JPH0715593A - Original picture reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a transparent original reader for a transparent original such as a negative film or a reversal film used for a digital photo printer or the like in which a picture is read quickly at a high efficiency and by an inexpensive and simple configuration. CONSTITUTION:A read time of a transparent light by a main scanning CCD 64 reading a transmitted light through a transparent original is revised in response to picture data of the transparent original. Furthermore, the number of times of reading of the transmitted light by the main scan CCD 64 reading the transmitted light through the transparent original is revised in response to picture data of the transparent original. A preliminary scanning section 18 and a main scanning section 20 are formed independently respectively and the main scanning CCD 64 and the preliminary scanning CCD 46 are used respectively for each section.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus for reading an original image of a transparent original such as a negative film or a reversal film. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image reading apparatus capable of quickly reading such a transparent original with good efficiency and capable of reading an image with high accuracy.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, image information recorded on a photographic film (hereinafter referred to as a film) such as a negative film and a reversal film is photoelectrically read, and the read image is converted into a digital signal, and then various image processing is performed. The development of a digital photoprinter is now underway, in which image information for recording is subjected to scanning, and a photosensitive material such as photographic paper is scanned and exposed by recording light modulated according to this image information to obtain a finished print.

A digital photo printer is a print image editing layout such as editing a combination of a plurality of images and dividing an image, editing characters and images, color / density adjustment, scaling ratio, and the like.
Various image processing such as contour enhancement can be performed freely,
It is possible to output a finished print that is freely edited and image-processed according to the application. Also, in conventional printing by surface exposure, it is not possible to reproduce all the image density information recorded on the film in terms of density resolution, spatial resolution, color / density reproducibility, etc. It is possible to output a print that reproduces almost 100% of the recorded image density information.

Such a digital photo printer is basically a reading device for reading an image recorded on a film, a setup device for image-processing the read image to determine subsequent exposure conditions, and the determined exposure conditions. The image forming apparatus is configured to scan and expose the light-sensitive material according to the above, and to perform development processing.

In a device for reading an image recorded on a film, for example, when reading by slit scanning, the film is irradiated with slit-shaped reading light extending in a one-dimensional direction and the film is substantially orthogonal to the one-dimensional direction. The film is two-dimensionally scanned by the reading light by moving in the direction (or moving the reading light and the photoelectric conversion element). The transmitted light that carries the film image that has passed through the film is imaged on the light receiving surface of photoelectric conversion means such as a semiconductor image sensor (for example, a charge coupled device (hereinafter, referred to as CCD) line sensor) and is photoelectrically converted. Read. The read image information is amplified and converted into a digital signal, then subjected to various kinds of image processing such as correction of the characteristic error of the CCD element, density conversion, and magnification conversion, and then transferred to the setup device.

In the setup device, the transferred image information is reproduced as a visible image on a display such as a CRT (cathode ray tube). The operator looks at the reproduced image and, if necessary, further corrects gradation correction, color / density correction, etc., to this reproduced image, and if the reproduced image passes as a finished print (verification OK), it is recorded. The image information is transferred to the image forming apparatus.

In the image forming apparatus, if the image recording by raster scanning (light beam scanning) is used, three kinds of light beams corresponding to exposure of three primary colors, for example, three colors of R, G, and B Are modulated in accordance with the image information for recording to be deflected in the main scanning direction (corresponding to the one-dimensional direction), and the photosensitive material is conveyed in the sub-scan direction in a direction substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction (deflected). By sub-scanning the light beam and the photosensitive material relative to each other), the photosensitive material is two-dimensionally scanned and exposed by the light beam modulated according to the recorded image, and the image of the read film is formed on the photosensitive material. Record.

The exposed light-sensitive material is then developed according to the type of light-sensitive material. For example, in the case of a silver salt photographic light-sensitive material, development processing such as coloring / development → bleaching / fixing → washing → drying is performed to obtain a finished product. It is output as a print.

[0009]

As is well known, a film is not always exposed with an appropriate amount of light, and various exposures such as underexposure (so-called underexposure) and overexposure (so-called overexposure) are performed. There is a state.

The range of image density D (= logE) recorded on a negative film is generally about 3.2, whereas the range of image density recorded on a reversal film is about 3.8. Images with a wide density range are recorded. Here, in order to realize a high-quality finished print with a digital photo printer, it is necessary to use photoelectric conversion means having high spatial resolution and density (light quantity) resolution, and for example, a CCD sensor or the like is favorably used. However, in general, the photoelectric conversion means excellent in spatial and density resolution has a narrow measurable density range (dynamic range), and it is difficult to measure the entire density range of the negative or reversal film as described above.

In order to properly operate the photoelectric conversion means provided in the reading device of the digital photo printer to realize highly accurate image reading, an appropriate exposure amount (light quantity × measurement time) according to the photoelectric conversion means is required. is necessary. Therefore, if you set the reading light intensity and reading time according to the underexposed image with a large amount of transmitted light, the amount of light received by the photoelectric conversion means will be insufficient for other images, and accurate image reading will not be possible. The light intensity and reading time of
Set to the film with the least amount of transmitted light in the range that can be considered (that is, the film with the highest density of overexposure), and adjust the amount of read light or transmitted light with the optical filter or imaging lens diaphragm as described above. By doing so, highly accurate reading of the film image is achieved.

Therefore, an optical member such as an optical filter and an imaging lens diaphragm and a driving and adjusting means for these are required, and the reading unit becomes complicated and large, which causes an increase in cost of the digital photo printer. I am In addition, the measurement time is set according to the overexposure film that requires the longest time, so the efficiency of reading the film is poor, and rapid print output cannot be performed.

Further, as described above, the photoelectric conversion means excellent in space and density resolution has a narrow measurement density range and cannot read the entire density range recorded on a negative or reversal film. However, in order to properly reproduce the image carried by the film, the image density range of about 2.0 may be read in accordance with the exposure state of the film (that is, proper, under or over). Therefore, in an image reading apparatus used for a digital photo printer or the like, in order to determine the reading density range by the photoelectric conversion means, the measured density range of the photoelectric conversion means is widened before reading the film image for printing. In this state, pre-reading (pre-scan) for roughly reading the image on the film is performed, and the range of the density read by the CCD sensor at the time of main reading (main scanning) is determined according to the result of this pre-scan.

That is, in the digital photo printer, the film image is read by the procedure of "pre-scan → determination of read density range → main scan". However, in the conventional apparatus, pre-scan is performed and then read again. The main scan is performed after returning the film or the reading light source and the CCD sensor to the starting state, the reading efficiency of the film image is further lowered, and the movement of the film (or the reading light and the CCD sensor) becomes complicated. In addition, the device configuration is complicated and the device cost is increased.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and is an image reading apparatus for transparent originals such as negative films and reversal films used in digital photo printers and the like, which is inexpensive and simple. Another object of the present invention is to provide a transparent original reading device having a simple structure and capable of performing high-speed and quick image reading.

[0016]

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of an image reading apparatus of the present invention is a light source for irradiating a transparent original carrying image information with reading light, and a transparent original for the transparent original. There is provided an image reading apparatus comprising: a photoelectric conversion unit that varies a reading time of the image information according to image density information.

Further, in the first aspect of the image reading apparatus, it is preferable that the image information is read by scanning and the reading time of the image information is changed by controlling the scanning speed.

Further, it is preferable that the photoelectric conversion means is a semiconductor image sensor, and a reading time of the image information is changed by controlling a storage time of the semiconductor image sensor.

In a second aspect of the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the light source for irradiating the transparent original carrying the image information with the reading light and the image density of the transparent original are required a predetermined number of times according to the image density information. Photoelectric conversion means for reading, and at least one for storing and holding the image information read by the photoelectric conversion means
An image having a required light amount based on the image information stored and held in the memory, and two memories and an image introducing unit that sequentially introduces the image information into the memory according to the image density information of the transparent original. There is provided an image reading device characterized in that information is obtained.

In the first and second aspects of the image reading apparatus, it is preferable to obtain the image density information of the transparent original by pre-reading the transparent original before reading the transparent original.

Further, in a third aspect of the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the transparent original is carried on the transparent original by irradiating the transparent original with the reading light and reading the transmitted light of the transparent original by the photoelectric conversion means. An image reading device for reading an image, wherein the transparent document is irradiated with read light for pre-reading, the transmitted light of the transparent document is read by photoelectric conversion means having a wide measurement density range, and is carried on the transparent document. A read-ahead unit that obtains an overview of the image, and a transparent document whose image has been read by the read-ahead unit is irradiated with reading light for main reading,
And a main reading unit for reading in detail the image carried on the transparent original by reading the transmitted light of the transparent original with photoelectric conversion means having a high resolution according to the image density information of the transparent original obtained by the pre-reading device. An image reading device is provided.

[0022]

According to the image reading apparatus of the present invention, a transparent image (hereinafter referred to as an image) recorded on a negative film, a positive film, or the like, which is used in a digital photo printer or the like, is recorded in a C
An image reading apparatus that photoelectrically reads by a photoelectric conversion unit such as a CD line sensor, and the first aspect of the present invention is:
The basic configuration is to change the reading time of the image information by the photoelectric conversion means according to the image density information of the transparent original, and the second aspect is to use an image used in a digital photo printer or the like for a CCD line sensor. An image reading apparatus that photoelectrically reads by photoelectric conversion means such as, and the basic configuration is to change the number of times of reading image information by the photoelectric conversion means according to the image density information of a transparent original. In the aspect, the image reading device pre-reads (pre-scan) unit that roughly reads the image of the transparent original by the photoelectric conversion unit having a wide measurement density range, and the image carried on the transparent original in accordance with the data of the pre-scan. The basic configuration is to have a main reading (main scanning) unit for reading.

In order to perform the light quantity measurement by the photoelectric conversion means with high accuracy and high efficiency, it is necessary to measure the light quantity with an appropriate received light quantity (light quantity × measurement time) according to the photoelectric conversion means. Here, a transparent original such as a negative film or a positive film is not always photographed in an appropriate exposure state,
There are many transmissive originals that are overexposed (overexposed) or underexposed (underexposed), and the relative density of the image carried on the transmissive original differs depending on the exposure state. That is, the relative light amount of the transmitted light which is transmitted through the image recorded on the negative film or the like and is received by the photoelectric conversion means is different depending on the exposure state of the transparent original (that is, proper exposure, under exposure or over exposure).

In the conventional image reading apparatus such as a film, the photoelectric conversion means is selected by selecting the light source light quantity, the measurement time (light reception time by the photoelectric conversion means), etc. in accordance with the image having the smallest transmitted light amount, that is, the overexposed image. By setting the amount of light received and adjusting the amount of light incident on the film image and adjusting the amount of light incident on the photoelectric conversion means by arranging a diaphragm or the like on the imaging lens, the exposure state is appropriate or under. It is compatible with image reading. Therefore, the reading device has a complicated structure and is expensive.
Further, since the measurement time of the photoelectric conversion means is set according to the image of overexposure which requires a long measurement time, efficient and quick reading cannot be performed as described above.

On the other hand, the first of the image reading apparatus of the present invention
In this mode, according to the image density data of the transparent original, for example, the image density data of the transparent original obtained by the prescan, the measurement time of the transmitted light by the photoelectric conversion means (for example, the accumulation time or the CCD clock in the case of a CCD sensor) Adjust the rate). In other words, for an over-exposed transparent original with a small amount of transmitted light, the measurement time for reading an image of a properly exposed transparent original with a large amount of transmitted light is short. Image reading is performed in a shorter measurement time than that of the original document. Further, in the case of an image reading device that performs reading by optical scanning, preferably, the scanning speed is also adjusted according to the adjustment of the measurement time.

Further, in the image reading apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, the number of times of image reading by the photoelectric conversion means is performed according to the image density data of the transparent original, for example, the image density data of the transparent original obtained by the prescan. Adjust. That is, for an over-exposed transparent original with a small amount of transmitted light, the number of image readings in the image reading of a properly exposed transparent original with a large amount of transmitted light is reduced, and in the case of an under-exposed transparent original with a large amount of transmitted light, it is appropriate. The number of image readings should be reduced compared to the exposed original.
For example, when the number of times of image reading of an overexposed transparent original is set to 8 and the image of an appropriately exposed transparent original is read, and further when the image of an underexposed transparent original is read, the number of times of image reading is gradually reduced. To It should be noted that in combination with the adjustment of the number of image readings,
Alternatively, the measurement time of the transmitted light by the photoelectric conversion means may be adjusted, or in combination with the adjustment of the number of image readings, the optical filter for adjusting the light amount or the lens diaphragm may be adjusted. good. For example, the number of image readings of the over-exposed transparent original is set to eight, and the measurement time of the photoelectric conversion unit or the optical filter and the lens diaphragm are adjusted to set the number of image readings of the properly exposed transparent original to four. At the same time, the measurement time of the photoelectric conversion means or the optical filter or the lens diaphragm is adjusted to set the number of image readings of the underexposed transmission original to one, and the measurement time of the photoelectric conversion means or the optical filter or the lens diaphragm is adjusted. .

Therefore, according to the image reading apparatus of the present invention,
Since the optical filter for adjusting the light amount, the lens diaphragm, and these adjusting means can be omitted, it is possible to realize an image reading device having a simple device configuration and a low cost. Further, as compared with the conventional image reading apparatus in which the measurement time is adjusted to the transparent original that takes the longest time to measure, it is possible to shorten the time for measuring the image of the transparent original that can be measured in a short time.
It is possible to read images quickly and efficiently. In particular,
Since many negative films for general photography have proper exposure, it is possible to realize a significant reduction in time.
Furthermore, when the second aspect and the first aspect of the present application or the light amount adjustment are used in combination, an appropriate reading range is selected without expanding the measurement range of the photoelectric conversion means or the movable range of the optical filter or the lens diaphragm. be able to. Therefore, the driving means of the photoelectric conversion means or the adjusting means of the optical filter and the lens diaphragm can be easily configured.

On the other hand, in order to obtain a high quality output image,
A photoelectric conversion means having high spatial resolution and density resolution is required, but as described above, such a high-performance photoelectric conversion means generally has a narrow measurement density range and a density recorded on a negative film or a reversal film. It is difficult to measure the entire range. Here, in order to satisfactorily reproduce the image carried by the transparent original, according to the exposure state of the transparent original,
Since it suffices to read the image density range of about 2.0 in the density, in the conventional image reading apparatus, the pre-reading (pre-scan) is performed prior to the main reading (main-scan) of the transparent original image.
Then, the image of the transparent original is roughly read, and the image density reading range in the main scan is determined based on this data. Therefore, as described above, the movement of the film (reading light source and photoelectric conversion means) and the device are complicated, the efficiency of image reading is poor, and the cost of the device is high.

On the other hand, in the image reading apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, the transmitted light of the transparent original is roughly read by the photoelectric conversion means having a wide measurement density range, and an outline of the image carried on the transparent original is provided. In particular, it has a pre-reading (pre-scan) section for obtaining a density range and a main-reading (main-scan) section for reading the transmitted light of the transparent original with high resolution according to the image data of the transparent original obtained by the pre-reading section. According to such an image reading apparatus of the present invention, the outline of the transparent original image is obtained by the pre-scan unit to determine the reading density range, and then the main scanning unit continuously transmits the transparent original image with high spatial and density resolution. Can be read.

Therefore, unlike the conventional image reading apparatus, it is not necessary to return the transparent document that has been pre-scanned to the image reading start position and perform the main scan, and the moving path of the transparent document is set to one direction. Therefore, it is possible to greatly simplify the movement of the transparent original, the transport device for the transparent original, and the like. Further, even when reading a large number of transparent originals such as a roll film continuously, the pre-scan of the next transparent original is performed during the continuous main scan of the transparent originals for which pre-scan has been completed. Can be done
It is possible to read a transparent original with extremely high efficiency.

[0031]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The image reading apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 conceptually shows an example of a digital photo printer using the image reading apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the flow of image information is shown by a solid line, the flow of control signals is shown by a broken line, and light is shown by a dashed line.

Digital photo printer 1 shown in FIG.
0 is a full-color print image (output image) after reading the transmission image recorded on the developed negative film or reversal film of 24 sheets, 36 sheets, etc. one frame at a time and performing the necessary image processing. The image is recorded on the photosensitive material A by scanning exposure, and the finished print P is output by developing the image. Basically, the image is recorded on the exposed (roll) film F. Image reading device 12 according to the present invention that sequentially reads transparent images (hereinafter referred to as images) and performs image processing, and displays a simulation image of the read images to perform quality verification and perform image forming conditions (setup conditions). Of the photosensitive material A according to the image forming conditions determined by the setup device 14 and the exposure It composed of an image forming apparatus 16, finished prints P materials A and development processing.

In FIG. 1, an image reading device 12 is related to the image reading device of the present invention, and basically, a prescan (preread) unit 18, a main scan (main reading) unit 20, a prescan calculation storage. Unit 22, read control unit 24,
Amplifier 28, analog / digital (hereinafter referred to as A / D) converter 30, CCD correction unit 32, density conversion unit 34,
And a magnification conversion unit 36. Such an image reading device 12 photoelectrically reads the image recorded on the film F frame by frame while conveying the developed (roll) film F in the direction of the arrow a in the drawing, and reads the read image information. Various types of image processing such as A / D conversion, measurement value correction, density conversion, magnification conversion, and sharpness are performed, and this image information is sent to the setup device 14.

A schematic diagram of the image reading device 12 is shown in FIG. The same parts as those shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the image reading apparatus 12 of the illustrated example according to the present invention, a pre-scan unit 18 and a main-scan unit 20 are independently provided. First, the pre-scan unit 18 roughly reads an image recorded on the film F to form an image. Get an overview, then prescan 1
According to the result of the pre-scan by 8, the measurement time (that is, the accumulation time of the main scan line CCD 64 (hereinafter referred to as the main scan CCD 64) in the illustrated example) as well as the density range of the image reading, and the film F The scanning speed of is adjusted and the image of the film F is read by the main scanning unit 20 with high spatial resolution and density resolution.

The prescan section 18 includes a prescan light source 38, a pair of transport rollers 40 and 42 for transporting the film F, an imaging lens 44, and a prescan line C.
CD 46 (hereinafter referred to as pre-scan CCD 46).

The light source 38 emits pre-read light for pre-scanning the image on the film F, and if it can emit a sufficient amount of light for reading by the pre-scan CCD 46, it is usually a halogen lamp or a fluorescent lamp. Any of various light sources used for reading the image can be used.

The transport roller pairs 40 and 42 are formed by the film F.
Is clamped at a place other than the image area, and is conveyed at a predetermined conveyance speed in the scanning conveyance direction indicated by arrow a. That is, the film F is scanned and conveyed by the pair of conveying rollers 40 and 42, so that the entire surface is irradiated with the pre-read light from the light source 38. A motor 48, which is a drive source, is engaged with the conveying roller pair 40, and the conveying roller pairs 40 and 42 are configured to rotate at the same speed by a known means such as a transmission gear and a timing belt. Here, since the image reading apparatus 12 of the illustrated example changes the scanning conveyance speed of the main scan according to the result of the prescan, the pair of conveyance rollers 40
It is preferable that the conveyance speed by 42 and 42 is equal to or higher than the maximum scanning speed in the main scan. In addition,
As the motor 48, any known motor that can convey the film F with required accuracy can be used.
A pulse motor or the like is used.

The transmitted light transmitted through (the image recorded on) the film F is pre-scanned CC by the imaging lens 44.
An image is formed at D46. The pre-scan CCD 46 changes the amount of the transmitted light into, for example, R (red), G (green),
And three line CCDs corresponding to B (blue), the transmitted light is separated into three primary colors, measured, photoelectrically converted, and read as R, G, and B image information.

Here, in the image reading apparatus 12 of the illustrated example, the prescan by the prescan unit 18 mainly determines the density range of the image reading of the main scan and the accumulation time (CCD clock rate) of the main scan CCD 64. Determination and scanning speed determination. Therefore, the measurement of the transmitted light by the pre-scan CCD 46 does not need to have high spatial resolution and density resolution as long as it has a measurement density range capable of measuring the entire density range recordable on the film F.

In the conventional image reading apparatus, the prescan and the main scan are performed by the same photoelectric conversion means (that is, the same image reading unit). Therefore, as described above, efficient image reading cannot be performed, for example, it is not possible to continuously process reading of a plurality of images, and it is necessary to return the image for which pre-scan has ended to the image reading start position again. . On the other hand, in the present invention (third aspect), the prescan unit 18 that roughly reads an image to determine the reading conditions, and the image recording (printing) with high spatial resolution and density resolution according to the result of the prescan. 2) is independently provided, that is, the prescan and the main scan are performed using different line CCDs (photoelectric conversion means). Therefore, it is possible to greatly simplify the movement of the transparent original, the transport device, etc. by setting the moving path of the transparent original as one direction. While the main scan is being performed, the next transparent document can be pre-scanned, and the highly efficient reading of the transparent document can be performed.

The reading controller 24 is a prescan CCD 4
6, and the prescan start command signal is issued to the prescan calculation storage unit 22, and the prescan processing is started. The image information (density information) read by the prescan unit 18 is stored in the prescan calculation storage unit 22.
Transferred to. The prescan calculation storage unit 22 creates a histogram of the pixel image density of the prescanned image from this image information, and determines the exposure state of the image from this histogram (whether it is proper exposure, underexposure or overexposure). Determine the density range for image reading by the main scan, and further, for example, D of this histogram
Main scan CCD based on _mim (minimum density) data
The adjustment of the accumulation time of the measurement by 64 (may be performed by adjusting the CCD clock rate or may be adjusted directly), and the scanning of the film F in the main scanning unit 20 according to the adjusted accumulation time. Determine the transport speed. Further, the image reading result by the prescan is also transferred to the setup calculation storage unit 76 of the setup device 14. Here, the determined reading density range and CC
The accumulation time of D is transferred to the reading control unit 24, and the image reading by the main scan is controlled. This point will be described in detail later.

Further, the reading control section 24 sets the processing timing of the image information to the main scan C at the start of the main scan.
The data is transferred to the CD 64, the A / D converter 30, the CCD correction unit 32, the density conversion unit 34, the magnification conversion unit 36, and the timing selector 88 of the setup device 14.

The main scanning section 20 is for reading an image for output (printing), and has a high spatial resolution (for example, 35 mm film if the prescanned image has a high spatial resolution according to the result of the prescan. (For example, about 1100 pixels × 1700 lines) and the density resolution is photoelectrically read and transferred to the amplifier 28 as output image information.
The main scan unit 20 as described above basically includes a light source 50 for main scan, a filter unit 52, a condenser unit 54, conveyance roller pairs 56 and 58, an imaging lens 62, and a main scan CCD 64. Have.

The light source 50 emits reading light for reading the image of the film F, and the main scan CCD 64
Any of various light sources used for ordinary image reading such as a halogen lamp and a fluorescent lamp can be used as long as the light is emitted with a sufficient amount of light for reading. Further, the light source 38 and the light source 50 may be combined into one light source.

The reading light emitted from the light source 50 then enters the filter section 52. The filter unit 52 is configured by combining various filters such as a heat insulating filter and an ultraviolet absorbing filter, and removes unnecessary components such as ultraviolet rays and heat rays from the reading light incident on the film F.

The reading light that has passed through the filter section 52 enters the condenser section 54. The condensing unit 54 diffuses and condenses the incident reading light inside, and emits the reading light as slit-like reading light having a longitudinal direction in a direction substantially orthogonal to the scanning direction (arrow a direction in the drawing) from the opening 66. And makes it enter the film F. Needless to say, the slit-shaped reading light emitted from the light collecting unit 54 needs to be longer in the longitudinal direction than in the width direction of the film F.

Similar to the pair of transport rollers 40 and 42 of the prescan section 18, the pair of transport rollers 56 and 58 nip the film F at a place other than the image area and carry it in a predetermined direction in the scanning transport direction indicated by the arrow a. It conveys at a speed,
A motor 68, which is a drive source, is connected to the pair of conveying rollers 56 and is configured to rotate at the same speed by a known means such as a timing belt. Here, as described above, the reading light has a slit shape having a longitudinal direction in a direction substantially orthogonal to the scanning direction, so that the film F (image) conveyed in the scanning direction consequently covers the entire surface by the reading light. Two-dimensional slit scanning is performed.

Since the image reading apparatus 12 of the illustrated example is according to the present invention, the scanning speed in the main scanning section 20 is changed according to the exposure state of the film F read by the prescan. That is, according to the accumulation time (CCD clock rate) of the main scan CCD 64 that is changed according to the exposure state of the film F, a predetermined number of lines (for example, 1700 lines in the scanning direction on the 35 mm film as described above). The scanning speed is changed so that the reading is performed. Therefore, the reading control unit 2 is included in the motor 68.
4 is connected, and the conveying roller pairs 56 and 58 scan and convey the film F at a predetermined scanning speed according to the exposure state of the film F. This point will be described in detail later. In order to realize highly accurate image reading, a highly accurate motor 68 is preferably used, and examples thereof include a pulse motor and a DC motor.

The slit-shaped transmitted light that has passed through the film F is imaged on the light receiving surface of the main scan CCD 64 by the imaging lens 62, and the amount of light is measured. Main scan CCD
Reference numeral 64 is composed of three line CCDs corresponding to the three primary colors of R, G, and B, and separates the transmitted light carrying the recorded image transmitted through the film F into the three primary colors of R, G, and B, for example. Then, the image recorded on the film F is read by photoelectrically converting and measuring each light amount. For example, if the 35 mm film is used as described above,
For example, one line (that is, the longitudinal direction of the slit-like transmitted light) is read by 1100 pixels. Therefore, the image reading apparatus 12 of the illustrated example reads an image recorded on a 35 mm film with a spatial resolution of 1100 pixels × 1700 lines.

The main scan CCD 64 having a high spatial resolution and a high density resolution does not have a wide measurement density range, and it is difficult to read the entire density range recordable on a negative film or a reversal film. Here, the image is not recorded over the entire density area that can be recorded on a negative film or the like, and as shown conceptually in FIG. 3, proper exposure (N), underexposure (U), and overexposure are performed. (O) In any exposure state, the image density D (= logE) is in the image density range of about 2.0.
Therefore, in the main scan CCD 64, the reading control unit 24
The image is read by the main scan CCD 64 to detect the film F detected by the previous prescan.
This is performed for a predetermined density area set according to the exposure state of (image). In the illustrated example, as an example,
If the image is over-exposed, the area of density D = 1.0 to 3.0, if it is proper exposure, the area of density D = 0.5 to 2.5, and if it is under-exposed, density D = 0. .2-
The density area of 2.2 is selected and the image is read.

Here, in the image reading device 12 according to the present invention (first aspect), when the image is read in the main scanning section 20, the above-mentioned image reading is performed according to the exposure state of the film F (image). In addition to the density region, the measurement time by the photoelectric conversion unit and the scanning and conveying speed of the film F in the main scanning unit 20 are adjusted according to the instruction from the reading control unit 24.

The images recorded on the film F are not all recorded in an appropriate exposure state, and those with an excessive exposure amount (overexposure) or insufficient exposure amount (underexposure).
Many are included. Therefore, the amount of light transmitted through the image is relatively different depending on the exposure state of the image, and the amount of transmitted light is smaller in the overexposed image than in the properly exposed image. In order to perform high-precision light quantity measurement in the photoelectric conversion means, an appropriate light reception quantity (light quantity x
Measurement time) is required. Therefore, in the conventional image reading device, the light amount of the reading light and the measurement time are set in accordance with the image of overexposure in which the relative transmitted light amount is the lowest and the measurement takes time, and the light amount is adjusted accordingly. When a proper exposure or underexposure image is read, an image is read by adjusting the light amount of read light or transmitted light. However, as described above, in such a conventional device, the device becomes complicated and expensive, and efficient image reading cannot be performed.

On the other hand, in the image reading device 12 according to the present invention, according to the exposure state of the image recorded on the film F, the measurement time by the photoelectric conversion means, that is, the measurement by the main scan CCD 64 in the illustrated example. Adjustment of the accumulation time (may be performed by adjusting the CCD clock rate, or the accumulation time may be adjusted directly),
Also, the scanning and conveying speed of the film F in the main scanning unit 20 is adjusted in accordance with the adjusted storage time of the CCD to realize the simplification of the structure of the image reading device, the cost reduction, and the quick image reading. It is a thing.

For example, when reading one frame of an image recorded on 35 mm film with 1100 pixels × 1700 lines, overexposure (D = 1.0) with the smallest amount of transmitted light is performed.
~ 3.0) main scan C required to read the image
If the accumulation time of CD64, for example, the CCD clock rate is 0.59MHz, the film F feed speed,
In other words, the time required to read one line is (1 / 0.5
9) x 1100 = 1.86 msec / line. Therefore,
The time required to read one image is 1.86 x 17
00 = 3.16 sec.

Here, proper exposure (D = 0.5 to 2.5)
CCD of main scan CCD 64 required for reading images
Since the difference in relative density D between overexposure and proper exposure (especially the maximum density) is 0.5, the clock rate is
0.5 = logE, that is, E = 3.16 3.16 × 0.59 = 1.87 MHz. Therefore, by changing the CCD clock rate of the main scan CCD 64 at the time of reading an image with proper exposure to 1.87 MHz, the feeding speed of the film F becomes (1
/1.87) x 1100 = 588 μsec / line,
The time required to read one image is 588 x 170
It becomes 0 = 1 sec.

Similarly, underexposure (D = 0.2 to 2.
C of main scan CCD 64 required for image reading in 2)
The CD clock rate is 0.3 = log because the difference in relative density D between proper exposure and underexposure is 0.3.
E, that is, E = 2.00 2.00 × 1.87 = 3.74 MHz. Therefore, by changing the CCD clock rate of the main scan CCD 64 at the time of reading an image with proper exposure to 3.74 MHz, the feeding speed of the film F becomes (1
/3.74) x 1100 = 294 µsec / line, and the time required to read one frame of image is 294 x 1
It becomes 700 = 0.5 sec.

The above numerical values are summarized in the table below. CCD clock rate Feeding speed Reading time ------------------------------------ Over exposure 0.59MHz 1.86msec / line 3.16sec Proper exposure 1.87MHz 588 μsec / line 1 sec Underexposure 3.74 MHz 294 μsec / line 0.5 sec

In the conventional image reading apparatus, since the CCD clock rate of the main scan CCD and the scanning speed of the film F are set in accordance with the overexposure image which requires the longest time, it is necessary to read the 24-sheet film. The time is always 3.16 × 24 = 75.8 seconds regardless of the state of the image recorded on the film F.
Is. On the other hand, according to the image reading apparatus of the present invention, which changes the CCD clock rate of the main scan CCD 64 and the scanning speed of the film F according to the exposure state of the image, for example, 20 images of proper exposure and overexposure are obtained. 2 images and 2 underexposed images, 2
Reading time for 4 sheets is 1 x 20 + 3.16 x 2 + 0.5 x
2 = 27.32 seconds.

Therefore, according to the image reading apparatus of the present invention,
The efficiency of reading the image recorded on the film can be significantly improved. Moreover, since the accumulation time (CCD clock rate in this example) and the scanning speed of the film F are changed according to the exposure state of the image, it is not necessary to adjust the light amount of the transmitted light incident on the main scan CCD 64. Since the light quantity adjusting member for the reading light and the transmitted light and its control means are not required, the structure of the image reading device can be greatly simplified and an inexpensive image reading device can be realized.

In the above example, the CCD clock rate is changed along with the accumulation time, but the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the same effect can be obtained even if the CCD clock rate is kept constant at a sufficiently high speed and only the storage time is changed. The table below shows an example of this. The accumulation times in the table below are converted per line. CCD clock rate Accumulation time Reading time --------------------------- Overexposure 3.74MHz 1.86msec 3.16sec Proper exposure 3.74MHz 588μsec 1sec Underexposure 3.74MHz 295μsec 0.5sec

The R, G, and B image information (hereinafter referred to as image information) of the image of the film F read by the main scan CCD 64 is amplified by the amplifier 28, and is digital signal by the A / D converter 30. Is converted to. The image information is then corrected by the CCD correction unit 32 for errors (variations) in each pixel of the main scan CCD 64 and dark current variations, and is subjected to density conversion by the density conversion unit 34, and then by the magnification conversion unit 36. Magnification conversion and sharpness enhancement (unsharp mask) are performed and the result is transferred to the setup device 14.

The image reading apparatus 12 according to the second aspect of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. In addition, in FIG.
The same parts as those of the image reading device 12 shown in FIG. The image information read by the main scan CCD 64 and amplified by the amplifier 28 is A / D.
After being input to the converter 30 and converted into a digital signal, it is supplied to the multiplexer 120. The multiplexer 120 includes line memories 122, 124, 126,
128 is connected, and the image information is sequentially stored and held in each line memory by switching the multiplexer 120 which is the image information introducing means. The image information stored and held in each line memory is input to the addition circuit 130 and added. Each timing signal (CCD drive signal, conversion timing signal, switching timing signal) of a required rate for driving and controlling the main scan CCD 64, the A / D converter 30, and the multiplexer 120 is generated by the reading control circuit 24 '. Further, the read control circuit 24 'is
Prescan operation storage unit 22, adder circuit 130, CCD
A control signal is supplied to the correction unit 32, the density conversion unit 34, and the magnification conversion unit 36.

As described above with reference to FIG. 3, the main scanning unit 2
When the image is read at 0, it is necessary to select the read density region according to the exposure state of the film F (image). Therefore, in the second aspect of the present application, the light amount of the reading light and the measurement time are basically set to an underexposed image,
When reading images of proper exposure and overexposure,
Execute image reading multiple times. The number of times the image is read is determined as follows based on the exposure state by using it in combination with the first aspect described above. That is, with the underexposure state as a reference, as the proper exposure, the overexposure and the density region shift, the number of times of image reading is increased to select the proper read density region. Here, the shift range of the density region from underexposure to overexposure is 0 to
It is 1.5, and a case will be described in which an appropriate reading density region is selected by appropriately shifting within this range.

Here, the required shift amount is 0 to 0.8.
, The main scan C based on the first aspect described above.
The image is read by changing the accumulation time or clock rate of the CD 64, and the required light quantity is secured based on the image information stored and held in one line memory. When the shift amount is 0.9 to 1.2, the accumulation time or the clock rate is changed and the image reading is performed at 2
It is executed once to store the image information in the two line memories, and the required light quantity is secured by adding the image information stored and held in each line memory. Further, when the shift amount is 1.2 to 1.5, the accumulation time or the clock rate is changed, and the image reading is executed four times to store and hold the image information in the four line memories. The required amount of light is secured by adding the image information stored and held in. The control of the accumulation time or the clock rate and the switching control of the multiplexer 120 for introducing the image information into the plurality of line memories are executed by the respective timing signals generated by the read control unit 24 '.

In the second aspect of the present invention, the accumulation time or the clock rate of the main scan CCD 64 is also changed, and the accumulation time or the clock rate of the main scan CCD 64 is fixed so that the image is exposed. Accordingly, controlling an optical filter for adjusting the amount of transmitted light transmitted through the film F and / or controlling a lens diaphragm for adjusting the amount of reading light emitted from the light source 50 may be used together. In this case, the optical filter and the lens diaphragm are adjusted based on the light amount adjustment signal (dotted line in the figure) generated from the timing generation circuit 132 shown in FIG.
The rates of the D drive signal and the conversion timing signal are fixed.

As described above, the number of times of image reading is based on the exposure state, when the shift amount is 0 to 0.8,
The amount of light incident on the main scan CCD 64 is adjusted by adjusting the optical filter and / or the lens diaphragm to read the image, and the required amount of light is secured based on the image information stored and held in one line memory. And the shift amount is 0.9
When it is ~ 1.2, the incident light amount is changed and
The image reading is performed twice to store and hold the image information in the two line memories, and the necessary light amount is secured by adding the image information stored and held in each line memory. Further, when the shift amount is 1.2 to 1.5, the incident light amount is changed, and the image reading is executed four times to store the image information in the four line memories, and the line information is stored in each line memory. The required light amount is secured by adding the image information thus obtained.

According to the second aspect of the present invention described above,
Even when an appropriate reading density area is selected from the image reading density area of 0.2 to 3.7, the main scan C
The CD 64 and the A / D converter 30 may operate in the range of 0 to 2.0. Therefore, even when the reading density area covers a wide range as described above, an appropriate reading density area can be selected without expanding the accumulation range of the main scan CCD 64 or the variable range of the clock rate. In addition, the accumulation time or clock rate of the main scan CCD 64 is fixed, and the film F is adjusted according to the exposure state of the image.
In the aspect of controlling the optical filter for adjusting the light amount of the transmitted light transmitted through and / or the lens diaphragm for adjusting the light amount of the reading light emitted from the light source 50, the image reading density regions 0.2 to 3 Even when an appropriate reading density region is selected from the range of 0.7, the aperture range of the optical filter and the lens diaphragm may be operated in the range of 0 to 0.9.
Therefore, even when the reading density area covers a wide range as described above, an appropriate reading density area can be selected without expanding the movable range of the optical filter or the lens diaphragm.

In the second aspect of the present invention, when the proper reading density area is selected to obtain the image information having the required light amount, when the exposure state is on the underexposure side, the reading time of the main scan CCD 64 Or the amount of transmitted light and read light is adjusted, and when on the overexposure side, main scan CC
A plurality of pieces of image information are added together with the reading time of D64 or the adjustment of the light amount. However, without additionally using the reading time of the main scan CCD 64 or the adjustment of the light amount, the line memory is additionally installed to increase the number of times of image reading, and in the density area, an appropriate reading density area and the number of times of image reading are made to correspond to each other. The image information having the required light amount may be obtained by only reading the image once. Further, image reading is executed a plurality of times, and image information stored and held in a plurality of line memories is added to obtain image information having a required light amount, and image information is sequentially stored in at least one line memory. Alternatively, the image information having the required light amount may be obtained by sequentially holding the image information in one line memory.

In the image reading apparatus 12 of the illustrated example, the scanning speed of the film F in the main scanning section 20 is variable, and the pre-scan section 18 is always in the main scanning section 2.
It should be configured so that no back tension is applied to the scan transport at 0. Therefore, preferably, the scanning conveyance speed in the pre-scan unit 18 is equal to or higher than the maximum speed in the main scanning unit 20. Therefore, the pre-scan unit 18 is provided between the transport roller pair 42 of the pre-scan unit 18 and the transport roller pair 56 of the main scan unit 20.
The slack of the film F due to the difference in speed between the main scanning unit 20 and the main scanning unit 20 must be prevented, and an accumulator or the like for absorbing the slack of the film F may be provided as necessary.

Further, the scanning and conveying means for the film F is not limited to the pair of conveying rollers shown in the figure, and the reading light is the film F.
Various known scanning and conveying means such as a sprocket gear can be used as long as they do not hinder the transmission of light through the screen and do not damage the image surface. Further, in the main scan unit 20 and the pre-scan unit 18 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4,
Although the image recorded on the film F is read by slit scanning, the present invention is not limited to this, and a flying spot scanner (FSS), a light beam scanning (so-called raster scanning) or the like may be used. Of course it's good.

In the image reading apparatus 12 of the illustrated example, the line CCD is used as the photoelectric conversion means in both the prescan section 18 and the main scan section 20, but the present invention is not limited to this and an area CCD is used. Good. An image reading apparatus using the area CCD will be described below with reference to FIG. The same parts as those shown in FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Figure 4
The difference from the image reading device 12 shown in FIG.
64, read control unit 24 ', and line memories 122-1
28 are the area CCD 64 'and the reading controller 2 respectively.
4 ″ and the frame memories 122 ′ to 128 ′, and prescan and main scan are performed by one area CCD 64 ′. The image reading apparatus 12 in the illustrated example displays an image on the film F in one frame. Film F is sent frame by frame because it is read in units.
Here, in order to control the light amount of the reading light and the like, the light emitted from the light source 50 obtains a required light amount through the diaphragm 53, and R,
After passing through the G and B color separation filters 55, the light is converted into uniform light by the diffusion box 57 and is incident on the film F. Then, the image light of each color transmitted through the film F is transferred to the area CC.
Photoelectric conversion is performed at D64 'for photometry. Area CCD 6
The accumulation time and the number of readings of 4'are both read control unit 2
4 ". The storage time and the number of readings are controlled by adjusting the CCD clock rate, the scanning speed, and the number of image readings according to the information of the recorded image of the film F obtained from the outside. When using C
The storage mode of the CD is preferably the pseudo field storage mode which is excellent in vertical resolution and dynamic resolution. In the pseudo-field storage mode, half of the signal charges in one field are not used, so the sensitivity is lower than in other modes.
However, as shown in the second aspect of the present invention, by adding a plurality of image signals, it is possible to compensate for the decrease in sensitivity that occurs in the pseudo field accumulation mode. When the area CCD is used, in particular, the image information in the second aspect of the present invention is stored and held in at least field units. Besides the CCD, various known photoelectric conversion means such as a photomultiplier can also be used. For example, when a photomultiplier is used as the photoelectric conversion unit of the main scanning unit 20, the above object can be achieved by adjusting the gain.

As described above, the combined use of the control of the storage time and the number of times of reading allows the film image to be read with extremely good efficiency due to the synergistic effect, and more preferable results can be obtained.

In the third aspect of the present invention, the CCD clock rate and the scanning speed, or the number of times of image reading is not adjusted according to the exposure state of the image, and the adjusting member for adjusting the amount of read light or transmitted light is used. The configuration may be such that they are provided and adjusted according to the exposure state of the image.

Returning to FIG. 1, the setup device 14 and the image forming device 16 will be described. The setup device 14 performs quality inspection of the image information transferred from the image reading device 12, corrects color / gradation as necessary, and outputs the image information as image information for output (printing).
6 and basically transfers the data to the first selector 7
0 and 3 frame memories (FM) 72a, 72b,
And 72c, a second selector 74, a setup calculation storage unit 76, a color gradation correction display control unit 78 (hereinafter referred to as a display control unit 78), a display 80, an input unit 82, and a color correction unit 84. A tone correction unit 86, a timing selector 88, and an output timing control unit 90.

The image information from the magnification conversion section 36 is first transferred to the first selector 70. The first selector 70 outputs the image information of each frame of the film F to the three frame memories 7
2a, 72b, and 72c are sequentially allocated. That is,
For example, first, the first selector 70 connects the transfer path so that the image information of the first frame is stored in the frame memory 72a. When the storage in the frame memory 72a is completed, the first selector 70 switches the transfer path so that the image information of the second frame is stored in the frame memory 72b.

On the other hand, when the image information of the first frame is stored in the frame memory 72a, the second selector 74 connects the frame memory 72a to the setup calculation storage section 76 and the display control section 78. The setup calculation storage unit 76
The optimum image processing condition (setup condition) for this image is calculated according to the prescan image information transferred from the prescan calculation storage unit 22 and the image information read from the frame memory 72a, and display is performed based on this result. The controller 78 is controlled. The display control unit 78 displays a simulation image corresponding to the finished print under this condition on the display 80 based on the image information read from the frame memory 72a and the instruction signal from the setup calculation storage unit 76.

The operator checks the quality of the image displayed on the display 80 to check the quality. If the test is passed, press the start key of the input means 82. If the test is not passed, press the correction key. The tone correction key is used to input an instruction for color and / or tone correction to the input means 82. The setup calculation storage unit 76 controls the display control unit 78 according to the input instruction of color and / or gradation correction, and the display control unit 78 displays the simulation image again on the display 80 according to this control. This operation is repeated until the quality inspection of the image displayed on the display 80 passes.

As a result of the above operation, when the quality test is passed and the start key of the input means 82 is pressed, the setup calculation storage section 76 performs color correction of the color correction and gradation correction signals according to the set-up conditions that have been established. Section 84 and gradation correction section 8
Transfer to 6. At the same time, the second selector 74 connects the frame memory 72a and the color correction unit 84, and
The image information read from 2a is processed by the color correction unit 84 and the gradation correction unit 86 to obtain the color / color according to the setup condition.
Gradation correction is performed and the image is transferred to the image forming apparatus 16. The second selector 74 connects the frame memory 72b, the setup calculation storage unit 76, and the display control unit 78,
Similarly, quality inspection of the image stored in the frame memory 72b is performed.

Outputs from the setup calculation storage unit 76, the display control unit 78, the color correction unit 84, the gradation correction unit 86, and the like of the setup unit 14, and the image forming apparatus 1
The output from each part such as a digital / analog (hereinafter, referred to as D / A) converter 92, an acousto-optic modulator (hereinafter, referred to as AOM) driver 94, and the driving of the polygon mirror 96 are provided in FIG. Output timing control unit 90
Controlled by.

The setup device 14 in the illustrated example has three frame memories 72a, 72b, and 72c, but the number of frame memories is not limited to three, and 1 or 2, or 4 or more. It may have a frame memory. Since the digital photo printer 10 in the illustrated example is basically composed of three devices, that is, the image reading device 12, the setup device 14, and the image forming device 16, the processing efficiency, the cost of the digital photo printer 10, and the like. In consideration of the above, it is considered that the number of frame memories is most balanced among the three in the illustrated example.

The image forming apparatus 16 is the setup apparatus 1
4, the photosensitive material A is scanned and exposed by light beam scanning in accordance with the image information transferred from 4, and the exposed photosensitive material A is developed and output as a finish print P. Converter 92 and AOM driver 94
And an image exposing section 98 and a developing section 100.

The image information output from the setup device 14 is converted into analog image information by the D / A converter 92 and then transferred to the AOM driver 94. AO
The M driver 94 drives the AOM 104 of the image exposure unit 98 so as to modulate the light beam according to the transferred image information.

On the other hand, the image exposure unit 98 scans and exposes the photosensitive material A by light beam scanning (raster scan) to record the image of the image information on the photosensitive material A, and is conceptually shown in FIG. As described above, a light source 102R that emits a light beam in a narrow band wavelength region corresponding to the exposure of the R photosensitive layer formed on the photosensitive material A, a light source 102G that similarly corresponds to the exposure of the G photosensitive layer, and a B photosensitive layer. Light source of each light beam of the light source 102B corresponding to the exposure of the light source, and the AOM that modulates the light beam emitted from each light source according to the recorded image.
104R, 104G, and 104B, a polygon mirror 96 as an optical deflector, an fθ lens 106, and a sub-scanning conveyance means 108 for the photosensitive material A.

Light source 102 (102R, 102G, 102)
Each of the light beams emitted from B) and traveling at different angles is associated with the corresponding AOM 104 (104).
R, 104G, 104B). The light source 10
Various light beam sources capable of emitting a light beam having a predetermined wavelength corresponding to the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive material A can be used as 2, and various semiconductor lasers, light emitting diodes, He-Ne can be used.
A gas laser such as a laser is exemplified. Further, it may be a multiplexing optical system that multiplexes the respective light beams. Each AOM10
4, R corresponding to the recorded image from the AOM driver 94,
The drive signals r, g, and b of G and B are transferred, and the intensity of the incident light beam is modulated according to the recorded image.

Each of the light beams modulated by the AOM 104 is incident on and reflected at substantially the same point of a polygon mirror 96 as an optical deflector, is deflected in the main scanning direction (direction of arrow x in the figure), and then the fθ lens 106. Is adjusted to form a predetermined beam shape at a predetermined scanning position z by
It is incident on the photosensitive material A. The optical deflector may be not only the polygon mirror shown in the drawing but also a resonant scanner, a galvanometer mirror, or the like. In addition, it goes without saying that such an image exposure section 98 may be provided with a light beam shaping means and a surface tilt correction optical system, if necessary.

On the other hand, the photosensitive material A is loaded in a predetermined position while being wound in a roll and shielded from light. Such a photosensitive material A is pulled out by a pull-out means such as a pull-out roller, cut into a predetermined length by a cutter (not shown), and then the sub-scanning means 108 arranged across the scanning position z.
While being held at the scanning position z by the roller pair 108a and 108b that constitute the sub-scanning direction, the sub-scanning conveyance is performed in the sub-scanning direction (arrow y direction in the drawing) substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction. Here, since the light beam is deflected in the main scanning direction as described above, the entire surface of the photosensitive material A conveyed in the sub scanning direction is two-dimensionally scanned by the light beam, and the photosensitive material A is set on the setup device 14. The image of the transferred image information is recorded.

The exposed photosensitive material A is then carried into the developing section 100 by the conveying roller pair 110, and subjected to a developing process to be a finished print P. Here, for example, when the photosensitive material A is a silver salt photographic photosensitive material, the developing unit 10
Reference numeral 0 is composed of a color developing / developing tank 112, a bleaching / fixing tank 114, washing tanks 116a, 116b, and 116c, a drying section 118, and the like. The photosensitive material A is subjected to a predetermined processing in each processing tank, and the finished print P Is output as.

The digital photo printer 10 described above
The operation timing of is conceptually shown in FIG. In the illustrated example, the light beam is modulated by the AOM 104. However, if the light source is capable of direct modulation such as a laser diode, the light beam is modulated according to the recorded image. You may. In addition to the two pairs of rollers arranged with the scanning position sandwiched therebetween, the sub-scanning conveying means includes an exposure drum for holding the photosensitive material at the scanning position and two nip rollers arranged with the scanning position sandwiched therebetween. Good.

Further, in addition to the light beam scanning shown in the figure,
It may be a so-called drum scanner in which a photosensitive material is wound around a drum, a light beam is incident on one point, and the drum is rotated and moved in the axial direction. Further, other than the light beam scanning, may be surface exposure by a surface light source and a liquid crystal shutter, may be an exposure using a linear light source such as a light emitting diode array, without outputting to a photosensitive material, CR
An image may be output to a display such as T.

Although the image reading apparatus of the present invention has been described above in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and changes may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course.

[0091]

As described above in detail, according to the first aspect of the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the optical filter for adjusting the light amount, the lens diaphragm, and these adjusting means can be omitted. However, it is possible to realize a simple and inexpensive image reading apparatus, and it is possible to read an image quickly and efficiently, and it is possible to realize a significant reduction in reading time in a negative film for general photography. Furthermore, according to the second aspect of the image reading apparatus of the present invention, quick and efficient image reading can be realized without complicating the driving of the photoelectric conversion means, so that the apparatus configuration is simple and inexpensive. Image reading apparatus can be realized.
Further, according to the third aspect of the image reading apparatus of the present invention, since the moving path of the transparent original can be set in one direction, the movement of the transparent original and the conveying device thereof can be greatly simplified. In particular, when reading a continuous film having a large number of transparent originals such as a roll film, the prescan and the main scan can be continuously performed, and the transparent original can be read very efficiently. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a first aspect to a third aspect of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention.
It is a figure which shows notionally an example of the digital photo printer using the aspect of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view conceptually showing a part of the image reading device of the digital photo printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing an example of an image pixel density distribution of an image recorded on a film.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image reading apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the image reading apparatus of the present invention.

6 is a schematic perspective view conceptually showing a part of the image forming apparatus of the digital photo printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a chart conceptually showing operation timing of the digital photo printer shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Digital Photo Printer 12 Image Reading Device 14 Setup Device 16 Image Forming Device 18 Pre-scan Unit 20 Main Scan Unit 22 Pre-scan Calculation Storage Unit 24, 24 ', 24 "Read Control Unit 26 Input Timing Control Unit 28 Amplifier 30 A / D Converter 32 CCD correction unit 34 Density conversion unit 36 Magnification conversion unit 38, 50 Light source 40, 42, 56, 58, 110 Conveying roller pair 44, 62 Imaging lens 46 Pre-scan line CCD 48, 68 Motor 52 Filter unit 53 Aperture 54 Condenser 55 Color separation filter 57 Diffuser box 64 Main scan line CCD 64 'Pre-scan main scan area CCD 66 Aperture 70 First selector 72a, 72b, 72c Frame memory 74 Second selector 76 Setup calculation storage 78 Complementary color gradation Direct display control section 80 Display 82 Input means 84 Color correction section 86 Gradation correction section 88 Timing selector 90 Output timing control section 92 D / A converter 94 AOM driver 96 Polygon mirror 98 Image exposure section 100 Developing section 102 (102R, 102G) , 102B) Light source 104 (104R, 104G, 104B) Acousto-optic modulator (AOM) 106 fθ lens 108 Sub-scanning means 112 Color developing / developing tank 114 Bleaching / fixing tank 116a, 116b, 116c Washing tank 118 Drying section 120 Multiplexer 122, 124, 126, 128 line memory 122 ', 124', 126 ', 128' frame memory 130 adder circuit 132 timing generation circuit A photosensitive material F film P finished print

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] January 26, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0065

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

In the second aspect of the present invention, the accumulation time or the clock rate of the main scan CCD 64 is also changed, and the accumulation time or the clock rate of the main scan CCD 64 is fixed so that the image is exposed. Accordingly, controlling an optical filter for adjusting the amount of transmitted light transmitted through the film F and / or controlling a lens diaphragm for adjusting the amount of reading light emitted from the light source 50 may be used together .

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0071

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

In the image reading apparatus 12 of the illustrated example, the line CCD is used as the photoelectric conversion means in both the prescan section 18 and the main scan section 20, but the present invention is not limited to this and an area CCD is used. Good. An image reading apparatus using the area CCD will be described below with reference to FIG. The same parts as those shown in FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Figure 4
The difference from the image reading device 12 shown in FIG.
64, read control unit 24 ', and line memories 122-1
28 are the area CCD 64 'and the reading controller 2 respectively.
4 ″ and the frame memories 122 ′ to 128 ′, and prescan and main scan are performed by one area CCD 64 ′. The image reading apparatus 12 in the illustrated example displays an image on the film F in one frame. Film F is sent frame by frame because it is read in units.
Here, in order to control the light amount of the reading light and the like, the light emitted from the light source 50 obtains a required light amount through the diaphragm 53, and R,
After passing through the G and B color separation filters 55, the light is converted into uniform light by the diffusion box 57 and is incident on the film F. Then, the image light of each color transmitted through the film F is transferred to the area CC.
Photoelectric conversion is performed at D64 'for photometry. Area CCD 6
The accumulation time and the number of readings of 4'are both read control unit 2
4 ". The storage time and the number of readings are controlled by adjusting the CCD clock rate, the scanning speed, and the number of image readings according to the information of the recorded image of the film F obtained from the outside. When using C
CD storage mode of the pseudo field storage mode with excellent vertical resolution is preferred. In the pseudo-field storage mode, half of the signal charges in one field are not used, so the sensitivity is lower than in other modes. However, as shown in the second aspect of the present invention, by adding a plurality of image signals, it is possible to compensate for the decrease in sensitivity that occurs in the pseudo field accumulation mode. When the area CCD is used, in particular, the image information in the second aspect of the present invention is stored and held in at least field units.
Besides the CCD, various known photoelectric conversion means such as a photomultiplier can also be used. For example, when a photomultiplier is used as the photoelectric conversion unit of the main scanning unit 20, the above object can be achieved by adjusting the gain.

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 5

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 5]

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A light source for irradiating a transparent original carrying image information with reading light, and a photoelectric conversion means for varying a reading time of the image information according to image density information of the transparent original. Image reading device. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image information is read by scanning, and a reading time of the image information is variable by controlling the scanning speed. 3. The photoelectric conversion means is a semiconductor image sensor, and the reading time of the image information is variable by controlling the storage time of the semiconductor image sensor. Image reading device. 4. A light source for irradiating a transparent document carrying image information with a reading light, a photoelectric conversion unit for reading the image information a required number of times according to image density information of the transparent document, and a photoelectric conversion unit for reading the image information. Image information stored and held in the memory, and at least one memory for storing and holding the image information, and image introducing means for sequentially introducing the image information into the memory according to the image density information of the transparent original. An image reading apparatus characterized in that image information having a required light amount is obtained based on the above. 5. An image reading apparatus for reading an image carried on the transparent original by irradiating the transparent original with reading light and reading the transmitted light of the transparent original by photoelectric conversion means. The reading light for prereading is radiated onto the transparent original, and the transmitted light of the transparent original is read by the photoelectric conversion means having a wide measurement density range to obtain an outline of the image carried on the transparent original; The transparent original whose image has been read is irradiated with reading light for main reading, and the transmitted light of the transparent original is read by the photoelectric conversion means having high resolution according to the image density information of the transparent original obtained by the pre-reading device. And an actual reading unit for reading the image carried on the transparent original in detail.