JPH03153228A - Trimming photographic printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain trimmed print by displaying a trimming state, which is specified at the time of photography with trimming information read out of a recording medium before trimmed print operation is performed, on a monitor. CONSTITUTION:In photographic printing operation, the trimming information which is recorded on, for example, a photographic film 18 is read in and a printing system is set in the specified trimmed print state according to the trimming information 75. For the purpose, this is observed to decide whether trimming is proper or not and if the trimming is improper, the trimming state is corrected and the trimmed print operation is performed after the correction. Consequently, a trimmed print photograph with favorite composition is obtained.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a cropped photo printer, and more particularly to a cropped photo printer that is improved so that the trimming status specified at the time of photographing can be confirmed. be.

[Conventional technology]

Records cropping information on photo film when taking photos,
A trimming printing method is known in which trimming information is read during photo printing and trimming printing is automatically performed (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-26721 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 63-285530). Furthermore, a photo printing method has also been proposed in which information indicating the form of the cropping frame is recorded on the photographic film, and when this information is detected during photo printing, a cropping print having the specified cropping frame is performed. (Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-2
85529).

Further, there is also known a trimming photo printer that images a frame set at a printing position with a television camera and displays it on a monitor, and also displays trimming lines on the monitor. In this photo printer, when a specified printing magnification is input by operating the keyboard, the display position of the trimming line is moved accordingly, and the trimming range is corrected.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the conventional cropping print mentioned above, the trimming range is specified while looking through the viewfinder of a photo camera, but the viewfinder image is small (and difficult to observe), and the specified time is limited due to the photo opportunity. The cropping specified at the time of photo shooting does not necessarily result in a desirable composition. For example, the cropping may result in a composition where part of the image is missing, a composition that is asymmetrical, or a meaningless background, such as a composition where the ground occupies a large proportion. Even in such a case, an incorrect cropped print photo will be created because the cropped print is automatically performed with the specified composition.

An object of the present invention is to provide a trimmed photo printer that can confirm the trimming state specified at the time of photographing and make corrections if necessary to create a trimmed print photo with a more preferable composition.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the trimming photo printer of the present invention includes a means for reading trimming information recorded on a recording medium, for example, a photo film, and a means for setting a printing system to a trimming print state according to the trimming information of a frame to be printed. It is composed of a setting means, a monitor system for taking an image of a frame to be printed and displaying its trimming state, and a means for correcting the trimming state while observing the monitor system.

[Effect]

When printing a photograph, for example, trimming information recorded on a photographic film is read, and the printing system is set to a designated trimming print state in accordance with this trimming information. This printing system set may be made at any time until printing is started. Also, when setting to trimming print mode, if the center of the trimming range matches the center of the frame, you can change the focal length of the zoom lens or rotate the lens turret with multiple lenses attached. Switch lenses. If they do not match, it is necessary to align the center of the trimming range with the printing optical axis.

The cropping condition specified when taking the photo is displayed on the monitor, so observe it to determine whether the cropping is appropriate. If not, correct the cropping condition, and after making the corrections, print the cropped print. conduct.

〔Example〕

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

FIG. 1 shows a cropped photo printer. The white light emitted from the light source 10 is passed through a cyan filter 11.
Magenta filter 12. After passing through a yellow filter 13, it enters a mixing box 14. The amount of insertion of these color correction filters 11-13 into the optical path is adjusted by the filter adjustment section 15, thereby adjusting the three color components of the printing light and their intensity. The mixing box 1
No. 4 has a structure in which diffuser plates are attached to both ends of a rectangular tube whose inner surface is a mirror surface.

A film carrier 17 is provided adjacent to the mixing box 14. This film carrier 17
includes a base plate 19 on which the photographic film 18 is slidably placed, and a base plate 19 on which the photographic film 18 is placed when printing photographs.
A film mask 20 is provided for pressing down.

Further, on the left and right sides of the film carrier 17, a plurality of pairs of feed rollers 21 and a motor 22 for driving the rollers are provided. Adjust the position in the direction parallel to the paper surface. Further, during trimming, the vertical position of the frame (in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper) is adjusted by moving the film carrier 17 in the vertical direction using the motor 23.

The film carrier 17 includes a barcode reader 2.
5 is arranged, and when a frame to be trimmed and printed is sent to the print position where the film mask 20 is located, the trimming information recorded thereon is read and sent to the decoder 26. This decoder 26
The trimming information decoded is sent to the calculation section 27 and the controller 28.

A half mirror 30 is arranged above the printing position, and a part of the light transmitted through the photographic film 18 is sent to the lens 3.
Reflect towards 1. In addition, a total reflection mirror is used instead of this half mirror 30, and inserted into the optical path during monitoring.
A half mirror 32 is placed behind the lens 31, which can be moved out of the optical path during printing, and the light reflected here is sent to a monitor color image sensor 33.
The transmitted light enters the photometric color image sensor 34. These color image sensors 33 and 34 take images of frames to be printed and output video signals, respectively.

The video signal output from the monitor color image sensor 33 is sent to a monitor system 35.

This monitor system 35 displays a positive color image simulating a finished printed photograph and a trimming line representing the trimming range. The position of this trimming line is
This is changed by operating the mouse (digital position detector) 36, thereby modifying the position and size of the trimming range.

The color image sensor 34 for photometry is for dividing the photometry of the frame to be printed, for example, 1/
The trichromatic light is photometered at the measurement point lXl0. The video signal output from this photometric color image sensor 34 is
The signal is sent to a signal processing circuit 37, where it undergoes logarithmic conversion and digital conversion.

Through this logarithmic conversion, the video signal is converted into a signal corresponding to the transmission density (hereinafter referred to as a density signal), and the signal is sent to the calculation section 27. This calculation unit 27 uses the three color densities of each measurement point to calculate red.

The printing exposure ■ for green and blue is calculated respectively, and the printing exposure for each color is calculated based on the 1-rimming size signal sent from the decoder 26. =J n Correct the light amount.

In addition, the color correction and density correction data inputted from the keyboard 38 are inputted to the calculation γ section 27 via the controller 28, and the printing exposure amounts of the three colors are corrected and calculated in accordance with these correction data.

A zoom lens 40 is disposed above the half mirror 30 as a printing lens, and its focal length is converted by a motor 41 that rotates in accordance with trimming information. This zoom lens 40 enlarges and projects the trimming range of the frame onto color paper 43 placed behind the paper mask turret 42. This paper mask turret 42
A plurality of apertures 42a and 42b are formed in order to record a double-sided frame such as a rectangle, a diamond shape, a heart shape, etc., and the aperture is rotated by a motor 44 to set any one of the apertures to the exposure position. Note that a liquid crystal panel may be used instead of the paper mask turret 42 and the frame portion may be made opaque.

A shutter 46 whose opening and closing are controlled by a shutter drive section 45 is arranged between the zoom lens 40 and the color paper 43. This color paper 43 is nipped by a pair of feed rollers 47, and a motor 4 connected to this
Frame advance is performed when 8 rotates.

The area 50a of the ROM 50 stores the focal length of the zoom lens 40 (more precisely, the motor 4
1 rotational position) is stored, and the moving position of the film carrier 17 and the frame setting position relative to the center position of the trimming range are stored in the area 50b. Furthermore,
The relationship between the shape of the trimming frame and the rotational position of the paper mask turret 42 is stored in the area 50c.

Area 50d stores programs such as printing procedures. In addition, the code|symbol 51 is RAM, and the code|symbols 52-56 are drivers.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a monitor system. The image processing unit 60 simulates the characteristics of the color paper 43 by performing negative/positive inversion, one color correction, and one gradation correction. A color positive image having the same color and density as the color image is displayed.

A synchronizing signal output from the monitor color image sensor 33 is sent to a color monitor 61 and a readout circuit 62. This readout circuit 62 creates an address signal from the synchronization signal, sends it to the memory 64 via the selector 63, and reads out the trimming line data stored therein. This trimming line data is converted into an analog signal by a D/A converter 65 and sent to an adder 66, where it is added to the image-processed video signal to perform image synthesis of the frame image and the trimming line. be exposed. On the display surface 61a of the color monitor 61, as shown in FIG. 3A, a color positive image 70 of a frame, vertical trimming lines 71a, 71b, and a horizontal trimming line 72a are displayed.

72b is displayed. These trimming lines 71a,
The area surrounded by 71b, 72a, and 72b is the trimming range, and the image within this range is the color paper 4.
3 is printed.

Although the trimming range is designated at the time of photographing, it is not necessarily in an appropriate state. In such a case,
The operator operates the mouse 36 while observing the color monitor 61 to select the trimming lines 71a, 71b, 72a,
72b to correct the position and size of the trimming range. FIG. 3B shows the corrected state of trimming, and the numbers are given a dash to distinguish them from the trimming lines in FIG. 3A. When correcting this trimming, the selector 63 is connected to the write circuit 67, and the write circuit 67 specifies the address of the memory 64,
Write trimming line data to this.

FIG. 4 shows a portion of developed photographic film. Frames 18a and 18b are recorded on this photographic film 18, and trimming information 75 is recorded in the form of a bar code adjacent to the frame to be trimmed and printed. This trimming information 75 includes data 77 representing the size of the trimming range 76 indicated by the dotted line.
, data 7 representing the coordinates of the center position, and data 79 representing the shape of the trimming frame.

Note that if this trimming information includes a code indicating a non-trimming state, trimming information will be recorded for all frames.

FIG. 5 shows a cropped print photograph. When the printing system is controlled using the trimming information 75 recorded at the time of photographing and the frame 18a is printed, a trimmed print photograph 82 is created. Similarly, a cropped print photograph 83 is created from the frame 18b. In addition, when the data 79 is a code representing a diamond shape, the image of the trimmed print photograph 84 is fitted into a diamond-shaped frame 85 as shown in FIG. 5C.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. On the photographic film 18, trimming information 75 is recorded for frames to be trimmed by a trimming information recording device provided within the camera. This photographic film 18 is set on the film carrier 17 after being developed. When the keyboard 38 is operated to instruct film feeding, the controller 28 drives the motor 22 via the driver 52. This motor 22 has a pair of feed rollers 2
1 is rotated, the photographic film 18 is fed in the direction of the arrow. While the film is being fed, a well-known edge detection sensor detects the edge of the frame, and by measuring the amount of movement of this edge, the frame is set at the printing position.

When this frame is transported toward the printing position, the barcode reader 25 reads the trimming information 75 represented by the barcode, and sends the obtained read signal to the decoder 26. The decoder 26 decodes the barcode and sends trimming information to the calculation section 27 and controller 28. On the second day of this controller, the trimming information is
After that, trimming line data is created from this trimming information, and the trimming line data is written to the address of the memory 64 designated by the write circuit 67.

When the first frame, for example frame 18a, is set at the print position, photometry for this frame 18a is started. During this photometry, the color correction filters 11 to 13 are set at photometry positions by the filter adjustment section 15, and the light from the light source 10 that passes through them enters the mixing box 14, where it is sufficiently diffused. The light emitted from this mixing box 14 passes through the frame 18a, and then is reflected laterally by the half mirror 30, and is reflected by the lens 31.
incident on . This lens 31 is connected to a color image sensor for monitoring the image of the frame 18a via a half mirror 32.
33 and a color image sensor 34 for photometry.

The photometric color image sensor 34 has a frame 18a.
to measure the three color components of the transmitted light at each point. The photometric values of each color are converted into density by the signal processing circuit 37 and then sent to the calculation section 27. The calculation unit 27 extracts the average density, maximum density, minimum density, etc. from the density of each measurement point, and substitutes these into a well-known exposure amount calculation formula to calculate the printing exposure amount for each color. Further, the calculation unit 27 obtains a print magnification from the trimming size signal sent from the decoder 26, corrects the printing exposure amount of each color according to this print magnification, and sends this to the controller 28. The controller 28 adjusts the set position of the color correction filters 11-13 via the filter adjustment section 15 in accordance with the printing exposure amount.

On the other hand, the monitor color image sensor 33
8a and outputs a video signal. This video signal is sent to the image processing circuit 60, where the color vapor 4
3 and then sent to adder 66. The readout circuit 62 generates an address signal based on the synchronization signal of the monitor color image sensor 33, and reads the memory 64.
Read the trimming line data stored in . The read trimming line data is converted into an analog signal by a D/A converter 65, and then sent to an adder 66 for image synthesis. This combined video signal is sent to a color monitor 61, and a color positive image 70 having trimming lines is displayed as shown in FIG. 3A.

The color monitor 61 is observed to determine whether the trimming specified at the time of photographing is appropriate. If it is inappropriate, operate the mouse 36 to specify the position and size of the trimming range. When this trimming state is corrected, the controller 28 corrects the trimming information (position, size, frame form) written in the RAM 51. The controller 2B also writes the selector 63 into the write circuit 67.
After switching to the side, trimming line data is written into the memory 64 according to the corrected trimming information. When the trimming line data in the memory 64 is corrected, the position of the trimming line is shifted and the corrected trimming range is displayed on the color monitor 61, as shown in FIG. 3B.

If the trimming state is appropriate, it is determined whether the finish is good or not, and if it is inappropriate, the density correction key or color correction key of the keyboard 38 is operated to input correction data. This correction data is sent to the calculation unit 27 via the controller 28, and the printing exposure amount of each color is corrected according to the number of steps of the operated correction key. When the printing exposure amount is corrected in this way, the color correction filter 1
The set positions of Nos. 1 to 13 are changed, and the colors and densities of the color positive image 700 displayed on the color monitor 61 are corrected.

If the finish is good, the keyboard 38 is operated to instruct to start printing, and the controller 28 adjusts the printing system according to the trimming information 75. That is, the information on the trimming size written in the RAM 51 is read out, and then the focal length of the zoom lens 40 is determined with reference to the area 50a of the ROM 50. controller 28
The motor 41 is rotated to convert the focal length of the zoom lens 40 to adjust the print magnification according to the trimming size. Further, information on the center position of the trimming range is read from the RAM 51, and the moving position of the film carrier 17 is determined by referring to the data stored in the area 50b of the ROM 50. The controller 28 drives the motor 23 to move the film carrier 17 in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface, and also rotates the motor 22 to adjust the set position of the frame 18a. As a result, the trimming range 76
The center coincides with the optical axis of the zoom lens 40.

Furthermore, the information on the trimming frame stored in the RAM 51 is read out, and the motor 44 is rotated with reference to the information in the area 50c of the ROM 50. As a result, the paper mask turret 42 rotates, and an aperture having a desired shape is set at the exposure position.

After adjusting the printing system, the controller 28 retracts the shutter 46 from the optical path via the shutter drive unit 45,
The image of frame 18a is printed on color paper 43.

Thereafter, each frame is trimmed and printed in the same manner.

In the embodiment described above, the trimming range is indicated by a trimming line, but the edge of the display surface 61a of the color monitor 61 may be used instead of the trimming line. FIGS. 7 to 9 show this embodiment. In this example,
A zoom lens 90 is used, and the focal length is converted depending on the size of the trimming range. As a result, when the trimming size is narrow, a large color positive image 91 is displayed on the display surface 61a, and when the trimming size is wide, a small color positive image 92 is displayed as shown in FIG. 8B.

When trimming and printing, the procedure shown in FIG. 9 is performed. As is clear from this figure, after filter adjustment, positioning of the trimming center and conversion of the focal length of the zoom lens 90 of the monitor system are performed according to the trimming information. If the trimming position needs to be corrected, change the film carrier and frame set position,
Also, regarding the trimming size, the focal length of the zoom lens 90 is changed. When printing is instructed, the focal length of the zoom lens 40 is converted and the paper mask is switched according to the specified or modified trimming information, and immediately after that, the shutter 46 is activated and printing is performed. .

In the above embodiment, the trimming information is recorded on the photographic film, but it may also be recorded on an IC card set in the camera, a magnetic recording section formed on the outer circumference of the cartridge, or the trimming information is further connected to the photographic film. It may be a recording medium. Furthermore, the present invention can also be used when printing images recorded with an electronic still camera.

Further, the means for correcting the trimming state while observing the monitor system includes correcting the trimming information decoded by the decoder 26 and resetting the print system to the trimming state using this corrected trimming information. Furthermore, in addition to the mouse, the trimming range may be changed using a light pen, a cursor, a touch panel sensor, or the like. Furthermore, in addition to modifying the trimming range two-dimensionally, it may be possible to modify only the horizontal position of the frame by changing the set position of the frame.

Furthermore, the film carrier is manually moved two-dimensionally,
The center of trimming may be aligned to ensure proper trimming on the monitor. Further, instead of a zoom lens, a lens turret having a plurality of fixed lenses having different focal lengths may be used. Furthermore, dodging information may be recorded on a recording medium, and dodging may be performed by reading this information.

(Effects of the Invention) The present invention having the above-mentioned configuration uses trimming information read from a recording medium before performing trimming printing.
Since the trimming state specified at the time of drawing is displayed on the monitor, inappropriate trimming can be checked in advance, and if it is inappropriate, it can be corrected to print a trimmed image with a more preferable composition.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cropped photo printer of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the monitor system shown in FIG. 1. FIGS. 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams showing display examples of a color monitor, respectively. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a photographic film on which trimming information is recorded. FIGS. 5A to 5C are plan views showing trimmed print photographs, respectively. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure for trimming and printing. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the monitor system. FIGS. 8A and 8B are explanatory views showing monitor images displayed on the monitor system shown in FIG. 7, respectively. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing trimming printing using the trimming photo printer having the monitor system shown in FIG. l 7 ・ ・ 18 ・ ・ 25 ・ ・ 33 ・ ・ 34 ・ ・ 40 ・ ・ 42 ・ ・ 61 ・ ・ 71a.・Film carrier ・Photographic film ・Barcode reader ・Color image sensor for monitor ・Color image sensor for photometry ・Zoom lens ・Paper mask turret ・Color monitor lb, 72a, 12b = Trimming line 75 ・ ・ ・ 76 ・ ・ ・82-84 90 ・ ・ ・ ・Trimming information・Trimming range・・Trimming print photo・Zoom lens. Figure 9

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A means for reading the trimming information recorded on a recording medium when taking a photograph, a means for setting the printing system to a trimming print state according to the trimming information of the frame to be printed, and a means for taking an image of the frame to be printed and trimming it. A cropped photo printer comprising a monitor system for displaying the status and a means for correcting the cropping status while observing the monitor system.