JP2006058749A - Photographic processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographic processing device capable of automatically identifying defective (blurred) images, e.g., caused by hand shake which is not wished by a customer to be printed. <P>SOLUTION: The photographic processing device reads out one or more image data from an image source given by a customer, and prints out the image based on the image data, wherein the photographic processing device is provided with: a frequency component extraction means which separates the frequency components in the image data into low frequency components and high frequency components and extracts them; and a determination means which finds out the componential ratio of the high frequency components from the extracted low frequency components and high frequency components, compares the componential ratio with a prescribed standard value, and, based on the comparison results, determines whether the image data are suitable to print or not, thus, the printout of defective images can be securely prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographic processing apparatus, and more particularly to a digital photographic processing apparatus that reads out image data from a photographic film or various media brought in by a customer and prints out the image data based on the data.

  In recent years, photo shops (so-called labs) print photographs based on image data read by a scanner from negative or positive photographic films, or image data stored on various media such as memory cards and CD-ROMs. Are widely used.

  In such a photographic processing apparatus, various digital image processing such as color density correction and various special processing can be easily performed on the image data to be output, and a photographic print can be generated. Compared to a photographic processing apparatus that directly exposes a photosensitive material), it can provide a wider variety of services, and its demand is high.

  By the way, a customer who orders photographic prints usually requests not only all frame images such as photographic film that he has brought in, but only those in good shooting conditions.

  On the other hand, there is known a photographic processing apparatus that automatically determines extreme underscenes, overscenes, and the like based on the exposure amount, and excludes these from print targets.

  However, in the photographic processing apparatus, the exposure amount of the image data is analyzed, and an underscene, an overscene, or the like is determined based on whether or not the allowable range is exceeded. It is impossible to recognize a frame image with a bad state that seems to be caused by. Therefore, in the current situation, frame images such as camera shake are still determined by visual recognition of a store clerk or the like, and whether or not they are suitable for printing is determined.

  According to such human judgment, it is extremely difficult to make the standard of judgment uniform, and there is a possibility that the identity of the service received by the customer may be hindered. In addition, since the store clerk is burdened, it may cause a reduction in production efficiency.

  Therefore, it can be said that there is a high need for a photographic processing apparatus having a function of automatically determining a state-defective image such as camera shake.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described conventional problems, and to provide a photo processing apparatus capable of automatically and accurately recognizing a state-defective image caused by camera shake from image data ordered by a customer.

  A photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention reads out one or a plurality of image data from an image source provided by a customer, and prints out the image data based on the image data. A frequency component extraction means for separating and extracting the component and the high frequency component, and obtaining a component ratio of the high frequency component from the extracted low frequency component and the high frequency component, and comparing the component ratio with a predetermined reference value And determining means for determining whether the image data is suitable for printing based on the result.

  In the photographic processing apparatus configured as described above, an image source refers to a supply source of image data that a customer desires to print out. For example, a photographic film such as a negative film or a positive film or various media (memory card, CD-ROM, etc.) ) Corresponds to this.

  The frequency component extraction unit performs frequency conversion (for example, conversion by a known technique such as wavelet conversion) on the read image data, and the frequency component extraction unit performs the conversion according to the boundary value that separates the high frequency and the low frequency derived based on actual measurement (experiment). Extraction is performed by separating the frequency component of the image data into two components, a high frequency component and a low frequency component.

  The judging means obtains a component ratio of the high frequency component (ratio of the high frequency component in the spatial frequency component of the image data) from the extracted low frequency component and high frequency component, and compares the component ratio with a predetermined reference value. By doing so, it is determined whether or not the image data is suitable for print output, more specifically, whether or not camera shake is occurring.

  In general, it is well known that when the frequency analysis is performed on the image data that is out of focus, the high-frequency component is reduced (there are many low-frequency components). The present invention applies such a phenomenon, and analyzes the spatial frequency component of the image data, and determines that the image data with few high-frequency components is a defocused image (an image due to camera shake or the like).

  Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to automatically and accurately determine whether or not an image due to camera shake or the like (that is, an image that is not suitable for printing) while using a simple configuration of a circuit or the like, and using such a result. Thus, it is possible to prevent output of an image (defective image) that is not suitable for printing.

  Specifically, if the determination unit determines that the print data is not suitable for printing, the print output of the image data can be surely prevented from being printed if the print output of the image data is locked.

  Even if the image is automatically (internally) determined to be a defective image and the lock is applied, it may be necessary to print it out depending on the situation. It is desirable to have a structure having a release means for releasing

  In addition, when an image that is determined to be unsuitable for printing by the determining means is displayed on the monitor, the fact that the image is not suitable for printing is also displayed so that an operator or the like can easily grasp the defective image. It is preferable because it is possible.

  The display indicating that it is not suitable for printing in this case is not limited to the character display, and does not ask the display mode as long as the operator can easily recognize it.

  Further, if the reference value to be compared with the high frequency component ratio of the image data is not fixed, but can be adjusted, additional information such as a shooting scene of the image data can be taken into account, which is caused by camera shake or the like. The accuracy of defective image identification can be improved.

  As described above, according to the photo processing apparatus of the present invention, since it has a function of automatically discriminating a defective image due to camera shake or the like, it is possible to reliably and easily prevent printing of a defective image that the customer does not want. Become.

  Hereinafter, a photographic processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of a photographic processing apparatus according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the photographic processing apparatus. The photographic processing apparatus 1 reads image data from a photographic film F or media M brought in by a customer, and performs digital image processing such as various corrections and trimming according to circumstances to generate image data for output. And a printing apparatus 2 that prints an image on the photosensitive material PA based on the image data output from the image processing apparatus 1.

  The image processing apparatus 1 includes a scanner 3 that reads an image from a photographic film F such as a negative film or a positive film, a media drive 4 that reads image data stored in a medium M such as a CD-ROM or a memory card, and image processing. A main controller 5 that controls the entire photographic processing apparatus including the control of the apparatus 1, a monitor 6 that displays an image read from the photographic film F and the medium M, and an operation command from an operator (a store clerk or a customer) is received. An input device 7 (keyboard 7a and mouse 7b) is provided. It is also possible to configure the monitor 6 so that touch panel input is possible, and to accept an operation command using an operator's finger, a dedicated input pen, or the like.

  The main control device 5 includes a CPU 8 which is a main body of the control and calculation, a ROM 9a storing a GUI (graphical user interface) program, a RAM 9b used as a work area for processing, and various external devices (scanners). 3, an I / O processing unit 10 that performs I / O processing with the media drive 4, the monitor 6, and the input device 7) and a print suitability determination processing unit 11 that is a feature of the present invention.

  The printing apparatus 2 includes an exposure processing unit 12 that performs exposure processing on the photosensitive material PA based on image data that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing device 1, and a development processing unit 13 that performs development processing on the exposed photosensitive material PA. The drying processing unit 14 performs drying processing on the developed photosensitive material PA, and the sorting processing unit 15 performs sorting processing on the photosensitive material PA that has been subjected to the drying processing to become a photograph.

  The exposure processing unit 12 pulls out the photosensitive material PA from the pair of magazines 16 a and 16 b and transports it to the downstream side by the transport roller pair 17. Then, the photosensitive material PA is exposed by an exposure device 18 including a light source 18a composed of a halogen lamp or the like and an optical shutter 18c connected to the light source 18a via an optical fiber bundle 18b.

  The development processing unit 13 performs processing such as development, bleaching, fixing, and stabilization on the photosensitive material PA.

  The drying processing unit 14 blows hot air from the hot air device 19 onto the photosensitive material PA sent from the development processing unit 13 and performs a process of drying the developer and the like attached to the photosensitive material PA.

  The sorting processing unit 15 sorts the photosensitive material PA that has been subjected to the exposure processing, the development processing, and the drying processing into sizes, and the small size photosensitive material PA sorted by the size sorting unit 20 for each order. An order sorting unit 21 for sorting is provided.

  The size sorting unit 20 discharges the photosensitive material PA having a large size to the tray 22 and conveys the photosensitive material PA having a small size to the conveyor 23. The order sorting unit 21 distributes the photosensitive material PA conveyed by the conveyor 23 to each tray 24 for each order.

  Next, image processing by the image processing apparatus 1 will be described. First, when the CPU 8 starts the image processing program installed in the ROM 9a of the main control device 5, a main operation screen (not shown) is displayed on the monitor 6. The operator selects whether image data to be processed is read from the photographic film F or the medium M on the main operation screen. The image data selected here is once expanded in the RAM 9b.

  Subsequently, when the operator clicks the judge screen switching button on the main operation screen using the mouse 7b or the like, the main operation screen is switched to the judge screen 30 shown in FIG. The determination processing unit 11 determines whether the image data related to each frame image 31 displayed on the judge screen 30 is suitable for printing.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the print suitability determination processing unit 11. The print suitability determination processing unit 11 includes a frequency component extraction unit 40 and a determination unit 41. The frequency component extraction unit 40 performs frequency conversion (for example, wavelet conversion) on the input image data related to the frame image 31 to generate a spatial frequency component. Then, the spatial frequency component is converted into the high frequency component and the low frequency by using constants related to the boundary value (the boundary frequency derived based on the actual measurement (experiment) etc. that separates the high frequency and the low frequency) stored in the ROM 9a in advance. Separate and extract into components.

  The determination unit 41 obtains a component ratio of the high frequency component (ratio of the high frequency component in the spatial frequency component) from the extracted high frequency component and low frequency component. Then, using such a component ratio and a constant related to a reference value stored in advance in the ROM 9a, it is determined whether or not the image data is suitable for printing. The reference value is a minimum value of the high-frequency component ratio in the image data that is derived by actual measurement (experiment) or the like and that falls within the print allowable range (in other words, the range in which the degree of blur is allowable). The determination unit 41 compares the reference value with the obtained component ratio, and if the component ratio is equal to or greater than the reference value, outputs a printable signal to the CPU 8 as being suitable for printing. On the other hand, if the reference value has not been reached, a print disable signal is output.

  The above processing is performed while the main operation screen is switched to the judgment screen 30 shown in FIG. On the judge screen 30, images of 6 files of the read image data are displayed as 6 frame images 31, and a correction button area 32 is provided below each frame image 31. In the correction button area 32, color correction buttons 33y (for yellow component correction), 33m (for magenta component correction), 33c (for cyan component correction), a density correction button 33d and a DSA button 34 (contrast, saturation, (For correction of sharpness etc.) is arranged (displayed). The operator can perform digital image processing such as color density correction on the image data desired to be output via the judge screen.

  Further, the above result by the print suitability determination processing unit 11 is also reflected on the judgment screen 30 by the CPU 8. That is, the result is displayed on the print suitability button 35 corresponding to each frame image 31. Specifically, “P Possible” is displayed on the frame image 31 determined to be suitable for printing (printable signal is output), and is determined to be unsuitable for printing (print disable signal is output). E) “P Impossible” is displayed in the frame image 31. In the judge screen 30 shown in FIG. BMP to Real03. BMP, Real05. BMP and Real06. BMP is determined to be image data suitable for printing, and Real04. It is shown that BMP is determined to be image data that is not suitable for printing.

  Further, in the main controller 5, a process (print lock) is automatically performed so that image data related to the frame image 31 determined to be unsuitable for printing cannot be output. Specifically, when such a lock is applied, a print output operation of the image data by the operator cannot be performed (for example, a button related to printing of the operation screen is not displayed or grayed out). For example, the image processing apparatus 1 does not output the image data to the printing apparatus 2).

  As described above, by automatically locking the print, it is possible to reliably prevent the print output of the image data not suitable for the print.

  In the present embodiment, the lock can be easily released by pressing the print propriety button 35 on the judge screen 30. When the lock is released, the display on the print suitability button 35 changes to “P possible”, and the image data can be printed out regardless of the judgment result of the print suitability judgment processing unit 11. In the present embodiment, the print suitability button 35 constitutes a canceling unit.

  Even if it is determined that the print suitability determination processing unit 11 determines that the print suitability is not suitable for printing, there is a need to print depending on the situation. By doing so, it becomes possible to provide a more reliable service.

  On the contrary, even if it is determined to be suitable for printing, it is possible to lock by operating the print suitability button 35 according to the operator's judgment. In this case, the display on the print suitability button 35 changes from “P possible” to “P impossible”.

  As described above, according to the photo processing apparatus of the present embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to automatically identify a defective image (blurred image) due to camera shake or the like, and to reliably prevent printing of the defective image. .

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

  For example, the print suitability determination processing unit 11 does not limit the print suitability determination method to the above-described embodiment. For example, the determination unit 41 obtains a component ratio of low frequency components, and the reference value to be used is an actual measurement ( The determination means 41 compares the reference value with the obtained component ratio, and the component ratio is determined to be a reference value. In the case described above, it is possible to output a print disable signal to the CPU 8 because it is not suitable for printing, and to output a print enable signal if the reference value is not reached. As described above, if the technique is such that a case where a high frequency component is small in spatial frequency components of image data (that is, a case where there are many low frequency components) is determined to be a blurred image due to camera shake or the like, it can be said to be within the intended range of the present invention. .

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the reference value which the judgment means 41 uses is made into a fixed value, it can also be set as the structure which can adjust this reference value by an operator. In this case, an adjustment knob or the like may be provided at a predetermined location of the photo processing apparatus, or a configuration that can be adjusted on an operation screen displayed on the monitor. By adopting such a configuration, detailed (additional) information such as a shooting scene of the image data can be taken into consideration, and the accuracy of the print suitability determination processing unit 11 increases the print suitability determination.

  Similarly, the boundary value for separating the spatial frequency component of the image data into the high frequency component and the low frequency component may not be a fixed value but may be adjusted by the operator.

1 is an external view of a photographic processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the photographic processing apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the judgment screen displayed on a monitor in the same embodiment. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a print suitability determination processing unit in the embodiment. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image processing apparatus, 2 ... Printing apparatus, 3 ... Scanner, 4 ... Media drive, 5 ... Main control apparatus, 6 ... Monitor, 7 ... Input device, 8 ... CPU, 9a ... ROM, 9b ... RAM, 10 ... I / O processing unit, 11 ... print suitability determination processing unit, 12 ... exposure processing unit, 13 ... development processing unit, 14 ... drying processing unit, 15 ... sorting processing unit, 16a, 16b ... magazine, 17 ... conveying roller pair, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 18 ... Exposure apparatus, 18a ... Light source, 18b ... Optical fiber bundle, 18c ... Optical shutter, 19 ... Hot-air apparatus, 20 ... Size sorting part, 21 ... Order sorting part, 22 ... Tray, 23 ... Conveyor, 24 ... Receptacle, 30 ... Judge screen, 31 .. frame image, 32... Correction button area, 33 y, 33 m, 33 c... Color correction button, 33 d .. density correction button, 34 .. DSA button, 35. 0 ... frequency component extracting means, 41 ... judging means

Claims (5)

In a photo processing apparatus that reads one or a plurality of image data from an image source provided by a customer and prints out based on the image data,
A frequency component extracting means for separating and extracting a spatial frequency component of the image data into a low frequency component and a high frequency component;
A component ratio of the high frequency component is obtained from the extracted low frequency component and high frequency component, the component ratio is compared with a predetermined reference value, and whether or not the image data is suitable for printing is determined based on the result. A photographic processing apparatus.   The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that the image is not suitable for printing, the print output of the image data is locked.   The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising release means for releasing the lock.   4. The display according to claim 1, wherein when the image determined by the determination unit to be unsuitable for printing is displayed on a monitor, the fact that the image is unsuitable for printing is also displayed. Photo processing device.   5. The photo processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference value is configured to be adjustable.

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