JPH09233273A - Image read method and image input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To conduct optionally operations such as adjustment of read position, reading with magnification and desired image processing as required by selecting any of manual mode, semi-automatic mode and full automatic mode and reading an image by the operation procedure depending on the selected mode. SOLUTION: As reading modes of an image of a slide A, there are a manual mode in which the operator adjusts the position of the slide A at an exposure position P1, sets a read magnification, and adjusts an image processing condition, a semi-automatic mode n which the operator adjusts the image processing condition, and a full automatic mode in which the operation by the operator other than supply of the slide A to a slide carrier 22 is not required, and a controller 104 applies sequence control to the operation of an input device 10 in response to the selected mode. As required, the operations such as adjustment of a slide read position, reading with magnification and desired image processing are implemented optionally and the device is suitable for image input for a digital photo printer.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention belongs to the technical field of an image reading method for photoelectrically reading an image of a slide formed by holding a film on which an image has been taken in a frame, and an image input apparatus for carrying out the method. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, when printing an image taken on a photographic film original (hereinafter referred to as film) such as a negative film or a reversal film onto a photosensitive material such as photographic paper, the image of the film is projected onto the photosensitive material. Surface exposure of the light-sensitive material, that is, so-called direct exposure.

On the other hand, in recent years, a printing apparatus utilizing digital exposure, that is, photoelectrically reading image information recorded on a film, converting the read image into a digital signal, and then performing various image processes. The development of digital photo printers, in which image data for recording is recorded and an image (latent image) is recorded by scanning and exposing a photosensitive material with recording light modulated according to the image information, is being developed. According to the digital photo printer, the editing layout and various kinds of image processing can be freely performed, and the images taken on each film and the processing conditions can be stored in the memory, so that the film can be used for reprinting. Is unnecessary,
Further, since it is not necessary to reset the processing condition, the work can be performed quickly and efficiently. Such a digital photo printer basically reads an image recorded on a document such as a film, processes the read image to determine an exposure condition for image recording, and the determined exposure condition. The image recording apparatus is configured to scan and expose the light-sensitive material according to the above, and perform development processing.

As a form of a film used as a manuscript in such a photo printer, a long film of a large number of images, so-called strips, which is an ordinary 135 size negative film or reversal film is mainly used. However, in recent years, a so-called slide image (that is, an image taken on the film held on the slide), which is usually one sheet of reversal film fixed to a frame, is printed on photographic paper. The desire to do so is increasing. In the photo printer, various types of documents such as a slide carrier that conveys slides one by one to a predetermined exposure position and a film carrier that sequentially conveys the images photographed on the strips to the exposure position corresponding to various kinds of originals as described above. A carrier (handling device) is prepared, and a carrier corresponding to a document is attached to an image input device of a digital photo printer to read an image.

[0005]

In such a photo printer, the performance required for an image input device equipped with a slide carrier is that the image can be read efficiently with good workability, and the performance of printing can be improved. It is required to improve production efficiency. Further, the image input device is usually configured to read the slightly narrow area by masking the image surface of the film. However, for example, when a person is shown at the edge of the image surface in a group photo, the image is not displayed. When the required portion is located at the edge of the image surface, it is required to prevent the required portion from being kicked by the mask so that the required portion of the image can be read. Furthermore, it is also required that variable-magnification reading or the like for enlarging or reducing an image taken on a slide can be performed. However, an image input device that satisfies these various required performances has not yet been realized.

An object of the present invention is to photoelectrically read an image photographed on a film of a slide, and normally,
An image reading method capable of performing efficient and quick image reading with good workability, and optionally performing operations such as reading position adjustment, variable-magnification reading, and desired image processing, Another object of the present invention is to provide an image input device that implements this.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the image reading method of the present invention is such that a slide formed by fixing a film to a frame is conveyed to a predetermined exposure position and irradiated with reading light. In the image reading method of obtaining the projection light of the film, photoelectrically reading the image photographed on the film by forming the projection light on the image sensor, performing the predetermined image processing and outputting the image information as the slide, After being transported to the exposure position, after adjusting the slide position or the image-forming magnification of the projection light, or both of the above adjustments, image reading is performed, and after adjusting the processing conditions of the image information to be output, if necessary, The manual mode in which the image processing is performed and the image information is output, the slide is conveyed to the exposure position, the image is read, and the processing conditions of the image information to be output are adjusted as necessary, Outputs the image information is subjected to image processing,
And at least two modes out of a semi-automatic mode in which the slide is discharged from the exposure position and a fully automatic mode in which the slide conveyance from the exposure position to the output of the image information and the slide discharge from the exposure position are automatically performed. There is provided an image reading method characterized in that one of the modes can be selected, and the image is read in an operation procedure according to the selected mode.

Further, the image input apparatus of the present invention for carrying out the image reading method of the present invention comprises a slide carrier for transporting a slide having a film fixed to a frame to a predetermined exposure position and discharging it after the reading is completed. A slide position adjusting means at the exposure position, an optical frame on which the slide carrier is mounted, a light source for irradiating the slide at the exposure position on the slide carrier mounted on the optical frame with reading light, and irradiation from the light source And an image sensor for photoelectrically reading the projection light transmitted through the film fixed to the slide, an imaging lens having a scaling function for forming an image of the projection light on the image sensor, and a magnification of the imaging lens. Adjustment means, an image processing unit for processing the output signal from the image sensor and outputting it as image information, and mode selection Step, after the slide supplied to the slide carrier is conveyed to the exposure position, the position of the slide is adjusted, the magnification of the imaging lens is adjusted, or both of the adjustments are performed, and then image reading is performed to output image information. After adjusting the processing conditions as necessary, a manual mode in which image information is output from the image processing unit, the slide supplied to the slide carrier is conveyed to the exposure position to perform image reading, and image information to be output is output. After adjusting the processing conditions as necessary, a semi-automatic mode in which the image information is output from the image processing unit and the slide is ejected from the exposure position, and the slide is supplied to the slide carrier, so that the exposure position can be changed. From slide transportation to image information output from the image processing unit and slide ejection from the exposure position At least two modes among the fully automatic modes that are dynamically performed are set, and a sequence control unit that controls the operation of the entire apparatus according to the mode selected by the selection unit is included. I will provide a.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The image reading method and image input apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an image input apparatus of the present invention for carrying out the image reading method of the present invention. The image input device (hereinafter referred to as an input device) 10 of the illustrated example is a slide A which is usually a reversal film fixed to a frame (mount), or a long negative or reversal film, and a large number of images are taken. This is a device corresponding to the input device of the above-mentioned digital photo printer, which uses films such as strips as originals to photoelectrically read images photographed on these films. Such an input device 10
Is an optical frame 12 including a main body 12a and a carrier base 12b fixed orthogonally to the main body 12a,
The light source unit 14, the image forming unit 16, the image sensor 18, which is an area sensor, the control unit 20 that operates and controls the entire apparatus (or the entire digital photo printer), and the slide A that can be attached to the carrier base 12b.
And various carriers for holding the images of strips at the exposure position. In the illustrated example, the slide carrier 22 corresponding to the slide A is mounted on the carrier base 12b.

In the input device 10, an arrow x in the drawing is used depending on the carrier mounted on the carrier base 12b.
The slide A or the like is conveyed in the direction and stopped at a predetermined exposure position P1, the reading light from the light source unit 14 is applied to the image to obtain the projection light that carries the image taken on the film, and the image forming unit is formed. The projection light is imaged on the image sensor 18 by 16,
The image sensor 18 photoelectrically converts the projection light, and the control unit 20
By processing the output signal from the image sensor 18 at 2, the image captured on the film is two-dimensionally photoelectrically read.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the light source section 14. In the input device 10 of the illustrated example, the light source unit 14 irradiates the reading light from below the original such as the slide A, is located under the carrier base 12b, and includes the light source 24, the diaphragm 26, the color filter plate 28, and the like. And a diffusion box 30. In addition to the above, the light source unit 14 is provided with a cooling fan for cooling various members such as the light source 24, a shutter for blocking the reading light incident on the document from the light source unit 14, and the like.

As the light source 24, various known light sources capable of emitting a sufficient amount of reading light for reading an image by the image sensor 20 can be used, and examples thereof include a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, and a mercury lamp. Aperture 2
Reference numeral 6 is for adjusting the amount of light from the light source 24, and in the illustrated example, an optical axis L in which a logarithmic curve is drawn in the light-shielding portion.
Of two sheets with different amounts of passing light in the direction of arrow a in the figure orthogonal to
The D filters 26a and 26b are used, and the ND filters 26a and 26b are moved toward and away from each other in the direction of the arrow a, thereby adjusting the amount of light from the light source 24 to the film.

The color filter plate 28 is an R (red) filter 2
8R, G (green) filter 28G, and B (blue) filter 28B, three color filters, and a disk-shaped member having a through hole 28N that is a through hole in which nothing is arranged,
The shaft 28a is configured to be rotatable by a rotating means (not shown). At the time of adjusting the position of the slide A which will be described later, the void 28N is inserted into the optical path L. Further, at the time of image reading, the G filter 28G, the R filter 28R, and the B filter 28B are sequentially inserted in the optical path L, whereby the image photographed on the film is separated into the three primary colors G, R, and B and read. To be

The diffusing box 30 diffuses the read light emitted from the light source 24 and adjusted by the diaphragm 26 and passed through the color filter, and changes the light amount of the read light incident on the film in the film surface direction, that is, the light. This is for making the surface direction orthogonal to the axis L uniform. In the illustrated example, the diffusion box 30 has a frosted glass 30b on the lower surface of a rectangular column 30a whose inner surface is a mirror surface and whose upper and lower surfaces are open.
In addition to the above, a milky white acrylic plate 30c is arranged on the upper surface, but various known light diffusing means such as opal glass can be used in addition to this.

Above the light source unit 14, the carrier base 1 is provided.
2b is located. The carrier base 12b has various carriers such as the slide carrier 22 placed on its upper surface,
It is a part that is held at a predetermined position, and is fixed perpendicularly to the main body 12a of the optical frame 12. FIG. 3 (a)
As shown in, the optical axis L is attached to the carrier base 12b.
An opening 32 through which the light from the light source unit 14 passes is formed in a portion corresponding to. The size of the opening 32 depends on the maximum size of the film read by the input device 10, depending on the light from the light source unit 14.
The size may be set so that the entire surface of the maximum size of the image read at 0 can be sufficiently irradiated.

As shown in FIG. 3, the carrier base 1
Guide rails 34 and 36 are provided on the upper surface of 2b in the direction orthogonal to the main body 12a of the optical frame 12 from the front side in the drawing toward the main body 12a, that is, in the arrow y direction orthogonal to the arrow x direction which is the transport direction. Has been formed. On the other hand, on the bottom surface of the slide carrier 22, a guide rail 34
Grooves 38 and 40 are formed in correspondence with and. That is, the slide carrier 22 mounted on the upper surface of the carrier base 12b has the guide rails 34 and 36.
And the groove corresponding thereto define the position in the arrow x direction, and the position in the arrow y direction is defined by the contact between the optical frame 12 and the end face on the back side in the drawing, and the predetermined position on the carrier base 12b. It is positioned and mounted / mounted on. Further, by disposing the slide carrier 22 at a predetermined position on the carrier base 12b, a connector (not shown) is connected, and as shown by a chain double-dashed line in FIG. 1, the slide carrier 22 and the control unit 2 of the input device 10 are connected.
0 (the control device 104 thereof) is connected. Further, the input device 10 detects which carrier is mounted on the carrier base 12b by connecting the connector.

The slide carrier 22 which can be mounted on the carrier base 12b of the input device 10 as described above conveys the slide A in the direction of the arrow x, and the predetermined exposure position P1.
Is used for exposure (image reading), and the slide A that has been exposed is collected.
And a cover 44 attached to the carrier body 42 and a stacking box 46 for housing the slide A.

On the upper surface of the carrier body 42, there is formed a carrying stage 48 which is lowered by one step and extends in the arrow x direction. Since the slide A is placed on the carrying stage 48 and positioned at the exposure position P1, the carrying stage 48
Is such that when the standard slide A is placed, the height of the film surface (image surface = emulsion surface) is at a predetermined position in the optical axis L direction (depth of focus direction of the image forming unit 16). Is formed. The cover 44 is a casing whose bottom surface has an opening 52 through which the projection light of the slide A passes, and which covers the exposure position P. However, the cover 44 is on the depth side in the figure (the main body 12a of the optical frame 12a. Side) and is configured to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow b around the lower end side of the exposure side P).
Etc. can be exposed.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of the slide carrier 22 when the cover 44 is opened. At the exposure position P1 of the carrier body 42, an opening 51 through which the reading light from the light source unit 14 passes is formed to penetrate the carrier body 42. In other words, the exposure position P1 is set corresponding to this opening 51. The opening 51 also serves as a mask for restricting the reading light incident on the film of the slide A, that is, the exposure area, and has a size and shape corresponding to the slide A read by the slide carrier 22. Note that the input device 10 of the present invention is not limited to this, and may have a configuration in which masks of various sizes are exchanged in the opening through which the reading light passes so as to be attachable.

A total of nine drive rollers 52, 52, ... Are arrayed in the direction of the arrow x in the portion of the transport stage 48 covered by the cover 44. 54 are arranged. The driving roller 52 is a roller having a strong friction driving force, such as a rubber roller or a knurled metal roller, which conveys the end portion of the slide A by sandwiching it with a driven roller 54, which will be described later,
A shoulder portion (timing gear) 52a having a small diameter around which the timing belt 62 (or 64) is wound is provided at the lower end portion. In the slide carrier 22 of the illustrated example, the drive roller 52 is divided into three on the upstream side and six on the downstream side, and the first drive system 66 on the upstream side and the second drive system 66 on the downstream side, respectively.
And a drive system 68. The first drive system 66 includes a first motor 70, three drive rollers 52 on the upstream side, a guide roller 72 arranged between the drive rollers 52, and a rotation shaft of the first motor 60, the drive roller 52, and the guide roller 72. And an endless belt 62 around which On the other hand, the second drive system includes the second motor 74, the six drive rollers 52 on the downstream side, the five guide rollers 72 arranged between the drive rollers 52, and the rotation shaft of the second motor 74 and the drive roller 52. And an endless belt 64 around which the guide roller 72 is wound.

The first drive system 66 conveys the slide A supplied from the supply unit 50 to a position before the exposure position P1 from the supply unit 50. In addition, the slide A to be used for the next exposure is placed in the exposure position P in the transport area of the first drive system 66.
The standby position P2 that stands by slightly upstream of 1 is set. On the other hand, the second drive system 68 slides from the first drive system 66.
In response to this, it is conveyed to and stopped at the exposure position P1 for exposure, and the slide A for which exposure has been completed is conveyed to the stacking box 46. Further, the second drive system 68 also finely adjusts the position of the slide A at the exposure position P1. In addition, this second drive system 6
After the exposure position P1 of the conveyance area by 8, at least one slide A can exist.

A total of nine driven rollers 54, 54 ... Are arranged facing each drive roller 52 in the direction of the arrow x. Each driven roller 54 is rotatably supported in the vicinity of an end of the arm 76, which is inclined in the arrow x direction, on the drive roller 52 side. The arm 76 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 76a at the end opposite to the driven roller 54, and is biased by a spring 78 in the direction of arrow c close to the drive roller 52. The distance between the driven roller 54 and the driving roller 52 facing the slide roller 54 is equal to the slide A.
Is slightly narrower than the width (direction orthogonal to the carrying direction). Therefore, when the slide A is supplied between the drive roller 52 and the driven roller 54, the driven roller 54 rotates and the gap between the two is expanded by the slide A, and the driven roller 54 moves the slide A to the drive roller 52. Since the slide A is pressed against, the slide A is preferably held between the driving roller 52 and the driven roller 54, and is reliably conveyed by the rotation of the driving roller 52. Further, since the distance between the driven roller 54 and the driving roller 52 changes due to the rotation of the arm 76, the size difference of the slide A can be absorbed.

In the slide carrier 22 of the illustrated example, the slide retainer 5 that presses the slide A transported to the exposure position P1 against the transport stage 48 to prevent the slide A from rising.
6 are arranged. The slide retainer 56 is a substantially C-shaped member that is rotated about the rotation shaft 80 a by the rotary solenoid 80, and normally the rotary solenoid 80 moves the pressing portions 56 a and 56 a at the tips upward from the transport stage 48. The position of the slide A is not obstructed. When the slide A is conveyed to the exposure position P1, the rotary solenoid 80 turns the rotary shaft 80a.
By rotating the pressing portions 56a and 5a of the slide presser 56.
6a is moved downward and the slide A is pressed against the transport stage 48 to prevent the slide A from being lifted up at the time of exposure and correct the mount distortion and the like.

A collection box 46 for collecting the slides A for which reading has been completed is arranged downstream of the second drive system 68. In the illustrated example, at the position where the stacking box 46 is mounted, the slide A is received from the second drive system 68, and the stacking box 4 is received.
The carry-in roller 82 accommodated in the No. 6 is arranged. The carry-in roller 82 is arranged so that its rotation surface is slightly projected from the carrying stage 48, and the slide A collected in the stacking box 46.
Is carried into the housing box 38 while rising slightly, and is housed while being placed on the carry-in roller 82. Therefore, the slide A transported to the stacking box 46 by the second drive system 68 is stored so as to sneak under the already collected slide A, and is sequentially stacked from below.

The slide carrier 22 has a supply detection sensor D1 for detecting the slide A supplied from the supply unit 50 by the operator, and a slide detection unit A for detecting the slide A corresponding to a standby position P2 set upstream of the exposure position P1. A first sensor D2, a second sensor D3 that detects the slide A corresponding to the exposure position P1, and a third sensor D4 that detects the loading of the slide A into the stacking box 46 are arranged. According to the signal, the first and second drive systems are driven to convey the slide A. The sensor may be an optical sensor such as a photo interrupter or a mechanical sensor, and any known plate-shaped object detecting means can be used. Further, a sensor that detects whether the cover 44 is closed or opened may be arranged.

When the slide A is detected by the supply detection sensor D1, the slide A is not detected by the first sensor D2 and the second sensor D3 (that is, when there is no slide A at the standby position P2 and the exposure position P1). , The first drive system 66 and the second drive system 68 are driven to convey the supplied slide A, and the second sensor D3 detects the slide A, and then conveys a predetermined pulse to stop the second drive system 68. hand,
The slide A is conveyed to the exposure position P1 and exposed (image reading)
To serve. On the other hand, when the slide A is detected by the supply detection sensor D1, when the slide A is detected by the second sensor D3, only the first drive system 66 is driven and the slide is detected by the first sensor D1. After that, the first drive system 66 is stopped by carrying a predetermined pulse, and the supplied slide A is carried to the standby position P2 and made to stand by. Also, the first
When the slide A is detected by the sensor D2, the first drive system 66 is not driven even if the slide A is detected by the supply detection sensor D1.

On the other hand, when the exposure is completed, the controller 1
An exposure end signal is sent from 04 to the slide carrier 22, and in response to this, the first drive system 66 and the second drive system 6
8 to drive the slide A that has been exposed to the exposure position P.
Discharge from 1. When the slide A is detected by the second sensor D3 during this discharge (for example, when the slide A is waiting at the standby position P2), it is detected by the second sensor D3 as described above. The slide A is stopped at the exposure position P1 and the slide A is switched (thus,
The exposed slide A stops in the middle of the second drive system 68). If the slide A is not detected by the second sensor D3, the exposed slide A is conveyed to the stacking box 46.

As is apparent from the above description, the slide scanner 22 of the illustrated example is divided into two systems, and the sensor for detecting the slide A at the exposure position P1 and the standby position P2 is provided, so that the exposure of the exposure is performed. Regardless of timing,
Further, the slide A can be supplied at the operator's timing even during the exposure, and the slide A can stand by at the standby position P2 near the exposure position P1 during the exposure. Switching can be performed quickly, the exposure cycle time can be made constant, and efficient image reading (printing) can be performed.

The pilot lamp 60 lights up in blue or red according to the detection result of the slide A by the supply detection sensor D1 and the first sensor D2. When the slide A is not detected by both sensors, the slide A is turned on. When the slide A is lit in blue as a signal indicating that the slide A may be supplied to the supply unit 50 and the slide A is detected by at least one of the supply detection sensor D1 and the first sensor D2, Lights in red to indicate that supply is not possible.

Further, the slide carrier 22 is provided with adjusting means 58, and the adjusting means 58 can drive the second drive system 68 to finely adjust the position of the slide A at the exposure position P1. The adjusting unit 58 drives the second drive system 68 to finely adjust the position of the slide A at the exposure position P1, and moves the slide A in the downstream direction and the feed key 84 and the slide A in the upstream direction. It has a return key 86 and a discharge key 88 for driving both transport systems to discharge the slide A. In the manual mode described later, the feed key 84 and the return key 86 are used to finely adjust the position of the slide A. The slide A is discharged by adjusting and pressing the discharge key 88.

In the input device 10 of the illustrated example, as the carrier base 12b, that is, the carrier to be mounted on the input device 10, in addition to the slide carrier 22 as described above, images taken by carrying strips are sequentially placed at the exposure positions. A film carrier for transport, a manual carrier for the operator to fix the strips and slides in the exposure position,
An example is a trimming carrier in which an operator places strips, slides, etc. at arbitrary positions.

An image forming section 16 is arranged above the carrier base 12b. The image forming unit 16 has a lens unit 92 vertically mounted on a surface plate 90 fixed to the main body 12a of the optical frame 12, and a zoom motor 94.
The projection light carrying the image of the slide A (projection light transmitted through the film of the slide A) is formed on the image sensor 18. The lens unit 92 is located above (on the downstream side in the direction of the optical axis L) a focus adjusting lens section 96 in which a known focus adjusting lens for accurately forming the projected light on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 18 is incorporated. , The magnification is changed according to the size of the strip B or the slide A, and the size of the projection light is the maximum size that can be received by the image sensor 18 (that is, the longest hand of the necessary image area is the image sensor 1).
8) to form an image on the image sensor 18 or to enlarge the projection light at an arbitrary magnification.
A zoom lens unit 98 incorporating a known zoom lens for performing variable magnification reading for reduction is configured.

The focus adjustment lens section 96 has its focus adjusted by a focus adjustment motor (not shown). On the other hand, the adjustment gear 98a of the zoom lens unit 98 meshes with the gear 94a rotated by the zoom motor 94, and the zoom lens unit 98 has its magnification adjusted by the zoom motor 94. The drive of the zoom motor 94 and the focus adjustment motor is controlled by the control device 104 of the control unit 20, and the input device 10 of the illustrated example has a TTL (Through Th
The e-lens method is used to perform automatic focus adjustment using the image contrast of the obtained image read by the image sensor 18. The magnification adjustment by the zoom motor 94 will be described later in detail. Note that the focus adjustment method is not limited to this method, and various known methods such as a method of measuring the distance between the film surface and the image sensor 18 by a photoelectric method or a trigonometric method to perform focus adjustment can be used. It is possible.

The projection light of the slide A is the lens unit 9
2 forms an image on the image sensor 18 and is photoelectrically read. A known shutter (not shown) used for dark current correction or the like is arranged between the lens unit 92 and the image sensor 18. In the input device 10 that reads an image by surface exposure, the image sensor 18 is an area sensor, for example, a CCD sensor of 1380 × 920 pixels. Further, in the apparatus of the illustrated example, the image sensor 18 is configured to be movable in the x direction and the y direction by an amount corresponding to half a pixel, whereby the number of read pixels can be apparently increased to four times. .

The signal from the image sensor 18 is output to the controller 20. The control unit 20 includes a main scan image processing device 100, a prescan image processing device 102, and a control device 104. Further, in the control device 104, a display 106 for displaying an image read by the image sensor 18 and various operation instructions such as print size setting, color / density adjustment, mode selection, and the like, and the display and display of the display 106 are set. A keyboard 108 and a mouse 110 that operate the input device 10 such as various settings and operation instructions according to the procedure are connected to the input device 10.
It constitutes the operation system of (digital photo printer).

The main scan image processing apparatus 100 uses A / D conversion, Log conversion, gradation setting, and an output signal from the image sensor 18 at the time of main scanning for obtaining an output image.
Predetermined processing such as shading correction, dark time correction, and offset correction is performed, and the image recording device P outputs the output image information.
And the like, which is a combination of well-known image processing circuits and memories for performing these various types of image processing. As is well known, in a normal image input apparatus, a prescan for roughly reading an original image is performed in order to set image processing conditions and the like before a main scan for obtaining an output image. The prescan image processing device 102
The output signal from the image sensor 18 at the time of pre-scan is subjected to predetermined processing such as A / D conversion and Log conversion similar to that of the main scan, and is output as display image information by the display 106. It is a combination of a processing circuit and a memory.

The control device 104 is a part that controls each part and the whole of the input device 10 (or the digital photo printer). Further, in the input device 10 of the present invention, as the reading mode of the slide A image, the operator adjusts the position of the slide A at the exposure position P1, sets the reading magnification (magnification adjustment of the zoom lens unit 98 = magnification reading), image. Manual mode that allows adjustment of processing conditions; semi-automatic mode that allows operator to adjust image processing conditions; operation by operator other than supply of slide A to slide carrier 22 is not required It has three reading modes: fully automatic (auto) mode; the control device 104 sequence-controls the operation of the input device 10 according to the selected mode. Further, the control device 104 has a condition setting device 112. The condition setting device 112 sets image processing conditions according to the image information obtained by the prescan or further input by the operator, and sets the image information output from the main scan image processing device 100 according to the set image processing conditions. Image processing.

The operation of the input device 10 will be described below along with the description of the above-mentioned three reading modes. Input device 1
0, when reading the image of the slide A, first, as described above, the slide carrier 22 is mounted at a predetermined position on the carrier base 12b as shown in FIG. As a result, the slide carrier 22 (the control unit thereof) and the control device 104 of the control unit 20 are connected, and it is recognized that the slide carrier 22 is attached to the input device 10.

When the slide carrier 22 is attached to the input device 10, a display for selecting one of the manual mode, the semi-automatic mode and the fully automatic mode is displayed on the display 106, and the operator uses the keyboard 108 and the mouse 110 to Select the desired reading mode. Unless a particular instruction is given, all slides A are read according to the reading mode selected, such as a group of slides for which one client has requested reading (printing) at the same time. Be seen.

First, the operation of the input device 10 in the manual mode will be described with reference to FIG. After performing necessary operations such as print size setting, the operator supplies the slide A to the slide carrier 22. As a result, the slide A is conveyed to the exposure position P1 as described above, and its signal is transmitted from the slide carrier 22 to the control device 1.
Issued on 04. On the other hand, when the manual mode is selected, in the light source unit 14, the void 2 of the color filter plate 28 is removed.
8N is inserted in the optical path L, the electronic shutter of the image sensor 18 is opened, and the output signal of the image sensor 18 is continuously output from the prescan image processing apparatus 102.
And is displayed on the display 106. That is, the input device 10 is in a state like a monochrome video using the image sensor 18 (hereinafter, this state is referred to as a position adjustment state). Therefore, when the slide A is conveyed to the exposure position P1, the image of the slide A is displayed on the display 106 as a monochrome image, and the image position of the display 106 moves as the position of the slide A moves.

When the operator presses the feed key 84 and the return key 86 of the slide carrier 22 while observing the image on the display 106, the position of the slide A at the exposure position P1 is adjusted, and the variable magnification reading is performed. The zoom motor 94 is driven by operating the keyboard 108 or the like to adjust the magnification of the zoom lens unit 98. In particular, when the variable magnification reading is not performed, the screen size of the slide A input by the operator and the output signal from the image sensor 18 are input so that the projected light of the slide A has the maximum size that can be received by the image sensor 18. Accordingly, the control device 104 drives the zoom motor 94 to adjust the magnification of the zoom lens unit 98.

When the position adjustment and the magnification adjustment of the slide A are completed, the operator depresses a start key set on the keyboard 108 or the like to give an instruction to start reading. When an instruction to start reading is issued, the controller 104 issues an instruction to the slide carrier 22 to press (press) the slide A by the slide retainer 56, and the slide carrier 22.
Accordingly, slide A is pressed by the slide presser 56.
The control device 10 presses and locks the
Put in 4. The response of the pressing of the slide A or the end of the release may be issued according to the passage of time, or the movement or position of the slide presser 56 may be detected by a sensor and output. When the control device 104 receives this response,
The G filter 28G of the color filter plate 28 is inserted into the optical path L, and if necessary, focus adjustment is performed by the focus adjustment lens unit 96 by the TTL method, and prescanning is started.

In the pre-scan, the light modulated by the G filter 28G passes through the slide A, and the projection light carrying an image is formed on the image sensor 18 by the lens unit 92, and the electronic shutter of the image sensor 18 operates. The G image of the slide A is read by opening for a predetermined time, sent to the prescan image processing device 102 of the control unit 20, and stored. When the reading of the G image is completed, the color filter plate 28 rotates and, for example, the R filter 28R
Is inserted in the optical path L, the R image is similarly read and sent to the prescan image processing apparatus 102, and
Similarly, the B image is read and the prescan ends. When the prescan is completed, the main scan for obtaining the output image is subsequently started. In the main scan, as in the pre-scan, first the G filter 28G sets the optical path L
The light that is inserted into the G filter 28G and is dimmed by the G filter 28G is transmitted through the slide A, the projection light is imaged on the image sensor 20 by the lens unit 92, and the electronic shutter of the image sensor 18 is opened for a predetermined time and the original document is opened. G image is read and sent to the main scan image processing apparatus 102 for storage, and thereafter, R image and B image are similarly read and sequentially sent to the main scan image processing apparatus 100.

As described above, the image read by the prescan is sent to the prescan image processing device 102. In the pre-scan image processing apparatus 102, the output signal from the image sensor 20 is A / D converted, Log converted,
Predetermined image processing such as gradation setting, shading correction, dark correction, and offset correction is performed to obtain display image information to be displayed on the display 106. The prescan image information is also sent to the control device 104. The condition setting device 112 of the control device 104 creates an image density histogram or the like from the obtained prescan image information, and an image processing condition such as a color / density correction condition for correcting the output image information obtained by the main scan. (Ie, set up the correction parameters).

The display image information processed by the prescan image processing apparatus 102 is sent to the display 106, and the image of the slide A read by the prescan is displayed as a full color image. Here, this display image information is processed according to the image processing condition set by the condition setting device 112 while the display image information is transmitted from the prescan image processing device 102 to the display 106. That is,
An image corresponding to the output image is displayed on the display 106.

On the other hand, the output signal from the image sensor 20 read by the main scan and sent to the main scan image processing apparatus 100 includes A / D conversion, Log conversion, gradation setting,
Predetermined image processing such as shading correction, dark correction, offset correction, etc. is performed, and the output image information is sent to the image recording device P or the like.

The operator views the image displayed on the display 106, and adjusts image processing conditions such as color / density processing conditions and sets the main subject, if necessary. The image processing conditions previously set by the condition setting device 112 are
The image that is changed (corrected) according to the adjustment input by the operator, and therefore the image displayed on the display 106,
It changes according to the adjustment input by the operator.

The operator makes a judgment by looking at the image displayed on the display 106, and if the image is appropriate, presses the start key set on the keyboard 108 or the like to give an instruction to output image information. The key used for this instruction may be the same as or different from the above-mentioned instruction to start reading. When the image information output instruction is issued, the output image information is output from the main scan image processing apparatus 100 to the image recording apparatus P. Here, this output image information is
On the way from the main scan image processing apparatus 100 to the image recording apparatus P, the image is processed according to the image processing conditions set by the condition setting apparatus 112 and output to the image recording apparatus P.

When the output of image information from the main scan image processing apparatus 100 is completed, the controller 104 issues an instruction to the slide carrier 22 to release the pressing (pressing) of the slide A by the slide presser 56. In response to this, the slide carrier 22 releases the pressing of the slide A and outputs a response of completion of the release. Control device 10 which received this
In No. 4, the hollow 28N of the color filter plate 28 is inserted into the optical path L to bring the input device 10 into the position adjustment state described above.

The operator sees the display 106 and is in the position adjustment state (or press release).
When the discharge key 88 is pressed, the slide carrier 22 responds to the first drive system 66 and the second drive system 6 in response.
8 is driven to eject the slide A for which reading has been completed from the exposure position P1, and the controller 1 according to the detection result of the slide A by the third sensor D4 and the carry amount by both drive systems.
A signal indicating the completion of discharge is output to 04. Here, as described above, the slide A to be read next is placed at the exposure position P1.
Slide A, which has been read,
Of the slide carrier 2 is stopped there, and a signal reporting that the slide A has been transported to the exposure position P1 is displayed.
The image is read from the controller 2 to the control device 104, and thereafter, the image reading after the position adjustment of the slide A is performed in the same manner. Also,
In the manual mode, the image of the same slide A may be read again by adjusting the position of the same slide A and pressing the start key without pressing the discharge key 88 even after the reading is completed.

On the other hand, in image reading in the semi-automatic mode,
Slide A at exposure position P1 in the position adjustment state
Basically, the image reading is performed by the same operation as in the manual mode except that the position adjustment and the slide discharge after the reading are automatically performed (the discharge key 88 is not pressed). This will be described below with reference to FIG.

First, the operator supplies the slide A to the slide carrier 22, the slide A is conveyed to the exposure position P1 as described above, and the signal is output to the control device 104. When the control device 104 receives this signal, the control device 104 gives an instruction to the slide carrier 22 to press (press) the slide A by the slide presser 56, and the slide carrier 22 slides by the slide presser 56 accordingly. A is pressed and fixed, and a response of completion is output to the control device 104.

When the control device 104 receives this response, then, similarly to the manual mode described above, after the focus adjustment is performed as necessary, the prescan and the main scan are performed, and the prescan image processing device. Image information processing by 102 and the main scan image processing apparatus 100, setting of image processing conditions by the condition setting apparatus 112, display of a prescan image on the display 106, and the like are performed. The operator looks at the image displayed on the display 106, adjusts the image processing conditions such as color / density processing conditions, sets the main subject, etc., if necessary, and sets the image processing conditions set by the condition setting device 112. Will be changed accordingly. After determining that the image displayed on the display 106 is appropriate, the operator presses the start key to give an instruction to output image information. As a result, the output image information is output from the main scan image processing apparatus 100, processed by the condition setting apparatus 112 according to the image processing conditions, and output to the image recording apparatus P.

When the output of the image information from the main scan image processing apparatus 100 is completed, the controller 104 issues an instruction to eject the slide A to the slide carrier 22, and the slide carrier 22 receives the instruction to eject the slide A. The pressure on the slide A is released, the first drive system 66 and the second drive system 68 are driven, and the slide A is ejected from the exposure position P1 and a signal indicating completion of ejection is output to the control device 104, or next reading is performed. When the provided slide A is transported to the exposure position P1, the slide A is moved to the exposure position P1.
To the control device 104 from the slide carrier 22 and thereafter, in the same manner,
Image reading of the slide A is performed. Here, the exposure position P
In the semi-automatic mode in which the position adjustment of the slide A in 1 is not performed, the input device 10 does not enter the position adjustment state.

Further, the image reading in the fully automatic mode is basically the same as that in the semi-automatic mode except that the operator does not input the image processing conditions. That is, the operator's operation in the fully automatic mode is only to supply the slide A to the slide carrier 22, and otherwise the input device 10 automatically reads the image of the slide A. Therefore, the fully-automatic mode is the most productive mode that preferably corresponds to the normal operation of the input device 10. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIG.

Similar to the manual mode and the semi-automatic mode, the operator supplies the slide A to the slide carrier 22, the slide A is transported to the exposure position P1 as described above, and the signal is output to the control device 104. When the control device 104 receives this signal, the control device 104 instructs the slide carrier 22 to press the slide A by the slide retainer 56, and the slide carrier 2
In response to this, the second presses the slide A with the slide retainer 56, and outputs a response of completion to the control device 104.

When the control device 104 receives this response, the G filter 28G of the color filter plate 28 is inserted in the optical path L, and if necessary, as described above, the focus adjusting lens section 96.
The focus adjustment is performed, the prescan and the main scan are performed, the image information processing by the prescan image processing device 102 and the main scan image processing device 100, the image processing condition setting by the condition setting device 112, and the like are performed. Note that the display of the prescan image on the display 106 does not necessarily have to be performed. When the prescan and the main scan are completed and the setting of the image processing condition is completed, the transfer instruction is issued from the control device 104, the output image information is output from the main scan image processing device 100, and is set by the condition setting device 112. It is processed according to the image processing conditions and output to the image recording apparatus P.

When the output of the image information from the main scan image processing apparatus 100 is completed, the controller 104 issues an instruction to eject the slide A to the slide carrier 22 in the same manner as in the semi-automatic mode. The slide carrier 22 releases the pressing of the slide A, ejects the slide A, outputs a signal indicating the end of ejection, or when the slide A to be read next is conveyed to the exposure position P1, the slide A Is transmitted to the control device 104 from the slide carrier 22, and thereafter, the image reading of the slide A is similarly performed.

In the example described above, reading of one image group is basically performed by the selected reading mode until the end, but the reading mode can be changed during reading of one image group. Of course, the image may be read on a desired slide A in a desired reading mode. Further, when the operator presses the feed key 84 or the return key 86 of the adjusting means 58 during image reading in the semi-automatic mode (or in the fully automatic mode), the apparatus is set to the position adjustment state and the reading mode is automatically set. Alternatively, the manual mode may be switched to. Further, the input device 10 is basically configured such that even if the feed key 84 or the return key 86 is pressed while the slide A is pressed by the slide presser 56, no operation is performed.
For example, when the feed key 84 or the return key 86 is pressed continuously or a plurality of times, regardless of the state of the input device 10, the pressing by the slide presser 56 is released and the slide A is moved. Good.

Further, in the image reading in the fully automatic mode, the operator preliminarily determines the image processing condition by observing the image of the slide A which is the original by the Shark Sten or the like, and determines the image processing condition by the keyboard 108 or the like.
The image processing conditions set by the condition setting device 112 may be changed by inputting 0.

Although the image reading method and the image input device of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and various improvements and changes may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course.

[0063]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in an image input device which photoelectrically reads an image photographed on a film of a slide, at normal times, good workability and efficient and quick operation are provided. It is possible to perform various image readings, and further, if necessary, it is possible to arbitrarily perform operations such as adjusting the reading position of the slide, variable-magnification reading, and desired image processing. It can be suitably used.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an image input device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a light source unit of the image input device shown in FIG.

3A and 3B are schematic perspective views for explaining carrier exchange in the image input device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a slide carrier mounted on the image input device shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a manual mode in the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a semi-automatic mode in the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a fully automatic mode in the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 (Image) Input Device 12 Optical Frame 12b Carrier Base 14 Light Source Section 16 Imaging Section 18 Image Sensor 20 Control Section 22 Slide Carrier 24 Light Source 26 Aperture 28 Color Filter Plate 30 Diffusion Box 32, 51 Opening 34, 36 Guide Rail 38, 40 groove 42 carrier body 44 cover 46 stacking box 48 transport stage 50 supply section 52 drive roller 54 driven roller 56 slide retainer 58 adjusting means 60 pilot lamps 62, 64 timing belt 66 first drive system 68 second drive system 70 first motor 72 Guide roller 74 Second motor 76 Arm 78 Spring 80 Rotary solenoid 82 Carry-in roller 84 Feed key 86 Return key 88 Ejection key 90 Surface plate 92 Lens unit 94 Zoom motor 96 Zoom lens Part 98 focus adjusting lens section 100 scans the image information processing apparatus 102 pre-scan image information processing apparatus 104 the controller 106 display 108 keyboard 110 mouse

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 27, 1996

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0010

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an image input apparatus of the present invention for carrying out the image reading method of the present invention. The image input device (hereinafter referred to as an input device) 10 of the illustrated example is a slide A which is usually a reversal film fixed to a frame (mount), or a long negative or reversal film, and a large number of images are taken. It is a device corresponding to the input device of the above-described digital photo printer, which uses films such as strips as originals and photoelectrically reads images photographed on these films. Such an input device 10 is
An optical frame 12 including a main body 12a and a carrier base 12b fixed orthogonally to the main body 12a, a light source unit 14, an image forming unit 16, an image sensor 18 which is an area sensor, the entire apparatus (or the entire digital photo printer). The control unit 20 for performing the operations and controls described above, and various carriers that can be mounted on the carrier base 12b and that hold the images of the slide A or the strips at the exposure position. In the illustrated example, the slide carrier 22 corresponding to the slide A is mounted on the carrier base 12b.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0024

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

In the slide carrier 22 of the illustrated example, the slide retainer 5 that presses the slide A transported to the exposure position P1 against the transport stage 48 to prevent the slide A from rising.
6 are arranged. The slide retainer 56 is a substantially C-shaped member that is rotated about the rotary shaft 80a by the rotary solenoid 80, and normally, the pressing portion 56a at the tip is moved upward by the rotary solenoid 80 from the transport stage 48. The position is set so as not to hinder the transportation of the slide A. When the slide A is transported to the exposure position P1,
The rotary solenoid 80 rotates the rotary shaft 80a,
The pressing portion 56a of the slide retainer 56 is moved downward to press the slide A against the transport stage 48 to prevent the slide A from floating during exposure and correct the mount distortion and the like.

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0029

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

As is clear from the above description, the slide carrier 22 in the illustrated example is divided into two systems, and the sensor for detecting the slide A at the exposure position P1 and the standby position P2 is provided, so that the slide carrier 22 is exposed. Regardless of timing,
Further, the slide A can be supplied at the operator's timing even during the exposure, and the slide A can stand by at the standby position P2 near the exposure position P1 during the exposure. Switching can be performed quickly, the exposure cycle time can be made constant, and efficient image reading (printing) can be performed.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Office reference number FI technical display location H04N 1/04 106 H04N 1/04 C 5/222

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A slide in which a film is fixed to a frame is conveyed to a predetermined exposure position, reading light is irradiated to obtain projection light of the film, and the projection light is imaged on an image sensor to form the film. An image reading method in which a captured image is photoelectrically read, and predetermined image processing is performed to output it as image information, in which after the slide is conveyed to the exposure position, the position of the slide is adjusted or the imaging magnification of projection light is adjusted. Alternatively, after performing both the adjustments, image reading is performed, and after adjusting the processing conditions of the image information to be output as necessary, the manual mode in which the image processing is performed and the image information is output, and the slide is moved to the exposure position. After carrying and reading the image, adjusting the processing conditions of the output image information as necessary, performing the image processing to output the image information and ejecting the slide from the exposure position. One of at least two modes can be selected from the semi-automatic mode of outputting, and the fully automatic mode of automatically carrying out the slide conveyance from the exposure position to the output of the image information and the slide discharge from the exposure position. In addition, the image reading method is characterized in that the image is read in the operation procedure according to the selected mode. 2. A slide carrier configured to convey a slide having a film fixed to a frame to a predetermined exposure position and eject the slide after completion of reading, a slide position adjusting means at the exposure position, and the slide carrier mounted on the slide carrier. An optical frame, a light source for irradiating the slide at the exposure position of the slide carrier mounted on the optical frame with the reading light, and photoelectrically reading the projection light emitted from the light source and transmitted through the film fixed to the slide. An image sensor, an image-forming lens having a variable magnification function for forming an image of the projection light on the image sensor, a magnification adjusting means of the image-forming lens, and an image signal by processing an output signal from the image sensor. An image processing unit for outputting as a light, a mode selecting unit, and a slide supplied to the slide carrier to the exposure unit. After adjusting the position of the slide or the magnification of the imaging lens, or both of the adjustments, the image is read and the processing conditions of the image information to be output are adjusted as necessary, and then the image processing is performed. Manual mode in which image information is output from the unit, the slide supplied to the slide carrier is conveyed to the exposure position to perform image reading, and after adjusting the processing conditions of the image information to be output as necessary,
A semi-automatic mode in which image information is output from the image processing unit and slide is ejected from the exposure position, and a slide is supplied to the slide carrier, so that image information from the image processing unit is transferred from the slide conveyance to the exposure position. At least 2 of the fully automatic modes that automatically perform the output of the
An image input device, wherein one of two modes is set, and a sequence controller controls the operation of the entire device according to the mode selected by the selecting means.