JP3464571B2 - Shading correction method and index print creation device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an index print creating apparatus and a shading correction method, and more particularly, it displays on a liquid crystal panel an image in which a predetermined number of frame images recorded on photographic film are arranged in a predetermined arrangement. An index print creating apparatus that creates an index print by exposure processing, and a shading correction method that performs shading correction by adjusting light transmittance of pixels of the liquid crystal panel based on shading correction data in an image display area of the liquid crystal panel Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an index in which reduced frame images are arranged in a matrix at predetermined intervals and printed so that it is possible to easily search what kind of photograph is taken on one developed negative film. The print is known. As a technique for creating this index print, the image data of each frame of the negative film read by a predetermined scanner in a photographic printer is stored in a predetermined image memory, and the image data for several frames is transferred from the image memory at a predetermined timing. Proposed a technology to read out and display on a liquid crystal panel, irradiate light from a light source on the displayed images for several frames, and expose the images for several frames with the transmitted light to process them. Has been done.

By the way, since the amount of light from a conventional light source and the amount of transmitted light in an optical system device are different between the central part and the peripheral part of the light source or the optical system device, the uniform light transmittance of the liquid crystal panel in a normal state. Under the condition (1), a large difference (so-called uneven light amount) occurred between the light amount in the central portion of the exposure light and the light amount in the peripheral portion. Along with this, the densities of the photographic prints produced by the exposure processing differ between the central portion and the peripheral portion, causing so-called print unevenness.

Therefore, the unevenness of the exposure amount due to the transmitted light transmitted through the image display area of the liquid crystal panel is detected by a scanner or the like, and the light transmittance of each pixel of the liquid crystal panel is adjusted so as to eliminate the unevenness of the detected exposure amount. A technique for shading correction has been proposed that prevents the uneven light amount and the uneven print.

[0005]

However, in the conventionally proposed shading correction, since the light transmittance adjustment amount and the like are calculated for each pixel in the liquid crystal panel,
In addition to the high processing load, it is common to execute the processing on the entire image display area. That is, even in an image in which there is a portion (gap) where no image is formed between the frame images like the index print described above, the portion corresponding to the gap is also the target of shading correction, Useless correction processing was performed, further increasing the processing load.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a shading correction method capable of reducing the processing load, or an index print creating apparatus capable of executing the shading correction method. The purpose is to do.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 displays on a liquid crystal panel an image in which a predetermined number of frame images recorded on a photographic film are arranged in a predetermined arrangement. A shading correction method for performing shading correction by adjusting the light transmittance of pixels of the liquid crystal panel based on the shading correction data in the image display area of the liquid crystal panel when the index print is created by exposure processing. And the shade
Corresponding to the layout position of the frame image from the ringing correction data
Shading correction data is extracted and shading correction is performed.
By performing a positive correction, only the portion of the image display area in which the frame image is arranged is targeted for shading correction.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when an index print is created by displaying an image in which a predetermined number of frame images recorded on a photographic film are arranged in a predetermined arrangement on a liquid crystal panel and subjecting it to an exposure process, a liquid crystal panel is produced. The shading correction based on the shading correction data is performed only on the portion of the image display area where the frame image is arranged. That is, by adjusting the light transmittance only for the pixels in the portion where the frame image is arranged in the image display area, the occurrence of print unevenness in the portion of the frame image in the index print is prevented.

As described above, since the shading correction target is not the entire image display area of the liquid crystal panel but only the portion where the frame image is arranged, the load of the shading correction processing can be reduced. Further, along with this, it is possible to reduce the processing time of shading correction, and it is possible to save the memory capacity for storing the shading correction data necessary for executing the shading correction processing. The photographic film may be a negative film or a positive film.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 2 displays an image in which a predetermined number of frame images recorded on a photographic film are arranged in a predetermined arrangement on a liquid crystal panel and is subjected to exposure processing. An index print creating apparatus for creating an index print, which detects unevenness in the amount of light transmitted through an image display area of the liquid crystal panel, and shading correction data as a light transmittance adjustment amount of each pixel in the image display area. And a extracting means for extracting shading correction data corresponding to an arrangement position of the frame image from the shading correction data in the image display area created by the correction data creating means. Based on the shading correction data of each frame image extracted by Wherein by adjusting the light transmittance of the pixels of the liquid crystal panel, and having a correction unit that performs shading correction, to.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the unevenness of the light amount of the transmitted light transmitted through the image display area of the liquid crystal panel is detected by the correction data creating means, and is set as the light transmittance adjustment amount of each pixel in the image display area. Create shading correction data. Then, the shading correction data corresponding to the arrangement position of the frame image is extracted from the created shading correction data by the extraction means,
The correction unit adjusts the light transmittance of the pixel of the liquid crystal panel for each frame image based on the extracted shading correction data of each frame image, thereby performing the shading correction.

An image in which a predetermined number of the shading-corrected frame images are arranged in a predetermined arrangement is displayed on the liquid crystal panel and is exposed to produce an index print.

According to the invention of claim 2 as described above,
As in the case of the invention described in claim 1, the shading correction is performed not for the entire image display area of the liquid crystal panel but only for the portion where the frame image is arranged. The load can be reduced.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the shading correction is performed for each frame image in the index print data, it is possible to shorten the processing time for executing the shading correction processing once and continuously. The exclusive use of the CPU for a long time can be avoided. This is extremely effective especially when one CPU performs image input, image processing, layout, printing, and the like together with shading correction processing.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The configuration of the printer processor 10 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The printer processor 10 whose outside is covered with a casing 12 performs a process of developing, fixing, rinsing, and drying a printer unit 58 that exposes the printing paper of the main print and the sub-print, and the exposed printing paper. And a processor unit 72.

First, the structure of the printer unit 58 will be described.
A work table 14 protruding from the casing 12 to the left in FIG. 1 is installed in the printer processor 10, and a negative film 16 is provided on the upper surface of the work table 14.
There are arranged a negative carrier 18 for setting and a keyboard 15 for the operator to input commands, data and the like.

A main exposure light source section 36 is installed below the work table 14. A light source 38 is installed in the main exposure light source section 36, and the light emitted from the light source 38 is
Color correction filter (hereinafter, Color-Correction Filter: C
The negative film 16 set on the negative carrier 18 is reached via a C filter 40) and a diffusion tube 42.
The CC filter 40 has C (cyan), M (magenta), Y
It is composed of three sets of (yellow) filters, and each filter operates under the control of the CC filter control unit 39,
The light emitted from the light source 38 can appear and disappear on the optical axis.

An arm 44 is formed above the negative carrier 18 (upper side in FIG. 1). Inside the arm 44, a main exposure optical system 46 and a sub print for exposing a sub print such as an index print are formed. A section 22 is provided.

A half mirror 43 is arranged at the lowermost part of the main exposure optical system 46, and light transmitted through the negative film 16 set on the negative carrier 18 reaches the half mirror 43. In the traveling direction of the light passing through the half mirror 43, an exposure lens 48 for changing the magnification of an image to be exposed, a black shutter 50 for blocking the exposure light, and a mirror 51 for reflecting the exposure light in a substantially perpendicular direction.
Are arranged in order. The exposure light reflected by the mirror 51 is applied to the photographic printing paper 54 set in the exposure chamber 52, whereby the photographic printing paper 54 is exposed.

On the other hand, in the traveling direction of the light reflected by the half mirror 43, a photometric lens 45 for changing the magnification of the photometric image and a half mirror 47 are sequentially arranged. In the direction in which the light is reflected by the half mirror 47,
A scanner 108 configured by an image sensor or the like is arranged, and the scanner 108 is connected to an image signal processing unit 102 that performs predetermined image processing on image data of each frame of the negative film 16 read by the scanner 108. There is.

A simulator 104 as an image display device is connected to the image signal processing unit 102, and the simulator 104 displays an image of each frame of the negative film 16 when it is created based on a set condition. A print simulation image is displayed.

An image memory 106 for storing image data is connected to the image signal processing unit 102, and the image signal processing unit 102 stores the image data of each frame of the negative film 16 read by the scanner 108. It is stored in the image memory 106.

A negative density measuring section 56 for measuring the image density of each frame of the negative film 16 is provided in the traveling direction of the light passing through the half mirror 47, and the negative density measuring section 56 has an image sensor. Scanner 56B composed of the like and the negative film 1 read by the scanner 56B
Negative density measuring device 56A for measuring the image density of each frame of 6
And are installed.

In the sub-printing section 22, a light emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as B-LED) 25 that emits a blue component of light and a light emitting diode that emits a red component (hereinafter, R-) are used as light sources for exposure of the index print. Called LED)
26, and a light emitting diode that emits a green component (hereinafter,
A G-LED) 27 is provided, and the operation of these is controlled by the light source controller 24. B-LED2
5 is arranged on the exposure optical axis X, the dichroic mirror 28 is arranged in the traveling direction of the light emitted from the B-LED 25, and the optical axis of the red light emitted from the R-LED 26 and G- The optical axis of the green light emitted from the LED 27 is aligned with the exposure optical axis X.

On the downstream side of the dichroic mirror 28 in the light traveling direction, the end portion of the optical path (a position not affecting the image)
The mirror 30 is disposed in the light source, and a light source light amount sensor 29 for measuring the light amount of the light emitted from the light source is arranged in the light reflection direction of the mirror 30.

On the downstream side of the arrangement position of the mirror 30,
The liquid crystal panel 31 is arranged on a surface perpendicular to the exposure optical axis X. On the image display surface of the liquid crystal panel 31, a large number of pixels capable of displaying white, black and their intermediate colors (for example, 256 gradations) by electrical means are regularly arranged in a matrix. . LCD panel 31
Is connected to a liquid crystal panel driver 32 that drives image display on the liquid crystal panel 31, and the liquid crystal panel driver 32 is connected to a sub control unit 23 that monitors and controls various processing states in the sub print unit 22. ing.

The sub control unit 23 is a CPU, RA (not shown).
The image memory 106 includes an M, a ROM, an input / output controller, and the like, and is connected to the image memory 106 via the input / output controller. The sub-control unit 23 reads the image data of each frame of the negative film 16 stored in the image memory 106, forms one index image data in which the frame images are arranged according to a predetermined rule, and forms one index. An image corresponding to a predetermined number of frames of the image data, for example, five frames (one column) of image data is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 31 by the liquid crystal panel driver 32. In addition, among the image data for one column, R color, G
It is also possible to display on the liquid crystal panel 31 an image corresponding to the image data of each color component of B color and B color.

On the downstream side of the position where the liquid crystal panel 31 is arranged, a mirror 34 is provided at the end of the optical path (a position that does not affect the image).
Is arranged, and a transmitted light amount sensor 33 for measuring the amount of light transmitted through the liquid crystal panel 31 is arranged in the light reflection direction of the mirror 34.

On the downstream side of the arrangement position of the mirror 34,
An exposure lens 35 for changing the magnification of the image of the sub-print to be exposed is arranged, and the image of the index print displayed on the liquid crystal panel 31 by the exposure lens 35 and projected by the exposure light is printed on the photographic paper 54 in a predetermined manner. Imaged at magnification.

Further, in the sub-printing section 22, a mirror 120 which is capable of projecting and retracting in the optical path is installed on the downstream side (right side in FIG. 2) of the exposure lens 35 along the exposure optical axis X, and the mirror 120 is mounted on the mirror 120. Is connected to a mirror driver 122 that drives the mirror 120 to appear or retract in the optical path. The sub-control unit 23 is connected to the mirror driver 122, and the sub-control unit 23 is connected to the mirror driver 122.
The mirror 120 appears or retracts in the optical path based on the instruction from.

In the direction in which the exposure light is reflected by the mirror 120 when the mirror 120 appears in the optical path, a scanner 124 composed of an image sensor or the like is installed, and an image of the transmitted light transmitted through the liquid crystal panel 31 is provided. Are imaged on the image reading surface of the scanner 124.
As a result, the scanner 124 causes the liquid crystal panel 31
Read the uneven pattern formed by the transmitted light of
It is possible to measure the density of each measurement point corresponding to each pixel of the liquid crystal panel 31.

The light source control unit 24, the light source light amount sensor 29, and the transmitted light amount sensor 33 are further connected to the sub control unit 23, and the sub control unit 23 has the light source light amount sensor 29.
An appropriate correction amount of light amount is calculated based on the light amount value of each of R, G, and B measured by the B-LED 25, R-LE.
The light amount of the light emitted from the D26 and the G-LED 27 is corrected by the light source control unit 24. Similarly, the sub control unit 23
Has a function of controlling the liquid crystal panel driver 32 based on the transmitted light amount value measured by the transmitted light amount sensor 33 to adjust the density of the image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 31 so as to obtain an appropriate transmitted light amount.

Like the sub control unit 23, the main control unit 20 for controlling and monitoring the entire printer processor 10 is provided.
Is installed below the exposure chamber 52. The main control unit 20 is composed of a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an input / output controller and the like (not shown). In the main control unit 20,
The CC filter control unit 39 and the negative density measuring device 56 described above.
A, the image signal processing unit 102, and the sub-control unit 23 are connected to monitor and control the operation of each of these components.

By the way, in the present embodiment, the negative film 16 on which the frame images for forming index prints are recorded are provided with the image frames 130 at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. The negative film 16 has a perforation 110 formed at a predetermined one end in the width direction in accordance with the position of each image frame 130, which enables discrimination between the front and back of the negative film 16 and the position of the image frame 130. ing.

Further, corresponding to each image frame 130, magnetic tracks 112 are provided on both sides of the negative film 16 in the width direction, and each image frame 1 is provided on the magnetic track 112.
Various information such as information at the time of photographing the image recorded in 30, the print size, the exposure condition, and the like are recorded. In addition,
The magnetic track 112 provided at the end opposite to the perforation 110 mainly records information such as the camera posture at the time of shooting and the shooting date and time by a camera or the like. The negative film 16 also has a perforation 110.
A bar code 114 indicating a DX code is recorded at the end opposite to the side where the negative film 16 is formed so that the negative film 16 can be specified.

Corresponding to the negative film 16 having such a structure, a reader 126 for reading the information recorded on the magnetic track 112 is provided in the vicinity of the negative carrier 18.
Is installed, and the information read by the reader 126 is transmitted to the main control unit 20.

A mounting portion 60 is provided at a corner portion between the upper right side surface of the arm 44 and the upper surface of the casing 12, and the mounting portion 60 is a paper for accommodating the photographic printing paper 54 wound around the reel 62 in layers. The magazine 64 is mounted.

A roller pair 66 is disposed near the mounting portion 60, and holds the photographic printing paper 54 in a horizontal state to expose the exposure chamber 52.
Transport to. The photographic paper 54 is placed on the roller 6 before the arm 44.
It is wrapped around 7, turned 90 degrees and hung down. A first stock portion 69 is provided between the rollers 66 and 67 to guide and stock the printing paper in a substantially U-shape.

A roller 68 is provided below the exposure section of the exposure chamber 52.
A, 68B, and 68C are arranged, and the printing paper 54 on which the image of the negative film 16 is printed in the exposure chamber 52 is turned by about 90 degrees by each of the rollers 68A, 68B, and 68C, and is transferred to the processor unit 72 described later. Be transported.

A cutter 71 is arranged on the downstream side of the roller 68A, and the cutter 71 cuts the rear end of the photographic printing paper 54 after the exposure processing. The printing paper 54 that has been cut by the cutter 71 and left in the exposure chamber 52 can be rewound into the paper magazine 64 again. Also, the roller 68
Printing paper 54 that has been printed between A and roller 68B
There is provided a second stock portion 73 for guiding and stocking in a substantially U shape. In the second stock section 73,
By stocking the photographic paper 54, the printer unit 58
And the difference in processing time between the processor unit 72 and the processor unit 72 is absorbed.

Next, the configuration of the processor section 72 will be described. The processor section 72 is provided with a color development processing tank 74 in which a color development processing solution is stored, a bleach-fixing processing tank 76 in which a bleach-fixing processing solution is stored, and a plurality of rinse processing tanks 78 in which a washing processing solution is stored. The photographic printing paper 54 is sequentially conveyed through the color development processing tank 74, the bleach-fixing processing tank 76, and the plurality of rinsing processing tanks 78, so that the developing, fixing, and washing processes are sequentially performed. Washed photographic paper 54
Is conveyed to the drying section 80 adjacent to the rinse treatment tank 78,
In the drying unit 80, the photographic printing paper 54 is wound around a roller and exposed to high temperature air to be dried.

The photographic printing paper 54 is nipped by a pair of rollers (not shown), and is discharged from the drying section 80 at a constant speed after the completion of the drying process. A cutter unit 84 is provided on the downstream side of the drying unit 80, and the cutter unit 84 has a cut mark sensor 86 for detecting a cut mark applied to the photographic printing paper 54.
A paper density measuring unit 90 for measuring the density of the printing paper 54 and a cutter 88 for cutting the printing paper 54 are installed.

The cut mark sensor 86, the paper density measuring section 90 and the cutter 88 are connected to the main control section 20, respectively. In the cutter unit 84, the photographic printing paper 54 is cut by the cutter 88 for each image frame, and the photographic print is completed.

The completed photographic prints are discharged to the sorter section 92, sorted in the sorter section 92 and subjected to a predetermined verification work. By this verification work, after defective prints such as so-called out-of-focus images are extracted, normal photographic prints are returned to the customer together with the negative film.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, the exposure process of the main print in the printer unit 58 of the printer processor 10 will be described. Black shutter 5
With 0 closed, the negative film 16 on which the image to be printed is recorded is set on the negative carrier 18, the light source 38 is turned on, and the density of the image of the negative film 16 formed by the light transmitted through the negative film 16 is adjusted. Negative density measuring unit 56
To measure. Based on the measured image density of the negative film 16, the main controller 20 sets appropriate exposure conditions (for example, the amount of each filter of the filter unit 40 inserted). Next, the black shutter 50 is opened, and the image on the negative film 16 is exposed on the photographic printing paper 54 based on the set exposure conditions.

Next, as the exposure processing of the sub print in the printer section 58, a case where the sub print section 22 exposes a frame image similar to the main print will be described.
The negative film 16 on which the image to be printed is recorded is set on the negative carrier 18, the light source 38 is turned on, and the negative film 1 is imaged by the light transmitted through the negative film 16.
The image 6 is read by the scanner 108, and the read image data is read by the image signal processing unit 102.
Store in 6. By the sub-control unit 23, the image memory 106
The image data is read from the image data, the image corresponding to the blue image is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 31, and the B-LED 25 is turned on so that the blue component of the image data (hereinafter referred to as the blue image) is formed on the photographic paper 54. The light is turned on for a time corresponding to the set exposure conditions. As a result, the blue image of the image data is exposed on the photographic printing paper 54. Thereafter, similarly, the red component (red image) and the green component (green image) of the image data are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 31, and the R-LED 2 is displayed.
6. The G-LED 27 is turned on to expose the red and green images of the image data on the photographic printing paper 54. As a result, the image to be printed is exposed on the photographic printing paper 54.

Next, the processing in the processor section 72 will be described. After the image to be printed is exposed on the printing paper 54 as described above, the printing paper 54 is processed by the processor unit 72.
The color developing processing tank 74, the bleach-fixing processing tank 76, and the plurality of rinsing processing tanks 78 are sequentially conveyed, so that the developing, fixing, and washing processes are sequentially performed on the printing paper 54.
The photographic printing paper 54 that has been washed with water is conveyed to the drying unit 80 and is dried with high temperature air. The dried photographic printing paper 54 is conveyed to the cutter unit 84, cut by the cutter 88 for each image frame, and becomes a photographic print. Then, the photographic prints are discharged to the sorter unit 90 and sorted in the sorter unit 90.

Now, as an operation according to the present invention, a shading correction method at the time of creating an index print in the sub print unit 22 will be described.

First, the input processing of the image data to be recorded in each frame of the index print will be described with reference to FIG.

When the operator uses the keyboard 15 to instruct the start of image data input processing, the main controller 20
Then, the control routine shown in FIG. 3 is started.

In step 202 of FIG. 3, the negative film 1
The first one image frame 6 is set at a predetermined printing position of the negative carrier 18, and in the next step 204, the posture information of the set image frame is read from the magnetic track 112 corresponding to the image frame by the reader 126.

In this embodiment, the posture of the image frame shown in FIG. 5A taken in the normal camera posture without tilting the camera is set as the reference posture A, and the camera is turned counterclockwise toward the subject. The posture of the image frame shown in FIG. 5B taken with the camera posture rotated 90 degrees is referred to as a reference posture B.
These reference attitudes A and B are the attitudes that serve as the reference for each frame image of the index print, and in the shading correction and index print data formation processing (FIG. 9) described later, all the frame images have the reference attitudes A or B. So that the top and bottom of the frame images are aligned.

At the next step 206, the image recorded in the set image frame is picked up, the frame image is read by the scanner 108, and the image signal processing unit 102 performs a predetermined image processing. Then, in the next step 208, the image signal processing unit 102 stores the image-processed image data and the posture information in the image memory 106.

Steps 202-208 as described above,
This is executed for each image frame for one negative film. Then, when the execution is completed for all the image frames for one negative film, the image data and the posture information for each image frame for one negative film are stored in the image memory 106. In this way, the image data and orientation information of each image frame for one negative film is input to the printer processor 10 as a pre-process for the index print creation process.

Next, the index print creating process will be described with reference to FIGS. The operator has a keyboard 1
When the start of the index print creation process is instructed by 5, the sub-control unit 23 starts executing the control routine shown in FIG. When the input processing of the image data of FIG. 3 described above is completed, the main control unit 20 transmits a control signal to the sub control unit 23, and the control signal is transmitted to the sub control unit 23.
The index print creation process may be automatically started at the timing when the index print is received.

First, in step 220 of the main routine shown in FIG. 6, a shading correction data creation processing subroutine (see FIG. 7) is executed.

In step 280 of FIG. 7, the mirror driver 122 inserts the mirror 120 in the optical path, and in the next step 282, all the pixels of the liquid crystal panel 31 are set in the fully transmissive state. In the next step 284, the LED light source of one color component of R, G and B is turned on. LCD panel 31
Is a fully open state, the all-parallel light component of the light from the LED light source passes through the exposure lens 35, is reflected by the mirror 120, and reaches the reading surface of the scanner 124.

At the next step 286, the image formed by the light from the LED light source is read by the scanner 124. This reading is continued for a predetermined exposure time in step 288, and after the predetermined exposure time has elapsed, the LED light source is turned off in step 290. Then, after the display of the liquid crystal panel 31 is canceled in the next step 292, the process proceeds to step 294, and shading correction data is created based on the uneven pattern read in step 286.

For example, in the uneven pattern, the densities of the measurement points corresponding to all the pixels of the liquid crystal panel 31 are measured, and the maximum density D _max and the minimum density D of the measured densities are measured.
_min and the intermediate value D _mid {= (D _max + D
_min ) / 2} as a reference so that the densities of all the measurement points become this intermediate value D _mid , shading correction data,
That is, the correction amount of the light transmittance in the pixel of the liquid crystal panel 31 corresponding to each measurement point is calculated. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to performing the shading correction with the above-mentioned intermediate value D _mid as a reference, and the shading correction with the maximum density D _max , the minimum density D _min , or a predetermined reference density as a reference. It can also be applied when performing.

In this way, the shading correction data for one color component of R, G and B is calculated.

After that, the processes of steps 282-294 are executed for each color of R, G, B to calculate the shading correction data for each color of R, G, B. Then, after the mirror 120 is retracted from the optical path in step 298, the process returns to the main routine of FIG.

Returning to FIG. 6, next step 22
In step 2, a subroutine (see FIG. 8) for extracting shading correction data for each frame is executed.

In step 240 of FIG. 8, the shading correction data corresponding to one frame position (for example, the frame image K01 of FIG. 5D) is extracted, and the next step 242.
Then, the extracted shading correction data is stored in the image memory 106 in association with the position information of the frame.

The processing in steps 240 and 242 is 1
Execute for each color of R, G, B in one frame.
When the execution of each color of R, G, B is completed in one frame, the execution is performed for the next frame.

In this manner, the frames are executed one by one, and when the processing of steps 240 and 242 is completed for all the frames of one negative film 16, the process returns to the main routine of FIG.

Returning to FIG. 6, next step 22
At 4, the shading correction and index print data formation processing subroutine (see FIG. 9) is executed.

In step 250 of FIG. 9, the image data of one frame and the posture information are read from the image memory 106, and in the next step 252, the shading correction extracted in the above shading correction data extraction processing (FIG. 8). Among the data, the shading correction data corresponding to the arrangement position of the frame is read from the image memory 106.

In the next step 254, it is determined whether or not the attitude of the frame image of the frame is the reference attitude A or B based on the attitude information read in step 250. When the frame image has the reference posture A or B (see, for example, FIG.
(A) frame image K01 and FIG. 5 (B) frame image K0
6) Since it is not necessary to change the attitude of the frame image, the process proceeds to step 258 described later. On the other hand, when the frame image is not the reference posture A or B (for example, the frame image K1 in FIG. 5C)
1) The process proceeds to step 256, and the top and bottom of the frame image are reversed. As a result, the frame image K11 of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5 (D), the top and bottom are reversed, and the frame image K0
It will face the same direction as 6.

At the next step 258, shading correction is performed on the frame image. That is, the light transmittance at the time of displaying the image data of the frame image on the liquid crystal panel 31 is corrected by the shading correction data corresponding to the frame position, and the image data corresponding to the corrected light transmittance (after the correction) is corrected. Image data) is formed. The processing of steps 250 to 258 is performed for one frame with R, G,
Execute for each color of B.

As described above, in this embodiment, since the shading correction is performed frame by frame, the time required for one shading correction process can be shortened, and the CPU of the sub-control unit 23 can continuously perform the shading correction for a long time. It is possible to avoid being bound by such processing.

When the execution of each color is completed, the process proceeds to step 262, and the corrected image data is placed at a predetermined position of the index print data 132 developed in the RAM of the sub-control unit 23, as shown in FIG. 5D. Deploy. Here, the corrected image data of each frame may be stored in the image memory 106 in association with the arrangement position information of the frame.

Further, the shading correction for each of the R, G, and B colors is performed for each frame image for one column in the index print data 132 shown in FIG. 5D (for example, FIG. 5D and FIG. 11). The frame images K01, K06, K11, K16, K21 in the column 132A shown in FIG.
Each)). However, column 1 shown in FIG.
In 32A, shading correction is not performed on the area 132X other than the frame image.

All frame images for one column (for example, frame images K01, K08, K15, K2 in column 132A).
2, K29) is completed, step 264
An affirmative decision is made in step 4, and the process returns to the main routine of FIG.

Returning to FIG. 6, next step 22
In step 6, an image data exposure processing subroutine (see FIG. 10) is executed.

In step 266 of FIG. 10, R, G, B
For any one of the colors, the corrected image data of the frame (5 frames) for one row is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 31. In the next steps 268 to 272, the LED light source corresponding to the same color component as the displayed image data is turned on for a predetermined exposure time t ₀ , so that the corrected image data displayed in step 266 is printed on the photographic printing paper 54. Exposed. And
At the next step 274, the display of the liquid crystal panel 31 is canceled.

Then, steps 266 to 274 are executed for each of the R, G and B color components. When execution is completed for all R, G, B color components, step 266.
The exposure process for the photographic printing paper 54 of the one-column frame image displayed in step 1 is completed.

After that, the process returns to the main routine of FIG. 6, and in step 228, the shading correction and index print data forming process of step 224 is performed for all the index print data, and step 2
It is determined whether or not the exposure processing of the image data of 26 is completed.

If the execution has not been completed for all the index print data, the process proceeds to step 230 and the frame image for the next one column (for example, following the column 132A,
In order to expose the photographic paper 54 (frame images included in the row 132B), the photographic paper 54 is conveyed by a distance corresponding to one row of image data. After that, the process returns to step 224 to perform shading correction and index print data forming processing for the next frame image for one column, and in the next step 226, exposure processing for the frame image for one column is performed.

In this way, the shading correction, the formation of the index print data, and the exposure of the index print data are performed for each column, and when the execution is completed for all the index print data, an affirmative determination is made in step 228. Step 232
Go to. In step 232, the processor section 72 performs the developing, fixing, washing, and drying processes on the photographic printing paper 54 on which the index print data is exposed to create an index print.

The image data exposed in the above index print creating process, that is, step 26 in FIG.
Since each frame image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 31 in 6 is subjected to shading correction, the index print to be created includes variations in the light amount of each LED constituting the LED light source and the transmitted light amount due to the portion of the exposure lens 35. Print unevenness due to variations does not occur.

According to the present embodiment, only the portion of the index print data where the frame image is arranged is subjected to the shading correction for each frame by the corresponding shading correction data, so that the shading correction processing of the portion where the frame image is not printed is performed. Can be omitted,
The load of shading correction processing can be reduced.

The installation position of the scanner for reading the uneven pattern is not limited to the position shown in FIG. 2. For example, the scanner is arranged on the exposure optical axis X and the light transmitted by the liquid crystal panel 31 is used. The image may be read directly by the scanner, or the density distribution of the test print created by exposing and processing the photographic paper 54 with the liquid crystal panel 31 in the fully transparent state may be measured by the paper density measuring unit 90. The uneven pattern may be detected.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a printer processor having a sub-printing unit is shown. However, a photographic print system including an index printer and a paper processor, an image memory, It can also be applied to a liquid crystal photographic printer having a liquid crystal panel for displaying the image data stored in the image memory and an exposure system capable of exposing the image displayed on the liquid crystal panel.

[0085]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the shading correction processing load is reduced because the shading correction target is not the entire image display area of the liquid crystal panel but only the portion where the frame image is arranged. can do,
The effect is obtained. Further, along with this, it is possible to reduce the processing time of the shading correction, and it is possible to save the memory capacity for storing the shading correction data necessary for executing the shading correction processing.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the load of the shading correction processing can be reduced and the shading correction is performed for each frame image. Therefore, the shading correction processing can be performed once. It is possible to reduce the time and avoid the continuous exclusive use of the CPU for a long time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer processor in the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printer unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control routine for image data input processing.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a negative film in the present embodiment.

5A and 5B are diagrams showing a frame image in a reference posture, FIG. 5C is a diagram showing a frame image in a non-reference posture, and FIG. 5D is a diagram showing an example of index print data. Is.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control routine of index print creation processing.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of shading data creation processing.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of an extraction process of shading correction data of each frame.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of shading correction and index print data formation processing.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of image data exposure processing.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a target range of shading correction processing in one row of index print data.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Printer Processor 20 Main control unit 22 Sub-printing department 23 Sub-control unit 31 LCD panel 32 LCD panel driver 106 image memory 124 scanner 130 image frames

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. Shading in an image display area of the liquid crystal panel when an index print is created by displaying an image in which a predetermined number of frame images recorded on a photographic film are arranged in a predetermined arrangement on a liquid crystal panel and exposing the image. A shading correction method for performing shading correction by adjusting the light transmittance of a pixel of the liquid crystal panel based on the correction data, the arrangement of the frame image from the shading correction data.
The shading correction data corresponding to the position is extracted and
A shading correction method characterized in that only a portion in which the frame image is arranged in the image display area is subjected to shading correction by performing a fading correction . 2. An index print creating apparatus for creating an index print by displaying an image in which a predetermined number of frame images recorded on a photographic film are arranged in a predetermined array on a liquid crystal panel and subjecting it to an exposure process to create an index print. A correction data creation unit that detects unevenness in the amount of light transmitted through the image display region and creates shading correction data as the light transmittance adjustment amount of each pixel in the image display region, and the correction data creation unit. Extracting means for extracting the shading correction data corresponding to the arrangement position of the frame image from the shading correction data in the image display area, and the frame image based on the shading correction data of each frame image extracted by the extracting means. By adjusting the light transmittance of the pixels of the liquid crystal panel for each An index print creating apparatus including: a correction unit that performs shading correction.