JP2006185082A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor capable of efficiently correcting defects existing in an image. <P>SOLUTION: The image processor is provided with: an image display means 40 for displaying a plurality of acquired image data on the screen of a monitor; a defective area designation means 43 for allowing a user to designate a defective area A existing in the displayed image; an image correction means 42 for correcting the designated defective area A; a defective area display means 44 for displaying an index B indicating the designated defective area A on the screen of the monitor; and a positional information copying means 45 for copying the positional information of the designated defective area A in the image to another image. The defective area display means 44 displays the index B also on the same corresponding position of the other image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for correcting a defective area existing in acquired image data.

  When an image taken with a digital camera is used as a photographic print, the following procedure is used. A storage medium storing image data is loaded into the drive device, and the image data is read out. The read image data is displayed on the monitor screen every predetermined number. The operator checks each image while viewing this monitor screen and corrects the image data as necessary. For example, color / density correction data is input so that the color / density is appropriate. Also, trimming for defining the printing range, special correction such as red-eye correction and backlight correction can be performed. In addition, there is also known a technique for correcting a deterioration state of image quality (such as blur and distortion of the entire image) and correcting based on the cosine fourth law (Patent Documents 1 and 2 below).

  Furthermore, a technique for correcting scratches (defects) seen in images taken with a digital camera or the like is also known. In other words, dust and dirt may adhere to the surface of the image sensor used in the digital camera, and normal data cannot be obtained from the image sensor part to which the dust or dirt adheres, and the monitor screen is scratched. Is displayed. In particular, in the case of an interchangeable lens single-lens reflex digital camera, there is a possibility that dust or dirt may enter the camera body when the lens is replaced, and dust or the like may adhere to the image sensor. Taking a picture in this state results in a photographic print with poor image quality. In order to avoid this, correction work for deleting the defect is performed on the monitor screen. The work procedure in that case will be briefly described.

  First, the operator looks at the image displayed on the monitor screen to check whether there is a scratch. If there is a scratch, the area is designated using a mouse or the like. After that, the scratch is corrected using the function of the photo retouching software. Then, it is confirmed whether or not there are similar scratches on other images. If there is the same scratch, the area is designated and the scratches are similarly corrected.

However, when dust adheres to the image sensor, a defect always exists at the same location. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the number of images having such defects is not limited to one, but may be many. Therefore, if the area for correcting the scratch is specified and checked one by one, there is a problem that the work efficiency of the operator is lowered.
JP-A-9-281613 JP 2004-38728 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of efficiently performing work in correcting a defect present in an image.

In order to solve the above problems, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention provides:
Image display means for displaying a plurality of acquired image data on a monitor screen;
A defect area designating means for designating a defect area existing in the displayed image;
Image correcting means for correcting the designated defect area;
A defect area display means for displaying an index indicating the designated defect area on the monitor screen;
Position information copying means for copying position information in an image of a designated defect area to another image;
The defect area display means displays the index for the other image at the same corresponding location in the image.

  The operation and effect of the image processing apparatus having this configuration will be described. When the image data is acquired, it is displayed on the monitor screen. As for the mode of display, for example, a plurality of images can be displayed in a mode of 6 sheets or 8 sheets. Then, on the monitor screen on which this image is displayed, the operator can designate a defective area. The designation method is not particularly limited, and for example, it is possible to trace the screen using a mouse. Next, the image is corrected for the designated defective area. The means for correcting the image can be performed by, for example, known photo retouching software. Further, it has a function of displaying an index indicating the designated defect area on the monitor screen. For example, the region can be circled, and the defect region can be easily recognized. The position information of the designated defective area is also copied to other images by the position information copying means. Here, the copy of the position information is to add the position information of the defective area to other images, assuming that the same defective area exists for other images that do not designate the defective area. . As a result, the operator does not have to repeat the same operation. The index indicating the defective area is also displayed in the same manner for other images in which the position information is copied, so that the operator can easily confirm the defective area. As a result, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of efficiently performing work in correcting a defect present in an image.

  In the present invention, when a defective area of an image is designated in any one of a plurality of images, the position information copying unit has a function of copying position information with respect to another image. preferable.

  The copying of the position information for other images is preferably performed as follows. When an operator selects an arbitrary image from images displayed on the monitor screen and designates a defective area, the position information of the defective area may be copied to another image. it can. Copying may be performed for all other images, for example, all images having a frame number larger than the designated image may be copied.

  In the present invention, in the case where at least two or more images among a plurality of images are provided with position information comparison means for comparing the position information of the defect area of the image existing at the same place in the image, and the position information can be regarded as the same The position information copying means preferably has a function of copying position information to other images.

  The copying of position information for other images can also be performed as follows. For example, the position information of the defect area of the first image is compared with the position information of the second image. When these two pieces of position information can be regarded as the same, it is considered that a defective area based on the same cause also exists in other images. Therefore, the defect area can be more reliably specified by copying the position information with respect to another image. The designation of the two images can be arbitrarily performed by the operator. The same can be considered when a defective area is specified for three or more images. As described above, when the position information can be regarded as the same for the defect areas designated for a plurality of images, it is considered that the defect areas based on the same cause also exist in other images. Therefore, the defect area can be more reliably specified by copying the position information with respect to another image.

  A preferred embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a photographic processing system including an image processing apparatus. This photographic processing system has a function of creating a photographic print based on image data acquired from a photographic film or a storage medium. In the following description, when an electronic image is particularly shown, it is expressed as “image data”, and a visualized image on a monitor screen or a photo print is simply expressed as “image”.

<Photo processing system configuration>
The film scanner 1 can scan a frame image formed on the developed photographic film F and acquire digitized image data. The image data acquisition unit 2 has a function of acquiring image data stored in a digital camera or other storage medium M. The image data storage means 3 is constituted by a hard disk or a semiconductor memory, and can store the image data captured in the apparatus. Image data is managed and saved in units of orders. The image processing unit 4 (corresponding to an image processing apparatus) performs image processing (including image correction and image correction) on image data mainly based on software functions.

  The image display means 40 has a function of displaying the acquired image data on the monitor screen. When displaying image data, thumbnail image data is generated and displayed in a predetermined display format. By using thumbnail images, it is possible to display a plurality of images such as six or eight on the monitor screen. The one-frame enlarged image display means 41 provides a function of displaying a specific selected image among the plurality of images displayed on the monitor screen in an enlarged state. When the operator performs an image processing operation, displaying the image as a one-frame enlarged image makes it easier to perform the operation and confirms the contents of the image processing. The monitor 9 is controlled by the display control means 8 and forms a desired display screen on the monitor screen based on the transmitted display data.

  The image correcting means 42 is means for correcting defects such as scratches existing in the image. Such image defects include, for example, dust and dirt attached to an image pickup device (CCD sensor) of a digital camera, dust and dust attached to an image pickup device for reading a frame image of the film scanner 1, dust attached to a photographic film, It is caused by dust and scratches present on photographic film. When an image defect area is designated, the image correction means 42 has a function of correcting the defect area and erasing scratches and the like.

  The defective area designating unit 43 has a function of designating a defective area when the operator finds a defect such as a scratch by looking at the image displayed on the monitor screen. Information on the designated defect area is stored and saved in the position information saving means 5. That is, the position information of the defective area in the image is stored. The position information is stored together with identification data (for example, image data file name, order number, frame number) of the image data in which the defective area exists. When the defect area is designated, the defect area display unit 44 displays an index representing the area on the monitor screen. For example, a round frame surrounding the defect area is displayed in the image.

  The position information copying unit 45 has a function of copying the position information of the defective area designated by a certain image to another image. The copying of the position information is to add the position information of the defective area to the other images on the assumption that the same defective area exists also in other images that do not designate the defective area. When taking an image with a digital camera, if dust or the like adheres to the surface of the image sensor, a defect will appear at the same location in the image. Can be simplified.

  The image correction unit 47 has a function of performing image correction other than the above-described defect correction. For example, correction of image color and density, special correction such as red-eye correction and backlight correction, and trimming. These correction data are set by an operator's input operation or the like, and the set correction data is stored in the correction data storage means 6. When the defective area is corrected, the correction data is also stored in the correction data storage means 6. Also, an input operation means 7 is provided for the operator to perform various operations, data input, commands, etc. while looking at the monitor screen, and this is constituted by a keyboard, a mouse and the like. The position information stored in the position information storage unit 5 and the correction data corresponding to the position information are stored in an associated state.

  The print image data generation unit 10 has a function of generating print image data to be transferred to the exposure engine 11. The image data for printing is based on the image data stored in the image data storage unit 3, the correction data stored in the correction data storage unit 6, and the position information stored in the position information storage unit 5. Processing is performed to generate image data for printing. The exposure engine 11 has a function of printing and exposing an image on the emulsion surface of paper (photosensitive material) based on the image data. The exposure engine 11 is, for example, a laser engine, and performs image formation by scanning and exposing light modulated light. In addition to the laser engine, a CRT engine, a PLZT engine, or the like may be used.

  The paper magazine 12 accommodates paper in a roll shape, and the long paper drawn from the paper magazine 12 is cut into a print size by the paper cutter 13. The cut paper is conveyed to the position of the exposure engine 11 and an image (latent image) is formed. The paper is subjected to predetermined processing by the development processing unit 14 and the drying processing unit 15 and then discharged as a finished photographic print to the outside of the apparatus.

<Pre-judge work>
Next, a procedure when the operator performs pre-judge work using the function of the image processing unit 4 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. When image data is acquired from the film scanner 1 or the image data acquisition means 2, it is displayed on the monitor 9. In FIG. 2, images for six frames are displayed. This is based on the function of the image display means 40. Before shifting to the photo print creation process, an image is displayed on the monitor screen to determine in advance whether or not an appropriate photo print can be obtained. This operation is called pre-judgement. If it is necessary to correct or correct the image as a result of pre-judgement, a predetermined correction operation is performed to set correction data.

  An image area 20 that is a work target among the six frames of images is surrounded by a thick black frame 21. A print frame 22 representing a print area is shown inside the image area 20. The print size display area 23 displays the print size, and a print frame 22 corresponding to the print size displayed here is displayed. In the illustrated example, “C” (classical size) is shown as the print size. The print size setting can also be changed. In the file name display area 25, the file name of the image is displayed. When reading frame images on photographic film, the file name is automatically assigned.

  The color / density correction area 24 includes an area for inputting correction data for three colors Y, M, and C and an area for inputting density correction data. If it is better for the operator to perform correction while looking at the displayed image, the operator inputs correction data as necessary. The button 26 is used to start a screen for performing a special correction. In addition to correcting the color and density, the button 26 is used to perform a special correction such as a flaw correction by the function of the image correction means 42 or a red-eye correction. If this button 26 is clicked, a one-frame enlarged screen is displayed. In the print number display area 27, the number of prints of an image is displayed, and one is set as a default.

  Further, the image defects as described above can be confirmed on the monitor screen of FIG. In the example of FIG. 2, an example in which a defect exists in the image as the defect area A is shown. In addition, an example in which a defect area A exists in the same place in all images of six frames is shown. The correction work for erasing the scratch can be performed on the screen of FIG. 2, but is preferably performed on the one-frame enlarged image display screen described below.

<Full-frame image display>
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a display screen for a one-frame enlarged image. The upper left image in FIG. 2 is enlarged and displayed. The image includes a defect area A. In order to make the image processing unit 4 recognize the defect area A as the defect area A, it is necessary to designate the defect area A. By clicking the scratch area designation button 30 (functioning as the defect area designation means 43) and tracing the defect area A of the image with the mouse (such as surrounding the defect area A with the mouse), the position information of the defect area A is located. It is stored in the information storage means 5. In addition, a round index B is automatically displayed so as to surround the defect area A. This is based on the function of the defect area display means 44. The size of the index B is automatically set according to the size of the designated defect area A. The shape of the index B does not have to be a circle, and can be an appropriate shape such as a quadrangle or a triangle. Further, the index B does not have to be an aspect surrounding the defect area A, and an arbitrary mark may be displayed in the vicinity of the defect area A. Note that the method for designating the defect area is not limited to the above.

  When the flaw correction button 31 is clicked, a process for deleting a flaw existing in the defect area A is executed. This is based on the function of the image correction means 42. A well-known technique can be used as the scratch erasing algorithm. For example, data can be generated by estimating pixel information in the defect area A based on normal pixel information existing around the scratch. This is a technique generally called interpolation processing. When the process for correcting the scratches is completed, the corrected image is displayed on the screen of FIG. 3, so that the corrected image (simulation image) can be confirmed immediately. The correction data for performing the correction process is stored in the correction data storage unit 6. The image shown in FIG. 3 is a simulation image, and the original image data stored in the image data storage unit 3 is not corrected. When the printing process is actually performed, the image data corrected by the printing image data generation unit 10 is generated based on the original image data and the correction data.

  When the scratch information copy button 32 is clicked, the position information regarding the set defect area A can be copied to another image. This is based on the function of the position information copying means 45. As shown in FIG. 2, the defect area A may exist at the same place in many images. In this case, it is inefficient to repeat the same operation for a large number of images, so that data set for a certain image can be copied to another image. Specifically, the position information of the defect area A designated for an image can be automatically designated (copied) for other images.

  When the scratch information copy button 32 is clicked, a window as shown in FIG. 4 is launched. Here, an image to be copied is selected. Four options are shown as options for copying. First, it can be copied to all other images. In addition, it is possible to copy all the images on the higher frame number side or all the images on the lower frame number side with respect to the first designated image. This is because when a scratch occurs in an image, the probability of the scratch being present is high with respect to an image that is subsequently captured. Further, a frame number can be specifically designated and copied for all of the designated images. A specific frame number can be entered in the text input box 33. The reason for providing a means for designating such a frame number will be described. That is, even if dust or the like is attached to the image sensor, it may be removed naturally, so it is preferable to provide a method for designating an image having a defect by a frame number. For example, in the case of a digital single-lens reflex camera, dust may be removed by wind pressure due to movement of a mirror positioned in front of the image sensor.

  Even if the position information is copied once, it can be canceled and an option for that is also set. By clicking the Yes button 34, the position information is copied for the selected item. When the No button 35 is clicked, copying is not performed. Note that only the position information of the defective area A is copied. FIG. 5 shows a screen configuration example when the position information is copied for all images. For all the images, the position information is copied and stored in the position information storage means 5, and the index B is also displayed for the copied images. As a result, the operator can confirm that the position information has been copied. Whether or not the defect area A actually exists can be confirmed by looking in the index B displayed on the screen. For an image in which the defect area A is actually confirmed visually, a single-frame enlarged image can be displayed for each image to correct a defect. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a button 29 is provided below each image, and the defect area A in the index B may be corrected by clicking the button 29.

  In the description of the position information, only the position information is copied, and the actual correction process is performed for each individual image. Instead of this, or in addition to this, when the position information is copied, the flaw correction processing may be automatically performed on all the copied images. Alternatively, it is also possible to provide a button for executing a scratch correction process for all the copied images and click the button to execute the scratch correction process.

<Copying procedure of location information>
Next, a schematic procedure for copying position information is shown in FIG. Image data is acquired and stored in the image data storage means 3 (# 1). The acquired image data is displayed on the monitor screen as shown in FIG. 2 (# 2). When an image having a defect such as a scratch is found, the image is selected on the monitor screen (# 3). Then, a one-frame enlarged image is displayed for the selected image (# 4).

  The operator designates the defect area A by operating the mouse or the like while viewing the enlarged image (# 5). When the designation of the defect area A is completed, position information is generated and stored in the position information storage unit 5 (# 6). In addition, by designating the defect area A, the index B is displayed on the screen (# 7). Next, it is determined whether or not the position information of the defective area A is to be copied (# 8). When copying, the window shown in FIG. 4 is launched and the copy mode is selected (# 9). When the copy process is executed after selection (# 10), position information is generated and stored for all images to be copied (# 11). Next, the index B is displayed for the image to be copied (# 12).

<Another Embodiment of Procedure for Copying Location Information>
Another embodiment when the position information is copied to another image will be described with reference to FIG. First, when a defect such as a scratch is found in a certain image, the defect area A is designated for the image (# 20). Thereby, the position information about the first image is stored (# 21). Next, when a defect is found in another image, the defect area A is designated in the same manner (# 22). Thereby, the position information about the second image is stored (# 23). Next, based on the function of the position information comparison means 46 of the image processing unit 4, the two pieces of position information are compared. It is determined whether these pieces of position information are the same (including cases where the position information is substantially the same and can be regarded as the same) (# 25). When it is determined that they are the same, the position information is copied for other images, and the information is stored in the position information storage unit 5. The monitor screen displays an index B for the image to be copied.

  In this embodiment, the copying process is automatically performed. However, a window as shown in FIG. 4 may be temporarily raised to allow the operator to select a copying mode.

  In this embodiment, when the position information is the same for two images, the position information is copied to another image. However, the position information is the same for n images instead of two. In this case, the position information may be copied. In this case, selection of two or n images can be arbitrarily performed by an operator.

<Another embodiment>
The specific procedure for copying the position information described in the present embodiment is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. It may be possible to designate a defective area and copy position information without displaying a one-frame enlarged image.

  In the present embodiment, the operator designates the defective area. However, this may be automatically detected and designated. Moreover, you may coexist the structure detected automatically and the structure which an operator designates manually.

  In the present embodiment, the case of creating a photo print has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to the case of processing for writing image data on a storage medium. The present invention can also be applied to the case where a frame image of a photographic film is read from the film scanner 1 to perform photographic processing.

Schematic diagram showing the configuration of a photographic processing system and image processing apparatus Figure showing the configuration example of the pre-judge screen Diagram showing an example of the configuration of a single-frame enlarged image display screen The figure which shows the example of screen composition when copying position information The figure which shows the example of screen composition of the monitor screen when the position information is copied Flow chart showing position information copying procedure The flowchart which shows another embodiment of the copy procedure of position information

Explanation of symbols

3 Image data storage means 4 Image processing section 5 Position information storage means 6 Correction data storage means 7 Input operation means 8 Display control means 9 Monitor 30 Scratch area designation button 31 Scratch correction button 32 Scratch information copy button 40 Image display means 41 One frame Enlarged image display means 42 Image correction means 43 Defect area designation means 44 Defect area display means 45 Position information copy means 46 Position information comparison means 47 Image correction means A Defect area B Index

Claims (3)

Image display means for displaying a plurality of acquired image data on a monitor screen;
A defect area designating means for designating a defect area existing in the displayed image;
Image correcting means for correcting the designated defect area;
A defect area display means for displaying an index indicating the designated defect area on the monitor screen;
Position information copying means for copying position information in an image of a designated defect area to another image;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the defect area display means displays the index for the other image at a corresponding position in the image.   The position information copying unit has a function of copying position information with respect to another image when a defective area of the image is designated in any one of the plurality of images. Item 8. The image processing apparatus according to Item 1. In the case where at least two or more images among a plurality of images are provided with position information comparison means for comparing position information of defect areas of images existing at the same place in the image, and the position information can be regarded as the same, the position information The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the copying unit has a function of copying position information to another image.

Images