JP3566592B2 - Image reading device - Google Patents

Description

【００６７】
表１における「ファインスキャンの測光条件決定」は、ファインスキャン時におけるランプ８４の光量及びＣＣＤラインセンサ９４の電荷蓄積時間をプレスキャンによって得られた濃度値データに基づいて決定するものであり、例えばプレスキャンによって得られた濃度値データの値が高くなるに従ってランプ８４の光量を大きくすると共に、ＣＣＤラインセンサ９４の電荷蓄積時間を長くするようにファインスキャン時の測光条件を決定する。
【００６８】
また、表１における「オートセットアップ処理」は、請求項２及び請求項３記載の発明における画像処理に相当するものであり、本実施形態における「オートセットアップ処理」は、コマ画像の濃度種別を判定すると共に該濃度種別に基づいてファインスキャンによって得られた濃度値データに対する画像処理の処理条件を求めて記憶するものである。
【００６９】
さらに、表１における「ポジ画像検定」は、ファインスキャン部３８によって得られた画像データをネガ画像からポジ画像に変換してＣＲＴディスプレイ７２に表示することによって、この表示画像を参照することにより、例えばオペレータが露光量に対する色、濃度等の補正を指示するものである。
【００７０】
なお、表１には示していないが、本実施形態におけるプレスキャンでは、「コマ画像のサイズの検出」、「コマ番号の検出」、「ＤＸコードの検出」、及び「不要コマ画像の検出」も行うことができる。
【００７１】
上述したように、本実施形態で読取対象としているネガフィルム１２の幅方向両端部には、コマ番号を示すバーコード１７０及びＤＸコードを示すバーコード１７２がコマ画像１２Ａ毎に記録されている（図４参照）と共に、プレスキャン部３６により得られた濃度値データには、コマ画像１２Ａのみならずバーコード１７０及び１７２に対応する濃度値データも含まれているので、該バーコード１７０及び１７２の位置に対応する濃度値データを参照することにより、上記「コマ番号の検出」及び「ＤＸコードの検出」を実現することができる。
【００７２】
また、上記「不要コマ画像」の対象となる画像は、コマ画像内の主要被写体に対する焦点がずれている画像（所謂、ピンボケ画像）、主要被写体の状態が判別できない程度の超オーバー露光又は超アンダー露光の画像等である。なお、上記ピンボケ画像か否かは、例えば、画像データの高域周波数の有無によって判断することができる（高域周波数が無い場合はピンボケ画像であると判断）。また、超オーバー露光又は超アンダー露光の画像は、例えば、読取対象とするコマ画像に対応する濃度値データの平均値の大小によって判断することができる。
【００７３】
以上に基づいて、プレスキャン部３６及びファインスキャン部３８の各々によって得られた画像データ（濃度値データ）に基づいて行われる各種処理をまとめると表２に示すようになる。
【００７４】
【表２】

【００７５】
なお、表２において、プレスキャン部３６によって得られた濃度値データに基づいて行われる処理として記載した各処理は、測光条件（ランプの光量及びＣＣＤセンサの電荷蓄積時間）を固定として得られるプレスキャンによる比較的低精細な濃度値データを用いて行っても問題が発生しない程度の精度しか要求されない処理である。また、「オートセットアップ処理」及び「ポジ画像検定」は、解像度の点ではプレスキャン部３６により得られた濃度値データでも問題ないが、濃度値データのリニアリティの点ではファインスキャン部３８により得られる濃度値データと同程度であることが好ましいので、ファインスキャン部３８の処理として分担させている。
【００７６】
次に本実施の形態の作用を説明する。フィルムプロセッサ１４にセットされたネガフィルム１２は、各処理槽内に送り込まれた後に乾燥部３２に送り込まれ、発色現像、漂白、漂白定着、水洗、安定、乾燥の各処理が施される。これにより、カメラによって記録された潜像が可視化される。フィルムプロセッサ１４で処理されたネガフィルム１２は、フィルム画像読取装置１６にセットされる。
【００７７】
次に図５及び図６のフローチャートを参照して、フィルム画像読取装置１６のプレスキャン部３６の作用を説明する。
【００７８】
図５のステップ２００では、フィルム画像読取装置１６にネガフィルム１２が挿入されたか否かを、挿入検出センサ４０から入力される信号に基づいて判定する。フィルム画像読取装置１６にネガフィルム１２が挿入されたと判断するとステップ２００の判定が肯定されてステップ２０２へ移行する。
【００７９】
ステップ２０２では、ドライバ５４によりランプ５２を点灯させる。この際のランプ５２の光量は予め設定されている固定量としており、光量を調整するための機構等を必要としないため、ドライバ５４の構成を簡略化することができる。
【００８０】
次のステップ２０４では、ループ管理用センサ８３Ａ及び８３Ｂからの出力信号に基づいてプレスキャン部３６とファインスキャン部３８との間に設けられたループの長さを検出し、該ループの長さが所定の許容値より小さいか否かを判定して、小さくない場合は小さくなるまで待機する。
【００８１】
すなわち、例えば、ファインスキャン部３８の処理がプレスキャン部３６の処理より遅い場合には、時間の経過に伴ってループ長が徐々に長くなり、上記所定の許容値を越えてしまう。そこでステップ２０４では、ループ長が許容値以上となった場合に、プレスキャン部３６の動作を一時的に停止しているのである。
【００８２】
ループ長が許容値より小さな場合、すなわちステップ２０４の判定が肯定された場合にはステップ２０６へ移行してネガフィルム１２の搬送を開始する。
【００８３】
次のステップ２０８では、所定の画像読取位置にコマ画像が到達したか否か、より詳しくは、ＣＣＤエリアセンサ６２による読取可能領域に読取対象とするコマ画像が納まったか否かを判定する。ネガフィルム１２は、各コマ画像の間に未露光領域が存在し、この未露光領域は素抜け状態とされているので、コマ画像のエッジ（ネガフィルム１２の搬送方向先端及び後端のエッジ）においては、ＣＣＤエリアセンサ６２から出力されて制御回路４２に入力される濃度値データが大きく変化する。従って、この濃度値データが大きく変化する位置に基づいてコマ画像が上記所定の画像読取位置に到達したか否かを判定することができる。
【００８４】
ステップ２０８により画像読取位置にコマ画像が到達していないと判定（否定判定）された場合にはステップ２０４へ戻り、到達するまでステップ２０４〜２０８の処理を繰り返して実行した後にステップ２１０へ移行する。
【００８５】
ステップ２１０ではネガフィルム１２の搬送を停止し、次のステップ２１２では読取対象とするコマ画像の位置を制御回路４２に設けられた図示しない記憶部に記憶する。すなわち、この時点における読取対象とするコマ画像は、プレスキャン部３６における画像読取位置に位置しているので、この時点における読取対象とするコマ画像のエッジの位置に基づき、ネガフィルム１２に設けられているパーフォレーションの位置等と対応づけてコマ画像の位置を判定し、該コマ画像の位置を上記図示しない記憶部に記憶する。
【００８６】
コマ画像の位置の記憶を終了すると次のステップ２１４では、画像の走査読取処理（後述）を行い、次のステップ２１６でネガフィルム１２に記録されている全てのコマ画像について処理が終了したか否か判定する。ステップ２１６の判定が否定された場合にはステップ２０４へ戻って上記処理を繰り返して実行し、ステップ２１６の判定が肯定された時点でステップ２１８へ移行してランプ５２を消灯した後に本処理を終了する。
【００８７】
上記により、プレスキャン部３６は単一のコマ画像に対して、上記ループ長が許容値より小さな状態において、読取対象とするコマ画像の位置の記憶、及び画像の走査読取の各処理が順次行われる。
【００８８】
次に図６のフローチャートを参照してプレスキャン部３６における走査読取処理（図５のステップ２１４の処理）の詳細について説明する。なお、この処理を実行する際には画像読取位置にコマ画像が位置しており、ランプ５２から射出されＣＣフィルタ群５６、光拡散ボックス５８、及びネガフィルム１２を透過した光が、結像レンズ６０によってＣＣＤエリアセンサ６２の受光面に結像されており、ＣＣＤエリアセンサ６２から出力された信号は、増幅器６４で増幅され、ＬＯＧ変換器６６で濃度値に対応するレベルに変換され、Ａ／Ｄ変換器６８でデジタルデータに変換されて保持されている。プレスキャン部３６により得られる濃度値データのリニアリティはファインスキャン部３８により得られる濃度値データ程必要としないので、この際のＣＣＤエリアセンサ６２の電荷蓄積時間は比較的短い固定時間としている。
【００８９】
ステップ２５０では、Ａ／Ｄ変換器６８から１コマ画像分の濃度値データを取込み、次のステップ２５２では、取り込んだ濃度値データを、マトリクス状に配列された多数のセンサユニット毎の感度のばらつきに応じて補正する。
【００９０】
次のステップ２５４では、ステップ２５２による補正後の濃度値データに基づいてコマ画像のサイズを検出して上記図示しない記憶部に記憶する。なお、読取対象のネガフィルム１２が１３５サイズのネガフィルムであれば、コマ画像のサイズ（この場合はコマ画像のフレームサイズ）は、例えば標準サイズのコマ画像では画像記録範囲内となり、パノラマサイズ等の非標準サイズのコマ画像では画像記録範囲外となる所定部分の濃度や色味が、未露光部（素抜け）に相当する濃度や色味であるか否かに基づいて判定することができる。
【００９１】
また、特開平８−３０４９３２号公報、特開平８−３０４９３３号公報、特開平８−３０４９３４号公報、特開平８−３０４９３５号公報のように、プレスキャンにより得られた各画素毎の濃度値データに基づき、各画素毎にフィルム幅方向に沿った濃度変化値を各々演算し、各画素のフィルム幅方向に沿った濃度変化値をフィルム長手方向に沿ったライン単位で積算し、各ライン毎の積算値を比較することでフィルム画像のサイズ（アスペクト比）を判定したり、濃度ヒストグラムから閾値を定めて画像を二値化し、画像中の各領域における画像の存在率に基づいて判定したり、上記の手法を組み合わせて判定するようにしてもよい。
【００９２】
次のステップ２５６では、ネガフィルム１２の幅方向両端部に記録されたバーコード１７０及び１７２の領域に対応する濃度値データに基づいてＤＸコード及びコマ番号を検出して上記図示しない記憶部に記憶し、次のステップ２５８では、読取対象とするコマ画像の領域に対応する濃度値データに基づいて、ファインスキャン部３８によるファインスキャン時の最適な測光条件（ランプ８４の光量及びＣＣＤラインセンサ９４の電荷蓄積時間）を決定して上記図示しない記憶部に記憶する。
【００９３】
なお、本実施形態では、濃度値データの最小値を抽出し、該最小値に基づいて、読み取りを行ったコマ画像に対するファインスキャン部３８のランプ８４の最適な光量及びＣＣＤラインセンサ９４の電荷蓄積時間を演算し、記憶する。これは、濃度値データの最小値が非常に小さい場合には、ファインスキャン部３８における画像の読み取りに際して、ＣＣＤラインセンサ９４からの出力信号のレベルが飽和する虞れがあるためである。
【００９４】
次のステップ２６０では、読取対象とするコマ画像の領域に対応する濃度値データに基づいて、読取対象とするコマ画像が不要コマ画像（ピンボケ画像、超オーバー露光画像、超アンダー露光画像等）であるか否かを判定し、不要コマ画像である場合にはステップ２６２でその旨を記憶した後に本走査読取処理を終了する。
【００９５】
次に図７のフローチャートを参照して、ファインスキャン部３８における画像の読取処理について説明する。
【００９６】
ステップ３００では、画像バッファ７０の残容量が所定値より多いか否かを判定し、多くない場合（否定判定）の場合は多くなるまで待機する。すなわち、画像バッファ７０には、後述する処理によって得られた濃度値データが逐次記憶されるため、時間の経過に従って徐々に残容量が減少する。この残容量の減少が続くと、最終的には濃度値データを画像バッファ７０に記憶することができなくなり、最悪の場合には装置全体が停止してしまう。この不具合を回避するために、ステップ３００において画像バッファ７０の残容量をチェックしているのである。
【００９７】
次のステップ３０２ではネガフィルム１２の搬送を開始し、次のステップ３０４ではＣＣＤラインセンサ９４による画像読取位置に画像の先頭の画素列が到達したか否か判定する。ステップ３０４の判定が否定された場合にはステップ３０２に戻り、ステップ３０４の判定が肯定されるまで、ステップ３０２、３０４の処理を繰り返し、ネガフィルム１２の搬送を継続する。なお、ステップ３０４による判定は、上記ステップ２１２（図５も参照）において図示しない記憶部に記憶されたコマ画像の位置に基づいて行うことができる。
【００９８】
ステップ３０４の判定が肯定されるとステップ３０６へ移行し、上述したステップ２６０及びステップ２６２の処理によって図示しない記憶部に記憶されている不要コマ画像であるか否かを示す情報を参照して、ファインスキャンの対象とするコマ画像が不要コマ画像であるか否かを判定し、不要コマ画像である場合は後述するステップ３２０へ移行し、不要コマ画像でない場合にはステップ３０８へ移行する。
【００９９】
ステップ３０８では、プレスキャン部３６で求められ記憶されたランプ８４の最適な光量及びＣＣＤラインセンサ９４の電荷蓄積時間を取込み、次のステップ３１０では、ランプ８４に供給する電圧が前記最適な光量に応じた値となるように制御すると共に、ＣＣＤラインセンサ９４の電荷蓄積時間をステップ３０８で取込んだ電荷蓄積時間に設定する。なお、ランプ８４の光量の制御は、ＣＣフィルタ群８８の各ＣＣフィルタの光路への挿入量を変化させることによっても行うことができる。また、上記の電荷蓄積時間の設定を行う際には、設定する電荷蓄積時間がネガフィルム１２のパルスモータ１０４による１画素分の搬送時間を越える場合には、ネガフィルム１２のパルスモータ１０４による搬送速度も変更する（電荷蓄積時間が長い程、ネガフィルム１２の搬送速度を遅くする）必要がある。
【０１００】
ステップ３１０の処理を行った後はランプ８４の光量が安定するまで若干待った後にステップ３１２へ移行し、ステップ３１２〜３１８で画像の読取処理を行う。
【０１０１】
すなわち、ステップ３１２では、Ａ／Ｄ変換器１００から１画素列分の濃度値データを取込み、次のステップ３１４では、取り込んだ濃度値データを、ＣＣＤラインセンサ９４の多数のセンサユニット毎の感度のばらつきに応じて補正し、補正したデータを画像バッファ７０に記憶する。
【０１０２】
次のステップ３１６では、ドライバ１０６を介してパルスモータ１０４を駆動し、ネガフィルム１２を画像列の間隔に対応する所定量だけ搬送する。なお、この搬送量はセンサユニットの間隔に対応している。従って、本ファインスキャン部３８では、プレスキャン部３６に比較して、画像をより細密に多数の画素に分割し、各画素の透過光量を測定する。
【０１０３】
次のステップ３１８では、１画面分の画像の読み取りが終了したか否か判定する。ステップ３１８の判定が否定された場合にはステップ３１２へ戻り、ステップ３１８の判定が肯定されるまでステップ３１２乃至ステップ３１８の処理を繰り返す。これにより、画像バッファ７０には単一のコマ画像のＲ画像データ、Ｇ画像データ、Ｂ画像データが各々記憶される。
【０１０４】
次のステップ３２０では、ネガフィルム１２に記録された全てのコマ画像に対して濃度値データを画像バッファ７０に記憶したか否か判定する。ステップ３２０の判定が否定された場合にはステップ３００へ戻り、ステップ３００乃至ステップ３２０の処理を繰り返す。ステップ３２０の判定が肯定されると、処理を終了する。
【０１０５】
次に、図８のフローチャートを参照して、ファインスキャン部３８により、画像バッファ７０に濃度値データが少なくとも１コマ画像分記憶されている際に実行される割り込み処理について説明する。なお、本割り込み処理では、ファインスキャン部３８により得られた濃度値データに対する画像処理の処理条件を自動的に設定するオートセットアップ処理、及びファインスキャン部３８によって得られた濃度値データが表すコマ画像のポジ画像検定を行う。
【０１０６】
まず、ステップ３５０では、画像バッファ７０から１コマ画像分の濃度値データを取込み、次のステップ３５２では、シェーディング補正を行う。これは、ランプ８４から射出される光の光量についても、光軸位置をピークとして周辺へ向かうに従って徐々に減衰する分布となっているためである。本ステップ３５２では、画像バッファ７０から取込んだ濃度値データを予め測定されたランプ８４の光量の分布に応じて補正する。
【０１０７】
次のステップ３５４では、ステップ３５２でシェーディング補正された濃度値データに基づいて自動的にコマ画像の濃度種別を判定すると共に該濃度種別に基づいて濃度値データに対する画像処理の処理条件を求めて記憶するオートセットアップ処理を行う。
【０１０８】
コマ画像の濃度種別は、例えば平均濃度、最大濃度、最小濃度等を予め定められた所定値と比較することで、低濃度／通常濃度／高濃度／超高濃度等に分類することができる。また画像処理の処理条件としては、例えば画像の拡大縮小率、ハイパートーンやハイパーシャープネス等の画像処理の処理条件（具体的には、画像の超低周波輝度成分に対する階調の圧縮度、画像の高周波成分や中周波成分に対するゲイン（強調度））、階調変換条件等が演算される。
【０１０９】
オートセットアップ処理が終了すると次のステップ３５６では、濃度値データに対して上記オートセットアップ処理によって得られた画像処理の処理条件に従って画像処理（画像の拡大縮小、階調変換、ハイパートーン処理、ハイパーシャープネス処理等）を行い、次のステップ３５８では、画像処理後の濃度値データをポジ画像のデータに変換し、次のステップ３６０では、該ポジ画像データに基づいてポジ画像をＣＲＴディスプレイ７２に表示し、この表示画像を参照することにより、例えばオペレータが色、濃度等の補正を指示するポジ画像検定を行う。このポジ画像検定においてオペレータから何らかの補正の指示が行われた場合には、該指示に応じた補正を上記濃度値データに対して行う。なお、この際、ＣＲＴディスプレイ７２の表示に用いるポジ画像データは、ファインスキャン部３８によって得られたものであり解像度がＣＲＴディスプレイ７２に表示するには高過ぎるので、上記ポジ画像データを所定画素毎に間引いたものを用いる。また、この際、ＣＲＴディスプレイ７２に表示される画像は、プリンタプロセッサ１８による出力画像と見え具合ができるだけ一致するようにポジ画像データを補正する。
【０１１０】
次のステップ３６２では、ステップ３６０によるポジ画像検定後のポジ画像データ（ＣＲＴディスプレイ７２の表示用に間引いていないもの）を指数変換することにより各画素に対するＲ、Ｇ、Ｂの露光量を表す露光量データを求め、次のステップ３６４では、上記により算出した露光量データをプリンタ部１１０の制御回路１２２へ転送し、次のステップ３６６では画像バッファ７０からプリンタ部１１０へ転送した露光量データに対応する濃度値データを消去する。
【０１１１】
次のステップ３６８では、画像バッファ７０に記憶されている全ての濃度値データに対して上記ステップ３５０〜３６６の処理、すなわちオートセットアップ処理、ポジ画像検定、及び露光量データのプリンタ部１１０への転送等の各処理が終了したか否かを判定し、終了していない場合はステップ３５０に戻って上記各処理を繰り返して実行した後に本割り込み処理を終了する。
【０１１２】
続いて、図９のフローチャートを参照し、プリンタ部１１０における露光制御処理について説明する。ステップ４００ではポリゴンミラー１２６の回転を開始させる。ステップ４０２では、パルスモータ１４４を介して印画紙１１２を搬送し、印画紙１１２の未露光部分を露光位置に位置決めする。ステップ４０４では、露光を行う画像に対応する露光量データを取り込む。次のステップ４０６以降では、印画紙への画像の露光を行う。すなわち、ステップ４０６では取り込んだ露光量データのうち、最初の１ラインに対応するＲの露光量データに応じた露光量制御信号をＡＯＭドライバ１２０Ｒへ、Ｇの露光量データに応じた露光量制御信号をＡＯＭドライバ１２０Ｇへ、Ｂの露光量データに応じた露光量制御信号をＡＯＭドライバ１２０Ｂへ、各々出力する。
【０１１３】
ＡＯＭドライバ１２０Ｒ、Ｇ、Ｂは、各々入力された露光量制御信号のレベルがハイレベルのときにＡＯＭ１３３Ｒ、Ｇ、Ｂへ高周波信号を出力する。これにより、ＡＯＭ１３３Ｒ、Ｇ、Ｂからは、各々露光量制御信号のパルス周期ｔ_０毎に前記パルス幅ｄに応じた時間だけ記録用レーザビームが射出され、ダイクロイックミラー１３４Ｇ、１３４Ｂによって合波されてポリゴンミラー１２６に入射される。
【０１１４】
印画紙１１２へのレーザビームの照射位置は、ポリゴンミラー１２６の回転によって順次移動するが、前記露光量制御信号のパルス周期ｔ_０は、パルス周期ｔ_０でのレーザビームの照射位置の移動量が、印画紙１１２に記録する画像の画素間隔に対応するように定められている。従って、前記パルス幅ｄによって各画素についてのレーザビームの照射時間が異なることになるので、露光量データに応じて１画素毎に露光量が変更されることになる。ポリゴンミラー１２６で反射されたレーザビームは、ミラー１３０、１４０で反射されて印画紙１１２に照射され、ポリゴンミラー１２６によるレーザビームの１走査で印画紙１１２への１画素列分（１ライン分）の露光が行われる。
【０１１５】
１ライン分の露光が行われるとステップ４０８へ移行し、ポリゴンミラー１２６の回転角が入射されたレーザビームを走査開始位置へ反射する回転角となるまでの間に、パルスモータ１４４によって１ラインの間隔に対応する所定量だけ印画紙１１２を搬送する。次のステップ４１０では１画像分の露光が終了したか否か判定する。ステップ４１０の判定が否定された場合にはステップ４０６へ戻り、次の１ラインに対応する露光量データに応じた露光量制御信号をＡＯＭドライバ１２０Ｒ、Ｇ、Ｂへ各々出力し、上記と同様にして次の１ラインの露光を行う。
【０１１６】
ステップ４０６乃至ステップ４１０の処理を所定回繰り返すことによって、前記露光量データに応じた画像の露光が行われる。１画像分の露光処理が終了するとステップ４１０の判定が肯定され、ステップ４１２へ移行する。ステップ４１２では転送された全ての露光データに対する露光が終了したか否か判定する。ステップ４１２の判定が否定された場合にはステップ４０２へ戻り、上記と同様にして次の画像に対する露光処理を行う。ステップ４１２の判定が肯定されると、ステップ４１４でポリゴンミラー１２６の回転を停止させ、本露光制御処理を終了する。
【０１１７】
露光制御処理の終了した印画紙１１２は、カッタ部１１６によって未露光部分が切断されてマガジン１１４内に巻戻されると共に、画像が露光された部分はプロセッサ部１５４の各処理槽内に送り込まれた後に乾燥部１６６に送り込まれ、発色現像、漂白定着、水洗、乾燥の各処理が施され、プリンタ部１１０で露光された画像が可視化される。乾燥が終了した印画紙１１２は画像コマ毎に切断されてプリンタプロセッサ１８の機体外に排出される。
【０１１８】
以上詳細に説明したように、本実施形態に係るフィルム画像読取装置では、プレスキャン時におけるＣＣＤエリアセンサ６２の電荷蓄積時間を固定としているので、電荷蓄積時間を調整する場合に比較してプレスキャン部３６の構成を簡略化することができ、装置全体としてのコストを低下することができる。
【０１１９】
また、本実施形態に係るフィルム画像読取装置では、固定の測光条件でかつ比較的低分解能での読み取りによって得られる画像データ（濃度値データ）に基づいて実行可能な処理をプレスキャン部３６に分担し、読取対象とする画像の特性等に応じて条件を設定する必要があり、かつ比較的高分解能での読み取りによって得られる画像データに基づいて実行した方が好ましい処理をファインスキャン部３８に分担することによって、プレスキャン部３６のＣＣＤセンサとして比較的安価な低分解能のＣＣＤエリアセンサ６２を適用可能としているので、装置全体としてのコストを低下することができる。
【０１２０】
また、本実施形態に係るフィルム画像読取装置では、コマ画像の位置、コマ画像のサイズ、ＤＸコード、及びコマ番号をプレスキャンによって得られた濃度値データに基づいて検出しているので、これらを専用のセンサ等を用いて検出する場合に比較して、装置全体としてのコストを低下することができる。
【０１２１】
さらに、本実施形態に係るフィルム画像読取装置では、ファインスキャン部３８により得られた画像データ（濃度値データ）をオートセットアップ処理及びポジ画像検定が終了するまで保持するための画像バッファ７０を備えているので、ファインスキャンによる画像の読取動作とオートセットアップ処理及びポジ画像検定とを並行して実行することができ、高速な画像読取を行うことができる。
【０１２２】
なお、本実施形態では、表２に示した各処理を全て実施する場合について説明したが、本発明はこれに限定されるものではなく、プレスキャン部３６及びファインスキャン部３８の各々の各処理のうちの少なくとも１つを実施する形態としてもよい。
【０１２３】
また、本実施形態では、ＣＣＤエリアセンサ６２の電荷蓄積時間及びランプ５２の光量を固定としてプレスキャンを行う場合について説明したが、本発明はこれに限定されるものではなく、例えばＣＣＤエリアセンサ６２の電荷蓄積時間及びランプ５２の光量の何れか一方のみを固定としてプレスキャンを行う形態としてもよい。
【０１２４】
また、本実施形態では、オートセットアップ処理及びポジ画像検定をファインスキャンによって得られた濃度値データに基づいて行う場合について説明したが、本発明はこれに限定されるものではなく、これらの処理をプレスキャンによって得られた濃度値データに基づいて行う形態としてもよい。通常、プレスキャンはファインスキャンに比較して高速に行われるため、オートセットアップ処理及びポジ画像検定をプレスキャン側で実施させることによってプレスキャンとファインスキャンの各々の処理時間のバランスが良くなり、この結果として全体的な処理速度をより高速化することができるが、プレスキャンによって得られる濃度値データはファインスキャンによって得られるものとは異なるものであるため、例えばプレスキャンによる濃度値データに基づいて決定した処理条件によってファインスキャンによる濃度値データを画像処理した場合、本実施形態に比較して画像処理の処理精度が低下する。
【０１２５】
また、本実施形態では、画素毎に露光量を定め、プリンタ部１１０において画素毎に走査露光する場合を例に説明したが、本発明はこれに限定されるものではなく、一般的なプリンタで多数採用されている面露光する場合に適用することも可能である。
【０１２６】
また、本実施形態では、本発明の写真感光材料としてネガフィルムを適用した場合について説明したが、本発明はこれに限定されるものではなく、リバーサルフィルム（ポジフィルム）の読み取りに対しても本発明は適用できることはいうまでもない。
【０１２７】
【発明の効果】
請求項１記載の画像読取装置によれば、第１の測光系における測光条件を固定としているので、測光条件を調整する場合に比較して第１の測光系の構成を簡略化することができ、装置全体としてのコストを低下することができると共に、比較的精度が低い画像データを用いても行うことができる処理は第１の測光系によって得られた画像データに基づいて行い、比較的精度が高い画像データを用いて行うことが好ましい処理のみを第２の測光系によって得られた画像データに基づいて行うようにしているので、装置全体としての画像読取効率を向上することができ、画像読取を高速に行うことができる、という効果が得られる。
【０１２９】
また、請求項２記載の画像読取装置によれば、請求項１記載の発明と同様の効果を奏することができると共に、制御手段によって行われる第２の測光系から出力された画像データに対する画像処理の処理条件の決定及び第２の測光系から出力された画像データを用いた画像検定の少なくとも一方が終了するまで第２の測光系から出力された画像データを記憶手段に記憶しているので、第２の測光系による画像の読取動作と、制御手段によって行われる第２の測光系から出力された画像データに対する画像処理の処理条件の決定及び第２の測光系から出力された画像データを用いた画像検定の少なくとも一方とを並行して実行することができ、画像読取を高速に行うことができる、という効果が得られる。
【０１３０】
また、請求項３記載の画像読取装置によれば、第１の画像センサをエリアセンサとし、第２の画像センサをラインセンサとしているので、第１の画像センサの解像度を第２の画像センサに比較して低いエリアセンサとすることによって、第１の画像センサを安価なものとすることができ、装置全体としてのコストを低下することができる、という効果が得られる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】実施の形態に係る写真処理システムの概略構成図である。
【図２】フィルム画像読取装置の概略構成図である。
【図３】プリンタ部の概略構成を示す斜視図である。
【図４】ネガフィルムの構成及びＣＣＤエリアセンサの読取領域を示す平面図である。
【図５】フィルム画像読取装置のプレスキャン部のメインルーチンを説明するフローチャートである。
【図６】プレスキャン部の走査読取処理を説明するフローチャートである。
【図７】実施の形態のファインスキャン部における読取処理を説明するフローチャートである。
【図８】実施の形態のファインスキャン部における割り込み処理を説明するフローチャートである。
【図９】プリンタ部における露光処理を説明するフローチャートである。
【図１０】ＡＯＭドライバへ出力する露光量制御信号の波形を示す線図である。
【図１１】ＣＣＤセンサによりネガ画像を測光する場合のネガ画像濃度と測光値との関係の一例を示すグラフである。
【符号の説明】
１２ ネガフィルム（写真感光材料）
１６ フィルム画像読取装置（画像読取装置）
３６ プレスキャン部（第１の測光系）
３８ ファインスキャン部（第２の測光系）
４２ 制御回路（制御手段）
５２ ランプ（第１の光源）
６２ ＣＣＤエリアセンサ（第１の画像センサ）
７０ 画像バッファ（記憶手段）
８４ ランプ（第２の光源）
９４ ＣＣＤラインセンサ（第２の画像センサ）[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus In place In particular, an image reading apparatus for reading an image recorded on a photographic material such as a photographic film. In place Related.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a conventional lab system for processing an image recorded on a photographic photosensitive material such as a photographic film (hereinafter simply referred to as a photographic film), first, a preliminary reading (hereinafter referred to as a prescan) for reading an image at a relatively high speed and at a low definition is performed. ), And based on the image data obtained by the pre-scan, a photometry condition for performing a main scan (hereinafter, referred to as fine scan) for reading an image at a relatively low speed and high definition, and image data obtained by the fine scan In some cases, a processing condition of image processing for the image is determined, a fine scan is performed under the determined photometric condition, and an image processing is performed on the image data obtained by the fine scanning under the determined processing condition.
[0003]
An image reading device used for reading an image recorded on a photographic film in a lab system of this kind includes a photometric system having a CCD sensor for reading an image for the purpose of speeding up the image reading process. In some systems, the pre-scan and the fine scan are performed by different photometric systems, respectively, so that the pre-scan and the fine scan are performed in parallel.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the image reading apparatus having the two photometric systems described above, in both the prescan and the fine scan, the charge accumulation time of the CCD sensor and the irradiation of the image to be read are determined according to the type of the image to be read. Since the amount of light to be emitted is changed, the configuration of the entire image reading apparatus is complicated, and there is a problem that the cost of the entire apparatus increases. This will be described in more detail as follows.
[0005]
FIG. 11 is a graph showing an example of a relationship between a negative image density (input density value) and a photometric value (output density value) when a negative image is measured by a CCD sensor.
[0006]
As shown in the figure, the relationship between the density of the negative image and the photometric value is ideally a straight line having a slope of 45 °. The linearity in the region cannot be maintained. When various processes are performed with high accuracy using the photometric value obtained by the CCD sensor, only the region with high linearity excluding the high density region can be used, and the dynamic range is narrow. . This linearity is hereinafter referred to as linearity.
[0007]
In order to enhance the linearity in the high density region, there are two methods, a method of increasing the amount of light irradiated to the negative image and a method of changing the charge accumulation time of the CCD sensor. In an image reading apparatus equipped with a system, since the amount of light and the charge accumulation time of the CCD sensor can be adjusted for each photometric system, the configuration of each photometric system becomes complicated and the cost of the entire apparatus becomes high. It becomes.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and is a low-cost image reading apparatus capable of performing high-speed image reading processing. Place The purpose is to provide.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographic photosensitive material on which the image is recorded is transported so that the image sequentially passes through a first reading position and a second reading position. Means, and a first light source for irradiating the image with light at the first reading position, and based on light transmitted through the image or light reflected from the image, fixing the photometric conditions to the image. A first photometric system including a first image sensor for reading and outputting the image data as image data; and a second light source for irradiating the image at the second reading position with light, and light transmitted through the image. Or a second photometric system including a charge accumulation type second image sensor that reads the image based on light reflected from the image and outputs the image data as image data, and an image output from the first image sensor. Based on image data Control means for controlling the second photometric system so as to read the image by changing at least one of the amount of light emitted from the second light source and the charge accumulation time of the second image sensor; Equipped An image reading apparatus, wherein the control unit detects the DX code when the DX code is attached to the photographic material based on the image data output from the first photometry system; and And performing at least one of the frame number detection when a frame number is assigned to the photographic material, and outputting from the second photometry system based on image data output from the second photometry system. Determining at least one of processing conditions for image processing on the obtained image data and performing an image test using image data output from the second photometric system. ing.
[0010]
According to the image reading apparatus of the first aspect, the photographic photosensitive material on which the image is recorded is transported by the transport unit such that the image passes through the first reading position and the second reading position sequentially.
[0011]
Further, at the first reading position, the image is illuminated with light by a first light source provided in a first photometric system, and the image is provided by a first image sensor provided in the first photometric system. Based on the light transmitted through the image or the light reflected from the image, the image is read in a state where the photometric conditions are fixed and output as image data, and the second image is read at the second reading position with respect to the image. The second light source provided in the second photometric system is irradiated with light, and the light transmitted through the image or reflected from the image is reflected by the second image sensor of the charge storage type provided in the second photometric system. The image is read based on the light and output as image data. The first image sensor includes not only a charge storage type image sensor but also all photoelectrically convertible sensors such as a silicon photodiode. Further, the second image sensor includes a CCD sensor and a MOS sensor. Further, the photometric conditions include the amount of light emitted from the first light source and the charge storage time when the first image sensor is of a charge storage type.
[0012]
Here, when the image is read by the second photometric system, the control unit controls the light amount of the light emitted from the second light source and the second image based on the image data output from the first image sensor. The second photometric system is controlled so that the image is read by changing at least one of the charge accumulation times of the sensor.
[0013]
That is, for example, as described above, when the image data obtained by the pre-scan is used for determining photometric conditions when performing a fine scan, there is a problem even if the linearity of the image data is relatively low. However, since image data obtained by fine scan is used for actual image output, high linearity is required.
[0014]
Therefore, the prescan can be performed by the first photometry system of the present invention that reads an image in a state where the photometry conditions are fixed, and by configuring the first photometry system in this manner, The configuration of the first photometric system can be simplified (it is assumed to be degraded with respect to the second photometric system).
[0015]
As described above, according to the image reading apparatus of the first aspect, since the photometric conditions in the first photometric system are fixed, the configuration of the first photometric system is simplified as compared with the case where the photometric conditions are adjusted. And the cost of the entire apparatus can be reduced.
[0017]
In the image reading device according to the first aspect, The control unit controls the image data based on the image data output from the first photometric system. , Photo Detection of the DX code when the DX code is attached to the true photosensitive material; as well as When a frame number is assigned to a photosensitive material, the frame number can be detected. Out, At least on the other hand Is performed, the image data output from the second photometric system is determined on the basis of the image data output from the second photometric system, the processing conditions for image processing are determined, and the image data output from the second photometric system is determined. At least one of the image tests using is performed.
[0018]
Here, the DX code is a code indicating the maker and sensitivity of the photographic light-sensitive material, and is generally widely used. . Ma The photometric conditions of the second photometric system include a charge accumulation time when an image is read by the second image sensor and a light amount of the second light source. The processing conditions of the image processing include an image scaling ratio, image processing conditions such as hypertone and hypersharpness, and gradation conversion conditions. Further, in the image test, an image is displayed on a display means such as a CRT display using the image data, and the image data is verified by referring to the displayed image by an operator or the like.
[0019]
Claim Item 1 In the image reading device described above, D X code detection, as well as Frame number detection Out However, since the measurement can be performed using image data having relatively low accuracy, the measurement is performed using image data obtained by the first photometry system in which photometry conditions are fixed, and the second photometry system is used. Since the determination of the processing conditions of the image processing for the image data output from and the image verification using the image data output from the second photometric system are preferably performed using relatively accurate image data, the charge This is performed by using image data obtained by the second image sensor whose storage time is variable.
[0020]
Thus, the billing Item 1 According to the image reading device described above, processing that can be performed even using relatively low-accuracy image data is performed based on image data obtained by the first photometric system, and relatively high-accuracy image data is obtained. Since only processing that is preferably performed using the image data is performed based on the image data obtained by the second photometry system, the image reading efficiency of the entire apparatus can be improved, and the image reading can be performed at high speed. be able to.
[0021]
Also, billing Item 2 Image reading device Item 1 In the image reading apparatus, the image processing apparatus determines image processing conditions for image data output from the second photometry system and performs image processing using the image data output from the second photometry system. It is characterized by further comprising storage means for storing the image data output from the second photometric system until at least one of the tests is completed.
[0022]
Claim Item 2 According to the image reading device described above, Item 1 At least one of determining image processing conditions for image data output from the second photometry system and performing image verification using the image data output from the second photometry system, which is performed by the control means in the image reading apparatus mounted on the apparatus. The image data output from the second photometric system is stored in the storage unit until the operation is completed.
[0023]
Thus, the billing Item 2 According to the described image reading apparatus, Item 1 It is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the invention described above, determine the processing conditions of the image processing performed on the image data output from the second photometric system, and perform the image data output from the second photometric system. Since the image data output from the second photometric system is stored in the storage unit until at least one of the image tests using the image processing is completed, the image reading operation by the second photometric system and the control unit are performed. Determination of processing conditions for image processing on image data output from the second photometric system and at least one of image verification using image data output from the second photometric system can be performed in parallel, Image reading can be performed at high speed.
[0024]
In addition, billing Item 3 As in the described invention, claim 1 Or Claim 2 In the image reading device described above, the first image sensor can be an area sensor, and the second image sensor can be a line sensor.
[0025]
That is, for example, when the above-described prescan is performed by the first photometry system and the fine scan is performed by the second photometry system, the prescan reads the image at a relatively high speed and low definition as described above, and the fine scan performs the comparison. Since the image is read at a very low speed and high definition, the first image sensor is made inexpensive by setting the resolution of the first image sensor to be an area sensor lower than that of the second image sensor. Therefore, the cost of the entire apparatus can be reduced.
[0028]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0029]
FIG. 1 shows a photographic processing system 10 according to the present embodiment. In the photographic processing system 10, a large number of negative films 12 as photographic light-sensitive materials having a predetermined number of images taken by a camera (not shown) are brought. A large number of the negative films 12 brought in are connected by a splicing tape or the like, wound up in layers, and then set in a film processor 14 of the photographic processing system 10.
[0030]
In the film processor 14, a color developing tank 20, a bleach tank 22, a bleach-fix tank 24, washing tanks 26 and 28, and a stabilizing tank 30 are arranged in this order, and a predetermined processing liquid is stored in each of these processing tanks. It is stored. The negative film 12 set in the film processor 14 is sequentially fed into each processing tank, immersed in each processing solution, and subjected to color development, bleaching, bleach-fixing, washing, and stabilization. Thereby, the negative image recorded as a latent image on the negative film 12 is visualized.
[0031]
Further, a drying unit 32 is disposed downstream of the stabilization tank 30. The drying unit 32 includes a fan and a heater (not shown). The air flow generated by the fan is heated by a heater to generate hot air, and the hot air is supplied to the negative film 12 so that the moisture adhering to the surface of the negative film 12 is removed. Is to be dried. The negative film 12 processed by the film processor 14 is once wound into a layer and then set on a film image reading device 16.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 2, inside the film image reading device 16, a pre-scan unit 36 and a fine scan unit 38 are sequentially arranged along the film transport path. Each of the scanning units 36 and 38 scans and reads an image recorded on the negative film 12 as described later.
[0033]
An insertion detection sensor 40 is provided on the upstream side of the film transport path. The insertion detection sensor 40 is configured such that a pair of a light emitting element 40A and a light receiving element 40B are arranged to face each other across a film transport path. The light receiving element 40B is connected to the control circuit 42. The control circuit 42 determines whether or not the negative film 12 has been inserted into the film transport path of the film image reading device 16 based on a change in the level of the signal output from the light receiving element 40B.
[0034]
A pair of rollers 44 for nipping and transporting the negative film 12 are arranged between the insertion detection sensor 40 and the pre-scan unit 36.
[0035]
On the other hand, the pre-scan unit 36 includes a lamp 52 arranged to emit light toward the negative film 12 passing through the pre-scan unit 36. The lamp 52 is connected to the control circuit 42 via a driver 54, and the magnitude of the voltage supplied from the driver 54 is controlled by the control circuit 42 so that the amount of emitted light becomes a predetermined value. You. A CC filter group 56 composed of three CC filters of C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) and a light diffusion box 58 are arranged in this order on the light emission side of the lamp 52. , An imaging lens 60 and a CCD area sensor 62 are sequentially arranged.
[0036]
The amount of insertion of each CC filter of the CC filter group 56 into the optical path is adjusted in advance in order to correct variations in sensitivity of the three colors R, G, and B in the CCD area sensor 62. Light transmitted through the CC filter group 56, the light diffusion box 58, the negative film 12, and the imaging lens 60 in order is applied to the light receiving surface of the CCD area sensor 62.
[0037]
The CCD area sensor 62 according to the present embodiment is a negative film including a sensor for detecting a light amount of R light, a sensor for detecting a light amount of G light, and a sensor for detecting a light amount of B light. Twelve pieces are arranged in a matrix and 200 pieces are arranged along the width direction and 300 pieces are arranged along the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, the CCD area sensor 62 divides the image into 200 × 300 pixels each having an interval between the sensor units of one side, and detects the amount of transmitted light for each pixel.
[0038]
On the other hand, the imaging lens 60 forms a frame image to be read recorded on the negative film 12 and light transmitted through an area including both ends in the width direction of the negative film 12 on a light receiving surface of the CCD area sensor 62. Image.
[0039]
Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 4, the CCD area sensor 62 is slightly larger than the negative film 12 in the width direction of the negative film 12, and slightly larger than one frame image 12A in the longitudinal direction of the negative film 12. The image in the area 62A can be read at a time.
[0040]
On the output side of the CCD area sensor 62, an amplifier 64, a LOG converter 66, and an A / D converter 68 are sequentially connected. The signal output from the CCD area sensor 62 is amplified by the amplifier 64, logarithmically converted (converted to a level corresponding to the density value) by the LOG converter 66, and corresponding to the signal level by the A / D converter 68. The value is converted to digital data. The A / D converter 68 is connected to the control circuit 42, and the converted digital data is input to the control circuit 42 as density value data.
[0041]
The position where the image can be read by the CCD area sensor 62 on the transport path of the negative film 12 is the first reading position of the present invention, the lamp 52 is the first light source of the present invention, and the CCD area sensor 62 is the first reading position of the present invention. And the pre-scan unit 36 corresponds to the first photometry system of the present invention.
[0042]
Further, between the pre-scanning section 36 and the fine scanning section 38, a roller group including a transport roller pair 74 and a driven roller 76 and a roller group including driven rollers 78A, 78B, 78C are separated by a predetermined distance. Are located. A loop of the negative film 12 is formed between the two roller groups. By this loop, the difference between the transport speed of the negative film 12 in the pre-scan unit 36 and the transport speed of the negative film 12 in the fine scan unit 38 is absorbed.
[0043]
A pulse motor 80 is connected to the transport roller pair 74. The pulse motor 80 is connected to the control circuit 42 via a driver 82. The control circuit 42 conveys the negative film 12 by driving the pulse motor 80 via the driver 82.
[0044]
In the vicinity of the upstream side of the transport roller pair 74 and the vicinity of the downstream side of the driven rollers 78B and 78C, loop management sensors 83A and 83B connected to the control circuit 42 are arranged, respectively. The loop management sensors 83A and 83B in the present embodiment detect a mark (for example, a splice) on the negative film 12, and the control circuit 42 controls the loop management sensor while the negative film 12 is being conveyed. The counting by the counter (not shown) provided in the control circuit 42 is started when the mark is detected by 83A, and the counting by the counter (not shown) is stopped when the same mark is detected by the loop management sensor 83B. The length of the loop (the length of the negative film 12 forming the loop) can be detected based on the count value obtained by the above.
[0045]
On the other hand, the fine scan section 38 has substantially the same configuration as the prescan section 36. That is, the fine scan unit 38 includes a lamp 84 that emits light toward the negative film 12. The lamp 84 is connected to the control circuit 42 via a driver 86, and the magnitude of the voltage supplied from the driver 86 is controlled by the control circuit 42 so that the emitted light has a predetermined light amount. A CC filter group 88 composed of three CC filters and a light diffusion box 90 are sequentially arranged on the light emission side of the lamp 84, and an imaging lens 92 and a CCD line sensor 94 are sequentially arranged with a film transport path interposed therebetween. Have been.
[0046]
The amount of insertion into the optical path of each CC filter of the CC filter group 88 is adjusted in advance in order to correct variations in the sensitivity of the three colors of R, G, and B in the CCD line sensor 94. Light sequentially transmitted through the CC filter group 88, the light diffusion box 90, the negative film 12, and the image forming lens 92 is applied to the light receiving surface of the CCD line sensor 94. The CCD line sensor 94 includes a plurality of sensor units including a sensor for detecting the light amount of R light, a sensor for detecting the light amount of G light, and a sensor for detecting the light amount of B light. And are arranged at predetermined intervals along the width direction of. The CCD line sensor 94 according to the present embodiment is configured by arranging 1000 sensor units (corresponding to 1000 pixels) in the width direction of the negative film 12.
[0047]
Accordingly, the CCD line sensor 94 divides the image into a large number (1000 in this embodiment) of pixels in which the distance between the sensor units is one side, and detects the amount of transmitted light for each pixel. The image forming lens 92 converts the light transmitted through one pixel row, which intersects with the optical axis of the light emitted from the lamp 84 and passes through the one pixel array along the width direction of the negative film 12, from the light transmitted through the negative film 12. An image is formed on the light receiving surface of the line sensor 94.
[0048]
On the output side of the CCD line sensor 94, an amplifier 96, a LOG converter 98, and an A / D converter 100 are sequentially connected. The signal output from the CCD line sensor 94 is amplified by the amplifier 96, converted to a level corresponding to the density value by the LOG converter 98, and then converted to digital data by the A / D converter 100. The A / D converter 100 is connected to the control circuit 42, and the converted digital data is input to the control circuit 42 as density value data.
[0049]
The control circuit 42 includes an image buffer 70 capable of holding density value data of several images, and stores the input density value data in the image buffer 70. Further, a CRT display 72 is connected to the control circuit 42, performs processing using the input density value data, and displays a positive image on the CRT display 72.
[0050]
Further, the control circuit 42 calculates the exposure amounts of the three colors R, G and B on the photographic paper based on the density value data. The control circuit 42 is connected to a printer unit 110 of the printer processor 18 described later, and transfers data representing the calculated exposure amount to the control circuit 122 of the printer unit 110 (see also FIG. 3).
[0051]
The position where the image can be read by the CCD line sensor 94 on the transport path of the negative film 12 is the second reading position of the present invention, the lamp 84 is the second light source of the present invention, and the CCD line sensor 94 is the second light source of the present invention. The fine scan unit 38 corresponds to the second photometric system of the present invention, the image buffer 70 corresponds to the storage unit of the present invention, and the control circuit 42 corresponds to the control unit of the present invention.
[0052]
A transport roller pair 102 is disposed downstream of the fine scan unit 38. The pulse motor 104 is also connected to the transport roller pair 102. The pulse motor 104 is connected to the control circuit 42 via a driver 106. The control circuit 42 conveys the negative film 12 by driving the pulse motor 104 via the driver 106.
[0053]
On the other hand, the printer processor 18 (see FIG. 1) is set with a magazine 114 for accommodating the photographic paper 112 wound in layers. The printing paper 112 is pulled out of the magazine 114 and sent to the printer unit 110 via the cutter unit 116. When the exposure amount data is transferred from the control circuit 42 of the film image reading device 16, the printer unit 110 exposes the image to the photographic paper 112 based on the exposure amount data.
[0054]
As shown in FIG. 3, the printer unit 110 includes a semiconductor laser 118R that emits a laser beam having an R wavelength. A collimator lens 124R, an acousto-optic device (AOM) 133R, a dichroic mirror 134G that reflects only light having a wavelength of G, a dichroic mirror 134B that reflects only light having a wavelength of B, and a polygon mirror 126 are provided on the beam emitting side of the semiconductor laser 118R. They are arranged in order.
[0055]
The AOM 133 includes an acousto-optic medium. On the opposing surface of the acousto-optic element, a transducer that outputs an ultrasonic wave according to an input high-frequency signal, and a sound absorber that absorbs an ultrasonic wave that has passed through the acousto-optic medium And are affixed. The transducer of the AOM 133R is connected to the AOM driver 120R. When a high frequency signal is input from the AOM driver 120R, one laser beam is diffracted from the incident laser beam, and this laser beam is emitted as a recording laser beam. I do. This recording laser beam is incident on the polygon mirror 126 via the dichroic mirrors 134G and 134B.
[0056]
The AOM driver 120R is connected to the control circuit 122. The control circuit 122 outputs an exposure control signal corresponding to the R exposure data among the input exposure data to the AOM driver 120R. This exposure amount control signal has a period t as shown in FIG. ₀ The pulse width d is changed in accordance with the exposure amount of each pixel of the R exposure amount data. The AOM driver 120R outputs a high-frequency signal to the AOM 133R when the level of the input exposure amount control signal is at a high level, and accordingly, the recording laser beam is emitted from the AOM 133R. Therefore, based on the exposure data of R, the period t ₀ Each time, the light amount of the laser beam of the R wavelength applied to the printing paper 112 is changed.
[0057]
The printer unit 110 includes semiconductor lasers 118G and 118B that emit laser beams of a predetermined wavelength. On the beam emission side of the semiconductor laser 118G, a wavelength conversion element 132G, a collimator lens 124G, an AOM 133G, and a total reflection mirror 136G are arranged in this order. The AOM 133G is connected to the control circuit 122 via the AOM driver 120G. The control circuit 122 outputs an exposure control signal corresponding to the G exposure data to the AOM driver 120G. The AOM driver 120G outputs a high-frequency signal when the exposure control signal is at a high level, similarly to the AOM driver 120R.
[0058]
As a result, the laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 118G is converted into a wavelength of G by the wavelength conversion element 132G and is incident on the AOM 133G. When a high-frequency signal is input from the AOM driver 120G, the recording laser beam is output from the AOM 133G. Is emitted, reflected by the total reflection mirror 136G, reflected by the dichroic mirror 134G, and multiplexed with the laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 118R.
[0059]
Also, on the beam emission side of the semiconductor laser 118B, a wavelength conversion element 132B, a collimator lens 124B, an AOM 133B, and a total reflection mirror 136B are sequentially arranged. The AOM 133B is also connected to the control circuit 122 via the AOM driver 120B. The control circuit 122 outputs an exposure control signal according to the exposure data of B to the AOM driver 120B. The laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 118B is converted into a wavelength of B by the wavelength conversion element 132B and is incident on the AOM 133B, and the recording laser beam emitted from the AOM 133B when a high frequency signal is input from the AOM driver 120B. Is reflected by the total reflection mirror 136B, reflected by the dichroic mirror 134B, and multiplexed with the laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 118R and the laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 118G.
[0060]
The laser beams combined by the dichroic mirrors 134G and 134B are incident on the polygon mirror 126. The polygon mirror 126 is connected to the control circuit 122 via a polygon mirror driver 128. The polygon mirror 126 is driven to rotate by the polygon mirror driver 128 and the rotation speed is controlled. The emission direction of the laser beam incident on the polygon mirror 126 is sequentially changed by the rotation of the polygon mirror 126, and is scanned along the horizontal direction in FIG. A mirror 130 is arranged on the laser beam emission side of the polygon mirror 126. The laser beam reflected by the polygon mirror 126 is reflected by the mirror 130 downward in FIG.
[0061]
On the laser beam emitting side of the mirror 130, a scanning lens 138 and a mirror 140 are arranged in this order. The laser beam reflected by the mirror 130 passes through the scanning lens 138 and is reflected by the mirror 140. The photographic paper 112 is arranged on the laser beam emission side of the mirror 140 such that the longitudinal direction coincides with the vertical direction in FIG. 3, and the laser beam reflected by the mirror 140 irradiates the photographic paper 112. Further, a transport roller pair 142 for nipping and transporting the photographic paper 112 is disposed below the laser beam irradiation position on the photographic paper 112 transport path. A pulse motor 144 is connected to the transport roller pair 142. The pulse motor 144 is connected to the control circuit 122 via the driver 146. The control circuit 122 drives the pulse motor 144 via the driver 146 to convey the printing paper 112 downward in FIG.
[0062]
As shown in FIG. 1, the printing paper 112 that has passed through the printer unit 110 is sent to the reservoir unit 150. The reservoir unit 150 is provided with a pair of rollers 152 at a predetermined interval, and the printing paper 112 has a loop formed between the pair of rollers 152. This loop absorbs the difference in transport speed between the printer unit 110 and the downstream processor unit 154. In the processor unit 154, a color developing tank 156, a bleach-fix tank 158, and washing tanks 160, 162, and 164 are sequentially arranged. A predetermined processing liquid is stored in each of these processing tanks. The photographic paper 112 is sequentially sent into each processing tank, and is immersed in each processing liquid to be processed.
[0063]
A drying unit 166 is provided downstream of the processor unit 154. The drying unit 166 supplies hot air generated by a fan and a heater (not shown) to the printing paper 112. Thereby, the moisture adhering to the surface of the printing paper 112 is dried. The printing paper 112 that has passed through the drying unit 166 is cut out by the cutter unit 168 for each print, and then is discharged to the outside of the printer processor 18.
[0064]
By the way, as shown in FIG. 4, a bar code 170 indicating a frame number and a DX code are provided at both ends of the negative film 12 to be read in the present embodiment in the width direction (direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the negative film 12). A bar code 172 indicating a code indicating a photographic film maker and sensitivity is recorded for each frame image 12A.
[0065]
Here, main functions of the film image reading device 16 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Table 1.
[0066]
[Table 1]

[0067]
"Determining photometric conditions for fine scan" in Table 1 is to determine the light amount of the lamp 84 and the charge accumulation time of the CCD line sensor 94 at the time of fine scan based on the density value data obtained by the prescan. As the value of the density value data obtained by the prescan increases, the light amount of the lamp 84 is increased, and the photometric conditions at the time of the fine scan are determined so that the charge storage time of the CCD line sensor 94 is increased.
[0068]
The "auto-setup processing" in Table 1 corresponds to the image processing in the inventions of claims 2 and 3, and the "auto-setup processing" in the present embodiment determines the density type of the frame image. At the same time, processing conditions for image processing on density value data obtained by fine scanning based on the density type are obtained and stored.
[0069]
Further, the “positive image test” in Table 1 is performed by converting the image data obtained by the fine scan unit 38 from a negative image to a positive image and displaying the converted image data on the CRT display 72 by referring to the display image. For example, the operator instructs correction of color, density, and the like for the exposure amount.
[0070]
Although not shown in Table 1, in the pre-scan according to the present embodiment, “detection of frame image size”, “detection of frame number”, “detection of DX code”, and “detection of unnecessary frame image” Can also be done.
[0071]
As described above, the barcode 170 indicating the frame number and the barcode 172 indicating the DX code are recorded for each frame image 12A at both ends in the width direction of the negative film 12 to be read in the present embodiment ( At the same time, since the density value data obtained by the pre-scan unit 36 includes not only the frame image 12A but also the density value data corresponding to the barcodes 170 and 172, the barcodes 170 and 172 are included. The “detection of frame number” and “detection of DX code” can be realized by referring to the density value data corresponding to the position.
[0072]
Also, the image to be the target of the “unnecessary frame image” is an image in which the main subject in the frame image is out of focus (a so-called out-of-focus image), or an over-exposed or under-exposed image in which the state of the main object cannot be determined. This is an exposure image or the like. Note that whether or not the image is out of focus can be determined, for example, by the presence or absence of a high frequency in the image data (if there is no high frequency, it is determined that the image is out of focus). Further, an image of super-exposed or super-underexposed can be determined based on, for example, the average value of density value data corresponding to a frame image to be read.
[0073]
Table 2 summarizes various processes performed based on the image data (density value data) obtained by each of the pre-scan unit 36 and the fine scan unit 38 based on the above.
[0074]
[Table 2]

[0075]
In Table 2, each process described as a process performed based on the density value data obtained by the pre-scan unit 36 is performed by a press obtained by fixing photometric conditions (light amount of a lamp and charge accumulation time of a CCD sensor). This is a process that requires only an accuracy that does not cause a problem even if it is performed using relatively low-resolution density value data obtained by can. In the "auto setup process" and the "positive image test", there is no problem with the density value data obtained by the pre-scan unit 36 in terms of resolution, but the fine scan unit 38 obtains the linearity of the density value data. Since it is preferable that the density value data is substantially the same as the density value data, the processing is shared by the fine scan unit 38.
[0076]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. The negative film 12 set in the film processor 14 is sent into each processing tank, and then sent to the drying unit 32, where it is subjected to color development, bleaching, bleach-fixing, washing, stabilizing, and drying. Thereby, the latent image recorded by the camera is visualized. The negative film 12 processed by the film processor 14 is set on a film image reading device 16.
[0077]
Next, the operation of the pre-scan unit 36 of the film image reading device 16 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0078]
In step 200 of FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not the negative film 12 has been inserted into the film image reading device 16 based on a signal input from the insertion detection sensor 40. If it is determined that the negative film 12 has been inserted into the film image reading device 16, the determination in step 200 is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step 202.
[0079]
In step 202, the driver 52 turns on the lamp 52. At this time, the light amount of the lamp 52 is a fixed amount set in advance, and a mechanism or the like for adjusting the light amount is not required, so that the configuration of the driver 54 can be simplified.
[0080]
In the next step 204, the length of the loop provided between the pre-scan unit 36 and the fine scan unit 38 is detected based on the output signals from the loop management sensors 83A and 83B. It is determined whether the value is smaller than a predetermined allowable value. If not, the process waits until the value becomes smaller.
[0081]
That is, for example, when the processing of the fine scan unit 38 is slower than the processing of the pre-scan unit 36, the loop length gradually increases as time elapses, and exceeds the predetermined allowable value. Therefore, in step 204, when the loop length becomes equal to or more than the allowable value, the operation of the pre-scan unit 36 is temporarily stopped.
[0082]
If the loop length is smaller than the allowable value, that is, if the determination in step 204 is affirmative, the flow proceeds to step 206 to start transporting the negative film 12.
[0083]
In the next step 208, it is determined whether or not the frame image has reached a predetermined image reading position, more specifically, whether or not the frame image to be read has been placed in the area readable by the CCD area sensor 62. Since the negative film 12 has an unexposed area between each frame image, and the unexposed area is in a blank state, the edge of the frame image (the leading edge and the trailing edge of the negative film 12 in the transport direction). 5, the density value data output from the CCD area sensor 62 and input to the control circuit 42 greatly changes. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the frame image has reached the predetermined image reading position based on the position where the density value data greatly changes.
[0084]
If it is determined in step 208 that the frame image has not arrived at the image reading position (negative determination), the process returns to step 204, repeats the processing of steps 204 to 208 until it reaches, and then proceeds to step 210. .
[0085]
In step 210, the transport of the negative film 12 is stopped. In the next step 212, the position of the frame image to be read is stored in a storage unit (not shown) provided in the control circuit 42. That is, since the frame image to be read at this time is located at the image reading position in the pre-scan unit 36, it is provided on the negative film 12 based on the edge position of the frame image to be read at this time. The position of the frame image is determined in association with the perforation position or the like, and the position of the frame image is stored in the storage unit (not shown).
[0086]
When the storage of the position of the frame image is completed, in the next step 214, the image is scanned and read (described later), and in the next step 216, it is determined whether or not the processing has been completed for all the frame images recorded on the negative film 12. Is determined. If the determination in step 216 is denied, the process returns to step 204 to repeat the above-described processing. When the determination in step 216 is affirmed, the flow proceeds to step 218 to turn off the lamp 52, and then ends this processing. I do.
[0087]
As described above, the pre-scanning unit 36 sequentially performs the processes of storing the position of the frame image to be read and scanning and reading the image in a state where the loop length is smaller than the allowable value for a single frame image. Is
[0088]
Next, the details of the scan reading process (the process of step 214 in FIG. 5) in the pre-scan unit 36 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. When this process is performed, the frame image is located at the image reading position, and the light emitted from the lamp 52 and transmitted through the CC filter group 56, the light diffusion box 58, and the negative film 12 is transmitted to the imaging lens. An image is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD area sensor 62 by 60, and a signal output from the CCD area sensor 62 is amplified by an amplifier 64, converted to a level corresponding to a density value by a LOG converter 66, and The data is converted into digital data by the D converter 68 and held. Since the linearity of the density value data obtained by the pre-scan unit 36 is not required as much as the density value data obtained by the fine scan unit 38, the charge accumulation time of the CCD area sensor 62 at this time is set to a relatively short fixed time.
[0089]
In step 250, the density value data for one frame image is fetched from the A / D converter 68. In the next step 252, the fetched density value data is converted into the variation in sensitivity for a large number of sensor units arranged in a matrix. Correct according to.
[0090]
In the next step 254, the size of the frame image is detected based on the density value data corrected in step 252, and stored in the storage unit (not shown). If the negative film 12 to be read is a 135-size negative film, the size of the frame image (in this case, the frame size of the frame image) falls within the image recording range of a standard-size frame image, for example, the panorama size, etc. In the non-standard-size frame image, the density and color of a predetermined portion outside the image recording range can be determined based on whether or not the density and color are equivalent to the unexposed portion (clear). .
[0091]
Also, as disclosed in JP-A-8-304933, JP-A-8-304933, JP-A-8-304934, and JP-A-8-304935, density value data for each pixel obtained by pre-scanning is disclosed. Based on the above, the density change value along the film width direction is calculated for each pixel, and the density change value along the film width direction of each pixel is integrated for each line along the film longitudinal direction, and for each line, The size (aspect ratio) of the film image is determined by comparing the integrated values, the threshold is determined from the density histogram, the image is binarized, and the determination is made based on the image abundance rate in each region in the image. The determination may be made by combining the above methods.
[0092]
In the next step 256, the DX code and the frame number are detected based on the density value data corresponding to the areas of the bar codes 170 and 172 recorded at both ends in the width direction of the negative film 12, and are stored in the storage unit (not shown). Then, in the next step 258, based on the density value data corresponding to the area of the frame image to be read, the optimum photometric conditions (the light amount of the lamp 84 and the The charge storage time is determined and stored in the storage unit (not shown).
[0093]
In the present embodiment, the minimum value of the density value data is extracted, and based on the minimum value, the optimal light amount of the lamp 84 of the fine scan unit 38 and the charge accumulation of the CCD line sensor 94 for the read frame image. Calculate and store the time. This is because if the minimum value of the density value data is very small, the level of the output signal from the CCD line sensor 94 may be saturated when the fine scan unit 38 reads an image.
[0094]
In the next step 260, based on the density value data corresponding to the area of the frame image to be read, the frame image to be read is converted into an unnecessary frame image (out-of-focus image, super-over-exposed image, super-under-exposed image, etc.). It is determined whether or not there is an unnecessary frame image. If the image is an unnecessary frame image, the fact is stored in step 262, and then the main scanning reading process ends.
[0095]
Next, an image reading process in the fine scan unit 38 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.
[0096]
In step 300, it is determined whether or not the remaining capacity of the image buffer 70 is larger than a predetermined value. If the remaining capacity is not larger (negative determination), the process waits until it becomes larger. That is, since the image buffer 70 sequentially stores the density value data obtained by the processing described later, the remaining capacity gradually decreases as time passes. If the remaining capacity continues to decrease, eventually the density value data cannot be stored in the image buffer 70, and in the worst case, the entire apparatus stops. In order to avoid this problem, the remaining capacity of the image buffer 70 is checked in step 300.
[0097]
In the next step 302, the transport of the negative film 12 is started, and in the next step 304, it is determined whether or not the first pixel row of the image has reached the image reading position by the CCD line sensor 94. If the determination in step 304 is denied, the process returns to step 302, and the processing in steps 302 and 304 is repeated until the determination in step 304 is affirmed, and the transport of the negative film 12 is continued. The determination in step 304 can be made based on the position of the frame image stored in the storage unit (not shown) in step 212 (see also FIG. 5).
[0098]
If the determination in step 304 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 306, and by referring to the information indicating whether or not it is an unnecessary frame image stored in the storage unit (not shown) by the processing in steps 260 and 262 described above, It is determined whether or not the frame image to be fine-scanned is an unnecessary frame image. If the frame image is an unnecessary frame image, the process proceeds to step 320 described below, and if not, the process proceeds to step 308.
[0099]
In step 308, the optimum light amount of the lamp 84 and the charge accumulation time of the CCD line sensor 94 obtained and stored in the pre-scan unit 36 are taken. In the next step 310, the voltage supplied to the lamp 84 is adjusted to the optimum light amount. At the same time, control is performed so that the charge accumulates, and the charge accumulation time of the CCD line sensor 94 is set to the charge accumulation time captured in step 308. The control of the light amount of the lamp 84 can also be performed by changing the insertion amount of each CC filter of the CC filter group 88 into the optical path. When the above-described charge accumulation time is set, if the set charge accumulation time exceeds the transport time for one pixel by the pulse motor 104 of the negative film 12, the negative film 12 is transported by the pulse motor 104. It is also necessary to change the speed (the longer the charge accumulation time, the slower the transport speed of the negative film 12).
[0100]
After performing the process of step 310, the process slightly waits until the light amount of the lamp 84 is stabilized, and then proceeds to step 312, where the image is read in steps 312 to 318.
[0101]
That is, in step 312, the density value data for one pixel row is fetched from the A / D converter 100, and in the next step 314, the fetched density value data is converted into the sensitivity of each of a large number of sensor units of the CCD line sensor 94. The correction is performed according to the variation, and the corrected data is stored in the image buffer 70.
[0102]
In the next step 316, the pulse motor 104 is driven via the driver 106, and the negative film 12 is transported by a predetermined amount corresponding to the interval between image rows. This transport amount corresponds to the interval between the sensor units. Therefore, the fine scan unit 38 divides an image into a larger number of pixels more finely than the prescan unit 36, and measures the amount of transmitted light of each pixel.
[0103]
In the next step 318, it is determined whether or not reading of an image for one screen has been completed. If the determination in step 318 is negative, the process returns to step 312, and the processes in steps 312 to 318 are repeated until the determination in step 318 is affirmative. Thus, the image buffer 70 stores R image data, G image data, and B image data of a single frame image.
[0104]
In the next step 320, it is determined whether or not the density value data has been stored in the image buffer 70 for all the frame images recorded on the negative film 12. If the determination in step 320 is denied, the process returns to step 300, and the processes in steps 300 to 320 are repeated. If the determination in step 320 is affirmative, the process ends.
[0105]
Next, an interrupt process executed by the fine scan unit 38 when the density value data for at least one frame image is stored in the image buffer 70 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this interrupt processing, an auto setup process for automatically setting image processing conditions for the density value data obtained by the fine scan unit 38 and a frame image represented by the density value data obtained by the fine scan unit 38 Perform positive image test.
[0106]
First, in step 350, density value data for one frame image is fetched from the image buffer 70, and in the next step 352, shading correction is performed. This is because the light quantity of the light emitted from the lamp 84 also has a distribution in which the light axis position is peaked and gradually attenuates toward the periphery. In this step 352, the density value data taken from the image buffer 70 is corrected in accordance with the distribution of the light amount of the lamp 84 measured in advance.
[0107]
In the next step 354, the density type of the frame image is automatically determined based on the density value data subjected to shading correction in step 352, and the processing condition of image processing for the density value data is obtained and stored based on the density type. Perform auto setup processing.
[0108]
The density type of the frame image can be classified into low density / normal density / high density / ultra high density by comparing the average density, the maximum density, the minimum density and the like with a predetermined value. The image processing conditions include, for example, image processing conditions such as image enlargement / reduction ratio, hypertone and hypersharpness (specifically, the degree of gradation compression for an ultra-low frequency luminance component of an image, The gain (degree of emphasis) for high-frequency components and medium-frequency components), gradation conversion conditions, and the like are calculated.
[0109]
When the auto setup processing is completed, in the next step 356, image processing (enlargement / reduction of images, gradation conversion, hypertone processing, hyper sharpness) is performed on the density value data in accordance with the processing conditions of the image processing obtained by the above auto setup processing. In the next step 358, the density value data after image processing is converted into data of a positive image, and in the next step 360, a positive image is displayed on the CRT display 72 based on the positive image data. By referring to this display image, for example, a positive image test is performed in which the operator instructs correction of color, density, and the like. If any correction instruction is given by the operator in the positive image test, correction according to the instruction is performed on the density value data. At this time, the positive image data used for display on the CRT display 72 is obtained by the fine scan unit 38 and the resolution is too high to be displayed on the CRT display 72. Use what is thinned out. At this time, the positive image data is corrected so that the image displayed on the CRT display 72 matches the output image from the printer processor 18 as closely as possible.
[0110]
In the next step 362, the exposure representing the exposure amounts of R, G, and B for each pixel is performed by performing an exponential conversion on the positive image data (those not thinned out for display on the CRT display 72) after the positive image verification in step 360. In the next step 364, the exposure data calculated as described above is transferred to the control circuit 122 of the printer unit 110. In the next step 366, the exposure data corresponding to the exposure data transferred from the image buffer 70 to the printer unit 110 is corresponded. The density value data to be deleted.
[0111]
In the next step 368, the processing of the above steps 350 to 366 for all density value data stored in the image buffer 70, ie, the auto setup processing, the positive image test, and the transfer of the exposure data to the printer unit 110 It is determined whether or not each process such as has been completed, and if not completed, the process returns to step 350 to repeatedly execute the above-described processes, and thereafter ends this interrupt process.
[0112]
Next, an exposure control process in the printer unit 110 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. In step 400, the rotation of the polygon mirror 126 is started. In step 402, the printing paper 112 is conveyed via the pulse motor 144, and the unexposed portion of the printing paper 112 is positioned at the exposure position. In step 404, exposure amount data corresponding to the image to be exposed is fetched. From the next step 406, the image is exposed on the photographic paper. That is, in step 406, of the captured exposure data, the exposure control signal corresponding to the R exposure data corresponding to the first line is sent to the AOM driver 120R, and the exposure control signal corresponding to the G exposure data is transmitted to the AOM driver 120R. Is output to the AOM driver 120G and an exposure control signal corresponding to the exposure data of B is output to the AOM driver 120B.
[0113]
The AOM drivers 120R, 120R, 120G, 120B output high-frequency signals to the AOMs 133R, 133G, 120B when the level of the input exposure control signal is high. Accordingly, the pulse periods t of the exposure amount control signal are output from the AOM 133R, G, and B, respectively. ₀ Each time, a recording laser beam is emitted for a time corresponding to the pulse width d, multiplexed by dichroic mirrors 134G and 134B, and incident on a polygon mirror 126.
[0114]
The irradiation position of the laser beam on the printing paper 112 is sequentially moved by the rotation of the polygon mirror 126, and the pulse period t of the exposure amount control signal is changed. ₀ Is the pulse period t ₀ Is determined so as to correspond to the pixel interval of the image recorded on the photographic paper 112. Therefore, since the irradiation time of the laser beam for each pixel differs depending on the pulse width d, the exposure amount is changed for each pixel in accordance with the exposure amount data. The laser beam reflected by the polygon mirror 126 is reflected by the mirrors 130 and 140 and irradiates the photographic printing paper 112. One scan of the laser beam by the polygon mirror 126 corresponds to one pixel column (one line) on the photographic printing paper 112. Is performed.
[0115]
When the exposure for one line is performed, the process proceeds to step 408, where the pulse motor 144 controls the rotation of the polygon mirror 126 until the rotation angle of the polygon mirror 126 reaches the rotation angle for reflecting the incident laser beam to the scanning start position. The photographic paper 112 is transported by a predetermined amount corresponding to the interval. In the next step 410, it is determined whether or not exposure for one image has been completed. If the determination in step 410 is denied, the process returns to step 406, and outputs an exposure control signal corresponding to the exposure data corresponding to the next one line to the AOM drivers 120R, 120G, 120B, respectively. The next one line is exposed.
[0116]
By repeating the processing of steps 406 to 410 a predetermined number of times, exposure of an image according to the exposure data is performed. When the exposure process for one image is completed, the determination in step 410 is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 412. In step 412, it is determined whether or not exposure for all the transferred exposure data has been completed. If the determination in step 412 is negative, the process returns to step 402, and exposure processing for the next image is performed in the same manner as described above. If the determination in step 412 is affirmative, the rotation of the polygon mirror 126 is stopped in step 414, and the exposure control processing ends.
[0117]
The unexposed portion of the photographic paper 112 that has been subjected to the exposure control processing is cut off by the cutter unit 116 and rewound into the magazine 114, and the exposed portion of the image is sent into each processing tank of the processor unit 154. Thereafter, the image is sent to the drying unit 166 and subjected to color development, bleach-fixing, washing and drying, and the image exposed by the printer unit 110 is visualized. The dried photographic paper 112 is cut for each image frame and discharged out of the printer processor 18.
[0118]
As described in detail above, in the film image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment, the charge accumulation time of the CCD area sensor 62 during the pre-scan is fixed, so that the pre-scan The configuration of the unit 36 can be simplified, and the cost of the entire apparatus can be reduced.
[0119]
Further, in the film image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment, processing that can be executed based on image data (density value data) obtained by reading at a relatively low resolution under fixed photometric conditions is shared by the prescan unit 36. However, it is necessary to set conditions in accordance with the characteristics of the image to be read and the like, and the fine scan unit 38 is responsible for processing that is preferably performed based on image data obtained by reading at a relatively high resolution. By doing so, a relatively inexpensive low-resolution CCD area sensor 62 can be applied as the CCD sensor of the pre-scan unit 36, so that the cost of the entire apparatus can be reduced.
[0120]
Further, in the film image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment, the position of the frame image, the size of the frame image, the DX code, and the frame number are detected based on the density value data obtained by the pre-scan. The cost of the entire apparatus can be reduced as compared with the case where detection is performed using a dedicated sensor or the like.
[0121]
Further, the film image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the image buffer 70 for holding the image data (density value data) obtained by the fine scan unit 38 until the auto setup process and the positive image test are completed. Therefore, the image reading operation by the fine scan, the auto setup process, and the positive image test can be performed in parallel, and high-speed image reading can be performed.
[0122]
In the present embodiment, the case where all the processes shown in Table 2 are performed has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and each process of the pre-scan unit 36 and the fine scan unit 38 is performed. At least one of the embodiments may be implemented.
[0123]
Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the pre-scan is performed with the charge accumulation time of the CCD area sensor 62 and the light amount of the lamp 52 fixed is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The pre-scanning may be performed by fixing only one of the charge accumulation time and the light amount of the lamp 52.
[0124]
Further, in the present embodiment, the case has been described in which the auto setup process and the positive image test are performed based on the density value data obtained by the fine scan, but the present invention is not limited to this, and these processes are performed. It is also possible to adopt a mode in which the scan is performed based on the density value data obtained by the prescan. Normally, pre-scanning is performed at a higher speed than fine scanning.By performing the auto setup process and the positive image test on the pre-scanning side, the processing time of each of pre-scanning and fine scanning is well balanced. As a result, the overall processing speed can be further increased, but since the density value data obtained by the pre-scan is different from that obtained by the fine scan, for example, based on the density value data by the pre-scan, When image processing is performed on the density value data obtained by the fine scan under the determined processing conditions, the processing accuracy of the image processing is lower than that in the present embodiment.
[0125]
Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which the exposure amount is determined for each pixel and scanning exposure is performed for each pixel in the printer unit 110 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to a case where a large number of surface exposures are performed.
[0126]
Further, in the present embodiment, the case where a negative film is applied as the photographic light-sensitive material of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is also applicable to reversal film (positive film) reading. It goes without saying that the invention is applicable.
[0127]
【The invention's effect】
According to the image reading apparatus of the first aspect, since the photometric conditions in the first photometric system are fixed, the configuration of the first photometric system can be simplified as compared with the case where the photometric conditions are adjusted. , The cost of the entire apparatus can be reduced In addition, processing that can be performed using image data having relatively low accuracy is preferably performed based on image data obtained by the first photometry system, and is preferably performed using image data having relatively high accuracy. Since only the reading is performed based on the image data obtained by the second photometric system, the image reading efficiency of the entire apparatus can be improved, and the image reading can be performed at high speed. Is obtained.
[0129]
Also, billing Item 2 According to the image reading device described above, Item 1 It is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the invention described above, determine the processing conditions of the image processing performed on the image data output from the second photometric system, and perform the image data output from the second photometric system. Since the image data output from the second photometric system is stored in the storage unit until at least one of the image tests using the image processing is completed, the image reading operation by the second photometric system and the control unit are performed. Determination of processing conditions for image processing on image data output from the second photometric system and at least one of image verification using image data output from the second photometric system can be performed in parallel, The effect that image reading can be performed at high speed is obtained.
[0130]
Also, billing Item 3 According to the image reading apparatus described above, since the first image sensor is an area sensor and the second image sensor is a line sensor, the resolution of the first image sensor is lower than that of the second image sensor. By using a sensor, the first image sensor can be made inexpensive, and the cost of the entire apparatus can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a photographic processing system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a film image reading device.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer unit.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a configuration of a negative film and a reading area of a CCD area sensor.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a main routine of a pre-scan unit of the film image reading device.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a scan reading process of a pre-scan unit.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a reading process in a fine scan unit according to the embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an interrupt process in a fine scan unit according to the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an exposure process in a printer unit.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a waveform of an exposure amount control signal output to an AOM driver.
FIG. 11 is a graph showing an example of a relationship between a negative image density and a photometric value when a negative image is photometrically measured by a CCD sensor.
[Explanation of symbols]
12 Negative film (photosensitive material)
16 Film image reading device (image reading device)
36 Prescan unit (first photometric system)
38 Fine scan unit (second photometry system)
42 control circuit (control means)
52 lamp (first light source)
62 CCD area sensor (first image sensor)
70 Image buffer (storage means)
84 lamp (second light source)
94 CCD line sensor (second image sensor)

Claims (3)

Conveying means for conveying the photographic material on which the image is recorded so that the image sequentially passes through the first reading position and the second reading position;
A first light source that irradiates the image with light at the first reading position, and based on light transmitted through the image or light reflected from the image, reading the image while fixing photometric conditions. A first photometric system including a first image sensor that outputs image data,
A second light source configured to irradiate the image with light at the second reading position; and a charge storage unit that reads the image based on light transmitted through the image or light reflected from the image and outputs the image as image data. A second photometric system with a second type of image sensor;
The image is read by changing at least one of the amount of light emitted from the second light source and the charge accumulation time of the second image sensor based on image data output from the first image sensor. Control means for controlling the second photometric system,
An image reading apparatus comprising :
The control means detects the DX code when the DX code is attached to the photographic material based on the image data output from the first photometry system, and outputs the frame number to the photographic material. And performing at least one of the frame number detection when the frame number is attached, and performing image processing on the image data output from the second photometry system based on the image data output from the second photometry system. An image reading apparatus for performing at least one of determination of a processing condition and image verification using image data output from the second photometric system. At least one of the determination of the processing condition of the image processing performed on the image data output from the second photometry system and the image test using the image data output from the second photometry system, which is performed by the control unit, is completed. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a storage unit that stores image data output from the second photometry system until the image data is output. Wherein the first image sensor is an area sensor, an image reading apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said second image sensor is a line sensor.

Images