JP3740688B2 - Film image processing method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a film image processing method and apparatus, and more particularly, to a film image processing method and apparatus that effectively uses time for printing a frame image of a film or filing it on a recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, the screen aspect ratio, zoom magnification, trimming information, etc. are recorded on the magnetic recording layer of the photographic film at the time of shooting or after shooting, and the magnetic information recorded on the magnetic recording layer is used for setting conditions when creating a photo print. Methods have been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 4-22345 and 5-19359).
[0003]
A film player that captures a developed still photographic film with an image sensor such as a CCD, converts the image of the photographic film into an image signal, outputs the image signal to a monitor TV, and displays the film image is disclosed in WO90 / 04301. It is known.
Similarly, a printing apparatus has been devised in which a developed still photographic film is picked up by an image sensor such as a CCD and the picked up film image is printed. In addition, there has been proposed a printing apparatus that applies digital technology and performs image processing such as zooming on a captured image to perform printing.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, when a film image is printed by the printing apparatus as described above, the capacity of the image data is large and it takes time to print out. For example, when trying to print out image data corresponding to A4 size and 300 DPI, a TA full-color thermal printer or sublimation printer requires about two and a half minutes, and the user has to waste this time.
[0005]
Also, when compressing high resolution image data and filing it on a recording medium, for example, the amount of image data for one frame is set to 24 megabytes (MB), and software is fixed length compressed to 2 MB when software is used. It takes about 5 minutes. Therefore, the user must waste time when receiving a service for filing a digital image on a recording medium.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a film image processing method and apparatus that allows a user to spend a meaningful time while enjoying print-out and filing without being bored. The purpose is to provide.
[0007]
[Means for solving the problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention conveys a developed still photographic film, reads a plurality of frame images on the film at a first resolution, and stores image data indicating the plurality of frame images. A first scan is performed, and an index image composed of a plurality of frame images is displayed on the image display means based on the first image data indicating the plurality of frame images stored at the time of the first scan, and the image display means Using the displayed index image, select at least one frame for performing predetermined image processing such as processing for printing an image from the plurality of frames, filing processing including image data compression processing, and the like A second image that reads an image of at least one frame at a second resolution higher than the first resolution and indicates the read frame image A second scan for storing image data is performed, the predetermined image processing is executed based on the second image data, and while the predetermined image processing is being executed, the first image data Based on the third image data indicating a plurality of frame images of the film on the image display means one by one on the image display means or a pre-stored advertisement image or the like to the user. The image is displayed on the screen.
[0008]
This allows a plurality of frame images of the film to be displayed one by one while a predetermined time-consuming image processing such as printout or filing based on the second image data is being executed, By displaying an appealing image, the user can spend a meaningful time without being bored.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a film image processing method and apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a film image processing apparatus according to the present invention. This film image processing apparatus mainly includes a negative scanner unit 10, a microprocessor unit (MPU) 20, an image memory 22, an image display device 24, a touch panel 26, a printer 28, and the like.
[0010]
First, details of the negative scanner unit 10 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the negative scanner unit 10 mainly includes a light source 11 for illumination, a photographing lens 12, a CCD line sensor 13, an image signal processing circuit 14, a magnetic recording / reproducing unit 15, a film driving device 16, and a film cartridge 30. A cartridge storage portion (not shown) and the like for storage are provided.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 3, the film cartridge 30 has a single spool 32 around which a developed photographic film 34 is wound. In the photographic film 34, a perforation 34A indicating the position of each frame is formed, and a magnetic recording layer 34B is formed on the entire surface of the film or on the edge of the film. The magnetic recording layer 34B corresponding to each frame includes Through the magnetic head 15A of the magnetic recording / reproducing unit 15, print information such as the number of prints, zoom and trimming can be recorded, or the print information can be reproduced.
[0012]
The image light of the film 34 illuminated by the light source 11 forms an image on the light receiving surface of the CCD line sensor 13 via the photographing lens 12. The image light imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD line sensor 13 is accumulated for a predetermined time by each sensor having R, G, and B filters, and is converted into an amount of signal charge corresponding to the intensity of the light. The signal charges accumulated in this way are read out to the shift register by a read gate pulse of a predetermined period applied from a CCD driving circuit (not shown), and sequentially read out as an image signal by a register transfer pulse.
[0013]
The image signals sequentially read out from the CCD line sensor 13 in this way are subjected to required signal processing by the image signal processing circuit 14 and then passed through the scanner interface (scanner I / F) 40 and the bus line 50. It is stored in the image memory 22 (FIG. 1).
The film driving device 16 is engaged with the spool 32 of the film cartridge 30 and drives the film 32 to forward / reversely rotate, and the film take-up to take up the film 34 fed from the film supply unit. The film 34 can be sent continuously or one frame at a time by appropriately changing the conveying speed according to various film drive commands applied via the scanner I / F 40. When the film cartridge 30 is loaded, the film supply unit drives the spool 32 of the film cartridge 30 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2 and feeds the leading end of the film from the film cartridge 30.
[0014]
The CCD line sensor 13 has sensors for 2048 (2K) pixels, for example, in a direction orthogonal to the film transport direction. Further, the number of pixels in the same direction (sub-scanning direction) as the film transport direction of one frame changes according to the film feed speed when the period of the read gate pulse of the CCD driving circuit is not changed, and is a maximum of 4000 pixels. Can be taken in. That is, the maximum number of pixels (resolution) per frame is 2K × 4K.
[0015]
The image memory 22 has a storage area of 24 megabytes (MB) for storing image data for one frame with high definition resolution, and a storage area for 4 MB for storing image data of all frames with coarse resolution. .
The image display device 24 is adapted to receive an image signal via a video I / F 42, and to display an index image or the like created based on image data of all frames having a coarse resolution stored in the image memory 22. indicate. The touch panel 26 is disposed on the screen of the image display device 24, and is touched by the user when inputting print information of each frame.
[0016]
Print information input by the touch panel 26 is stored in a random access memory (RAM) 46 via the touch panel I / F 44 and the bus line 50.
In addition, the printer 28 is connected to the bus line 50 via the SCSI interface 52, and various input / output devices 54 can be connected. The input / output device 54 includes a plurality of negative scanners, a device that records photographic film image data on a recording medium, a device that reproduces a recording medium recorded with photographic film image data, and a plurality of printers (various types). It corresponds to the size).
[0017]
Further, the bus line 50 is connected to an image processing dedicated board 56 for performing image processing such as image enlargement / reduction, trimming, contour emphasis and the like, and an external device for inputting character data and decoration patterns from the outside. An interface 58 and an internal storage device 59 for storing character data and decorative patterns are connected.
The image processing dedicated board 56 performs digital processing on the image data on the image memory 22 based on image processing information such as image enlargement / reduction, trimming, and edge enhancement, and converts the image data into desired image data.
[0018]
The MPU 20 controls and controls each device via the bus line 50, and executes the following processing.
First, when the film cartridge 30 is set in the negative scanner unit 10, the MPU 20 controls the film driving unit 16 (FIG. 2) to execute film loading. When the film loading is completed, the film 34 is pre-scanned. That is, the film 34 is continuously conveyed at a high speed, and the image data is thinned, and coarse image data of all frames (for example, 40 frames) of one roll of film 34 is stored in the 4 MB storage area of the image memory 22.
[0019]
Then, the MPU 20 displays an index image composed of a plurality of frames (20 frames) as shown in FIG. 4 on the image display device 24 based on the coarse image data of all the frames stored in the image memory 22. When displaying the index image, the frame number is set to 1, 2,... For each frame in the reading order of the image data of each frame at the time of the prescan, and a character signal indicating the frame number of each frame is output. To display the index image with the frame number superimposed, as shown in FIG. 4, numbers (9 to 0) used to designate the number of prints, characters (DEL) for instructing erasure, and print Characters for specifying types (Hi-Vision, Panorama, L-Print, 4x5), characters for commanding single-frame editing such as zooming and trimming, characters for commanding end, and vertical scrolling Display a symbol to command.
[0020]
When the index image is displayed on the image display device 24 as described above, the user uses the touch panel 26 while viewing the index image to input print information necessary for printing the frame image.
That is, the user first touches the frame image to be printed. The touched index image is subjected to image processing so that it can be distinguished from other index images by, for example, applying a frame or displaying a frame number blinking.
[0021]
Subsequently, the number of prints of the touched frame is specified by touching a number for specifying the number of prints on the screen. Similarly, the print type of the designated frame to be printed is designated by touching a print type designation character on the screen. In FIG. 4, a frame with frame number 2 is designated, six sheets are designated as the number of prints for that frame, and high-vision is designated as the print type. As shown in FIG. Similar to the frame number, the print content is superimposed on the index image.
[0022]
In this way, print information is collectively input to all frames (or frames designated for printing) of one roll of film 34.
The print information includes information for adding character data to a frame image, inserting frame images into a predesignated decoration pattern, and creating an album by combining a plurality of frame images. Includes information.
[0023]
For example, when the template image 60 shown in FIG. 5 is selected as a decoration pattern, three frames to be inserted into the three windows 60A, 60B, and 60C of the template image 60 are selected from the index image. Then, each selected frame is enlarged / reduced to a desired size and appropriately fitted into the three windows 60A, 60B, 60C of the template image 60. That is, for the template image 60, a mask image 62 in which windows 62A, 62B, and 62C are formed corresponding to the three windows 60A, 60B, and 60C of the template image 60 is prepared. When the image 64 is fitted into the window portion 60B of the template image 60, the frame image 64 is masked by the window portion 62B of the mask image 62 to capture only the necessary image, and the masked image and the template image 60 are combined. To do. In the same manner, the masked images are inserted into the other windows 60B and 60C of the template image 60 in the same manner. Information such as editing and image composition is input on the screen of the image display device 24 in an on-screen interactive manner.
[0024]
When the input of print information is completed as described above, a frame image is printed as follows.
First, a fine scan of a frame to be printed is executed. That is, the frame to be printed is fed one frame at a low speed, one frame of high-definition resolution image data (2048 × 3598 pixels) is read, and the read image data is stored in the 24 MB storage area of the image memory 22. Let Note that image capture during fine scanning is performed according to the print information. For example, if it is determined from the print information such as zoom that it is better to process from 1/2 line of the maximum number of lines depending on the pixel size of the print output, the film feed speed is doubled to shorten the scan time. .
[0025]
Then, the image data for one frame of high definition resolution stored in the image memory 22 is transferred to the image processing dedicated board 56 and subjected to desired image processing based on the print information stored in the RAM 46.
The image data for one frame with high resolution stored in the image memory 22 in this way is subjected to image processing according to the print information and transferred to the printer 28. As a result, the printer 28 performs high-definition printing of the frame image that has undergone desired image editing.
[0026]
When the printer 28 finishes printing one frame for which print information has been input, a fine scan for the next frame for which print information has been input is executed. The high-definition resolution image data newly read by the fine scan is written in the 24 MB storage area of the image memory 22, and the image data of the frames that have already been printed are deleted.
[0027]
As a result, the printer 28 prints the next frame image that has undergone desired image editing in the same manner as described above.
In this way, fine scanning of each frame designated for printing and printing by the printer 28 are alternately repeated, and frame images subjected to image editing in accordance with print information input in advance are sequentially printed.
[0028]
On the other hand, while performing the printing process in the printer 28 as described above, the MPU 20 executes a slide show that displays the images of all the frames of the film one by one using the image data of the image memory 22 captured for displaying the index image. Let That is, the image data for index image display is processed so that the size of each frame of the index image becomes an appropriate size, and is sequentially output to the image display device 24.
[0029]
Thereby, it is possible to wait while enjoying the slide show until the printout is completed. In addition, as a way of displaying an image, it is possible to wait while having more enjoyment by giving variations such as forward, reverse, random, and multiple overlaps of frame images one by one.
As described above, when all prints designated for printing are completed, the film 34 is rewound into the film cartridge 30. At this time, the print information stored in the RAM 46 is recorded on the magnetic recording layer 34 </ b> B of the film 34 by the magnetic recording / reproducing unit 15 of the negative scanner unit 10. The print information recorded on the magnetic recording layer 34B can be reproduced and used at the next printing. That is, when it is desired to obtain the exact same printout as the previous time, it is possible to save the trouble of inputting the print information by using the print information recorded on the magnetic recording layer 34B.
[0030]
In this embodiment, a slide show is performed in which a plurality of frame images of a film are displayed on the image display device 24 one by one on the basis of image data for index image display during the printing period. A slide show may be performed during scanning.
In addition to a print service for printing a frame image of a film, the film image processing apparatus can perform a service for filing a digital image on a recording medium such as a floppy disk, an optical disk, or a memory card. When filing image data on a recording medium, for example, 24 MB of image data is fixed-length compressed to 2 MB by software and filed on a recording medium, but a slide show may be performed during the waiting time during filing. .
[0031]
Further, when an index print is designated, this film image processing apparatus has image data indicating an index image stored at the time of pre-scanning or image data indicating an index image obtained by re-scanning for index printing (this image data is Index printing can be performed based on image data having a resolution higher than that of image data obtained at the time of pre-scanning but lower than that of image data obtained at the time of fine scanning. Of course, a slide show can be performed during the index print waiting time.
[0032]
In this embodiment, the slide show is performed during the waiting time for printing or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an image stored in the apparatus in advance (an image other than a film, for example, a store advertisement or the like) Or the index image may be displayed on the image display device 24. On the screen of the image display device 24 that displays the index image, the frame to which the print information is input is displayed with a frame, for example, so that it can be distinguished from other frames, and also during printing or file output It is preferable to display the middle frame so that it can be identified by a display different from the other frames.
[0033]
Furthermore, during the waiting time for printing or the like, the image display device 24 may display an image synthesized or edited image based on the print information shown in FIG.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a slide show that displays each frame of an index image one by one, an index image, an edited image, and the like are prepared in advance while waiting for a printout or filing. Since images and the like are displayed, the user can spend meaningful time while enjoying without being bored.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a film image processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing details of the negative scanner section shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of the film cartridge shown in FIG. 2;
4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the image display device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an editing state in which a frame image is decorated.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Negative scanner part 12 ... Shooting lens 13 ... CCD line sensor 15 ... Magnetic recording / reproducing part 20 ... MPU
22 ... Image memory 24 ... Image display device 26 ... Touch panel 28 ... Printer 30 ... Film cartridge 34 ... Photo film 34B ... Magnetic recording layer

Claims (14)

Performing a first scan that reading a plurality of images at a first resolution,
An index image comprising a plurality of images read by the first scan Shows,
Type a listening index print information for printing at least one print information or the index image of the image the to inner shell print multiple images using an image,
Performing a second scan that reads the images you corresponds to the print information at higher than said first resolution second resolution based on the print information,
Print the image or index images based on the image read by the second scan,
Wherein while printing, the film image processing method is characterized in that the first of the scan on the read image and prestored images so as to display at least one of the images. Performing a first scan that reading a plurality of images at a first resolution,
An index image comprising a plurality of images read by the first scan Shows,
Before using the hearing index image selected at least one image carrying out a predetermined image processing from among the image of the multiple,
Performing a second scan that reading a high second resolution than the selected at least one of said images first resolution,
Executing the predetermined image processing based on the image read in the second scan ,
While performing the predetermined image processing, the film image processing that is characterized in that so as to display at least one of the images of said image and previously stored images read by the first scan Method. During said second scan, the first film image processing method according to claim 2, characterized in that so as to display at least one of the images of the image and pre-stored images read by scanning . The predetermined image processing includes at least one of processing for printing the image based on the image read in the second scan , and filing processing for compressing the image and filing it on an external recording medium. The film image processing method according to claim 2 , wherein the image processing includes image processing. The addition to create an index image comprising a plurality of images based on the second scan on the read image, film image processing method according to claim 2, characterized in that to print the index image. Claim 2, characterized in that, the said based on the first scan in the read image so as to shown one by one table a plurality of images of said film while performing the predetermined image processing Film image processing method. Film image processing method according to claim 2, characterized in that the index image so as to displayed based on the image read by the first scan while performing the predetermined image processing. Wherein the index image on the screen displaying the, film image processing method according to claim 7, characterized in that identifiably displaying the selected image and other images to implement the predetermined image processing . The index image on the screen displaying the, film image processing method according to claim 7, characterized in that identifiably displaying the image and another image in said predetermined image processing. Claims, characterized in that the, and the image obtained by image synthesis and / or edit the image based on the image read by the first scanning so as to appears while performing the predetermined image processing 2. A film image processing method. Wherein while performing a predetermined image processing, said pre-stored film image processing method according to claim 2, characterized in that the appealing image so as to displayed to the user based on the image. A developed still photographic film having a magnetic recording layer capable of recording magnetic information is conveyed, a plurality of frame images on the film are read at a first resolution, and a first image showing the plurality of frame images Perform a first scan to store the data,
When print information for printing an image of at least one frame is read from the magnetic recording layer of the film, the image of the frame designated for printing is read at a second resolution higher than the first resolution, and the read Performing a second scan to store second image data representing a frame image;
Printing an image corresponding to the second image data based on the second image data;
A film image processing method, wherein a plurality of frame images of the film are displayed one by one on an image display means based on the first image data during the printing. A film conveying means for conveying the developed still photo film; and a line sensor for reading a film image during film conveyance by the film conveying means. Image reading means for reading a frame image at a second resolution higher than the first resolution, reading a frame image preliminarily designated by the input means at the time of the second scan,
An image memory for storing first image data indicating a plurality of frame images of the first resolution read by the image reading unit and second image data indicating a frame image of the second resolution;
Image display means;
First image processing means for generating an image signal indicating an index image composed of a plurality of frames based on the first image data stored in the image memory at the time of the first scan and outputting the image signal to the image display means;
The input means for inputting print information or filing information of at least one frame to be printed or filed from among the plurality of frames using the index image displayed on the image display means;
Means for creating image data for printing or file based on the second image data stored in the image memory and outputting the image data to a printer or filing device;
While outputting image data to the printer or filing device, an image signal is generated for displaying a plurality of frame images of the film one by one based on the first image data stored in the image memory. Second image processing means for outputting to the image display means;
A film image processing apparatus comprising: A first scanning unit comprising: a film conveying unit that conveys a developed still photographic film having a magnetic recording layer capable of recording magnetic information; and a line sensor that reads a film image during film conveyance by the film conveying unit. Sometimes, reading a plurality of frame images from the film at a first resolution, and reading a frame image designated by the magnetic information reader in advance at a second resolution at a second resolution higher than the first resolution. Means,
An image memory for storing first image data indicating a plurality of frame images of the first resolution read by the image reading unit and second image data indicating a frame image of the second resolution;
Image display means;
First image processing means for generating an image signal indicating an index image composed of a plurality of frames based on the first image data stored in the image memory at the time of the first scan and outputting the image signal to the image display means;
The magnetic information reading means for reading magnetic information including print information of frames to be printed from the magnetic recording layer of the film;
Means for generating image data for printing based on the second image data stored in the image memory and outputting the image data to a printer;
While outputting the image data to the printer, the image display unit generates an image signal for displaying a plurality of frame images of the film one by one based on the first image data stored in the image memory. Second image processing means for outputting to the means;
A film image processing apparatus comprising:

Images