JPH08274985A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve the original read efficiency and to suppress the deterioration in the image quality in the image reader reading a transmission image or a reflected image. CONSTITUTION: A main read condition arithmetic means 50 calculates a tentative main read condition based on image information obtained by advance reading and while an outline image to be obtained when the main reading is conducted under the tentative main read condition is displayed on a CRT 60, a controller 80 starts main reading according to the tentative main read condition. Then image information obtained by main reading is outputted based on the tentative main read condition in response to the discrimination as to propriety of an image from the operator observing the image displayed on the CRT 60 or outputted through correction or the image information obtained by the main reading based on a new condition after stopping the main reading is outputted.

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, and more particularly to reading a transmission image recorded on a photographic film (negative film, reversal film) or the like, and a reflection image such as a photographic print printed on photographic paper. It relates to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Originals such as transparent images recorded on photographic films such as negative films and reversal films and reflection images such as photographic prints printed on photographic paper are irradiated with light to form images from these originals. The image is read photoelectrically, the obtained read image is converted into a digital signal, and then the desired image processing is performed by various signal processing to obtain image information suitable for diagnosis, and the image information is modulated according to the obtained image information. A digital photographic printer has been developed in which a recording material such as photographic paper is scanned and exposed with light to obtain a print.

An image reading apparatus used in such a digital photographic printer, or an image reading apparatus which is separately used from an image processing unit and a scanning exposure unit (printing unit) of the digital photographic printer, reads an image. At this time, in order to read under the reading conditions suitable for the performance such as the dynamic range, linearity, resolution, etc. of the photoelectric conversion means such as CCD or other input devices, these are read before the actual reading for reading the image information actually used for reproduction. It is conceivable that the input device and the light source are set to predetermined conditions in advance, and then pre-reading (pre-scanning) for reading the outline of image density, gradation, color and the like is performed.

When this pre-reading is performed, the pre-reading image information obtained by the pre-reading is analyzed, and based on the analysis result, the reading condition of the main-reading (the reading condition of the main reading so that an input suitable for the performance of the above-mentioned input device or the like can be obtained ( Hereinafter referred to as the main reading conditions)
Is set, the input device and the light amount are set up according to the main reading condition, and then the main reading (fine scan) is performed.

By the way, when setting the above-mentioned main reading condition, a reproduced image that would be obtained when the main reading is performed based on this main reading condition is calculated by performing signal processing on the above-mentioned preread image information. , CRT or the like is displayed on the monitor and the operator waits for an input as to whether the pseudo main read image is good or bad.

That is, when the operator looks at the displayed reproduced image, judges that the main reading condition for obtaining such a reproduced image is proper (good), and inputs the fact, the main reading condition is set after the input. The input device and the amount of light are set up accordingly and the main reading is performed. On the other hand, when the operator judges that the main reading condition is improper (defective) and inputs the fact, the operator waits for the correction amount of density, gradation, color, etc. for the main reading condition to be corrected. After the amount is input, the main reading condition is corrected according to the correction amount, and the input device and the light amount are set up according to the corrected main reading condition to perform the main reading.

[0007]

However, it takes at least a few seconds for the operator to make a decision, and all the processing is stopped until the decision is input, so a large amount of originals can be read efficiently. There is a problem that you cannot do it.

On the other hand, until the operator inputs the judgment,
When the main reading is performed in parallel according to the set main reading conditions, and the operator's judgment is “inappropriate” and the correction amount is input, the image information obtained by this parallel reading is input. It is conceivable that the image information is corrected by signal processing according to the correction amount to obtain the image information obtained by the main reading. However, according to this method, since the performance of the input device is finite, the image with a reduced S / N is obtained. Or
There is a possibility that the image with a low density may be saturated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus which improves the reading efficiency of a document and suppresses the deterioration of the image quality.

[0010]

The image reading apparatus according to the present invention displays an outline of a reproduced image which will be obtained by the main reading based on the provisional main reading condition set based on the result of the pre-reading, and In parallel, the main reading is performed under the provisional main reading condition, and the reproduced image that would be obtained by the main reading under the provisional main reading condition is (1) When “appropriate”, it is obtained by the main reading under the provisional main reading condition. If the image information is valid, (2) In the case of “inappropriate”, further wait for the input of the correction amount, and (a) input the image information for the image information obtained by the actual reading under the provisional actual reading condition. When it is determined that the deterioration of the image quality is suppressed even if the correction is performed by the corrected amount, the image information obtained by the main reading under the provisional main reading condition is corrected only by the signal processing, and (b) the image information is corrected. To
If it is determined that the deterioration of the image quality is recognized when the correction is performed based on the input correction amount, the temporary reading based on the temporary reading conditions is stopped or invalidated, and the temporary reading conditions are corrected based on the input correction amount. Then, the main reading means is made to perform the main reading again under the corrected new main reading conditions.

That is, the image reading apparatus of the present invention outputs image information representing the image by irradiating the recording medium on which the image is recorded with light and detecting reflected light or transmitted light representing the image. In the image reading apparatus to perform, prior to main reading, pre-reading means for performing pre-reading under a predetermined reading condition, and means for setting a temporary main reading condition for the main reading based on image information obtained by the pre-reading means, The image display means for displaying an image based on the rough image information calculated to be obtained by the real reading according to the temporary real reading condition, and the temporary display during displaying the image based on at least the rough image information. Main reading means for starting the main reading according to the main reading conditions, judgment input means for inputting judgment of quality of the image displayed on the image display means, and the main reading If a correction amount input means for inputting a correction amount for setting a new main reading condition and the judgment input by the judgment input means indicate good, it is obtained by the main reading under the provisional main reading condition. If the determination result indicates a defect, the new main reading condition is set based on the correction amount input to the correction amount input means, and the provisional main reading condition is set. Therefore, the image information obtained by the main reading is determined only by signal processing to the image information obtained by the main reading according to the new main reading condition, it is determined whether correction is possible, and if it is determined that the correction is possible, The main reading unit is caused to perform the main reading under the provisional main reading condition, and the image information obtained by the main reading is corrected by the signal processing and output, and it is determined that the correction is impossible. If it is characterized in by comprising an image information output means for outputting the image information obtained by real reading in accordance with the new real reading conditions.

Here, the main reading means an image reading for reading the image information to be actually reproduced, and the pre-reading sets the amount of light applied to the input device or the image to a predetermined condition before the main reading. After setting, for example, a CCD with a small number of pixels (the CCD for main reading may be thinned out and used), scanning light with a large beam diameter, etc. can be used to outline the image such as density, gradation, and color. Reading means image reading.

The pre-reading means may be one in which the main reading means also has the function.

Further, as the main reading condition, the light amount of the light applied to the recording medium and the main reading means are constituted.
Means for photoelectrically detecting reflected light or transmitted light (for example, C
It may be related to the accumulation time of light on a CD or the like.

Further, it is more desirable in terms of the quality of the reproduced image to determine whether the image information output means can correct or not based on the dynamic range of the main reading means and the density range of the image recorded on the recording medium. .

Further, the provisional provision is made on the basis of the recognition means for performing the automatic pattern recognition based on the pre-scan image based on the pre-scan image based on the scene characteristics and the main subject recognition, and the recognition result by the recognition means. Automatic determination may be performed by a configuration including an automatic determination unit that determines whether or not the main reading condition is good, and the determination result of this automatic determination may be input to the determination input unit.

[0017]

In the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the pre-reading means reads the reflected light or the transmitted light representing the image recorded on the recording medium irradiated with light under a predetermined reading condition. The provisional main-reading condition is set by the means for setting the provisional main-reading condition on the basis of the pre-read preread image information. Here, the image display means displays an image based on the rough image information obtained by the calculation, which will be obtained by the main reading according to the set provisional main reading condition, and the determination inputting means displays the image. Receives input for image quality judgment.

On the other hand, the main-reading means starts the main-reading in accordance with the provisional main-reading conditions set in parallel with the image being displayed on the image display means and receiving the determination input.

The judgment input means receives a judgment from the operator who saw the image displayed on the image display means. In the case of "inappropriate" input, the correction amount input means is further input from the operator. Receives the input of correction amounts such as density and color.

The image information output means outputs any one of the following three pieces of image information according to inputs to the determination input means and the correction amount input means.

That is, (1) When the input to the determination input means indicates "proper", the image information obtained by the main reading under the provisional main reading condition is output.

(2) The input to the judgment input means is "inappropriate"
If it represents,
Regarding the image information of the image obtained by the main reading under the provisional main reading condition performed in parallel, (a) the deterioration of the image quality is suppressed even if the image information is corrected by the correction amount input to the correction amount input means. If it is determined that the image information is obtained, the image information obtained by the actual reading under the provisional actual reading condition is corrected only by the signal processing, and then the corrected image information is output.

(B) When it is determined that the image quality is deteriorated when the image information is corrected by the correction amount input to the correction amount input means, the main reading under the provisional main reading condition is stopped or invalidated. Correcting the temporary main reading condition based on the input correction amount, causing the main reading unit to perform the main reading based on the corrected new main reading condition, and outputting the image information read based on the new main reading condition. To do.

As described above, according to the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the actual reading is started under the provisional actual reading condition without waiting for the operator's input of the judgment on the image displayed on the image display means. The time can be shortened and the efficiency of reading the original can be improved.

When the operator's judgment indicates "inappropriateness", that is, when the input to the judgment inputting means indicates "inappropriateness", it is further input to the correction amount inputting means. If the image quality obtained by correcting the image information obtained by the actual reading under the provisional actual reading conditions by the correction amount deteriorates the image quality, set a new actual reading condition and set the new actual reading condition. Since the main reading is performed accordingly, the image based on the image information obtained by the second main reading becomes suitable for the performance of the input device, and the image quality such as the decrease in S / N or the saturation of the low density portion is not achieved. An image with deterioration suppressed can be obtained.

According to the experimental results of the applicant, the operator judges that the image information obtained by the main reading under the provisional main reading condition set based on the preread image signal is "appropriate". The actual result is about 90%, and only about the remaining about 10% is judged to be “inappropriate”. Therefore, even if the main reading is again performed on about 10% of the image information, The reading efficiency as a whole can be improved.

[0027]

Embodiments of the image reading apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image reading apparatus of this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the control of the image reading apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a timing chart of the control of the image reading apparatus shown in FIG. Is.

The illustrated image reading device 100 is a device which irradiates an image recorded on the negative film F with light, photoelectrically detects the transmitted image, and outputs it as digital image information to a storage medium or a printing device. Therefore, in order to set the reading conditions for this actual reading prior to the actual reading (fine scan) for reading the image information that is actually used for reproduction, a pre-reading (pre-scanning) in which an outline of the image is read in advance according to predetermined reading conditions ) Is performed.

Specifically, a light source unit for irradiating light from a light source through the color separation unit and the light control unit to a film F which is composed of a color separation unit, a light control unit and a diffusion box and is set on the film carrier 10.
20, a CCD 30 for photoelectrically detecting transmitted light representing a transmitted image recorded on the film F irradiated with light, and a CCD 30
A / D converter 40 for A / D converting the image signal obtained by A / D to obtain digital image information, and signal processing means for performing LUT processing, matrix operation processing and the like on the digital image information after A / D conversion. 45, a main reading condition calculation unit 50 for calculating a temporary reading condition for main reading based on the output of the signal processing unit 45, a CRT 60 for reproducing a visible image based on the input image information, and a CRT 60. Based on the judgment and correction amount input from the keyboard 70, the keyboard 70 which receives the judgment of the quality of the image and / or the correction amount input by the operator, and the pre-reading and the main reading based on the flowchart shown in FIG. And a control device 80 for controlling each device for the purpose.

The original is not limited to a negative film for obtaining a transparent image, but may be a positive film or a reflective image such as a photographic print printed on photographic paper. For example, a film may be used. The carrier 10 may be exchangeable, one film carrier may support and convey the film, and the other type of film carrier may support and convey the photographic print. The mounting positions can also be configured so that they can be installed on the transmission side and the reflection side, respectively.

Next, the operation of the image reading apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

Under the control of the controller 80, the film carrier 10 feeds the film F by one frame, and the light of a preset light amount is emitted from the light source unit 20 for prescanning. The film F set on the film carrier 10 is irradiated through the disassembly unit. The transmitted light of the film F carries the image recorded on the film F and is input to the CCD 30 through the imaging lens. The CCD 30 photoelectrically converts the input transmission image and outputs it, and this output is converted into digital image information by the A / D converter 40 (the processing of step # 1 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3A). NF-Pre processing).

The digital image information obtained by this prescan is input to the signal processing means 45 and subjected to LUT processing, matrix operation processing, etc., and then output. The processed digital image information output from the signal processing unit 45 is input to the main reading condition calculating unit 50, and auto-setup calculation is performed by the main reading condition calculating unit 50 so that the temporary reading conditions for the main reading (hereinafter, temporary reading Called condition)
Is calculated (process # 2 in FIG. 2 and AS in FIG. 3).

In the calculation of the provisional main reading condition, the S / N of the output with respect to the accumulated electron amount (I · t) of the CCD 30 shown in FIG. The characteristics and the characteristics of the granularity with respect to the density of the negative film F shown in FIG. 7B, and the density of the image recorded on the film F shown in FIG. Based on the density and the like obtained from the histogram, the image obtained by fine scanning has less roughness and is suitable for the dynamic range of the CCD 30.
It is determined to have a margin for the correction amount input later.

The calculated provisional actual reading condition is the control device.
The control device 80 controls the dimming of the light source unit 20 and the accumulation time of the irradiation light amount of the CCD 30 based on the provisional main reading condition (see # 3 of FIG. 2 and dimming of FIG. 3). Processing), and fine scanning is performed on the frame (# 4).

In parallel with the control by the control unit 80, the main reading condition calculating means 50 calculates the approximate image information which will be obtained from the film F by the fine scanning based on the input temporary main reading condition by the calculation processing. And CRT
An image based on the calculated outline image information is displayed on 60 (# 10).

Here, the operator observes the schematic image displayed on the CRT 60 and determines whether or not the image has density gradations, colors, etc. of sufficient quality, and the result of the determination is input from the keyboard 70. It is input (# 11). When the operator inputs an inadequacy in addition to the suitability of the display image, the operator further inputs a correction amount from the keyboard 70 for improving processing conditions such as image density and contrast to obtain a desired fine scan image. (# 20).

The determination of the operator's suitability for the image based on the rough image information input from the keyboard 70 in the process # 11 is input to the control device 80, and the control device 80 performs the following determination based on the input determination of suitability. Process.

That is, (1) In the case where the input represents "appropriate": The fine scan which is being performed in parallel or is performed by the provisional main reading condition is valid (# 12),
The fine scan is continued, and when the fine scan is completed (# 5), the obtained image information is output (# 7).

(2) When the input indicates "inappropriate" Further, the correction amount input from the keyboard 70 is received (# 20), and the above-mentioned pseudo image information based on the provisional actual reading condition is displayed. , Simply signal processing means based on the input correction amount
It is determined whether correction is possible by changing the parameter of 45 (# 22). Here, specifically, the image information is processed by the signal processing means.
When correction processing is performed only by changing the 45 parameters, the S / N of the image reproduced based on the corrected image information does not satisfy the desired image quality roughness performance, or exceeds the performance limit of the input device. Since it is based on the input image information, the low-density (or high-density) part of the image is saturated by just changing the parameters and the contrast required for diagnosis cannot be reproduced. If there is a problem in, it is determined that the correction is impossible.

When this judgment indicates "correctable", the fine scan under the above-mentioned provisional actual reading condition is validated (# 23) and the fine scan is continued, and this fine scan is completed. Point (#
In 5), the image information obtained by the fine scan is corrected according to the input correction amount, and the corrected image information is output (# 8).

On the other hand, if this judgment indicates "correction impossible", the fine scan according to the above-mentioned temporary main reading condition is stopped and invalidated (# 24),
A new reading condition for fine scanning (called a new main reading condition) is set according to the input correction amount, and based on the new setting main reading condition, light control of the light source unit 20 and accumulation of the CCD 30 are performed. A new fine scan is performed after controlling the time (# 25). Then, the image information obtained by this new fine scan is output (# 26).

The image information obtained by the fine scan output from the control device 80 may be stored in, for example, an external storage medium, or may be printed on photographic paper by a printer.

As described above, the image reading apparatus 100 of this embodiment
According to this, the fine scan can be started under the provisional actual reading condition without waiting for the operator's input of the judgment on the image displayed on the CRT 60, and the operator's judgment input is required as in the conventional image reading apparatus. The cycle time can be shortened and the efficiency of reading the original can be improved as compared with the case where the fine scan is started after waiting (see FIG. 3B).

Further, in the case where the operator's judgment is "inappropriate", the image information obtained by the fine scan under the provisional main reading condition is further signaled by the correction amount input to the correction amount input means. If the image quality deteriorates if only the above processing is performed, new main scanning conditions are calculated and fine scanning is performed according to the new main scanning conditions. The image based on the obtained image information becomes suitable for the performance of the input device, and it is possible to obtain an image in which deterioration of the image quality such as a decrease in S / N and saturation of a low density portion is suppressed.

In the above embodiment, the quality of the provisional main reading condition is determined based on the operator's judgment. However, automatic pattern recognition based on the scene characteristics and main subject recognition is performed based on the prescan image. A configuration including a recognition unit and an automatic determination unit that determines whether the provisional main reading condition is good or bad based on the recognition result by the recognition unit is adopted, and the determination result of the automatic determination unit may be input. Good.

In this case, automatic pattern recognition may be performed by, for example, creating a histogram of signal values and performing it based on characteristic values such as the shape of the histogram.

Since the calculation time for performing such automatic pattern recognition is longer than the time required for automatic setup, as in the case of waiting for the operator's judgment input in the above-described embodiment, until the judgment result based on the automatic pattern recognition is obtained. During this period, the main reading based on the provisional main reading condition may be preceded.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an image reading apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing control of the image reading apparatus shown in FIG.

3 is a timing chart of control of the image reading apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4A is an S / N characteristic of the output with respect to the accumulated electron amount (I · t) of the CCD 30, (B) is a characteristic of the granularity with respect to the density of the negative film F, and (C) is the density of the image recorded on the film F. Histogram of

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 film carrier 20 light source unit 30 CCD 40 A / D converter 45 signal processing means 50 main reading condition calculation means 60 CRT 70 keyboard 80 control means 100 image reading device F negative film

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image reading apparatus for outputting image information representing an image by irradiating a recording medium having an image recorded thereon with light and photoelectrically detecting reflected light or transmitted light representing the image. Prior to the main reading, pre-reading means for performing pre-reading under a predetermined reading condition, means for setting a temporary main reading condition for the main reading based on the image information obtained by the pre-reading means, and the temporary main reading condition Image display means for displaying an image based on general image information calculated to be obtained by the main reading according to, and at least while displaying an image based on the general image information, according to the provisional main reading condition. Main reading means for starting the main reading, judgment input means for inputting judgment of quality of the image displayed on the image display means, and new main reading conditions for the main reading Correction amount input means for inputting a correction amount for setting, and when the determination input by the determination input means indicates good, the image information obtained by the main reading under the provisional main reading condition is output. However, when the determination indicates a failure, the new main reading condition is set based on the correction amount input to the correction amount input means, and the new main reading condition is obtained according to the temporary main reading condition. It is determined whether the obtained image information can be corrected to the image information obtained by the main reading according to the new main reading condition only by the signal processing, and when it is determined that the image information can be corrected, the temporary main reading condition is used. When the image information obtained by the main reading is corrected by the signal processing and output, and it is determined that the correction is impossible, the new main reading condition is followed for the main reading means. Tighten to perform the reading, the image reading apparatus characterized by comprising an image information output means for outputting the image information obtained by reading the main. 2. The main reading condition relates to a light amount of light applied to the recording medium and a light accumulation time to a unit for photoelectrically detecting the reflected light or the transmitted light which constitutes the main reading unit. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus is provided. 3. The image information output means determines whether the correction is possible or not based on the dynamic range of the main reading means and the density range of the image recorded on the recording medium. The image reading device according to item 1 or 2.