JP2003283737A - Image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus for enhancing the operability for setting processing instruction information and properly setting the picture instruction information without mistake when applying processing in response to the processing instruction information of the image to the image. <P>SOLUTION: This invention provides the image processing apparatus characterized in to include: an image display section for laying out an image to an image area set in a display screen and the processing instruction information to an information display area; a pointing device for freely switching a display mode wherein a pointer is moved in the display screen to display the image and the processing instruction information or a setting mode where input setting of the processing instruction information is attained corresponding to the designated area designated by the pointer in the information display area; and a screen control section for displaying the processing instruction information corresponding to the designation area and a correction key to correct the processing instruction information with magnification within the information display area when the display mode is switched into the setting mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus equipped with an image display unit, which processes an image in accordance with processing instruction information, and more particularly to an image processed image which is tested by a printer. The present invention relates to an image processing device provided.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Presently, a printing apparatus using digital exposure is practically used as a printing apparatus for printing an image taken 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). Has been converted. This printing device photoelectrically reads an image recorded on a film, converts the read image into a digital signal, and then performs various image processing to obtain image data for recording, which is modulated according to the image data. This is a digital photo printer that scans and exposes a photosensitive material with recording light to record an image (latent image) and prints (finishing).

This digital photo printer is basically a scanner (image reading device) for photoelectrically reading an image recorded on a film, and a predetermined process is performed on image data read and supplied by the scanner to obtain an image. In accordance with image data for recording, that is, an image processing device that is an exposure condition, and a printer that records a latent image by scanning and exposing a photosensitive material by light beam scanning, for example, according to the image data output from the image processing device (image recording Device) and a processor (developing device) for performing a development process on the photosensitive material exposed by the printer to produce an image reproduced (finished) print.

Further, the image data is not only supplied by a scanner for reading an image recorded on a film, but also photographed by a digital still camera or the like, and a PC
Image data recorded on a recording medium such as a card, a flexible disk, or a Zip, or image data transferred via the Internet or the like is also supplied and can be a target for image processing and print output. Further, not only the image-processed image is printed out, but also the image-processed image data can be output to a recording medium such as a CD-R or transferred via a network.

The image processing apparatus of such a digital photo printer automatically sets up image processing conditions such as color balance adjustment, contrast correction (gradation processing), and brightness correction to be applied to the image data based on the image data. To set conditions such as saturation correction, if necessary, perform corrections for lateral chromatic aberration, distortion and color misregistration, electronic scaling processing, and then perform sharpness processing and dodging processing as needed. Image processing conditions are set, image processing according to the set conditions is performed on the image data, and the processed image data (exposure condition) for recording is sent to the printer. In the above auto setup, for example, a density histogram is created from the image data of the input image, and the average density and LAT are calculated.
Image processing parameters such as D (large area transmission density), highlight (minimum density), shadow (maximum density) can be calculated, and image processing conditions can be automatically set.

In such an image processing apparatus, the image processing is carried out under the automatically set image processing conditions, but the operator verifies whether or not the image processed image is suitable for printing. There is a need. In the verification, in particular, it is necessary to finely adjust the color balance of the color image so as to satisfy the orderer who requests the print output. Further, in order to provide the image read in finely to the printer based on the test result, in the test, it is necessary to set the number of prints to be printed out, the print magnification (electronic magnification), and the like as necessary. This type of verification is performed by the operator using the keys or the mouse while looking at the verification screen, but this input is extremely difficult for the operator who performs a large amount of print processing, and the burden of this input is required. How to reduce this is a big issue.

[0007]

By the way, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
In the 0-224362 publication, images to be used for the test are simultaneously displayed on the test screen, and the contents of the test operation performed for the test on one image are displayed on other images to be used for the test. In association with this, an image processing apparatus that reduces the burden of input is disclosed. According to this, in the verification operation performed by using this image processing device, the operator can check the color balance adjustment, the density correction, the number of prints and the print magnification while looking at each of the plurality of images displayed side by side for the verification. Make adjustments. For example, in the case of color balance adjustment, the color density C of cyan, the color density M of magenta, and the color density Y of yellow are corrected by clicking an icon displayed on the verification screen. The correction of the image density, the adjustment of the number of prints, or the adjustment of the print magnification is also performed by clicking the icon displayed on the verification screen.

However, in order to display a plurality of images on the test screen, in addition to the icons displayed on the test screen, display of processing instruction information such as the processing level of each color density, the processing level of image density, the number of prints, and the print magnification. I have no choice but to make the column small. Therefore, the information in the display column is difficult to see,
In many cases, the icon was mistakenly clicked, and there was still a problem with the operability during the test. If the icons and display fields are enlarged, the number of images displayed in one test screen decreases, the number of times the test screen is switched increases, and the operability during the test decreases.

In view of the above, the present invention solves the above problems, and when the image is subjected to the above-mentioned color balance adjustment, image density correction, and processing according to image processing instruction information such as the number of prints and print magnification. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that improves the operability of setting instruction information and can accurately set the processing instruction information without making a mistake.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is an image processing apparatus for processing an image according to processing instruction information of the image, wherein the image is displayed on a display screen. An image display unit for arranging the processing instruction information in the set image area and displaying the processing instruction information by arranging the processing instruction information in the set information display area in the display screen; It is possible to freely switch between a display mode for displaying an image and the processing instruction information and a setting mode for enabling the input setting of the processing instruction information corresponding to the designated area designated by the pointer in the information display area. The pointing device to perform, the processing instruction information corresponding to the designated area when the display mode is switched to the setting mode, and a correction key for correcting the processing instruction information. And there is provided an image processing apparatus characterized by comprising a screen control unit to enlarge the information display area.

Here, it is preferable that the setting mode is switched to the display mode by moving the pointer to a region other than the designated region on the display screen. Further, it is preferable that the image display unit displays a plurality of sets on the same display screen as a set of the processing instruction information corresponding to the image. Further, it is preferable that the image processing apparatus is connected to a printer that prints out an image, and the display screen displayed on the image display unit is a test screen for testing an image to be printed out. Further, the processing instruction information includes a processing level for color balance adjustment for performing image processing on the image, a processing level for image density correction, a magnification for electronic scaling processing, and a print processing number for performing image print output. It is preferably at least one.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The image processing apparatus of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the outline of a digital photo printer incorporating an embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention. A digital photo printer (hereinafter referred to as a photo printer) 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a scanner (image reading unit) 12 that photoelectrically reads an image captured on a film F, and a color balance of image data read by the scanner 12. An image processing device 14 for performing various image processes such as contrast correction (gradation process), brightness correction, etc. in addition to adjustment and image density correction and operation and control of the entire photo printer 10, and an output from this image processing device 14. And a printer 16 for image-exposing a photosensitive material (photographic paper) with a light beam modulated in accordance with the generated image data, developing it, and outputting a (finished) image as a print. Also,
A keyboard 18 for inputting various conditions, inputting settings, selecting and instructing processing, instructing the above image processing, and instructing the result of the inspection of the processed image.
An operation system 18 having a and a mouse 18b is connected.

The scanner 12 is a device for photoelectrically reading an image photographed on the film F frame by frame to obtain image data, and includes an LED light source 20, a diffusion box 22, and
(Film) carrier 24 and imaging lens unit 26
A CCD 28 which is an area image sensor having a pixel shifting means (not shown), an amplifier 32, and an A / D
(Analog / digital) converter 34 and data correction unit 3
6 and an interpolation calculation unit 38.

The LED light source 20 emits reading light for reading an image photographed on the film F.
This LED light source 20 has R (red) light, G (green) light, B
It has a configuration in which three types of LED arrays that emit (blue) light and LED arrays that emit IR (infrared) light are arrayed in a direction orthogonal to the array direction of each array. Where I
The R light is used as reading light for detecting foreign matter attached to the film F, scratches on the film F, and the like. This IR light is emitted as reading light in response to an instruction from the image processing device 14.

The diffusion box 22 diffuses the reading light emitted from the LED light source 20, and makes the reading light incident on the film F uniform in the plane direction of the film F.
The upper and lower surfaces (open surfaces) of the mirror box whose inner surface is a reflective surface are closed by a light diffusion plate.

The carrier 24 is a means for conveying the film F,
Usually, it is mounted on a known photo printer having a mask for restricting the reading area, a reading means for a barcode such as DX optically recorded on the film F, a recording / reading means (magnetic head) for magnetic information, etc. Is a film carrier.
For the scanner 12, a dedicated carrier 24 that can be attached to the main body of the scanner 12 and a mask attached to the carrier 24 are prepared according to the film size such as APS photographic film (new photographic system) and 135 size negative film. Therefore, by exchanging this mask with the carrier 24, it is possible to deal with various films and processes.

Here, the reading light emitted from the LED light source 20 and diffused by the diffusion box 22 is incident on and transmitted through the image of one frame of the film F held at a predetermined reading position by the carrier 24. As a result, projection light carrying the image captured in this frame is obtained. This projection light is transmitted to the CCD 2 by the imaging lens unit 26.
The image formed on the light receiving surface of the image pickup device 8, photoelectrically converted and read, and the image photographed on the film F is photoelectrically read by the scanner 12.

The scanner 12 uses the LED light source 20
R, G, and B, and in some cases, reading light of IR light is sequentially emitted, is incident on the film F, and the projection light is C
By reading with the CD 28, the image photographed on the film F is separated into three primary colors of R, G and G and then read, or the image by IR light is read. Further, the scanner 12 normally determines a fine scan for obtaining a print output for one frame, an image reading condition of the fine scan, and an image processing condition for image processing performed by the image processing device 14. The image is read twice prior to the fine scan, that is, the prescan having a low reading resolution. That is, one frame is read at least 6 times by R light, G light, and B light. When reading with IR light during fine scanning, the reading is performed 7 times.

In the pre-scan, the storage time for reading is prepared in advance so that the images of all the films targeted by the scanner 12 can be read without the CCD 28 being saturated. Depending on the case, the pre-scan is performed again while changing the accumulation time according to the instruction from the image processing device 14. On the other hand, the fine scan is performed with the storage time set so that the CCD 28 is saturated at a density slightly lower than the minimum density of the image from the prescan image data. Therefore, the image data obtained by the prescan and the fine scan are basically the same data except that the resolution and the output level are different.

The image signal of the CCD 28 is amplified by an amplifier 32, converted by an A / D converter 34 into digital data, and data correction such as DC offset correction, implicit correction and shading correction is performed by a CCD correction unit 36. To be done. The image signal corrected by the CCD correction unit 36 is used as one of the image data input methods for the CCD 2.
After being processed by the interpolation calculation unit 38 according to the pixel shift of 8, the image data is supplied to the image processing device 14. The scanner 12 has the above configuration.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image processing apparatus 14. The image processing device 14 includes a data processing unit 40, a prescan memory 42, a main scan memory 44, a condition setting unit 46, a screen control unit 47, a prescan image processing unit 48,
The main scan image processing unit 50 and the monitor 19 which is the image display unit of the present invention are included. Note that FIG. 2 mainly shows a part related to image processing, and the image processing device 14 includes
In addition to this, the CPU that controls and manages the entire photo printer 10 including the image processing device 14, and the photo printer 1
A memory or the like for recording information necessary for 0 operation and the like is provided, and the operation system 18 includes this CPU and the like (CPU bus).
Connected to each part via.

The data processing section 40 is a section that performs Log conversion on the image signal supplied from the scanner 12 to obtain image data. The created image data is stored (stored) in the prescan memory 42 in the case of prescan and in the main scan memory 44 in the case of main scan. Pre-scan memory 42 and main scan memory 4
Reference numeral 4 is a frame memory for storing or storing each color of RGB. It may have a capacity capable of storing the read image data of a plurality of frames, or may have a large number of memories each having a capacity of one frame.
The image data stored in the prescan memory 42 is read by the prescan image processing unit 48, and the image data stored in the main scan memory 44 is read by the main scan image processing unit 50.

The condition setting section 46 is a section for reading out the prescan image data from the prescan memory 42 and determining the image processing conditions. Specifically, it creates a density histogram from pre-scan image data and calculates image characteristics such as average density, LATD (large area transmission density), highlight (minimum density), and shadow (maximum density). The image processing conditions can be automatically set up using the result. Furthermore, the operator can instruct the image processing conditions as necessary, and determine the image processing conditions such as the creation of a table (LUT) for gray balance adjustment or matrix calculation for saturation correction. At this time, the shooting information is recorded on the film F by the magnetic head of the magnetic information provided on the carrier 24, and the shooting information is taken into consideration, for example. The determined image processing conditions are integrated, and then the prescan image processing unit 4
8 is sent to the main scan image processing unit 50,
The prescan image processing unit 48 and the main scan image processing unit 5
Used for image processing at 0. Further, in the condition setting section 46, when the image processing is adjusted by the operator when the image is verified, the processing level is changed to the desired image processing level set by the input from the operation system 18.

The screen control unit 47 expands the display of the processing instruction information for correcting the image to be used for the verification and the correction key (correction means) for changing the processing level at the time of the verification by the verification screen, Improve the operability of key operation. Details will be described later.

The prescan image processing unit 48 performs image processing according to image processing conditions automatically set up for color balance adjustment, image density correction, contrast correction, and brightness correction, or image processing conditions corrected by an operator. According to the operator's instruction, the chromatic aberration of magnification, the distortion aberration, and the color shift of the scanner are corrected, and further, the electronic scaling processing is performed, and then the sharpness processing and the dodging processing are performed according to the operator's instruction. After that, in order to be processed into image data corresponding to the display on the monitor 19 and to be used for operator's verification,
It is displayed on the monitor 19.

The screen control unit 47 is a part for controlling the test screen displayed on the monitor 19, and the test screen displayed on the monitor 19 is switched by switching the test screen between the setting mode and the display mode by the mouse 18b. Control. The monitor 19 is a test screen for testing the images of the play scan, a test screen for testing various conditions set by the condition setting unit 46, and settings for setting various conditions set by the condition setting unit 46. It is a liquid crystal display or a CRT display that displays a screen.

An example of the verification screen displayed on the monitor 19 is shown in FIG. The number of frame areas displayed at one time on the verification screen shown in FIG. 3 is 6, but the number of frame areas is not particularly limited. The test screen shown in FIG. 3 is an example of the test screen when 26 frames of images are read by the prescan. On the verification screen, six frame areas 51, 5
2, 53, 54, 55, 56 are displayed, and a frame image area 6 in which an image to be tested is displayed in each frame area
1, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 and the frame image area 6
1, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, information display areas 71 for displaying processing instruction information of corresponding images,
72, 73, 74, 75, 76 are displayed. When the operator determines that the test image is inappropriate, the processing instruction information is information that indicates the type and processing level of image processing that should be performed to obtain an appropriate image, and printout to a printer described later. This is information for instructing the number of prints and the like when performing. As image processing to be performed, a desired color balance adjustment for adjusting the levels of cyan color density C, magenta color density M, and yellow color density Y, image density correction for adjusting the level of image density D, and image size are desired. Examples include electronic scaling processing performed on image data to obtain the size.

Further, in the verification screen shown in FIG. 3, alphanumeric characters 19A, 18A, 17A, 16 representing the frame numbers of the images displayed in the frame image areas 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 are displayed.
A, 15A, information on the number of prints, and other various information are displayed. Alphanumeric characters 19A, 18A, 17A, 16
A and 15A are the images in which the images used for the examination are read.
It indicates that the image is the 19th to 15th frames. That is, in the example of the inspection screen shown in FIG.
Of the 6 images, 6 from the end (from the 26th
The image of the 21st frame) has already been tested.

Such an inspection screen has a display mode in which only the image and the processing instruction information to be used for the inspection are displayed, and a setting mode in which the processing instruction information required by the inspection can be input and set. On the other hand, a pointer P is displayed on the examination screen (displayed in the information display area 71 in FIG. 3), and the pointer P is configured to move freely within the examination screen in conjunction with the movement of the mouse 18b constituting the operation system 18. To be done.
By moving the pointer P with the mouse 18b, the display mode and the setting mode which enables the input setting of the processing instruction information corresponding to the designated area designated by the pointer P in the information display area are switched. Is configured so that When the display mode is switched to the setting mode, the processing instruction information corresponding to the designated area designated by the pointer P and the correction key (correction means) for correcting the processing instruction information are enlarged and displayed in the information display area. Is configured as follows. That is, the mouse 18b is
It corresponds to the pointing device of the present invention.

The verification screen shown in FIG. 3 is in a setting mode in which it is possible to make an input setting for color balance adjustment and image density correction in the frame area 51, and processing of color densities C, M and Y and image density D is performed. A correction key for correcting the numerical value display field of the level and the processing level is enlarged and displayed in the image density information display area. Selection of such designated area is
By moving the pointer P to the portion in the information display area where the level is to be adjusted or in the vicinity thereof and clicking,
The setting mode may be selected, or the setting mode may be switched only by moving the pointer P to a portion in the information display area where the processing level is desired to be adjusted or in the vicinity thereof. Examples of the enlarged display by designation with the pointer P include processing instruction information for color balance adjustment and image density correction and its correction key, as well as processing instruction information for the number of prints and print magnification and its correction key. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above example in which the enlarged display is made by the designation by the pointer P.

In the example of FIG. 3, since the processing instruction information for color balance adjustment and image density correction and its correction key are enlarged, the frame number is hidden in addition to other processing instruction information. This is because it is not necessary to display the frame number and other processing instruction information when inputting and setting the image density correction. However, the image used for the verification is necessary for the operator to set the processing level while viewing the image, and cannot be hidden by the enlarged display of the processing instruction information and the correction key. That is, the enlarged display is performed in the information display area.

The input of the processing level in the color balance adjustment and the image density correction is performed and set by the operator as follows. In the example of FIG. 3, the information display area 71 has text boxes 81 to 84 for displaying processing levels of cyan color density C, magenta color density M, yellow color density C, and image density D, and color density C and color. Spin buttons (correction keys) 81a to 84a and 81b to 84b for setting processing levels of density M, color density Y, and image density D are displayed. The spin buttons 81a to 84a are displayed with downward arrows, and the spin buttons 81b to 84b are displayed with upward arrows. The text box 81
0 to 84 are displayed as the initial settings.

From this state, the operator selects a spin button for the color density to be adjusted and clicks with the mouse to input the level. For example, when the spin box 81a is clicked with the mouse 18b, the processing level displayed in the text box 81 is decreased by 1 for each click, and when the spin box 81b is clicked, the processing level displayed in the text box 81 is increased by 1 for each click. . Similarly, the spin box 82a
When ~ 84a is clicked, the processing level displayed in the text boxes 82-84 is decreased by 1 for each click, and when the spin boxes 82b-84b are clicked, the processing level displayed in the text boxes 82-84 is increased by 1 by one click. . Such a processing level is input from the mouse 18b to the condition setting section 46, and the processing level information is sent to the screen control section 47 and displayed in the enlarged information display area 71.

Here, the processing level means the condition setting unit 46.
In the step of the color density or the image density, which is determined stepwise in advance, with the image processed under the image processing condition set by the auto setup as the reference (level 0).

When the processing level displayed in the text box 81 is increased by 1, the setting of the image processing condition is changed by the condition setting section 46 so that the color density C is increased by 1 step, and the processing level displayed in the text box 81 is changed. When the value decreases by 1, the condition setting unit 46 changes the setting of the image processing condition such that the color density C decreases by one step. Similarly, when the processing level displayed in the text boxes 82 to 84 is increased by 1, the setting of the image processing condition is changed in the condition setting unit 46 so that the color density M, the color density Y and the image density D are increased by one step. When the processing level displayed in 82 to 84 is decreased by 1, the condition setting unit 46 changes the setting of the image processing condition such that the color density M, the color density Y, and the image density D are decreased by one step. When the setting of the image processing condition of the condition setting unit 46 is changed, the image is processed according to the changed image processing condition in the prescan image processing unit 48 every time the change is made.
The processed image is sent to the monitor 19, and the processed image is displayed in the frame image area 61 as the processing level is changed.

The above example is an example of color balance adjustment and image density correction, but in the case of the number of prints and print magnification,
Similarly, the above method can be set as the processing instruction information.

As described above, when the image control unit 47 inputs an appropriate processing level or numerical value in the information display area 71 while watching the image processed according to the change of the processing instruction information, the spin button (correction key) ) 81a-84a, 81b-84
Since the text boxes 81 to 84 for displaying b and the processing instruction information such as the processing level and the numerical value are enlarged and displayed on the monitor 19, the operability of the verification work can be improved. Moreover, since the display mode and the setting mode can be switched by moving the mouse 18b, the operability is further improved.

When the operator determines that the corrected image is appropriate, the test confirmation key 90 displayed at the lower right of the test screen is pressed and the test of one image ends. By the end of the verification, the image processing conditions of the image read by the fine scan are fixed. The operator similarly tests the remaining images, and determines the image processing conditions for all the images displayed on the test screen.
Furthermore, when all the images on the inspection screen have been examined, the images of the 14th to 9th frames are subjected to the same examination. Thus, all the images read by the prescan are verified.

The main scan image processing section 50 adjusts the color balance of the main scan image data based on the image processing conditions determined in the prescan image data, the image density correction, the contrast correction (gradation processing), and the brightness. Correction is performed by a LUT (look-up table), saturation is corrected, and if necessary, correction of chromatic aberration of magnification, correction of distortion, correction of color misregistration, and electronic scaling processing are performed. If necessary, sharpness processing and dodging processing are performed. Further, the image data subjected to the image processing is processed into image data to be printed out to the printer 16 and sent to the printer 16. The image processing device 14 is configured as described above. In the above example,
Although the processing instruction information is set by the mouse 18b, it may be set by key input using the keyboard 18a.

In such an image processing device 14, first,
The image signal by the prescan supplied from the scanner 12 is Log converted by the data processing unit 40 to be image data. The converted image data is stored in the prescan memory 42. The prescan image data stored in the prescan memory 42 is called from the image condition setting unit 46 to create a density histogram, average density, LATD (large area transmission density), highlight (minimum density), shadow ( A matrix calculation (MTX) for calculating a table (LUT) such as gray balance adjustment and saturation correction by calculating image feature amounts such as (maximum density) and in addition, according to an operator's instruction performed as necessary.
The image processing conditions such as creation of are determined. The determined image processing conditions are further adjusted by the operator as necessary, the image processing conditions are reset, and the image processing conditions are supplied to the prescan image processing unit 48.

On the other hand, the image data stored in the prescan memory 42 is called by the prescan image processing section 48, and condition settings such as color balance adjustment, image density correction, contrast correction (gradation processing), and brightness correction are set. After image processing is performed according to the processing conditions sent from the unit 46, correction processing of lateral chromatic aberration and distortion aberration is performed as necessary,
Electronic scaling processing is performed, and further sharpness processing, dodging processing, and the like are performed as necessary, and then converted into image data for display and displayed on the monitor 19.

On the monitor 19, a verification screen as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed. In the verification screen shown in FIG. 3, the information display area 71 of the upper left frame area 51 is designated as an initial setting, the processing instruction information and the spin button are enlarged and displayed, and the color balance adjustment and the image of the processing instruction information are displayed. The setting mode is for adjusting the processing level of density correction. Here, the operator looks at the image of the frame number 20A displayed in the frame image area 61 of the frame area 51,
For example, when making the color density Y relatively darker than the color densities C and M, the spin button 83b in the enlarged and displayed information display area 61 is clicked, for example, twice with the mouse 18b. To make the image density D lower than the current one, the spin button 84a is clicked with the mouse 18b, for example, once. As a result, the processing level 2 is displayed in the text box 83, and the processing level-2 is displayed in the text box 84.
1 is displayed.

When the setting of the information display area 71 is changed in this way, the image processing condition is changed in the condition setting unit 46 according to the changed contents, and the changed image processing condition is supplied to the prescan image processing unit 48. Image processing is performed. The image processed by the prescan image processing unit 48 is sent to the monitor 19, and the processed image is redisplayed in the frame image area 61 of the examination screen. The operator can further change the processing level while looking at the image displayed in the frame image area 51. For example, if the color density Y is too high, the spin button 83a may be clicked once to correct the processing level displayed in the text box 83 to the processing level 1. When the processing level of the text box 83 is changed to the processing level 1, the image subjected to the image processing according to the changed conditions is displayed in the frame image area 61. In this way, the operator can correct the test image to a desired color balance, image density, etc.
When the operator determines that the corrected image is appropriate, the verification confirmation key 90 displayed on the verification screen is displayed.
Is pressed to end the inspection of the corrected image.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a conventional verification screen. Conventionally, the selected image output information area 71 'is not enlarged and displayed, so that the spin boxes 81a' to 84a ', 81
The display of b ′ to 84b ′ was small, and the display of the processing levels displayed in the text boxes 81 ′ to 84 ′ was also small. Therefore, it is a heavy burden for the operator to change the processing level by operating the spin box for a large number of images to be used for the verification, and the operability of the verification work is also low.

However, in the verification screen shown in FIG. 3, since the information indicating area 71 of the designated portion is enlarged and displayed, the spin boxes 81a to 84a and 81b to 84b are displayed.
The text boxes 81 to 84 are also enlarged and displayed, the operator can easily click the spin box, the burden is reduced, and the operability during the verification work is improved.

When one image is completed, another image is tested. When other images are to be tested, the target image to be tested is selected by moving the pointer P to the frame image area to be tested, for example, the frame image area 62 and clicking. To correct the color balance or image density of the image to be verified, use the mouse 18b to move the pointer P to the processing instruction information 7
By moving to the area 2 and clicking, the processing instruction information of the designated area designated by the pointer in the processing instruction information is switched from the display mode to the setting mode. The switching of the setting mode is performed by directly acting on the screen control unit 47 with the mouse 18b. In the setting mode, as shown in FIG. 5, the designated area of the information display area 72 is enlarged and displayed, and the processing level can be adjusted. Later,
In the same manner as the above-mentioned method, the color balance adjustment and the image density correction are performed, or the print magnification and the number of prints are set.

The switching from the setting mode to the display mode is performed by moving the pointer P to an area other than the designated area in the setting mode which is the setting mode, for example, the frame image area 62 and clicking. Switching from the setting mode to the display mode is performed by the screen control unit 47, and by this switching, the enlarged display of the information display area 71 is canceled and the processing instruction information cannot be input. In the display mode, the hidden frame number appears due to the enlarged display of the processing instruction information and the like in the setting mode.

When switching from the display mode to the setting mode for different information among the processing instruction information of the same frame number, for example, the processing instruction information for color balance adjustment and image density correction in the setting mode is changed to the display mode and then to the display mode. When switching the processing instruction information such as a certain print magnification and the number of prints to the setting mode, the pointer P may be moved to the area indicating the processing instruction information such as the print magnification and the number of prints or the vicinity thereof and clicked. As described above, in the present invention, the part of the moved information display area may be switched from the display mode to the setting mode only by moving the pointer P without clicking. In this way, the test is completed for all prescanned images. The processing level of the image processing and the processing instruction information such as the number of prints determined by the verification are associated with the frame number in the condition setting unit 46.

Next, the scanner 12 starts the main scan for the image to be printed. Carrier 28
After the frame of the film F is conveyed so as to come to a predetermined position, it is read by the scanner 12 with high resolution, and the image signal is sent to the data processing unit 40. The image signal of the main scan supplied from the scanner 12 is the data processing unit 40.
Then, the log conversion is performed to obtain image data, which is stored in the main scan memory 44. Next, the main scan memory 44
The image data stored in the main scan image processing unit 50 is called and supplied to the main scan image processing unit 50, and the image processing conditions determined by the prescan are supplied from the condition setting unit 46 to the main scan image processing unit 50. In the main scan image processing unit 50, each processing such as color balance adjustment, image density correction, contrast correction (gradation processing), and brightness correction is applied to the image data based on the called image processing condition. Correction processing of lateral chromatic aberration and distortion aberration is performed as necessary. Further, electronic scaling processing is performed according to the set print magnification, and sharpness processing, dodging processing, etc. are performed as necessary. After this, the printer 1
The image data is converted into image data conforming to No. 6 and supplied to the printer 16. At the same time, the information on the number of prints set as the processing instruction information is also supplied to the printer 16.

The printer 16 exposes the photosensitive material (printing paper) for the number of prints according to the supplied image data to record a latent image, and a predetermined process for the photosensitive material of the exposed material. It is composed of a processor (developing device) that outputs the image as a print. In the recording device, after the photosensitive material is cut into a predetermined length according to printing, three kinds of beams of R exposure, G exposure, and B exposure according to the spectral sensitivity characteristics of the photosensitive material are output from the image processing device 14. The photosensitive material is modulated according to the data and deflected in the main scanning direction, and the photosensitive material is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, whereby the photosensitive material is two-dimensionally scanned and exposed by the light beam. The latent image is recorded and supplied to the processor. In the processor, after receiving the light-sensitive material, predetermined wet development processing such as color development, bleach-fixing, washing with water, etc. is performed, dried and sorted as a print into a predetermined unit such as one film F and accumulated. .

In the above embodiment, the processing instruction information relating to the color balance adjustment and the image density correction and the correction key are simultaneously enlarged and displayed by the designation by the pointer P on the inspection screen, but they are separately enlarged and displayed. Good.
In addition to the number of prints and the print magnification, various image processings performed by the prescan image processing unit 48 and the main scan image processing unit 50, such as distortion correction, magnification chromatic aberration correction, sharpness processing, and contrast correction,
The mode may be switched to the setting mode by being designated by the movement of the pointer P, and enlarged display may be performed. Further, although the above-mentioned example has exemplified the verification screen displayed on the monitor at the time of the verification operation at the time of print output, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned example, and an image when output to a recording medium such as a CD-R is shown. It may be a test screen used at the time of test, or at the time of test of an image when it is transferred via a network. At least, it may be any display screen as long as it displays the image and the processing instruction information at the same time and corrects the processing information.

Although the image processing apparatus of the present invention has been described above in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and changes may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course.

[0054]

As described above in detail, on the display screen on which the image and the processing instruction information are simultaneously displayed, the pointer can be moved to switch to the setting mode for setting the processing instruction information to be applied to the image. Moreover, since the processing instruction information and the correction key for setting are enlarged and displayed in the setting mode, the operability of setting the processing instruction information can be improved and the processing instruction information is not set by mistake. In particular, an operator who certifies and prints out a large number of images can reduce the burden of certification work.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a digital photo printer incorporating an embodiment of an image display device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an image processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a verification screen displayed on the monitor of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a verification screen displayed on a conventional monitor.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the verification screen displayed on the monitor of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Digital Photo Printer 12 Scanner 14 Image Processing Device 16 Printer 18 Operation System 18a Keyboard 18b Mouse 19 Monitor 20 LED Light Source 22 Diffusion Box 24 Carrier 26 Imaging Lens Unit 28 CCD 32 Amplifier 34 A / D Converter 36 Data Correction Section 38 Interpolation Calculation unit 40 Data processing unit 42 Pre-scan memory 44 Main scan memory 46 Condition setting unit 47 Image control unit 48 Pre-scan image processing unit 50 Main-scan image processing units 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 Frame areas 61, 62 , 63, 64, 65, 66 frame image areas 71, 71 ', 72, 73, 74, 75, 76 information display areas 81, 82, 83, 84, 81', 82 ', 83', 8
4'text boxes 81a, 82a, 83a, 84a, 81b, 82b, 8
3b, 84b, 81a ', 82a', 83a ', 84
a ', 81b', 82b ', 83b', 84b 'Spin button 90 Test end key film F Pointer P

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 1/60 H04N 1/46 ZF term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AS11 5C062 AA05 AB20 AB22 AB23 AB46 AC07 AE03 AF11 BA00 5C077 LL01 PP03 PP15 PP20 PP33 PP37 PQ12 PQ23 SS06 TT02 5C079 HB02 LA12 LA15 LB01 MA04 MA11 MA17 NA03 NA05 PA03

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus for performing processing according to image processing instruction information on an image, wherein the image is arranged in a set image area in a display screen, and the processing instruction information is stored. An image display unit arranged and displayed in a set information display area in the display screen, a display mode for moving the pointer in the display screen to display the image and the processing instruction information, and the information. A pointing device for freely switching between a setting mode that enables input setting of the processing instruction information corresponding to the designated area designated by the pointer in the display area, and a case where the display mode is switched to the setting mode ,
An image processing apparatus comprising: a screen control unit that enlarges and displays the processing instruction information corresponding to the designated area and a correction key for correcting the processing instruction information in the information display area. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting mode is switched to the display mode by moving the pointer to a region other than the designated region in the display screen. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image display unit displays a plurality of sets on the same display screen as a set of the processing instruction information corresponding to the image. . 4. The image processing apparatus is connected to a printer that prints out an image, and the display screen displayed on the image display unit is a verification screen for testing an image to be printed out. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: 5. The processing instruction information includes a color balance adjustment processing level for performing image processing on the image, an image density correction processing level, an electronic scaling processing magnification, and a print for printing the image. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the number of processed sheets is at least one.