JP2003233141A - Scanner system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a scanner system which can automate the setting of a film type and also automate even the setting of various processing conditions needed for print processing corresponding to the film type. <P>SOLUTION: A control part 7 controls a conveyance part 6 in film type decision processing to convey a set piece film or sleeve film to an imaging part 5 first by a 1.5-frame length and controls the imaging part 5 to input digital image data of an exposure surface of the 1.5-frame length from the head of a film. Then the control part 7 detects an unexposed part and an exposed part from the inputted digital image data to measure light components (light quantity, BGR light quantity balance, etc.), of the detected parts and decides the film type by comparing the measurement results with reference values (light quantity threshold, BGR light quantity balance threshold, etc.), by film types (negative color, negative black and white, negative sepia, reversal color, and reversal black and white) previously stored in a storage part 8. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a scanner system for imaging the exposed surface of a photographic film and a control program therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, in a DPE shop or the like, a printing system for converting a photographic film into digital data and printing it out has been used for a reprint service of photographs. This printing system includes a transport unit that transports the photographic film to the image reading unit, a light source that irradiates the imaging surface of the photographic film transported by the transport unit with light, and a transport unit that transports the photographic film to the imaging surface of the photographic film. An image reading unit that reads a picked-up image by reflected light of the emitted light, an image processing unit that processes the picked-up image read by the image reading unit into digital data, and a picked-up image that is image-processed by the image processing unit A printing unit for printing data.

Further, in this printing system, the conditions of the light source, the conditions of image reading, the conditions of image processing, etc. are set according to the film type of the photographic film to be printed, which is the premise of setting these conditions. The film type was set manually by the operator's judgment.

[0004]

However, in the conventional printing system, the setting of the film type, which is a prerequisite for setting various processing conditions necessary for printing according to the film type of the photographic film, is determined by the operator. Since the manual operation is performed, there is a problem that the operation is complicated and burdens the operator.

An object of the present invention is to provide a scanner system capable of automating the setting of film type and also the setting of various processing conditions necessary for print processing corresponding to the film type.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is to convey a photographic film to an imaging means, and to expose an exposed surface of the photographic film conveyed by the conveying means. A light source for illuminating the exposed surface of the photographic film, and an image capturing means for capturing an image of the exposed surface by the transmitted light of the light delivered to the exposed surface of the photographic film by the transport means, and image processing of the captured image captured by the image capturing means. In a scanner system including image processing means, measuring means for detecting an unexposed portion of an exposed surface of the photographic film from an image picked up by the image pickup means, and measuring a light component of the unexposed portion, And a discriminating unit that discriminates the film type of the photographic film based on the light component measurement result of the unexposed portion measured by the measuring unit.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a conveying means for conveying the photographic film to the image pickup means, a light source for irradiating the exposed surface of the photographic film conveyed by the conveying means with light, and a conveying means for conveying the photographic film. In a scanner system comprising: an image pickup means for picking up the exposed surface by the transmitted light of the light radiated to the exposed surface of the photographic film; and an image processing means for image-processing the picked-up image picked up by the image pickup means. The measuring means detects the unexposed portion of the exposed surface of the photographic film from the imaged image picked up by the image pickup means and measures the light component of the unexposed portion, and the discriminating means determines that the unexposed portion is not measured by the measuring means. The film type of the photographic film is determined based on the light component measurement result of the exposed portion.

Therefore, the discrimination of the film type can be automated and the work burden on the user can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the scanner system according to the first aspect, the measuring means includes an unexposed portion or an exposed portion for a predetermined number of frames from the imaged image picked up by the image pickup means. , Or both,
The light component of the detection unit may be measured, and the determination unit may determine the film type of the photographic film based on the light component measurement result of the detection unit measured by the measurement unit.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the measuring means detects an unexposed portion or an exposed portion of a predetermined number of frames from the picked-up image read by the image reading means, or both, By measuring the light component of the detection unit, the determination unit determines the film type of the photographic film based on the light component measurement result of the detection unit measured by the measurement unit, thereby increasing the number of types of film. The species can be identified.

The invention according to claim 3 is the scanner system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising storage means for storing a light component threshold value of the film type, and the discrimination means is the light of the detection section. The film type may be determined by comparing the measurement result of the component with the optical component threshold value of the film type stored in the storage unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is further provided storage means for storing the light component threshold value of the film type, and the determination means stores the measurement result of the light component of the unexposed portion and the storage means. By discriminating the film type by comparing with the stored light component threshold value of the film type, the discrimination of the film type can be performed easily and surely.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the scanner system according to any one of the first to third aspects, the discriminating means discriminates between a display means for displaying a captured image captured by the image capturing means. A display control means for displaying information indicating the film type on the display means may be further provided.

According to the invention of claim 4, the display control means displays the information indicating the film type discriminated by the discriminating means on the display means for displaying the picked-up image picked up by the image pickup means. , The discriminating film type can be clearly indicated to the user.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the scanner system according to the first or third aspect, a light source control means for setting the light emission condition of the light source based on the film type discriminated by the discrimination means is further provided. It may be provided.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the light source control means sets the light emission condition of the light source based on the film type discriminated by the discriminating means to discriminate the film type. The process of setting the light emission conditions can be automated, further reducing the work burden on the user.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the scanner system according to the first or third aspect, the image pickup is performed to set the image pickup condition of the exposure surface of the image pickup means based on the film type discriminated by the discriminating means. You may make it further provide a control means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the image pickup control means sets the image pickup condition of the exposed surface of the image pickup means based on the film type discriminated by the discriminating means.
After determining the film type, the process of setting the imaging condition can be automated, and the work burden on the user can be further reduced.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the scanner system according to the first or third aspect, the image processing condition of the image picked up by the image processing means is set based on the film type discriminated by the discriminating means. The image processing control means may be further provided.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the image processing control means sets the image processing condition of the image picked up by the image processing means on the basis of the film type discriminated by the discrimination means. After determining, the process of setting the image processing condition can be automated, and the work load on the user can be further reduced.

Further, the invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the computer has a detection function of detecting an unexposed portion from a picked-up image picked up from the exposed surface of the photographic film, and a light component of the detected unexposed portion. And a determination function for determining the film type of the photographic film based on the measured light component measurement result of the unexposed portion.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a computer is provided with a detection function of detecting an unexposed portion from a picked-up image read from an exposed surface of a photographic film, and a light component of the detected unexposed portion is measured. A film type of photographic film by implementing a program for realizing a measuring function to perform, and a determining function of determining the film type of the photographic film based on the measured light component measurement result of the unexposed portion. It is possible to provide a function for automating the discrimination.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a print system 1 to which the present invention is applied. First, the configuration will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a print system 1 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 1, the print system 1 includes an input unit 2, a display unit 3, a light source 4, an image pickup unit 5, a conveyance unit 6, a control unit 7, a storage unit 8, an image processing unit 9, and a printing unit 9. , Each unit is connected to the bus 11.

The input unit 2 is provided with a keyboard having various keys such as character keys and numeric keys, and a pointing device such as a mouse, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to a key operation or an operation of the pointing device to the control unit 7. .

The display unit 3 is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).
play) or CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), etc., and according to the instruction of the display signal input from the control unit 7,
An input instruction from the input unit 12, a captured image of a photographic film captured by the image capturing unit 5, an image processed by the image processing unit 9, and the like are displayed on the display screen. The display unit 3 has a function as a display unit described in the claims.

The light source 4 controls the amount of emitted light (light emitting condition) by a light emission control signal input from the control unit 7, and irradiates the exposed surface of the photographic film conveyed to the image pickup unit 5 by the conveying unit 6 with light.

The image pickup section 5 is a CCD (Charge Coupled Dev
image pickup device such as ice), the image pickup condition is controlled by an image pickup control signal input from the control unit 7, and the exposed surface of the photographic film conveyed by the conveying unit 6 is scanned,
The transmitted light from the exposed surface is received and photoelectrically converted, and the photoelectrically converted electric signal is converted into a digital signal and output to the control unit 7 as digital image data. In addition, the imaging unit 5
In addition, an infrared sensor for discriminating between a black and white film and a color film may be added. The image pickup unit 5
Has a function as an imaging unit described in the claims.

The transport section 6 is controlled in transport operation by a transport control signal inputted from the control section 7, and transports the set piece film or sleeve film to the image pickup section 5. The transport unit 6 has a function as a transport unit described in the claims.

The control unit 7 includes a CPU (Central Processing).
Unit) and the like, which reads the system program and various control programs stored in the storage unit 8 and expands them in a built-in work memory (not shown), and centrally controls the operation of each unit according to the control program. Further, the control unit 7 performs light emission control of the light source 4, image capturing control of the image capturing unit 5, transport control of the transport unit 6, image processing control of the image processing unit 9, and printing unit 10 as various processes according to the program loaded in the work memory. Print control is executed and the processing result is displayed on the display unit 3. Then, the processing result is stored in the storage unit 8.
The file is saved in the specified save destination.

Specifically, the control section 7 reads the film type discrimination processing program stored in the storage section 8 and executes the film type discrimination processing (see FIG. 2) described later. In the film type determination process, the control unit 7 first controls the transport unit 6 to transport the set piece film or sleeve film to the image capturing unit 5 for 1.5 frames, and controls the image capturing unit 5. Input digital image data for 1.5 frames from the beginning of the film. And the control unit 7
Detects the unexposed portion and the exposed portion from the input digital image data, measures the light components (light quantity, BGR light quantity balance, etc.) of each detection portion, and stores the measurement result and the storage unit 8 in advance. The film type is discriminated by comparing the selected film type (negative color, negative black and white, negative sepia, reversal color, reversal black and white) with reference values (light amount threshold value, BGR light amount balance threshold value, etc.).

Further, the control unit 7 displays the discriminated film type on the display screen of the display unit 3 and also displays a film type confirmation window prompting the operator to confirm the discriminated film type. When determined, the light emission condition, the image pickup condition, and the image processing condition stored in advance in the storage unit 8 according to the film type are read out, and the light emission condition of the light source 4, the image pickup condition of the image pickup unit 5, and the image processing unit 9 are read.
The respective image processing conditions are set and the process shifts to the image pickup process of the picked-up image of the set photographic film. The control unit 7
Has a function as a measuring unit, a discriminating unit, a display control unit, a light source control unit, an imaging control unit, and an image processing control unit described in the claims.

The storage unit 8 has a recording medium (not shown) in which programs, data and the like are stored in advance, and this recording medium is composed of a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory. . This recording medium is fixedly provided in the storage unit 8 or is detachably mounted. The recording medium has a system program corresponding to the print system 1 and various processing programs (films) corresponding to the system program. (Including a type determination processing program), data processed by various processing programs, and the like are stored. These various processing programs are stored in the form of a readable program code, and the control unit 7
Sequentially executes the operation according to the program code.

Further, the storage unit 8 stores reference data as a reference for the film type discrimination in the film type discrimination processing.
Film type discrimination table (not shown) in which reference values (light intensity threshold, BGR light intensity balance threshold, etc.) for each film type (negative color, negative black and white, negative sepia, reversal color, reversal black and white) are associated, and light emission for film type determination The condition, the imaging condition, and the image processing condition are stored. The storage unit 8 has a function as a storage unit described in the claims.

The image processing unit 9 digitizes the picked-up image signal input from the control unit 7 into image data, and converts the imaged digital image data based on the film type image processing conditions set by the control unit 7. On the other hand, image processing such as color tone, gradation correction, image quality correction (sharpness, granularity suppression) is performed, and the image processing data is output to the control unit 7.
The image processing unit 9 has a function as an image processing unit described in the claims.

The printing unit 10 has its printing operation controlled by a printing control signal input from the control unit 7, and prints the image processing data input from the control unit 7 on a set printing paper (printing paper or the like). Output.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The film type determination process executed by the control unit 7 of the print system 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, the photographic film shown in FIG. 3, and the screen display example shown in FIG. .

First, the conditions for determining the film type will be described. In the present embodiment, the film type is determined based on the film type determination conditions 1 to 5 described below. Film type discriminating condition 1: The negative film and the positive film are discriminated based on the measurement result of the light component of the non-imaging portion of the photographic film (the portion A surrounded by the broken line in FIG. 3). → For example, in the positive film, the unimaged part (outside the perforation) is black, and this black area is identified. Film type determination condition 2: The film type is determined based on the measurement result of the light amount balance of the maximum light amount part (bright part) of the photographic film. → For example, positive color film has a uniform BGR light intensity balance, and negative color film has a strong R light intensity. Film type determination condition 3: An infrared sensor is added to the image pickup unit 5, and if the measurement results of the visible light level and the infrared light level match, it is determined to be a black and white film, and if they do not match, it is determined to be a color film. Film type discriminating condition 4: The film type is discriminated based on the characteristics of the light components appearing in the non-imaged portions between the image frames. → Positive: Low light intensity areas appear at frame length intervals. Negative, Sepia: Areas with high R light quantity appear at frame length intervals. Black and white: Areas with high total light intensity appear at intervals of frame length. Film type determination condition 5: The film type is determined based on the density change pattern of the light measurement result. → The density change pattern is the same in black and white and sepia.

Based on the above film type discriminating conditions 1 to 5, film types that can be discriminated when the discriminating conditions are combined are shown below. Example 1: Negative / positive is determined and negative black and white film is determined based on at least one of the film type determination conditions 1, 2 and 4. Negative color / negative sepia is determined and positive color / positive black and white is determined according to the film type determination condition 5. Example 2: Negative black-and-white film is discriminated by the film type discrimination condition 3. Example 3: Negative / Positive / Negative black / white is discriminated by at least two discriminating conditions among the film type discriminating conditions 1, 2, and 4, and the discriminating factor of the discriminating result is weighted. Of the light components that are the distinguishing factors, for example, when quantifying density, color balance, etc., and comparing with the reference threshold value to determine the film type, it is possible to weight the distance between the actual measurement value and the threshold value. Therefore, the weight value may be set high even if the distance is short. → 1) If the same film type is determined for all three conditions, the film type is determined. 2) When a film type with the same two conditions is discriminated, the film type is quasi-determined, and one of the following two conditions is adopted. a) Determine the film type that satisfies the two conditions. b) Two conditions and two film types satisfying the one condition are clearly specified, and the user is asked to confirm. 3) If a different film type is discriminated from the three conditions, any one of the following three conditions is adopted. a) Among the three conditions, the one having the highest weight value (the distance between the measured value and the threshold value is short) is determined as the film type. b) If an initial value (for example, the film type normally used by the user is negative) is set, the film type is determined. c) Eject the film to be discriminated and let the user set the film type.

Next, details of the film type discriminating process executed by the controller 7 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the control unit 7 first controls the transport unit 6 to transport the set piece film or sleeve film by a length of 1.5 frames to the image capturing unit 5 (step S1). Control the
Input digital image data of the exposed surface for 1.5 frames from the beginning of the film.

Next, the control unit 7 determines, from the input digital image data, an unexposed portion between the perforations as illustrated as a region A among the perforations formed in the upper and lower portions of the film of FIG. Sections are detected (step S3), and the light components (light quantity, BGR light quantity balance, etc.) of the respective detection sections are measured (step S3).
4).

Then, the control section 7 judges that the film has been conveyed (step S5), and if it is judged that the film has not been conveyed (step S5: No), the measurement result of step S4 and the storage section 8 are stored in advance. The film type is discriminated by comparing the stored film type (negative color, negative black and white, negative sepia, reversal color, reversal black and white) with reference values (light intensity threshold value, BGR light intensity balance threshold value, etc.) (step S6). In this film type discrimination processing, the discrimination process shown in the above Examples 1 to 3 is executed according to the combination of the above film type discrimination conditions 1 to 5.

In the film type discrimination processing, if the film type cannot be discriminated (step S6: discrimination not possible), the control section 7 controls the transport section 6 to further set the set piece film or sleeve film to 1 The frame length is conveyed to the imaging unit 5 (step S7), and the imaging unit 5
Is controlled to input digital image data of the exposure surface for one frame length (step S8), and the process returns to step S3.

When the film type can be determined in the film type determination process (step S6: determination is possible), the control unit 7 displays the determined film type in the display unit 3 shown in FIG.
The film type display frame 101 is set on the display screen 100 of (1) and displayed as "film type: negative color" (step S9). In addition, in the display screen 100 of FIG.
Captured image 10 captured by a 6-frame piece film
The case where 2 is displayed is shown.

Next, the control unit 7 prompts the operator to confirm the discriminating film type, so that the display screen 100 shown in FIG.
A film type confirmation window 103 shown inside is displayed (step S10), and "OK / change" of the film type displayed in the film type display frame 101 is selected by the change button 103a or the OK button 103b (step S11).

At this time, when the change button 103b is operated (step S11: change), the control section 7 causes the display screen 1
A film type change window (not shown) is displayed in 00 (step S12), and the operator is allowed to select the film type (step S13). When the selection of the film type is completed, or when the OK button 103b is operated in step S11, the film type is confirmed.

Then, the control unit 7 reads out the light emission conditions, the image pickup conditions, and the image processing conditions stored in advance in the storage unit 8 according to the film type, and sets the light emission conditions of the light source 4 (step S14). The imaging condition of the imaging unit 5 is set (step S15), the image processing condition of the image processing unit 9 is set (step S16), and the process proceeds to the imaging process of the captured image corresponding to the film type of the set photographic film. .

As described above, in the print system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the exposed surface is photographed from the photographic film, converted into digital data, and the digital image data is image-processed and printed, the film type to be performed first. Since the setting process of is automated, it is possible to omit the setting operation of the film type, which was conventionally required. As a result, the operation load on the operator who operates the print system 1 can be reduced, and the workability can be improved.

Further, the print system 1 of the present embodiment
Then, the setting of the light emission condition of the light source 4, the setting of the imaging condition of the imaging unit 5, and the image processing unit 9 which are necessary after the film type determination is performed.
Since the setting of the image processing conditions is also automated, the operation load on the operator can be further reduced and the workability can be further improved.

Therefore, the operation load on the user who uses the printing system 1 can be greatly reduced, and the work efficiency when printing a photographic film can be greatly improved.

Further, in the above embodiment, the first 1.5
If the film type has not been discriminated from the frame length digital image data, one frame length is automatically conveyed, and the film type discrimination process of the digital image data is repeatedly executed. The processing usability and convenience are improved.

In the above embodiment, the case of discriminating various film types such as negative / positive / negative color / negative black / white / negative sepia / positive color / positive black / white of photographic film by combining the film type discriminating conditions 1 to 5 will be described. However, discriminating conditions other than the film type discriminating conditions 1 to 5 may be set and may be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0052]

According to the invention described in claim 1, the discrimination of the film type can be automated, and the work burden on the user can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, more kinds of film types can be discriminated.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the film type of the photographic film can be easily and surely determined.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the discriminating film type can be clearly indicated to the user.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, after the film type is discriminated, the process of setting the light emitting condition of the light source can be automated, and the work burden on the user can be further reduced.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, after the film type is discriminated, the process of setting the image pickup condition can be automated, and the work load on the user can be further reduced.

According to the invention described in claim 7, the process of setting the image processing condition after the film type is determined can be automated, and the work load on the user can be further reduced.

According to the invention described in claim 8, it is possible to provide the computer with a function of automating the discrimination of the film type of the photographic film.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a print system 1 according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a film type determination process executed by a control unit 7 in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an unexposed portion of a film imaged in the film type determination process of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a display screen 1 in the film type discrimination process of FIG.
The film type display frame and the film type change window 1
It is a figure which shows the example which displayed 02.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 printing system 2 Input section 3 Display 4 light sources 5 Imaging unit 6 Transport section 7 control unit 8 memory 9 Image processing section 10 Printing department 11 bus 101 Film type display frame 102 Film type list change window

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2H110 CE12                 5C062 AA01 AB03 AB17 AB40 AB42                       AC02 AC21 AC58 AF00 BD00                 5C072 AA01 BA20 RA20 UA18 VA03                       XA10

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A transport means for transporting a photographic film to an imaging means, a light source for irradiating an exposed surface of a photographic film transported by the transport means, and an exposed surface of the photographic film transported by the transport means. In a scanner system provided with an image pickup means for picking up an exposed surface by the transmitted light of the light radiated to the image pickup means, and an image processing means for image-processing the picked-up image picked up by the image pickup means, Detecting the unexposed portion of the exposed surface of the photographic film from the captured image, measuring means for measuring the light component of the unexposed portion, based on the light component measurement result of the unexposed portion measured by the measuring means A scanner system comprising: a discriminating unit for discriminating a film type of a photographic film. 2. The measuring means detects an unexposed portion and / or an exposed portion for a predetermined number of frames from an imaged image picked up by the image pickup means, and measures a light component of the detecting portion. The scanner system according to claim 1, wherein the discriminating unit discriminates a film type of the photographic film based on a light component measurement result of the detecting unit measured by the measuring unit. 3. A storage unit for storing the light component threshold value for each film type, wherein the determination unit and the light component threshold value for the film type stored in the storage unit are measured by the detection unit. 3. The scanner system according to claim 1, wherein the type of film is discriminated by comparing with. 4. A display means for displaying a picked-up image picked up by the image pickup means, and a display control means for displaying on the display means information indicating a film type judged by the judging means. The scanner system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The scanner system according to claim 1, further comprising light source control means for setting a light emission condition of the light source based on the film type discriminated by the discrimination means. 6. An image pickup control means for setting an image pickup condition of an exposure surface of the image pickup means based on the film type discriminated by the discriminating means.
Alternatively, the scanner system described in 3 above. 7. An image processing control means for setting an image processing condition of a captured image of the image processing means based on the film type discriminated by the discrimination means. The described scanner system. 8. A detection function for a computer to detect an unexposed portion, an exposed portion, or both from an image picked up from an exposed surface of a photographic film, and a measurement for measuring a light component of the detected detection portion. A program for realizing a function, and a determination function of determining the film type of the photographic film based on the measured light component measurement result of the detection unit.