JPH06308632A - Exposure control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an exposure control method by which a high-quality print is easily obtained and the intention of a photographer and the function of a camera are accurately reflected. CONSTITUTION:Based on photographing information, photographic scenes are classified (S9), and an exposure correction quantity calculation expression for correcting the output (reference exposure E0 of reference exposure algorithm set in a printer is set for each classification of the scene (S13), then photosensitive material exposure information including optional exposure correction quantities E1, h0 and h1 for each frame is accumulated for each classification of the scene. In the case of accumulation, every time the number of pieces of accumulated exposure information becomes the specified number of frames, the newest exposure information is accumulated instead of the oldest exposure information, and every time the number of times of accumulating the exposure information becomes a specified number, the exposure correction quantity calculation expression corresponding to the classification of respective scenes is statistically processed and updated based on the accumulated exposure information (S13), then the final exposure is set based on the exposure correction quantity calculation expression and the exposure algorithm peculier to a printer (S21).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an exposure control method for a photosensitive material in a photographing camera and a photographic printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a photographic printer that forms an image by exposing a photographic film image to a photosensitive material (printing paper), a basic exposure amount calculated based on an average density (for example, a LATD measurement value) of the photographic film image. On the other hand, the correction amount is calculated corresponding to the scene content of each frame, and the final exposure amount is set. This exposure control algorithm is set for each printer model, and the quality of photographic prints depends on this set exposure control algorithm. When a customer requests a photo shop to develop and print a photographic film, the quality of the photographic print does not always match the customer's preference, and the customer may request an exposure correction of the print after the simultaneous printing.

[0003]

However, even if the customer's correction requests are varied, a large number of customers may request the same correction if the exposure control algorithm of the printer is the same. is there. However, if the exposure control algorithm is constant, the operator may
It is necessary to perform correction work each time, and there is a problem that the print work becomes complicated.

Factors that cause such correction requests include regional factors and seasonal factors. For example,
If the exposure control algorithm is set on the photo printer to finish the photographic print to the skin color that Japanese people like, if you use the same model printer in Europe with the same exposure control algorithm, the color of your choice will be European. Sometimes it doesn't. Also, if the exposure control algorithm was set based on shooting with sunlight in Japan, if you use the same model of photo printer with the same exposure control algorithm in an area where latitude is significantly different from Japan, it will be Since the amount of sunlight is different, it is not possible to obtain prints of the same quality as in Japan.

On the other hand, some cameras on the photographing side are provided with automatic exposure control, an autofocus function, etc., so that it is possible to easily photograph with optimum exposure without requiring specialized knowledge or skill. However, even if the image is captured under the optimum conditions, the exposure control of the printer is not uniform, so that the function of the camera is not sufficiently reflected. An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and to provide an exposure control method that can easily obtain high-quality prints and accurately reflect the intention of the photographer and the function of the camera. .

[0006]

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by the following constitutions. (1) A camera having an automatic exposure control function and a shooting information recording function shoots and records shooting information,
In an exposure control method for creating a photographic print by exposing a photosensitive material by a printer using a photographic film that has been taken, the printer classifies a photographic scene based on the photographic information, and is set in the printer. An exposure correction amount calculation formula for correcting the output of the basic exposure algorithm is set for each scene classification, and photosensitive material exposure information including an arbitrary exposure correction amount for each frame is accumulated for each scene classification, and When accumulating, the latest exposure information is accumulated instead of the oldest exposure information every time the accumulated number of exposure information reaches a predetermined number of frames, and each scene classification is performed every time the accumulated number of exposure information reaches a predetermined number. The corresponding exposure correction amount calculation formula is statistically processed and updated based on the accumulated exposure information, and the exposure correction amount calculation formula and the exposure algorithm unique to the printer are Exposure control method characterized by setting the final amount of exposure on the basis of.

(2) A camera having an automatic exposure control function and a photographing information recording function is used for photographing and recording photographing information, and a photographic film having been photographed is used to expose a photosensitive material by a printer to print a photograph. In the exposure control method for creating, the printer classifies a shooting scene based on the shooting information, and an exposure correction amount calculation formula for correcting the output of the basic exposure algorithm set in the printer is used for the scene classification. The photosensitive material exposure information, which is set for each scene and includes an arbitrary exposure correction amount for each frame, is accumulated for each of the scene classifications, and at the time of the accumulation, the maximum is reached every time the number of accumulated exposure information reaches a predetermined number of frames. The latest exposure information is accumulated instead of the old exposure information, and the exposure correction amount calculation corresponding to each scene classification is performed every time the number of times of accumulation of the exposure information reaches a predetermined number. The formula is statistically processed and updated based on the accumulated exposure information, the exposure correction amount calculation formula is updated for each customer according to the above steps, and the exposure correction amount calculation formula is loaded into the camera for exposure control. An exposure control method, wherein the exposure amount at the time of shooting is set based on the exposure correction amount calculation formula recorded on the recording medium, which is recorded in a recording medium for each customer to be used.

(3) A camera having an automatic exposure control function and a photographing information recording function is used for photographing and recording photographing information, and a photographic film having been photographed is used to expose a photosensitive material by a printer to make a photographic print. In the exposure control method at the time of creating, the camera classifies a shooting scene based on the shooting information, and an exposure correction amount calculation formula for correcting an output of a basic exposure algorithm set in the printer is classified into the scene classification. The photosensitive material exposure information, which is set for each scene and includes an arbitrary exposure correction amount for each frame, is accumulated for each of the scene classifications, and at the time of the accumulation, the maximum is reached every time the number of accumulated exposure information reaches a predetermined number of frames. The latest exposure information is stored instead of the old exposure information, and the exposure correction amount calculation corresponding to each scene classification is performed every time the number of times of storage of the exposure information reaches a predetermined number. Statistically processed and updated based on the accumulated exposure information, recording the exposure correction calculation formula to the customer by a recording medium used for to exposure control loaded in the camera,
An exposure control method, wherein an exposure amount at the time of photographing is set based on the exposure correction amount calculation formula recorded on the recording medium.

In the following description, the output of the basic exposure algorithm set in the printer will be referred to as the reference exposure amount.
Information at the time of shooting is used to classify shooting scenes,
As the information, parameters such as strobe ON / OFF information, multi-division photometric brightness information, shooting distance information, shooting magnification information, negative density information (average density, maximum density, minimum density, color data, etc.) are used. To classify, set the classification in a two-dimensional plane with these as each axis based on two kinds of information, or set the classification in a three-dimensional space with these as each axis based on three kinds of information. Furthermore, classification can be set in a space of four dimensions or more based on four or more types of information.

In the present invention, in order to statistically process the exposure correction amount calculation formula, a method of multiple regression of a large number of photographing information to derive the correction amount calculation formula is preferable because of high accuracy,
As a simple method other than this, a method of deriving an equation for calculating an average value, an intermediate value, a weighted average value, and the like of a large number of exposure correction amounts can be used.

Since the number of pieces of photographing information increases as the number of frames to be processed increases, it is necessary to statistically process the exposure correction amount calculation formula every time the number of pieces of photographing information increases. However, it is not always necessary to statistically process the exposure correction amount calculation formula, and the exposure correction amount calculation formula is sequentially processed statistically and updated every time the number of times of accumulation of the photographing information reaches a predetermined number. The exposure correction amount calculation formula may be constant until the number of times of information storage reaches a predetermined number, and when the number of times of information storage reaches a predetermined number, the exposure correction amount calculation formula is sequentially updated to always obtain the latest imaging information. Based on this, an exposure correction amount calculation formula is obtained. For example, every time the number of accumulations of imaging information exceeds 10, an algorithm that statistically processes the exposure correction amount calculation formula is activated to calculate a new exposure correction amount calculation formula (at this time, the accumulation number counter is reset to 0). ).

There is a limit to the number of pieces of shooting information that can be stored, and it is not possible to store all the subsequent shooting information. Therefore, if the amount of accumulated shooting information reaches the allowable limit,
The accumulated shooting information is discarded in the order of oldness, and the following new shooting information is preferentially stored. As a result, the latest photographing information is always reflected in the exposure correction amount calculation formula and is reflected in the exposure control.

Although such statistical processing is performed for each printer, the exposure correction amount calculation formula obtained for each photographing scene classification is fed back to the photographing camera, and the camera performs the exposure correction amount calculation formula based on this exposure correction amount calculation formula. By controlling the exposure and taking an image in consideration of the calculated exposure correction amount, it is possible to perform exposure control that already takes into consideration regional characteristics and customer preferences in the next printing process.

To this end, the camera used by the customer uses the exposure correction amount calculation formula that is obtained by further classifying and storing the shooting information for each customer and statistically processing based on the shooting information accumulated for each customer. Recording on a recording medium (IC card, magnetic tape, floppy disk, etc.) for recording. Then, the next time the customer shoots, the customer will shoot under the conditions that give the desired finish, and the print will be finished according to the customer's preference even if the exposure amount is not modified at the time of printing.

[0015]

Since the exposure correction amount calculation formula is statistically updated sequentially based on the photographing information, the exposure correction amount calculation formula for scenes with high appearance frequency or scenes with high correction frequency can be changed according to regional characteristics and customer preference. It converges on the amount of modification to get a better quality fitted. Therefore, even if the exposure control algorithm of the printer is constant, the locality and the customer's preference are properly reflected in the print, and the number of work steps of the printing operator can be greatly reduced compared to the conventional case.

Particularly, the above-mentioned method can obtain a high-quality print for a printer using an exposure control algorithm called a timer printing method (timer printing) in which the exposure time of all the frames in one negative film is set to be constant. In addition, the intention of the photographer and the function of the camera can be accurately reflected in the print. The timer print method accurately reflects the function of the camera, but if the camera's automatic exposure control function is low, the print quality will also be low. However, according to the above method, the print quality converges in a better direction as the shooting information is accumulated, and the intention of the shooter and the function of the camera are accurately reflected in the print.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The camera used for the exposure control method described below has functions such as an autofocus function and an autoexposure control function by multi-division photometry. Furthermore, the shooting information at the time of shooting is recorded by an optical method, a magnetic method, or an electronic method. It is possible to record on a recording medium by a dynamic method (IC card or the like).
The photographing information recorded on the recording medium can be read and used during the printing process. As shooting information when shooting,
Auto exposure control information (luminance information by multi-segment photometry area method), auto focus information (shooting distance, lens focal length, shooting magnification, etc.), control information (flash ON / O)
FF, aperture value, shutter speed, shooting mode, etc.) and additional information (shooting date, frame number, etc.).

The print exposure algorithm set in the printer reads the density of the negative film for each color of R, G, and B by the scanner, and also reads the photographing information by the camera, and finally based on these information. The exposure amount E is set. This exposure algorithm is pre-installed in the printer at the time of factory shipment, and the reference exposure amount is calculated for each frame according to this algorithm. With respect to this reference exposure amount E ₀ , the exposure correction amount h ₀ based on the experience of the operator at the developing station later, or the exposure correction amount h ₁ set by the customer according to his / her preference.
Is added to obtain the final exposure amount E of the printing paper.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 1 represents the processing from photographing to printing. When the image is taken by the camera (S1), by the shooting information recording means provided in the camera,
The above photographing information is recorded on the recording medium for each frame (S
3). The photographing information recorded on the recording medium is read for each frame by the printer at the time of printing, and the density of the negative film is also read (S5). The printer calculates the reference exposure amount E ₀ according to the basic exposure algorithm (S7).

On the other hand, the printer classifies the shooting scene of each frame based on the read shooting information (S9). As will be described later, an exposure correction amount calculation formula and an exposure correction amount are set for each classification, and the exposure correction amount is calculated according to the exposure correction amount calculation formula corresponding to the relevant classification (S11, S13).
Here, the exposure correction amount calculation formula is not constant, and is appropriately updated by referring to the accumulated past photographing information, the exposure correction amount, and the like.
The formula that matches the latest information is used for the actual calculation (S
11).

An example of classification is shown in FIG. In the classification shown in FIG. 2, the abscissa represents the photographing magnification and the ordinate represents the peripheral brightness, and nine photographing scene classifications K _{1 to} K ₉ are set. In the figure, the classification on the right side has a higher photographing magnification, and the classification on the upper side has a higher peripheral brightness. In each such classification, the exposure correction amounts E ₁ k _{1 to} E ₁ added to the reference exposure amount E ₀
An exposure correction amount calculation formula for calculating k ₉ and the exposure correction amounts E ₁ k _{1 to} E ₁ k ₉ is set. The exposure correction amounts E ₁ k _{1 to} E ₁ k ₉ in each category have relatively smaller absolute values and lower exposure intensities in the categories to the right or above. This classification is based on the photographing magnification and peripheral brightness 2
Although the parameters are classified according to four parameters, if the ON / OFF information of the strobe and the brightness information of the central portion are further added, the pattern classification is performed in the four-dimensional space according to the four parameters.

The exposure correction amount calculation formula may be, for example, a formula for calculating an average value or an intermediate value of the accumulated correction content information group, but for high-accuracy correction, the following formula 1 is used. preferable.

[0023]

[Equation 1] E ₁ k = Σ (X _j × a _kj ) + b _k k: Classification pattern X _j : Parameters of imaging information and negative data (j = 1 to 1)
J) a _kj , b _k : Coefficients optimized by multiple regression using the parameter X _j and corrected data

The classification shown in FIG. 2 is a classification according to two parameters of the photographing magnification and the peripheral brightness, but another classification example is shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a classification pattern using negative density / color information. When this classification is followed, the tint of each pixel of the image is classified in the two-dimensional space using the color data R, G, and B. Next, [(pixel average density in each color)-
(Scene average density)] and the correction data are calculated. Next, the correction formula is obtained using the data of the tint pattern showing the highest correlation (e.g., corresponding to the skin color), the correction data, and the linear regression formula such as the following formula 2. A correction value is calculated by this correction formula.

[0025]

[Number 2] _{y = a × d (K p} ) + b d (K p) the average density of the pixels :( is classified in the highest color pattern K _p showing the correlation) - (Scene average density) a, b: Coefficients optimized by multiple regression using d (K _p ) and corrected data

In order to optimize the exposure correction amount calculation formula,
The parameters of the accumulated shooting information and negative data and the exposure correction amount are subjected to multiple regression to optimize and update the coefficient. It is preferable that the exposure correction amount calculation formula is updated every time the number of times of information accumulation in the classification reaches a predetermined number. As a result, the exposure correction amount calculation formula is always optimized by the statistical processing of the latest accumulated information group. Further, the accumulated information group used for optimizing the exposure correction amount calculation formula is also updated every time a predetermined number is reached. In this update, the maximum value of the accumulated information group is set, and when the accumulated information group reaches the maximum value, the oldest information is discarded and replaced with the latest information. As a result, the latest accumulated information group is always used for the optimization process of the exposure correction amount calculation formula, so that a better correction amount is calculated.

When the exposure correction amount calculation formula is determined, the exposure correction amount E ₁ in the corresponding classification is calculated according to this formula. The calculated exposure correction amount E ₁ is used in addition to the reference exposure amount E ₀ , and is also accumulated for updating the exposure correction amount calculation formula and the exposure correction amount for each classification as described later. As described above, in the printer, the reference exposure amount E ₀ and the exposure correction amount E ₁ are automatically set, and the exposure correction amount h ₀ by the worker at the photo _lab and the exposure correction amount h ₁ by the customer's request are set to this. Will be added. The operator can confirm the image by performing a test print of the print or displaying a monitor image on the display (S15), and empirically sets the exposure correction amount h ₀ by confirming the image. Can be performed (S17). Further, at the time of reordering prints, the customer can also check the image and make a desired correction request, and set the exposure correction amount h ₁ (S1).
9). These are set by the input means provided on the operation panel of the printer (S17, 19).

By the above processing, all the exposure correction amounts are set and printing is performed (S21). Such a total exposure correction amount h consisting of the exposure correction amount E ₁ based on the photographing information and the exposure correction amounts h ₀ and h ₁ by the worker and the customer.
Is represented by h = E ₁ + h ₀ + h ₁ . This h is set for each frame in the corresponding classification, and the exposure amount E = E in addition to the reference exposure amount E ₀ at the time of main printing or additional printing of the print.
_{0 + h = E 0 + E} 1 + h 0 + h 1 is set. Also,
The exposure correction amount h is accumulated for each corresponding scene classification,
It is used as a statistical sample when statistically processing and updating the exposure correction amount calculation formula for subsequent printing.

The exposure correction amount calculation formula, the exposure correction amount, etc. are
It continues to be accumulated for each scene classification in the storage medium in the printer, and the content is reflected in the print processing. By using this information by feeding it back to the camera, the content of the exposure correction is also reflected in the shooting. be able to. For this purpose, the exposure correction amount calculation formula processed by the printer, the exposure correction amount, etc. are recorded in a storage medium (IC card, magnetic card, etc.) that is loaded in the camera and used for automatic exposure control and the like ( S23). In this case, the exposure correction amount can be calculated based on the camera information including the shooting information and the function level information of the corresponding camera, and the camera performance can also be reflected in the exposure correction amount. However, for the purpose of feedback to the camera, only the shooting information of the camera is used as a parameter used for scene classification and multiple regression in deriving the modified exposure amount calculation formula. When the camera function and the photographer's intention are reflected in the exposure control of the printer, it is preferable that the printer perform timer exposure control. In this case, the timer exposure amount E _T is used as the reference exposure amount E ₀ in step S7 of FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of exposure control in the camera. When the camera starts a shooting operation (S31), shooting information (peripheral brightness, shooting magnification, strobe ON / OFF, etc.) is measured for each shooting frame and recorded in a recording medium such as an IC card loaded in the camera. (S3
3). Next, based on these pieces of information, it is set to which scene classification the shooting scene belongs (S35). Next, an exposure correction amount calculation formula corresponding to the set classification is read from the recording medium (S37). The exposure correction amount calculation formula is set and recorded for each classification. Further, the exposure correction amount calculation formula is updated by statistically processing the past accumulated photographing information and the correction amount to calculate the optimization coefficient, as in the above-described exposure correction amount calculation formula in the printer. Next, the exposure algorithm built in the camera is set to the start state (S39). next,
An exposure correction amount is calculated for each shooting scene classification (S4).
1). This exposure correction amount is also stored for later exposure correction control at the time of shooting. Next, a final exposure amount is set by adding a correction amount to the exposure amount according to the exposure algorithm built into the camera, and exposure control according to the exposure algorithm is started (S4
3) Take an image (S45). The recording medium on which the camera information is recorded is detached from the camera at the time of printing, loaded into the printer, read out, and used as camera information for print exposure control.

As described above, statistical processing of classification of shooting scenes, storage of shooting information, derivation of a formula for calculating exposure correction amount, calculation and storage of exposure correction amount, and exposure correction control by these is performed in the camera, This can be directly used for automatic exposure control. As a result, the exposure amount corrected based on the past shooting information is reflected in the exposure control at the time of shooting thereafter, so that shooting can be performed that converges to the correction content according to the shooting scene and the photographer's preference. it can. In particular, when printing is performed by a printer with timer printing, it is possible to shoot with exposure control that has already been modified for timer printing.

Next, the printing operation of the printer will be described. Photo shops use a system that prints the negatives that have been taken on paper and returns the developed negatives and prints to the customer, but the means for the customer to organize these prints is to write comments in the album. Therefore, it is difficult to organize a large number of prints. Further, when reprinting a print, it is necessary to write and specify the frame number and the number of sheets on the negative sheet, and the work including the collation of the print and the negative is troublesome. Therefore, there is a demand for a printing method in which the prints for one negative film can be easily arranged and the negative collation work at the time of additional printing is easy. Therefore, by implementing the following printing method, such a demand can be satisfied.

The camera, as camera information, shooting date / time and exposure control data (aperture, shutter speed, shooting mode <program, aperture priority, shutter speed priority, manual>) for each frame, and whether to perform timer printing. Record the data that specifies whether or not to
The camera information is read or print processing is performed by the print method specified at the time of order acceptance, and the density (G, B, R or C, M, Y) data of each frame is read by a scanner, and each frame is printed. Negative / positive conversion, density adjustment according to the print exposure amount, and gradation conversion are performed in order to correspond to the finish and visual (density and color), and at least one negative of this digital image data is stored, and one digital image data is stored. A printing method in which the image data is collectively output to a print sheet, and for each frame, a frame number, and if the camera information is present, at least the shooting date / time and the exposure control data are printed.

A reprint order request entry field is provided on the print sheet, and items for print method designation (conventional method, timer print method), number of prints, and print (density / color) correction are entered by handwriting or a mark sheet. A printing method that enables the printer to read and decode these request items by optical means and perform reprinting according to the request contents. A printing method that selects only frames that satisfy the specified camera information and outputs them on a print sheet. By providing a magnetic layer on the print sheet, various camera information and control data (exposure amount calculation formula,
A printing method in which the exposure amount data, etc.) is recorded and is read by a magnetic means in a printing device and used for printing processing.

For each scene on the print sheet, an enclosing line segment (freehand, without using a ruler) designating a trimming region is automatically detected, and a rectangular region corresponding to the enclosing line segment is set, A method that expands to a normal print size or a specified enlargement / reduction size and prints. When designating the above trimming area, a mark indicating "trimming is designated" is entered, or a surrounding line segment is entered using a special ink (such as containing a magnetic substance or fluorescent substance), and the composition of this ink A method to read the line segment more closely, or set the pressure-sensitive paper surface on the back of the print sheet,
A method of reading the line segment that appears on the pressure-sensitive paper by entering the enclosed line segment.

The first embodiment of this printing method will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The camera has an auto focus (AF) function and auto exposure (A
E) There is a wide range from high-performance cameras with functions etc. to cameras with only simple functions such as film with lens. Therefore, the camera information at the time of shooting (S51) is recorded by some means (optical method, magnetic method, electronic method <IC card etc.>) (S53). The camera information can be used at the time of print processing, and is read at the time of printing as needed and used for print control (S55).

When the print method (conventional method or timer print method) is specified in the camera information, or when the customer specifies it, the print exposure amount calculation method is switched according to the specification. The exposure processing unit reads the negative densities (G, B, R) with a scanner, processes these data, calculates the exposure amount, and performs print processing (S).
57). For the negative density data read by the above scanner, one negative is processed while performing negative / positive conversion, gradation conversion, size enlargement / reduction, layout setting, etc. so that each frame is visually the same as the original print. The minute scenes are collectively printed on one sheet (S59).
At the same time, the frame number and the shooting date and time based on the camera information above
Print the time. Furthermore, the print exposure amount is also recorded.

A batch print sheet recording these is delivered to the customer (S61). Further, in order to use the above-mentioned print sheet as a reprint order sheet, request entry fields such as designation of print method, number of additional prints for each frame, correction of print finish, etc. are set. Examples of the entry method include handwritten characters and mark sheet method. FIG. 6 shows a handwritten print sheet, and FIG. 7 shows a mark sheet print sheet. As a device for outputting a negative film image, many digital printers for outputting digital image data as a color hard copy are known, and these can be used.

At the time of reprinting order, the request contents are read from the above print sheet by optical means (S
63). For example, an OCR device is used for the handwritten character system, and a mark reading device is used for the mark sheet system. If the previous printing method and the printing method at the time of reprint order match, a correction amount is added to the previous printing exposure amount according to the print correction amount, and reprinting is performed. If the previous printing method and the printing method at the time of reprint order do not match, a new exposure amount is calculated based on the specified method at the time of reprint order and printing is performed. The same applies to the creation of print sheets.

Here, as an example of the exposure amount correction, R,
For each of G and B, it becomes as follows. Y: corrected exposure amount, Y ₀ : previous exposure amount, h: exposure amount correction width, k: correction coefficient Details of correction: (dark) → (k = 2) (slightly dark) → (k = 1) (slightly light) → (k = -1) (thin) → (k = -2) Y = Y ₀ + h × k

According to the above correction formula, the greater the exposure amount, the higher the print density. The h may be associated with the aperture value. Flow charts of the first print example and the reprint example are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Next, a second embodiment of the printing method will be described. A magnetic recording layer is provided on the print sheet to record various camera information and control data (exposure amount calculation method, exposure amount data, etc.) during printing processing. When using these data, they are read by magnetic reading means.

By making it possible to specify a specific condition for a specific data item at the time of reprinting, it is possible to create a print sheet only for the frames that satisfy the condition, and it is easy to organize and search. It is also possible to add a tint correction to the print finish correction request item. In the above embodiment, the data of the exposure amount calculation scanner was output to the print sheet, but it is also possible to provide a high resolution scanner different from the exposure amount calculation scanner and output the data of this high resolution scanner to the print sheet. Good.

When the camera records exposure control data (aperture, shutter speed, photographing mode <program, aperture priority, shutter speed priority, manual>) as camera information, these data are also printed on the print. The print sheet can use the output image as a sticker with the back surface as an adhesive surface. Further, the trimming area can be designated by handwriting on the print sheet, the handwritten trimming area is automatically detected, and a rectangular area corresponding to the enclosing line segment can be printed.

FIG. 10 shows how to specify the trimming area. In (a), if the handwritten encircling line is a relatively straight line, an approximate line segment is obtained by straight line detection, and a rectangle whose sides are vertical lines / horizontal lines passing through the center points of the approximate line segment is obtained. This rectangle is the trimming area. In (b), when the handwritten enclosing line is not linear and straight line approximation is not possible, a rectangle circumscribing the enclosing line is obtained and used as a trimming area. There are various commercially available softwares for the line detection algorithm, and these can be used. Further, as another example, when the customer requests the correction of the print density, the portion desired to be finished in the proper density may be indicated by a hand-drawn box line. In this case, the printer detects the handwritten encircling line (the enclosing line detection method is the same as when trimming), and after reading the negative density, the exposure process is performed so that the print density of the enclosed area becomes a predetermined proper density. To do.

As an example of the proper density processing, density that is extremely far from the average value in the area is excluded based on the density distribution of the enclosed area (a predetermined threshold value is set). If there is a portion in the enclosed area where the color distribution can be determined to be flesh-colored, that area is given priority in processing. There may be a plurality of surrounding lines, and a weighted average of the corrected exposure doses calculated for each surrounding region according to the area of each surrounding region is adopted.

The method of distinguishing between the density correction request area and the trimming request area is as follows.
First, enter the presence or absence of trimming and the presence or absence of print density correction in the mark sheet column indicating the request content. Next, if there is a request for both trimming and print density correction in the mark sheet column, the outermost enclosing line that includes other enclosing lines among the multiple enclosing lines is regarded as the trimming request area, and other The box enclosed by is regarded as the concentration correction request area. In addition to this method, a method of distinguishing the type (color) of ink at the time of writing may be used.

FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of a system for implementing the above printing method. According to the above printing method, one negative or a plurality of reduced scenes of negatives are collectively printed on one print sheet, and the frame number and shooting date / time are printed, which facilitates organizing and searching. Become. In addition, since the timer print method can be specified when ordering reprints, it is possible to shoot with a reversal feeling that reflects camera performance. In addition, since you can fill in while looking at the positive image that visually corresponds to the actual print on the print sheet, it is not necessary to check the frame number, and it is easy to order the modification of the print finish (density, color) Becomes In addition, the reprinting process can be automated at the developing station.

[0048]

According to the present invention, the exposure correction amount calculation formula for correcting the output of the basic exposure algorithm set in the printer is set for each scene classification classified based on the photographing information, and each frame is set. Exposure information including an arbitrary exposure correction amount for each scene is accumulated for each scene classification, and the exposure correction amount calculation formula is statistically processed and updated based on the accumulated exposure information to set the exposure amount. Therefore, the exposure correction amount calculation formulas for the scene classification with high appearance frequency and the scene classification with high correction frequency converge to the correction amount for obtaining better quality suited to the regional characteristics and the customer's preference. Even if the exposure control algorithm of the printer has exposure contents for a certain period of time such as timer printing, the past correction contents by the print operator and the past correction contents by the customer's request are reflected in the actual exposure correction. Therefore, local preferences and individual preferences of customers are properly reflected in the print, and the number of work steps of the printing operator can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional method.

Further, by feeding back the statistically processed corrected exposure amount calculation formula and the exposure correction amount to the photographing camera, proper exposure control can be performed even at the time of photographing, and the automatic exposure function of the camera can be accurately performed. It will be reflected in the print.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of exposure control in a printer.

FIG. 2 shows a classification pattern of shooting scenes according to shooting magnification and peripheral brightness.

FIG. 3 shows a classification pattern of shooting scenes according to color.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of exposure control in the camera.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for creating a print sheet.

FIG. 6 is a configuration example of a print sheet by a handwriting method.

FIG. 7 is a configuration example of a print sheet by a mark sheet method.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a first print.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of reprinting.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of trimming designation.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a system configuration example.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A photographic print is created by photographing with a camera having an automatic exposure control function and a photographing information recording function, recording the photographing information, and exposing the photosensitive material with a printer using the photographed photographic film. In the exposure control method, the printer classifies a shooting scene based on the shooting information, and an exposure correction amount calculation formula for correcting the output of the basic exposure algorithm set in the printer for each scene classification. And the exposure information of the photosensitive material including an arbitrary exposure correction amount for each frame is accumulated for each of the scene classifications, and at the time of accumulation, each time the accumulated exposure information number reaches a predetermined number of frames, the oldest The latest exposure information is accumulated in place of the exposure information of each of the exposure information, and the exposure correction amount corresponding to each scene classification is calculated every time the number of times of accumulation of the exposure information reaches a predetermined number. Exposure control method statistically processing and updated based on the accumulated exposure information, and sets the final exposure amount based on said printer-specific exposure algorithm and the exposure correction calculation equation. 2. A photographic print is prepared by photographing with a camera having an automatic exposure control function and a photographing information recording function, recording the photographing information, and exposing the photosensitive material with a printer using the photographed photographic film. In the exposure control method, the printer classifies a shooting scene based on the shooting information, and an exposure correction amount calculation formula for correcting the output of the basic exposure algorithm set in the printer for each scene classification. And the exposure information of the photosensitive material including an arbitrary exposure correction amount for each frame is accumulated for each of the scene classifications, and at the time of accumulation, each time the accumulated exposure information number reaches a predetermined number of frames, the oldest The latest exposure information is accumulated in place of the exposure information of each of the exposure information, and the exposure correction amount corresponding to each scene classification is calculated every time the number of times of accumulation of the exposure information reaches a predetermined number. Is statistically processed and updated based on the accumulated exposure information, the exposure correction amount calculation formula is updated for each customer according to the above steps, and the exposure correction amount calculation formula is loaded into the camera and used for exposure control. An exposure control method, wherein the camera sets the exposure amount at the time of shooting based on the exposure correction amount calculation formula recorded on the recording medium. 3. A photographic print is prepared by photographing with a camera having an automatic exposure control function and a photographing information recording function, recording the photographing information, and exposing the photosensitive material with a printer using the photographed photographic film. In the exposure control method, the camera classifies a shooting scene based on the shooting information, and an exposure correction amount calculation formula for correcting the output of the basic exposure algorithm set in the printer for each scene classification. And the exposure information of the photosensitive material including an arbitrary exposure correction amount for each frame is accumulated for each of the scene classifications, and at the time of accumulation, each time the accumulated exposure information number reaches a predetermined number of frames, the oldest The latest exposure information is stored in place of the above exposure information, and the exposure correction amount calculation formula corresponding to each scene classification is generated each time the number of times the exposure information is stored reaches a predetermined number. The exposure correction amount calculation formula is statistically processed and updated based on the accumulated exposure information, and the exposure correction amount calculation formula is loaded on the camera and recorded on a customer-specific recording medium used for exposure control, and the exposure correction amount recorded on the recording medium. An exposure control method, wherein an exposure amount at the time of shooting is set based on a calculation formula.