JPH05336358A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to get a proper image output even in an extreme dark film by performing the automatic exposure of a film image to be projected by changing the gain of an amplifier. CONSTITUTION:When a film projector and an image forming device are not provided with communication means, the gain adjusting level of an amplifier 604 is made to vary by a gain control part 607 (including D/A converter) in order to perform an automatic density adjustment without operating the light quantity of the lamp of the film projector. This processing is performed by interlocking with a copy start button. Namely, an image output is obtained by performing a pre-scanning, by searching the maximum point of the read light quantity of the film where an image is recorded, by reading an image signal of a proper level by changing the gain of the amplifier 604 according to the light quantity level of the maximum point of the read light quantity, by performing an image processing as video signal data and by recording it, when the copy start button is depressed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention, when a peripheral device such as a film projector is connected to an image forming apparatus, enables density adjustment without re-adjusting the optical system of the image forming device or the optical system of the peripheral device. This is in an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional image forming apparatus, when outputting an image from a film projector, which is one of the peripheral devices, the light amount of an optical system of the image forming apparatus is variable so that the density of the output image is automatically adjusted. I am adjusting.

[0003]

In the conventional image forming apparatus, when the image output using the film projector is obtained, the light amount of the light source is automatically adjusted according to the type of film (negative film / positive film) and the image of the film. The image quality was improved by adjusting and automatically adjusting the density. However, such adjustment generally requires data communication between the image forming apparatus and peripheral devices, and thus cannot perform automatic density adjustment offline.

[0004]

According to the present invention, in order to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing automatic density adjustment even in an off-line manner, a film to be an original is set in response to an electric signal generated by the initially set light amount. Since the amount of light when used decreases because of the transmittance of the film,
By adjusting the gain of the amplifier inside the image forming apparatus, the density adjustment is performed by compensating for the light amount fluctuation.

[0005]

EXAMPLES Example 1 Examples of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of this embodiment (projector).

Reference numeral 101 denotes a photographic film holder, which is used to set a negative / positive film. Reference numeral 102 denotes a Fresnel plate that is a type of lens that collects light with a uniform light amount distribution in the reading device of the image forming apparatus.
103 is an ON or OF of the halogen lamp of the projector
It is a switch for F. Reference numeral 104 denotes a volume for adjusting the light amount of the halogen lamp of the projector. Reference numeral 105 is a power switch of the projector main body. 106 is A
C power cable. Reference numeral 107 denotes a projector projection portion storage button, and by pressing this button, the lamp and the film holder storage portion are integrated to be stored in the empty space of the power switch of the film projector main body. 108 is the Fresnel plate 102
It is a focus adjustment roller that moves the optical system to adjust the focus of the film image projected on the film. 109
Is a lever for moving a focus adjustment chart to a projection position instead of a film image during focus adjustment. Here, FIG. 8 shows an example of an image of a chart for focus adjustment.
Such an image is projected onto the Fresnel plate 102, and the focus adjusting roller 108 is rotated while watching the projected image to adjust the focus. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the operation unit, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the image forming apparatus. Normally, when using the projector, the projector mode is entered by selecting the projector key 209 on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
Set each setting item in order according to the display. At this time, the projector is set on the platen glass 301 shown in FIG. 3, the power cord 106 of FIG. 1 is plugged into an outlet, and the projector main power supply 105 of FIG. 1 is turned on. Now, when the projector key 209 is pressed,
The projector mode is entered, but first set the film size to be used. Next, the display 2 of FIG.
According to the instruction of 07, the halogen lamp (not shown) of the projector is turned on by the lamp lighting button 103 of FIG.

Next, settings are made to set the light intensity of the lamp of the projector to a value desired by the operator. First, when setting the light amount, the operator selects whether or not to use the base film depending on the number of kinds of films to be used. That is, when a negative film is used, the base film is used so that the light amount transmitted through the base film is read, and when a positive film is used, the base film is not used, and the light amount of the lamp is read directly. To do. Here, the base film is a film showing the white level of the photographic film, and this base film is set in the film holder 101 and used.

Next, the scanner unit 302 shown in FIG.
Moves to the center of the projected area of the film image and starts reading the lamp light intensity. Then, the read light amount is displayed on the display 207, and the operator adjusts the set value of the lamp light amount to an appropriate value by operating the light amount adjusting volume 104 while watching the display of the light amount. FIG. 9 shows an example of displaying the lamp light amount on the display 207. The light amount setting cursor 901 moves in the arrow direction according to the read light amount. The operator usually uses this light amount setting cursor 901.
The light amount adjusting volume 104 is adjusted so that the light beam comes to the center position of the display.

After the light quantity setting of the lamp is completed in this way,
Read data for shading correction. Here, the area on the original table glass 301 on which the film image is projected is read every several lines, and the read data of a plurality of lines are averaged for each pixel to obtain data for shading correction. This corrects the light amount distribution characteristic in the area where the film image is projected and the variation in the output of each pixel of the CCD linear sensor.

After a series of initial adjustments such as the setting of the light quantity and the reading of shading correction data are completed in this way, the target film is set in the film holder 101 of FIG. 1 and the image is output by pressing the copy button 216 of the image forming apparatus. Can be obtained. Now, the operation of the image forming apparatus until the image projected by the projector is recorded and output will be described with reference to the configuration diagram of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. A projection image projected by the film transmitted light of the projector on the platen glass 301 in FIG. 3 is scanned by the optical scanner unit 302 in FIG. 3 by pressing the copy start key 216 in FIG. 2, and the scan information is reflected by the reflection mirror 303. The light is optically transmitted to the lens 306 via the light beams ˜305, and is split into the three color lights of BLUE, GREEN, and RED by the phase grating 307 for spectroscopy. And a 3-line CCD for color
By the line sensor of each color of the sensor 308,
It is converted into an electric signal of BLUE, GREEN, RED. The document image information converted into an electric signal by the color 3-line CCD sensor 308 is subjected to various kinds of image data processing and then projected as a laser beam from a laser transmitter 309 to cause the polygon mirror 310 and the reflection mirrors 311 and 312 to pass through. An image is formed on the photoconductor 313 via the image. The image formed on the photoconductor is transferred onto the transfer paper sent from the transfer paper stacking units 317 and 318, sent to the fixing device 315 by the conveyor belt 314, fixed, and then discharged from the paper discharge unit 316. It

Next, each function of the operation unit of FIG. 2 will be described. 201 to 203 are density keys of the image forming apparatus,
Reference numerals 204 to 206 denote reduction, equal magnification, and enlargement keys of the variable magnification key. 207 is a display for displaying a message, 208 is an * (asterisk) key, 209 is a projector mode key, 210 is an OK key, and 211-2.
Reference numeral 14 is a cursor key, 215 is a preheat key, 216 is a copy start key, 217 is a stop key, 218 is a clear key, 219 is a ten key, and 220 is a main power switch of the image forming apparatus. Next, the structure of the CCD color linear image sensor 308 of FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. CCD image sensors of B, G, and R are arranged from the top of the drawing, and data is output separately for each color of an even column (Bout2) and an odd column (Bout1). here,
Φ1A1, Φ1A2, Φ1A3, Φ1A4, Φ2A1,
Φ2A2, Φ2A3, and Φ2A4 are CCD driving clocks, RS1 and RS2 are reset clocks of the CCD image sensor output stage, and Φ1B and Φ2B are clocks for sending signal of the output stage. SH1, SH2,
SH3 is a shift signal that shifts the electric signal accumulated on the photodiode to the shift register. The timing relationship of each clock is shown in FIG.

Next, the signal processing of the output signal of the CCD driven by the clock shown in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG. Odd-side pixel (OD) for each color of R, G, B
D), the analog signal divided into even-numbered pixels (EVEN) is rearranged by the circuit shown in FIG. 6 and converted into a digital signal. Here, 601 indicates a sample hold circuit. This sample hold circuit 601
Although it differs depending on the configuration of the analog reading system, it is configured by using the correlated double sampling method (CDS method) or an amplifier of about 2 to 4 times. Clamp circuit 602
Clamps the level of the mask signal output from the mask portion provided in the CCD for each color and adjusts the balance of ODD and EVEN of the CCD output signal. This balance adjustment is performed by fixing either ODD or EVEN of the balance adjustment signal input to the clamp circuit 602 to the ground level and adjusting the offset level of the other signal. FIG. 6 shows a case where the ODD is fixed to the ground level.

Next, a signal for each pixel of ODD and EVEN is CCed by a multiplex (MPX) switch 603.
The D pixels are rearranged in a corresponding order. SW clock 1 and SW clock 2 have opposite phases, and OD
Pixel data of D and EVEN are alternately input to the amplifier 604. The signal amplified by the amplifier 604 is supplied to the A / D converter 6 by the clamp circuit 605.
After being offset adjusted to a level that fits the input range of 06, it is clamped and input to the A / D converter 606. Then, it is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 606 and output as a video signal.

Then, various image processes are performed based on this video signal. Now, when using a film projector in an image forming device with such a signal processing system,
As described above, it is necessary to make initial adjustments such as the setting of the amount of lamp light, the reading of shading correction data, and various adjustments regarding the CCD output. However, automatic density adjustment is also required depending on the film to be projected.

Although there are some differences depending on whether the type of film used is a negative film or a positive film, normally, when a film on which an image is recorded is projected,
This is because the transmittance of the amount of light decreases. Now, the automatic density adjustment will be described. First, a film image is displayed on the document table 301.
Pre-scan is performed while the image is being projected on, and the light intensity of the projected image is measured for each color. FIG. 7 shows the light intensity level for one color of the read line. Here, the light amount adjustment level shown in FIG. 7 uses the previously read shading correction data as the light amount adjustment level. The vertical axis of FIG. 7 shows the read value of the light quantity, but the peak value of the light quantity adjustment level read previously is 256 from OO to FF.
Set the axis value to correspond to the gradation. The horizontal axis is CCD
Of the photoelectric conversion element of the CCD, and the area projected by the projector is from the 1500th pixel to the 350th pixel of the CCD.
This indicates that it corresponds to 0 pixel. Now, the automatic density adjustment is performed by calculating the light amount level at the maximum point and the minimum point of the light amount measured for each color. For example, the light amount of the lamp of the film projector is adjusted so that the level of the maximum point of the light amount of each color falls between FO and FA on the vertical axis in FIG. 7.

After the light amount adjustment is completed, automatic color tone balance adjustment is performed by gain adjustment. For this, arithmetic processing is performed based on the sampled data so that the average value of the output levels of the light amounts of the respective colors becomes R: G: B = 2: 3: 1. The result is given to the gain control unit 607 for each color, the gain of the amplifier 604 is changed, and the balance of the hue of each color is automatically adjusted. Further, in order to output the read image data in the color tone designated by the operator using a color balance adjustment key (not shown), data for instructing the tone is given to the gain control unit 607 at the time of the above-described automatic tone balance adjustment. The gain control 604 is performed at the same time as the automatic color tone balance adjustment.

Here, in the automatic density adjustment by operating the lamp light amount, the light amount is changed at the time of image formation to correct the excess / deficient light amount. Therefore, communication means is provided between the image forming apparatus and the projector. The image forming apparatus controls the light amount of the film projector, and also has a control signal therefor. Therefore, a method of performing automatic density adjustment without operating the light amount of the lamp of the film projector when the film projector and the image forming apparatus do not have a communication unit will be described. This is performed by changing the gain adjustment level of the amplifier 604 by the gain control unit 607 of FIG. 6, and for example, the level of the maximum point of the light amount read for each color changes from FO to FA on the vertical axis in FIG. The gain of the amplifier 604 is adjusted so that it comes in between. Then, this processing is performed in conjunction with the copy start button. That is, when the copy start button is pressed, prescan is performed, the maximum point of the read light amount of the film on which the image is recorded is searched, and the gain of the amplifier 604 is changed according to the light level of the maximum point of the read light amount. An image output is obtained by reading image signals of various levels, performing image processing as video signal data, and recording. Further, in order to simplify the prescan operation, when the copy button is pressed, the optical mirror stand may be brought to the projection area center of the projector, and one line of the projection area center may be prescanned to perform automatic density adjustment. .. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the flow of the image forming operation of this embodiment by the control unit (not shown).

(Embodiment 2) In Embodiment 1, the gain of the amplifier 604 is automatically adjusted from the calculation result of the reading level at the time of automatic density adjustment.
In the gain adjustment of No. 04, the variable width of the gain is set as a fixed value in advance for each type of original, that is, for the negative film and the positive film, and the fixed gain setting level is set when recording and outputting the projected image of the projector. The gain of the amplifier 604 is adjusted by changing the value.

(Third Embodiment) A gain variable coefficient corresponding to the signal level is provided for adjusting the gain of the amplifier 604.
This gain variable coefficient indicates the stage by dividing the signal level stepwise by a certain width. The gain of the amplifier 604 is adjusted by switching the gain variable coefficient according to the level of the peak signal read during the prescan.

(Embodiment 4) The image forming apparatus is provided with a gain adjustment key (not shown), and automatic adjustment is not performed.
The gain value can be adjusted by giving the user a function to adjust the gain value in a variable width of about ± FH (hexadecimal: hexadecimal number) and releasing it to the user.

[0021]

According to the present invention, since the projected film image is automatically exposed by changing the gain of the amplifier, an appropriate image output can be obtained even on an extremely dark film. Also, the color balance can be adjusted automatically.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a film projector.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation display unit.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a three-color CCD.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart of CCD drive pulses.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a reading unit.

FIG. 7 is a light intensity distribution chart.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a focus adjustment chart.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example when a light amount is set.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of image forming processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 film holder 102 Fresnel plate 103 lamp switch 104 light intensity adjustment volume 105 power switch 106 AC power cable 107 storage button 108 focus adjustment roller 109 focus adjustment chart lever 207 display 209 projector mode key 601 sample hold circuit 602 Clamp circuit 603 MPX switch 604 Amplifier 605 Clamp circuit 606 A / D converter 607 Gain control section

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A projection means for projecting a film image, a reading means for reading the projected film image, a reading means for directly reading light from a light source of the projection means, or a base showing a reference density of a film. Storage means for storing shading correction data obtained by reading the transmitted light of the film, amplification means for amplifying the output of the reading means, control means for controlling the gain of the amplification means, and reading by the reading means A recording means for recording the recorded image on recording paper, and a start key for instructing recording start by the recording means, and the reading means, when the start key is pressed, the film image projected by the projection means. Read in advance,
The control means uses the shading correction data stored in the storage means as a reference, obtains an adjustment value of the gain of the amplifier from the signal level of the film image read in advance by the reading means, and determines the gain of the amplification means by the An image forming apparatus, wherein the recording means records the film image read by the reading means after the film image is adjusted by an adjustment value. 2. The reading device according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit reads the projected film image for each of a plurality of colors, and the control unit controls the gain for each color to adjust a color balance. Image forming apparatus. 3. An image forming apparatus having means for adjusting light quantity, gain adjustment, shading adjustment, etc.,
An image forming apparatus having means for changing the gain value of the read signal of the image forming apparatus at the start of image formation after the adjustment is performed. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
An image forming apparatus capable of performing automatic density adjustment by changing a gain value of a reading system. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
An image forming apparatus that can be set without having an electrical communication unit between the image forming apparatus and an application device such as a film projector. 6. An image forming apparatus for performing automatic density adjustment by changing a gain value, wherein the original signal level is read and the gain value can be automatically adjusted to an optimum value. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4,
An image forming apparatus capable of reading a peak level of a signal of an original after prescanning by the image forming apparatus and switching a variable gain level according to the read level.