JPH02110535A - Picture display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To determine exposure at a high speed without generating eyestrain or mental fatigue by providing a first picture display part to display a picture, with which exposure quantity is determined each time and a second picture display part to display a picture, for which the correction of the exposure quantity is needed, at the time of the correction. CONSTITUTION:An exposure quantity calculating means B calculates the exposure quantity based on picture data, which are inputted from a picture data input means A, and this exposure quantity can be corrected by an exposure quantity correcting means C. Then, a storing means D stores these picture data. The first picture display part and second picture display part are provided in a picture display means F and a control means E displays the picture, with which the exposure quantity is determined, on the first picture display part and the picture, for which the correction of the exposure quantity is needed to the calculated exposure quantity of the exposure quantity calculating means B, on the second picture display part according to a display condition corresponding to an exposure condition based on the stored contents of the storing means D. Accordingly, the picture is displayed on the second picture display part only when the correction of the exposure quantity is needed. Thus, the exposure quantity can be determined at high speed without generating eyestrain or mental fatigue.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image display device, and particularly to a copying device such as an automatic photo printing device (automatic printer) that prints an image from a color photograph such as a color film onto a color vapor. The present invention relates to an image display device that displays an image when determining an exposure amount.

[Prior art and problems to be solved by the invention] Color negatives transmit three color lights of B, G, and R as a whole screen, but the transmission ratio of these three color components is generally constant. Known from experience. For this reason, automatic printers determine the amount of printing light (exposure amount) based on the following equation.

1ogF j=Kj+Dj −(1) However, β
ogF is the logarithm of the amount of printing light, K is a constant, D is the clearing transmission density (LATD) of the negative measured with a photometric system, j is B, GX
It is any color light of R.

However, if the amount of printing light is controlled by an automatic printer based on equation (1) above, prints from underexposed negatives will have higher overall density than prints from properly exposed negatives, and prints from overexposed negatives will have higher density than prints from properly exposed negatives. becomes lower. Therefore, by providing a slope control circuit, D of equation (1) is
The exposure amount is determined by correcting J. on the other hand,
Even with automatic printers and printers equipped with a slope control circuit as described above, negatives that have significantly deteriorated over time, negatives shot under a light source that is significantly different from daylight (fluorescent lamp, tungsten lamp, etc.) (different light source negatives), and color Negatives and the like that have a rough area are likely to produce defective prints with incorrect color balance. Also, negatives where the difference between the main subject density and the background density is different from the average negative (density area)
It is not possible to make good prints with this method.

Therefore, an operator usually observes each film image and determines the exposure amount based on extensive training and experience. it
Each image is input using a key input device, and printing is performed based on the input. On the other hand, various automatic printers that automatically determine the exposure amount are also in practical use.

These devices read the film image as image density using a scanner, and determine the exposure amount through calculations performed by the CPU. In these automatic color printers, when determining the exposure aperture, an exposure amount calculation formula is determined in advance, image characteristic values are determined from the image density read by the scanner, and the exposure amount is calculated using the exposure amount calculation formula. Mainly adopted. In this method, a photographic film image is divided into multiple parts, photometered, image characteristic values are determined from each photometric value, and the image is zeroed by a combination of image characteristic values, and a predetermined image characteristic value is determined for each of the nine orders. A method of determining the exposure amount by selecting and calculating an exposure amount calculation formula that is a function of
239365, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 54-28131)
, a method in which a photographic film image is divided into a plurality of parts, photometrically measured, image characteristic values are determined from each photometric value, and an exposure amount calculation formula is calculated as a function of the image characteristic value to determine the exposure amount (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 55
-93147, etc.). Yet another method of determining the exposure amount is to divide the image plane of the photographic film into multiple parts.
A method of determining the exposure amount based on a weighted average value determined by a weighting function according to the existence probability of the subject of each part (Special Publications Publication No. 4)
No. 4-32456), an automatic classification method was used in which the screen of a photographic film is divided into a plurality of parts, the image part fldffi is determined from the density of each divided part, and predetermined exposure data is selected based on the combination of the image part trace amounts. Method (Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 4
5-100783, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1983-10038), a method in which the photometric values of a photographic film screen are divided and converted according to a predetermined standard, and the exposure amount is determined by the average value of the converted values (specially Publication No. 52-43570)
, record the specific pattern information of the original picture 1. In particular, there is a method (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-67526) in which the exposure amount of an image having a high degree of similarity to the stored pattern is determined by a dedicated algorithm.

However, in the conventional exposure amount determination method, the main image portion is hardly extracted and the exposure amount is determined only statistically, so there is a limit to the accuracy of determining the exposure amount. For this reason, there is a demand for a printing method that provides even higher quality and higher yield.

In order to obtain high print quality and a high yield rate, before processing with an automatic printer, determine the correction amount for the exposure unit determined by the average density by human visual judgment, and correct the exposure unit determined by the average density by the correction amount. It is widely practiced to determine the exposure amount by However, since the color balance is evaluated visually in a color negative state, it requires skill, and the resulting print acceptance rate is not 100%.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 56-62243 discloses that a positive image is displayed on a CRT of an image display device according to the results of an automatic exposure amount determining section to facilitate evaluation. However, it is necessary to stare at a positive image and switch the image display every time you try to determine the exposure amount, so if you try to perform high-speed processing, the number of image display switches increases, causing eye fatigue.
There is a problem.

It is statistically known that on a film in which images are continuously recorded, approximately 30% or more of the images are similar, and the exposure amounts of these similar images are close to each other. For this reason, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-87448 discloses that when a positive image of a color film is displayed on a CRT and the color and density are evaluated to correct the exposure amount, the degree of similarity of the color film image is determined. It has been disclosed that similar images are grouped together by using similar images, and that only some images in the similar image group are automatically displayed on a CRT. According to this method, only a portion of similar images is displayed, so even when performing high-speed processing, the number of screen display changes does not increase so much, and the rate of eye fatigue is also reduced.

The above technology is applicable when the image display device and the image exposure device are separate, when the image input section and the image display section can process different images at the same time, or when the image input section and the image display section This can be applied when the two are separated from each other. In such a device, the image display section can reduce the shadow υ from both the image input section and the exposure section.
It is also possible to omit part of the image display based on the similarity.
This allows high-speed processing without causing mental fatigue. However, if the image input section and the exposure section are connected, for example, if the distance is less than the number of film frames in one piece of film, that is, 6 frames, it is not possible to determine the degree of similarity in advance and group them. Therefore, it is difficult to determine the exposure value at high speed.

If the above technique is used when the image input section and the exposure section are close to each other or in the same location, the image display on the CRT may become irregular, which may disrupt the evaluation rhythm or cause large changes in CRT brightness due to non-display. This increases visual fatigue. Further, there is a problem in that it is not possible to check whether the exposure amount is good or not for undisplayed images until they are printed. Furthermore, since it is necessary to determine the degree of similarity and group the image before exposure using an image exposure device, there is a problem that it cannot be applied to a method where the image input section and the exposure section are printed in close proximity or at the same location. .

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems,
An image display that allows the exposure amount to be determined at high speed without causing eye fatigue or mental fatigue even when the image input section and the exposure section are connected or located at the same location. The purpose is to provide equipment.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image data input means for inputting image data of an image for which an exposure amount is to be determined, and an exposure device for calculating an exposure amount based on the image data. an exposure amount calculation means, an exposure amount correction means for correcting the exposure amount calculated by the exposure amount calculation means as necessary, and an exposure amount calculated by the exposure amount calculation means or corrected by the exposure amount correction means. a storage means for storing the exposed exposure aperture and the image data; an image display means comprising at least a first image display section and a second image display section; displaying an image for determining the exposure amount on the first image display section under display conditions corresponding to the exposure conditions;
The apparatus includes a control means for displaying on a second image display section an image that requires correction of the exposure amount with respect to the exposure amount calculated by the exposure amount calculation means.

In the above-mentioned control means, 1. The image for determining the exposure amount is displayed on the first image display section under display conditions corresponding to the exposure conditions based on the α content, and the image for determining the exposure aperture and the image for which the exposure amount has already been determined are displayed. Determine whether or not they are dissimilar, and if dissimilar, display the image for which the exposure amount is determined on the second image display section, and if the image is not dissimilar, continue to display the second image other than the image for which the exposure amount is determined. It can be displayed in the section.

In addition, the exposure amount can be calculated only from the image data of the image for which the exposure amount is determined, or the exposure amount can be calculated so that the exposure information of the image for which the exposure amount has already been determined affects the exposure amount of the image for which the exposure amount is determined. It is possible to further provide a determining means for determining whether or not to use the light source, and to allow the exposure amount calculating means to calculate the exposure amount based on the determination result of the determining means.

Furthermore, the above determination means calculates the exposure amount only from the image data of the image for which the exposure amount is to be determined by determining whether or not the image for which the exposure amount is to be determined is dissimilar to the image for which the exposure amount has already been determined. It can be determined whether to calculate the exposure amount in such a way that the exposure information of the image for which the exposure amount has already been determined affects the exposure amount of the image for which the exposure amount is determined.

At this time, the exposure amount calculation means calculates the exposure amount only from the image data of the image for which the exposure amount is to be determined when the determination means determines that they are dissimilar, and determines the exposure amount when it is determined that they are the same or similar. The exposure amount of an image for which the exposure amount has already been determined, which is the same as or similar to the image to be determined, the exposure amount of the image for which the exposure amount has already been determined, which is the same as or similar to the image for which the exposure amount is to be determined, and the exposure calculated only from the image data. A weighted average value of the exposure amount calculated from only the image data and a value obtained from the exposure amounts of multiple images that are the same as or similar to the image for which the exposure amount is determined, and the exposure amount calculated only from the image data. , it is possible to set one of them as the exposure amount of the image for which the exposure amount is determined.

[Action Co. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

Image data input means A inputs image data of an image whose exposure amount is to be determined. As this image data, a photometric value measured by a photometer, a photometric signal, an image signal captured by an image capturing device, or the like can be used alone or in combination. That is, the photometric value and the imaging signal may be obtained using only the photometer and the image capturing device. The exposure amount calculation means B calculates the exposure amount based on the image data inputted from the image data input means. This exposure amount can be corrected by an exposure amount correction means C.
It is I. The means 210 stores the exposure calculated by the exposure calculation means B or the exposure corrected by the exposure correction means C, and the image data input from the image data input means A. The image display means F includes a first image display section and a second image display section.
At least an image display section is provided, and a control means E
is described in 1. The image whose exposure amount is determined based on the content stored in
In addition to displaying it on the U-image display section, an image that requires correction of the exposure amount with respect to the exposure amount calculated by the exposure amount calculation means B is displayed on the second image display section. Therefore, the image for determining the exposure amount is displayed on the first image display section every time, and the image that requires correction of the exposure amount is displayed on the second image display section only when correction is required. In this way, two images are displayed: the image that is displayed each time and the image that is displayed only when necessary, so when you look at the second image display section, you can see the image that is displayed each time without staring at it. Since the display switching of the second image display section can be predicted by simply setting the display to the second image display section, the exposure amount can be determined at high speed by visually observing the displayed image without causing eye fatigue or mental fatigue.

If the image for which the exposure amount is to be determined is the same as or similar to the image for which the exposure amount has already been determined, the exposure amount is the same or similar and there is no need to correct the exposure amount, so the image for which the exposure amount is to be determined is selected first. It is only necessary to display it on one image display section. Therefore, an image other than the image for determining the exposure amount, that is, any one of the images for which the exposure amount has already been determined, or a completely unrelated image can be displayed on the second image display section.

In addition, if the image for which the exposure amount is to be determined and the image for which the exposure amount has already been determined are the same or similar, the same or similar exposure amount can be used, so the exposure can be calculated only from the image data of the image for which the exposure amount is to be determined. Further, a determining means is provided for determining whether to calculate the exposure amount or to calculate the exposure amount in such a way that exposure information of the image whose exposure amount has already been determined influences the exposure amount of the image for which the exposure amount is determined, The exposure amount can be calculated by the calculating means based on the determination result of the determining means. In this case, the exposure amount calculation means calculates the exposure amount only from the image data of the image for which the exposure amount is to be determined when the determination means determines that they are dissimilar, and determines the exposure amount when it is determined that the exposure amount is the same or similar. The exposure amount of an image for which the exposure amount has already been determined, which is the same as or similar to the image to be determined, the exposure amount of the image for which the exposure amount has already been determined, which is the same as or similar to the image for which the exposure amount is to be determined, and the exposure calculated only from the image data. A weighted average value of the exposure amount calculated from only the image data and a value obtained from the exposure amounts of multiple images that are the same as or similar to the image for which the exposure amount is determined, and the exposure amount calculated only from the image data. , may be set as the exposure amount of the image for which the exposure amount is determined.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, it is sufficient to determine whether or not the exposure amount needs to be corrected when the displayed image changes, and to correct the exposure amount when necessary.

In addition, a first image display section that displays an image for determining the exposure amount each time and a second image display section that displays an image that requires correction of the exposure amount at the time of correction are provided, so that the first image display section is in the field of view. If the image input section and the exposure section are Exposure decisions can be made at high speed without causing eye or mental fatigue, even when objects are in close proximity.
This effect can be obtained.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the exposure amount determination device of this embodiment and an automatic blinking device equipped with this exposure amount determination device.

A mirror box 18 is located below the color paper ilm 20 loaded in the negative carrier 21 and conveyed to the printing section.
A lamp house 10 equipped with a halogen lamp is arranged. A light control filter 60 is arranged between the mirror box 18 and the lamp house 10 (1). As is well known, the light control filter 60 is composed of three filters: a Y (yellow) filter, an M (magenta) filter, and a C (green) filter.

Above the negative film 20, a lens 22, a black shutter 24, and a color paper 26 are arranged in order.
0, the light beam transmitted through the mirror box 18 and the negative film 20 is configured to form an image on the color paper 26 by the lens 22.

As shown in FIG. 3, screen images 14A, 14B, 14C, . . . are recorded on the color negative film 20.
There are notches 12 on the side edges of the film corresponding to these screen images.
is drilled. Note that 16 is a perforation. Further, a notch detector 52 composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element is arranged so as to sandwich the side edge of the negative film 20. When the notch 12 is located between the light emitting element and the light receiving element, the light beam emitted from the light emitting element is received by the light receiving element, so that the notch 12 can be detected by the notch detector 52.

A photometer 2 is placed in a direction oblique to the optical axis of the imaging optical system and in a position where the image density of the negative film 20 can be photometered.
8 is placed. The photometer 28 is composed of a two-dimensional image sensor, a line sensor, etc., and performs photometry by dividing the negative image into a large number of images. In this case, photometry for each stroke is performed for the three primary colors B, G, and R.

The photometer 28 records the image data measured by the photometer 28 in 1. It is connected via an image data memory 30 to an exposure amount determining device 32 composed of a microcomputer. The exposure amount determination device 32 includes a human output boat 34, a central processing unit (CPU) 36, and a read-only memory (RO).
M) 38, a random access memory (RAM) 40, and a bus 42 consisting of a data bus, a control bus, etc. that connect these. Exposure amount determining device 3
2 is connected to the image data memory 30 to control the writing and reading timing of the image data memo IJ 30, and is also connected to drive the photometer 28. Further, the human output port 34 is connected to the negative carrier 21 via a drive circuit 48 and a drive circuit 50.
It is connected to the dimming filter 60 via. The input/output port 34 also includes a keyboard 44 as an exposure amount correction means for inputting correction data, etc., and a notch detector 5.
2 and CRT46 for displaying exposure amount and correction requests
is connected. Note that a touch panel, a light pen, or the like may be used instead of the keyboard as the exposure amount adjusting means.

Next, the image display device 82 will be explained. In a direction inclined to the optical axis of the above-mentioned imaging optical system and at a position where an image of the negative film 20 can be taken, a negative is illuminated by a light source system consisting of a halogen lamp, a light control filter 60, and a mirror box 18. A camera 62 is arranged to take an image and output three primary color signals of R, G, and B. This camera 62 is connected to a correction circuit 66 via a logarithmic conversion circuit 64 that logarithmically converts each of the three primary color signals into a density signal. Since the spectral sensitivity of the camera 62 and the spectral sensitivity of the color paper are different, this correction circuit 66 adjusts the integral density of the negative image seen from the spectral sensitivity of the camera 62 and the integrated density of the negative image seen from the spectral sensitivity of the color paper. Correct the difference. As the correction circuit 66, a matrix circuit with three rows and three columns can be used. The correction circuit 66 is connected to an inversion circuit 68 that inverts the output of the correction circuit 66 with the same coloring characteristics as the color paper and converts it into an analytical density signal corresponding to the amount of dye of the color paper.

CRT46 displays images using a light emitter, so the luminance of the light is proportional to the voltage, but since printing uses an absorber, the amount of dye is not proportional to the brightness, but the amount of dye is proportional to the logarithm of the brightness. . Furthermore, since the dyes used in prints are unstable primary colors whose chromaticity points change depending on changes in the amount of dyes, we will consider this by approximating the integrated density of only main absorption. For this purpose, a density signal conversion circuit 70 is connected to the inversion circuit 68 for converting the analytical density signal outputted from the inversion circuit 68 into an integral density signal of only the main absorption of the dye of the color paper. An image including an inverse logarithm circuit 72 that converts an integrated density signal of only main absorption into an integrated transmittance signal, a brightness signal conversion circuit 74 that converts the integrated transmittance signal into an emission brightness signal of the CRT phosphor by primary color conversion, and a frame memory. It is connected to the CRT 46 via the control circuit 76.The CRT 46 includes the following:
The first step is to switch and display each cup image stopped at the exposure position.
Each iris display section 78 as an image display section, a similar iris display section 80 as a second image display section that displays one of the similar orchid images, and a display section 81 that displays text information such as exposure amount are provided. There is. In addition, since each porridge display section 78 is used to predict the display switching of the similar porcelain display section 80, the display area of each porcelain display section 78 is made narrower than the display area of the similar porcelain display section 80 as shown in FIG. It may be determined as shown in 2). Image record 1
The control circuit 76 stores in a frame memory the light emission brightness signal of the image to be displayed on the CRT 46, and also switches the image display on the CRT. Display section 8
Switch the display of the image displayed on 0. Note that a similar image is one of a series of images for which the exposure amount has already been determined, even if it is the previous hook that is stopped at the exposure position, for example, it is the previous image that was checked for the first time. It is also possible to improve the operability by various applications such as storing a reference image in memory and displaying the reference image.

Next, the exposure control routine stored in advance in the ROM 38 of the exposure determining device 32 will be explained with reference to FIG. When the negative film 20 is loaded onto the negative carrier 21 and the start switch is turned on, the negative carrier 21 is driven by the drive circuit 48 in step 100, thereby performing multiple feeding of the film. In the next step 102, it is determined whether a notch has been detected by the notch detector 52, and when it is determined that a notch has been detected,
In step 104, the previous image is stopped at the printing exposure position by stopping the transport of the film. Step 1
In 06, the photometer 28 is activated by driving the photometer 28 and setting the image data memory 30 in a writable state.
The detected image data is stored in the image data memory 30.

In the next step 108, the image data stored in the image data memory 30 is loaded, and in step 110, image information DBi indicating the characteristics of the pre-print image 14B (FIG. 3) is calculated, and based on this image information DBi, Determine the image pattern to which the image of the lever belongs. In the next step 112, it is determined whether the previous image stopped at the printing position is the first previous image among the previous images to be printed.

In the case of the first previous image, in step 114, the operator is requested to determine the exposure amount by displaying on the display section 81 of the CRT 46 that it is necessary to determine the exposure amount. This allows the operator to use the keyboard 44 to input the correct exposure amount determined by visual judgment by directly viewing the negative image. At this time, the first previous image is
46, and the exposure amount may be input by visually observing this displayed image. In step 116, it is determined whether exposure [i has been input by the operator from the keyboard 44. If not, the exposure amount determination request is continued; if it has been input, the process proceeds to step 126. In step 126, the light source system is dimmed by controlling the drive circuit 50 and the dimming filter 60 so that the negative film is irradiated with an amount of light corresponding to the input exposure amount. A negative image illuminated by a light source system whose light is adjusted to correspond to the exposure amount is photographed by the camera 62 and displayed on each cup display section 78 of the CRT 46 and the similar front display section 80.
to be displayed. As a result, an image matching the color and density of the finished print is displayed on the CRT by exposure and development using the input exposure amount. The operator visually observes the image displayed on the CRT and visually evaluates whether the exposure amount is appropriate or not, and if the exposure amount is inappropriate, operates the keyboard 44 to input a correction value Xx. This correction value
For X, a value can be used in which a 20% increase/decrease in exposure amount is ±1 (increase when it is 10, decrease when it is -). Step 1
In step 28, it is determined whether or not the correction value Xx has been input. If it has been input, in step 130, the exposure amount is corrected by adding the correction value XX to the exposure amount EB input from the keyboard, and the corrected exposure amount is The value is displayed on the CRT 46, and the light source system is dimmed in the same manner as above based on the corrected exposure amount, and an image corresponding to the corrected exposure amount is displayed on the CRT. If the correction value Xx is not input, the process advances to step 132. After checking the displayed image, the operator turns on the exposure permission switch if the color and density of the image are appropriate. In step 132, it is determined whether or not the exposure permission switch has been turned on. When it has been turned on, in step 118, the drive circuit 50 is controlled to insert a filter corresponding to the sufficient amount of light into the optical path, thereby performing exposure (1). Control. At this time, the image display on the CRT continues. Then, in step 120, the exposure rA E B of the previous image printed by the exposure amount control in step 118 is set as the exposure ff1EA of the previous moving image, and the image information DBi of the printed glazed image is set as the image information DAl of the previous moving image. After storing it in RAM40,
Return to step 100 and roll the film 1 in the same manner as above.
The image information DBi and image pattern are obtained by conveying the previous portion.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 112 that it is not the first previous moving image, in the next step 122, the image information DAi of the previous moving image stored in the RAM 40 and the exposure i
In step 124, step 110 takes in the EA.
Record the image pattern in advance in the ROM according to the image pattern determined in step 1. α
The exposure calculation formula selected is selected, the exposure IEB is calculated, and the calculation result is displayed on the CRT. This selected exposure amount calculation formula can be expressed by a function shown by any one of the following formulas (2) to (5).

EB=f (DAi, DBi, EA) ... (2
) However, 1 indicates the number of the image information used for the exposure amount calculation when the image information is assigned a consecutive number.

EB=EA-X -=-(3) However, it is a correction value determined from the difference between the two images represented by Xitg (DAi, DBi).

EB=f (ΔDi, EA) (4) However, ΔDi=DΔ1−DBi.

EB=EA-h (ΔDi) (5) The functions (2) to (5) above are, for example, image information DAi, DB
As i, the partial average density in the screen and its distribution, the value related to the histogram shape obtained from the density histogram, such as moment, distribution of a specific color in the image, contrast, density difference between pixels, and the position divided into regions,
It can be expressed by the following equation (6) using those concentrations.

EB=Ko +EK i ・DA i +ΣKj−DB
j+EA (6) i, j=1 to 50, where K, SKi, and Kj are constants.

Note that the image information DAi and DBi do not necessarily have to be the same image information, nor is it necessary to determine the exposure amount using the same number of image information.

Then, in step 126, the light control filter 60 is controlled based on the exposure amount EB, and the image is transferred to the CRT in the same manner as above.
After executing steps 128 to 132, the exposure amount is determined and the image information and exposure amount are stored.

On the other hand, if no notch is detected in step 102, it is determined in step 138 whether or not the entire film printing process has been completed, and when the process has been completed, this routine is terminated.

Next, the image display control before and after the first steps 126 and 130 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In step 140, by switching the display of each hook display section 78, the image stopped at the printing exposure position is switched and displayed each time. In the next step 142, it is determined whether the previous image stopped at the printing exposure position and the previously printed previous image are the same or similar. Whether the previous images are the same or similar can be determined by comparing the image information D A + and the image information D B I, comparing the exposure ff1EA and the exposure IEB, and the like. Further, the determination can be made based on input from the exposure amount correction means. This is because if the images are the same or similar, there is no need to modify the exposure amount.
When a modification of the exposure amount is input, it may be determined that they are dissimilar. In this case, it is preferable to give priority to dissimilarity over determination based on comparison of two image information. When it is determined that the previous images are the same or similar, in step 146 a control signal is output to the image storage/control circuit 76 so as not to switch the image display on the frame display section 30. This causes the image storage/control circuit 76 to continue displaying the image based on the data stored in the frame memory. As this image, use one of the previous images determined to be the same or similar, or a completely unrelated image (for example, a landscape image preferred by the operator, exposure information, previous information, etc.) be able to. Also, step 1
When the previous image is determined to be dissimilar in step 42, a control signal is output to the image storage/control circuit 76 to switch the image display on the similar previous display section 80 in step 144. As a result, the image recording 1.0 control circuit 76 rewrites the data stored in the frame memory with the data of the previous image stopped at the printing exposure position, and also changes the image display on the similar previous display section 80. Switch to the previous image whose printing exposure position is stopped.

As a result, an image whose exposure amount needs to be corrected is displayed on the pre-similarity display section 80. The operator visually inspects the switched image, makes a visual judgment, modifies the keyboard 44, and inputs the modification value XX as explained above.

As a result of the above, the previous image stopped at the printing exposure position is always displayed on each frame display section 78, and the image display is not switched on the similar i-frame display section 80 until the previous image is determined to be dissimilar. It won't happen.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, it is automatically determined whether the exposure amount is appropriate or not, and steps 128 to 13 in FIG.
Executed instead of 2.

In step 150, the exposure u calculated in step 124 is
Calculate the EB determination accuracy. This determination accuracy is a value corresponding to the probability that the determined exposure amount EB is accurate, and is determined by calculation or memory value selection. For example, by the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 55-88042, the screen average density value>1.4 and DMAX Dl, IrN<
When Q, 8, the judgment accuracy is 0. 8 (100% accuracy when 1, 0). However, DXAX is the maximum density value, and I)tt+N is the minimum density value. Another method is to determine the accuracy using statistical methods for image classification obtained by performing image analysis based on image information, or for image feature space, and then store and print a small amount of image frames. It may be determined based on the classification determined from the above or the position in the feature space. Furthermore, the case of manual correction described below is set as judgment statement 1.0, and a coefficient is introduced that reduces the judgment accuracy as the distance from the image increases.The number of strokes is changed by a constant number from before manual correction or the image content within it. By various methods such as, it is possible to improve the determination accuracy, the operability, and the exposure amount determination accuracy.

In the next step 152, it is determined whether the determined exposure amount is within a permissible value by determining whether the determination accuracy is less than or equal to a predetermined value. If the determination accuracy is less than a predetermined value, the accuracy of the exposure amount is poor, and a message is displayed on the CRT 46 to correct the exposure amount in step 154. A single exposure correction request may be made using information such as other sounds or lights in the character information displayed on the CRT, or the degree of the correction request may be changed depending on the judgment accuracy (for example, if the amount of correction is (makes the sound louder when it's loud). When the correction request is displayed, the operator operates the keys on the keyboard 44 to input the correction value Xx. In step 156, it is determined whether or not this correction value The exposure amount is displayed on the CRT 46, and the light source system is controlled based on the corrected exposure amount to display the previous image on the CRT. If the modification value XX is not input, the process returns to step 154 and the modification request is continued. After checking this display, the operator turns on the exposure permission switch if the exposure amount is correct. Step 160
Then, it is determined whether or not the exposure permission switch has been turned on, and when it has been turned on, the drive circuit 50 is controlled as explained above in step 118 (FIG. 5), and a filter with a sufficient amount of light is inserted into the optical path. By controlling the exposure h1, the exposure amount EB of the previous image is set to the exposure of the previous image, 1Q.
EA, and the image information EB1 of the previous image is written in the RAM 40 as the image information EBi of the previous image.1. α.

Next, still another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the above embodiment, the exposure amount of the previous image is determined based on the image information DA+ of the previous image, the exposure QEA, and the image information DB of the previous image (the current image) for which the exposure amount is determined. As explained above, the exposure amount is calculated only from the image data of the previous image for which the exposure amount is determined, or the exposure information of the previous image for which the exposure value has already been determined only affects the exposure of the previous image for which the exposure amount is determined. A determining means for determining whether to calculate the exposure amount may be further provided, and the exposure amount calculating means may calculate the exposure amount based on the determination result of the determining means. As this exposure information, exposure (2) and correction data can be used. In this case, the determining means determines whether the previous image is dissimilar based on the image data, and when it is determined that the previous image is dissimilar, the exposure amount is calculated only from the image data of the previous image to determine the exposure amount. However, if it is determined that the exposure amount is the same or similar, the exposure amount of the previous image that is the same or similar to the previous image for which the exposure amount is determined, and the exposure amount that has already been determined is the same or similar to the previous image for which the exposure amount is determined. A weighted average of the exposure amount of the previous image for which the exposure amount has been determined and the exposure amount calculated only from the image data, and a weighted average of the exposure amount of the previous image for which the exposure amount is determined and the exposure amount of multiple previous images that are the same or similar to the previous image for which the exposure amount has already been determined. Either one of the value calculated from the exposure amount and the weighted average value of the exposure amount calculated only from the image data can be used as the exposure amount of the previous image for which the exposure amount is determined.

Then, the previous image is displayed on each image display section 78 based on the exposure amount determined in this way, and when the previous image is determined to be dissimilar, the previous image determined to be non-M4 (1u) is displayed on the similar m display section 8.
Display to 0.

In each of the embodiments described above, by not displaying an image similar to the previous moving image and leaving the previous image as it is, the number of times the image display is changed is reduced, eye fatigue is prevented, and the processing speed is increased. can be raised. On the other hand, by displaying any one of the sequentially cut images, that is, the printed image, it is possible to easily evaluate the exposure amount and prevent variations in print density and color. Further, by comparing the printed image displayed on the CRT with a print of a previous image that is the same or similar to this image, it is possible to determine whether the developer has deteriorated or the like.

Furthermore, by displaying the image to be printed each time, the user can eliminate anxiety when the displayed image does not change for a long time, and if it is determined that the finished print is unsatisfactory, the film can be returned to its original position and reprinted. Further, when determining the exposure amount, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the exposure amount determination by providing a determining unit that determines whether the exposure amount is determined based on the image alone or by adjusting the exposure amount information of the previous image. In other words, by accurately determining the exposure amount of the first displayed image using corrected data based on visual judgment, it is possible to determine the exposure n of the next similar image more accurately than before. It is possible to significantly reduce the number of exposure corrections and increase processing speed.

Furthermore, by switching the displayed image when it is determined that it is dissimilar, the 7-bit input image for data correction is
By uniquely determining Ji (C, the beginning of the image group), errors in determination of similar images can be corrected at the same time as the exposure amount is corrected, so the accuracy of exposure amount determination and processing speed can be increased. In this way, in order to achieve high-speed processing in the exposure aperture determination method that uses image display devices such as testers and printers, human involvement, that is, human judgment and operation, is minimized as much as possible, increasing the processing speed. be able to.

The above explanation is about the case where the image input section and the exposure section are connected at the same location, that is, the film image located at the exposure section is input and displayed, but it seems that the image input section and the exposure section are connected at different locations. This invention can also be effectively applied to other devices and is included in the present invention. For example, the image input section is located just before the exposure section, and when the film is driven to supply the film to the ik light section, the image is inputted by a line sensor.
It may also be displayed. Furthermore, if a light source section for image input is provided in front of the exposure section, and the image input section and image display section are integrated, a plurality of previous images may be input and stored in memory before exposure. . In this case, the CRT 46 should display two or more images and control the input to the image input section according to the print in the exposure section, or create a loop between the exposure section and the input section and control them independently. You may also do so. These devices are particularly effective for the type that has one ring processing section on the five-way collar blink. That is, in a device in which all printing functions are compactly configured in one device, higher speed, more compactness, and higher functionality are required.

Note that, although an example in which the present invention is applied to an automatic color printer has been described above, the present invention can also be applied to digital car printers such as laser color printers and video color printers.

Furthermore, instead of the photometer as the image input means, a line scanner, plane scanner, flying spot scanner, video camera, etc. can be used.

In this case, it is clear that it is better not to use the optical system in an inclined direction with respect to the imaging optical system. Furthermore, a new correction value XX may be obtained by selecting and calculating an exposure amount correction formula stored in a memory in advance, as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-59446, using the correction value XX. Furthermore, the exposure amount information includes, in addition to the exposure amount, a value corresponding to the exposure amount, a correction value Xx of the exposure amount or its corresponding value, and JP-A-61
The image classification values described in JP-A-59446 may also be used.

Furthermore, we have explained an example of waiting until there is an input when the correction value XX is not input, but if the correction value XX is not input for a predetermined time
It may also be possible to send a drink when no input is made. In addition, a photometer and a camera were used as image input means, but
One image input means, such as an imaging device or a scanner, may be used for both image display and exposure control data. In this case, data addition may be performed, such as using part of the input data as exposure control data, or combining some of the input data and using it as one data.

Moreover, the present invention can be modified and implemented as follows. These transformations are listed below. It is also possible to use exposure information and image information such that the exposure amount of the image is influenced by the exposure amount information of a plurality of images printed before the image.

It may be possible to display the previous image to the image at the same time on the image display device, or it may be possible to display only dissimilar images.

Similarity judgment is used to judge accuracy, for example,
In addition to the determination method using numerical values of various image frames such as the one disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 26729, there are methods of comparing two images with respect to each image density or partial image density of a plurality of pixels, etc.
Similarity may be determined by comparing two images by removing information from the original image information. The exposure permission signal may be generated automatically when it is determined that the images are similar without operating a key, thereby omitting human judgment and manual intervention. By pressing the correction data key, two or more of the following functions (:) may be activated at times: correction of exposure amount, judgment of similarity, image display, print start (exposure permission). Correction amount - 00 correction data The printer may have a key and simultaneously have two or more functions of similarity determination, image display, and print start.In this case, when the correction key is turned off, printing can be stopped only by displaying the image. It is also a good idea to automatically continue printing until the print start key is turned on and it is determined that there is no similarity.In this case, the notch detector 5
In addition to 2, it is effective to automatically stop the image to be printed using a frame detector or the like. It is also possible to back up the printed original image and change the correction data key to make it printable. The original image may be made observable before the image is displayed, and similarity determination, image correction, etc. may be performed. A specific image may be displayed during printing. The specific image may be a standard image or pattern stored in advance or a standard density such as -.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram corresponding to the claims, Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an automatic printer and an exposure amount determining device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 is a plan view of a film, and Fig. 4 is a CRT.
5 is a flowchart showing the exposure amount determination routine, FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the image display control routine,
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the control determination routine. 28... Photometer, 30... Image data memory, 32... Exposure amount determining device, 44... Keyboard 44. 46... CRTo

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) An image data input means for inputting image data of an image for which the exposure amount is to be determined; an exposure amount calculation means for calculating the exposure amount based on the image data; and an exposure amount calculation means for calculating the exposure amount calculated by the exposure amount calculation means. an exposure amount correction means for making corrections as necessary; a storage means for storing the exposure amount calculated by the exposure amount calculation means or the exposure amount corrected by the exposure amount correction means and the image data; an image display means comprising at least a first image display section and a second image display section, and an image for which an exposure amount is to be determined as a first image under display conditions corresponding to exposure conditions based on the contents stored in the storage means. An image display device comprising: control means for displaying on a second image display section an image that is displayed on a display section and that requires correction of the exposure amount with respect to the exposure amount calculated by the exposure amount calculation means. (2) The control means causes the first image display section to display an image for determining the exposure amount under display conditions corresponding to the exposure conditions based on the contents stored in the storage means, and also determines the exposure amount. Determine whether or not the image and the image for which the exposure amount has already been determined are dissimilar, and if they are dissimilar, display the image for determining the exposure amount on the second image display section, and if they are not dissimilar, determine the exposure amount. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein an image other than the image is continuously displayed on the second image display section. (3) Calculate the exposure amount only from the image data of the image whose exposure amount is to be determined, or calculate the exposure amount so that the exposure information of the image for which the exposure amount has already been determined affects the exposure amount of the image whose exposure amount is to be determined. 2. The image display device according to claim 1, further comprising a determining means for determining whether to perform the calculation, and the exposure amount calculating means calculates the exposure amount based on the determination result of the determining means. (4) The determining means determines the exposure amount from only the image data of the image for which the exposure amount is to be determined by determining whether or not the image for which the exposure amount is to be determined is dissimilar to the image for which the exposure amount has already been determined. 4. The image display device according to claim 3, wherein it is determined whether to calculate the exposure amount in such a way that exposure information of the image for which the exposure amount has already been determined influences the exposure amount of the image for which the exposure amount is determined. (5) The exposure amount calculation means calculates the exposure amount only from the image data of the image for which the exposure amount is to be determined when the judgment means determines that they are dissimilar, and calculates the exposure amount only from the image data of the image for which the exposure amount is determined, and when it is determined that the images are the same or similar. The exposure amount of an image for which the exposure amount has already been determined is the same as or similar to the image to be determined, and the exposure amount of the image for which the exposure amount has already been determined is the same as or similar to the image for which the exposure amount is to be determined, and the exposure amount is calculated only from the image data. A weighted average value of the exposure amount, a value obtained from the exposure amount of multiple images for which the exposure amount has already been determined, which is the same as or similar to the image for which the exposure amount is to be determined, and a weighted average value of the exposure amount calculated only from the image data. The image display device according to claim 4, wherein one of the values is the exposure amount of the image for which the exposure amount is determined.