JP4449449B2 - Image processing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system in which a photographic processing apparatus having a function of printing and exposing an image on a photographic photosensitive material and a terminal processing apparatus in which software is installed for image processing or the like are connected via a network.

An outline of the photo print processing in the image processing system will be described. First, the photo processing apparatus performs appropriate image processing on the input image data, and generates exposure image data based on the image processing data obtained by the image processing. Type of image data to be input there are various ones, negative film or other image data obtained by scanning a photographic film such as a positive film, digital cameras storage media (SmartMedia ^TM, CompactFlash ^TM , there is image data to be input Stick ^TM, etc.) or a CD-R, a recording medium such as an MO.

  An operator can perform various image processing such as color correction and density correction by appropriately inputting correction data with respect to the image data input to the photographic processing apparatus. The exposure image data is generated based on the image processing data obtained by the image processing, and is transferred to an exposure engine (which constitutes an image exposure unit). The exposure engine prints and exposes an image on the emulsion surface of the photographic material based on the exposure image data. The photographic photosensitive material is sent to the development processing section, subjected to development processing and drying processing, and then discharged to the outside as a finished photographic print. As described above, the photo processing apparatus has a function of generating exposure image data based on the image processing data and a function of creating a photo print using the generated exposure image data. Data generation is often processed mainly by hardware.

  On the other hand, a photographic print creation system in which the photographic processing device and the receiving terminal device are connected by network means is known (for example, Patent Document 1 listed below by the present applicant). In this system, a photo processing device for creating a photo print and a terminal processing device (terminal computer) are connected by a network means. The terminal processing apparatus mainly receives image data from a recording medium such as a digital camera. The image data input to the terminal processing device is subjected to image processing by general image processing software installed in the terminal processing device, and image processing data is generated. The image processing data is transmitted to the photographic processing apparatus via the network means, and the exposure image data is generated in the manner described above. The generated image data for exposure is transferred to the exposure engine, and a photo print is created.

  The software and hardware installed in the photographic processing device as described above, and the software installed in the terminal processing device, add new functions and change color correction parameters to support the rapid evolution of digital devices in recent years. There is a tendency that improvements and improvements for the purpose of correcting defects and the like are constantly repeated, and the operator needs to frequently update the version. However, in many cases, a plurality of photo processing devices or terminal processing devices are connected to the network means, and it is possible to perform version update operations for all devices one by one and to accurately manage the versions of each device. This was a heavy burden on the operator.

Also, terminal processing devices that are constantly busy with accepting processing may have different versions of software for the photo processing device and the terminal processing device due to work circumstances, such as no opportunity to update the version. is there. Thus, if there is a difference in software versions, for example, the following problems occur. When the software installed in the terminal processing apparatus is an old version and the software installed in the photo processing apparatus is a new version, a certain correction parameter is expressed in two stages of 0 and 1 in the old version, Assuming that the new version is expressed in six stages of 0 to 5, the maximum value “1” in the old version becomes a relatively low level value in the new version, and its meaning is greatly different. For this reason, the result of the created photo print may be unexpected.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-241935 (FIG. 1, FIG. 2, etc.)

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the problem is that it is possible to suitably create a photo print regardless of the difference in the versions of software provided in the photo processing device and the terminal processing device, An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system capable of reducing the burden on the operator and avoiding problems caused by the above differences, and a photographic processing apparatus used in this system.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an image processing system according to the present invention includes an exposure image data generating unit that generates exposure image data based on image processing data, and an image on a photographic photosensitive material based on the exposure image data. A photographic processing apparatus having an image exposure unit for printing exposure, a terminal processing apparatus having an image processing unit having a function of performing image processing on input image data, and one or a plurality of the photographic processing apparatuses And a network means for connecting one or a plurality of the terminal processing devices, wherein the terminal processing device is a terminal version related to a version of terminal software installed in the terminal processing device A terminal version information storage unit for storing information, and the image processing unit adds the terminal to the image processing data obtained as a result of the image processing. The photo processing apparatus has a function of attaching version information, and the photo processing apparatus is mounted on the photo processing apparatus and a processing module having a function of performing processing for generating the exposure image data based on the image processing data. The corresponding version information storage unit for storing the corresponding version information related to the version of the terminal software corresponding to the main body software or the processing module, the terminal version information and the corresponding version information are collated, and the result of the collation And a module selecting unit having a function of selecting the processing module corresponding to the version of the terminal software.

  The effects of the image processing system having this configuration will be described. In this image processing system, one or more photographic processing apparatuses and one or more terminal processing apparatuses are connected by a network means. The terminal processing device is provided with an image processing unit, and image data input to the terminal processing device can be subjected to image processing by the image processing unit. The image data for exposure is generated by the exposure image data generating means provided in the photographic processing device based on the image processing data obtained as a result of the image processing, and the image exposure unit uses this exposure image data for photographic photosensitivity. The image is printed and exposed to the material. Note that the form of the image processing data is not limited to a specific one. For example, the data can be configured by a combination of input image data and correction data related to image processing. The image data for exposure refers to data used for image exposure on a photographic photosensitive material.

  According to the image processing system of the present invention, the processing module corresponding to the version of the terminal software can be selected by the module selection means, so that the terminal processing apparatus having a different version of the terminal software is connected to the network means. Even in such an environment, the image processing data obtained by each terminal processing apparatus can be processed correspondingly, and a photo print can be suitably created. Since the selection of the processing module is based on the result of collation between the terminal version information and the corresponding version information, an appropriate processing module is easily and reliably selected. Further, the terminal version information is attached to the image processing data obtained as a result of the image processing in the image processing unit, and is transmitted to the photo processing apparatus along with the image processing data. Is done efficiently. As described above, it is possible to avoid problems caused by differences in the versions of software provided in the photo processing apparatus and the terminal processing apparatus, and to reduce the burden on complicated work such as version updating and version management. Here, the software includes software incorporated in a device for performing basic hardware control, that is, firmware.

  In configuring the image processing system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the image processing unit has a function of attaching the terminal version information for each type of the main body software to the image processing data.

  In some cases, a plurality of photo processing devices each having different types of main body software are connected to the network means, and each photo processing device is used for image processing data obtained by the image processing unit of the terminal processing device. May be processed by different main body software. According to the above configuration, since the terminal version information is classified according to the type of the main body software, the verification can be performed using the terminal version information corresponding to the main body software. Therefore, even when the type of the main body software differs depending on the photo processing apparatus, an appropriate processing module is adopted, and a photo print is preferably created.

  In configuring the image processing system according to the present invention, the module selection means determines whether the processing module corresponding to the version of the terminal software is provided in the photo processing apparatus based on the result of the collation. It is preferable to have a function of notifying the terminal processing device.

  According to the above configuration, when the processing module corresponding to the version of the terminal software is not provided in the photo processing apparatus, the fact is notified to the terminal processing apparatus, so that the operator can stop the processing or change the output destination. It is possible to flexibly cope with switching to another photographic processing apparatus. In addition, the operator is notified that the version update operation of the terminal software is necessary, so that the trouble of version management can be saved.

  In configuring the image processing system according to the present invention, the image processing unit has a function of causing the image processing data to be accompanied by marker information forcing the photographic processing device to process regardless of the result of the collation, The module adopting means preferably has a function of adopting a predetermined processing module based on the marker information.

  According to the above configuration, even when the terminal software version does not correspond to the photo processing apparatus, the photo print creation process can be forcibly performed. Therefore, for example, in a combination of a specific photo processing device and a terminal processing device, the effect of the version difference on the print quality is very small, and the operator performs the photo print creation process when the effect is allowed. Can do. Further, when setting the above-described sign information, a predetermined processing module is adopted by the module adoption means, so that processing based on the operator's intention can be performed. The predetermined processing module may be, for example, a specific processing module determined by setting, or may be a processing module closest to the processing module corresponding to the version of the terminal software.

  In order to solve the above problems, a photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention is connected to a terminal processing apparatus having an image processing unit having a function of performing image processing on input image data via a network means. An apparatus for generating image data for exposure based on image processing data, an image exposure unit for printing and exposing an image on a photographic photosensitive material based on the image data for exposure, and the image A processing module having a function of performing processing for generating the image data for exposure based on processing data, terminal version information relating to a version of terminal software installed in the terminal processing device, and mounted in the photo processing device Corresponding version of the terminal software corresponding to the main body software or the processing module Collating the distribution, based on the result of the verification, and a module adoption means having a function to adopt the processing module corresponding to the version of the terminal software.

  Even if the version of the terminal software installed in each terminal processing device is different as described above by the photo processing device having such a configuration, it becomes possible to perform processing corresponding to each image processing data as appropriate. In addition to avoiding problems due to version differences, the burden on complicated work such as version updating and version management is reduced.

  In configuring the photo processing apparatus according to the present invention, the module selection means determines whether the processing module corresponding to the version of the terminal software is provided in the photo processing apparatus based on the result of the collation. It is preferable to have a function of notifying the terminal processing device.

  With the photo processing apparatus having such a configuration, as described above, when the photo processing apparatus does not have a processing module corresponding to the version of the terminal software, the operator can flexibly cope with the version of the terminal software. It is possible to inform that the update work is necessary.

  A preferred embodiment of an image processing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the system.

<Configuration of image processing system>
In FIG. 1, in an image processing system, a photographic processing apparatus 1 and a terminal processing apparatus 2 are connected by a network 3 (corresponding to the network means). The number of the photo processing apparatuses 1 connected to the network 3 is one or a plurality, and the number of connected apparatuses can be arbitrarily set. Similarly, the number of terminal processing devices 2 connected to the network 3 is one or more, and the number of terminals connected can be set arbitrarily. Network 3 is, for example, is constructed by LAN by Ethernet ^TM, it may be connected by a network 3 other than Ethernet ^TM. The network 3 is configured to be connectable to the server 5 via the Internet 4.

  The image processing system constructed by the photo processing device 1 and the terminal processing device 2 is installed in, for example, a photo shop. The photo processing apparatus 1 and the terminal processing apparatus 2 do not need to be installed on the same floor, and can be installed on a plurality of floors. Further, a part of the photographic processing apparatus 1 or the terminal processing apparatus 2 may be installed at a distance away.

  Next, functions of the photo processing apparatus 1 will be briefly described. The photographic processing apparatus 1 can create a photographic print by printing an image on the emulsion surface of paper (corresponding to the photographic photosensitive material) based on the input image data. The image data input to the photographic processing apparatus 1 may be input directly to the photographic processing apparatus 1 or input via the network 3.

  Examples of image data directly input to the photographic processing apparatus 1 include image data acquired by reading a frame image of a developed photographic film with the scanner device 6. The image data is not immediately used for image exposure, but generally, various image processing is performed in the first image processing unit 10 (see FIG. 2) provided in the photographic processing apparatus 1. As a result of the image processing, image processing data in which correction data is attached to the input image data is obtained. Image data for exposure is generated based on the image processing data, and image printing exposure is performed on the paper. The Even when the image processing is not performed, the input image data is accompanied by predetermined correction data, so that the image processing data is obtained. The form of the image processing data is not limited to a specific one.

On the other hand, image data input from the terminal processing device 2 is an example of image data input to the photo processing device 1 via the network 3. Here, the function of the terminal processing apparatus 2 is demonstrated easily. The terminal processing device 2 can be configured by, for example, a general-purpose personal computer system, but is not limited thereto, and may be configured by a computer specialized for a specific function. The image data handled by the terminal processing unit 2, an image data stored in the recording medium of the storage medium (SmartMedia ^TM, CompactFlash ^TM, Memory Stick ^TM, etc.) or a CD-R, MO or the like of a digital camera, these media A drive device is provided for acquiring image data from the image data.

  Further, the terminal processing device 2 is provided with a second image processing unit 40 (corresponding to the image processing unit, see FIG. 3) for performing image processing, and an image input to the photo processing device 1. The data is image processing data obtained as a result of image processing in the second image processing unit 40. The image processing data is transmitted to the photo processing apparatus 1, and image data for exposure is generated based on the image processing data, and a photo print is created.

  The image processing system according to the present invention is configured to be connectable to a server 5 via the Internet 4, and the server 5 can receive a print order from a general user online. That is, the user uploads image data for which he / she wants to create a photo print to the server 5 using his / her personal computer. In the photo shop, the image data uploaded to the server 5 can be downloaded at an appropriate timing to create a photo print. The server 5 also has a function of providing an online album to the user. The downloaded image data is stored in the terminal processing device 2, for example.

<Functional block configuration of image processing system>
<Functional block configuration of photo processing apparatus>
Next, main functions of the image processing system will be described with reference to the block diagrams of FIGS. First, the main functions of the photo processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The scanner device 6 is a device for acquiring image data from a frame image formed on a developed photographic film. Further, an image input device 7 for acquiring image data from a medium other than photographic film is provided, and image data stored in various recording media can be acquired in the same manner as the terminal processing device 2 described later. it can. The acquired image data is temporarily stored and held in the image data storage unit 8.

  The first image processing unit 10 has a function of performing image processing on image data, and is configured by software. The first image processing unit 10 includes a GUI 11, an image processing unit 12, and a hardware control unit 13. The GUI 11 is a graphical user interface, and can perform data input operations relating to image processing through a monitor screen.

  FIG. 4 shows a screen configuration example when performing image processing. Here, four of the read images are displayed on the monitor screen, but the number of images to be displayed can be set as appropriate, for example, six or eight. In this monitor screen, the image data 51 is displayed with image data acquired from photographic film or the like. Reference numeral 52 denotes a data display area, which displays an average density value, a frame number, and the number of prints of an image. A separate display area 53 is provided at the upper right of the display image 51, and the correction data input from the keyboard 16 for the respective colors Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan), and the same density correction data. Is displayed. In addition, information related to the print size is displayed in the display area 54 below the display image 51. For example, “P” indicates the panorama size. A display area 55 indicates the name of a print channel to be described later.

  The operator looks at the monitor screen as shown in FIG. 4 and inputs correction data using the keyboard 16 for an image that is determined to be corrected for color and density. When correction data is input, an image corrected based on the correction data is displayed in real time on the same monitor screen. Therefore, the operator can appropriately perform image processing while visually confirming the corrected image.

  The image processing is performed by the function of the image processing means 12 that performs image processing based on the correction data input from the keyboard 16, and the resulting image processed image is displayed again on the monitor screen. The input of the correction data is performed to some extent by trial and error, and the finally determined correction data is temporarily stored in the correction data storage unit 17. The correction data is data in a form attached to each image data. The image data storage unit 8 and the correction data storage unit 17 are collectively defined as a data storage unit 18.

  Also, the size of the image displayed on the monitor screen is different from the size of the input image data, and usually thumbnail images with a reduced size are displayed on the screen. The processing for generating the thumbnail image data is also a function of the image processing means 12, and the image processing performed while looking at the monitor screen is also performed based on the thumbnail image data.

  The correction data includes not only data related to color and density correction but also correction parameters related to special corrections such as red-eye correction, backlight correction, and gradation correction. Also, the number of prints can be corrected and input on the monitor screen shown in FIG. 4, and the data of the number of prints is also included in the correction data.

  The hardware control means 13 has a function of controlling the image processing board 20 (corresponding to the exposure image data generation means) that is hardware. Image processing data obtained as a result of image processing in the first image processing unit 10 is transmitted to the image processing board 20 to create image data for exposure. As described above, the transmitted image processing data includes not only the image processing data obtained by the first image processing unit 10 but also the image obtained as a result of the image processing by the second image processing unit 40 described later. It may be processed data. In addition, when image processing is not performed, there may be image processing data in which predetermined correction data is attached to input image data.

  When image processing is performed by the first image processing unit 10, the image processing data can be printed at an appropriate time zone without being sent to the image processing board 20 immediately. The storage unit 9 is configured to store data. The order concept can be set as appropriate. For example, one photographic film and one recording medium can be handled as one order. The order data storage unit 9 stores image data and correction data, and these data are assigned an order ID and managed in order units. Even when the print process is performed immediately after the image process, it is preferable to store the data in the order data storage unit 9. This is because a reprinting process or a reprinting process may be performed after the printing process is performed once. The reprinting process is a process in which the print processing is performed again at the discretion of the operator when the quality of the finished photo print is not good. The reprinting process (reordering process) is in response to a request from the customer. This means the same print creation process.

  In addition, when performing image processing or print creation processing in the first image processing unit 10, it is necessary to set various setting data in advance. The setting data is stored in the setting data file storage unit 14. As setting data, for example, data relating to a print channel can be mentioned. A print channel registers the type of paper used to create a photo print (surface quality, manufacturer, etc.), print size, image data source (data from a digital camera or negative film, etc.), etc. It is what. Therefore, if you want to create a photo print of a specific print size based on image data obtained from a digital camera, you need to select a print channel that is suitable for it, and for that purpose such a print channel Must be set in advance. Other setting data includes the amount of change per key operation when correction data is input from the keyboard during image processing operations. For example, when a specific key on the keyboard is pressed once, the Y color can be set to change by “+1.5” when it changes by “+1”.

  Next, the image processing substrate 20 will be described. The image processing board 20 is provided with a reception memory 21, an image processing means 22, a transmission memory 23, and firmware 24. The image processing board 20 has a function of generating image data that is actually used for exposure. The reception memory 21 receives the transmitted image processing data. Unlike the image processing unit 12 of the first image processing unit 10, the image processing unit 22 is based on hardware. Basic control of the hardware is performed by the firmware 24. The processing content by the firmware 24 can be set based on correction data included in the image processing data, and processing for generating exposure image data is performed based on the correction data.

  The image processing performed in the image processing means 22 not only generates corrected image data in which the color and density are corrected based on the correction data, but also enlargement processing so that the data has the same size as the print size to be created, or Rotation processing that converts the image's vertical and horizontal orientation, special corrections such as red-eye correction and backlight correction that are performed as needed, color matching correction to match the color of the finished photo print with the color on the monitor screen, type of processing solution And correction in consideration of changes over time. In addition, processing for expanding image data in a compressed file format such as JPEG into a bitmap is also performed. The exposure image data obtained as a result of processing by the image processing means 22 is sent to the transmission memory 23.

  As described above, the basic control of the hardware constituting the image processing means 22 is performed by the firmware 24. The processing by the firmware 24 is set based on correction data included in the image processing data. Therefore, when the image processing data is generated by the second image processing unit 40 of the terminal processing device 2, the version of software constituting the second image processing unit 40 needs to correspond to the firmware 24. There is. Furthermore, as described above, since the control of the image processing board 20 is performed by the hardware control unit 13, the software version constituting the second image processing unit 40 also corresponds to the software constituting the first image processing unit 10. Need to be.

  As described above, the version of software (corresponding to the terminal software; hereinafter abbreviated as terminal software) installed in the terminal processing device 2 is equivalent to the software (corresponding to the main body software) installed in the photo processing device 1. (Hereafter, it is abbreviated as main software). Examples of terminal software include image processing application software, a library of programs having functions such as image reading and color adjustment, setting data, image data used for print output adjustment and dialog boxes, and the like. .

  If the terminal software version is not compatible with the main software, the following problems may occur. For example, when the correction data included in the image processing data does not include correction parameters necessary for processing performed by the firmware 24, a photo print may not be created. In addition, when the meaning of the correction parameter value is different, the quality of the created photographic print may be unexpected.

  The module storage unit 29 stores a plurality of processing modules 27 such as a first processing module 27a and a second processing module 27b. These processing modules 27 have a function of performing processing for generating exposure image data based on image processing data, and those corresponding to a plurality of versions of terminal software are prepared. Examples of the processing module include a library in which programs for generating corrected image data in which color and density are corrected, setting data, and the like.

  The corresponding version information storage unit 28 stores corresponding version information including information on the version of the terminal software corresponding to the main body software or the processing module 27. The form of the version information is not particularly limited as long as it can be uniquely identified, and may be alphanumeric characters, symbols, character strings, or the like.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an image processing system in which a plurality of photographic processing apparatuses 1 and terminal processing apparatuses 2 are provided, and is a diagram exemplifying corresponding version information and terminal version information included in each. . The terminal version information included in the terminal processing device 2 will be described later. The corresponding version information 57a included in the photo processing device 1a includes the name of the main body software (Printer): “XYZ” installed in the terminal processing device 2, The version (Version) of the main body software: “1.3”, and the version (Acceptable) of the terminal software corresponding to the main body software or the processing module: “1.0-1.3”, version 1.0-1. 2. Processing module corresponding to terminal software (Method 1.0-1.2): “Abc.lib”, processing module corresponding to version 1.3 terminal software (Method 1.3): “Abx.lib” And information about. The corresponding version information 57b included in the photo processing apparatus 1b has substantially the same configuration, although the type of main body software provided in the photo processing apparatus 1a is different. As shown in FIG. 5, the version of the terminal software supported by the photo processing apparatus 1 does not necessarily match the version of the main body software.

  In FIG. 2, the module adopting means 26 has a function of collating the terminal version information and the corresponding version information, and adopting the processing module 27 corresponding to the terminal software version based on the result of the collation. The terminal version information used for collation is transmitted together with the image processing data from the terminal processing device 2 via the data communication unit 25, and the corresponding version information is acquired from the corresponding version information storage unit 28. As a result of the collation, if the version of the terminal software corresponds to the main body software, that is, if the processing can be performed only by the image processing board 20 without using the processing module 27, the processing module 27 is not adopted. Further, the module selection unit 26 has a function of notifying the terminal processing device 2 of the fact that the processing module 27 corresponding to the version of the terminal software is not provided in the module storage unit 29.

  Next, the configuration of the printer processor unit of the photo processing apparatus 1 will be briefly described. In the paper magazine 30, a long paper, which is a photographic photosensitive material, is accommodated in a form wound on a roll. A plurality of paper magazines 30 can be attached to the photographic processing apparatus 1. Thereby, a plurality of types having different paper sizes can be prepared in advance. The paper drawn from the paper magazine 30 is configured to be conveyed along a predetermined conveyance path, and is cut into a predetermined print size by a paper cutter 31 provided along the conveyance path. The cut paper is conveyed to an exposure engine 32 (corresponding to the image exposure unit). The exposure engine 32 uses the exposure image data transferred from the transmission memory 23 of the image processing board 20 to expose and form an image on the emulsion surface of the paper. The exposure engine 32 forms a latent image by scanning the exposure light in the main scanning direction on the paper conveyed in the sub-scanning direction at a constant speed. As the exposure engine 32, those having various structures can be adopted. For example, a laser engine, a PLZT engine, a CRT engine, or the like can be adopted.

  The paper on which the image has been baked and exposed by the exposure engine 32 is sent to the development processing unit 33 and subjected to development processing, and then subjected to drying processing in the drying processing unit 34, and a finished photographic print is produced from the paper discharge unit 35. It is discharged outside. The discharged photographic prints are accumulated in an accumulation unit (not shown) in units of one order.

<Functional block configuration of terminal processing device>
The function of the terminal processing device 2 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The terminal processing device 2 is provided with a second image exposure unit 40 for performing image processing in the same manner as the photo processing device 1. The second image exposure unit 40 is configured by software, and includes a GUI 41, an image processing unit 42, and a module that functions as the network control unit 43. The GUI 41 and the image processing unit 42 have the same functions as the GUI 11 and the image processing unit 12 in the first image exposure unit 10 of the photographic processing apparatus 1. Further, the image processing data obtained in the terminal processing device 2 can be transmitted to the photo processing device 1 via the network 3 based on the function of the network control means 43.

  The terminal processing device 2 is provided with a monitor 44 and a keyboard 45 for performing image processing and other photo processing operations. The setting data file storage unit 46 stores a setting data file, which is basically the same as the setting data file stored in the photo processing apparatus 1. Thereby, work such as image processing can be performed under the same conditions in the photographic processing apparatus 1 and the terminal processing apparatus 2, and the same processing is performed regardless of whether the photographic processing apparatus 1 or the terminal processing apparatus 2 performs image processing. Quality photo prints are obtained.

  The image input device 47 is a device for acquiring image data from a storage medium of a digital camera or other recording media. The input image data is temporarily stored in the image data storage unit 48. The correction data obtained by the image processing by the second image processing unit 40 is temporarily stored in the correction data storage unit 49. The image data storage unit 48 and the correction data storage unit 49 are the same as the image data storage unit 8 and the correction data storage unit 17 in FIG. The image data storage unit 48 and the correction data storage unit 49 are collectively defined as a data storage unit 63.

  The image processing operation by the second image processing unit 40 is the same as that already described in the photo processing apparatus 1. However, the second image processing unit 40 has a function of attaching terminal version information related to the version of the terminal software included in the terminal processing device 2 to the image processing data obtained by the image processing. Therefore, when sending image processing data to the network 3 via the data communication unit 61, the terminal version information is sent along with the image processing data and sent to the photo processing apparatus 1 via the network 3. Become.

  The terminal version information is stored in the terminal version information storage unit 64. The form of the version information is not particularly limited as long as it can be uniquely identified, and may be alphanumeric characters, symbols, character strings, or the like. The terminal version information 58a to 58d illustrated in FIG. 5 is terminal version information included in the terminal processing devices 2a to 2d, respectively. The terminal version information 58a of the terminal processing device 2a includes the terminal software name (Terminal): “YZ” used for generating the image processing data, the corresponding main body software name (Printer): “XYZ”, and Information about terminal software version (Version): “1.0” is included. The terminal version information 2b and 2d have substantially the same configuration. The terminal version information 58c included in the terminal processing device 2c includes terminal version information for each type of main body software.

  The second image processing unit 40 has a function of attaching a compulsory flag (corresponding to the sign information) to the image processing data. When the forcible flag is set, the photo processing apparatus 1 can be forced to perform photo print creation processing regardless of the result of collation between the terminal version information and the corresponding version information. At that time, the module adoption means 26 adopts a predetermined processing module 27. The predetermined processing module 27 can be determined in advance by setting. For example, an operator who wants to make the influence as small as possible while allowing the difference in version to affect the print quality, attaches a compulsory flag to the image processing data, and handles the processing module corresponding to the version of the terminal software. However, when the module storage unit 29 is not provided, setting is made so that the processing module that is closest to the corresponding processing module is selected, thereby minimizing the influence of the difference in version on the print quality. Can do.

  When creating a photographic print from the image processing data obtained by the image processing by the second image processing unit 40, it is not necessary to immediately perform the printing process, and the data is accumulated and the printing process is performed collectively later. It can also be. For this purpose, an order data storage unit 50 is provided, in which order data can be stored. This is the same as the case of the order data storage unit 9 in FIG. That is, it is possible to easily cope with re-baking processing and re-printing processing.

  The image data writing device 62 is a device for writing image data on a recording medium such as a CD-R or a DVD. In this case, the image data output from the data communication unit 61 is transferred to the image data writing device 62. The data transferred to the image data writing device 62 is not the image data and the correction data, but the corrected image data corrected by the correction data. The processing for generating the corrected image data is performed by software in the terminal processing device 2. The image data writing device 62 does not need to be provided in all of the plurality of terminal processing devices 2 provided, and may be provided only in a specific terminal processing device 2.

<Print creation processing procedure>
Next, an outline of a processing procedure when a photo print is created by the photo processing apparatus 1 using the image data received by the terminal processing apparatus 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, image data is acquired from a storage medium via the image input device 47 of the terminal processing device 2 (# 01). The input image data is temporarily stored in the image data storage unit 48. The input image is displayed on the screen of the monitor 44, and it is determined whether or not a print having an appropriate color and density is created. If necessary, color and density correction data are input, and other necessary image processing operations are performed (# 02).

  The second image processing unit 40 acquires the terminal version information stored in the terminal version information storage unit 64 (# 03), and when setting the forced flag, the forced flag is attached (# 08), and the image Process data is generated (# 05). Therefore, the image processing data is data in a form in which terminal version information and a forced flag are attached to at least a combination of image data and correction data. After the image processing data is generated, the image processing data is stored in the order data storage unit 50 regardless of whether or not the print processing is performed immediately (# 06). As described above, this is to deal with a case where a customer requests a reprinting process later. The generated image processing data is sent to the network via the data communication unit 61 (# 07).

  In the case of the present invention, the image data included in the image processing data to be transmitted to the network 3 may be the same as the image data input from the image input device 47. As a result, if the input image data is a compressed file, the image data to be sent is also a compressed file, so that the amount of data to be sent can be suppressed as much as possible, and congestion of the network 3 can be avoided.

  The image processing data sent to the network 3 is received by the photo processing apparatus 1 (# 10), and the terminal version information accompanying the image processing data is acquired by the module adopting means 26. Further, by transmitting the image data included in the image processing data to the image processing board 20 in the data communication unit 25, the processing can be performed efficiently. This is because processing by the processing module 27 described later is often for correction data. The module adoption means 26 acquires the corresponding version information from the corresponding version information storage unit 28 (# 11), and collates the corresponding version information with the terminal version information (# 12).

  As a result of the collation, it is determined whether or not the version of the terminal software corresponds to the main body software (# 13). If the version corresponds, the processing by the image processing board 20 is performed without adopting the processing module (# 16). ). If the terminal software version does not correspond to the main body software, it is determined whether there is a processing module corresponding to the terminal software version (# 14). When the photo processing apparatus 1 includes a corresponding processing module, an appropriate processing module is selected from the processing modules 27 stored in the module storage unit 29 (# 15).

  For example, in FIG. 5, in the combination of the photo processing device 1a and the terminal processing device 2a, the terminal software version corresponds to the main body software, and the processing module corresponding to the version 1.0 terminal software as a result of collation. “Abc.lib” is adopted. Similarly, in the combination of the photo processing apparatus 1a and the terminal processing apparatus 2b, the processing module “Abx.lib” corresponding to the version 1.3 terminal software is adopted. On the other hand, the combination of the photo processing device 1a and the terminal processing device 2d does not correspond to the terminal software version, and the photo processing device 1a is not provided with a corresponding processing module.

  In the case of the terminal processing device 2c, in the combination with the photo processing device 1a, the processing module “Abx.lib” is adopted as described above. Further, in the combination of the photo processing apparatus 1a and the photo processing apparatus 1b of a different type of terminal software, terminal version information corresponding to the terminal software is used, and the processing module “Abk.lib” corresponding to version 2.0 is used. Is adopted. As described above, when the terminal version information is classified according to the type of the main body software, the processing can be suitably performed in accordance with the photographic processing apparatus in which the different types of main body software are installed.

  As a result of the collation, if the photo processing apparatus 1 does not have a corresponding processing module, it is determined whether or not the forced flag is set (# 19). If the forced flag is set, the photo print creation process is performed. Forced. At that time, the module adopting means 26 adopts a predetermined processing module (# 15). On the other hand, if the forced flag is not set, the operator on the terminal processing device 2 side is notified that the corresponding processing module is not provided in the photo processing device 1 (# 20).

  When the photo print creation process is performed, final image processing by the image processing unit 22 is performed on the image processing board 20. That is, based on the transmitted correction data, a process for generating exposure image data is performed on the image data transmitted in the same way (# 16). In addition to the correction parameters for correcting the color and density, the correction data includes data on the print size and the number of prints. These data are used when the processing module is adopted. The processing is suitably performed by using. The generated image data for exposure is transferred to the exposure engine 32, where the image is printed and exposed on paper, and after development and drying (# 17), it is discharged to the outside as a finished photographic print. (# 18).

<Another embodiment>
(1) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the module selection unit 26 has a function of selecting the processing module 27 according to the version of the terminal software has been described. However, in the present invention, in addition to this, the module selection unit 26 May have a function of adjusting parameters of correction data according to the version of the terminal software. Thereby, the number of processing modules 27 provided in the module storage unit 29 can be reduced. For example, in the combination of the photographic processing apparatus 1a and the terminal processing apparatus 2b in FIG. 5, the processing module “Abx.lib” is adopted in the above example. Therefore, the processing module “Abc.lib” can be adopted, and the same processing module as in the case of version 1.0 to 1.2 can be used. For the parameter adjustment, a table or the like in which the relationship between the terminal software version and the parameter value (adjustment amount) is input can be used.

  (2) In the above-described embodiment, image processing data including image data and correction data is transmitted from the terminal processing device to the photo processing device. This image data is the same as the image data when input to the terminal processing apparatus, but the corrected image data corrected by some correction parameters and the remaining correction data may be transmitted.

  (3) The image processing system according to the present invention may not be an apparatus in which the image processing unit and the image exposure unit are integrated. For example, in FIG. 1, the scanner device 6 has a structure separated from the photographic processing apparatus main body. However, the image processing unit and the image exposure unit may be separated from each other in the same manner as this. When disconnected, it is connected by a communication line.

Schematic diagram showing the system overview Functional block diagram showing the configuration of the photo processing apparatus Functional block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal processing device The figure which shows the structural example of the monitor screen at the time of performing image processing work The figure which shows an example of corresponding | compatible version information and terminal version information Flow chart showing the procedure of print creation processing

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photo processing apparatus 2 Terminal processing apparatus 3 Network 10 1st image processing part 20 Image processing board | substrate 22 Image processing means 24 Firmware 25 Data communication part 26 Module adoption means 27 Processing module 28 Corresponding version information preservation | save part 29 Module storage part 32 Exposure engine 40 Second image processing unit 42 Image processing means 44 Monitor 45 Keyboard 47 Image input device 48 Image data storage unit 49 Correction data storage units 57a and 57b Corresponding version information 58a to 58d Terminal version information 61 Data communication unit 64 Terminal version information storage unit

Claims (5)

A photographic processing apparatus having exposure image data generating means for generating exposure image data based on image processing data, and an image exposure unit for printing and exposing an image on a photographic photosensitive material based on the exposure image data;
A terminal processing apparatus including an image processing unit having a function of performing image processing on input image data;
An image processing system comprising one or a plurality of the photographic processing devices and a network means for connecting the one or a plurality of the terminal processing devices,
The terminal processing device
A terminal version information storage unit for storing terminal version information related to the version of the terminal software installed in the terminal processing device;
The image processing unit has a function of attaching the terminal version information to image processing data obtained as a result of the image processing,
The photographic processing apparatus includes a processing module having a function of performing processing for generating the exposure image data based on the image processing data;
Corresponding version information storage unit that stores corresponding version information related to the version of the terminal software corresponding to the main body software or the processing module installed in the photo processing device;
Module adopting means having a function of collating the terminal version information with the corresponding version information, and adopting the processing module corresponding to the version of the terminal software based on the result of the collation,
The module adopting means has a function of notifying the terminal processing device whether or not the processing module corresponding to the version of the terminal software is provided in the photo processing device based on the result of the collation. the image processing system according to claim to Rukoto.   The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit has a function of attaching the terminal version information for each type of the main body software to the image processing data. The image processing unit has a function of attaching to the image processing data sign information that forces the photographic processing apparatus to perform processing regardless of the result of the collation,
3. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the module selection unit has a function of selecting a predetermined processing module based on the marker information when the corresponding processing module is not provided as a result of the collation. . A photographic processing apparatus connected to a terminal processing apparatus having an image processing unit having a function of performing image processing on input image data via a network means,
Exposure image data generating means for generating exposure image data based on the image processing data;
An image exposure unit that prints and exposes an image on the photographic photosensitive material based on the image data for exposure;
A processing module having a function of performing processing for generating the exposure image data based on the image processing data;
The terminal version information related to the version of the terminal software installed in the terminal processing device is compared with the corresponding version information related to the version of the terminal software corresponding to the main body software or the processing module installed in the photo processing device, and Module adopting means having a function of adopting the processing module corresponding to the version of the terminal software based on the result of the collation ,
The module adopting means has a function of notifying the terminal processing device whether or not the processing module corresponding to the version of the terminal software is provided in the photo processing device based on the result of the collation. photographic processing apparatus according to claim to Rukoto. The image processing data transmitted from the terminal processing device is accompanied by sign information that forces the photographic processing device to process regardless of the result of collation,
The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the module adopting unit has a function of adopting a predetermined processing module based on the sign information when a corresponding processing module is not provided as a result of the collation.

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