JP2978657B2 - Photo printing method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographic printing method for printing a plurality of images photographed on a film by a camera on photographic paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An automatic printer that automatically prints an image recorded on a film onto photographic paper is used to measure the image recorded on the film and determine the average screen density of each image. The difference between the average density of the screen and the reference density (eg, the density of the eyeball negative or the average density of a large number of images) is determined, and the difference is corrected by slope control, color correction, or the like, and printed for each image. The amount is determined, and a baking process is performed. As a result, variations in exposure and color fear at the time of photographing are corrected, and a print with an appropriate density and color balance can be obtained.

By the way, a plurality of images obtained when a similar scene is photographed a plurality of times by a camera have almost no change in the density and color of the main subject, but due to a slight difference in composition, etc. May have changed. In this case, the average density of the screen and the color balance of the entire screen change in each image as the ratio of the background portion changes. The auto printer determines the exposure condition based on the screen average density of the image,
Even in a print obtained from an image obtained by capturing a similar scene, there is a problem that the density and color balance of the main subject largely change depending on the ratio of the background portion. As described above, different finishes of images obtained by shooting the same scene give the user a sense of discomfort.

In order to solve this problem, for example, an image is divided into a large number of pieces, photometry is performed, and the density value (average value) of each part (central portion, peripheral portion, etc.) of an image recorded adjacently on a film is measured. , The maximum value, the minimum value, etc.) and the area ratio and color distribution of the light and dark portions, and compare the density value, the area ratio, the color distribution, and the like of each portion with an image obtained by shooting a similar scene. It is judged that there is a high possibility, and it is proposed to print these images under the same or similar printing conditions (JP-A-54-26729, JP-A-56-153334, JP-A-56-153334).
63-80242, JP-A-63-80244, etc.). However, even with the techniques described in the above publications, if the density value, the area ratio of the light and dark portions, the color distribution, and the like change significantly, it can be determined that the image is a photograph of a similar scene. Therefore, the main subject could not be printed so as to have the same finish.

[0005] As described above, it is not unusual that the density value, the area ratio of light and dark areas, the color distribution, and the like of each part of the image are greatly different despite the fact that the image is a similar scene. For example, in a camera having an auto-focus function, an image photographed without changing the composition after locking the focus on the same subject, and an image photographed with the composition changed, the density value of each part of the image And the area ratio of the light and dark portions are greatly different. In addition, when photographing is performed using a strobe, a portion of the image where the density is maximum changes due to a slight change in composition. As described above, conventionally, for an image obtained by shooting a similar scene,
It was not possible to print to a consistent finish.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and has as its object to provide a photographic printing method which can print an image of a similar scene so as to have a substantially constant finish.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus comprising: a plurality of photographing information recording conditions representing photographing conditions at the time of photographing an image by a camera; In printing the image on the photographic paper, the photographing information of each image recorded in the recording section is read, and the photographing information of each image is read from the photographing information of each read image.
A similarity coefficient is calculated, and images having the similarity coefficient equal to or less than a predetermined value are calculated.
Are grouped so that they belong to the same group.
It is characterized in that images belonging to one group are printed under the same or similar printing conditions.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when printing a plurality of images on a photographic paper in which photographic information representing photographic conditions at the time of photographing when an image is photographed by a camera is recorded in a recording section, a standard image photographing method is used. A plurality of patterns of photographing information representing typical photographing conditions are determined in advance, the photographing information of each image recorded in the recording unit is read, and the read photographing information and each photographing information are read.
A similarity coefficient is calculated with the pattern of the shadow information, and the similarity coefficient is calculated.
An image belongs to a pattern of shooting information that is equal to or less than a predetermined value.
Group, and images belonging to the same group are
Burning determined according to the pattern of the shooting information to which the image belongs
The printing is performed under the same or similar printing condition as the condition.

According to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the photographing information includes a luminance value obtained by photometry of a plurality of different areas on a subject to determine a photographing time and an exposure. Magnification, subject distance, subject in-focus position, aperture, shutter speed, and at least one of each item of whether or not to use a strobe, and each item is represented by a numerical value, and the similarity coefficient is: Corresponding
For photographic information of the two images are obtained depending on the integrating multiplied by predetermined weighting coefficients each for squares or the absolute value of the difference between each item.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when information of a specific item among the items constituting the photographing information is not recorded, or the specific item is excluded from the determination as to whether the photographing conditions are similar. When an instruction to perform the similarity is given, it is preferable that the value of the weighting factor corresponding to the specific item is set to 0 to obtain the similarity coefficient.

Further, any one of claims 1 to 4
In the invention described in the section, a plurality of belonging to the same group
The image, obtains an average baking conditions by metering the plurality of images, the same group in this average baking conditions
Burn each image belonging to the flop, or the respectively corrected plurality of photometry to baking conditions determined for each image an image with the average baking conditions, baking each image in baking conditions of modified each It is characterized by the following.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, photographing information of each image recorded in the recording section is read, and photographing of each read image is performed.
Calculate the similarity coefficient of the shooting information of each image from the information,
Images whose similarity coefficient is equal to or less than a predetermined value belong to the same group.
The images belonging to the same group are printed under the same or similar printing conditions. this
The photographing conditions used for grouping are, as described in claim 3 , a photographing time, a luminance value obtained by photometry of a plurality of different areas on the subject in order to determine the exposure,
It can be configured to include at least one of each item of shooting magnification, subject distance, subject in-focus position, aperture, shutter speed, and whether or not to use a strobe. The recording unit may be provided on the film or may be separate from the film.

As an example, comparing the photographing conditions of a plurality of images obtained by continuously photographing a scene a plurality of times, it is found that even if the photographing time is close and the composition at the time of photographing is slightly different, the exposure can be reduced. In most cases, conditions such as a luminance value, a photographing magnification, an object distance, an in-focus position of an object, an aperture, and a shutter speed obtained by photometry of a plurality of different areas on the object for determination do not change much. For example, in a camera that has a so-called AE function that determines exposure by a multi-point photometry method and an auto focus function and locks the exposure at the time of focusing, when the composition is changed while the focus is locked and the composition is changed, each image is taken. The brightness value of each area on the subject when shooting is very close to each other.

Therefore, an image photographed under the same or similar photographing conditions, that is, an image whose photographing information representing the photographing conditions is the same or close, can be determined as an image photographing a similar scene. The judgment based on the photographing conditions is based on the similarity of the photographing information of each image based on the photographing information of each read image.
Calculate the coefficient, and the images whose similarity coefficient is less than the predetermined value are the same
Since it is grouped so that it belongs to the group of,
As before, the density value of each part of the image, the area ratio of the light and dark parts,
It is possible to more accurately determine an image obtained by capturing a similar scene as compared with the case of determining based on the color distribution.
The similarity coefficient is obtained, for example, by multiplying the square or absolute value of the difference of each item by a weighting factor predetermined for each item, for the photographing information of the corresponding two images , as described in claim 3. It can be determined depending on that integrating Te
You.

In the present invention, each image read as described above is used.
From the shooting information of the image, the similarity coefficient of the shooting information of each image is calculated.
Calculate, and the images whose similarity coefficient is less than
Group to belong to the same group
Since the images belonging to each image are printed under the same or similar printing conditions, even if the composition at the time of shooting is different, images obtained by shooting similar scenes are taken as images shot under the same or similar shooting conditions, and the same or similar images are shot. since baked at the baking conditions, the image obtained by photographing a similar scene, sand
That is, images belonging to the same group can be printed so as to have a substantially constant finish. This grill
The attachments belong to the same group as in the invention of claim 5.
For a plurality of images to be obtained, the plurality of images are measured to obtain an average printing condition.
Burn each image belonging to the same group , or
The printing conditions obtained for each image by measuring the plurality of images may be corrected under the average printing conditions, and the images may be printed under the corrected printing conditions . this
Allows images of similar scenes belonging to the same group
Baking so that the finish is almost constant
Can be.

[0016] Even if an image is obtained by shooting a similar scene, an appropriate printing condition is different between an image shot using a strobe and an image shot without using a strobe. For this reason, it is preferable that the photographing information includes whether or not a strobe is used. As a result, the value of the similarity coefficient differs depending on whether or not a strobe is used, and an image taken using the strobe and an image taken without the strobe are printed under the same or similar printing conditions. Attachment can be prevented.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of photographing information patterns representing standard photographing conditions at the time of photographing an image are determined in advance, the photographing information of each image recorded in the recording section is read, and the read photographing information is read. And the pattern of each shooting information
A similarity coefficient is calculated, and shooting information in which the similarity coefficient is equal to or less than a predetermined value.
Grouped so that the images belong to the
Images belonging to one group are identified by the
Baking is performed under the same or similar baking condition as the baking condition determined according to the turn . Even in this case, claim 1
As in the case of the described invention, it is possible to obtain an effect that an image obtained by shooting a similar scene can be printed so as to have a substantially constant finish. The determination of the imaging condition similar to the imaging condition represented by the imaging information pattern in the invention of claim 2 is also performed by obtaining the similarity coefficient for the imaging information of the image and the pattern of the imaging information in the same manner as described above. be able to.

Further, there are various types of cameras, and depending on the type of camera, it may not be possible to record all of the items constituting the above-mentioned shooting information. For example, a camera without an autofocus function cannot detect a subject distance, a subject focus position, and the like. Further, it is impossible to detect a luminance value or the like with a camera that does not have a function of determining exposure by a multipoint photometry method, that is, a so-called AE function. As described above, the content of the shooting information recorded on the film changes according to the functions of the camera.

For this reason, as described in claim 4, it is determined whether information of a specific item among the items constituting the photographing information is not recorded or whether the specific item has similar photographing conditions. When an instruction to remove the similarity factor is given, it is preferable to determine the similarity coefficient by setting the value of the weight coefficient corresponding to the specific item to 0. This allows
The similarity coefficient will be determined according to the recorded item, for example, in a photographic printer to which the present invention is applied,
Even in the case of continuously printing a plurality of films in which images are taken by a plurality of cameras having different functions and the shooting information is recorded, the similarity coefficient can be easily determined according to the functions of each camera. Can be requested. Further, as described in claim 4, even when an instruction to exclude a specific item from the determination as to whether the imaging conditions are similar is given, the value of the weight coefficient corresponding to the specific item is set to 0 and the similarity is set. The degree coefficient may be obtained.

[0020]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a printer to which the present invention can be applied.

As shown in FIG. 2, a large number of negative films 20 of which a plurality of images have been photographed by a camera (not shown) are joined to this printer by a splicing tape or the like, and are subjected to development, bleaching, fixing, washing, and drying processes. Set after being done. A magnetic material (not shown) is applied to the surface of the negative film 20 opposite to the emulsion surface, and a magnetic track S1 on which information can be magnetically recorded is formed at the tip of the negative film 20. A magnetic track S2 as a recording section is formed corresponding to 20A.

The cameras for photographing images on the negative film 20 include a camera having an information recording function of magnetically recording information on the magnetic tracks S1 and S2, and a camera having no information recording function. In a camera having an information recording function, at the time of photographing an image, predetermined information including photographing information indicating photographing conditions at the time of photographing is recorded on a magnetic track S2 corresponding to the image. The photographing information is a photographing time, a luminance value obtained by metering a plurality of different areas on the subject at the time of focusing or photographing to determine the exposure, a photographing magnification,
The camera is configured with items such as a subject distance, a subject focus position, an aperture, a shutter speed, and whether or not a strobe is used. The camera detects information corresponding to each of the above items when capturing an image, and digitizes each information (for example, After using the strobe = 1, not using the strobe = 0, etc.), recording is performed on the track S2.

The negative film 2 of the photographing information
The item in which information is recorded in 0 changes depending on the function of the camera. For example, items such as an object distance and an in-focus position of an object are captured by a camera having a so-called AF function that measures an imaging distance (distance from a lens to an object) with a ranging element and automatically focuses. Only when this is done, the corresponding information is detected and recorded on the magnetic track S2. The items such as the luminance value of the subject are set only when an image is photographed by a camera having a so-called AE function for determining exposure by a so-called multi-point photometry method in which different areas on the subject are measured by a plurality of photometric elements. The corresponding information is detected and recorded on the magnetic track S2.

The AE function may be any of aperture priority AE, shutter speed priority AE, and program AE. Further, it is preferable that the camera having the AF function and the AE function is of a type that determines the exposure when the focus is locked and locks the exposure. On the other hand, information on each negative film 20, for example, information on the type of the negative film 20, the type of the camera that captured the image, and the like are magnetically recorded on the magnetic track S1 by each camera.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer is provided with a negative carrier 12 for transporting a negative film 20 to a printing section. Below the negative carrier 12, a mirror box 18 is provided.
And a lamp house 10 equipped with a halogen lamp. A light control filter 60 is arranged between the mirror box 18 and the lamp house 10. As is well known, the light control filter 60 includes three color correction filters of a C filter, an M filter, and a Y filter.

Above the negative carrier 12, the lens 2
2. The black shutter 24 and the photographic paper 26 are arranged in order, and the light emitted from the lamp house 10 and transmitted through the light control filter 60, the mirror box 18 and the negative film 20 located at the printing position is transmitted by the lens 22. It is configured to form an image on the printing paper 26.

A two-dimensional image sensor 30 is disposed near the optical axis of the above-mentioned imaging optical system and at a position inclined with respect to the optical axis. The two-dimensional image sensor 30 divides the negative image of the image frame 20A positioned at the printing position into a number of regions and measures the light, and measures the density of each region for each of R, G, and B.

On the upstream side of the negative carrier 12, read heads 52 are provided corresponding to the magnetic tracks S1 and S2. Image sensor 30 and read head 52
Is connected to a control circuit 28 composed of a microcomputer or the like. A keyboard 32 for inputting data and the like is connected to the control circuit 28. The dimming filter 6 is connected to the control circuit 28 via a driver (not shown).
0 and the black shutter 34 are connected to control the operations of the light control filter 60 and the black shutter 34.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 3 is executed when the negative film 20 is set in the printer and the start of the printing process is instructed. In step 100, the negative film 20 is conveyed, and the information for each negative film 20 recorded on the magnetic track S1 of the negative film 20 to be printed is read. In step 102, it is determined whether or not information such as photographing information is recorded on the magnetic track S2 based on the read information of each negative film 20.

This determination is negative, for example, when the negative film 20 set in the printer is photographed by a camera having no information recording function, such as a so-called lens-equipped film. Although a camera without an information recording function cannot record information on the magnetic track S1, predetermined information is recorded on the magnetic track S1 in advance when the negative film 20 is manufactured, and the information recording function is provided. If the camera is configured to record the information by overwriting the predetermined information, the determination of the step 102 is performed by determining whether the predetermined information is recorded on the magnetic track S1. Can be.

If the determination in step 102 is negative, the printing process in a normal printer is performed on each image frame 20A recorded on one film in step 104. That is, the process of positioning each image frame 20A at the printing position, measuring the screen density, determining the printing exposure amount based on the measured density value, and printing the image on the photographic paper 26 with the determined printing exposure amount is performed by the negative film 20. Are performed in order from the image frame 20 recorded at the head of. When the above processing ends, the process returns to the step 100.

On the other hand, if the determination in step 102 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 106, where the information read from the magnetic track S1 is set to each item constituting the shooting information based on the information indicating the model of the camera. Of these, the item in which information is recorded on the magnetic track S2 is determined, and the value of the weighting coefficient (Ap: p = 1 to n) assigned to each item in the similarity coefficient calculation formula (formula (1)) described later is determined. decide. In determining this weighting factor, the weighting factor is set to “0” for an item for which information is not recorded on the magnetic track S2, and the weighting factor is set to a predetermined value larger than “0” for an item for which information is recorded. Set.

In step 108, it is determined whether or not an instruction to modify the weight coefficient has been input. When the operator operates the keyboard 32 to input a weight coefficient correction instruction, the weight coefficient is corrected according to the correction instruction input in step 110, and the process proceeds to step 112. On the other hand, if the determination in step 108 is negative, step 11
The process proceeds to step 112 without performing the process of 0.

In step 112, the negative film 20 is conveyed to read the photographing information and the like magnetically recorded on the single magnetic track S2 and store it in the memory of the control circuit 28. The corresponding image frame 20A is positioned at the printing position, and the image frame 20A positioned in the next step 114 is measured by the two-dimensional image sensor 30, and the density value of each part of the image is obtained for each of R, G, and B. This is stored. The average density of the main part of the screen may be determined. The main part of this screen can be, for example, the center area of the screen where the probability that the main subject is located is high, or the focus area area.

In the next step 116, the image frame 20A from which the photographing information and the like have been read and the density value has been measured as described above.
Is the first image frame recorded at the head of the negative film 20. If the determination in step 116 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 124, where it is determined whether or not the processing for all the image frames recorded on one film has been completed. If the determination in step 124 is denied, the process returns to step 112, and steps 112 to 124 are performed until the determination in step 124 is affirmed.
Is repeated.

After the reading of photographing information and the like and the measurement of the density are performed on the second and subsequent image frames 20A in steps 112 and 114, the determination in step 116 is denied, and the process proceeds to step 118. . Step 118
Then, it is determined whether or not the shooting condition of the image frame 20A of the n-th frame determined as the determination target in step 116 and the shooting condition of the image frame 20A of the adjacent (n-1) -th frame are the same or similar. In order to make a determination, a similarity coefficient Dij of these image frames is calculated. The n-th image frame and the n-th frame
The similarity coefficient Dij with the first image frame is given by the following (1)
It can be obtained by an equation.

[0037]

(Equation 1)

Where p: number assigned to each item constituting the photographing information (number of items = m) Ap: weighting factor assigned to the information of item p Xpn: information corresponding to item p of the nth image frame Xpn- ₁ : information corresponding to the item p of the (n-1) th image frame The value determined in step 106 (or the value corrected in step 110) is used as the weighting factor Ap. As is clear from the above equation (1), the similarity coefficient Dij
Is data obtained by squaring the difference between the values of the information corresponding to each item and multiplying by a weighting factor for the shooting information of two image frames for comparing whether or not the shooting conditions are the same or similar. It is obtained by multiplying m.
Therefore, the similarity coefficient Dij becomes smaller as the value of the information corresponding to each item is closer, that is, as the shooting conditions at the time of shooting are closer. As for the items in which the information is not recorded on the magnetic track S2 in the photographing information, the weight coefficient Ap is set to "0" as described above, so that the value of the similarity coefficient Dij is not affected, and The similarity coefficient Dij is obtained based on the item in which information is recorded on the track S2.

It should be noted that, even for image frames photographed under the same or similar photographing conditions, an appropriate printing exposure amount differs between when photographing using a strobe and when photographing without using a strobe. In order to print each image with an appropriate printing exposure amount in the above case, the weighting coefficient Ap added to the information corresponding to the item of the use of the strobe may be set to a relatively large value. As a result, the value of the similarity coefficient greatly differs between the case where the strobe is used and the case where the strobe is not used, and the above case can be distinguished based on the value of the similarity coefficient.

The reason for squaring the difference between the information values of each item in the equation (1) is to remove the minus sign in consideration of the case where the sign of the difference is minus. For this reason, the similarity coefficient Dij may be calculated by the following equation (2) instead of equation (1).

[0041]

(Equation 2)

Further, when calculating the similarity coefficient Dij by the above equations (1) and (2), the two-dimensional image sensor 30
The similarity coefficient Dij may be calculated in consideration of the image density information (for example, the average density of the entire screen, the density of the central portion of the screen, the density of the peripheral portion, and the like) obtained by photometrically measuring the image frame 20. .

In the next step 120, it is determined whether or not the similarity coefficient is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Step 12
If the determination of 0 is affirmed, it is determined that the corresponding two image frames are image frames shot under similar shooting conditions (the same shooting condition when the similarity coefficient is equal), and at step 122 The frame numbers of the two image frames are stored as a group of image frames having the same or similar shooting conditions, and the process proceeds to step 124. If one of the two image frames already belongs to a predetermined group, the frame number is stored so that the other image frame also belongs to the same group. On the other hand, if the determination in step 120 is negative, it is determined that the shooting conditions of the two image frames are not similar, and the process proceeds to step 124 without executing the process of step 122.

As described above, until the determination in step 124 is affirmed, the processing in step 124 is performed on all the image frames 20A on which the negative film 20 is recorded, so that the image can be shot under the same or similar shooting conditions. One or a plurality of groups of image frames are formed, and the control circuit 2
In the memory No. 8, the frame numbers of the image frames determined to have been shot under the same or similar shooting conditions are stored for each group. If the determination at step 124 is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 126, where the negative film 20 is rewound to the beginning.

In the next step 128, on the basis of the density value of each image frame 20A stored in the memory, an average value Dki of the image frames 20A belonging to each group (where k represents a group) based on the density value of each image frame 20A. Sign, i is R, G, B
). As described above, since image frames shot under the same or similar shooting conditions are grouped into the same group, an appropriate average value of density values according to the shooting conditions is obtained for each group. Step 1
In step 30, the reference printing exposure amount is determined for each group by the following equation (3) using the average value Dki of the density for each group.

Log Eki = K _1i + K _2i (Dki−DN _i ) + K _3i (3) where Eki is a reference printing exposure amount of group k DN _i : a density value of a reference negative (a so-called centerpiece negative) K _1i , _K2i : printer, negative film 20, photographic paper 26
K _3i : Correction amount used as required in the next step 132 In step 132, the average value Dki of the density values for each group in the formula (3) is replaced. Then, the printing exposure amount Eni for each image frame 20A is calculated using the density value Dni of each image frame 20A stored in the memory.

In the subsequent steps 134 and thereafter, each image frame 2
A process of printing the 0A image on the photographic paper 26 is performed. That is, in step 134, it is determined whether the image frame 20A to be printed is an image frame belonging to any group. This determination can be made by determining whether or not a frame number is stored in the memory. If the frame number is not stored, it is determined that the image frame does not belong to any group, and the image frame is positioned at the printing position in step 136.
The operation of the light control filter 60 and the operation of the black shutter 24 are controlled so that printing is performed on the photographic paper 32 at the printing exposure amount Eni calculated in step 2.

On the other hand, when the frame number is stored in the memory, it is determined that the image frame belongs to any one of the groups, and the process proceeds to step 138. Step 138
Then, the printing exposure amount of the image frame calculated in step 132 is corrected with the reference exposure amount Eki of the group to which the image frame belongs according to the following equation (4).

Eni = b × (En−Eki) + Eki (4) where 0 ≦ b <1.0 As is clear from the equation (4), the coefficient b is smaller than “1.0”, The exposure amount Eni ′ corresponds to an exposure amount obtained by correcting the printing exposure amount Eni of each image so as to be closer to the reference printing exposure amount Eki of each group. When the coefficient b is set to “0”, the corrected exposure amount Eni ′ is obtained. The exposure Eni 'is equal to the reference exposure Eki. In the next step 140, the image frame is positioned at the printing position, and the operations of the light control filter 60 and the black shutter 24 are controlled so that the image is printed on the photographic paper 26 with the printing exposure amount Eni 'corrected in step 138. I do.

After executing the processing of step 136 or step 140, the process proceeds to step 140, and it is determined whether or not printing has been performed on all the image frames recorded on one negative film 20. If the determination in step 140 is negative, the process returns to step 134, and the process proceeds to step 134 until the printing process is performed on all the image frames 20A.
Steps 140 to 140 are repeated. Step 140
If the determination is affirmative, the process returns to step 100, and the above-described processing is repeated. As a result, the image frames determined to have been shot under the same or similar shooting conditions are printed on the photographic paper 26 with an approximate (the same if the coefficient b = 0) printing exposure amount.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the group of image frames shot under the same or similar shooting conditions is determined based on the shooting information of each image frame. It is highly probable that a group of image frames shot in the same manner includes image frames obtained by shooting similar scenes. As described above, the image frames constituting each group are approximated or have the same printing exposure amount. Therefore, it is possible to print an image obtained by shooting a similar scene so as to have a substantially constant finish.

In the above description, the similarity coefficient of the adjacent (continuous) image frames 20A on the negative film 20 is calculated to determine whether the photographing conditions are the same or similar. It may be determined whether or not the image capturing conditions are the same or similar for image frames that are not present.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the configuration of the printer and the like is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted. In the second embodiment, a plurality of patterns of photographing information representing standard photographing conditions at the time of photographing an image are determined in advance.
It is stored in a non-volatile memory such as OM. The pattern of the plurality of pieces of photographing information is configured by setting representative values of the photographing information when photographing is performed under different photographing conditions. Note that the different shooting conditions include a case where shooting is performed under a different type of light source (for example, natural light, a fluorescent lamp, a strobe light, or the like), a case where the weather is different, and a case where the color of the subject is different.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In steps 150 to 154 of the flowchart of FIG. 4, the same processing as in steps 100 to 104 of the flowchart of FIG. 3 is performed. That is, in step 150, information of each negative film 20 recorded on the magnetic track S1 of the negative film 20 is read, and in step 152, based on the read information of each negative film 20, information such as photographing information is stored in the magnetic track S2. It is determined whether or not it has been recorded. If the determination in step 152 is negative, the process proceeds to step 154, where 1
A printing process in a normal printer is performed on each image frame 20A recorded on the film of the book, and step 150 is performed.
Return to

On the other hand, if the determination in step 152 is affirmative, a plurality of photographic information patterns stored in the memory of the control circuit 28 are fetched. Next step 158
In steps 166 to 166, the same processing as steps 106 to 114 in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is performed. That is, in step 156, of the items constituting the photographing information, the item in which information is recorded on the magnetic track S2 is determined, and the value of the weighting factor Ap of the similarity factor calculation formula is determined. In the next step 158, it is determined whether or not a weight coefficient correction instruction has been input. If the determination in step 158 is affirmative, the weight coefficient is corrected according to the correction instruction input in step 162.

In step 164, the photographing information or the like magnetically recorded on the single magnetic track S2 is read and stored in the memory of the control circuit 28, and the image frame 20A is positioned at the printing position. 20A, and measure the density values of each part of the image as R, G,
This is obtained for each B and stored.

In the next step 166, step 164
Based on the photographing information read in step 156 and the plurality of patterns of photographing information captured in step 156, a similarity coefficient Dij with each photographing information pattern is calculated using equation (1). In step 170, of the patterns of the photographing information, the pattern of the photographing information having the smallest value of the similarity coefficient calculated above is determined, and the image frame 20A having the calculated similarity coefficient is assigned to the group of the determined photographing information. The frame number is stored as the belonging image frame.

In step 172, it is determined whether or not the above processing has been performed on all the image frames 20A recorded on one negative film 20. If the determination in step 172 is negative, the process returns to step 164,
Steps 164 to 172 are repeated until the determination of step 2 is affirmative. Thereby, the negative film 2
For all the image frames 20A recorded as 0, it is determined whether or not the shooting condition is the same or similar to the shooting condition represented by any of the plurality of shooting information patterns. It will be classified.

If the determination in step 172 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 174. Step 174 to Step 1
At 80, the same processing as steps 126 to 132 of the flowchart of FIG. 3 is performed. That is, step 174
Then, the negative film 20 is rewound to the beginning, and step 17
6, image frames 20 belonging to each group for each group.
The average value Dki of the density values of A is calculated. Next Step 17
In step 8, the reference printing exposure amount Eki is calculated for each group using the average value Dki of the density values for each group based on the above equation (3).
In step 180, each image frame 20A is determined using the density value Dni of each image frame 20A stored in the memory.
The printing exposure amount Eni is calculated for each printing exposure.

In the next step 182, the printing exposure amount Eni of each image frame is corrected so as to be close to the reference printing exposure amount Eki of the group to which each image frame belongs based on the above equation (4). The printing exposure amount Eni 'is obtained. In the following steps 184 and 186, the images of all the image frames 20A recorded on the negative film 20 are sequentially printed on the photographic paper 26 with the corrected printing exposure amount Eni ′ obtained in step 182. For image frames to which the same group belongs, that is, for image frames for which the shooting conditions at the time of shooting are determined to be the same or similar to the shooting conditions represented by the predetermined pattern, photographic paper with an approximate (or the same) printing exposure amount 26 is baked.

As described above, in the second embodiment, each image frame is represented by one of the photographing information patterns based on a plurality of predetermined patterns of photographing information and the photographing information of each image frame. Are classified into groups of images taken under the same or similar shooting conditions, but also in this group, there is a very high probability that image frames obtained by shooting similar scenes are included. Since the image frames constituting the group are printed with approximate or the same printing exposure amount, it is possible to print images having similar scenes so as to have a substantially constant finish.

In the above description, the photographing information is stored in the negative film 2
Although the case where the magnetic recording is performed at 0 has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, information may be optically recorded such as a bar code. Further, it is not always necessary to record the information on the negative film itself, and the information may be recorded on a memory card or the like separate from the negative film, and the information recorded on the memory card may be read by a printer.

In the above description, the image frames having the same or similar shooting conditions are determined for the image frames recorded on one negative film 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, image frames having the same or similar shooting conditions may be determined for a large number of image frames recorded on a plurality of negative films 20.

Further, in the above, the reading of the photographing information, the photometry, and the similarity judgment are performed for each image frame 20A recorded on one negative film 20, and then the negative film 20 is read.
Is rewound and the printing process of each image frame 20A is performed. However, the reading of the photographing information, the photometry, the determination of the similarity, and the printing process may be sequentially performed on each image frame 20A.

[0065]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the photographing information of each image recorded in the recording unit is read, and the photographing information of each image is obtained from the photographing information of each read image.
Calculate the similarity coefficient of the information, and the similarity coefficient is equal to or less than a predetermined value.
Group so that the images in the group belong to the same group.
However, since the images belonging to the same group are printed under the same or similar printing conditions, it is possible to obtain an excellent effect that an image obtained by shooting a similar scene can be printed so as to have a substantially constant finish. Can be

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of patterns of photographing information representing standard photographing conditions at the time of photographing an image are determined in advance, and the photographing information of each image recorded in the recording section is read. And the pattern of each shooting information
Calculate the similarity coefficient and shoot when the similarity coefficient is less than or equal to a predetermined value.
Grouping so that the images belong to the information pattern,
Images belonging to the same group are
Since the printing is performed under the same or similar printing condition as the printing condition determined according to the pattern , an excellent effect that an image obtained by shooting a similar scene can be printed so as to have a substantially constant finish can be obtained. Can be

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a photographic printer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a negative film.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 20 negative film 26 photographic paper 28 control circuit 52 reading head

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] When printing a plurality of images on a photographic paper in which shooting information indicating shooting conditions at the time of shooting an image by a camera is recorded in a recording unit, each of the images recorded in the recording unit is printed. Read the shooting information,
From the read image information of each image, the image information of each image
The similarity coefficient is calculated, and the image having the similarity coefficient equal to or less than a predetermined value is calculated.
Group images so that they belong to the same group
And a method for printing images belonging to the same group under the same or similar printing conditions. 2. When printing a plurality of images recorded in a recording unit on a photographic paper, photographing information representing photographing conditions at the time of photographing an image by a camera represents standard photographing conditions at the time of image photographing. A plurality of patterns of shooting information are determined in advance, the shooting information of each image recorded in the recording unit is read, and the read shooting information and
Calculate the similarity coefficient with the pattern and set the similarity coefficient to a predetermined value.
Group so that the image belongs to the following shooting information pattern.
Loop-divide the images that belong to the same group into the shooting information to which the images belong.
A photographic printing method characterized in that printing is performed under the same or similar printing conditions as printing conditions determined according to a pattern . 3. The photographing information includes a photographing time, a luminance value obtained by photometry of a plurality of different areas on the subject in order to determine an exposure, a photographing magnification, a subject distance, a subject focusing position, an aperture, It includes at least one or more of each item of a shutter speed and whether or not to use a strobe, and each item is configured by a numerical value. The similarity coefficient is a value for each item of shooting information of the corresponding two images. predetermined according to claim 1 or claim 2 photographic printing method wherein Accordingly ask to integrating multiplied by the weight coefficient each for squares or the absolute value of the difference between each. 4. A case where information of a specific item among the items constituting the photographing information is not recorded, or a case where an instruction is given to exclude the specific item from judging whether the photographing conditions are similar. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the similarity coefficient is obtained by setting a value of a weight coefficient corresponding to the specific item to 0. 5. A method for a plurality of images belonging to the same group.
Then, the plurality of images are subjected to photometry to determine an average printing condition, and belong to the same group under the average printing condition.
Burn each image that, or the respectively corrected plurality of photometry to baking conditions determined for each image an image with the average baking conditions, the baking each image in baking conditions of modified each The photographic printing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: