 15IR is diffused by the diffusion plate 30 disposed on the lower surface, and enters the diffusion box 16. The incident light is guided upward while being reflected by the inner surface, is diffused again by the diffusion plate 30, and is emitted toward a photographic film set at an image reading position described later. This allows
The photographic film is irradiated with uniform image reading light without unevenness.

The film carrier 17 has a first transport path 31 for transporting an IX240 type photographic film 21 and a first transport path 31.
Second transport path 3 for transporting 35-size photographic film 22
Exposure openings 31a and 32a are formed at predetermined positions, respectively. The film carrier 17 is movable in the direction of arrow C, and the exposure aperture of any one of the transport paths is set at the image reading position on the optical axis. In addition, FIG.
The state where the first transport path 31 is set at the image reading position is shown.

At the time of image reading, which will be described later, a film transport mechanism (not shown) operates in conjunction with this to read the photographic film 21,
22 and conveys each photographed frame image to the exposure aperture 31.
a, 32a. The first transport path 31 is provided with a data reading unit (not shown) for reading various information magnetically or optically recorded on the IX240 type photographic film during transport.

A light amount sensor 35 is provided on the bottom surface of the film carrier 17. The light amount sensor 35 measures the amount of image reading light emitted from the diffusion box 16 toward the photographic film set at the image reading position. The measurement is performed immediately before a pre-scan and a fine scan described later. The light amount sensor 35 is disposed at a position separated by a distance L from the center in the width direction of the first transport path 31 and the second transport path 32. Thereby, the first transport path 3
There is no difference in the measured value regardless of which transport path of the first or second transport path 32 is set at the image reading position. Therefore, if the light amount sensor 35 is initialized at the start of work,
Even when the first transport path 31 and the second transport path 32 are used alternately, there is no need to initialize the light amount sensor 35 each time.

As shown in FIG. 3, a condenser lens 36 is provided on the light incident surface of the light amount sensor 35. The condensing lens 36 can sufficiently capture the image reading light even when the light amount sensor 35 is positioned obliquely above the diffusion box 16. The light quantity sensor 35 is connected to the image signal correction unit 37 in FIG. 1, and sends measured light quantity data to the image signal correction unit 37.

The lens unit 18 is provided for each LED element 15
A photographed frame image projected by light emitted from R, 15G, 15B, and 15IR is formed on the photoelectric surface of the CCD sensor 19. The optical image formed on the photoelectric surface of the CCD sensor 19 is converted into an electric image signal by the driving of the CCD driver 41 and output. The image signal is amplified by the amplifier 42 and then sent to the image signal correction unit 37 as an image signal converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 43.

The image signal correction section 37 obtains the image signal input from the A / D converter 43 based on the light amount data input from the light amount sensor 35 when the reference amount of image reading light is emitted. Correct the image signal to the appropriate value that will be obtained. The corrected image signal is sent to the image processing device 12 as image data. In this manner, image reading for reading each photographed frame image optically recorded on the photo film 21 as digital image data is performed. As is well known, the drive source of the CCD driver 41 and the sampling timing of the A / D converter 43 are synchronized.

For image reading, for example, in the case of the IX240 type, prescanning is performed with a low number of pixels when the photographic film is transported in the direction of being fed out of the film cartridge, and high pixels when the photographic film is transported in the direction of being rewound into the film cartridge. Perform a fine scan by number.

In the pre-scan, the reading conditions at the time of fine scanning are set for each photographed frame image from the light amount data of the image reading light and the R, G, B, and IR pre-scan image data. Further, when reading an image from the IX240 type photo film 21, the data reading unit reads the aspect information magnetically recorded on the photo film 21 or the optically recorded film information during the transport. D shown
An X bar code or the like is read and transmitted to the image processing device 12.

In the fine scan, R, R and R are set for each photographed frame image according to the reading conditions set in the pre-scan.
The G, B, and IR image data are read. Then, the image data obtained by correcting the image signal converted into the digital signal based on the light amount data of the image reading light measured immediately before the fine scan is transmitted to the image processing device 12. Thus, the image reading under the optimum reading conditions and the correction to the appropriate value for the image signal are performed for each captured frame image.

The image processing apparatus 12 performs image processing such as various corrections on each of the R, G, and B image data in order to print the read photographic frame image. First, IR
In the image data, a pixel whose output is lower than the threshold value is detected as an improper pixel having dust attached or scratched. Based on this, the pixels corresponding to the inappropriate pixels in the R, G, and B image data are corrected by interpolation or the like. As a result, it is possible to avoid a decrease in print quality due to dust or scratches attached to the photographic film 21 at the time of image reading.

Subsequently, image processing such as trimming based on the aspect information read by the data reading section, electronic scaling processing for enlarging the image to a predetermined size, tone processing, and sharpness processing is performed. The R, G, and B image data for which the image processing has been completed is simulated and displayed on the monitor 45 as a finished image so that the operator can confirm it. The operator observes the monitor screen and if there is no problem, operates a print key (not shown) to instruct printing. As a result, the R, G, and B image data for which the image processing has been completed are output as R, G, and B output image data, respectively, to the image output device 13.
Sent to Hereinafter, image processing of each photographed frame image and the like are performed in a similar manner.

The image output device 13 includes a laser printing unit 4
7 and a processor unit 48. The laser printing unit 47 includes R, G, and B laser light sources and a modulation unit. The modulating unit modulates each color laser beam from the laser light source based on each of the R, G, and B output image data sent from the image processing device 12, scans and exposes the color paper with the modulated laser beam. The image (latent image) is recorded on a color paper. The processor unit 48 performs each process of color development, bleach-fixing, washing, and drying on the color paper that has been scanned and exposed. Thus, the photo film 21
The photograph print is obtained from the photographed frame image recorded in the.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to IX24.
An example using a 0 type photo film will be described. When the developed IX240 film cartridge is loaded in the cartridge loading section and the operator operates an image reading start key (not shown) to instruct image reading start, an LED is displayed.
15 is turned on, and the photographic film 21 is sent out to the first conveyance path 31 by the film conveyance mechanism. The photo film 21 is intermittently conveyed for each photographing frame and pre-scanned. At this time, immediately before the pre-scan of each photographed frame image, the light amount sensor 35 measures the light amount of the image reading light, and the image signal correction unit 37 corrects the image signal to an appropriate value. Then, reading conditions for fine scanning are set. Further, the data reading unit reads aspect information, a DX bar code, and the like recorded while the photo film 21 is being conveyed, and sends it to the image processing device 12.

When pre-scanning of all photographed frame images is completed, the photographic film 21 is intermittently transported in the direction of rewinding the film cartridge, and fine scanning of each photographed frame image is performed based on the reading conditions set at the time of pre-scanning. Will be At this time, as well as at the time of pre-scan,
Immediately before fine scan of each frame image, light intensity sensor 3
5 measures the light amount of the image reading light, and corrects the image signal to an appropriate value by the image signal correction unit 37. Then, the corrected fine scan color image data is sent to the image processing device 12.

The image processing device 12 detects an improper pixel having dust attached or flawed from the IR image data, and outputs R, G,
The corresponding pixel is corrected in each of the B image data.
Subsequently, image processing such as trimming, electronic scaling processing, tone processing, and sharpness processing is performed to simulate and display the finished image on the monitor 45.

The operator observes the monitor screen, and if there is no problem, operates the print key to instruct printing. Here, when it is desired to correct the density or the color, a corresponding correction key is operated to input a correction value. When the correction value is input, the finished image is corrected in accordance with the correction value, and is simulated and displayed on the monitor 45 again. When the print key is operated, R, G, and B output image data are sent to the image output device 13. Hereinafter, image processing of each photographed frame and the like are similarly performed.

The image output unit 13 scans and exposes color paper on a color paper by a laser printing unit 47 based on the R, G, and B output image data of each photographed frame image sent from the image processing unit 12, and The developing process of the color paper is performed in the section 48.

In the above-described embodiment, the condensing lens is provided on the light incident surface of the light amount sensor for condensing the image reading light. However, as shown in FIG. The light guide 50 formed of a transparent material may be used as the light guide member for guiding the image reading light. Light incident surface 5
0a faces the diffusion box 16 when the first transport path 31 is set at the image reading position, and the light incident surface 50b faces the diffusion box 16 when the second transport path 32 is set at the image reading position. The image reading light emitted from the diffusion plate 30 is guided to the light amount sensor 35. In this case, the light guide 50
Can be disposed so as to face the diffusion plate 30 of the diffusion box 16, so that the amount of light can be measured more accurately. Further, an optical fiber or the like may be used as the light guide member.

[0031]

As described above, according to the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the sensor for detecting the amount of image reading light between the photographic film and the diffusion member, and the reading sensor in accordance with the output of the sensor. Since the image signal correcting means for correcting the image signal is provided, the image signal output from the reading sensor can be properly corrected even if the amount of the image reading light applied to the photographic film changes.

Further, even when two types of photographic films having different widths are used together, only one light amount sensor is required, so that an increase in cost can be prevented. Further, once the light amount sensor is initialized, it is not necessary to initialize the light amount sensor every time even when two types of photographic films having different widths are switched and used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating light emission characteristics of a light emitting diode (LED).

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a light amount sensor.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a light amount sensor according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Image reading device 15 Light emitting diode (LED) 16 Diffusion box 17 Film carrier 19 CCD sensor 21 and 22 Photo film 31 First transport path 32 Second transport path 35 Light intensity sensor 36 Condenser lens 37 Image signal corrector 50 Light guide

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/407 H04N 1/40 101E 5C077 F term (Reference) 2H106 AA44 AA62 AA76 AB46 BA11 2H108 AA14 CA07 CB01 DA06 2H109 AA13 AA26 AA72 AB05 5C062 AA05 AB03 AB32 AB53 AC24 AC58 AE03 BA00 5C072 AA01 BA13 CA05 CA07 FB13 VA03 XA10 5C077 LL04 LL19 PP09 PP65

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A first transporting photographic film having a first width.
A film carrier provided with a transport path and a second transport path for transporting the photographic film having the second width, a light emitting diode for emitting image reading light, and a diffusion member for diffusing the image reading light and irradiating the photographic film with the light. Moving one of the transport paths to a predetermined image reading position and irradiating the image film with image reading light diffused by the diffusion member toward the photographic film,
An image reading apparatus for reading an image recorded on a photographic film by detecting the transmitted light with a reading sensor, comprising: a sensor for detecting a light amount of the image reading light between the photographic film and a diffusion member; and an output of the sensor. An image signal correcting unit for correcting an image signal of the reading sensor according to the image reading apparatus. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is provided on a side of the film carrier facing the diffusion member and at a position where distances from the center in the width direction of the first and second transport paths are substantially equal. The image reading device according to claim 1. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is provided with a lens that condenses the image reading light toward a light incident surface thereof. 4. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is provided with a light guide member that guides the image reading light toward a light incident surface thereof.