JP3272597B2 - Color temperature information recording device and image reading device for electro-developing recording medium - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a recording medium for electronically developing an image, and more particularly to processing of color temperature information when a color image is recorded on the recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-2280 has proposed a photographic material in which a recording medium itself is directly electronically developed and a developed visible image can be obtained immediately. Such an electronically developed recording medium is called an electro-developing recording medium in this specification, and a camera using the electro-developing recording medium is called an electro-developing camera.

In order to obtain a color image using an electro-developing recording medium, a camera is configured so that, for example, three primary colors of R (red), G (green) and B (blue) are recorded on the electro-developing recording medium. It is possible. On the other hand, it is known that white balance adjustment is performed at the time of shooting in accordance with the color temperature of ambient light of a subject in order to reproduce a color image of a natural color. When this white balance adjustment is applied to an electro-developing recording medium,
In order to reproduce one color image of a natural color from the three images of R, G, B, it is conceivable to record white, balanced R, G, B images at the time of shooting.

[0004]

However, according to the configuration in which the R, G, and B images whose white balance has been adjusted at the time of photographing are recorded on the electro-developing recording medium, each of the R, G, and B images is recorded at the time of photographing, that is, the recording operation. The exposure time must be adjusted for the image in accordance with the color temperature, which causes a problem that control becomes complicated.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a color temperature information recording device and an image reading device capable of reproducing a natural color image without complicating the control during the recording operation.

[0006]

A color temperature information recording apparatus for an electro-developing recording medium according to the present invention has a plurality of recording areas for electronically developing an image and recording a plurality of color images, respectively. An electro-developing recording medium, comprising: means for detecting color temperature information relating to a plurality of color images; and an alignment index indicating a relative position of each color image recorded in a plurality of recording areas during the recording operation. It is characterized by comprising an alignment index forming unit formed on a medium, and a color temperature information superimposing unit for superimposing color temperature information on the alignment index when forming the alignment index.

The color temperature information corresponds to, for example, the magnitude of the transmittance of the positioning index.

[0008] A first image reading apparatus according to the present invention is a color temperature information reading means for reading color temperature information recorded by the above-mentioned color temperature information recording apparatus, and reading an image recorded on an electro-developing recording medium. And a line sensor control means for controlling the charge accumulation time of the line sensor according to the color temperature information detected by the color temperature information reading means.

[0009] In the first image reading device, the line sensor may also serve as color temperature information reading means. In this case, the color temperature information corresponds to the magnitude of the transmittance of the alignment index, and the alignment index has a linear portion parallel to the longitudinal direction of the line sensor, and the line sensor detects the amount of light passing through the linear portion. It may be configured to do so.

[0010] A second image reading apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a color temperature information reading means for reading color temperature information recorded by the above color temperature information recording apparatus; an illumination light source for illuminating an electro-developing recording medium; A line sensor for reading an image recorded on the electro-developing recording medium illuminated by the illumination light source, and a light source control means for controlling the light amount of the illumination light source according to the color temperature information read by the color temperature information reading means It is characterized by having.

In the second image reading device, the line sensor may also serve as color temperature information reading means. In this case, the color temperature information corresponds to the magnitude of the transmittance of the alignment index, and the alignment index has a linear portion parallel to the longitudinal direction of the line sensor, and the line sensor determines the amount of light passing through the linear portion. It may be configured to detect.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of an electro-developing camera to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

A lens mount 14 for mounting an interchangeable lens, which is a photographing optical system, is formed substantially at the center of the front surface of the camera body 11. On the side of the lens mount 14, a detach button 15 which is pressed when detaching the interchangeable lens
A white balance adjusting window 16 is provided at the upper left of the lens mount 14. A flash shoe 18 for mounting a flash is provided substantially at the center of the upper surface of the camera body 11, and a release button 17 is provided beside the flash shoe 18. A communication connector 19 for transmitting image data to an external computer or the like is provided on a side surface of the camera body 11. A slot (not shown) for mounting an electro-developing recording medium is formed on the bottom surface of the camera body 11.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the still video camera. The system control circuit 20 is a microcomputer and controls the entire still video camera.

The photographing optical system 12 has a plurality of lens groups,
An aperture 12a is provided. An electro-developing recording medium 30 is provided behind the imaging optical system 12, and a color filter (color separation filter) 70 is provided in front of the electro-developing recording medium 30. A quick return mirror 21 is provided between the photographing optical system 12 and the color filter 70, and the quick return mirror 21 and the color filter 7 are provided.
Between 0, a shutter 22 is provided. Above the quick return mirror 21, a focus plate 23a of a finder optical system 23 is provided.
Photometric sensor 28 for detecting incident light from photographing optical system 12
Is provided.

The electro-developing recording medium 30 includes first to third recording areas 30G, 30R, and 30B.
G, 30R, and 30B each have a size of one screen. The color filter 70 includes a G (green) filter element 70G, an R (red) filter element 70R, and a B (blue) filter element 70B.
0G, 70R, and 70B are recording areas 30G, 30R, 3
It has the same size as 0B, that is, one screen size.

Aperture 12a, quick return mirror 21
And the shutter 22 are provided in the iris drive circuit 2 respectively.
4. Driven by a mirror drive circuit 25 and a shutter drive circuit 26, and these circuits 24, 25 and 26 are controlled by an exposure control circuit 27. The exposure control circuit 27 operates according to a command signal output from the system control circuit 20. That is, at the time of exposure control, the photometric sensor 2
The aperture of the aperture 12a is adjusted by the iris drive circuit 24 under the control of the exposure control circuit 27 based on the output signal from the iris 8. The quick return mirror 21 is normally set at a down position (in an inclined state shown by a solid line), which is a position for observing a subject, and guides light passing through the imaging optical system 12 to the finder optical system 23. During operation, under the control of the exposure control circuit 27, the mirror is rotated upward by the mirror drive circuit 25 and is set to the up position (horizontal state indicated by a broken line). The shutter 22 is normally closed, but is released for a predetermined time by the shutter drive circuit 26 under the control of the exposure control circuit 27 during the photographing operation, so that the light passing through the photographing optical system 12 The light is irradiated on the light receiving surface.

A voltage (ie, a recording medium activation signal) is applied to the electro-developing recording medium 30 under the control of the recording medium drive circuit 41, and the electro-developing recording medium 30 is exposed during this voltage application. Has a photographing optical system 12
Is developed as a visible image. The recording medium drive circuit 41 operates according to a command signal output from the system control circuit 20.

A support member 50 is provided near the shutter 22. The support member 50 is fixed to a fixed frame (not shown). The support member 50 includes, for example, a light emitting element (LE).
D) Illumination light source unit 42 and scanner optical system 4
3 and a line sensor 44 are respectively supported. As the line sensor 44, for example, a CCD one-dimensional sensor having 2000 pixels can be used. The illumination light source unit 42, the scanner optical system 43, and the line sensor 44
2 are arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis.

The color filter 70 and the electro-developing recording medium 30 are movable in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the photographing optical system 12. The color filter 70 is driven by a filter driving mechanism 71, and the electro-developing recording medium 30 is recorded. It is transported by the medium drive mechanism 80. At the time of the photographing operation, the color filter 70 and the electro-developing recording medium 30 are transferred integrally, and the G filter element 70G and the first filter are placed on the optical axis of the photographing optical system 12.
Of the recording area 30G, the R filter element 70R and the second
The center of the recording area 30R, or the B filter element 70
B and the center of the third recording area 30B are arranged. That is, a G image is in the first recording area 30G, an R image is in the second recording area 30R, and a third image is in the third recording area 30B.
, The image of B is recorded.

When reading an image recorded on the electro-developing recording medium 30, the color filter 70 is positioned at a position retracted from the support member 50, for example, at the shutter 22 side. In this state, the recording areas 30G, 30R, and 30B of the electro-developing recording medium 30 are transported between the illumination light source unit 42 and the scanner optical system 43 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the scanner optical system 43. That is, the electro-developing recording medium 3
0 is illuminated by the illumination light source unit 42 and the line sensor 4
4 is formed on the light receiving surface.

The on / off control of the illumination light source unit 42 is performed by an illumination light source driving circuit 45, and the control such as the reading operation of the pixel signal generated in the line sensor 44 is performed by a line sensor driving circuit 47. These circuits 45, 47
Is controlled by the system control circuit 20.

The pixel signal read from the line sensor 44 is amplified by an amplifier 61 and converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter 62. The digital pixel signal is subjected to processing such as shading correction and gamma correction in the image processing circuit 63 under the control of the system control circuit 20, and then temporarily stored in the memory 64. Note that the memory 64 may have a storage capacity for one horizontal scanning line output from the line sensor 44, or may be a memory having a storage capacity for one frame. Further, the memory 64 includes an E ² PROM, and correction values such as shading correction are stored in the E ² PROM.

The pixel signal read from the memory 64 is
The image data is input from the image processing circuit 63 to the interface circuit 65, subjected to predetermined processing such as format conversion, and can be output to an external computer (not shown) or the like via the communication connector 19. The pixel signal output from the image processing circuit 63 can be recorded on a recording medium such as an IC memory card in the image recording device 67. The interface circuit 65 and the image recording device 67 operate according to a command signal from the system control circuit 20.

An operation section 72 including a release button 17, a scan start switch, and the like is connected to the system control circuit 20. According to the operation of the operation unit 72, an imaging operation, an image signal reading operation, and the like are performed. The system control circuit 20 is connected to a display element 68 for displaying various setting states of the still video camera and a strobe drive circuit 69 for controlling the light emission of the strobe 13. Further, the system control circuit 20 is connected to a white balance sensor 75 for measuring the color temperature of ambient light of the subject at the time of shooting.

The G, R, and B color images read from the electro-developing recording medium 30 are combined, and the relative positions of the images are adjusted when one color image is reproduced on a monitor screen of a computer or the like. Therefore, during the photographing operation, an alignment index indicating the relative position of each color image is formed near the first to third recording areas 30G, 30R, and 30B.
Therefore, an index light source unit 73 is provided on the side of the shutter 22 on the imaging optical system 12 side. Indicator light source unit 7
3 is controlled by an index light source driving circuit 74 that operates based on a command signal output from the system control circuit 20.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the electro-developing recording medium 30. As shown in FIG. The electro-developing recording medium 30 is a plate member having a rectangular shape, and first to third recording areas 30G, 30R, and 30B are formed along the longitudinal direction. In the recorded electro-developing recording medium 30, each recording area 30G, 30
Positioning indices 30P are formed near the left shoulders of R and 30B, respectively, and their transmittances correspond to the color temperature information. The positioning index 30P has an L shape, and the recording area 3
It comprises a first linear portion M1 located on an extension of the horizontal side of 0G, 30R, 30B, and a second linear portion M2 substantially perpendicular to this linear portion M1. That is, the first linear portion M1 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the line sensor 44. The width of the first linear portion M1 is, for example, about 30 μm, which is larger than the diameter of the photodiode of the line sensor 44 (for example, about 7 μm).

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the illumination light source unit 42, the index light source unit 73, and the like. The illumination light source unit 42 includes an LED 42b and a lens 42 on a support frame 42a.
The lens 42c emits narrow strip-shaped illumination light extending in the lateral direction of each of the recording areas 30G, 30R, and 30B. This illumination light is a parallel light beam, passes through the electro-developing recording medium 30, and is condensed on the light receiving surface of the line sensor 44 by the scanner optical system 43. The index light source unit 73 is located above the illumination light source unit 42. The index light source unit 73 has a support frame in which a pair of flanges 73a and 73b facing each other are formed. An LED 73c is attached to one flange 73a, and an L-shaped slit 7 is attached to the other flange 73b.
3d is formed. The light emitted from the LED 73c passes through the slit 73d, passes outside the shutter 22, and is applied to the vicinity of the recording area. The emitted light from the LED 73c is diffuse light, but has high directivity, and the blur of the outline of the recorded index is suppressed to such a level that there is no practical problem. In the state shown in FIG. 4, the illumination light source unit 42 is located at a position where the lens 42c is opposed to the upper end of the second recording area 30R, and the index light source unit 73 is such that the slit 73d is located in the first recording area 30G. At a position corresponding to the vicinity of the shoulder.

In the initial state of the photographing operation, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the G filter element 70G and the first recording area 30G are located on the optical axis of the photographing optical system 12, that is, behind the shutter 22. . By opening and closing the shutter 22 in this state, a G image is recorded in the first recording area 30G. At the time of this recording, the index light source unit 73
, The alignment index 30P is recorded on the side of the upper end of the first recording area 30G. When this recording operation is completed, the color filter 70 and the electro-developing recording medium 3
0 rises integrally, the R filter element 70R and the second recording area 30R are defined behind the shutter 22, the R image is recorded in the second recording area 30R, and the alignment index 30P is set to the second position. It is recorded on the side of the upper end of the second recording area 30R. Next, the color filter 70 and the electro-developing recording medium 30 are integrally raised, and the B filter element 70
B and the third recording area 30B are defined behind the shutter 22, the image of B is recorded in the recording area 30B, and the alignment index 30P is recorded on the side of the upper end of the recording area 30B.

In this way, each of the recording areas 30G, 30
When recording the alignment index 30P beside R and 30B, the drive current supplied to the LED 73c of the index light source unit 73 is controlled by the system control circuit 20 to control the ambient light of the subject measured by the white balance sensor 75. The illuminance (light intensity) of the light emitted from the LED 73c is changed in accordance with the set value. In the case of the present embodiment, as will be described later, a normalization coefficient is set to the reference drive current H when capturing the green component recording area 30G and to the reference drive current H when capturing the red component recording area 30R and the blue component recording area 30B. The index light source unit 73a is driven by the driving current calculated by multiplication. That is, the alignment index 30P is formed by the action of the index light source unit 73,
The magnitude of the transmittance of the alignment index 30P corresponds to the color temperature information. This color temperature information is stored in the recording area 30.
It is used to adjust white balance when forming one color image by combining G, R, and B images recorded in G, 30R, and 30B.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing output characteristics of the white balance sensor 75 and normalization coefficients corresponding to color temperature information regarding the second and third recording areas 30R and 30B.
The normalization coefficient is stored in the memory of the system control circuit 20 in the form of a table, for example.

The white balance sensor 75 outputs R / G signals and B / G signals, which are voltage signals. The R / G signal indicates the ratio between the R component and the G component included in the incident light, and B / G
The signal indicates the ratio between the B component and the G component included in the incident light. As shown by the solid line L1, the value of the R / G signal decreases as the color temperature increases. Therefore, as the R / G signal decreases, the ratio of the R component included in the ambient light of the subject decreases, so that the R image is displayed in the second recording area 30R.
R / superimposed on the alignment index 30P when recording on
As the color temperature information of G, the normalization coefficient of R is set to a small value as indicated by a symbol K1 in order to reduce the transmittance of the alignment index 30P. On the other hand, the value of the B / G signal is a solid line L
As shown by 2, it increases as the color temperature increases. Therefore, as the B / G signal decreases, the ratio of the B component included in the ambient light of the subject decreases, and thus the B / G superimposed on the positioning index 30P when the B image is recorded in the third recording area 30B. In order to reduce the transmittance of the alignment index 30P, the normalization coefficient of B is set to a small value as indicated by the symbol K2.

The thus obtained normalization coefficient K1,
From K2 and the reference drive current H, the L of the index light source unit 73 for each of the first to third recording areas 30G, 30R, 30B is determined.
The drive currents of the ED 73c are H, K1 · H, K2, respectively.
-Set as H.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the structure of the electro-developing recording medium 30, which is the same as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-2280. That is, the electro-developing recording medium 3
Numeral 0 includes an electrostatic information recording medium 31 and a charge holding medium 32, and a voltage is applied to the electrostatic information recording medium 31 and the charge holding medium 32 by a power supply 33. Electrostatic information recording medium 31
Is formed by laminating a substrate 34, an electrode layer 35, an inorganic oxide layer 36, and a photoconductive layer 37. The photoconductive layer 37 is formed by polymerizing a charge generation layer 37a and a charge transport layer 37b. The charge holding medium 32 is configured by sealing a liquid crystal 40 having a memory property such as a smectic liquid crystal between a liquid crystal support 38 and a liquid crystal electrode layer 39. Electrostatic information recording medium 31
Liquid crystal support 3 of charge transport layer 37b and charge holding medium 32
8 is opposed with a small gap.

The power supply 33 is turned on and off by a recording medium drive circuit 41. When the power supply 33 is in an on state, the electrode layer 3 is turned on.
5 and the liquid crystal electrode layer 39, that is, the electrostatic information recording medium 3
1 and a voltage are applied to the charge holding medium 32. When the electrostatic information recording medium 31 is exposed in this voltage applied state, charges corresponding to an image are generated on the electrostatic information recording medium 31. Since the intensity of the electric field acting on the liquid crystal 40 changes according to the charge, the image is displayed on the liquid crystal 40 as a visible image, and the subject image is developed. The charge holding medium 32 is a liquid crystal display element using a memory type liquid crystal, and the developed visible image is held even when the electric field is removed. This liquid crystal display element can erase a developed visible image by heating to a predetermined temperature using a heating device (not shown), and in that case, the same recording medium can be used repeatedly. .

FIG. 7 is a timing chart of the recording operation and the reading operation. The operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the initial state, the electro-developing recording medium 30
Is set at the imaging origin position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the G filter element 70 </ b> G of the color filter 70 faces the shutter 22, and the first position of the electro-developing recording medium 30.
Is facing the G filter element 70G (reference S10). That is, the G filter element 70G and the first recording area 30G are located on the optical path of the imaging optical system 12.

When it is detected that the release button 17 has been pressed (reference S11), an output signal from the photometric sensor 28, that is, a photometric value is detected, and a photometric calculation is performed based on the photometric value (reference S12). . When a predetermined time has elapsed since the release switch 17 was pressed, the recording medium activation signal of the first recording area 30G of the electro-developing recording medium 30 is set to the ON state (reference S13), and the first recording is performed. A voltage is applied to region 30G.

When the photometric calculation is completed, a white balance calculation is performed based on the R / G signal and the B / G signal output from the white balance sensor 75, and a normalization coefficient shown in FIG. 5 is obtained (reference S14). . Next, based on the result of the photometric calculation, the opening of the aperture 12a changes from the fully opened state to a predetermined opening (reference S15), and the quick return mirror 21 changes from the down state to the up state (reference S16). With the completion of the white balance calculation, the LED 73c of the index light source unit 73 is turned on for a predetermined time (reference S17), and the alignment index 30P is formed on the side of the first recording area 30G. Note that the first recording area 3
When forming the alignment index 30P for 0G, LE
The magnitude of the light amount of D73c is a predetermined reference value corresponding to the reference drive current H, and is not related to the color temperature.

Change of Mirror 21 to Up State and Aperture 1
When it is confirmed that the opening adjustment of 2a has been completed, the shutter 22 is opened for the exposure time obtained by the photometric calculation (reference S12) (reference S18). Therefore, a G image is formed in the first recording area 30G.

When the shutter 22 is closed, the aperture 12a changes to the fully open state (reference S19), the quick return mirror 21 changes from the up state to the down state (reference S20), and the recording medium activation signal is turned off. (Symbol S21). Further, the color filter 7
0 and the electro-developing recording medium 30 each rise by one screen, and the R filter element 70R and the electro-developing recording medium 30
Is defined on the optical path of the imaging optical system 12 (reference S22). That is, the R filter element 70
R faces the shutter 22, and the second recording area 30R
It faces the filter element 70R.

When the positioning operation is performed after the raising operation of the color filter 70 and the electro-developing recording medium 30 is completed, similarly to the recording operation of the G image, the recording medium activating signal is set to the ON state (reference numeral). S31), the opening degree of the aperture 12a is adjusted (reference S32), and the quick return mirror 21 changes to the up state (reference S33). Then, the LED 73c of the index light source unit 73 is turned on for a predetermined time (reference S34), and the alignment index 30P is formed on the side of the second recording area 30R. When forming the alignment index 30P for the second recording area 30R,
The light amount of the LED 73c is determined such that the transmittance of the alignment index 30P corresponds to the R / G color temperature information.

Change of Mirror 21 to Up State and Aperture 1
When it is confirmed that the opening adjustment of 2a is completed, the shutter 22 is opened for the exposure time obtained by the photometric calculation (reference S12) (reference S35), and an R image is formed in the second recording area 30R. Is done.

When the shutter 22 is closed, the aperture 12a and the quick return mirror 21 are driven (reference signs S36 and S37), and the recording medium activating signal is set to the off state, similarly to the operation after the recording of the G image. Symbol S38). Then, the B filter element 70B and the third recording area 30B of the electro-developing recording medium 30 are defined on the optical path of the imaging optical system 12 (reference S39).

When the color filter 70 and the electro-developing recording medium 30 are positioned, the recording medium activation signal is set to the ON state (reference S41), and the aperture 12a is stopped, similarly to the G image recording operation. The opening is adjusted (reference S42), and the quick return mirror 21 changes to the up state (reference S43). And the index light source unit 7
The third LED 73c is turned on for a predetermined time (reference S4).
4) Positioning index 3 on the side of third recording area 30B
0P is formed. At this time, the light amount of the LED 73c is determined so that the transmittance of the alignment index 30P corresponds to the B / G color temperature information.

Change of Mirror 21 to Up State and Aperture 1
When it is confirmed that the opening adjustment of 2a is completed, the shutter 22 is opened for the exposure time obtained by the photometric operation (reference S12) (reference S45), and an image of B is formed in the third recording area 30B. Is done.

When the shutter 22 is closed, the aperture 12a and the quick return mirror 21 are driven (symbols S46 and S47), and the recording medium activation signal is set to the OFF state, similarly to the operation after the recording of the G image (step S46). Symbol S48).

When the scan start switch is operated and a scanner drive command signal is output (reference S51), the LED 42b of the illumination light source unit 42 is turned on (reference S).
52), and the line sensor drive circuit 47 is driven
The drive power of the line sensor 44 is set to the ON state (reference S53). On the other hand, the color filter 70 is retracted by the filter driving mechanism 71, that is, all the filter elements 70G, 70R, 70B are
Retreats to a position outside the optical path of In the electro-developing recording medium 30, the upper end of the first recording area 30G is set at a position facing the illumination light source unit 42 (reference S54).
That is, the lens 42c of the illumination light source unit 42
Recording area 30G and the corresponding alignment index 3
0P.

In this state, after the electric charge is stored in the line sensor 44 for a predetermined time (reference S55), the charge, that is, the image signal is output (reference S56). From this image signal, the first linear portion M1 of the alignment index 30P is obtained.
The image signal corresponding to (see FIG. 3) is extracted, and the transmittance of the positioning index 30P corresponding to the G image is obtained.
The charge accumulation of the line sensor 44 is performed again (reference S5).
6) After a certain period of time, the line sensor 44 rises by a predetermined amount, and during this rising operation, an image signal for one horizontal scanning line is output from the line sensor 44 (reference S5).
7). Then, charge accumulation is performed again at the next position,
Similarly, an image signal for one horizontal scanning line is output from the line sensor 44. In this way, the electro-developing recording medium 30 repeatedly rises and stops, and the G image is read.

The charge accumulation time of the line sensor 44 in the operation of reading the G image is a predetermined fixed time.
The transmittance of the alignment index 30P is used for controlling the charge accumulation time in the read operation of the R and B image signals.

When reading of the image from the first recording area 30G is completed, the illumination light source unit 42 is turned off (reference S61), and the electro-developing recording medium 30 is raised (reference S62). When the upper end of the second recording area 30R of the electro-developing recording medium 30 is set at a position facing the illumination light source unit 42, the illumination light source unit 42 is turned on (reference S63), and the charge accumulation of the line sensor 44 is maintained for a certain period of time. Is performed (reference S64), and an image signal is output (reference S65). From this image signal, the alignment index 3
An image signal corresponding to the first linear portion M1 of 0P is extracted, and the transmittance of the positioning index 30P corresponding to the R image is obtained. Based on the ratio between the transmittance and the transmittance of the alignment index 30P corresponding to the G image, R / G color temperature information is obtained, and the charge accumulation time corresponding to this is set.

That is, in the reading operation of the R image signal, control is performed so that the charge accumulation time of the line sensor 44 becomes a length corresponding to the R / G color temperature information (reference S6).
6). Other operations are the same as the operation of reading the G image signal.

When reading of the image in the second recording area 30R is completed, the illumination light source unit 42 is turned off (reference S71), and the electro-developing recording medium 30 is raised (reference S72). When the upper end of the third recording area 30B of the electro-developing recording medium 30 is set at a position facing the illumination light source unit 42, the illumination light source unit 42 is turned on (reference S73), and the charge accumulation of the line sensor 44 is maintained for a certain period of time. Is performed (reference S74), and an image signal is output (reference S75). From this image signal, the alignment index 3
An image signal corresponding to the first linear portion M1 of 0P is extracted, and the transmittance of the alignment index 30P corresponding to the B image is obtained. B / G color temperature information is obtained based on the ratio between the transmittance and the transmittance of the alignment index 30P corresponding to the G image, and the charge accumulation time is set accordingly.

That is, in the reading operation of the B image signal, control is performed so that the charge accumulation time of the line sensor 44 becomes a length corresponding to the B / G color temperature information (reference S7).
6). Other operations are the same as the operation of reading the G and R image signals.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the transmittance of the alignment index 30P formed near each of the recording areas 30G, 30R, and 30B is controlled so as to be a value corresponding to the color temperature. The color temperature information is superimposed on the index 30P. And the recording areas 30G, 30R, 30B
When the image recorded in the line sensor 44 is read, the charge accumulation time of the line sensor 44 is controlled to a length corresponding to the color temperature information.
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, G,
There is no need to adjust the exposure time according to the color temperature for each of the R and B images, and the control of the photographing operation is simplified.

As another embodiment of the present invention, the recording area 3
When reading images recorded in 0G, 30R, and 30B,
The light amount of the illumination light source unit 42 that illuminates the recording areas 30G, 30R, and 30B may be controlled. That is, in this configuration, in FIG. 7, the charge accumulation time indicated by reference numerals S57, S66, and S76 is constant, and the reference numerals S52, S6
3. The amount of light in the illumination operation shown in S73 is controlled according to the color temperature. In the output signal of the white balance sensor 75, for example, when the R / G signal is relatively large, the light amount of the illumination light source (corresponding to the symbol S63) when reading the image in the second recording area 30R is controlled to be small. Is done.

FIG. 8 shows the LED 4 of the illumination light source unit 42.
The relationship between the magnitude of the forward current supplied to the LED 2b and the relative luminous intensity of the irradiation light of the LED 42b is shown, and the relative luminous intensity increases substantially in proportion to the forward current. Therefore, for example, as the R / G signal output from the white balance sensor 75 increases, the light amount of the illumination light source when reading the R image may be reduced, and data having the relationship shown in FIG. 20 may be stored in the memory. That is, FIG. 9 corresponds to the normalization coefficient graph of FIG. 5 in the first embodiment.

[0057]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to adjust the color temperature and reproduce a natural color image without complicating the control during the recording operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a still video camera to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the still video camera of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view showing an electro-developing recording medium.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an index light source unit, a light source unit, and the like.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating output characteristics of a white balance sensor and a normalization coefficient corresponding to color temperature information regarding second and third recording areas.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an electro-developing recording medium.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing a recording operation and a reading operation for an electro-developing recording medium.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a forward current supplied to an LED and a relative luminous intensity of light emitted from the LED.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an output voltage of a white balance sensor and a forward current supplied to an LED.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 30 electro-developing recording medium 30G first recording area 30R second recording area 30B third recording area 30P alignment index 42 illumination light source unit 73 index light source unit 75 white balance sensor

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. An electro-developing recording medium having a plurality of recording areas for electronically developing an image and recording a plurality of color images, respectively, wherein color temperature information on the plurality of color images is detected. Means, alignment index forming means for forming an alignment index indicating a relative position of each color image recorded in the plurality of recording areas on the electro-developing recording medium during a recording operation, and forming the alignment index. A color temperature information recording apparatus for an electro-developing recording medium, comprising: color temperature information superimposing means for superimposing the color temperature information on the alignment index. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color temperature information corresponds to a magnitude of transmittance of the alignment index.
3. A color temperature information recording device for an electro-developing recording medium according to claim 1. 3. A color temperature information reading means for reading the color temperature information recorded by the color temperature information recording device according to claim 1, and a line sensor for reading an image recorded on the electro-developing recording medium. An image reading device comprising: a line sensor control unit that controls a charge accumulation time of the line sensor in accordance with the color temperature information detected by the color temperature information reading unit. 4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said line sensor also functions as said color temperature information reading means. 5. The color temperature information corresponds to the magnitude of the transmittance of the alignment index, and the alignment index has a linear portion parallel to a longitudinal direction of the line sensor. 5. The image reading device according to claim 4, wherein the amount of light passing through the linear portion is detected. 6. A color temperature information reading means for reading the color temperature information recorded by the color temperature information recording device according to claim 1, an illumination light source for illuminating the electro-developing recording medium, and the illumination light source. A line sensor for reading an image recorded on the illuminated electro-developing recording medium, and light source control means for controlling the light amount of the illumination light source according to the color temperature information read by the color temperature information reading means. An image reading device, comprising: 7. The image reading apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said line sensor also serves as said color temperature information reading means. 8. The color temperature information corresponds to the magnitude of the transmittance of the alignment index, the alignment index has a linear portion parallel to a longitudinal direction of the line sensor, and the line sensor is The image reading device according to claim 7, wherein the amount of light passing through the linear portion is detected.