JP2003288350A - Data retrieval method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data retrieval method capable of retrieving data suitable to form a reprint matching with a customer's request even when data related to a plurality of image processes are registered for the same image in a database. <P>SOLUTION: As image processing-related data for an image subjected to a plurality of processes, the image processing information of the image is preliminarily registered in the database while being made to correspond to retrieval data for specifying the data every processing. When the image is reprocessed, retrieval is performed by use of the retrieval data in the database, and the image processing-related data registered most recently is specified, as candidate data for reprocessing, from the registered image processing-related data for the plurality of processes, preferably, from the image processing-related data extending from those having the maximum matching degree to the retrieval data and those within a preset range thereof. <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 a technical field of a printing system which outputs a print (photograph) which reproduces an image shot on a film or an image shot by a digital camera, and particularly, such a print. The present invention relates to a data search method capable of suitably matching images for simultaneous printing and reprinting in a system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the printing of an image photographed on a photographic film (hereinafter referred to as a film) such as a negative film or a reversal film onto a photosensitive material (photographic paper) is performed by projecting the image of the film on the photosensitive material. The so-called direct exposure for exposing was the mainstream. On the other hand, in recent years, a printing apparatus utilizing digital exposure, that is, an image recorded on a film is photoelectrically read, and after the read image is converted into a digital signal, various image processes are performed to record the image. 2. Description of the Related Art A digital photo printer has been put into practical use, which is used as image data, and a photosensitive material is scanned and exposed by recording light modulated according to the image data to record an image (latent image), and (finishing) print is performed.

A digital photo printer is basically a scanner (image reading device) that photoelectrically reads an image recorded on a film by making the reading light incident on the film and reading the projected light. Depending on the image data output from the image processing device and the image processing device that performs predetermined processing on the read image data or the image data supplied from a digital camera or the like and sets the image data for image recording, that is, the exposure condition. For example, a printer (image recording device) that scans and exposes a photosensitive material by light beam scanning to record a latent image, and a photosensitive material exposed by the printer is subjected to development processing to reproduce an image (finished) print. And a processor (developing device).

According to such a digital photo printer, since the image can be adjusted by processing the image data by using the image as digital image data, it is possible to correct the image jump and the blurring caused by the backlight or the flash photographing. ,
It is possible to obtain a high-quality print that cannot be obtained by the conventional direct exposure by suitably performing the sharpness treatment. Moreover, according to the digital photo printer, an image taken by a digital camera or the like can be output as a print.

Not only in such a digital photo printer, but also in an analog photo printer using direct exposure, in an image taken on a film or a print output from image data taken by a digital camera,
In many cases, so-called reprinting (reprocessing) is performed in which an image (frame) printed once is output as a print again in response to a request for additional printing. In this case, if there is no particular correction instruction, the print output (usually a simultaneous print that reproduces and outputs the shot image taken on the photographic film when developing the photographic film) The print and the image reproduced on the print are required to match. However, there are many cases in which the color and the density of the image are different between the previous print and the reprint due to the operator's judgment or the difference in the operation, and then there are many complaints from the customer.

Therefore, in order to deal with this, for example,
A printing system that enables reordering without handling a film is proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2004-187242 and 2004-242242. In addition, a print system that efficiently searches for image processing information is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-242242 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-242242.
Etc.

By the way, in these prior arts, in order to match the images of the reprint and the simultaneous print, the image processing is performed at the time of the reprint under the same image processing condition as that at the time of the simultaneous print. for that reason,
The image processing conditions for simultaneous printing are stored in a database together with the image data, and the database is searched for reprinting to retrieve the image processing conditions for simultaneous printing.

At this time, conventionally, when reprinting is ordered, the image database is searched by the image feature quantity, and the image feature quantity of the image data at the time of reordering is compared with the image feature quantity of the image data at the time of simultaneous printing. , The image data at the time of simultaneous printing with the highest (largest) degree of image feature quantity matching (image matching degree) is specified as image data (candidate image data) at the time of simultaneous printing of that image data, and image processing at that time The conditions are reflected in the image data when reordering.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, image data at the time of simultaneous printing is registered as image data 1, image data 2, ..., Image data N in the image database 90, and these images are registered. The order of registration in the database 90 is image data 1, image data 2, ..., It is assumed that the image data 1 is the oldest and the image data N is the newest. Here, as a result of comparing the image data 92 at the time of reordering and the image data 1, 2, ..., N at the time of simultaneous printing using the image feature amount, the image data 92 at the time of reordering. , And each image data 1, image data 2, ..., Image data N are X1, X2, ..., XN, the degree of image match is X1>X2>.・ ・ ＞ XN. Conventionally, at this time, the image data 1 having the largest image coincidence X1 even if the registration is the oldest was used as the candidate image data.

By the way, in the laboratory, for the same frame and the same image, for example, when the density or tone (gradation) of each color of YMC is changed, the tone is changed to the sepia tone, and the like, the image is reprinted many times. Therefore, the same image may be printed multiple times at the same time, and the image processing condition may be registered multiple times. Alternatively, when re-ordering, the image processing conditions for simultaneous printing may be changed and printed according to the customer's request, and the changed image processing conditions may be newly registered separately from the image processing conditions for simultaneous printing. is there.

In such a case, the customer desires the same processing as the printing by the image data of the latest registered image, that is, the same image processing as the processing by the latest registered image processing condition, and places an order for reprinting. There are many. However, in the above-described conventional image retrieval method, even in such a case, the image data having the highest image matching degree is always specified as the candidate image data regardless of whether the registration is old or new. There is a problem that the customer's request may be different.

[0012]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 09-55834

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-179211

[Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-222437

[Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-7965

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the related art, and data relating to a plurality of image processes (image process related data) for the same image is registered in a database. Even in such a case, it is an object to provide a data retrieval method capable of retrieving image processing-related data suitable for creating a reprint according to a customer's request.

[0014]

In order to solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention is a data search method for searching a database for data necessary for image processing,
When the same image is processed multiple times,
As image processing related data relating to processing on the image, the image processing information for processing the image and the search data for identifying the image are associated with each other, and are registered in the database in advance for each of the plurality of processes. Every other time, when the image is reprocessed again, the database is searched using the search data of the image, and the image processing related data relating to the plurality of processes of the image registered in the database. Among them, the present invention provides a data search method characterized in that the latest registered image processing related data is specified as candidate data for reprocessing the image.

Similarly, in order to solve the above problems,
A second aspect of the present invention is a data retrieval method for retrieving data necessary for image processing from a database, and relates to processing for the same image when the processing is performed a plurality of times. As image processing related data,
The image processing information that processed the image and the search data for identifying the image are associated with each other, and for each of the plurality of processes,
It is registered in the database in advance, and when the image is reprocessed again, the database is searched using the search data of the image, and the degree of coincidence with the search data is maximum. Among the image processing related data relating to a plurality of processes for the registered image within the preset range from the one for the reprocessing of the image, the most recently registered image processing related data The present invention provides a data search method characterized by specifying it as candidate data.

In each of the above aspects, as the image processing related data, at least one of image information of the processed image, image data of the image, and compressed image data of the image is the image processing information or the search information. It is preferably associated and stored in the database. Further, it is preferable that at least one of the image feature amount of the image, the image information of the processed image, and the compressed image data of the image is used as the search data. Further, it is preferable that the image feature amount of the image is used as the search data. Further, it is preferable that the image is photoelectrically read from an image photographed on a film. Further, it is preferable that the plurality of processes are performed at the time of simultaneous printing.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The data search method 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 schematic arrangement of a digital photo printer including an image processing apparatus for carrying out the data search method according to the present invention. Note that the device configuration for carrying out the data search method of the present invention is not limited to such a digital photo printer, but it is a conventional direct exposure analog photo printer that prints photographic paper with the projection light of the film. It may be.

A digital photo printer (hereinafter referred to as a photo printer) 10 shown in FIG. 1 basically includes a scanner (image reading device) 12 that photoelectrically reads an image photographed on a film F, and a read image. An image processing device 14 for processing the data into image data for output, and for operating and controlling the entire photo printer 10.
And a printer 16 for image-exposing a photosensitive material (photographic paper) with a light beam modulated according to the image data output from the image processing device 14, developing it, and outputting it as a (finished) print. In addition, the image processing device 14 inputs and sets various conditions, selects and instructs processes, and sets color / color.
Keyboard 18a for inputting instructions such as density correction
And an operating system 18 having a mouse 18b and a scanner 1
Image read in 2, various operation instructions, condition setting /
A display 20 for displaying a registration screen or the like is connected.
As will be described later in detail, the set value for setting the range for narrowing down the candidate data at the time of data search is the operation system 18
Input by the operator.

The scanner 12 is a device for photoelectrically reading an image photographed on the film F or the like. The scanner 12 diffuses the light source 22, the variable diaphragm 24, and the reading light incident on the film F in the plane direction of the film F. A box 28, an imaging lens unit 32, an image sensor 34 having a line CCD sensor corresponding to R (red), G (green), and B (blue) image reading, an amplifier (amplifier) 36, and A / D (analog / digital) converter 38.

In the photo printer 10, a new photo system (Advanced Photo System, hereinafter simply referred to as APS) is used.
Or 135 size negative (or reversal)
Depending on the type and size of film such as film, the form of film such as strips and slides, the scanner 12
A dedicated carrier 30 that can be freely attached to the main body of is prepared, and by exchanging the carrier 30, various films and processes can be handled. An image (frame) photographed on the film F and used for print production is conveyed to a predetermined reading position by the carrier 30. In such a scanner 12, when reading an image photographed on the film F, the reading light emitted from the light source 22 and having the light amount adjusted by the variable diaphragm 24 is positioned by the carrier 30 at a predetermined reading position. Projection light carrying the image captured on the film F is obtained by being incident on F and transmitting therethrough.

The carrier 30 has a pair of conveying rollers for conveying the film F to a predetermined reading position, and a slit for regulating the projection light of the film F into a predetermined slit shape in the same direction (main scanning direction) as the line CCD sensor. Have a mask. The film F is positioned at the reading position by the carrier 30, and the reading light is incident while the film F is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction with the longitudinal direction of the film F aligned. As a result, the film F is two-dimensionally slit-scanned by the slits extending in the main scanning direction, and the image of each frame photographed on the film F is read.

A magnetic recording medium is formed on the APS film, and a magnetic head for recording / reading information on / from the magnetic recording medium is arranged on the carrier 30 corresponding to the APS film (cartridge). There is. The information recorded on the magnetic recording medium of the film F is read by this magnetic head and sent to the image processing device 14 or the like, and the information from the image processing device 14 or the like is transferred to the carrier 30, and the magnetic head film It is recorded on the F magnetic recording medium. Further, the carrier 30 is provided with a code reader for reading a bar code such as a DX code, an extended DX code, and an FNS code optically recorded on the film F, and various kinds of information optically recorded on the film F. The various information read by the code reader is sent to the image processing device 14.

As described above, the reading light passes through the film F held by the carrier 30 and becomes projection light for carrying an image, and this projection light is formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 34 by the imaging lens unit 32. To be imaged. The image sensor 34 is a so-called three-line color CCD sensor having three line CCD sensors for reading an R image, a G image and a B image, respectively, and extends in the main scanning direction.
The projection light of the film F is projected by the image sensor 34.
It is separated into three primary colors of R, G, and B and read photoelectrically. The output signal of the image sensor 34 is amplified by the amplifier 36, converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 38, and sent to the image processing device 14.

In the scanner 12, the image taken on the film F is read by two image reading processes, that is, a prescan for reading at low resolution and a fine scan for obtaining image data of an output image. The prescan is
The prescanning conditions are set so that the images of all the films targeted by the scanner 12 can be read as an input image without being saturated by the image sensor 34. On the other hand, the fine scan is performed from the prescan data under the fine scan reading condition set for each frame so that the image sensor 34 is saturated at a density slightly lower than the minimum density of the image (frame). Therefore, the output signals of prescan and fine scan are
Only the resolution and output level are different.

In the present invention, the scanner 12 is
The invention is not limited to such slit scanning, and 1
It is also possible to use surface exposure in which the entire surface of the frame image is read at once. In this case, for example, area CC
By using the D sensor, the R, G, and B color filters are sequentially inserted between the light source and the film F, and the image is read by the area CCD sensor, whereby the image photographed on the film is separated into three primary colors. You can read them sequentially.

As described above, the output signal (image data) from the scanner 12 is output to the image processing device 14.
In the photo printer 10, the image processing device 1
Reference numeral 4 designates an image reading device for reading an image of a reflection original in addition to the image of the film F read by the scanner 12, an image pickup device such as a digital camera or a digital video camera, a LAN (Local Area Network) or a computer communication network. Communication means, memory card and MO
Image data is received from various image data supply sources such as various image reading means and image pickup means such as (magneto-optical recording medium) and media (recording medium) such as photo CD, image data storage means, etc. You may perform such a process.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image processing device 14. The present invention, in association with the image processing information and the search data before, for example, when the image was processed at the time of simultaneous printing, or as necessary, in addition to these, image information of the processed image, At least one of the image data of the image and the compressed image data is associated with the image processing information or the search data in advance and registered in the database as image processing-related data, and at the time of reprocessing, the search data is used for the database. Image processing information, or if necessary, in addition to these, image information, image data, compressed image data, etc. are retrieved and called, and reprocessing is performed using these image processing information, and the same image as before Is to get.

Here, the image processing information is image processing information for reproducing the same image processing as simultaneous printing when reprinting the same image, and is mainly an image processing condition and is used for image processing. Although the setting values of various parameters are included, for example, the type of image processing performed, the order of image processing, and the like may be included, and related data may be included as image processing conditions. Further, the search data is data such as an image feature amount that is stored in the database in association with the image processing information and used to perform a data search in the database to identify the image. Although compressed image data before and after image processing, preferably before processing, or image data can be used as search data, the amount of data used for search increases, so the search accuracy increases, but the time required for search Because it takes
Data consisting of simple numerical values such as image features are preferable.

The compressed image data is used to display the data search result on the display in order to confirm whether or not the correct image data is called by the search. In this case, the compressed image data may be data before image processing or data after image processing, but more preferably it is compressed image data after processing. The image information is, for example, formal information of the image such as a frame number (No.) of the image and a shooting date (year, month, day, time) used as search data or auxiliary data thereof. In addition, as image information, F used as search data or auxiliary data thereof
ID (film identification code), film type, camera model,
Customer ID, unique ID of image, date and time (year / month / day) of acceptance of order, receptionist ID of order, device ID, order, film format (ASP, 135, Brownie, etc.), film carrier type, film mask, image format ( BMP, JPEG, etc.) and order terminal ID can also be mentioned.

In the present embodiment, the image processing condition for each image processed at the time of simultaneous printing and the search data such as the image feature amount extracted from the image for searching the image processing condition, or if necessary, In addition to these, image data before or after processing, compressed image data obtained by compressing these image data, image information, or the like is stored in a database as information necessary for image processing during reprocessing, that is, image processing related data ( register. In addition,
Hereinafter, the information necessary for the image processing at the time of the reprocessing may be collectively referred to as image processing information and the like. Then, when reprinting is specified, the specified image is scanned and input, and the image feature amount is extracted from the specified image and used as search data corresponding to the image. Search the database using. The specified image input from the film is subjected to image processing under the same image processing conditions as the retrieved simultaneous printing, and a reprint is created. The data search method according to the present invention will be described in detail later.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing device 14
Has a data processing unit 46, a Log converter 48, a prescan (frame) memory 50, a fine scan (frame) memory 52, a prescan processing unit 54, a fine scan processing unit 56, and a condition setting unit 58. Note that FIG. 2 mainly shows parts related to image processing, and the image processing apparatus 14 includes a CPU and a photo printer that control and manage the entire photo printer 10 including the image processing apparatus 14 other than this. A memory for storing information necessary for the operation of 10 and the like, a means for determining the aperture value of the variable aperture 24 and the storage time of the image sensor 34, and the like are arranged, and the operation system 18 and the display 20 are provided for this CPU or the like (CPU
Connected to each part via a bus).

The R, G, and B output signals output from the scanner 12 are subjected to predetermined processing such as DC offset correction, dark correction, and shading correction in the data processing unit 46, and converted by the Log converter 48. The pre-scan (image) data is stored in the pre-scan memory 50 and is fine-scanned (image).
The data is stored (stored) in the fine scan memory 52.

The prescan data stored in the prescan memory 50 is processed by the prescan processing unit 54 to be image data corresponding to the display on the display 20, and the fine scan data stored in the fine scan memory 52 is The fine scan processing unit 56 processes the image data to obtain image data corresponding to the output from the printer 16. Here, the prescan processing unit 54 has an image processing unit 62 and a signal conversion unit 64. On the other hand, the fine scan processing unit 56 has an image processing unit 66 and a signal conversion unit 68.

The image processing unit 62 of the prescan processing unit 54
And the image processing unit 66 of the fine scan processing unit 56,
Both are parts that perform image processing on the image (image data) read by the scanner 12 according to the setting of the condition setting part 58 described later. Both perform basically the same processing except that the pixel density of the image data to be processed is different.

The image processing in the image processing unit 62 and the image processing unit 66 is various known image processing, and as an example, gray balance adjustment, gradation adjustment, density adjustment (color density correction), electronic scaling processing. , Sharpness processing, grain suppression processing, dodging processing (adding dodging effect in direct exposure printing system by image data compression maintaining halftone), geometric distortion correction, peripheral light amount correction, red eye One or more cases of correction, special focus such as soft focus and black and white finishing, etc. are exemplified. Each of these processes may be performed by a known method, and a combination of a process operation (algorithm), a process by an adder or a subtractor, a process by an LUT (lookup table), a matrix (MTX) process, a process by a filter, etc. is appropriately combined. Is done.

The signal converter 64 of the prescan processor 54
Is the image data processed by the image processing unit 62.
This is a part that is converted by a D-LUT (three-dimensional lookup table) or the like into image data corresponding to the display on the display 20. On the other hand, the fine scan processing unit 56
The signal conversion unit 68 of the printer 1 converts the image data processed by the image processing unit 66 by a 3D-LUT or the like,
6 is a part that converts the image data corresponding to the image recording by 6 and supplies the image data to the printer 16. The processing conditions in both conversion units are both set by the condition setting unit 58.

The image processing and processing conditions performed by the prescan processing unit 54 and the fine scan processing unit 56 are set by the condition setting unit 58. This condition setting unit 58
Has a setup unit 70, a key correction unit 74, and a parameter integration unit 76. The parameter integration unit 76 includes
A storage unit 78 for storing image processing related data such as image processing information is connected. That is, the storage means 78 is
It also functions as a database for storing image processing related data such as image processing information. The information stored in the database, that is, the image processing related data, is
Information and data for reproducing the same image (image data) processing as during simultaneous printing, and image processing information for each image processed during simultaneous printing (mainly image processing conditions)
And search data for searching this image processing information (condition), or in addition to these, image data,
It includes compressed image data obtained by compressing image data, image information, and the like. At the time of reprinting, the parameter integration unit 76 searches the storage unit 78 (database) using the search data and reads the information (image processing related data) at the time of simultaneous printing.

Here, the image processing information may be any information as long as it can reproduce the image processing at the time of simultaneous printing, that is, the type and order of image processing and the image processing conditions of various image processing. Type and order of image processing, LUTs and arithmetic expressions created for image processing, predetermined coefficients for image processing, or DC by operator
Image processing conditions such as MY key correction information and related data are illustrated. The search data is stored in association with the image processing information (condition) used to process the image at the time of simultaneous printing, and is used to search the data in the database to specify the image. The data. It is preferable that the search data is not the image data itself, but is a simple numerical value such as an image feature amount calculated from the image data. With this search data, for example, an image is specified from among hundreds of thousands of frames.

The compressed image data is used to display the data search result on the display 20 in order to confirm whether or not the correct image data is called by the search, and it is necessary that the compressed image data has a high image quality. Absent. The image data for displaying the data search result on the display 20 need not be compressed, of course, but it is preferable to compress it in consideration of the hard disk capacity and the like. The compression method is not particularly limited, and JPEG, JPEG2000, TIFF, etc. are preferably exemplified. If the search result is not correct, a plurality of candidate images may be displayed on the display 20 so that the operator can select from them. Further, in this case, it is even better to display in order from the one with the highest possibility (highest degree of coincidence).

When the search result is not displayed, it is not necessary to store the compressed image data, the memory capacity can be reduced accordingly, and the processing speed can be increased. Also,
When storing the compressed image data, it is efficient to extract the search data from the compressed image data as image feature amount data. For example, the spatial frequency data that has been subjected to the discrete cosine transform (DCT) may be used as the image feature amount that is the search data, or the image data may be divided into blocks of a certain size and the average value of each block may be used. Alternatively, the sum or the maximum value, the minimum value or the like may be used.

The storage means 7 is used when a print is created.
Storing information relating to image processing (image processing related data such as image processing information) in 8 is normally used in so-called simultaneous printing, in which a photographed image taken on photographic film is reproduced and output as a photographic print. Therefore, here, this is referred to as simultaneous printing and the rest is referred to as reprinting. However, the image processing related data such as the image processing information is stored in the storage unit 78 at the time of the previous reprinting, and at the time of the subsequent reprinting. Of course, it may be used. That is, according to the present embodiment, image processing related data such as image processing information is stored in the storage unit 78 at the time of previous printing such as simultaneous printing or previous reprinting, and the data is stored after the reprinting or the subsequent reprinting. It is used when printing, but especially in the following,
Simultaneous printing and reprinting will be described as typical examples.

The setup section 70 includes fine scan reading conditions, image processing contents (type and order) in the prescan processing section 54 and the fine scan processing section 56, image processing conditions, and image characteristics used as search data. It determines the amount. Specifically, the setup unit 70
Is used to create density histograms from pre-scan data during simultaneous printing, and to obtain average density, a predetermined percentage point of the frequency of density histograms such as highlight (lowest density) and shadow (highest density), LATD (large area transmission density). ), The maximum value and the minimum value of the histogram, the image feature amount such as the density is calculated, the scanning conditions for the fine scan are set, and various image processing is performed according to the density histogram, the image feature amount, the operator's instruction, and the like. The image adjustment and execution order to be executed are determined, the image processing conditions, the conversion conditions in the signal converting unit 68 and the like are calculated, and the parameters are supplied to the parameter integrating unit 76 together with the image feature amount and the like.

The key correction unit 74 calculates the adjustment amount of the image processing conditions in accordance with the instructions such as the color adjustment, the density adjustment, the contrast (gradation) adjustment, etc. input from the keyboard 18a or the mouse 18b of the operation system 18. , Parameter integration unit 76. The parameter integration unit 76 receives the image processing conditions and the like calculated by the setup unit 70, and receives the prescan processing unit 54 and the fine scan processing unit 56.
The image processing condition set for each part is adjusted according to the adjustment amount calculated by the key correction unit 74. Further, the parameter integration unit 76, when performing simultaneous printing, after the processing for this frame is confirmed,
The image processing information of the frame and the calculated image feature amount and the like received from the setup unit 70 are sent to the storage unit 78, and at the time of reprinting, the storage unit 78 is searched and image processing information of the frame to be reprinted, etc. The image processing related data is read out, the search result is displayed on the display 20, and necessary information is supplied to a predetermined portion such as the setup unit 70.

The storage means 78 for storing image processing related data such as image processing information is not particularly limited, and various means can be used. For example, various recording media such as a hard disk, a database, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, etc. which are built in or connected to the image processing device 14 are exemplified. Further, the print system 10 may be connected to an external database by a communication means such as a computer communication network.

Prescan processing unit 5 of the image processing apparatus 14
The image data processed in 4 is sent to the display 20, and the image data processed in the fine scan processing unit 56 is sent to the printer 16. The printer 16 is a printer (printing device) that exposes a photosensitive material to record a latent image in accordance with the supplied image data, and a processor (developing device) that performs a predetermined process on the exposed photosensitive material and outputs it as a print. ) And. In the printer 16, for example,
After cutting the photosensitive material into print lengths, a back print is recorded, and then three kinds of light beams of R exposure, G exposure, and B exposure are modulated according to the image data output from the image processing device 14, and the main data is modulated. By deflecting in the scanning direction and conveying the photosensitive material in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, the photosensitive material is two-dimensionally scanned and exposed to record a latent image, and the latent image is supplied to the processor. The processor which has received the light-sensitive material is subjected to predetermined wet development processing such as color development, bleach-fixing, washing with water, etc., dried to form a print, and sorted into predetermined units such as one film and accumulated.

The operation of the present embodiment will be described below by taking the case of a 135-size film as an example and performing the respective processes during simultaneous printing and reprinting. In addition,
Here, at the time of simultaneous printing, creation and storage of search data and image processing information, etc., and at the time of reprinting, search for data related to processing of images for which reprinting has been specified using search data. Will be mainly described, and description of normal image processing will be omitted.

First, in the case of simultaneous printing, the operator mounts a carrier corresponding to the film F at a predetermined position of the scanner 12 and prescans the film F. When the prescan data is read, the setup unit 70
Creates a density histogram from the pre-scan data, calculates an image feature amount, and the like, calculates a fine scan reading condition and an image processing condition, and sets the image processing condition in each predetermined part from the parameter integration unit 76. . Based on the set image processing conditions, the prescan processing unit 54
In the display 20, the predetermined image processing is performed.
A test image is displayed on the screen (test monitor).

The operator confirms (certifies) the image by looking at the certification screen of the display 20, and if necessary, adjusts the color, density, gradation, etc. by using the adjustment key or the like set on the keyboard 18a ( Correction). The adjustment signal is sent to the key correction unit 74. The key correction unit 74 calculates the correction amount of the image processing condition according to the input and sends it to the parameter integration unit 76. The parameter integration unit 76 corrects the image processing conditions set in the processing units 62 and 66 in accordance with the sent correction amount. Therefore, the image displayed on the display 20 also changes according to the input by the operator.

The exposure condition storage data is created from the image processing conditions finally determined in the above process. On the other hand, in parallel with the above processing, the frame number is read from the film F. Image processing conditions for each frame image are
It is managed by each frame number. Parameter integration unit 7
In 6, the image processing related data such as the image processing information is created corresponding to each frame number, sent to the storage means 78, and the image processing related data such as the image processing information is stored and accumulated in the storage means 78 as a database. .

Information necessary for reprocessing such as image processing related data such as image processing information includes, for example, image processing information such as search data and image processing conditions, or compressed image data or image information. .
As the search data, it is effective to use the image feature amount data extracted when generating the compressed image data. Further, image processing related data such as image processing information composed of the above data includes frame number, film type, camera model, customer, image unique ID, order acceptance date, order Each store, each device,
Each order, each film format (ASP, 13
5, Brownie, etc.), film carrier type, film mask, shooting date / time, image format (B
MP, JPEG, etc.) and each of the ordering terminals, and at least one or more pieces of image information may be associated with each other and managed in a database. Note that the shooting date and time may be read from the image. Further, by associating the image processing related data such as the image processing information with various image information as much as possible in this way, since these image information can be used as search data or auxiliary data thereof, more search The speed can be improved, and erroneous search can be reduced. Further, the image processing related data such as image processing information also includes information on the registration date and time when the data was registered in the database. As a result, the latest registered image data (information regarding) is specified.

As described above, the image processing information (condition)
Is set, this time, the film is fine-scanned, and as usual, in the fine-scan processing unit 56, the set image processing information (condition) is set.
Then, the image processing is performed and the image is output from the printer 16 as a print (simultaneous print) that reproduces the shot image shot on the film.

As described above, in this embodiment,
The image processing related data such as the image processing information is created and stored in the storage unit 78 at the time of simultaneous printing. However, the storage unit 78 stores the image processing related data such as the image processing information in the simultaneous printing. Is not limited to
For example, if the customer is dissatisfied with the images printed simultaneously,
The image processing may be performed when the density processing or the like is instructed to request reprinting or when the print of a frame in which image processing information is not stored is created. Further, the compressed image data is for displaying the search result on the display 20 at the time of the search, but if the display is not particularly required,
Since it is not necessary to store the compressed image data, the memory capacity can be reduced accordingly. It is preferable to be able to select whether or not to store the compressed image data. The timing of the selection may be selected each time during the simultaneous printing, but not limited to, for example, be selected during device installation, it may be set in advance to either. Furthermore, when storing image processing related data such as image processing information, a frame of image processing related data such as image processing information that can be stored depending on the capacity and resources of the print system, such as CPU capacity and hard disk capacity. The number may be set and the number of set frames may be changed. This number of frames may be set, for example, from the remaining capacity of the hard disk when checking the resources when installing the program.

When the image feature amount data is used as the search data, the image processing information (condition) and the image feature amount data may be stored separately as image processing related data. Alternatively, the image feature amount data may be associated with this, and the data may be packed and stored as image processing related data in a set. The image processing information may be information of such a level that simultaneous printing can be reproduced. It is even more preferable that the etc. are added.

Retrieval data, image processing information (conditions), and compressed image data that constitute image processing related data such as image processing information are associated with each other, and if any one is deleted, the other is deleted. If one of them is updated and the other is also updated, it is possible to always store and manage only necessary information, reduce the storage capacity, and enable efficient operation. To update this image processing related data, for example, at the time of reprinting, without using the image processing information (condition) of the called image processing related data as it is, it is desired to improve the image processing related data.
In the case where further modifications are made, the latest information is updated and stored. Further, it is preferable to backup the search data and the image processing information, or the image processing related data including the compressed image data and the like at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing is not particularly limited, but it is preferable, for example, when the system is started up, when starting the work, when checking the work, when shutting down the system, when the system hangs, when the operator gives an instruction, or when upgrading the software. It is illustrated in.

Next, in the case of reprinting, the data retrieval method will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step 100, reorder image data is input. That is, the film F is pre-scanned by the scanner 12 and the image instructed to be reprinted is read. The read prescan data is sent to the image processing apparatus 14 together with the frame number.

Next, in step 110, the setup section 70 calculates the image feature amount from the prescan data to create search data. Further, in step 120, the operator sets a range for narrowing down the candidate images (image processing related data) through the operation system 18.
This range is set, for example, so that the degree of image coincidence with each image (image processing related data) is within a predetermined range (less than or equal to α) from the maximum when searching with the image feature amount. To be done. Next, in step 130, the parameter integration unit 76 searches the database (storage unit 78) using the image feature amount. That is, the image feature amount of this reordered image is compared with the image feature amount of each image in the database to calculate the image matching degree.

The database search is performed in the order of newest to oldest images (image processing related data) registered, and the image feature amount of each image in the database is compared with the retrieved image (reorder image). Then, the image matching degree is calculated. FIG. 4 shows the result of searching the database. Figure 4
Shows the images in the database (image processing related data) arranged in the order of registration (newest to oldest) on the horizontal axis and the image coincidence of each image on the vertical axis. In FIG. 4, the six images A to F having a high image matching degree are considered to be images close to the reordered image. That is, these 6
One image is a simultaneous print image for the reordered image (printed by changing the image processing little by little and registered multiple), or the image processing content has already been reordered and the modified content has been registered. It is considered to be

The degree of image coincidence of these six images is A>B>C>D>E> F, as shown in FIG. At this time,
If the preset range is α, A, B, C, and D that are within α from the maximum image matching degree can be candidates. That is, for B, C, and D, A-
α <B, A-α <C, and A-α <D are established. On the other hand, for E and F, E <A-α and F <A-α, which are out of this range and cannot be candidates.
At this time, conventionally, A having the highest image matching degree was specified as the candidate image, but in the present embodiment, the candidate image is specified in consideration of the registration order of the images.

As shown in FIG. 4, the registration order of the above six images (image processing related data) is D, A, E, and oldest.
Of the images B, C, and F, which have the highest image matching degree in the range of A to α, the registration of C is the latest. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in step 140, the image C registered most recently among those within the predetermined range is specified as a candidate image. This is because the most recently registered one is considered to be the most in line with the current customer demand.

As a result of the search, a compressed image of the specified image or the like is displayed on the display 20 to confirm the search result. When the operator looks at the display image of the search result and determines that the search result is correct, fine scanning is performed next time to obtain image data for reprint creation, and, on the other hand, for the image C searched above. The same image processing as the image processing at the time of simultaneous printing (when a print is created from the image C) is performed using the image processing information or the conditions (exposure condition storage data). Then, according to the output form of the print or the image data, the process is mainly performed by the 3D-LUT and the result is output.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the image matching degree within a certain range is taken into consideration in consideration of the input device variation and the like,
The images are regarded as the same and the most recently registered image within that range is searched. At this time, instead of setting the range as described above, it is always assumed that a plurality of images having the image matching degree larger than a predetermined value are registered simultaneously printed images, and the latest registered image ( Image processing related data) may be retrieved.
Instead of simply searching for the image with the highest degree of image matching as in the past, by searching for the latest registered image (image processing related data) in this way, we always respond to the customer's request at that time. It becomes possible. It should be noted that the present invention can be applied to a case where the data search is performed without using the image itself (the image feature amount extracted from the image data) as in the above embodiment. For example, in the case of APS film, FID and frame N
o. You can search using.

Although the data retrieval method of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various improvements and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course you can go.

[0064]

As described above, according to the present invention, even if a plurality of image processing data (image processing related data) is registered in the database for the same image, the latest image within a certain range is obtained. It is possible to perform a data search for the registered image (data related to image processing), and it is possible to create a reprint that meets the customer's request.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital photo printer including an image processing apparatus that implements a data search method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a data search method of this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between image data showing a result of a data search and an image matching degree in the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional method for searching the image database by a reorder image.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Digital Photo Printer 12 scanner 14 Image processing device 16 Printer 18 Operation system 20 display 22 Light source 24 variable aperture 28 diffusion box 30 career 34 image sensor 36 amplifier 38 A / D converter 46 Data processing unit 48 Log Converter 50 prescan (frame) memory 52 Fine scan (frame) memory 54 Prescan Processing Unit 56 Fine scan processing unit 58 Condition setting section 62, 66 image processing unit 64, 68 signal converter 70 Setup Department 74 Key correction section 76 Parameter integration unit 78 storage means

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 5/76 H04N 5/76 BF term (reference) 5B050 AA09 BA15 DA02 DA04 EA08 EA10 EA18 GA08 5B075 ND06 NS10 PR03 PR06 QM05 UU40 5C052 AA12 AB04 AC08 CC11 DD04 FA02 FA03 FB05 FB06 FC06 FD01 FE04

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A data retrieval method for retrieving data required for image processing from a database, wherein when the same image is processed a plurality of times,
As image processing related data relating to processing on the image, the image processing information for processing the image and the search data for identifying the image are associated with each other, and are registered in the database in advance for each of the plurality of processes. Every other time, when the image is reprocessed again, the database is searched using the search data of the image, and image processing-related data regarding a plurality of processes for the image registered in the database. Among the above, a data search method characterized in that the latest registered image processing related data is specified as candidate data for reprocessing the image. 2. A data retrieval method for retrieving data required for image processing from a database, wherein when the same image is processed a plurality of times,
As image processing related data relating to processing on the image, the image processing information for processing the image and the search data for identifying the image are associated with each other, and are registered in the database in advance for each of the plurality of processes. Every time the image is reprocessed again, the database is searched using the search data of the image, and the range of the degree of coincidence with the search data is the preset range. Among the image processing related data relating to a plurality of processes for the registered image, the latest registered image processing related data is specified as candidate data for reprocessing of the image. Data search method to be. 3. As the image processing related data, at least one of image information of the processed image, image data of the image and compressed image data of the image is associated with the image processing information or the search data. The data search method according to claim 1, wherein the data is retrieved and stored in the database. 4. The search data is at least one of an image feature amount of the image, image information of the processed image, and compressed image data of the image.
The data search method according to any one of 3 to 3. 5. The data search method according to claim 1, wherein an image feature amount of the image is used as the search data. 6. The data retrieval method according to claim 1, wherein the image is photoelectrically read from an image photographed on a film. 7. The data search method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of processes are performed during simultaneous printing.