JP3715033B2 - Image processing method and image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing that is used for a photographic printing apparatus, an image recording apparatus, or the like, and that performs image processing on image information that has been photoelectrically read by an image reading apparatus to obtain image information for image recording by the image recording apparatus. It belongs to the technical field of methods and image processing devices.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Currently, the images taken on photographic films such as negative films and reversal films (hereinafter referred to as films) are printed on photographic materials such as photographic paper. This is done by so-called direct exposure.
On the other hand, in recent years, a printing apparatus using digital exposure, that is, image information recorded on a film is photoelectrically read and subjected to various image processing to obtain digital image information for recording. Development of digital photo printers has been progressing in which a photosensitive material is scanned and exposed by recording light modulated accordingly to record an image (latent image), which is developed and printed.
[0003]
In a digital photo printer, the exposure condition is determined by photoelectrically reading a film and performing color density correction by signal processing. Therefore, the exposure time per image is short, and the exposure time is also an image. Since it is constant according to the size, it is possible to perform printing more quickly than conventional surface exposure.
In addition, editing such as image composition and image division and image processing such as color / density adjustment can be freely performed, and a finished print subjected to editing and image processing can be output according to the application. In addition, since the finished print image can be stored as image information in a recording medium such as a floppy disk, it is not necessary to prepare a film as a document at the time of reprinting, etc. Work can be done easily.
In addition, conventional direct exposure printing cannot reproduce all images recorded on film etc. in terms of resolution, color / density reproducibility, etc., but it is recorded on film by a digital photo printer. A print that reproduces almost 100% of the existing image (density information) can be output.
[0004]
Such a digital photo printer basically has an image reading device that photoelectrically reads an image recorded on a film, an image processing (setup) device that performs image processing on the read image and determines exposure conditions for image recording, And an image recording apparatus that scans and exposes the photosensitive material in accordance with the determined exposure conditions to perform development processing.
The present applicant has invented various image reading apparatuses and methods for realizing such a digital photo printer, and disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 6-217091, 6-233052, and 6-245062. This is proposed, and the apparatus outline of the digital photo printer is disclosed in the publication.
[0005]
In an image reading apparatus used in a digital photo printer, reading light emitted from a light source is incident on a film to obtain projection light carrying an image photographed on the film. An image is read out by forming an image on an image sensor or the like and photoelectrically converted, and after various image processing is performed as necessary, the image information is sent to an image processing apparatus as image information (image data signal) of the film.
The image processing apparatus sets the image processing conditions according to the input image information, displays the image on the display to be output, and after the verification by the operator and the adjustment of the image processing conditions are performed as necessary, The set image processing is performed on the image information, and is sent to the image recording apparatus as output image information (exposure conditions) for image recording.
In the image recording apparatus, for example, if the apparatus uses light beam scanning exposure, the light beam is modulated in accordance with image information sent from the image processing apparatus, and the light beam is deflected in the main scanning direction. By conveying the photosensitive material (printing paper) in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, the photosensitive material is exposed (baked) by the light beam carrying the image to form a latent image, and then according to the photosensitive material The finished print (photograph) is obtained by reproducing the image photographed on the film by performing development processing or the like.
[0006]
By the way, the shooting conditions of the image shot on the film are not constant, and there are many cases where there is a large difference between light and dark, such as strobe shooting or a backlight scene.
When such a film image is exposed by a normal method to create a finished print, either the bright part or the dark part may be crushed. For example, when a person is photographed with backlighting, if exposure is performed so that the person becomes a suitable image, bright portions such as the sky will fly white, and conversely, exposure will be performed so that the sky becomes a suitable image. If you do, the person will be black.
Therefore, so-called dodging is performed when exposing a photosensitive material using a film image having a large brightness and darkness as an original image.
[0007]
Dodging means that normal exposure is applied to areas with intermediate density, exposure is increased in areas where images are likely to fly (bright areas), and exposure is reduced in areas where images are likely to be collapsed (dark areas). This is a technique for correcting a large contrast of an image photographed on a film and obtaining a finished print in which an appropriate image is reproduced over the entire screen.
In a conventional surface exposure apparatus, exposure is performed by inserting a light-shielding plate or an ND filter in the exposure light path, a method of partially changing the light amount of the exposure light source, and brightness and darkness while blurring an image photographed on a film. Dodging is performed by partially changing the exposure amount in accordance with an image photographed on the film by, for example, a method of creating an inverted monochrome film and performing exposure by overlapping the films.
[0008]
On the other hand, when performing dodging with a digital photo printer, it is extremely difficult to perform exposure by inserting a filter for dodging in the optical path of the light beam. It is conceivable to obtain the same effect as dodging by improving the exposure amount of the portion where the image is likely to fly and reducing the exposure amount of the portion where the image is likely to be crushed.
Here, in the digital photo printer, since the operator does not select a filter or the like to perform dodging, it is difficult to predict the effect, and it is only possible to confirm the effect of dodging by finishing printing. Therefore, when a dodging function is added to a digital photo printer, in some cases, the dodging may cause an unsuitable finished print.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
An object of the present invention is an image processing method and apparatus used in the above-mentioned digital photo printer or the like, which performs image processing on image information read photoelectrically to obtain image information for image recording, By performing printing (image information processing to obtain the same effect as dodging by direct exposure), high-quality image recording can be performed regardless of the state of the original film, and the operator can dodging An image processing method capable of producing a print while confirming the effect of the image, and capable of stably obtaining an appropriate finished print in which a high-quality image is reproduced in which the effect of dodging is sufficiently expressed, and An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that implements this.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an image processing method according to the present invention is an image processing method in which input image information photoelectrically read by an image reading device is subjected to image processing to obtain output image information for image recording. In addition, image processing conditions for obtaining output image information are set from prescan image information having a resolution lower than that of the input image information, and the prescan image information is processed according to the set image processing conditions. Necessary for obtaining output image information by processing the input image information according to the set or adjusted image processing conditions and adjusting the image processing conditions as necessary. In response to the output image information generated by blurring the image carried by the input image information and processing the input image information with the blur image information. Dodging effect is given to, further, When giving the dodging effect to the output image information, a process equivalent to the process applied to the input image information to give the dodging effect, Using blurred image information obtained by blurring image information carried by prescanned image information Prescan image information is also displayed on the monitor to display a prescan image with dodging effect. The frequency characteristics of the blurred image information for processing the input image information and the blurred image information for processing the prescan image information are set according to the resolution ratio of the input image information and the prescan image information. An image processing method is provided.
[0011]
An image processing apparatus according to the present invention performs the image processing method according to the present invention, and performs image processing on input image information photoelectrically read by the image reading apparatus to record an image. An image processing apparatus for output image information, comprising: setting means for setting image processing conditions for obtaining output image information from pre-scan image information having a lower resolution than the input image information; and the setting means An adjusting unit that adjusts the set image processing conditions, and the pre-scan image information is subjected to predetermined image processing according to the image processing conditions set by the setting unit or further adjusted by the adjusting unit, Display image processing means for displaying image information, a monitor for displaying image information processed by the display image processing means, and setting by the setting means. The input image information is subjected to image processing according to the image processing condition adjusted by the adjusting means, or blur image information formed by blurring the image carried by the input image information is generated and input as necessary. The image information is processed with the blurred image information, thereby providing a dodging effect on the obtained output image information to obtain output image information. Further, the dodging is added to the output image information. When applying the effect, perform the same processing as the processing performed on the input image information to give the dodging effect. Using blurred image information obtained by blurring image information carried by prescanned image information The display image processing means has a dodging effect imparting means that is also applied to pre-scanned image information and serves as display image information imparted with a dodging effect, and The frequency characteristics of the blurred image for processing the input image information and the blurred image information for processing the prescan image information are set according to the resolution ratio of the input image information and the prescan image information. An image processing apparatus is provided.
[0013]
In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that blur image information for processing the pre-scan image information is generated using an IIR filter.
[0014]
Further, the image processing apparatus of the present invention further includes a memory for storing the generated blurred image information for pre-scan image information processing, and when the image processing condition is adjusted by the adjustment unit, It is preferable to read the blurred image information from the memory and process the pre-scan image information.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an image processing method and an image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention that implements the image processing method according to the present invention.
An image processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 processes input image information read by an image reading apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a reading apparatus) 22 and is shown in FIG. 2 as output image information corresponding to image recording. The image data is output to an image recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a recording apparatus) 24, and the reading apparatus 22, the image processing apparatus 10, and the recording apparatus 24 constitute the above-described digital photo printer.
[0017]
The reading device 22 that supplies image information to the image processing apparatus 10 of the present invention is a device that photoelectrically reads an image shot on the film A, and is shot on the light source 26, the variable aperture 28, and the film A. It has three color filters of R, G, and B for separating the image into the three primary colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), and can rotate to act any color filter on the optical path The color filter plate 30, a diffusion box 32 for making the reading light incident on the film A uniform in the surface direction of the film A, an imaging lens 34, and an area sensor that reads one image taken on the film. It comprises a CCD sensor 36, an amplifier 38, an A / D converter 40, and an LUT (Look Up Table) 42 that converts the signal into a log signal and converts it into a density signal.
[0018]
In such a reading device 22, the reading light emitted from the light source 26, adjusted in light amount by the diaphragm 28, adjusted in color through the color filter plate 30, and diffused in the diffusion box 32 is incident on the film A. By transmitting the light, projection light carrying an image photographed on the film A is obtained.
The projection light is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD sensor 36 by the imaging lens 34 and is read photoelectrically by the CCD sensor 36. An output signal from the CCD sensor 36 is amplified by an amplifier 38, converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter 40, converted into a density signal by an LUT 42, and image processing of the present invention as image information of an image photographed on the film A. Sent to the device 10.
In the reading device 22, such image reading is performed three times by sequentially inserting the R, G, and B color filters of the color filter plate 28, whereby an image photographed on the film A is converted into R, G, and B colors. Separate and read the three primary colors.
[0019]
Here, in the illustrated digital photo printer, pre-scan that coarsely reads an image at a low resolution is performed prior to image reading (main scan) for obtaining image information of an output image. The image processing apparatus 10 sets (sets up) image processing conditions from the image information obtained by the pre-scan, performs image processing on the image information of the main scan according to the image processing conditions, and performs image recording by the recording apparatus 24. Output image information.
The image reading method in the pre-scan and the main scan is basically the same. However, the image information read by the CCD sensor 36 in the pre-scan is subjected to processing by the image processing apparatus 10 with the pixels being greatly thinned out under the control of the timing controller 11 to obtain rough image information having a low resolution.
[0020]
The image processing apparatus 10 of the present invention to which an image is supplied (input) from such a reading apparatus 22 includes a pre-scan memory 12, a main scan memory 14, a display image processing unit 16, and a main scan image processing unit 18. And a monitor 20 and an image processing condition setting unit 21 (hereinafter referred to as a condition setting unit 21). The timing controller 11 is connected to the pre-scan memory 12 and the main scan memory 14.
[0021]
Image information of the prescan by the reading device 22 is sent to the prescan memory 12, and image information of the main scan is sent to the main scan memory 14 and stored therein.
The pre-scan memory 12 and the main scan memory 14 have basically the same configuration, and each of them stores three pieces of R image information, G image information, and B image information supplied from the reading device 22, respectively. It has a frame memory. If necessary, the storage capacities of both memories may be different.
[0022]
The image information stored in the pre-scan memory 12 is read by the display image processing unit 16 and the condition setting unit 21, and the image information stored in the main scan memory 14 is read by the main scan image processing unit 18, respectively.
[0023]
The condition setting unit 21 includes a setup (processing condition setting) unit 44, a key correction unit 46, and a parameter integration unit 48.
The setup unit 44 is a part for setting a basic image processing condition, and is configured to have a CPU and the like. From the image information stored in the pre-scan memory 12, a density histogram is created and the highest density and the lowest density are calculated. Etc., in a known method using matrix calculation, image processing algorithm, image processing table, etc., setting of image processing conditions such as color / density processing conditions, more specifically, various conversion tables and correction tables Create or adjust processing tables.
[0024]
The key correction unit 46 calculates the correction amount of the image processing condition in accordance with the operator's key input using the adjustment key 50 shown in FIG.
In the illustrated adjustment key 50, for example, the overall density (D), cyan (C) density, magenta density (M), yellow (Y) density, gradation (γ), and bright part (highlight side) are covered. It is possible to adjust the baking effect (α light) and the dodging effect (α dark) of the dark portion (shadow side).
The operator performs an examination while looking at an image displayed on the monitor 20 described later, and presses the (+) key and the (−) key of each parameter as necessary, that is, adjusts the image processing conditions, Adjust the image to the desired state. Each correction amount is adjusted according to the number of times the key is pressed. Note that the adjustment by the operator may be a method in which display corresponding to the adjustment key 50 is displayed on the monitor 20 and adjustment is performed by a mouse or keyboard operation, in addition to such key operations.
[0025]
The parameter integration unit 48 integrates the image processing condition set by the setup unit 44 and the correction amount by the key correction unit 46 to obtain the finally set image processing condition. Therefore, when there is no input from the adjustment key 50, the image processing condition finally set here is the image processing condition set by the setup unit 44.
The image processing conditions set by the parameter integration unit 48 are sent to predetermined parts of the display image processing unit 16 and the main scan image processing unit 18, and each image information is processed according to the image processing conditions. That is, when there is an input from the adjustment key 50 and the image processing conditions previously set by the parameter integration unit 48 are changed, the image processing conditions and the dodging processing conditions described later are changed. Accordingly, the image on the monitor 20 that displays the image information output from the display image processing unit 16 changes in response to an input from the adjustment key 50.
[0026]
The display image processing unit 16 reads the prescan image information stored in the prescan memory 12, performs various image processing according to the image processing conditions set by the condition setting unit 21, and further performs dodging as necessary. (Image information processing for obtaining the same effect as dodging by direct exposure) to obtain image information for display on the monitor 20, the second LUT 52, the first matrix calculator (MTX) 54, the second MTX 56, A low pass filter (LPF) 58, a third LUT 60, a fourth LUT 62, a signal converter 64, an adder 66, and a memory 68 are included.
On the other hand, the main scan image processing unit 18 reads the main scan image information stored in the main scan memory 14, performs predetermined image processing according to the image processing conditions set by the condition setting unit 21, and further, if necessary. The second LUT 70, the first MTX 72, the second MTX 74, the LPF 76, the third LUT 78, and the fourth LUT 80 are configured to be dodged and used as output image information for image recording by the recording device 24.
[0027]
As is apparent from the above description, both image processing units have substantially the same configuration, and the image processing performed in both image processing units is the same as the image processing conditions and dodging except that the number of pixels (resolution) is different. The method is basically the same.
That is, in the image processing apparatus 10 of the present invention, even when dodging the output image, the dodged image is displayed on the monitor 20, so the operator can perform the same as the image recorded by the recording device 24. Thus, various operations can be performed while confirming the image, and generation of inappropriate prints can be largely prevented.
Hereinafter, both image processing units will be described using the display image processing unit 16 as a representative example.
[0028]
The second LUT 52 (second LUT 70) reads out image information stored in the pre-scan memory 12 (main scan memory 14) and performs gray balance adjustment, brightness correction, and gradation correction. The tables for performing are configured in cascade.
Each correction (adjustment) table of the second LUT 52 is set or adjusted by the parameter integration unit 48 of the condition setting unit 21 described above.
[0029]
The first MTX 54 (first MTX 72) performs color correction of the image information processed by the second LUT 52, and the spectral characteristics of the film A and the photosensitive material (printing) so that the obtained output image (information) is finished in an appropriate color. Paper) A matrix calculation set according to the spectral characteristics of Z, the characteristics of development processing, and the like is performed, and color correction is performed.
[0030]
When dodging is performed, the image information processed by the first MTX 54 is Adder 66 ( Adder 82 ) And the second MTX 56 (second MTX 74) for generating blurred image information.
When dodging is not performed, the first MTX 54 and a later-described fourth LUT 62 (first MTX 72 and fourth LUT 80) are bypassed and connected, and generation of blurred image information is not performed. The presence / absence of dodging may be set by a mode selection by an operator input, a method of judging from the calculation result in the condition setting unit 21, or the like.
[0031]
The second MTX 56 (second MTX 74) generates bright and dark image information of the read image from the R, G, and B image information sent from the first MTX 54.
Examples of the method for generating light / dark image information include a method of taking one third of the average value of R, G, and B image information, a method of converting color image information into light / dark image information using the YIQ rule, and the like. .
As a method of obtaining bright and dark image information using the YIQ rule, for example, a method of calculating only the Y component of the YIQ rule from the R, G, and B image information by the following formula is exemplified.
Y = 0.3R + 0.59G + 0.11B
[0032]
The LPF 58 (LPF 76) processes the light and dark image information generated by the second MTX 56 with a low-pass filter, thereby blurring the light and dark image two-dimensionally and obtaining blurred image information of the read image.
As the LPF used for the LPF 58, an FIR (Finite Impulse Respones) type low-pass filter that is usually used for generating a blurred image may be used. An IIR (Infinite Impulse Respones) type low-pass filter is preferably used. A filter such as a medial filter disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 8-16646 is also preferably exemplified.
FIG. 4 shows an example of an IIR type low-pass filter. The low-pass filter of the illustrated example has a configuration in which an adder is arranged in the forward direction and a delay circuit is arranged in the feedback direction.
[0033]
Here, as described above, the pre-scan image information and the main-scan image information have different image resolutions. Therefore, when processing is performed using the same low-pass filter, the image displayed on the monitor 20 and the finished print are reproduced. The image will be different.
Therefore, it is necessary to change the frequency characteristics according to the resolution between the LPF 58 that processes pre-scan image information and the LPF 76 that processes main-scan image information. Specifically, the blur amount of the blurred image information used for display on the monitor 20 may be reduced by the resolution ratio. The resolution ratio is m, the cutoff frequency of the LPF 58 is fc (p), and the cutoff frequency of the LPF 76 is fc. (f)
fc (p) ≒ mfc (f)
What is necessary is just to design a low-pass filter so that.
[0034]
The blurred image information generated by the LPF 58 is sent to the third LUT 60 (third LUT 78) and subjected to dynamic range compression processing. As an example, this dynamic range compression processing is performed using a dynamic range compression table created by the method described below.
[0035]
The setup unit 44 is set with a function for determining the compression ratio α of the dynamic range of the entire blurred image generated by the LPF 58 from the dynamic range of the read image information. The setup unit 44 uses this function. The compression rate α of the prescan image information is determined.
Next, a basic dynamic range compression table is created using the compression rate α. This table is a simple decreasing function whose slope is a compression rate α with a certain signal value as a reference, that is, an intersection with the horizontal axis (output 0). The reference signal value may be set according to the main subject, and is about 0.6 when a person is the main subject.
Finally, the setup unit 44 determines that the maximum value and the minimum value of the signal value of the image information are within the range of the minimum density and the maximum density of the reproduced image (fourth LUT 62 described later). (4th LUT80) Compress the bright part side (above the reference) and the dark part side (below) of the basic dynamic range compression table so that it is within the image reproducible region in the gradation conversion curve set to The dynamic range compression table is completed and stored in the third LUT 60, and the third LUT 60 processes the blurred image information generated by the LPF 58 using the dynamic range compression table.
This dynamic range compression processing is described in detail in Japanese Patent Application Nos. 7-283144 and 7-337509 by the applicant.
[0036]
The blurred image information obtained in this way is sent to the adder 66 (adder 82). The adder 66 subtracts the blurred image information from the main image information processed by the first MTX 54 and directly sent to the adder 66, and has the same effect as performing dodging by surface exposure on the obtained image information. (Adjusting the density of only the bright part and / or the dark part without changing the intermediate density part).
The fourth LUT 62 (fourth LUT 80) is a gradation conversion table for converting image information that has been subjected to predetermined processing into image information according to the characteristics of the final output medium. That is, the fourth LUT 62 is image information corresponding to pre-scan image information corresponding to the display on the monitor 20, and the fourth LUT 80 is image information corresponding suitably to color development of the photosensitive material Z. Tone conversion is performed.
[0037]
In this way, the prescan image information output from the fourth LUT 62 is converted into a signal corresponding to the monitor 20 by the signal converter 64, and further D / A converted by the D / A converter 86, so that the monitor 20 Is displayed.
On the other hand, the main scan image information output from the fourth LUT 80 is sent to the AOM driver 88 of the recording device 24, where it is D / A converted into an AOM 94 modulation signal. The recording device 24 will be described in detail later.
Here, the image displayed on the monitor 20 and the image of the finished print sent to the recording device 24 and reproduced are subjected to the same processing as various image processing and dodging processing. Accordingly, an image similar to the image of the finished print is displayed on the monitor 20.
[0038]
As described above, the operator performs an inspection by looking at the image displayed on the monitor 20, and if necessary, presses each key of the adjustment key 50 so that the total density, C density, M density, Y density, floor The image recorded on the finished print can be adjusted by adjusting the tone, the bright portion dodging effect, and the dark portion dodging effect. The adjustment of the dodging effect is performed by adjusting the compression ratio of the bright part and the dark part.
The key input of the adjustment key 50 by the operator is sent to the key correction unit 46 and is used as the correction amount of the image processing condition. 48 In FIG. 5, the correction amount and the image processing condition set by the setup unit 44 are integrated to set a new image processing condition after the key correction.
That is, the correction tables in the second LUT 52 and the second LUT 70, the dynamic range compression tables in the third LUT 60 and the third LUT 78, and the gradation conversion tables in the fourth LUT 62 and the fourth LUT 80 are adjusted or reset by key input using the adjustment key 50. The
Accordingly, the image displayed on the monitor 20 changes accordingly.
[0039]
However, if the blurred image information is newly generated using the second MTX 56 and the LPF 58 after the adjustment key 50 is input by the operator and is displayed on the monitor, the process takes time and the productivity is lowered.
Therefore, in the illustrated image processing apparatus 10, the memory 68 is disposed between the LPF 58 and the third LUT 60, and the LPF 58 is initially connected to both the third LUT 60 and the memory 68 by the switcher 69. The blurred image information generated by the LPF 58 is sent to the third LUT 60 and stored in the memory 68. In this way, when the operator inputs the adjustment key 50, the switch 69 connects only the third LUT 60 and the memory 68 to read out the blurred image information, and the subsequent processing is performed. With such a configuration, it is possible to perform rapid processing without the need to regenerate blurred image information.
[0040]
Here, the input of the adjustment key 50 by the operator also affects the processing conditions by the second LUT 52 arranged upstream of the LPF 58. Therefore, after the input of the adjustment key 50, the monitor 20 is displayed using the blurred image information read from the memory 68. When The image based on the image information output from the main scan image processing unit 18 and the image displayed on the monitor 20 are different.
In order to prevent this, in the processing apparatus 10 in the illustrated example, the third LUT 60 determines whether the image information output from the second MTX 56 changes according to the change in the image processing conditions in the second LUT 52 by key input. By correcting the output image information, the image displayed on the monitor 20 after the adjustment key 50 is input corresponds to the adjustment by the key input.
[0041]
For example, the bright and dark image generation in the second MTX 56 is based on the above-mentioned YIQ regulations.
Y = 0.3R + 0.59G + 0.11B
Is converted into ΔR, ΔG, and ΔB, which are the fluctuation amounts of R, G, and B, by the following formula:
ΔY = 0.3ΔR + 0.59ΔG + 0.11ΔB
Can be used to calculate the amount of change ΔY due to adjustment of the image information output from the second MTX 56.
By adding this ΔY correction to the third LUT 60 (rewriting the dynamic range compression table), the image displayed on the monitor 20 after the input of the adjustment key 50 can be made to correspond to the key input.
[0042]
As described above, the main scan image information, which has been processed in the fourth LUT 80 of the main scan image processing unit 18 and is image information corresponding to the image recording of the finished print, is output 88 as the driver 88 of the recording device 24. Sent to.
[0043]
The recording device 24 scans and exposes the photosensitive material Z by light beam scanning according to the output image information for obtaining the finished print transferred from the main scan image processing unit 18, and develops the photosensitive material Z that has been exposed. Processed and output as a finished print P, Acousto-optic modulator 94 A driver 88 for driving the image, an image exposure unit 90, and a development unit 92.
[0044]
The output image information output from the main scan image processing unit 18 is transferred to the driver 88 and D / A converted.
The driver 88 drives an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) 94 of the image exposure unit 90 so as to modulate the light beam according to the D / A converted image information.
[0045]
On the other hand, the image exposure unit 90 scans and exposes the photosensitive material Z by light beam scanning and records an image of the image information on the photosensitive material Z. As shown conceptually in FIG. A light source 96R that emits a light beam in a narrow wavelength range corresponding to the exposure of the R photosensitive layer formed on the light source, a light source 96G corresponding to the exposure of the G photosensitive layer, and a light source 96B corresponding to the exposure of the B photosensitive layer. AOMs 94R, 94G, and 94B that modulate the light source of each light beam and the light beam emitted from each light source according to a recorded image, a polygon mirror 98 as an optical deflector, an fθ lens 100, and a sub-photosensitive material Z It has scanning conveyance means.
[0046]
The light beams emitted from the light sources 96 (96R, 96G, 96B) and traveling at different angles enter the corresponding AOM 94 (94R, 94G, 94B). R, G, and B drive signals corresponding to the recorded image are transferred from the driver 88 to each AOM 94, and the intensity of the incident light beam is modulated according to the recorded image.
[0047]
Each light beam modulated by the AOM 94 is incident on and reflected by substantially the same point of the polygon mirror 98, is deflected in the main scanning direction (in the direction of the arrow x in the figure), and then predetermined by the fθ lens 100 at a predetermined scanning position z. The light beam is adjusted so as to form an image with the beam shape, and enters the photosensitive material Z. The image exposure unit 90 may be provided with a light beam shaping unit and a surface tilt correction optical system as necessary.
[0048]
On the other hand, the photosensitive material Z is wound in a roll shape and is loaded at a predetermined position in a light-shielded state.
Such a photosensitive material Z is pulled out by a drawing roller (not shown), and is held at the scanning position z by a pair of conveying rollers 102a and 102b arranged with the scanning position z constituting the sub-scanning unit interposed therebetween in the main scanning direction. Is sub-scan transported in the sub-scanning direction (arrow y direction in the figure) orthogonal to the.
Since the light beam is deflected in the main scanning direction, the photosensitive material Z conveyed in the sub-scanning direction is two-dimensionally scanned and exposed by the light beam and transferred to the photosensitive material Z from the main scan image processing unit 18. An image of the image information (latent image) is recorded.
[0049]
The exposed photosensitive material Z is then carried into the developing unit 92 by the conveying roller pair 104 and subjected to development processing to be a finished print P.
Here, for example, if the photosensitive material Z is a silver salt photographic photosensitive material, the developing unit 92 includes a color developing tank 106, a bleach-fixing tank 108, washing tanks 110a, 110b, 110c and 110d, a drying unit and a cutter (not shown). The photosensitive material Z is subjected to predetermined processing in each processing tank, dried, and then cut into a predetermined length corresponding to one print by a cutter, and output as a finished print P.
[0050]
The operation of the digital photo printer shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 using the image processing apparatus 10 of the present invention will be briefly described below.
After the apparatus is started up, the light quantity of the light source 26 is stabilized, and predetermined operations such as setting the opening reference value of the aperture 28 and adjusting the temperature of the developing unit 92 are completed, the film A as an original image is loaded at a predetermined position. When an instruction to start print production is issued, first, pre-scanning for roughly reading the image on the film A at a low resolution is started.
When pre-scanning is started, the reading light emitted from the light source 26, adjusted in light quantity by the aperture 28, passed through the color filter plate 30 and color-adjusted (for example, G light), and diffused in the diffusion box 32 is film A. , The projection light that carries the G image of the film A is formed on the CCD sensor 36 by the imaging lens 34 and is read photoelectrically.
The output signal from the CCD sensor 36 is amplified by an amplifier 38, converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter 40, converted into a density signal by an LUT 42, and stored in a G image frame memory of the prescan memory 12.
[0051]
Next, the color filter plate 30 is switched, the R filter acts on the optical path, the R image is similarly read and stored in the R image frame memory of the pre-scan memory 12, and the B image is read in the same manner. And stored in the B image frame memory of the pre-scan memory 12, and the pre-scan ends.
[0052]
When the pre-scan is completed, the reading device 22 starts a main scan. Similarly, the G image, the R image, and the B image of the image photographed on the film A are sequentially read by switching the color filter plate 30, and the main scan is performed. Each color image in the scan memory 14 is stored in the corresponding frame memory.
[0053]
On the other hand, the setup unit 44 of the condition setting unit 21 reads the prescan image information from the prescan memory 12 when the prescan is completed, creates a density histogram, etc., and stores various conversion tables, correction tables, and the like. The image processing conditions are created and set, and output to the parameter integration unit 48.
The parameter integration unit 48 transfers the sent image processing conditions to the second LUTs 52 and 70, the third LUTs 60 and 78, and the fourth LUTs 62 and 80 of the pre-scan image processing unit 16 and the main-scan image processing unit 18, and the image processing table Set as.
[0054]
When the image processing conditions are set, the second LUT 52 of the display image processing unit 16 reads the prescan image information from the prescan memory 12 and performs processing according to the set tables, and then performs color correction in the first MTX 54. Is done. The image information processed by the first MTX 54 is sent to the adder 66 and the second MTX 56 when dodging is performed.
The second MTX 56 generates bright and dark image information of the read image from the sent image information. The bright and dark image information is converted into blurred image information by the LPF 58, and further subjected to dynamic range compression processing in the third LUT, and dodging is performed. Is sent to the adder 66 as blur image information.
In the adder 66, the blurred image information for dodging is subtracted from the image information processed by the first MTX 54, and image information for display on the monitor 20 is generated.
[0055]
The image information output from the adder 66 is subjected to gradation conversion so as to become an image corresponding to the display on the monitor 20 in the LUT 62, converted into a signal corresponding to the display on the monitor 20 by the signal converter 64, and D / A The signal is converted to an analog signal by the converter 86 and displayed on the monitor 20.
[0056]
The operator examines the image displayed on the monitor 20 and performs various adjustments using the adjustment keys 50 as necessary. When there is an input from the adjustment key 50, the correction amount of the image processing condition is calculated by the key correction unit 46, and the correction amount and the image processing condition set by the setup unit 44 are integrated by the parameter integration unit 48. The image processing conditions are reset or changed, the tables set in the LUTs of the display image processing unit 16 and the main scan image processing unit 18 are changed accordingly, and the image of the monitor 20 changes.
When the operator determines that the image is appropriate (test OK), an output instruction is issued, and the second LUT 70 of the main scan image processing unit 18 reads the main scan image information from the main scan memory 14.
Thereafter, image processing similar to the prescan image information described above is performed on the main scan image information, and is sent to the driver 88 of the recording device 24 as output image information for image recording on the photosensitive material Z.
Note that the above-described verification does not necessarily have to be performed. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a full auto mode or the like is set and print creation is performed without verification. In this case, for example, when the setup unit 44 sets image processing conditions and the parameter integration unit 48 sets the image processing conditions for each LUT, the second LUT 70 starts reading the main scan image information, and the image Process.
[0057]
When the recording device 24 receives the output image information, a light beam is emitted from each light source 96, and this light beam is modulated according to the recorded image by each AOM 94 driven according to the recorded image by the driver 88, and the polygon mirror 98. Is changed in the main scanning direction, passes through the fθ lens 100, and the photosensitive material A conveyed in the sub-scanning direction is two-dimensionally scanned and exposed to form a latent image.
The exposed photosensitive material Z is subjected to predetermined processing in a color developing tank 106, a bleach-fixing tank 108, and a water washing tank 110, dried, and then cut into a predetermined length corresponding to one print by a cutter. Output as P.
[0058]
The image processing method and the image processing apparatus of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described examples, and various improvements and modifications are made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course it is also good.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the image processing method of the present invention and the image processing apparatus of the present invention that executes the image processing method, the photoelectrically read image information is subjected to image processing and output for image recording. It is possible to record high-quality images with dodging if necessary for the image information, and the operator can work while confirming the effect of dodging, and the effect of dodging is fully manifested Thus, it is possible to stably obtain an appropriate finished print in which a high-quality image is reproduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an image processing apparatus of the present invention and an example of an image reading apparatus that supplies image information to the image processing apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of an image recording apparatus in which the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 outputs image information.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of an adjustment key connected to the image processing apparatus illustrated in FIG.
4 is a circuit diagram showing an example of an IIR type low-pass filter used in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Image processing device
12 Pre-scan memory
14 scan memory
16 Display image processing unit
18 Scan image processing unit
20 Monitor
21 Condition setting section
22 (Image) Reader
24 (Image) recording device
26,96 light sources
28 Variable aperture
30 color filter plate
32 Diffusion box
34 Imaging lens
36 CCD sensor
38 amplifiers
40 A / D converter
42 LUT (Lookup Table)
44 Setup section
46 Key correction part
48 Parameter integration section
50 Adjustment key
52,70 Second LUT (Lookup Table)
54,72 1st MTX (matrix)
56,74 2nd MTX (matrix)
58,76 LPF (low pass filter)
60, 78 3rd LUT (look-up table)
62,80 4th LUT (Lookup Table)
64 Signal converter
66,82 adder
68 memory
69 switcher
86 D / A converter
88 drivers
90 Image exposure unit
92 Development section
94 AOM (acousto-optic modulator)
98 polygon mirror
100 Fθ lens
102, 104 Conveying roller pair
106 Color developer tank
108 Bleach fixing tank
110 Flush tank

Claims (4)

An image processing method for processing input image information photoelectrically read by an image reading device into output image information for image recording,
Image processing conditions for obtaining output image information are set from pre-scan image information having a resolution lower than that of the input image information, and the pre-scan image information is processed according to the set image processing conditions to be used as a monitor. Display, adjust the image processing conditions by examining the monitor image as necessary, and obtain the output image information by processing the input image information according to the set or adjusted image processing conditions,
If necessary, blur image information formed by blurring the image carried by the input image information is generated, and the input image information is processed with the blur image information, thereby providing a dodging effect to the obtained output image information. And
Further, when the dodging effect is applied to the output image information, the image information carried by the pre-scanned image information is blurred by processing equivalent to the processing applied to the input image information in order to provide the dodging effect. also applied to the prescanned image data by using the unsharp image information comprising Te, and displays the prescanned images imparted with dodging effect on the monitor, and the blurred image data and the pre-scan image information to process the input image information An image processing method , wherein a frequency characteristic of blurred image information to be processed is set in accordance with a resolution ratio between the input image information and the pre-scan image information . An image processing apparatus that performs image processing on input image information that is photoelectrically read by an image reading apparatus, and sets the output image information for image recording.
Setting means for setting image processing conditions for obtaining output image information from pre-scan image information having a resolution lower than that of the input image information;
Adjusting means for adjusting the image processing conditions set by the setting means;
Display image processing means that performs predetermined image processing according to image processing conditions set by the setting means or further adjusted by the adjustment means on the pre-scanned image information to obtain display image information; ,
A monitor for displaying image information processed by the display image processing means;
The input image information is subjected to image processing according to the image processing conditions set by the setting means or further adjusted by the adjustment means, or the image carried by the input image information is blurred as necessary. Output image processing means for generating a dodging effect on the obtained output image information and generating output image information by generating the blurred image information and processing the input image information with the blurred image information. ,
Further, when the dodging effect is applied to the output image information, the image information carried by the pre-scan image information is blurred in a process equivalent to the process applied to the input image information to provide the dodging effect. The display image processing means includes a dodging effect imparting unit that performs display image information with a dodging effect applied to pre-scanned image information using blurred image information , and the input image Image processing characterized in that frequency characteristics of a blurred image processing information and a blurred image information processing pre-scan image information are set according to a resolution ratio between the input image information and the pre-scan image information apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein blur image information for processing the pre-scan image information is generated using an IIR filter. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising a memory for storing the generated blurred image information for prescan image information processing, and when the image processing condition is adjusted by the adjustment unit. An image processing apparatus that reads out blur image information from the memory and processes pre-scan image information.

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