JP2005102062A - Photo printer and photo print reception device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To confirm what print image a user truly desires by checking attribute information which might have been accidentally specified when a user requests the output of photo print at a print shop or the like with a photographed image file composed of photographed image data and the attribute information including image processing related information writable by the user. <P>SOLUTION: This device includes an image processing means 40 for performing image processing on the photographed image data which has been read, a printing part 12 for outputting the photo print based on the photographed image data, an image processing related information detection part 36 for detecting image processing related information from the read image file, and a correction and selection screen management part 37 for displaying a first image based on image data which has been image-processed based on the written image processing related information and a second image based on the image data processed by ignoring the image processing related information on a monitor 4 and permitting one of the images to be selected for outputting of photo print. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention provides an image data input unit for reading a photographic image file composed of photographic image data and attribute information including image processing related information writable by the user for the photographic image data, and reading based on set image processing conditions. Image processing means for performing image processing on the captured image data, a photo print accepting device for sending the photographed image data to the photo print device together with the set image processing conditions, and a photo print device integrated with such a photo print accepting device About.

  As a well-known photographed image file composed of photographed image data and attribute information including image processing related information writable by the user for the photographed image data, for example, the number of prints and the print size are printed in the attribute information. There are DPOF (registered trademark) files that include information, and Exif files that include shooting conditions, print automatic correction cancellation instructions (CR), etc. in their attribute information as extended versions of JPEG format files. Such attribute information is recorded automatically or by a user at the time of shooting with a digital camera or after shooting, and is desired or desired by a printing apparatus that can interpret and execute image processing related information included in such attribute information. It is used to print out appropriate images.

  However, since a general digital camera user is not familiar with such attribute information, the attribute information may be recorded unexpectedly, and as a result, an unintended print output may be obtained.

  For this reason, as a technology related to a printing device that handles DPOF files, it is checked whether print control information is set for all captured images stored in a memory card attached to the printing device. Some of them display characters indicating that they are not set when they are not set (see, for example, cited document 1). Such a technique that only checks whether or not specific contents of the attribute information are recorded may confuse a general user who is not familiar with the contents of the attribute information. This is because information regarding image processing such as color correction or the like cannot be understood with the information regarding the image processing such as color correction or the final print image when it is not set, regardless of whether the number of prints or the print size is easy to understand.

  In addition, as a technology related to Exif files, for digital camera users who cannot record attribute information, specify the image processing that you want to perform on the captured image data that was read, and specify the specified image processing conditions and image data. An image file generation device that outputs a combined image as an Exif file has been proposed. The original image based on the captured image data read at that time is compared with the first image based on the captured image data processed under the specified image processing conditions. Is displayed on the monitor (see, for example, cited document 2). In such a technique, a user of a digital camera that cannot record attribute information can set the image processing he / she wants to perform at the time of printing by checking the monitor image, so that a user familiar with the attribute information can perform desired image processing on the printer. It is convenient in the case of requesting to the side. However, this technique is for recording desired image processing conditions as attribute information at the user's own discretion, and may be set unexpectedly by general users who are not familiar with attribute information such as image processing related information. It is not used for the purpose of checking the attribute information that cannot be checked and confirming what the user actually wants to print.

JP 2002-59612 A (paragraph number 0078-0079, FIG. 5)

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-46797 (paragraph numbers 0061-0067, FIG. 8)

  In view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to request a photographic print output at a print shop or the like with a photographic image file including photographic image data and attribute information including image processing related information writable by the user for the photographic image data. At this time, it is necessary to provide a technique for checking attribute information that may have been set unexpectedly and confirming what the print image the user really desires.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image data input unit for reading a shot image file including shot image data and attribute information including image processing related information writable by the user for the shot image data, and the read shot image data In the photographic printing apparatus according to the present invention, comprising an image processing means for performing image processing and a print unit for outputting a photographic print based on the photographic image data, further detects image processing related information from the read photographic image file. A first image based on the image processing-related information detection unit, a first image based on the image data processed based on the written image processing-related information, and a first image based on the image data processed by ignoring such image processing-related information. Two images are displayed on the monitor and one of them is selected for photographic printout. That correction selection screen management unit is provided.

  According to this configuration, when the image processing related information detection unit detects the image processing related information written in the attribute information description unit of the photographed image file read from the memory card or the like brought into the print shop by the user, A first image (image depending on user designation) that represents a captured image that has been image-processed based on the image processing-related information, and a second image (user) that represents a captured image that has been image-processed ignoring the image processing-related information The image (independent of the designation) is displayed on the monitor for comparison, so that the user can easily determine which image he desires and can request a photo print having the desired image quality. . As a result, even if the image processing related information included in the attribute information is set according to the user's intention or unexpectedly, the user can finally determine it after confirming it on the monitor screen. Complaints such as seeing a photographic print that is not the image you want are suppressed.

  Here, a specific example will be described. A typical example of a photographed image file including photographed image data and attribute information including image processing related information writable by the user for the photographed image data is an Exif file. The image processing related information detection unit may be configured to check whether a CR tag indicating an automatic print correction cancellation instruction is ON. When the CR tag is ON, the automatic image correction performed on the printing device side is canceled. Therefore, a photo print according to the photographer's intention at the time of shooting is output, and if the CR tag is not ON, Since automatic correction functions on the printer side, a photographic print that corrects some exposure errors (underexposure or overexposure) is output. However, considering the general user, automatic correction on the printing device side is important. Therefore, if the CR tag is ON, the first image (user specified dependent image) that has not been automatically corrected based on the image processing related information (CR) by the function of the correction selection screen management unit and its It is convenient for the user to select a second image (user-specified independent image) that has been automatically corrected while ignoring such image processing-related information.

  In addition, when the image processing related information detection unit is configured to check whether or not the tag that indicates that the image processing related information is taken with manual exposure is ON, this tag is detected. However, the first image and the second image are displayed on the monitor. At this time, the first image is an image that has not been subjected to density correction and contrast correction, and has undergone other corrections (such as color correction). In other words, the second image represents an image that has been completely corrected including density correction and contrast correction. In other words, this manual correction tag is regarded as an instruction not to perform automatic correction at that point in accordance with the photographer's intention to shoot regarding density and contrast.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the image processing means includes a simulated image generation unit that generates simulated image data for simulating an image of a photographic print output from the print unit, and the monitor includes A simulated image for the first image and a simulated image for the second image are displayed. According to this configuration, when comparing the first image and the second image displayed on the monitor described above, the image data is simply based on the image data that is not subjected to specific image processing on the printer side and the applied image data. Rather than displaying an image, the simulated image obtained by simulating the image formed on the photographic print output by the attached print unit using each image data, that is, the print characteristics of the print unit Since the user can select a desired image with the first image and the second image taken into consideration, the image selection without mistake is realized.

  In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the correction selection screen management unit also displays on the monitor a third image that is an intermediate image in terms of image processing between the first image and the second image. In other words, with this configuration, the first image obtained by applying the prescribed image processing to the captured image data to which image processing related information such as a CR tag is written can be obtained without performing such image processing. In addition to the second image, the third image obtained by performing such image processing loosely, preferably at an intermediate level, is also displayed on the monitor for comparison and selection. User-oriented image selection is possible.

In the above-described invention, the photographic printing apparatus including the image input unit, the image processing unit, and the printing unit that outputs the photographic print based on the image data processed by the image processing unit is targeted. Judging from the gist, a so-called photographic print accepting apparatus in which the print unit is separated and the photographed image data is sent to the photographic printing apparatus together with the image processing conditions set there can also be an object of the present invention. Such a photo print accepting apparatus according to the present invention substantially includes an image processing related information detecting unit for detecting image processing related information from the read captured image file, and image processing based on the written image processing related information. Correction that causes a first image based on the processed image data and a second image based on the image data processed by ignoring such image processing-related information to be displayed on the monitor and which one is selected for photographic print output The operational effects described in the above-mentioned photo printing apparatus can be obtained only by providing the selection screen management unit. However, in a particularly suitable photographic print accepting apparatus according to the present invention, an image data input unit for reading a photographic image file including photographic image data and attribute information including image processing related information writable by the user for the photographic image data; Image processing means for performing image processing on the captured image data read based on the set image processing conditions, and further, a simulated image for simulating an image of a photographic print output from the photographic printing apparatus A simulated image generation unit that creates data, an image processing related information detection unit that detects image processing related information from the read captured image file, and an image (first image processed based on the written image processing related information) Simulated image for 1 image) and so on There is provided a correction selection screen management unit for displaying a simulated image for an image (second image) processed by ignoring image processing related information on the monitor and selecting either one for photographic print output. Yes. Naturally, this photo print accepting apparatus can have the above-described effects.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments using the drawings.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the captured image file to be handled is an Exif file, and the image processing related information checked by the image processing related information detecting unit is set as a CR tag indicating a print automatic correction cancellation instruction in order to simplify the description. Therefore, the image displayed for monitoring by the operation of the correction selection screen management unit is based on the image data in which ON is written in the CR tag.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of a photographic printing apparatus according to the present invention. This photographic printing apparatus is a print station 1B as a photographic printer that performs exposure processing and development processing on photographic paper P, and photographic image data and prints taken from a developed photographic film F, a digital camera memory card M, and the like. It comprises an operation station 1A that processes order data and generates and transfers print data used in the print station 1B.

  This photo printing apparatus is also referred to as a digital minilab. As can be understood from FIG. 2, the printing station 1B transports a roll of photographic paper P stored in two photographic paper magazines 11 into the station 1B. The photographic paper P thus cut is exposed to a photographed image by the printing unit 12 equipped with an exposure engine, and the photographic paper P after the exposure is exposed to a plurality of development processing tanks. To the development processing unit 13 having After drying, the photographic paper P, that is, the photographic prints P, sent to the sorter from the transverse feed conveyor 14 at the top of the apparatus, is collected in a plurality of trays of the sorter in a state of being sorted in units of orders. A photographic paper transport mechanism 15 including a plurality of chucker transport units 15a is provided to transport the photographic paper P at a transport speed adapted to various processes for the photographic paper P described above.

  The print unit 12 irradiates the photographic paper P with light beams of the three primary colors R (red), G (green), and B (blue) while sending the photographic paper P based on the print data sent from the operation station 1A. At the time of exposure, the photographic printing paper P is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction, and exposure is performed in a line along the main scanning direction in synchronization with the conveyance speed. As the exposure head mounted on the print unit, a laser beam method, a fluorescent beam method, a liquid crystal shutter method, a DMD method, or the like can be used according to the exposure specification. Here, the laser beam method is adopted. ing. In any case, since the line exposure method is adopted, the print size is determined by the width of the photographic paper P and the feed length in the sub-scanning direction.

  A film scanner 2 for obtaining photographed image data from photographed image frames of the photographic film Ma and an operator monitor 4a for displaying various types of information are disposed at the upper position of the desk-like console of the operation station 1A. Below the operation table, a general-purpose computer that performs processing of the captured image data and functions as the command controller 3 for the print station 1B is provided. The controller 3 incorporates a media reader 18 for acquiring photographed image data from a smart media used as a memory card M attached to a digital camera, a compact flash (both are registered trademarks), and the like. A keyboard 16 and a mouse 17 that are also used when performing various settings and adjustments are also connected. Further, a remote monitor 4b is arranged on the customer service counter that contacts the user requesting the photo print, and only the screen that the user wants to show can be selectively displayed among the screens displayed on the operator monitor 4a. It is configured as follows. A touch panel 19 is mounted on the screen of the remote monitor 4 b and constitutes an operation input unit for the controller 3 together with the keyboard 16 and the mouse 17. Note that the operator monitor 4a and the remote monitor 4b are collectively referred to as the monitor 4 in the following description unless it is particularly necessary to distinguish them. Also, the operator monitor 4a and the remote monitor 4b can be combined.

  The controller 3 of this photographic printing apparatus uses a CPU as a core member and constructs a functional unit for performing various operations of the photographic printing apparatus by hardware and / or software, as shown in FIG. As described above, the functional unit particularly related to the present invention includes a data pre-processing unit 31 that takes captured image data read by the scanner 2 and the media reader 18 and performs pre-processing necessary for the next processing; Graphics including image processing means 40 for performing resolution conversion, sharpness, grain suppression, color correction, enlargement / reduction, image rotation, trimming, image composition, etc., on the captured image data developed in the memory 30, and various windows and various operation buttons Creation of operation screens and operation input units (keyboard 16 and mouse 17 through such graphic operation screens) Sent from the GUI unit 32 for constructing a graphic user interface (hereinafter abbreviated as GUI) for generating a control command from the touch panel 19, and the captured image data developed in the memory 30 and subjected to image processing, or the GUI unit 32. Suitable for a video control unit 33 that generates a video signal for displaying an image based on graphic data on the monitor 4, and a printing unit 12 provided in the print station 1B based on processed photographed image data that has undergone image processing. A print data generation unit 34 for generating print data, and a format for writing raw photographed image data, processed photographed image data that has undergone image processing, and the like to a CD-R or DVD-R according to customer requirements. The formatter unit 35 for formatting and the image processing described in detail later. And associated tag detection section 36, and the like corrected selection screen managing part 37.

  The captured image file handled here is an Exif (Exchangeable image file format) file, the specification of which is determined by the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA), and as shown schematically in FIG. 4, the attribute information storage area Image data storage area, and the attribute information storage area is divided into information addition parts called “tags”, and digital camera shooting information such as the number of pixels, compression mode, camera model name, aperture value, shutter speed, and CR Information used at the time of printing such as an automatic print correction cancellation instruction known as a tag is recorded, and JPEG image data or TIFF image data as a compressed image is recorded in the image data storage area. Although not shown in the figure, thumbnail images, which are reduced images for list headings obtained by reducing the main image, are also recorded in order to perform a file list of images at high speed.

  The data preprocessing unit 31 receives an Exif file as a photographed image file read from the memory card M through the media reader 18, develops JPEG image data as the photographed image data, sends it to the memory 30, and attribute information thereof The necessary tag information is sent to the image processing related tag detector 36. In this embodiment, the image processing related tag detection unit 36 finds an automatic print correction cancellation instruction tag (hereinafter simply referred to as a CR tag) as image processing related information, and whether the CR tag is set (that is, the printer side). If you ’d like to disable automatic correction in If a CR tag is set, the correction selection screen management unit 37 is notified that the CR tag has been assigned to the captured image data. The correction selection screen management unit 37 includes a first image that is expected when the normal automatic correction is performed on the captured image data, a second image that is expected when the automatic correction is not performed, and a first image An image is displayed on the monitor 4 to allow the user to confirm desired image processing by displaying a third image expected when the image is automatically corrected at a limited level so as to be intermediate between one image and the second image. The processing unit 40 and the GUI unit 32 have a function of giving a correction selection screen display command. Such a correction selection screen display is stored in the inserted memory card, and is performed when checking of all the captured image files to be subjected to the current print processing is completed. Of course, the captured image file is read. The correction selection screen may be displayed on the monitor 4 each time so that the user can confirm desired image processing.

  An example of the correction selection screen displayed on the monitor 4 is shown in FIG. 5. From the left, the first image (no automatic correction, user instruction-dependent image), the third image (the level of automatic correction is weak), the first Two images (fully automatic correction, user-independent independent image) are arranged side by side, and an image processing condition for the image data is determined by selecting an image desired by the user through the mouse 17 or the touch panel 19. This correction selection screen includes a frame for displaying the number of remaining image files to which the CR tag has been set and a “NEXT” button for moving to the next correction selection screen. Yes.

  The image processing unit 40 includes an image processing condition setting unit 41 for setting and registering the above-described image processing conditions for automatic correction, an image processing condition manually input by an operator, and a print unit based on the input captured image data. 12, a simulated image generation unit 42 that generates a simulated image that simulates an image expected when a captured image is formed on a photographic paper, and the size and arrangement of the image for generating the correction selection screen described above. An image layout editing unit 43 to be determined is constructed. The function of the simulated image generation unit 42 is a function used for image correction, which is well known as pre-judge work in this type of photographic printing apparatus, and detailed description thereof is omitted here. However, due to the function of the simulated image generation unit 42, each screen used for the correction selection screen is very close to the image of the photographic print to be output. There are significant advantages in choosing.

Next, a typical flow of control from the image import routine from the Exif file to the print processing routine in this photo printing apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 6. FIG.
When the media card M is inserted into the media reader 18, an image (Exif) file is read from the media card M and transferred to the data preprocessing unit 31 (# 01). The data preprocessing unit 31 develops the JPEG image data of the Exif file in the memory 30 (# 02) and transfers the attribute information to the image processing related tag detection unit 36 (# 03). The image processing related tag detection unit 36 searches the attribute information for a CR tag, checks whether the CR tag is set (ON) (# 04), and if the CR tag is set (# 04 Yes branch). Then, it is registered in the correction selection screen creation table of the correction selection screen management unit 37 (# 05). That is, in this correction selection screen creation table, the file names (or codes for identifying the corresponding image files) in which CR tags are set are listed. This is used to ask the user to select automatic correction through the correction selection screen as described above. After registration in the correction selection screen creation table, or when no CR tag is set (# 04 No branch), it is checked whether or not there remains an image file name that has not undergone CR tag check by the image processing related tag detection unit 36. (# 06) The routine from step # 01 to step # 06 is repeated until the CR tag check for all image files is completed.

  When the CR tag check for all the image files is completed, it is checked whether or not the image file name registered in the correction selection screen creation table is empty (# 07), and the image data having all the registered file names is checked. The correction selection screen creation routine (# 08) is sequentially executed and the image processing conditions determined in the correction selection screen creation routine are registered in the image processing condition setting unit 41 (# 09), and the registered file name is the correction selection. It is deleted from the screen creation table (# 10). When the image file name registered in the correction selection screen creation table becomes empty (Yes branch at # 07), the photographed image data developed in the memory 30 is set to the image processing condition set in the image processing condition setting unit 41. Based on the image processing, the final photographed image data is converted into print data by the print data generation unit 34 and the process proceeds to a print processing routine for starting print output.

  In the image capture routine described above, the attribute information for checking the CR tag is extracted and the JPEG image data is expanded and loaded into the memory 30. However, the memory 30 does not have a sufficient storage capacity. In this case, only the photographed image data of the image file in which the CR tag is set is developed in the memory 30 and used for creating the correction selection screen. In the print processing routine, the photographed image data is sequentially applied according to the print output process. May be employed in the memory 30.

The present invention is also directed to a photo print accepting apparatus that sends order information including image files and order data to the above-described photo print apparatus. A basic schematic configuration of such a photo print accepting apparatus is shown in FIG. FIG. 7 corresponds to FIG. 3, and constituent elements having the same functions are simply given the same numbers, and descriptions thereof are omitted. In this photo print receiving apparatus, an image file with a CR tag set is detected together with a well-known photo print order screen displayed on the monitor 4 when the user inserts the memory card M into the media reader 18. Since the above-described correction selection screen is displayed on the monitor 4, the first image (no automatic correction, user instruction-dependent image), the third image (the level of automatic correction is weak), and the second image (fully automatic) are displayed by the user. The desired image is selected from the corrected and user-independent independent images. The image processing conditions determined by this correction selection are recorded in the order information. The order information is created by the order creation unit 38. Such an order information creation technique is well known, and is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2003-118210 and 2003-78870.
In the above-described embodiment, the captured image file to be handled is an Exif file, and the image processing related information checked by the image processing related information detection unit is a CR tag indicating a print automatic correction cancellation instruction in order to simplify the description. Of course, the present invention is not limited to these, and it is possible to use other image files or use all tags related to image processing during printing other than CR tags as image processing related information. is there. One example is a tag that indicates that a picture was taken with manual exposure. The shot image shot with manual exposure is a photographer's user's intention to take a picture of the subject with his / her own aperture value and shutter speed. For example, the overall image is underexposed or overexposed. Even so, it is not desirable to easily correct it on the printer side. Of course, it is preferable to perform correction at a portion not directly related to manual exposure, for example, color correction. In any case, the manual exposure setting on a digital camera can be set relatively easily, so you accidentally set it to manual exposure or forgot to cancel the manual exposure setting you made in the past. Can happen well. Therefore, when it is detected that this tag is ON, the density correction and the contrast correction are not performed, and the first image representing an image in which only other correction (color correction or the like) is performed The user can select a desired image by displaying on the monitor a second image representing an image that has been completely corrected including density correction and contrast correction, and if necessary, a third image that is intermediate in terms of image processing. It is good to do so.

  In the above-described embodiment, the print station 1B exposes a photographic image to the photographic paper P by the printing unit 12 having an exposure engine, and performs a plurality of development processes on the photographic paper P after the exposure. Although the salt photo printing system was adopted, of course, the printing station 1B according to the present invention is not limited to such a system. For example, inkjet printing that forms an image by ejecting ink onto a film or paper Various photographic print systems such as a system and a thermal transfer system using a thermal transfer sheet can be employed.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is used for a photographic print apparatus and a photographic print reception apparatus for processing a photographic print order for outputting a photographic print from an image file having attribute information including information that has some influence on image processing during printing, such as an Exif file Is possible.

External view of photographic printing apparatus according to the present invention Schematic diagram of photo printing device Functional block diagram explaining each functional part built in the controller Schematic data structure diagram of image file Explanatory drawing showing the correction selection screen Flow chart explaining from image capture to print start Functional block diagram illustrating each functional unit constructed in the controller of the photo print accepting apparatus according to the present invention

Explanation of symbols

3: Controller 4a (4): Operator monitor 4b (4): Remote monitor 12: Print unit 30: Memory 31: Data preprocessing unit 32: GUI unit 36: Image processing related tag detection unit 37: Correction selection screen management unit 40: Image processing means 41: Image processing condition setting unit 42: Simulated image generation unit

Claims (5)

An image data input unit for reading a photographic image file including photographic image data and attribute information including image processing related information writable by the user for the photographic image data, and image processing means for performing image processing on the read photographic image data And a photo printing apparatus comprising a print unit that outputs a photo print based on the photographed image data,
An image processing related information detection unit for detecting image processing related information from the read captured image file, a first image based on image data processed based on the written image processing related information, and such image processing related A correction selection screen management unit is provided for causing a monitor to display a second image based on image data that has been subjected to image processing while ignoring information and to select one of them for photographic print output. Photo printing device to do.   The image processing means includes a simulated image generation unit that generates simulated image data for simulating an image of a photographic print output from the print unit, and the monitor has a simulated image for the first image. The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image and a simulated image for the second image are displayed.   The said correction selection screen management part displays also the 3rd image used as the intermediate | middle image of the said 1st image and the said 2nd image on the said monitor on the said monitor. Photo printing device.   4. The photo printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the captured image file is an Exif file, and the image processing related information is a CR tag indicating a print automatic correction cancellation instruction. 5. An image data input unit that reads a captured image file that includes captured image data and attribute information including image processing related information that can be written by the user with respect to the captured image data, and a captured image that is read based on the set image processing conditions In the image processing means for performing image processing on the data, and in the photo print accepting device for sending the photographed image data to the photo printing device together with the set image processing conditions,
A simulated image generating unit for creating simulated image data for simulating an image of a photographic print output from the photographic printing apparatus, and an image processing related information detecting unit for detecting image processing related information from the read captured image file And a simulated image for the image processed image based on the written image processing related information and a simulated image for the image processed image ignoring such image processing related information are displayed on the monitor. And a correction selection screen management unit for selecting one of them for photo print output.

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