JPH05341409A - Image information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To set precise correction data without receiving the effect of the flaw or the dust of a reference original picture by providing a means storing the correction data produced by averaging a one-dimensional image as for a picture element corresponding to identical address. CONSTITUTION:By a CPU 82(rounding means and correction means), such simplification processing that an image area previously set according to the format of a film is rounded to the proper number of picture elements is executed. That means, an image is simplified by calculating an arithmetic mean every prescribed number of picture elements as for the density information of a sample image or thinning it at prescribed intervals or the like. The correction data consisting of the picture elements which can correspond to the picture elements as many as a rounded image/line in 1:1 is previously stored in a correction data memory 86 and the correction data used for correcting shading(calibrating work) can be supplied. The image already corrected is rewritten to the rounded image in a rounded image memory 85 and stored. In such a way, the correction data is produced based on the one-dimensional image whose reading position is changed and corrected.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image information processing apparatus. More specifically, the original image on a color negative film is divided into pixels by a line sensor (one-dimensional CCD) and read as digital image information, and based on the digital image information. The present invention relates to an image information processing apparatus suitable for use in an exposure printing apparatus that determines a proper exposure amount or a proper exposure correction amount for an original image and creates a photographic print.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general photography, the subject's blue (B), green (G), red (R) (hereinafter simply referred to as B,
It is known as an empirical rule that the average reflectances of the three primary colors (described as G and R) are substantially constant. Therefore, in the conventional photographic printing apparatus, the average transmission density (L
ATD) is measured, and the exposure amount for photoprinting is determined based on the measured average transmission density to control the exposure amount given to the B, G, and R photosensitive layers of the printing paper to a constant value (LATD control). It is called) to create photographic prints with good color balance.

The LATD control has a drawback in that it is difficult to obtain an appropriate photographic print when the luminance distribution and the color distribution are uneven in the subject. Such a photographic original is called a subject feria. Of these, the one caused by the deviation of the luminance distribution of the subject is called a density ferria, and the one caused by the deviation of the color distribution is called a color ferria.

In recent years, high-performance photographic printing apparatuses divide a negative image into fine pixels and obtain image characteristic values (for example, optical transmission) for each pixel in order to obtain appropriate printing exposure even for an original image having subject ferria. The density and the optical transmittance are measured, and the exposure amount is determined based on the measurement result, or the correction amount for the exposure amount determined by LATD is determined based on the measurement result. Such a device is generally called a scanner.

For example, a scanner divides a negative image (original image) into individual image characteristic values as in JP-A-56-23936 and JP-B-56-2691, and individually obtains image characteristic values. An appropriate exposure amount for the negative image is obtained from the characteristic value. Alternatively, instead of dividing the screen into a desired shape from the beginning and individually obtaining the image characteristic values, the image information of almost the entire surface of the negative image is two-dimensionally (preferably divided into substantially uniform pixel units by image input means). The image characteristic value may be measured by sampling, and the image characteristic value of each divided area may be obtained by appropriately combining the characteristic value of each pixel based on the shape of the screen division.

To read such image information, for example, main scanning is performed by a linear one-dimensional image sensor, and the original image is conveyed in a direction perpendicular to the main scanning in synchronization with the main scanning. By performing sub-scanning, two-dimensional image information can be obtained in pixel units. By the way, when the image information of the original image is read, illumination unevenness caused by the illumination light source or the illumination optical system occurs, and when the line sensor has a configuration in which a plurality of image pickup elements are arranged in a straight line,
Due to variations in sensitivity between the image pickup devices, there arises a problem that the obtained image information is not always uniform even when reading an original image of uniform density. To solve this problem, a calibration work called shading correction is required.

The shading correction uses a line sensor (one-dimensional image data) for one line (one-dimensional image data) of a uniform image (hereinafter, referred to as a reference original image) such as a blank negative (a negative in which nothing is photographed). When the image of the original image to be printed (hereinafter referred to as the original image for printing) is sampled by reading it as sample data with a CCD and pre-storing this data (hereinafter referred to as calibration data) in pixel units of the sensor, The correction data stored is used to perform correction on a pixel-by-pixel basis.

In this case, if the calibration data is stored as a density value (log value of the amount of transmitted light), the correction can be performed by subtracting the value of the calibration data in pixel units from the sample image information of the original image for printing. . Further, when the calibration data is stored in the form of the transmittance or the amount of transmitted light instead of the density, the correction can be performed by performing the division in pixel units.

[0009]

However, when the above-mentioned calibration data is created, if the reference original image is read by the line sensor and the calibration data is set only from the pixels for one line, the corresponding line area of the reference original image is damaged. -There is a problem that correct calibration data cannot be created when there is a defect such as dust. If the shading correction of the original image for printing is performed by the calibration data including such a large noise, there is a drawback that the original image information cannot be correctly calibrated.

Further, when the calibration data used for the shading correction of the printing original image is created from the reference original image, it is necessary to perform the processing in accordance with a special program, which makes the information processing system complicated. Furthermore, if the base density of the printing original image is significantly lower than the density of the reference original image, subtracting the calibration data created by the reference original image from the image information processing device image information may result in a negative result. there were. In such a case, if the arithmetic processing related to the exposure amount determination is performed with the value as it is, the result has a serious adverse effect. Therefore, in the conventional apparatus, whether the subtraction result is positive or negative is determined. However, such inspection processing is also a time-consuming and troublesome work.

For example, in the conventional apparatus, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 showing the procedure for setting the calibration data, the one-dimensional image of the reference original image is input by one line reading (S
31), the one-dimensional image is stored as calibration data in the calibration data storage means (S32, 3).
3). Therefore, even if scratches or dust happen to be present on the reference original image reading line and are mixed in as a large noise, the data is directly used as the calibration data in the subsequent printing. In this case, if the data corresponding to the large noise is subtracted from the one-dimensional image of the printing original image, the result may be a negative value.

In the process of reading the original image for printing in FIG. 7, the line counter is initialized (S41) and then 1
One line is read by the three-dimensional CCD (S42),
The calibration data obtained by the procedure shown in FIG. 6 is subtracted from the obtained one-dimensional image (S43, S44) and stored as the calibrated one-dimensional image data (S45). Further, the count number of the line counter is incremented by 1 (S46), the original image is conveyed by one line by the sub-scanning means (S47), and the one-dimensional image reading after step S43 is completed until the end of all lines (S48). It's supposed to repeat.

The processing process of FIG. 7 showing the printing original image reading procedure and the processing process of FIG. 6 showing the calibration data setting procedure based on the reference original image are largely different in content, and are managed as software of another system. However, it has a problem that the configuration becomes complicated. In view of the above points, the present invention is to provide an image information processing apparatus capable of easily and accurately setting accurate calibration data.
Has the purpose of.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image information processing apparatus capable of creating calibration data by the same procedure as a normal image reading operation. Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide an image information processing apparatus capable of setting calibration data that is unlikely to cause incorrect pixel data.

[0015]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, when a reference original image is read, the scanning position of the main scanning means with respect to the reference original image is changed by the sub-scanning means a plurality of times. The calibration data is created by averaging the read one-dimensional images obtained by each reading with respect to the pixels corresponding to the same address, and the calibration data is stored in the calibration data storage means. The calibration data can be used without being affected by spatial variation factors such as dust.

When the calibration data for the reference original image is created, a two-dimensional image of the reference original image is created by reading the plurality of times, and the calibration data obtained by averaging the pixels in the sub-scanning direction is stored in the calibration data storage. The scanning means controls the main scanning means and the sub-scanning means as usual to obtain a two-dimensional image, and the pixels of the two-dimensional image are averaged in the sub-scanning direction for calibration. The configuration is such that data is created and stored, and calibration data can be obtained by the same procedure as a normal reading operation.

Furthermore, when the calibration data for the reference original image is created, a uniform predetermined value is set in the storage means as temporary calibration data, and reading and calibration are performed in exactly the same state as in normal operation. The reference calibration data can be created from the two-dimensional image. Further, a uniform predetermined value set as the temporary calibration data is set to a negative value to prevent the pixel value after calibration from becoming negative.

[0018]

First, a reference original image composed of a transparent negative is set in the exposure section, and is linearly scanned by the one-dimensional CCD of the image pickup section (main scanning means) to read the reference one-dimensional image.
Next, the sub-scanning means conveys the original image by one line in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction, and reads a reference one-dimensional image at different positions. After repeating such reading and sub-scanning by conveyance a plurality of times, the one-dimensional image obtained by each reading is averaged for the pixels corresponding to the same address to create reference calibration data.

In this case, the reference calibration data may be created from a two-dimensional image obtained by sub-scanning for one screen, or the reference calibration data may be created from a plurality of sub-scans that do not fill one screen. .. A uniform value (temporary calibration data) preset in the calibration data storage means is subtracted from the reference calibration data to obtain calibration data, which is stored in the calibration data storage means.

At this time, 0 can be set as the temporary calibration data, but if a uniform negative value having a sufficiently large absolute value is set, pixels having a negative value will appear in the calibrated image. There is no fear of mixing, and it is possible to omit the inspection processing step for checking whether the pixel value after calibration is negative. Next, the main scanning means and the sub-scanning means are controlled with respect to the original image for printing to create a two-dimensional image, and the calibration data in the calibration data storage means is sequentially arranged from each horizontal line (main scanning line) of the two-dimensional image. Subtract to obtain a calibrated 2D image.

For the calibrated two-dimensional image thus obtained,
Predetermined image information processing is performed to calculate the optimum exposure amount.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. First, an outline of a photo printing apparatus to which the image information processing apparatus of the present application is applied will be described based on the configuration diagram of the reading unit shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, F is a color photographic film, and the photographic film F is composed of one long film obtained by joining a plurality of developed negative films at a splice portion S, and is set on a first spool (not shown). It is configured to be wound on a second spool (not shown) via a predetermined transport path. Further, a notch N is formed on the film F by a notcher at the central edge of each original image I for detecting the original image position.

The film F is nipped by a driving roller 10a driven by a pulse motor 9 and a driven roller 10b linked to the driving roller 10a, and is conveyed rightward in the drawing. The pulse motor 9 and the rollers 10a and 10b constitute a sub-scanning unit that feeds the film F by a minute amount in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction of a line sensor described later.

That is, for example, by feeding the film F by 1 step = 0.25 mm, one line is fed (sub scanning).
Can be realized. At the top of the transport route,
A splice sensor 11 and its light section 12 are arranged, and the splice section S is detected by detecting the amount of infrared light transmitted.
Is detected, the start / end of the film F can be determined. Further, the notch sensor 13 installed in the vicinity of the side edge of the film F is composed of a self-illuminating optical reaction sensor so that each notch N can be detected and the position of the original image I in the reading unit 1 can be confirmed. There is.

Output signal 11a of splice sensor 11
And the output signal 13a of the notch sensor 13 is input to the control unit 14, respectively. Based on these signals 11a and 13a, the control section 14 drives the pulse motor 9 by a built-in timer to position the original image I at a predetermined position. Reference numeral 15 denotes an illumination light source arranged above the film F, and the light source 15 illuminates the original image I of the film F via the condenser lens 16. The transmitted light that has passed through the original image I passes through filters 17a, 17b and 17c corresponding to the respective colors B, G and R, and enters line sensors (one-dimensional CCDs) 18a, 18b and 18c, respectively. The one-dimensional images input by the line sensors 18a, 18b, 18c are transmitted to the image processing units 20a, 20b, 20c line by line, and are appropriately shaped by the image processing units 20a, 20b, 20c, and each color Each two-dimensional sample image is converted.

Further, the two-dimensional image of each color is sent from the image processing units 20a, 20b, 20c to the exposure control unit 60 and subjected to various calculations necessary for calibration and exposure amount control. Here, from the sequence controller 14, the splice signal 11a, the notch signal 13a,
Also, the pulse motor drive pulse 9a is supplied to the image processing units 20a, 20b, 20c for timing control. Similarly, the busy signal B is sent from the image processing units 20a, 20b, 20c to the sequence control unit 14 by wired OR connection. In addition, the sequence control unit 14 and the exposure control unit 60 have a 16-bit width control bus 22.
It is configured so that information can be transmitted and received via the.

Next, the signal processing in the image processing section will be described with reference to the block diagram of the image processing section shown in FIG. Each of the line sensors 18a, 18b and 18c is composed of a CCD of 1024 pixels. Each of the sensors 18a, 18b, 18c has a shift pulse
Driven by the shift pulse Sf output from the clock generation circuit 70 and the read signal of the drive clock Sg,
The read data is supplied to the sample hold circuit 72 via the amplifier 71. Timing generation circuit 7
The reference numeral 4 sends a sample signal Sm obtained by controlling the signal Sk obtained by dividing the clock pulse output from the shift pulse / clock generation circuit 70 to 1/8 by the frequency divider 73 to the sample hold circuit 72, and at this timing. Line sensor 1
The one-dimensional image signals from 8a, 18b and 18c are held.

After this, the line sensors 18a, 18b, 1
The one-dimensional image signal from 8c is synchronized with the timing of the shift pulse Sf output from the shift pulse / clock generation circuit 70 and the drive clock Sg, and the A / D converter 7
The output signal Sn of No. 6 is sampled and written in the buffer memory 78 as pixel data So (16-bit information). In addition, the line sensors 18a, 18b, 18
Although the number of pixels of c is 1024, the sample signal Sm
Since the clock pulse is divided into ⅛, the number of pixels actually taken in is 128 pixels per line.

When the sampling for one line is completed, the timing generation circuit 74 generates a sampling end signal Sq and sends it to the CPU 82. The CPU8
When the sampling end signal Sq is supplied, the 2 generates an interrupt, and the LUT (lookup table) 80
The digital image, which is the contents of the buffer memory 78, is captured via the.

At this time, the digital image signal is converted into an image characteristic value (here, a density value) by a LUT (look-up table) 80 composed of a RAM or the like and stored in the sample image memory 84. 1 such scanning scan
A two-dimensional sample image is created by repeating the number of times corresponding to the screen (for example, 128 times).

The LUT 80 (sampling means) stores, for example, a conversion table represented by the following equation (1). Y = a × log (X + b) (1) where X is an input to the LUT 80 and Y is its output. Further, a is a constant for converting the photometric density determined by the spectral characteristic of the scanning unit into the printing density determined by the spectral sensitivity of the photographic printing paper, and b is a constant for removing the dark current component in the image pickup.

This conversion table can be appropriately changed according to the purpose, and may be, for example, a linear conversion of Y = c × X + d (2). In the LUT80,
A plurality of conversion tables obtained by substituting several kinds of numerical values into the constants a and b of the equation (1) are prepared, and can be selected in advance by the CPU 82. However, the conversion table selected is
It does not necessarily have to be the same for each color of B, G, and R.

In this way, 128 × 128 pixels (1
Image density information of B, G, and R colors of 6 bits / pixel) is stored in the sample image memory 84 as a sample image. Here, the effective image area in the image density information varies depending on the format (screen size) of the photographic film F, and the number of pixels is too large to perform various image processing calculations necessary for exposure amount control. There is.

Therefore, the CPU 82 (a rounding unit and a calibrating unit) performs a process of rounding (simplifying) an image area preset according to the format of the photographic film F into an appropriate number of pixels. That is, with respect to the density information of the sample image, an arithmetic mean thereof is calculated for each predetermined number of pixels, or
The image is simplified by thinning out at a predetermined interval. In this embodiment, the number of pixels obtained by this rounding processing is stored in the rounded image memory 85 (rounded image storage means) as a rounded image of 16 × 16 pixels regardless of the format of the photographic film F. Is becoming

In this rounding processing, if the arithmetic mean of the image density information is adopted, the effect of reducing the noise component in the image signal can be expected. Further, the processing time can be shortened by taking an arithmetic average after performing an appropriate decimation process, or by performing a rounding by thinning out a predetermined number of pixels without performing an arithmetic average. Reference numeral 86 is a calibration data memory in which calibration data composed of pixels corresponding to one line of a rounded image and pixels which can be in one-to-one correspondence is stored in advance and used for shading correction (calibration work) described later. Can be supplied. Then, the calibrated image is rewritten into the rounded image in the rounded image memory 85 and stored.

Next, an outline of shading correction for the rounded image thus obtained will be described. In the conventional device, the reference original image read by the one-dimensional CCD is used as it is as the calibration data to perform the calibration (FIG. 6), whereas in the device of the present application, the calibration is performed based on the one-dimensional image in which the reading position is changed. It creates data and calibrates it. As a result, even if noise due to scratches or dust is mixed in the reference calibration data, its effect can be reduced, and the number of pixels of the image handled in the calibration stage is reduced, thereby saving storage capacity and speeding up calibration work. Is configured to be possible.

Next, the setting process of the reference calibration data used when performing such calibration work will be described. Figure 4
3 is a flowchart showing a setting process of reference calibration data. First, temporary calibration data in which a uniform negative value is set for each pixel is set and stored in the calibration data memory 86 (steps S1 and S2). Here, the reason why the uniform negative value is set as the temporary calibration data is to prevent the negative value from being mixed into the pixel value of the reference positive image which is the reference of a large amount of the original image to be printed. . In the present invention, -100 is preferably used as the uniform negative value, but the present invention is not limited to this.

Next, as a reference image that directly reflects the shading state of the exposure system, for example, a blank negative is set in the reading unit 1, and the image is calibrated in the same process as the reading operation for a normal printing original image. . That is,
The shading image is set to 1 with the blank negative as a reference image.
The lines are read and a reference sample image is created (step S4). The provisional calibration data in the calibration data memory 86 described above is subtracted from this reference sample image (step S
5). At this time, since the provisional calibration data has a uniform negative value, there is no possibility that pixels having a negative value are mixed in the calibrated image.

Next, the line counter is incremented by 1 and the film F is conveyed (sub-scanned) by one line (step S).
6, S7), the one-dimensional shading image is read at the next position. This operation is sequentially repeated to create a calibrated two-dimensional sample image (not necessarily an image for one screen) (step S9). Further, the calibrated two-dimensional sample image is designated by the CPU 82 (rounding means) for the one-dimensional image obtained by each reading at the same address (on each line image, the number is counted in the main scanning direction. Number) The corresponding pixels are averaged to create one-dimensional reference calibration data. The reference calibration data is stored in the calibration data memory 86 as the calibration data for the original image to be printed thereafter.

This reference calibration data is stored in the rounded image memory 8
Instead of 5, the calibration data is stored in the calibration data memory 85 and used as calibration data in the subsequent original printing image. It is desirable that the calibration data is configured so that three lines of image data for each color of B, G, and R are stored and the pixels of the corresponding color of the image data to be printed are calibrated. It is also possible to substitute only one color, for example G. Further, for example, according to the following Expression 3,
It is also possible to calculate the weighted average D of B, G, and R for each pixel and store the data composed of the weighted average D as the calibration data. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the memory capacity required for storing the calibration data to 1/3. D = (Ab * B + Ag * G + Ar * R) (3) where Ab, Ag, and Ar are constants, and Ab + Ag + A
r = 1 Here, as is apparent from FIG. 4, the main part of the process of creating the reference calibration data 1 line reading (step S4) → calibration data subtraction (steps S5, S2) → storage as a sample image (step S6) → 1 line sub-scanning (step S7) is a calibration process for a normal printing image (Fig. 5) 1 line reading (step S22) → calibration data subtraction (steps S23 and S24) → line counter increment (step S25) → 1 line This is exactly the same as the sub-scanning (steps S26 and S27).

Therefore, according to the apparatus of the present invention, the calibration data creation of the original image to be printed and the reference calibration data creation can be processed by the common hardware. Moreover, the software that manages both calibration processes may be almost the same in the main part. In the above-described embodiment, the printing image and the calibration data are each converted into the density information. However, the calibration may be performed by processing each image with the output value corresponding to the received light amount. The proofreading work in this case is performed by dividing the burned-in image information by the proofreading data.

The calibrated image thus obtained is subjected to predetermined image processing, and the exposure control unit 60 calculates desired parameters to determine the exposure amount. Next, the exposure section of the photographic printing apparatus will be described with reference to the calibration diagram shown in FIG.
In the photographic printing apparatus to which the apparatus of the present application is applied, in the exposure unit R, the light emitted from the light source 4 passes through the mixing unit 3 and the film F.
The transmitted light is imaged on the photographic printing paper P by the imaging lens 6 and is exposed.

In this exposure light path, a subtractive cut filter 3 for yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C).
0a, 30b, 30c and a shutter 71 are inserted, and the exposure amount of each color with respect to the printing paper P can be controlled by controlling the operation time thereof. Further, on the transmitted light side of the exposure section R, color filters 7a, 7a
Photodiode (LATD sensor) via b and 7c
8a, 8b, 8c are arranged so that the flat metering value of each color can be sent to the signal processing unit 50. The operation unit 40 is used by the operator to specify information relating to correction of film type and exposure conditions.

Information of the signal processing unit 50 and the operation unit 40 is as follows:
It is sent to the exposure control unit 60 and can be used as a parameter for determining the basic exposure amount. The exposure control unit 60 corrects the basic exposure amount based on the above-mentioned average photometric value, based on the exposure amount correction parameters transmitted from the image processing units 20a, 20b, 20c. Further, in the exposure control unit 60, the exposure amount obtained in this way is changed to the exposure unit R
Cut filters 30a, 30b, 3 arranged on the upper part of the
0c and the operating time of the shutter 71 arranged below the exposure unit R. In accordance with this operating time, the cut filters 30a, 30b, 30c and the shutter 71 are inserted in the exposure optical path, and the light emitted from the light source 4 and passing through the mixing section 3 is sequentially cut and given to the photosensitive layers of the respective colors of the photographic printing paper P. The exposure amount is adjusted. After completion of this exposure, the photographic printing paper P is transported by a predetermined distance in preparation for the next exposure, and the photographic film F is transported so as to position the original image I to be printed next in the exposure section R. There is.

In this way, the photographic film F is formed.
The original image I is composed so that it is sequentially printed.
Has been. Photographic exposure amount in the exposure controller 60
Is determined according to the following equation 4. E_KL= LATD_KL-LATD_0K+ Γ × CC_KL+ E_0K ... (4) where E_KIs the exposure amount of each color of B, G, R (pair of exposure time
Number), LATD_KIs the photodiode 8 of the exposure part R
From the original image to be printed by a, 8b, 8c
Average transmitted light photometric value (logarithm), LATD_0KIs a standard original picture
Average transmitted light photometric value (logarithm), CC_KIs the color correction value, γ
Is a coefficient for adjusting the strength of color correction, E _0KIs a standard original
The exposure amount (logarithmic value of exposure time) set for, K is
Each color of B, G, and R, and L is the processing order of the original image.

As described above, the exposure amount is obtained based on the average transmitted light photometric value of the original image and is corrected by the color correction value obtained in consideration of the tone reproduction characteristic of the photographic film. In the above-described embodiment, the original image I of the film F conveyed to the reading unit 1 is sub-scanned by the pulse motor 9 after the one-dimensional image in the main scanning direction for one line is read by the line sensors 18a, 18b, 18c. Then, the one-dimensional image of the next line is read. The one-dimensional image obtained by repeating the main scanning and the sub-scanning is the image processing units 20a, 20.
b, 20c are sequentially sent and converted into density values to form a two-dimensional sample image.

Next, the sample image in the sample image memory 84 is rounded by the CPU 82 into a rounded image having a smaller number of pixels and stored in the rounded image memory 85. If this rounded image is an original image to be printed, shading correction (calibration) is performed using the calibration data.If it is a reference original image that is the source of the calibration data, calibration is performed using a preset uniform negative value. Be seen.

First, when the rounded image is composed of a reference original image for calibration, a uniform negative value is preset in the calibration data memory 86 as provisional calibration data. Then, this negative value is subtracted from the rounded image of the reference original image (blank negative) obtained by the normal reading process to obtain the calibration data that is the calibration reference for the subsequent original image to be printed. The obtained calibration data is rewritten and stored in the calibration data memory 86, and thereafter used as the calibration data for the printing original image.

On the other hand, when the rounded image is the original image to be printed, the shading-corrected image is obtained by subtracting the calibration data in the calibration data memory 86 from the rounded image. Then, the exposure control unit 60 performs predetermined image processing to calculate various parameters necessary for determining the exposure amount. Depending on the obtained exposure amount, the operating time of the subtractive color cut filters 30a, 30b, 30c is adjusted above the exposure unit R, and the operating time of the shutter 71 disposed below the exposure unit R is adjusted. To be done. The cut filters 30a, 30b, 30c and the shutter 71 are inserted in the exposure light path according to the operating time, and the optimum exposure amount given to each color photosensitive layer of the photographic printing paper P is adjusted.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention, main scanning means for scanning a one-dimensional image by scanning an original image linearly, and sub-scanning by conveying the original image in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction of the scanning means. And a scanning control means for controlling the main scanning means and the sub-scanning means to create a two-dimensional image, and a calibration data storage means for storing in advance calibration data corresponding to each pixel of the one-dimensional image. And an image information processing apparatus having a calibrating unit for calibrating the two-dimensional image with the calibrating data, the scanning position of the main scanning unit with respect to a reference original image is read a plurality of times while changing the scanning position by the sub-scanning unit. The one-dimensional image obtained by reading is averaged for pixels corresponding to the same address to create the calibration data, and the calibration data is stored in the calibration data storage means. , Such as scratches and dust of the reference original image, it is possible to create a calibration data that eliminates the effects of spatial noise. Further, by reducing the number of pixels of the calibration data, the time required for the calibration work can be shortened.

When the reference calibration data image is created, a two-dimensional image of the reference original image is created by reading a plurality of times, and the calibration data obtained by averaging the pixels in the sub-scanning direction is stored in the calibration data storage means. Since it is configured to be stored, the calibration data can be created by the same procedure as the reading of the normal original image for printing. Further, the two-dimensional image of the reference original image is calibrated with a uniform predetermined value preset in the calibration data storage means, and the calibration data obtained by averaging the pixels in the sub-scanning direction is used as the calibration data storage means. Since it is configured to be stored in, the calibration data can be created by the same procedure as the calibration process for a normal original image for printing.

Further, by using the temporary calibration data in which the uniform predetermined value is negative, it is possible to prevent the calibration result from becoming negative, and the inspection processing step for checking whether the calibration result is negative is omitted. It becomes possible to do. As a result, with a simple configuration, it is possible to achieve an excellent effect that high accuracy and high speed of image information processing can be simultaneously realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a photographic printing apparatus to which the apparatus of the present application is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an imaging unit.

FIG. 3 is a principle calibration diagram of an exposure unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a calibration for a reference original image.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a calibration for a printing original image.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a calibration for a reference original image in a conventional device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a calibration for a printing original image in a conventional apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 reading unit 4 light source 5 mixing unit 6 lens 7a, 7b, 7c filter 8a, 8b, 8c photodiode 9 pulse motor (sub-scanning means) 14 sequence control unit 17a, 17b, 17c filter 18a, 18b, 18c line sensor (1 Dimension CC
D, main scanning unit) 20a, 20b, 20c image processing unit 60 exposure control unit 80 LUT (look-up table, sampling unit) 82 CPU (rounding, calibration unit) 84 sample image memory (sample image storage unit) 85 rounded image Memory (rounded image storage means) 86 Calibration data memory (calibration data storage means) F Photographic film I Original image P Photographic paper R Exposure unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A main scanning unit that scans an original image in a line to read a one-dimensional image; a sub-scanning unit that conveys the original image in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction of the scanning unit to perform sub-scanning; A scanning control unit that controls the main scanning unit and the sub-scanning unit to create a two-dimensional image, a calibration data storage unit that stores in advance calibration data corresponding to each pixel of the one-dimensional image, and the two-dimensional image. In an image information processing apparatus having a calibrating unit that calibrates with calibration data, a scanning position of the main scanning unit with respect to a reference original image is read by a plurality of times while changing the sub-scanning unit, and a one-dimensional image obtained by each reading is An image information processing apparatus, characterized in that the calibration data is created by averaging pixels corresponding to the same address, and the calibration data is stored in the calibration data storage means. 2. The calibration data storing means stores the calibration data in which a two-dimensional image of a reference original image is created by reading the plurality of times and the pixels are averaged in the sub-scanning direction. The image information processing apparatus described in 1. 3. The two-dimensional image of the reference original image is calibrated with a uniform predetermined value set in advance in the calibration data storage means, and the calibration data obtained by averaging the pixels in the sub-scanning direction is obtained. The image information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image information processing apparatus is configured to be stored in the calibration data storage means. 4. The image information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the uniform predetermined value is negative.