JP2007036968A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of obtaining high image quality partially and entirely in modifying color digital image data. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus comprises an entire image correction means, and a partial image correction means. The partial image correction means is comprised of a step of tone curve correction, and performs correction by using a tone curve 34. The image data can be digitally seized by showing a histogram 35 thereof. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that corrects color and density of color digital image data acquired from an image source to form a suitable output image. Examples of the image source include a digital recording medium in which image data taken by a digital camera is recorded, or a photographic film. Examples of the output form include printing, photographic printing, and saving to a digital recording medium or a hard disk. It is done.

  When forming an output image based on color digital image data acquired by a digital camera or an image scanner, a printer device or a digital photo processing having a function of improving the color balance of the original image by correcting the color and density of the original image Various image forming apparatuses such as an image processing apparatus (an image ordering apparatus may be included in terms of business form for these two) and an image processing apparatus have been proposed or put into practical use.

  Although correction is applied for various reasons, one is that the color digital image data acquired by a digital camera or image scanner is not always optimal due to the dynamic range performance of the imaging system or the influence of the external environment such as the light source. It is because it is not necessarily acquired by. Or, it has unique image color characteristics according to the type of photographic film used, the types of digital cameras, and their output characteristics. For example, the image is pale or tinted overall. This is because there are cases.

  In the correction, an image is displayed on a so-called judge screen, the display content is visually checked by an operator, a correction value is determined, and the determined correction value is input. The correction value can be increased or decreased in several steps in color and density, and a suitable correction effect can be obtained even with correction to the extent that the correction value is selected. Depending on the model, correction functions such as contrast, sharpness, and saturation, which are unique to color digital image data, are also prepared (Patent Documents 1 to 3).

JP 2005-148294 A JP 2005-130254 A JP 2004-146912 A

  However, the conventional image correction is to correct color, density, etc. over the entire image of the color digital image data. If an attempt is made to correct a partial image quality defect, the image is reluctantly changed. There is a problem that the whole is corrected, and a satisfactory result is not always obtained. For example, when an attempt is made to improve the blood color when the human face is blue and the blood color is felt bad, the entire image may be reddish.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of obtaining high image quality in whole or in part when correcting color digital image data. To do.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. An input unit for inputting color digital image data acquired from an image source, a display unit for displaying an image related to the color digital image data, and the display In an image forming apparatus comprising an overall image correction unit that corrects color, density, and the like for an entire image, and an output unit that outputs color digital image data relating to the corrected image, the displayed image includes The image processing apparatus further includes an area designating unit for designating a target area and a partial image correcting unit for performing tone curve correction on an image in the designated target area.

  According to such a configuration, after correcting the entire image by the whole image correcting unit, if it is desired to correct a partial image quality defect, the tone curve correction by the partial image correcting unit is added. Accordingly, there is no problem that the entire image is affected by correcting the defect in the partial image quality as in the prior art (side-effect image correction). High image quality can be obtained.

  The present invention adopts a configuration in which the region designating unit includes a pointing device that designates the target region, or a configuration in which the region designating unit is based on a threshold value determination of each pixel value constituting the color digital image data. And a second display means for displaying a histogram that is a frequency distribution of each pixel value of the image in the designated target area can be employed. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which the correction means performs color density correction using Y (yellow) M (magenta) C (cyan) D (density).

  As described above, according to the present invention, by using the whole image correction unit and the partial image correction unit in combination, it is possible to perform suitable correction both in whole and in part, and an output image with high image quality can be obtained. become. In other words, partial defects can be suitably corrected by partial image correction without impairing the processing result of the overall image correction. In addition, since the partial image correction means includes tone curve correction, fine partial image correction is possible.

  Hereinafter, as an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, a business printer apparatus installed in a print service store such as a DPE store will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the printer apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing its internal configuration. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a terminal device that accepts an order for an output service such as printing from a customer, and reference numeral 10 denotes an ink-jet color printer that outputs image data as a print.

  The terminal device 1 includes a monitor 2, a media drive 3, a main control device 4, and an image scanner 5. The monitor 2 is a color liquid crystal display, and by displaying an image read from an image source brought in by the customer, the customer or an operator in the store can select an image desired to be output while viewing the display content. . In addition, the monitor 2 is configured to be capable of touch-panel input, and allows various information input operations by touching (touching) the screen using a customer or operator's finger, a dedicated input pen, or the like. Yes.

  The media drive 3 is a device that reads and writes image data and the like on various media M such as a CD-ROM and a memory card, and the image scanner 5 is a device that reads an image from a photographic film or a photographic print.

  The main control device 4 is a device that controls the entire system, and includes a GUI (graphical / graphical display) for the control, the CPU 6 that is the main body of the calculation, the image display on the monitor 2, the reception of input from customers and operators, and the like. ROM 7a storing a program (print processing software) for realizing a user interface), RAM 7b used as a work area for internal processing, and various external devices (monitor 2, media drive 3 and image scanner) An I / O processing unit 8 that performs the I / O processing with 5) is provided.

  The printer 10 receives color digital image data output from the terminal device 1 and prints an image on paper using an ink jet technique. The printer 10 includes a paper supply unit 11 including two magazine units 12, and a printing unit. 13 and a print collection unit 14.

  The printer device having the above configuration is installed in a print service store, and a customer who visits the store or an operator in the store can print out image data based on an image source brought in by the customer as a terminal. Various information input operations are performed via the device 1. Hereinafter, an operation of inputting various information in the printing apparatus and a flow of operations of the printing apparatus accompanying the operation will be described.

  First, image data is read from an image source brought in by a customer. Here, for example, when the brought-in image source is various digital recording media (media M), the customer or the operator inserts the media M into the corresponding media drive 3 and records the color digital image recorded therein. Load data. On the other hand, when the image source brought in is a photographic film or photographic print such as negative or positive, color digital image data obtained by setting the photographic film or photographic print on the image scanner 5 and digitizing the captured image. To convert to

  The acquired color digital image data is temporarily stored in a storage device (such as the RAM 7b) included in the main control device 4, and is displayed on the monitor 2 by the execution processing of the print processing software (so-called judgment screen). Are displayed in a predetermined manner (for example, any one of a list display of all frames, a list display of 2 rows × 3 columns, and a display of the number of frames can be selected). The print processing software is installed in the ROM 7a included in the main control device 4, and is activated and executed by the CPU 6.

  FIG. 3 shows a display example (6 rows display of 2 rows × 3 columns) of the judgment screen. A customer or an operator selects a frame image 20 desired to be output (printed) while viewing each frame image 20 displayed on the judgment screen shown in the figure, and inputs various information to the selected frame image 20. Do. Specifically, by touching the desired frame image 20 (for example, 0001.JPG at the upper left), the frame image 20 is selected, and in this state, various buttons are touched to input various information. Perform the operation.

  When changing the number of prints from the default one, it is performed by touching the print number change buttons 21 and 21 provided for each frame image. The designated number of prints is displayed in the print number display area 22. On the other hand, when not printing, the user designates by touching the pass button 23 provided for each frame image.

  When correcting color and density, various correction buttons provided in the right color density correction area 24 are used. The color correction buttons include a total of six buttons: a yellow DOWN button 25, a yellow UP button 26, a magenta DOWN button 27, a magenta UP button 28, a cyan DOWN button 29, and a cyan UP button 30. There are a total of two buttons, a DOWN button 31 and a density UP button 32.

  The yellow DOWN button 25 is used when an image is perceived to be yellowish, and can enhance blue, which is a complementary color of yellow, with a maximum of 15 steps. The yellow UP button 26 is used when the image feels bluish, and can highlight yellow, which is a complementary color of blue, with a maximum of 15 steps. The magenta DOWN button 27 is used when the image feels reddish purple, and can highlight green, which is a complementary color of reddish purple, with a maximum of 15 steps. The magenta UP button 28 is used when the image feels greenish, and can emphasize red purple, which is a complementary color of green, with a maximum of 15 steps.

  The cyan DOWN button 29 is used when the image feels light blue and can enhance red, which is a complementary color of light blue, with a maximum of 15 steps. The cyan UP button 30 is used when the image feels reddish, and can emphasize light blue, which is a complementary color of red, with a maximum of 15 steps. The density DOWN button 31 is used when the image density is desired to be reduced, and can be adjusted in a maximum of 15 levels. The density UP button 32 is used when the image density is desired to be increased, and can be adjusted in a maximum of 15 levels. Adjustment is possible.

  These image corrections are for the entire selected frame image 20, but apart from this, partial image correction in the selected frame image 20 is also possible. It is a feature.

  The means for enabling partial image correction includes area specifying means for specifying a target area in the frame image 20 and tone curve correcting means applied only to the specified target area. These means are based on the cooperation of the print processing software and the CPU 6 that executes the software, that is, the area designation processing and the tone curve correction processing are performed during the execution processing of the print processing software.

  When designating the target area for the selected frame image 20, after selecting the area designation mode by touching the area designation button 33, pointing such as a mouse, light pen, track / ball, tablet, joystick, etc. This is performed by specifying a target area on the frame image 20 using a device.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (a), a specific method of specifying the target area includes a method of specifying the rectangular area R so as to surround the specified target by pointing two diagonal points with a pointing device, As shown in FIG. 5), a method for designating a polygonal region R ′ so as to surround a designated object by specifying a plurality of points with a pointing device, or after displaying a circular template as shown in FIG. A method of designating a circular region or an elliptical region R ″ so as to surround the designated object by changing the size, center position, and flatness of the circle with a pointing device.

  When a more accurate target area is desired, a threshold value (for gradation and brightness) of a pixel is set in advance, and the target object (Fig. Then, a person's face) is accurately cut out and used as a further target area. Alternatively, the selected frame image 20 may be enlarged and displayed, and the customer or operator may specify the target area by tracing the outline of the specified target object.

  Returning to FIG. 3, when the target area designation processing is completed, image correction is performed on the image in the designated target area using the tone curve screen 34 displayed on the color density correction area 24. The tone curve is used to adjust the brightness (gradation) of an image using the tone curve. By operating the tone curve, the brightness (brightness) and contrast of the image can be adjusted.

  For example, if the operation is performed so as to raise the vicinity of the center of the tone curve indicating a straight line rising to the right, the image becomes bright, whereas if the operation is performed so that the vicinity of the center is lowered, the image becomes dark. In addition, the S curve is drawn by manipulating two parts of the tone curve. More specifically, when the highlight side is raised and the shadow side is lowered, the tone curve starts to draw a natural S shape. Highlights and shadows are emphasized to increase contrast. On the other hand, if the highlight value is lowered and the shadow side is lifted to draw an inverted S-shape, the gradient of the curve particularly near the halftone becomes gentle and the contrast of the image is weakened.

  In addition, a histogram 35 of the image in the designated target area is displayed beside the tone curve screen 34, so that the contents of partial image correction can be confirmed digitally. ing. The histogram is a frequency distribution indicating how frequently each pixel value from 0 to 255 of each RGB appears in an image in a designated target region.

  With the above operation, the entire image correction and the partial image correction for the selected frame image 20 are completed. The correction information can be input in the same manner for the other frame images 20 (0002.jpg to 0006.jpg). When the print button 36 on the judge screen is touched, color digital image data taking correction information into consideration is formed and temporarily stored in a storage device (such as the RAM 7b) by the main controller 4.

  Further, in the printer 10, a long paper wound in a roll shape is pulled out from the magazine unit 12 of the paper supply unit 11, and based on color digital image data sent from the terminal device 1 (main control device 4). Printing processing is performed in the printing unit 13. Thereafter, the printed paper is cut to a fixed size and collected by the print collection unit 14.

  Note that tone curve correction can be performed on the entire image when the area designation mode is not selected.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, either the case where only the color density correction using the YMCD buttons 25 to 32 is performed on the frame image 20 or the case where the tone curve correction is added to the color density correction can be selected. It has become. The former requires less correction information input operations, so it can be used in time (productivity) priority print processing, and the latter allows fine correction with tone curves, so image quality priority print processing. The choice of either one is left to the needs of customers and operators.

  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, in the above-described embodiment, the printer apparatus has been described. However, other image forming apparatuses such as a digital photo processing apparatus may be used. In the above embodiment, print output is mentioned as an output form. However, in a service form in which correction is made and appropriate color digital image data is given to a customer, a digital recording medium such as a CD-ROM is used. Preservation is taken.

1 is an external perspective view of a printer apparatus according to an embodiment. 2 is a block diagram of an internal configuration of the printer apparatus. FIG. It is a judgment screen for inputting various information to the printer apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the method of specifying an object area | region with respect to the image displayed on the judge screen.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Terminal device, 2 ... Monitor, 3 ... Media drive, 4 ... Main control device, 5 ... Image scanner, 6 ... CPU, 7a ... ROM, 7b ... RAM, 8 ... I / O processing part, 10 ... Color printer, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Paper supply part, 12 ... Magazine unit, 13 ... Print part, 14 ... Print collection part, 20 ... Frame image, 21 ... Print number change button, 22 ... Print number display area, 23 ... Pass button, 24 ... Color density Correction area, 25-30 ... Color correction button, 31, 32 ... Density correction button, 33 ... Area designation button, 34 ... Tone curve screen, 35 ... Histogram, 36 ... Print button

Claims (5)

Input means for inputting color digital image data acquired from an image source, display means for displaying an image related to the color digital image data, and overall correction for color, density, etc. for the displayed image as a whole In an image forming apparatus comprising: an image correcting unit; and an output unit that outputs color digital image data relating to the corrected image.
An image forming apparatus, further comprising: an area designating unit that designates a target area in the displayed image; and a partial image correcting unit that performs tone curve correction on an image in the designated target area.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the area specifying unit includes a pointing device that specifies the target area.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the area specifying unit is based on a threshold value determination of each pixel value constituting the color digital image data.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second display unit that displays a histogram that is a frequency distribution of each pixel value of the image in the designated target region.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the entire image correcting unit performs color density correction using Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and D (density).

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