JP2007034237A - Image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus which is capable of easily correcting a plurality of pieces of image data while giving consistency. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing apparatus includes; a storage means for storing the plurality of pieces of image data being a processing object; a taking-out operation part for taking out every piece of the image data from the storage means; and a correction interface means comprising one image display area for displaying the taken-out image data and a correcting operation part for allowing an operator to correct the displayed image data as he or she likes. Ordinal numbers are assigned to the pieces of image data stored in the storage means, and the image data is taken out to the correction interface means in order in accordance with the ordinal numbers in response to operating the taking-out operation part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that performs various corrections such as color density correction on image data.

  In recent years, in DPE stores, digital image processing such as color density correction and contrast correction is performed on image data read from photographic film or various recording media, and the processed image data is printed or various media Photographic processing devices (image processing devices) that can be recorded on are widely used.

  Such an image processing apparatus normally includes a GUI (graphical user interface), and provides a user with an environment for facilitating operations related to digital image processing that tends to be complicated.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of an operation screen using such a GUI. In the operation screen of FIG. 3 (so-called “judge screen”), image data (frame image 31) read from a color negative film or the like is displayed as a list (index) for 6 frames (2 rows × 3 columns).

  A correction button area 32 is provided below each frame image 31. In the correction button area 32, a color correction button and color correction display section (hereinafter simply referred to as a color correction button) 33y, 33m, 33c, A density correction button / density correction display section (hereinafter simply referred to as a density correction button) 33d and a DSA button 34 are arranged (displayed).

  The color correction buttons 33y, 33m, and 33c are buttons for correcting the yellow (Y) component, the magenta (M) component, and the cyan (C) component, respectively, of the corresponding frame image 31, and the density correction button 33d is an image correction button 33d. It is a button for correcting the density of.

  The DSA button 34 is a button for adjusting the DSA (abbreviation of digital scene adjustment, a general term for correction of contrast, saturation, sharpness, etc.) of the corresponding frame image.

  The operation method of each button will be described. First, for the color correction buttons 33y, 33m, 33c and the density correction button 33d, the mouse cursor (pointer P) is moved to the button corresponding to the frame image 31 to be corrected. When this button is clicked, the button is highlighted, and the correction is accepted (active state). In such a state, for example, when the “↑” key on the keyboard is pressed, the color correction value or the density correction value corresponding to the button can be increased by one step each time, and the “↓” key is pressed. By operating, the color correction value or the density correction value can be decreased step by step. When the correction value is changed, the content (increase or decrease in color component or density according to the correction value) is reflected in the corresponding frame image 31. And about the button which performed correction | amendment, the changed correction value is displayed on the said button (for example, "-1", "+1", etc.). “N” indicates a default state (pre-correction state).

  For DSA adjustment, when the pointer P is moved to the DSA button 34 corresponding to the frame image 31 to be corrected and clicked, a DSA setting screen (not shown) is popped up. On the DSA setting screen, it is possible to input correction values for each item of “Contrast”, “Saturation”, and “Sharpness”, and the operator can use the mouse, keyboard, etc. Can be entered. Since the content of each input correction value is immediately reflected in the corresponding frame image 31, the operator can set the correction value of each item while viewing the frame image 31.

  By operating through the judgment screen as described above, the operator can easily perform digital image processing such as color density correction and contrast correction on a desired frame image (image data).

  By the way, image data read from photographic film or recording media brought into a DPE store by a customer is often the same in the shooting scene. In such a case, the order unit (that is, the order of one customer) It is necessary to perform a uniform correction on all image data).

  However, although the above-mentioned conventional judge screen can be corrected while checking images for a predetermined number of frames (for example, 6 frames), the image data related to the order is corrected with uniformity (consistency). It was not easy and the operator required skilled skills.

  Also, with this type of conventional image processing apparatus, image data related to the output cannot be re-displayed on the judge screen after the output processing such as photographic print is completed. Therefore, even in the same order, such image data (image data that has been subjected to output processing) cannot be set as a comparison target, and this point has also been an impediment to performing uniform correction.

  For example, it is possible to cope with the above problem by increasing the number of frame images displayed on the judge screen. However, when a large number of frame images are displayed on one screen, it is rather difficult to compare them. Furthermore, it is impractical to display image data related to all orders on one screen. It is not a realistic solution.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of easily performing a correction with uniformity on a plurality of image data.

  An image processing apparatus according to the present invention displays a storage unit that stores a plurality of image data to be processed, an extraction operation unit that extracts the image data from the storage unit one by one, and the extracted image data The image data stored in the storage means includes an image display area for correction, and a correction interface means for the operator to perform a desired correction on the displayed image data. Is assigned an ordinal number, and when the take-out operation unit is operated, the image data is taken out to the correction interface means in order according to the ordinal number.

  According to the image processing apparatus having the above configuration, all the image data stored in the storage unit can be displayed in one image display area while sequentially switching, so that the operator senses a change in color density or the like. This makes it easier to quickly find image data with different color density. In addition, since appropriate correction can be easily performed on such image data, it is easy to provide uniformity for correction of all image data to be processed.

  Specifically, the storage means is a RAM having a predetermined storage capacity (for example, a capacity enough to store all image data (image data related to one order) to be processed brought in by a customer) Applicable to hard disks. Further, since the output processed image data is also stored in the storage means, the image data is also taken out and displayed in the image display area (that is, by making it a comparison target). The accuracy of the uniformity of correction can be improved.

  The order to be taken out by the take-out operation unit may be either the ascending order ("feed" direction) or the descending order ("return" direction) of the ordinal numbers, but from the viewpoint of operability, for example, a "feed" button and "return" It is preferable to be able to take out in any order by providing a button or the like.

  In addition, when the correction interface means further includes a registration operation unit for registering the specific image data and a call operation unit for taking out the registered image data, Therefore, it is possible to display optimal image data as a comparison target at any time, and work efficiency can be improved.

  Further, if the correction interface means further includes a designation operation unit for taking out the specific image data, the correction interface means not only takes out by sending or returning in order using the take-out operation unit, but also the desired image. Data can be directly specified and retrieved, improving convenience.

  In addition, since there is no need to perform correction processing on output-processed image data, it is unnecessary if the correction operation unit does not function when the output-processed image data is extracted. This is preferable because it is possible to surely eliminate the possibility of performing such processing.

  As described above, according to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to easily perform correction with uniformity for a plurality of image data.

  Hereinafter, 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 provided with an image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the photographic processing apparatus. This photographic processing apparatus reads image data from a photographic film F or a recording medium M, performs digital image processing such as color density correction and contrast correction on the image data, and generates image data for output. 1 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 film scanner 3 that reads an image from a photographic film F, a media drive 4a that can read and write image data from and to a recording medium M such as a memory card and a CD-R, and a large number of images read from the recording medium M. Large-capacity hard disk 4b capable of recording the image data (image file) and the like, a main control device 5 for controlling the entire photographic processing device including the control of the image processing device 1, and operations related to the control of the main control device 5 A monitor 6 for displaying a screen and the like and an input device 7 (keyboard 7a and mouse 7b) for receiving an operation command from the operator are provided. Note that the monitor 6 may be configured by a touch panel method, and an operation command may be received using an operator's finger, a dedicated input pen, or the like.

  The main control device 5 includes a CPU 8 that is a main body of the control and calculation, a ROM 9a that stores an image processing program, a RAM 9b that is used as a work area for processing, and various external devices (film scanner 3, media drive 4a). The hard disk 4b, the monitor 6 and the input device 7) are provided with an I / O processing unit 10 for performing I / O processing.

  The printing apparatus 2 includes an exposure processing unit 11 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 12 that performs development processing on the exposed photosensitive material PA. The drying processing unit 13 performs drying processing on the developed photosensitive material PA, and the sorting processing unit 14 performs sorting processing on the photosensitive material PA that has been dried and turned into a photograph.

  The exposure processing unit 11 pulls out the photosensitive material PA from the pair of magazines 15 a and 15 b and conveys it to the downstream side by the conveying roller pair 16. Then, the photosensitive material PA is exposed by a PLZT type exposure device 17 constituted by a light source 17a composed of a halogen lamp or the like and an optical shutter 17c connected to the light source 17a via an optical fiber bundle 17b. The exposure device 17 is not limited to the PLZT method, and may be a laser method, a CRT method, or the like.

  The development processing unit 12 performs processing such as development, bleaching, fixing, and stabilization on the photosensitive material PA.

  The drying processing unit 13 performs a process of blowing hot air from the hot air device 18 to the photosensitive material PA sent from the development processing unit 12 to dry the phenomenon liquid adhering to the photosensitive material PA.

  The sorting processing unit 14 sorts the photosensitive material PA that has been subjected to the exposure processing, development processing, and drying processing according to size, and the small-sized photosensitive material PA sorted by the size sorting unit 19 for each order. And an order sorting unit 20 for sorting.

  The size sorting unit 19 discharges the photosensitive material PA having a large size to the tray 21 and conveys the photosensitive material PA having a small size to the conveyor 22. The order sorting unit 20 distributes the photosensitive material PA conveyed by the conveyor 22 to each tray 23 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 screen (not shown) is displayed on the monitor 6. The operator selects whether to read image data to be processed from the photographic film F or from the recording medium M on the main screen. The image data read by such selection is stored in a predetermined area (image data storage area) of the RAM 9b (storage means). At that time, the main control device 5 assigns ordinal numbers (1) to the image data according to the read order.

  Subsequently, when the operator selects and clicks a judgment screen switching button on the main screen using the mouse 7b or the like, the main screen is switched to the judgment screen 30 shown in FIG. On the judge screen 30, six frames of the read image data are displayed as six 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, 33m, 33c, a density correction button 33d, and a DSA button 34 are arranged (displayed). Note that the functions of the color correction buttons 33y, 33m, 33c, the density correction button 33d, and the DSA button 34 and the operation method thereof have already been described, and are omitted here.

  The customer can perform digital image processing such as color density correction on image data desired to be output (photo print output or the like) via the judge screen 30. The image data corrected (confirmed correction) is overwritten and stored in the image data storage area of the RAM 9b. The correction content is stored in a predetermined area (correction content storage area) of the RAM 9b in association with the corresponding image data.

  After the correction process by the judge screen 30 (or during the process), the operator can call (that is, display) the correction check screen 40 shown in FIG. Specifically, it can be called by operating a predetermined button provided on the main screen (not shown) or a button (not shown) provided on the judge screen 30. The processing function unit related to the correction check screen 40 of the image processing apparatus 1 (specifically, the main control apparatus 5) constitutes a correction interface unit.

  On the correction check screen 40, an image display area 41 where the image data stored in the correction content storage area is displayed for one frame, and a file name display area 45 where the name of the image data being displayed (file name) is displayed. And a correction button area 42 is provided. In the correction button area 42, color correction buttons 43y (for yellow component correction), 43m (for magenta component correction), 43c (for cyan component correction), a density correction button 43d and a DSA button 44 (contrast, saturation, (For correction of sharpness etc.) is arranged (displayed). The functions and operation methods related to these buttons are the same as those of the buttons arranged in the correction button area 32 of the judge screen 30. That is, the operator can perform the same correction as can be performed via the judge screen 30 on the image data being displayed in the image display area 41. The corrected image data and its correction content are overwritten and stored in the image data storage area and the correction content storage area, respectively, as in the correction on the judge screen 30. Each button arranged in the correction button area 42 constitutes a correction operation unit.

  A switching button area 46 is further provided below the correction button area 42. In the switching button area 46, a registration button 47, a switching button 48, a return button 49, and a feed button 50 are arranged (displayed).

  The return button 49 and the feed button 50 constituting the extraction operation unit are operation buttons for sequentially extracting image data from the image data storage area according to the ordinal number assigned thereto. Specifically, when the operator clicks the feed button 50 using the mouse 7b or the like, the image data having a number one larger than the number of the image data currently displayed in the image display area 41 is the image data. The data is extracted from the data storage area and displayed in the image display area 41. On the other hand, when the return button 49 is clicked, the image data having a number one smaller than the number of the image data currently displayed in the image display area 41 is taken out from the image data storage area and is displayed in the image display area 41. Is displayed. If the return button 49 or the feed button 50 is continuously pressed with the mouse 7b or the like, the processing relating to the extraction of the image data and the display on the image display area 41 can be performed at high speed.

  When the operator operates the registration button 47 (registration operation unit) (specifically, a click operation using the mouse 7b or the like), the image data being displayed is registered as reference image data. The registered reference image data is called up at any time (ie, displayed in the image display area 41) by operating the switching button 48 (calling operation unit) (specifically, a click operation using the mouse 7b or the like). )be able to. Further, when the switching button 48 is operated while the reference image data is being displayed, the original image data (that is, the image data that was displayed before the reference image data was displayed) is displayed. In this manner, by providing the registration button 47 and the switching button 48, it is possible to display the reference image data that is optimal as a comparison target when checking the uniformity, and to check it at any time. When the registration button 47 is operated after the reference data has already been registered, the image data currently being displayed is registered as new reference image data.

  The image data storage area also stores output-processed image data. However, when the output-processed image data is extracted by an operation on the correction check screen 40, unnecessary correction processing is performed. In order to prevent the operation from being performed, control is performed to disable the operation of each button arranged in the correction button area 42. In this case, it is preferable to display each button in gray (generally, a display state indicating that the button or the like cannot be operated) because the operator can immediately recognize that the image data has been output processed. In addition to this, when the output processed image data is displayed, the buttons arranged in the correction button area 42 may be hidden.

  When the close button 51 is clicked using the mouse 7b or the like, the correction check screen 40 is closed and the caller operation screen (main screen, judge screen 30 or the like) is returned.

  As described above, according to the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment of the present invention, all of the image data (that is, image data related to one order) brought into the processing target brought in by the customer is displayed on the correction check screen 40. Since the image data can be sequentially displayed in the image display area 41 one by one, the operator can quickly find image data having a color density different from the others. Furthermore, since appropriate correction can be easily performed on the image data, it is easy to perform a uniform correction on all the image data to be processed.

  In addition, since reference image data can be registered as a comparison target and can be displayed at any time, workability for performing uniform correction can be further improved.

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

  For example, in the above embodiment, the image data is sequentially extracted from the image data storage area according to the assigned ordinal number by operating the return button 49 or the feed button 50 of the correction check screen 40. However, the correction shown in FIG. As in the check screen 52, by providing a designation number input area 55 and an OK button 56 as the designation operation unit, it is possible to have a specification that allows the operator to directly designate and retrieve desired image data. In this case, when the operator inputs the number (ordinal number) of image data to be extracted (displayed) in the designated number input area 55 using the keyboard 7a or the like, and clicks the OK button 56 using the mouse 7b or the like, The image data related to the designated number is taken out regardless of the order (that is, jumped) and displayed in the image display area 41. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, if the corresponding number is displayed together with the file name in the file name display area 45, the operator can easily recognize the number assigned to the image data. In addition, for example, an operation button or the like for displaying image data relating to the first number or the last number may be provided.

  In the above embodiment, the storage area of the RAM 9b is used as the image data storage area and the correction content storage area. However, these areas may be provided in the storage area of the hard disk 4b for use.

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 judge screen 30 in the embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of amendment check screen 40 in the embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the correction check screen 52 in other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image processing apparatus, 2 ... Printing apparatus, 3 ... Film scanner, 4a ... Media drive, 4b ... Hard disk, 5 ... Main controller, 6 ... Monitor, 7 ... Input device, 8 ... CPU, 9a ... ROM, 9b ... RAM, 10 ... I / O processing unit, 11 ... exposure processing unit, 12 ... development processing unit, 13 ... drying processing unit, 14 ... sorting processing unit, 15a, 15b ... magazine, 16 ... conveying roller pair, 17 ... exposure 17a ... light source bundle, 17c ... optical shutter, 18 ... hot air device, 19 ... size sorting unit, 20 ... order sorting unit, 21 ... tray, 22 ... conveyor, 23 ... dish, 30 ... judge screen , 31 ... frame image, 32 (42) ... correction button area, 33 (43) y, 33 (43) m, 33 (43) c ... color correction button, 33 (43) d ... density correction button, 34 ( 4) ... DSA button, 40 (52) ... Correction check screen, 45 ... File name display area, 46 ... Switching button area, 47 ... Registration button, 48 ... Switching button, 49 ... Return button, 50 ... Send button, 51 ... Close button, 55 ... designated number input area, 56 ... OK button

Claims (4)

Storage means for storing a plurality of image data to be processed;
An extraction operation unit for extracting the image data one by one from the storage means, one image display area for displaying the extracted image data, and an operator makes a desired correction on the displayed image data And a correction interface means comprising:
An ordinal number is assigned to the image data stored in the storage means, and when the extraction operation unit is operated, the image data is sequentially extracted to the correction interface means according to the ordinal number.
An image processing apparatus. The correction interface means further includes a registration operation unit for registering the specific image data, and a call operation unit for taking out the registered image data.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The correction interface means further includes a designation operation unit for taking out the specific image data.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the output processed image data is taken out, the correction operation unit does not function.

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