JPH09312802A - Image input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To image projection light of specific size and obtain a proper image which is not affected by the power by deciding the size of a film from the film carrier corresponding to a document, and setting the power of a zoom lens, and image conditions. SOLUTION: A GRB filter is put in an optical path L and the voltage to a halogen lamp is applied and adjusted; an the density value of output is set within a specific range and an aperture standard value is stored in a stop control unit 104. Then, the film carrier 22 corresponding to the style of the document is mounted on a carrier base 16. A control unit 102 of a control part 21 decides the film size from this carrier 22 and adjusts the power of a zoom lens part 96 by an adjusting motor 92. The stop control unit 104 automatically adjusts the focus with this power, a prescan is made, and image conditions are set. Then the image conditions are used to correct colors and density, and a main scan is made. Thus, the projection light of specific size is imaged on an image sensor irrelevantly to the film size and the image is read.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technical field of an image input device for photoelectrically reading an image photographed on a film, which is used in a photographic printing apparatus using digital exposure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, an image photographed on a photographic film (hereinafter, referred to as a film) such as a negative film or a reversal film is printed on a photosensitive material such as photographic paper by projecting an image of the film onto the photosensitive material. Surface-exposing the photosensitive material,
It is performed by so-called direct exposure. In contrast,
In recent years, a printing apparatus utilizing digital exposure, that is, photoelectrically reading image information recorded on a film, performing various kinds of image processing into digital image information for recording, and modulating according to this image information 2. Description of the Related Art Development of digital photo printers, in which an image (latent image) is recorded by scanning and exposing a photosensitive material with recording light and used as a print, is in progress.

In a digital photo printer, the film is read photoelectrically and color density correction is performed by signal processing to determine the exposure conditions, so that the exposure time per image is short and the exposure time is short. Since the time is also constant according to the image size, it is possible to print more quickly than in the conventional surface exposure. In addition, editing such as image synthesis and image division, and image processing such as color / density adjustment can be freely performed, and a finished print that has been freely edited and image-processed can be output according to the application. In addition, since the finished print image can be saved as image information on a recording medium such as a floppy disk, there is no need to prepare a film that serves as a document for reprinting, and it is not necessary to determine the exposure conditions again. Can work on it. Furthermore, in the conventional printing by direct exposure, it is not possible to reproduce all the images recorded on the film or the like in terms of resolution, color / density reproducibility, etc., but according to the digital photo printer, it is recorded on the film. It is possible to output a print that reproduces almost 100% of the existing image (density information).

Such a digital photo printer is basically an image input device for reading an image recorded on a film, a setup device for image-processing the read image to determine an exposure condition for image recording, and the determined device. It is composed of an image recording device that scans and exposes a photosensitive material according to exposure conditions to perform development processing. The applicant of the present invention has invented various image reading devices and methods for realizing such a digital photo printer.
This is proposed in each of the gazettes of 6-233052 and 6-245062, and the device outline of the digital photo printer is disclosed in the same gazette.

[0005]

By the way, an image input device used in a digital photo printer receives a reading light emitted from a light source on a film to obtain a projection light carrying an image photographed on the film. An image on the film is read by forming an image of this projection light on an image sensor such as a CCD sensor by an image forming lens and photoelectrically converting it. Here, the size of the film read by the digital photo printer is various, but the size of the projection light imaged on the image sensor is preferably as uniform as possible in terms of subsequent image processing, and From the viewpoint of image reading resolution, it is preferable to set the maximum size that can be read by the light receiving surface of the image sensor. It is also preferable to be able to create a finished print by cutting out a part of the image photographed on the film and enlarging (trimming) it.

Therefore, in the image input device, a so-called zoom lens is used as an image forming lens, the magnification is adjusted according to the size of the film, and the image sensor can receive the size of the projection light imaged on the image sensor. It is preferable that the image is read at the maximum size, or the magnification is arbitrarily adjusted to trim the desired portion of the image captured on the film, and the image is read at the maximum size that the image sensor can receive. . However, since the F number of the zoom lens changes depending on the magnification and the amount of transmitted light changes, the amount of projection light incident on the image sensor changes according to the magnification, and the output value from the image sensor also changes. That is, in the image input device using the zoom lens, the reading condition is affected by the magnification, and depending on the magnification, proper image reading may not be possible.

An object of the present invention is an image input device used in a digital photo printer for producing a photographic print by utilizing digital exposure, in which the magnification of the projection light of the film can be adjusted by a zoom lens, and the image can be taken on the film. Image reading that trims the desired part from the created image,
Provided is an image input device capable of performing image reading by forming a projection light of a predetermined size on an image sensor regardless of the film size, and moreover, performing appropriate image reading without being affected by magnification. Especially.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a light source section for injecting a reading light, which is emitted from a light source and whose light amount is adjusted by a light source diaphragm, into a film, and a projection transmitted through the film. An image sensor that photoelectrically reads light, an image-forming lens that forms an image of the projection light on the image sensor, the magnification of which is adjustable, and a correction table of a light source diaphragm that is preset according to the magnification of the image-forming lens. An image input device comprising: a control unit that controls the open value of the open diaphragm by performing correction using the correction table according to the magnification of the imaging lens.

[0009]

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

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example of the image input device of the present invention (control section 21 is shown in a block diagram). Image input device (hereinafter referred to as input device) 1 shown in FIG.
0 is a strip negative A which is a long negative or reversal film and a large number of images are taken, and usually an image taken on a slide B formed by fixing one reversal film to a frame (mount). An optical reading device, which includes an optical frame 12, a light source unit 14, and a carrier base 1.
6, an image forming unit 18, a CCD sensor 20 as an image sensor, a control unit 21, and a film carrier 22 that can be mounted on the carrier base 16 and a trimming (slide) carrier 24 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). It is configured to have a carrier of.

In the input device 10, a carrier suitable for reading is mounted on the carrier base 16 and the light source unit 14 is mounted on the strip A or slide B (hereinafter, both are collectively referred to as a film) located at the reading position Z. The image is irradiated with the reading light from the film to obtain the projection light that carries the captured image on the film, and the projection light is CCed by the image forming unit 18.
An image formed on the film is photoelectrically read by processing the resulting output signal (image data signal) in the control unit 21 by forming an image on the D sensor 20 and performing photoelectric conversion.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the light source section 14. In the input device 10, the light source unit 14 is for irradiating the reading light whose light amount is adjusted from the lower side of the film to obtain the projection light carrying the image photographed on the film. It is located below and has a halogen lamp 25, a diaphragm 26, a color filter plate 28, and a diffusion box 30. In addition to the above, the light source unit 14 is provided with a cooling fan or the like for cooling various members such as the halogen lamp 25.

The halogen lamp 25 is a light source for reading light. In the input device 10 of the illustrated example, as a preferred mode, the amount of light can be adjusted by adjusting the voltage applied to the halogen lamp 25. . In the present invention, as the light source, various known light sources that can emit a reading light of a sufficient amount for reading an image by the CCD sensor 20 can be used. For example, in addition to a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, a mercury lamp, etc. are exemplified. To be done.

The diaphragm 26 is a light source diaphragm for adjusting the amount of read light incident on the film, and in the illustrated example, two ND filters 26a having different passing light amounts in the plane direction where a logarithmic curve is formed in the light-shielding portion. And 26b, and a moving means (not shown) having a motor 27 as a drive source.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ND filters 26a and 26b have their optical axes L (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 3) and the maximum open portion, with their open sides with less light-shielding portions facing each other. There is disposed in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis L so as to correspond to, by the motor 27, by the in plane direction of the arrow a ₁ direction and the arrow a ₂ to move the ND filter 26a and 26b toward or away from each other, halogen The passing area of the reading light emitted from the lamp 25, that is, the opening value is adjusted to adjust the passing light amount of the reading light, and the light amount of the reading light incident on the film is adjusted. In the illustrated example, the motor 27 is a pulse motor, and the ND filter 26a
The positions of 26 and 26b, that is, the open value of the diaphragm 26 are controlled by pulses. Further, the driving of the motor 27 is controlled by the diaphragm control device 104 using a light source diaphragm table showing the relationship between the open value of the diaphragm 26 and the output of the CCD sensor 20 which will be described later.

ND filter 2 having motor 27 as a drive source
The moving means of 6a and 26b is not particularly limited, and various known moving means of plate-like objects can be used. For example, means using screw transmission, means using cam, means using link mechanism, rack and pinion. Means and the like using is exemplified. Further, the light source diaphragm used in the present invention is not limited to the one using an ND filter having a different amount of light passing through in the plane direction as shown in the drawing, but a known variable such as an iris diaphragm or a diaphragm using a plurality of diaphragm plates. Various diaphragms can be used.

The color filter plate 28 has three through holes formed in a disk-shaped plate material, and the R (red) filter 28 is formed in each through hole.
It has three color filters R, G (green) filter 28G, and B (blue) filter 28B.
8a is configured to be rotatable by a rotating means (not shown). During image reading, R filter 28R,
The G filter 28G 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 of R, G, and B and read.

Here, the sensitivity of the CCD sensor 20 to the R, G and B lights is not uniform, the sensitivity to the B light is low and the sensitivity to the R light is high. Moreover, the light of the halogen lamp 25 has a relatively large amount of R component. Therefore, the output from the CCD sensor 20 by reading the film is R
Is high and B is low, and the output of the three colors cannot be balanced. Therefore, in the input device 10 of the illustrated example, by adjusting the spectral characteristics of each color filter and the size of the through hole in which each color filter is mounted, the amount of light passing through the R filter 28R is minimized and the B filter 28B is adjusted.
To maximize the amount of light passing therethrough to balance the R, G and B outputs from the CCD sensor 20.

The diffusion box 30 is for making the amount of reading light incident on the film uniform in the plane direction of the film. In the illustrated example, the diffusion box 3
0 is a square column 30a whose inner surface is a mirror surface and whose upper and lower surfaces are open, and a ground glass 30b on the lower surface and a milky white acrylic plate 3 on the upper surface.
0c are arranged respectively, but other than this, various known light diffusing means such as opal glass can be used.

Above the light source unit 14, the carrier base 1 is provided.
6 are arranged. The carrier base 16 is a portion that holds various carriers such as the film carrier 22 and the trimming carrier 24 on the upper surface thereof and holds them at a predetermined position, and is fixed vertically to the optical frame 12.

As shown in FIG. 4, the carrier base 1
An opening 32 through which the reading light from the light source unit 14 passes is formed in a portion of 6 corresponding to the optical axis L. Further, guide rails 34 and 36 are formed on the upper surface of the carrier base 16 in the direction from the front side in the figure toward the optical frame 12, that is, in the arrow y direction orthogonal to the arrow x direction which is the film transport direction. . Corresponding to the guide rails 34 and 36, grooves 38 and 40 are formed on the bottom surface of the film carrier 22, and grooves 42 and 44 are formed on the bottom surface of the trimming carrier 24 (see FIG. 5), respectively. . The positions of the carriers mounted on the upper surface of the carrier base 16 are defined in the arrow x direction by the guide rails 34 and 36 and the grooves corresponding to the guide rails 34 and 36, and by abutting on the optical frame 12, the direction of the arrow y is determined. Is defined, and the carrier base 16 is positioned at a predetermined position and can be placed freely.

The film carrier 22 intermittently conveys the strips (sleeve) A in the direction of the arrow x, so that each image photographed on the strips A is placed at a predetermined position on the optical axis L, that is, on the carrier base 16. The document is sequentially conveyed to the reading position Z corresponding to the opening 32 and is used for reading.

On the bottom surface of the main body 46 of the film carrier 22, as described above, the guide rail 3 of the carrier base 16 is provided.
A groove 38 corresponding to No. 4 and a groove 40 corresponding to the guide rail 34 are formed. A guide groove 48 is formed on the upper surface of the main body 46 so as to extend in the transport direction indicated by the arrow x and at a position intersecting the optical axis L. Guide groove 48
Is a groove having almost the same width as the strips A, and the strips A are inserted here and are conveyed in the direction of the arrow x with the longitudinal direction aligned with the conveying direction, and the respective images are sequentially transferred to the reading position Z. Be transported. Therefore, the depth of the guide groove 48 is set so that the image surface of the strip A is at a predetermined position in the optical axis L direction (depth of focus direction). Further, at the reading position Z of the main body 46 of the film carrier 22, the light source unit 14
An opening is formed through which the reading light from is passed.
This opening also serves as a mask for restricting the reading light incident on the strip A.

In the guide groove 48, from the upstream side to the downstream side in the x direction, the conveying means 50, the film pressure bonding unit 52,
And the screen detection sensor 54 is arranged. Transport means 50
Is for transporting the strip A in the direction of arrow x, and is composed of a motor 56 and a transport roller 58. For example, depending on the detection result of the screen detection sensor 54, it stops when the image reaches the reading position Z, When the reading end signal is received from the control unit 21, the conveyance is started again, and the next image is conveyed to the reading position Z. The film pressure bonding unit 52 presses the periphery of the image of the strip A against the guide groove 48 at the reading position Z to correct the curl of the strip A at the time of reading the image so that the entire surface of the image is at a predetermined position in the optical axis L direction. To hold. Such a film pressure bonding unit 52 is composed of a pressure bonding member 60 and a rotating means 64 for rotating the pressure bonding member 60 in the direction of the arrow b around the shaft 62. The pressure bonding member 60 conveys the strip A. Sometimes turning means 64
It is rotated upwards by, and downwards at the time of reading, and presses the strip A at the reading position Z. The screen detection sensor 54 is a known optical sensor that detects an image or a DX code captured downstream of the reading position Z in the x direction. In the illustrated film carrier 22, the transport of the strip A by the transport unit 50 is controlled, and the strip A is pressed and released by the film pressure bonding unit 52 according to the detection result of the screen detection sensor 54.

On the other hand, the trimming carrier 24 is a carrier for holding the slide B at an arbitrary position and cutting out and enlarging an arbitrary position of the image of the slide B to perform trimming. The carrier main body 66 and the base 68. And a holding plate 70.

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the carrier body 66. The carrier body 66 is a rectangular body having the same external shape as the carrier body 46 of the film carrier 22,
The bottom surface of the groove 4 corresponds to the guide rails 34 and 36.
2 and 44 are formed. In addition, the carrier body 6
A through hole 72 is formed in the plate 6 so as to penetrate therethrough and through which read light from the light source unit 16 passes. Further, on the upper surface of the carrier body 66, a recess 74 is formed which is one step lower than the through hole 72 and has the base 68 inserted and loosely fitted therein.

As shown in FIG. 6, the base 68 is a plate-like member which is inserted into and loosely fitted in the recess 74 of the carrier body 66 and is attached to the carrier body 66. A grip portion 68a is formed so as to project to the outside from the recess 74 when it is attached to the main body 66 (recess 74). In addition, an opening 76 through which the reading light from the light source unit 16 of the input device 12 passes is formed substantially at the center of the base 68.
Is formed. The base 68 has a dish-like structure, and a mounting portion 68c is formed lower than the peripheral portion 68b, and a holding plate 70 is movably mounted thereon.

The holding plate 70 is a plate-shaped member having an opening 88 corresponding to the image surface of the slide B (shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 6), and holds the slide B, and as described above, the base. It is movably mounted on the mounting portion 68c of 68. Therefore, the upper surface of the holding plate 70 is formed at such a height that when the standard slide B is placed and placed on the placing portion 68c, the film surface thereof becomes a predetermined position in the optical axis L direction. It On the upper surface of the holding plate 70, the regulating members 78, 78 and the contact portion 8 are provided.
0 and 80 are fixed, and a pressing member 82 is attached to each regulating member 78. In order to facilitate the movement of the holding plate 70 on the mounting portion 68c, a lubricant such as a Teflon sheet is provided on the back surface of the holding plate 70, the upper surface of the mounting portion 68c, or both surfaces thereof, You may give various lubrication treatments.

The restricting members 78, 78 are guide members each having a substantially quadrangular prism shape and extending in the same direction as the shorter side with the opening 88 sandwiched between the shorter sides, and the positions of the opposite end faces of the slide B are set. Stipulate. Therefore, the interval between the regulation members 80 is set according to the maximum size slide B expected to be mounted.
On the other hand, the abutting portions 80, 80 are protrusions arranged in the vicinity of the depth side end face of the upper surface of the holding plate 70, and regulate the end face orthogonal to the end face regulated by the regulation member 80. That is, slide B
Is inserted between the regulating members 78, 78, and the contact portion 8
It is inserted in the direction of the arrow y until it abuts 0, 80, and its position is regulated so that the entire image surface is on the opening 88.
The pressing member 82 is rotatably supported in the vertical direction (perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 6) on the inner side surface of the regulating member 80, and the end portion on the contact portion 80 side contacts the upper surface of the holding plate 70. It is urged downward so as to press it. Therefore, the regulating member 7
The slide B inserted between 8 is pressed and held by the holding plate 70 by the pressing member 82.

In the illustrated example, the slide B is placed on the holding plate 70 with the image surface aligned with the opening 88, so that the contact portion 80, 80 is opposite to the contact portion. 8
It is inserted between the restricting members 78 and 78 until it abuts the 0 and 80, and is pressed and fixed to the holding plate 70 by the pressing member 82. The holding plate 70 is the mounting portion 6 of the base 68.
Since it is movably mounted on 8a, it is possible to position an arbitrary portion of the image of the slide B on the optical axis L by moving the holding plate 70 in all directions as shown by the arrow in FIG. it can. Here, as will be described later in detail, the input device 10
Since the image forming unit 18 has a zoom function, the projection image of the slide B formed on the image sensor 22 around the optical axis L can be enlarged, and a desired portion of the slide B image can be displayed on the optical axis L. Any part of the image can be trimmed by adjusting the magnification at the position.

The trimming carrier 24 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 was a trimming (slide) carrier using a holding plate 70 for holding the slide B.
Instead of 0, strips A as shown in FIG.
The strips holding plate 85 for sandwiching the strips A is used. By mounting it on the mounting portion 68a of the base 68, it can be used as a trimming (strip) carrier for trimming an arbitrary portion of the image photographed on the strip A. Further, in the input device 10 according to the present invention, in addition to the film carrier 22 and the trimming carrier 24, a manual carrier for fixing the film at a predetermined position by the operator and one slide B supplied by the operator. It may be provided with a slide carrier or the like for transporting the slides B in the direction of the arrow x, stopping at the reading position Z for image reading, and collecting the slides B for which reading has been completed.

On the upper part of the optical frame 12, an image forming section 18 is formed.
Is arranged. The image forming unit 18 has a lens unit 92 vertically mounted on a surface plate 90 fixed to the optical frame 12, a magnification adjusting motor 93, and a focus adjusting motor 94.
Image. The lens unit 92 includes a zoom lens unit 96 in which a known zoom lens is incorporated, and a focus of projection light which is located above the zoom lens unit 96 (downstream side in the optical axis L direction).
A focus adjustment lens unit 98 in which a known focus adjustment lens for adjustment is incorporated is formed on the light receiving surface of the D sensor 20.

The zoom lens unit 96 changes the magnification according to the size of the film during normal reading so that the CCD sensor 20 can receive the projection light (that is, the longest position of the necessary image area). When the image is formed on the CCD sensor 20 by adjusting the size of the part to be inscribed in the light receiving surface of the CCD sensor 20 and trimming is performed, the magnification is changed according to the setting by the operator to project the projection light to the CCD sensor 20.
Image. The adjustment gear 96a of the zoom lens unit 96 is
The zoom lens unit 96 is meshed with a gear 93a of a magnification adjusting motor 93 which is a pulse motor, and the magnification of the zoom lens unit 96 is adjusted by a magnification adjusting motor 93 controlled by a controller 102 described later. The control device 102 stores a magnification table corresponding to the number of drive pulses from the origin of the zoom lens unit 96, and the control device 102 drives the magnification adjustment motor 93 according to the film size and the magnification set by the operator. Then, the magnification of the zoom lens unit 96 is adjusted by pulse control. In the illustrated example, the zoom lens unit 9
The variable range of the magnification of 6 is 0.4 times to 0.8 times, and in this range, the magnification is adjusted in 41 steps of 0.01 times. The step size of the magnification is not limited to this, and may be, for example, 0.001 times. The origin of the zoom lens unit 96 may be detected by a known method such as a method using a sensor. In addition, the detection of the film size,
It may be performed by an operator's input, determination of the carrier type attached to the carrier base 16, or the like.

On the other hand, the adjusting gear 9 of the focus adjusting lens unit 98
8a is a gear 9 rotated by the focus adjustment motor 94.
4a is in mesh with the focus adjustment motor 94 to adjust the focus. The focus adjustment motor 94 is driven by the control unit 2
The input device 10 in the illustrated example is controlled by the control device 102 of No. 1 to perform automatic focus adjustment by using the image contrast of the document image read by the CCD sensor 20 by the TTL (Through The Lens) method.

The projection light of the film is reflected by the lens unit 92.
An image is formed on the CCD sensor 20 by and is read photoelectrically. The lens unit 92 and the CCD sensor 20
A shutter for measuring the dark current of the CCD sensor 20 is disposed between the and. In the input device 10, CC
The D sensor 20 is, for example, an area CCD sensor having 1380 × 920 pixels. In the illustrated example, CC
The D sensor 20 has an amount corresponding to a half pixel in the x direction and y.
The number of read pixels can be apparently increased up to four times. In addition,
In the present invention, various known image sensors can be used as the image sensor in addition to the CCD sensor.

As described above, R, G of the CCD sensor 20
The sensitivities of the respective colors B and B are not uniform, and the light of the halogen lamp 25 has a relatively large amount of R component. In addition, the color balance of the image is different between the negative film and the reversal film, and both are R and G.
And B have different balances. Therefore, when the image reading of the film is performed under the same conditions, the output from the CCD sensor 20 is greatly different between the negative film and the reversal film, and the R, G and B respectively. On the other hand, in the input device 10, as a preferable mode, the accumulation time (electronic shutter speed) of the CCD sensor 20 in each reading of negative film and reversal film, and R, G and B is changed,
Further, as described above, by changing the amount of light passing through the color filters of the color filter plate 28 for each of R, G, and B, the outputs of R, G, and B from the CCD sensor 20 in image reading are made as close as possible. There is. As a result, the amount of movement of the diaphragm 26 during image reading is minimized to ensure a light amount adjustment range, improve reading efficiency by shortening the adjustment time of the diaphragm 26, and ensure reliability of the motor 27.

The output signal of the CCD sensor 20 is output to the image processing device 100, the control device 102, and the aperture control device 10.
4 to the control unit 21. The control device 102 is a part that controls each part and the entire part of the input device 10 (or the digital photo printer). This control device 10
Reference numeral 2 denotes 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, and mode selection.
A keyboard 108 and a mouse 110 for operating the input device 10 such as various settings and operation instructions according to the display on the display 106 and a predetermined procedure are connected to form an operation system of the input device 10 (digital photo printer). To do. The control device 102 also adjusts the focus of the lens unit 92 by the focus adjustment motor 94, and also adjusts the magnification of the lens unit 92 (zoom lens unit 96) by the magnification adjustment motor 93 as described above.

The image processing apparatus 100 performs predetermined image processing such as A / D conversion and Log conversion on the output signal (image data signal) from the CCD sensor 20 at the time of prescan for roughly reading the image before the main scan. Then, the density histogram is created, each image processing condition in the main scan is set, and the output signal from the CCD sensor 20 in the main scan for obtaining the output image is A / D converted and Log. Predetermined processing such as conversion, gradation correction, shading correction, dark correction, offset correction, and the like, color / density correction, etc. are performed and output as output image information to the image recording device P or the like. It is configured by combining a known image processing circuit, a memory, and the like for performing the image processing of.

The iris control device 104 implements the illuminance setting method of the present invention and, at the same time, the iris 26 in the prescan.
Setting of the open value of, and the open value of the aperture 26 in the main scan from the image information obtained in the prescan,
The motor 27 of the light source unit 14 is driven to adjust the open value of the diaphragm 26.

The aperture control device 104 has a light source aperture table showing the relationship between the aperture value of the aperture 26 and the output from the CCD sensor 20, which is the basis of the adjustment of the amount of read light by the aperture 26, that is, the aperture value control. The iris 26 that is stored in the illuminance setting, prescan and main scan
The open value is determined based on this light source diaphragm table. The light source diaphragm table is not particularly limited as long as it shows the relationship between the aperture value of the diaphragm 26 and the output from the CCD sensor 20, but as a preferable mode, a light source diaphragm table created as follows is exemplified. To be done.

First, since the halogen lamp 25 has a light amount that causes the output of the CCD sensor 20 to be saturated when there is no film in the optical path, the diaphragm 26 is opened without the film and the CCD sensor 20 emits light. An ND filter that does not saturate the output even if the measurement is performed is arranged in the optical path. The density of the ND filter is not particularly limited,
In order to increase the S / N ratio, it is preferable to select an output from the CCD sensor 20 with the diaphragm 26 opened close to the saturated output of the CCD sensor 20.

After the ND filter is arranged in the optical path, one of the color filters is inserted, the diaphragm 26 is opened, and the CC
The output C from the D sensor 20 is measured. Here, as described above, the motor 27 that adjusts the opening value of the diaphragm 26 is a pulse motor, and the opening value is pulse-controlled. In the input device of the illustrated example, as an example, the control pulse when the diaphragm 26 is opened, that is, the open value I is 500. After measuring the output C ₅₀₀ when the diaphragm 26 is opened, the diaphragm 26 is closed for one pulse and the output C ₄₉₉ of the CCD sensor 20 is measured. Thereafter, similarly, C ₄₉₈ , C ₄₉₇ , ... ₀ and
CCD sensor 20 at each open value I until the aperture is closed
Of the output C _i .

Next, the shutter between the CCD sensor 20 and the lens unit 92 is closed to perform the measurement, and the dark current D of the CCD sensor 20 is obtained. The dark current D is subtracted from the output C _i to find the true output C _I at each open value I. C _I = C _i −D (I & i = 0 to 500) An example is shown in FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis is the open value I,
The vertical axis is a numerical value (C _I ) obtained by normalizing the output (mV) from the CCD sensor 20.

[0044] When the output C _I is obtained in each opening value I, by the following equation, taking the logarithm by dividing the output C ₅₀₀ when opening the output C _I in each opening value I, the output C _I, aperture 26 Value N based on output C ₅₀₀ when opening
Convert to _{I. N I = -Log (C I /} C 500) (I = 0~500) shows an example of converting the 8 to 9. The graph shown in FIG. 9 is a table showing how much the density value N _I changes when the open value I is moved to some extent. That is, by using this table, it is possible to know how many pulses the aperture 26 should be opened or closed in order to obtain a certain density.

Finally, the density value N of the graph shown in FIG.
_The amount corresponding to _I of 0 to 2 is divided into 256 equal parts to obtain the aperture standard value, the open value I for each aperture standard value is calculated, and the open value I
It is stored in the form of a table showing the relationship between and the aperture standard value. This table is a light source diaphragm table. FIG.
9 shows an example in which the graph shown in FIG. 9 is converted. In this density table, the density value N _I in FIG. 9 is converted into 8-bit digital density data (therefore, the vertical axis represents the density value N in FIG. 9).
_It is 128 times the value of I) and used as the aperture standard value. That is, the aperture standard value corresponds to digital density data of 0 to 255, and a table showing how many pulses the aperture 26 should be opened or closed to make certain density data into desired density data. Become. An example is shown in the table below.

The above-described operation is performed by sequentially inserting the R, G and B color filters of the color filter plate 28 into the optical path L to create the light source diaphragm tables corresponding to the R, G and B, respectively. The input device 10 uses this light source diaphragm table to set the illuminance, and also controls the open value of the diaphragm 26 during pre-scanning and main scanning. This light source diaphragm table needs to be newly created when there is a change that greatly affects the characteristics of the optical system, such as when the halogen lamp 25 or the lens unit 92, which is the light source of the reading light, is replaced. is there.

The light source diaphragm table thus obtained is prepared by inserting an ND filter in the optical path, and is based on the output C ₅₀₀ when the diaphragm 26 is opened. That is, it indicates a relative relationship with the output of the CCD sensor 20) and does not necessarily indicate an absolute output (density) at a certain open value. CC
The image reading using the D sensor 20 is preferably performed so that the maximum output (that is, the lowest density portion) becomes the saturated output of the CCD sensor 20 from the viewpoint of the S / N ratio, and the open value of the diaphragm 26 is However, it is not possible to obtain an open value for obtaining a desired output only with this light source diaphragm table.

Therefore, it is necessary to set the reference state of the light source unit 14, that is, the illuminance for image reading, in order to obtain a desired output of the reading light amount. In other words, the illuminance setting is
The state of the light source unit 14 is set so that the output of the CCD sensor 20 becomes a saturated output.

First, the voltage applied to the halogen lamp 25 is set to a predetermined value, and the saturation output C _ref of the CCD sensor 20 is set as a target value. Next, the opening value I of the diaphragm 26 is adjusted to the initial diaphragm standard value that is predicted to bring the output of the CCD sensor 20 to near saturation in the absence of a film.
The filter 28G is inserted in the optical path L, and the output GC _out of the CCD sensor 20 is measured. Next, the output GC _out is divided by the target value C _ref to obtain the logarithm, and the density value GX is calculated.
That is, the density value GX is obtained by the following formula [1]. GX = −log (GC _out / C _ref ) ... [1] The illuminance setting is this density value GX (that is, output GC _out )
The state of the light source unit 14 is adjusted for the purpose of keeping the value within a predetermined range.

As one of the illuminance setting methods, there is exemplified a method of adjusting the open value I of the diaphragm 26 to bring the density value GX into a predetermined range according to the calculated density value GX (hereinafter, this will be described. Method 1). The concentration value GX calculated by the formula [1]
The output GC _{out at the} open value I is the target value C _ref
It is a numerical value indicating how much or the amount is insufficient in terms of concentration value conversion. Therefore, by feeding back the density value GX, it is possible to bring the GX into the target range (close to it). That is, the first density value GX is calculated as described above, and when the value is within the predetermined range, the aperture standard value at that time is _set as the open standard value GS _set for G image reading, and the aperture control device is _set. It is stored in 104. CC
When the output GC _out of the D sensor 20 is saturated, the diaphragm 26 is closed by an appropriate amount, and when the density value GX is not within the predetermined range, the density value GX ( Aperture 26 corresponding to the aperture standard value)
The open value is adjusted, the measurement is performed again, and the concentration value GX is calculated using the formula [1]. This operation is repeated until the density value GX falls within the predetermined range, and the aperture standard value when it enters the predetermined range is determined as the open standard value GS _set to determine the aperture control device 1.
04.

As another method of setting the illuminance, there is exemplified a method of adjusting the voltage applied to the halogen lamp 25, which is a light source, to bring the density value GX into a target range (hereinafter, referred to as method 2). To). As is well known, the halogen lamp 25 can change the applied voltage setting value within a predetermined range without adversely affecting the halogen cycle, color temperature, life, etc., and thereby adjust the light amount. be able to. This method utilizes this. In the above method 1, the halogen lamp 25
The applied voltage of is fixed to a predetermined set value.

The first density value GX is calculated as described above,
When the density value GX is within the predetermined range, the voltage applied to the halogen lamp 25 is fixed there, and the diaphragm standard value in that state is _set as the open standard value GS _set , and the diaphragm controller 1
04. When the output GC _out of the CCD sensor 20 is saturated, the applied voltage to the halogen lamp 25 is reduced by an appropriate amount, and when the concentration value GX is not within the predetermined range, the applied voltage to the halogen lamp 25 is reduced. The amount of light is adjusted by increasing or decreasing by a predetermined step width, and after the amount of light stabilizes after a certain period of time, the output GC _out is measured and the density value GX is calculated using the formula [1]. This operation
Repeat until the concentration value GX falls within the predetermined range
Is within a predetermined range, the voltage applied to the halogen lamp 25 is fixed, and the aperture standard value in that state is stored in the aperture controller 104 as the open standard value GS _set (therefore, the aperture standard value is the initial value). Become). If the applied voltage to the halogen lamp 25 exceeds the adjustable range during the illuminance setting, the applied voltage to the halogen lamp 25 is fixed here, and the method 1 is used thereafter.
The open value I of the diaphragm 26 is kept until the density value GX falls within a predetermined range.
When the density value GX falls within a predetermined range, the aperture standard value at that time is stored in the aperture control device 104 as the open standard value GS _set .

In this way, the voltage applied to the halogen lamp 25 is determined, and the open standard value GS _{set for} G image reading is determined.
Is set, then, for example, the R filter 28R of the color filter plate 28 is inserted in the optical path L, the open standard value RS _set for R image reading is _set using only the method 1, and finally, the color filter plate is set. The B filter 28B of No. 28 is inserted in the optical path L, and similarly, the open standard value BS _set of B image reading is set by using only the method 1.

[0054] Thus, to determine the voltage applied to the halogen-run 25, the open specifications GS _{se t,} and set the RS _{The set,} and BS _{The set,} terminates the luminance setting. The light amount of the halogen lamp 25, which is a light source, changes with time due to deterioration, accumulation of dirt, dust, and the like. Therefore, it is preferable that the illuminance setting is performed every time the input device 10 is started up. Further, the output from the CCD sensor 20 in the above-described creation of the light source diaphragm table and the setting of the illuminance cannot obtain an accurate value due to the influence of shading etc. when the data of all pixels is used. As shown in the example, the CCD sensor 20 has 13
In the case of a CCD sensor having 80 × 920 pixels, it is preferable to use 32 × 8 pixels in the central portion and use the arithmetic mean value thereof.

This open standard value is a standard for the open value of the diaphragm 26 during prescan, but the input device 10 adjusts the magnification of the zoom lens portion 96 of the lens unit 92 according to the film size and trimming. Since the zoom lens changes the amount of transmitted light according to the magnification, the amount of projection light incident on the CCD sensor 20 changes according to the magnification, that is, the image reading condition affects the magnification. Therefore, depending on the magnification, proper image reading may not be possible. On the other hand, in the input device 10 according to the present invention, the aperture control device 104 stores the correction table (zoom light amount correction table) of the aperture 26 according to the magnification of the zoom lens unit 96, and each open standard value GS. _set , RS _set , BS _set , zoom lens unit 9
Pre-scan is performed by adding the correction according to the magnification of 6 and setting the open value of the diaphragm 26. Therefore, the input device 1 of the present invention
According to 0, regardless of the magnification of the zoom lens unit 96, it is possible to always perform stable and proper image reading.

The relative variation amount of the transmitted light amount based on the variation of the effective F number in accordance with the change in the magnification of the zoom lens (zoom lens unit 96) can be determined in advance by design or experimentally. Therefore, based on the magnification used to create the light amount diaphragm table and to set the illuminance, a relative light amount variation of the zoom lens unit 96 depending on the magnification, that is, CC
The illuminance ratio of the projection light imaged on the D sensor 20 can also be obtained in advance by design or experimentally. FIG. 11 shows an example of the relationship between the magnification of the zoom lens unit 96 and the illuminance ratio. It is preferable that the light amount diaphragm table is created and the illuminance is set at a magnification corresponding to the film size (usually 135 size) expected to be read most by the input device 10. The input device 10 in the illustrated example is 0.44 times. Is the standard.

Then, the illuminance ratio is subjected to density conversion (Log conversion) to obtain a density difference due to a change in magnification with 0.44 times as a reference. FIG. 12 shows an example of density conversion of the illuminance ratio of FIG. A table indicating the relationship between the density difference (that is, the aperture value of the diaphragm 26) and the magnification is stored, and this is used to correct the density according to the magnification of the zoom lens unit 96, that is, the aperture value of the diaphragm 26. By doing so, it is possible to read an image under constant conditions regardless of the magnification. In the input device 10 of the illustrated example,
The density difference in FIG. 12 is standardized (12
The zoom control unit 104 stores a zoom light amount correction table in which a magnification corresponding to each correction diaphragm standard value is obtained and tabulated.

The table below shows the zoom light amount correction table obtained from FIG. In the table below, the magnification of the zoom lens section is "magnification" and the corrected aperture standard value is "correction".
, Respectively. Here, as described above, when adjusting the magnification in increments of 0.001, 0.400 to 0.409
Up to double -6, up to 0.410 to 0.419 up to -4
(Alternatively, it may be determined according to the device characteristics.) The zoom light amount correction table may be used.

The control device 102 described above is, for example, installed.
Filled by discriminating the type of carrier and operator input
The size of the zoom lens unit 96 is determined accordingly.
Operate for determining the magnification or for trimming.
Drive the magnification adjustment motor 93 by operating the
To adjust the magnification. At the same time, the magnification information is restricted
It is also sent to the control device 104, and the aperture control device 104
Magnification of the zoom lens unit 96 using the light amount correction table
Read the corrected aperture standard value according to the
And open standard value GS _set, RS_set, B
S_setTo correct the aperture standard value.
A light amount diaphragm table is used as the scan aperture standard value.
Determine the open value of the diaphragm 26 and drive the motor 27
The diaphragm 26 in the rescan is adjusted. In addition, carry
(A) As a method of discriminating the species, carry carrier 16
Pressing the micro switch by mounting
Discrimination of the connector type by the connection between the rear and the input device 10,
Known methods such as output of discrimination signal from carrier can be used
Noh.

In the input device 10 according to the present invention,
The open value of the diaphragm 26 in the prescan is basically determined as described above. Here, in the image reading using the CCD sensor 20, it is performed so that the output is saturated at the minimum density point where the amount of transmitted light is at or near the maximum.
Although it is preferable in terms of the / N ratio, the film has a base density, and when the film is inserted into the optical path L and read, the amount of transmitted light (output of the CCD sensor 20) always decreases. Therefore, when performing the prescan, it is preferable to increase the amount of light corresponding to the base density of the film, that is, to read by opening the diaphragm 26. For example, the diaphragm standard value corresponding thereto is calculated in advance from the base density of the film. Then, the aperture standard value of the prescan obtained from the aperture standard value and the corrected aperture standard value according to the magnification is corrected by the aperture standard value corresponding to the base density, and the aperture obtained by this is corrected. The open value of the diaphragm 26 may be determined according to the standard value.

The input device 10 according to the present invention basically has the above-mentioned structure, and its operation will be described below. When the main power supply of the input device 10 is turned on and the device is activated, first, the above-mentioned illuminance setting is performed. That is, the applied voltage of the halogen lamp 25 is set to a predetermined value for lighting, the saturation output C _ref of the CCD sensor 20 is set as a target value, the open value of the diaphragm 26 is set to an initial setting value, and the light amount is changed. When stable, G filter 28G
Is inserted in the optical path L, the output GC _out is measured, and GX is calculated. Here, the open standard value GS for G image reading
_{Assuming that} the setting of the set is performed by the method 2, if the GX is not within the predetermined range, the voltage applied to the halogen lamp 25 is increased by the predetermined amount to increase the light amount, and after the light amount is stabilized, the density value GX is set. Is repeated until the density value GX falls within a predetermined range, and when the density value GX falls within the predetermined range, the voltage applied to the halogen lamp 25 is fixed, and the aperture standard value at that time is set to the open standard value. It is stored in the aperture control device 104 as a GS _set . If the density value GX does not fall within the predetermined range due to the voltage adjustment, the open value is further adjusted using Method 1 to open the open standard value GS.
_{The set} is set as described above.

Next, the R filter 28R is inserted in the optical path L.
Then, as described above, the open standard value RS according to Method 1_set
Setting, that is, calculation of GX and opening value of diaphragm 26
Repeated adjustment of R to open standard value RS in R image reading
_setIs set and stored in the aperture control device 104, and similarly,
Open standard value RS in B image reading_setSet the aperture
Stored in the control device 104 and applied to the halogen lamp 25
Voltage, open standard value GS _set, RS_set, And BS_set
To set the illuminance.

The operator mounts the carrier according to the form of the document to be read on the carrier base 16 as shown in FIG. Here, assuming that the strip A is read, as shown in FIG.
2 is mounted at a predetermined position on the carrier base 16. Next, the pressure-bonding member 60 of the film pressure-bonding unit 52 is lifted up, and the strips A are loaded in the film carrier 22 so that the first image captured on the strips A is at the reading position Z.

On the other hand, the control device 102 of the control unit 21 is
Determine the size of the film from the loaded carrier and
Determine the magnification according to the rum size and drive the adjustment motor 93.
Move the zoom lens unit 96 to adjust the magnification, and
The control unit 104 outputs magnification information. Receive magnification information
The digit aperture control device 104 is a zoom light amount correction table.
Read the corrected aperture standard value according to the magnification from each
Rating GS_set, RS_set, BS _setCompensation aperture standard value to
Pre-scan the aperture standard value obtained by adding
As the aperture standard value of the
The open value of the diaphragm 26 in the can is determined.

After the above operation is completed, when an instruction to start reading is issued, automatic focus adjustment is performed as necessary,
Then, the pre-scan and the main scan are started.
In the prescan, for example, the G filter 28G is first inserted in the optical path L, and the aperture control device 104 uses the light amount aperture table to change the aperture value of the aperture 26 from the aperture standard value of the prescan set as described above. The reading is performed and the motor 27 is driven to adjust the diaphragm 26. The light dimmed by the diaphragm 26 and the G filter 28G is transmitted through the strip A, and the projection light carrying the image is projected onto the lens unit 92.
An image is formed on the CCD sensor 20 by the G image. When the reading of the G image is completed, the color filter plate 28 rotates and, for example, the R filter 28R is inserted into the optical path L, and the diaphragm 26 is similarly adjusted according to the set diaphragm standard value to obtain the R image. Reading is done,
Similarly, the B image is read and the prescan ends.

The prescan images read by the CCD sensor 20 are sequentially sent to the image processing apparatus 100,
A predetermined process such as A / D conversion and Log conversion is performed to obtain image information, a density histogram is created, image processing conditions are set, and the obtained image is displayed on the display 1.
It is displayed on 06. Furthermore, the aperture control device 104 sequentially determines the aperture standard values in the main scan as G, R, and B from the density histogram created by the image processing device 100, for example, according to the lowest density.

When the pre-scan B-image reading is completed,
The G filter 28G is again inserted into the optical path L, the G image reading of the main scan is subsequently started, and the aperture controller 104
The aperture value of the aperture 26 is determined using the light source aperture table according to the aperture standard value of the G image reading of the main scan determined by, and the motor 27 is driven to adjust the aperture value of the aperture 26,
Similar to the prescan, G filter 28G and diaphragm 2
The light modulated by 6 passes through strips A,
The projection light is projected by the lens unit 92 to the CCD sensor 20.
Then, the G image of the original is read and sent to the image processing apparatus 100. Then, similarly, the R image and the B image are read and sent to the image processing apparatus 100. CC
The main scan image read by the D sensor 20 is
In the image processing apparatus 100, A / D conversion, dark correction,
Predetermined processing such as Log conversion is performed to obtain image information,
Further, color / density correction or the like is performed according to the processing condition set according to the prescan, and the image information for output is output to the image recording apparatus P.

When the first image reading is completed in this way, a signal to that effect is sent from the control section 21 to the film carrier 2.
2, the crimping member 60 is rotated upward to open the strips A, and then the transporting unit 50 is driven to transport the strips A in the direction of the arrow x, and the detection result by the screen detection sensor 54 is displayed. Accordingly, the conveyance is stopped, and the next image is conveyed to the reading position Z. Next, the crimping member 60 is rotated downward to fix the strip A, and the prescan and the main scan are performed in the same manner as above.

Although the image input device of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and various modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Of course.

[0070]

As described above in detail, in the image input apparatus of the present invention, the magnification is adjusted by the zoom lens to read an image obtained by trimming a desired portion from the image photographed on the film, and the film size. The image can be read by forming a projection light of a predetermined size on the image sensor, and the image can be read properly without being affected by the magnification.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of one usage mode of an example of an image input apparatus of the present invention.

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

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an operation of a (variable) diaphragm of the light source section shown in FIG.

4 (a) and 4 (b) are schematic perspective views showing an operation of carrier exchange in the image input device shown in FIG.

5 is a schematic plan view of a carrier body of a trimming carrier mounted on the image input device shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a trimming carrier mounted on the image input device shown in FIG.

7 is a schematic perspective view of a strips holding plate used in the trimming carrier shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing an example of a relationship between an open value and an output of a CCD sensor in reading a color image.

9 is a graph obtained by converting the output of the CCD sensor in the graph shown in FIG. 7 into a density value with reference to when the aperture is open.

10 is a graph in which the density values of the graph shown in FIG. 8 are standardized.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing an example of the relationship between the zoom lens magnification and the illuminance ratio.

FIG. 12 is a graph obtained by converting the illuminance ratio of the graph shown in FIG. 11 into a density difference.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 (Image) Input Device 12 Optical Frame 14 Light Source Section 16 Carrier Base 18 Imaging Section 20 CCD Sensor 21 Control Section 22 Film Carrier 24 Trimming Carrier 25 Light Source 26 Aperture 27 Motor 28 Color Filter Plate 30 Diffusion Box 32 Opening 34, 36 Guide Rails 38, 40, 42, 44 Grooves 46, 66 Main body 48, 68 Guide groove 50 Conveying means 52 Film crimping unit 54 Screen detection sensor 56 Motor 58, 74 Conveying roller 60 Crimping member 62 Shaft 64 Rotating means 66 Carrier body 68 Base 70 Holding Plate 72 Through Hole 74 Recesses 76, 88 Opening 78 Regulation Member 80 Abutting Part 82 Pressing Member 84 Opening 85 Strips Holding Plate 86 Plate Material 90 Surface Plate 92 Lens Unit 94 Focus Adjustment Motor 96 Zoom Lens Part 98 Focus Adjustment Lens unit 100 the image processing apparatus 102 the controller 104 aperture control device

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display area H04N 1/04 C

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A light source unit for emitting a reading light emitted from a light source and having a light amount adjusted by a light source diaphragm into a film, an image sensor for photoelectrically reading the projection light transmitted through the film, and an image sensor for the projection light. An imaging lens with an adjustable magnification, which is imaged on a light source, a correction table of a light source diaphragm preset according to the magnification of the imaging lens, and a correction using the correction table according to the magnification of the imaging lens In addition, the image input device further comprises: a control unit that controls the opening value of the opening diaphragm.