JPH10271316A - Converting method for image information and image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable gradation conversion of source image information to properly reproduce a source image, while suppressing the dispersion of gradation by setting a gradation value range to be reproduced for each source image within the gradation value ranges of respective source images, respectively expressed by the plural pieces of source image information. SOLUTION: A colorless data-converting means 202 separates the prescan and fine scan source image data outputted by an image data input means 200 into respective density data and color data. An image density region determining means 204 sets reference density expressing a density area to be reproduced in the prescan density data to respective film images and stores them in a storage means 206. Further, based on the many stored film image reference density, the image density area determining means 204 sets reference density for gradation converting condition preparation to the film image to convert its gradation. Based on this density, conversion data to be set to a look-up table are determined and set by a gradation converting condition preparing means 208, and the gradation is corrected to the fine-scan density data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for converting image information and an image recording apparatus, and more particularly, to a method for converting image information for converting the gradation of image information representing an original image, and a method for converting the image information. The present invention relates to an applicable image recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when an original image recorded on a photographic film or the like is copied and recorded on a recording medium, a gradation value (density value) determined from each component color of each pixel of the original image obtained by imaging or the like. , Luminance value, lightness, halftone dot area ratio, etc.) are subjected to gradation conversion in order to record an image on a recording material, and the recording data obtained by the gradation conversion are used in pixel units. An image is recorded on a recording material (so-called digital copying system).

In this digital copying method, gradation conversion for image data is basically performed by converting the gradation value of each pixel of the original image represented by the image data into a range of gradation values reproduced as an image on a recording material. (Hereinafter, referred to as an image reproduction area), but the image quality of a recorded image largely depends on how the gradation value of the image data is converted. Conventionally, various gradation conversion methods have been proposed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-157758 discloses a technique for automatically setting a highlight density and a shadow density, which are reference values for setting a conversion curve for performing gradation conversion. The average value of the density value for each color component is obtained for each pixel, the average density value histogram showing the relationship between the average density value for each pixel and the number of pixels is obtained, and the cumulative average density value histogram is obtained from the average density value histogram. Is found, an average density value corresponding to a predetermined cumulative density appearance rate is found in the cumulative average density value frequency histogram, and within the density section determined by the found average density value and the occurrence limit density value in the average density value frequency histogram. , An average density value within a section for each color component is determined, and reference density points (highlight density, shadow density) are set based on the average density within a section for each color component. Door has been disclosed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-91323 discloses that in the above technique, a reference density point is obtained by reducing the influence of a locally bright (for example, specular reflection) portion or a locally dark portion in an original image. The setting method of the reference density point is described.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-242521 discloses that a negative image is divided into a large number of areas, each component color is separated and photometry is performed, and a maximum reference value and a minimum reference value (density) are set for each component color. value)
A technology is disclosed in which gradation conversion is performed so that the maximum reference value of each component color is reproduced in white on a print image and the minimum reference value is reproduced in black on the print image.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-285933 discloses that a main image portion, a highlight portion, and a shadow portion in an original image are detected, and a density difference between the main image portion, the highlight portion, and the shadow portion is calculated. There is described a hard copy apparatus that calculates a tone correction amount by comparing the density difference with a predetermined value and performs tone conversion using the tone correction amount.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-37878, a plurality of standard tone curves are stored, and each of the plurality of standard tone curves is corrected so as to pass through a highlight point and a shadow point of a document. Discloses a method in which a tone curve having the smallest deviation from a desired output signal is used as a gradation conversion table.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-111569 discloses that a coordinate of a special color point such as a highlight point or a shadow point is designated by a digitizer, and data of a pixel of the special color point whose coordinates are designated and pixels in the vicinity thereof. A technique has been disclosed in which a representative density of a special color point from which the influence of noise is eliminated is obtained based on the image density, and image processing conditions such as gradation conversion are automatically set from the representative density of the special color point.

As described above, the reference density such as the maximum reference density, the minimum reference density, the highlight density, and the shadow density is set for each image by various methods, and the gradation conversion condition is set from the set reference density. It is conventionally known that a standard gradation conversion condition is corrected and used based on a set reference density. Techniques for correcting machine differences and the color development characteristics of color originals have also been proposed (see JP-A-6-237373, JP-A-5-344326, etc.).

[0011]

However, the contrast (difference between the maximum and minimum densities) of the original image recorded on the photographic film varies depending on, for example, the characteristics of the photographic film. It also changes depending on the scene contrast. The contrast of the scene changes depending on the type of the subject, the lighting conditions for the subject, the type of the background, and the like.

[0012] On the other hand, the above-mentioned technologies basically use a reference density (for example, a maximum reference density and a minimum reference density, a highlight density and a shadow density) for each original image.
And performs tone conversion by setting tone conversion conditions for each original image so that the set reference density becomes a predetermined density. For example, a low-contrast scene is photographed and recorded on a photographic film. The original image data obtained is subjected to gradation conversion so that the contrast becomes unnecessarily high, and a scene represented by the original image such that the low-contrast scene is reproduced unnaturally on a recorded image. There is a problem that the gradation of a recorded image obtained from each original image has a large variation with respect to the contrast.

In most of the techniques described above, the gradation conversion condition is set without distinguishing the main image portion and the non-main image portion in the original image. There is a problem in that the gradation of the main image portion on the recorded image is unstable due to the influence of, and there is a high possibility that the main image portion is not properly reproduced on the recorded image. In contrast,
In the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-285933 described above, since the tone correction amount is calculated by obtaining the density of the main image portion, the other tone is not significantly impaired in the main image portion without significantly impairing the tone. It is also possible to appropriately reproduce the gradation of the part.

However, the problem that the gradation of the main image portion is unstable due to the influence of the background image portion has not been solved. Further, the tint of the main image portion in the original image is often not a neutral color (for example, when the main image portion is a portion corresponding to a human face, the tint is a flesh color). Does not disclose any method for accurately reproducing the color of a main image portion on a recorded image. For this reason,
When the tint of the main image portion is a non-neutral color, there is a problem that the tint of many image portions such as the main image portion cannot be properly reproduced on the recorded image.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described facts, and is capable of converting the gradation of the original image information so that the variation in the gradation can be suppressed and the original image can be properly reproduced. The aim is to get a conversion method.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for converting image information capable of converting the gradation of original image information so that at least a main image portion is properly reproduced.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of obtaining a recorded image in which a scene represented by an original image is properly reproduced.

[0018]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for converting image information based on a plurality of original image information. A tone value range to be reproduced in the tonal value range is set for each of the original images, and a tone value range corresponding to an average of the tone value ranges to be reproduced set for each of the original images is reproduced. As described above, the conversion condition for converting the gradation of the original image represented by the original image information is determined, and the gradation of the original image represented by the original image information is converted according to the determined conversion condition.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a tone value range to be reproduced among the tone value ranges of each original image represented by each original image information is set for each original image based on a plurality of original image information. .
Note that the gradation value in the present invention is a value representing the shading of an image, such as a density value, transparency, brightness, luminance, halftone dot area ratio, and the like.
The tone value range to be reproduced defines, for example, a high-density reference tone value and a low-density reference tone value representing the tone value range to be reproduced, as described in claim 3 or 4. Can be set. Further, according to the present invention, the gradation of the original image represented by the original image information is adjusted so that the gradation value range corresponding to the average of the gradation value ranges to be reproduced set for each of the original images is reproduced. A conversion condition for conversion is defined.

The average of the tone value ranges to be reproduced respectively set for a plurality of original images has a high probability of being a standard tone value range in a large number of original images. Is likely to be in a proper gradation value range. For this reason, by setting a common conversion condition so that a tone value range corresponding to the average of the tone value ranges to be reproduced is reproduced, the contrast of the scene represented by each Can be obtained with a high conversion rate that can convert the gradation of the original image information so that the original image can be properly reproduced.

The average of the gradation value range according to the present invention is:
The average may include a tone value range to be reproduced set for the original image on which the tone conversion is performed. The average of the gradation value range according to the present invention includes a weighted average and the like in addition to the so-called simple average.

Further, a reference for selecting an original image for setting a gradation value range to be reproduced is determined, and an average of the gradation value ranges to be reproduced is obtained from a plurality of original images selected according to the reference. Is also good. The criterion is set such that an original image having a large difference from a standard original image, for example, an original image whose tone value range is significantly different from the tone value range in the standard original image is removed. be able to. As a result, a gradation conversion condition capable of suppressing the variation of the gradation with higher accuracy can be obtained.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the tone of the original image represented by the original image information is converted according to the conversion conditions determined as described above. Instead, the gradation is converted so that the scene represented by the original image is properly reproduced. Therefore,
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the gradation of the original image information is converted so that the variation of the gradation is suppressed and the original image including the tint of the main image portion and other image portions is appropriately reproduced. can do. In addition, if an image is recorded on a recording material based on the converted original image information, a recorded image in which the scene represented by the original image is properly reproduced including the tint can be obtained.

In the present invention, the original image information may be, for example, information which is previously separated into gradation value information indicating the density of the original image and color information indicating the color of the original image. In the case where the information is a single piece of information representing both the density and the color of the original image, as described in claim 2, the gradation value information and the original image representing the density of the original image are obtained from the original image information. It is preferable that color information representing the color of the color is obtained, the gradation is converted with respect to the gradation value information according to the determined conversion condition, and the converted gradation value information and the color information are combined. According to the second aspect of the invention, even if the original image information is a single piece of information representing both the density and the color of the original image, it is possible to easily realize the gradation conversion for the original image information.

In the present invention, the setting of the conversion condition is performed, specifically, for example, as described in claim 3, for each original image, a high-density-side reference tone value representing a tone value range to be reproduced. And setting the low-density-side reference tone value to set the tone value range to be reproduced, and setting the conversion condition to a high-density-side reference tone value and a low-density-side reference tone value for each original image. This can be realized by determining so that a gradation value range corresponding to the average of the difference between the two is reproduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the average value of the high-density-side reference tone values and the average value of the low-density-side reference tone values are determined for each of the plurality of original images. The tone value range corresponding to the average of the tone value range is shown. According to the invention of claim 3, the conversion condition for converting the gradation of the original image so that the gradation value range corresponding to the average of the gradation value range to be reproduced set for each original image is reproduced. Can be obtained by a relatively simple operation.

The setting of the conversion condition in the present invention is as follows.
For example, as described in claim 4, the reproduction is performed by setting a high-density-side reference gradation value and a low-density-side reference gradation value representing the gradation value range to be reproduced for each original image. A gradation value range is set, an image representative gradation value is obtained for each original image, and the conversion condition is set based on the image representative gradation value of each original image with respect to the image representative gradation value of the original image to be subjected to gradation conversion. The tone values separated on the high density side by an amount corresponding to the average of the difference between the tone value and the high density side reference tone value, and the image representative tone value and the low density side reference tone value of each original image It can also be realized by determining that the tone values separated on the low density side by an amount corresponding to the average of the differences are converted into predetermined values.

The image representative gradation value in the invention of claim 4 is, as described in claim 5, a gradation value corresponding to an intermediate value of a gradation value range to be reproduced or a main value in the original image. The gradation value of the image part can be applied. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the average value of the difference between the image representative tone value of each original image and the high density side reference tone value, and the image representative tone value of each original image and the low density side reference tone value are obtained. The average value of the difference from the tonal value represents a tone value range corresponding to the average of the tone value range to be reproduced. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a gradation value range corresponding to the average of the gradation value ranges to be reproduced is set based on the image representative gradation value, and the gradation of the original image is reproduced so that the gradation value range is reproduced. Since the tone is converted, the tone of the original image can be converted so that an appropriate tone value range is reproduced based on the image representative tone value in the original image.

In particular, when the gradation value of the main image portion is used as the image representative gradation value, the gradation value range to be reproduced in the original image to be subjected to gradation conversion is equal to that of the original image to be subjected to gradation conversion. It is preferable because it is determined based on the gradation value of the main image portion and a conversion condition that can convert the gradation of the original image so that the main image portion can be reproduced more appropriately is preferable.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for converting image information, wherein tone value information representing the density of the original image and color information representing the color of the original image are obtained from the original image information representing the original image. The tone value of the main image portion in the original image is obtained, and as the conversion condition for converting the tone of the original image, the tone value of the main image portion including the tone value of the main image portion is included in the tone value information. The information corresponding to the value range and the information corresponding to the non-main image portion tone value range that does not include the tone value of the main image portion are subjected to the gradation using conversion conditions created by defining conversion characteristics independently of each other. The gradation of the original image represented by the value information is converted, and the converted gradation value information and the color information are combined.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, gradation value information representing the density of the original image and color information representing the color of the original image are obtained from the original image information, and gradation conversion is performed on the gradation value information. After the color information is synthesized, the tone of the original image can be converted without changing the tint of the original image, and the tint of the original image can be properly reproduced. Thus, the gradation of the original image information can be converted.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the tone value of the main image portion in the original image is obtained, and as the conversion condition for converting the tone of the original image, the tone value of the main image portion in the tone value information is converted. The information corresponding to the tone value range of the main image portion including the tone value and the information corresponding to the tone value range of the non-main image portion not including the tone value of the main image portion are independently converted to each of the information. Tone conversion is performed on the tone value information using a conversion condition created by defining characteristics. Thus, for example, for information corresponding to the main image portion tone value range, the tone is always converted with a constant conversion characteristic, or the tone is converted with a constant conversion characteristic for each type of scene represented by the original image. Can be converted, so that at least the gradation of the image portion (including the main image portion) belonging to the main image portion gradation value range can be suppressed. Therefore, according to the sixth aspect of the invention, it is possible to suppress at least a variation in the gradation of the main image portion and convert the gradation of the original image information so that the main image portion is properly reproduced.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6, the conversion characteristic for the information corresponding to the non-main image part tone value range is adjusted to correspond to the main image part tone value range so that the non-main image part is properly reproduced. It can be determined independently of the conversion characteristics for the information, and it is also possible to convert the gradation of the original image information so that the non-primary image portion is properly reproduced. The conversion characteristic for the information corresponding to the non-main image part gradation value range can be determined, for example, as follows.

That is, the invention described in claim 7 is applied to claim 6
In the invention of the above, the non-main image portion gradation value range is a high density side gradation value region on the higher density side than the main image portion gradation value region, and a low density side gradation on the lower density side than the main image portion gradation value region. The tone value of the main image portion is obtained, and the tone value range of the high density side to be reproduced on the higher density side than the tone value range of the main image portion and the lower density value than the tone value range of the main image portion are obtained. Setting the low-density-side tone value range to be reproduced on each side for each of the plurality of original images, and corresponds to the average of the high-density-side tone value ranges respectively set for the plurality of original images. Based on the tone value range, a conversion characteristic of the conversion condition for the information corresponding to the high density tone value range is determined, and an average of the low density tone value ranges respectively set for the plurality of original images. Based on the tone value range corresponding to It is characterized by determining the conversion characteristic of the serial conversion conditions.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the tone value of the main image portion is obtained, and the high-density-side tone value range to be reproduced on the higher density side than the main image portion tone value range, and the main image portion tone value range The setting of the low-density-side gradation value range to be reproduced on the lower-density side is performed for each of a plurality of original images. The setting of each gradation value range can be performed by defining a high-density-side reference gradation value and a low-density-side reference gradation value representing each gradation value range.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, conversion of information corresponding to a high-density tone value range is performed based on a tone value range corresponding to the average of the high-density tone value ranges set for a plurality of original images. A characteristic is determined, and a conversion characteristic for information corresponding to the low-density-side gradation value range is determined based on a gradation value range corresponding to the average of the low-density-side gradation value ranges respectively set for a plurality of original images. I have.

The average of the tone value ranges set for a plurality of original images has a high probability of being a standard tone value range on the high density side and the low density side. Is likely to be in a proper gradation value range. For this reason, the conversion characteristic for the information corresponding to the high-density tone value range is determined based on the set high-density tone value range, and the low-density tone value range is determined based on the set low-density tone value range. By defining the conversion characteristics for the information corresponding to, the non-primary image portion corresponding to the high-density-side gradation value range or the low-density-side gradation value region also suppresses variations in the gradation with respect to the contrast of the scene represented by each image. In addition, conversion conditions for converting the gradation of the original image information so that the original image can be properly reproduced can be obtained at a high yield.

In the same manner as in the first aspect, a criterion for selecting an original image for setting a high-density-side gradation value range and a low-density-side gradation value range to be reproduced is determined, and a plurality of selections are made according to the criterion. The average of each gradation value range may be obtained from the original image. As a result, a gradation conversion condition capable of suppressing the variation of the gradation with higher accuracy can be obtained.

An image recording apparatus according to the invention as claimed in claim 8, wherein input means for inputting original image information representing an original image, gradation value information representing shading of the original image from the original image information, and the original image Calculating means for calculating color information representing the color of the original image; reference tone value calculating means for calculating a high density reference tone value and a low density reference tone value of the original image from the tone value information; Storage means for storing the high-density-side reference tone value and the low-density-side reference tone value, and an average and a low-density-side reference tone value calculated for a plurality of original images and stored in the storage means. An average value calculating means for calculating an average value of the density-side reference tone values; and a source for performing tone conversion based on the average value of the high-density-side reference tone values and the average value of the low-density-side reference tone values. Individual reference gradation value for calculating the high-density reference gradation value and low-density reference gradation value of the image Calculation means, and conversion condition setting means for setting conversion conditions such that the high-density reference tone value and the low-density reference tone value of the original image to be subjected to tone conversion are each converted to a predetermined tone value. Converting means for converting the tone value of the original image represented by the tone value information of the original image for which the tone conversion is performed according to the set conversion condition; and converting the converted tone value information and the color information. The image processing apparatus includes a synthesizing unit that obtains image information for recording by synthesizing, and a recording unit that records an image on a recording material based on the image information for recording.

In the invention according to claim 8, the calculating means obtains gradation value information representing the density of the original image and color information representing the color of the original image from the input original image information, and obtains the reference gradation value calculating means. Calculates a high-density reference tone value and a low-density reference tone value of the original image from the tone value information, and stores the calculated high-density reference tone value and low-density reference tone value in the storage means. Is stored. The average value calculating means calculates an average value of the high-density-side reference tone values and an average value of the low-density-side reference tone values calculated for a plurality of original images and stored in the storage means.

The tone value range determined by the average value of the high-density reference tone values and the average value of the low-density reference tone values of a plurality of original images calculated by the average value calculating means corresponds to a large number of original images. There is a high probability that the tone value is in a standard tone value range, and there is a high possibility that the tone value range is appropriate for most of many original images. The individual reference tone value calculating means calculates the high density side reference tone value of the original image to be subjected to tone conversion based on the average value of the high density side reference tone value and the average value of the low density side reference tone value. And a low-density-side reference gradation value is calculated, so that a value representing an appropriate gradation value range to be reproduced in the original image to be subjected to gradation conversion has a high probability as the reference gradation value of the original image to be subjected to gradation conversion. Can be obtained at

In the conversion condition setting means, the high-density reference gradation value and the low-density reference gradation value of the original image to be subjected to the gradation conversion calculated as described above become predetermined gradation values. The conversion conditions are set as follows.
It is possible to obtain, at a high yield, a conversion condition that can convert the gradation of each original image information so that the gradation of the contrast of the scene represented by each original image can be suppressed and the original image can be properly reproduced. The conversion means converts the gradation of the original image represented by the gradation value information of the original image to be subjected to the gradation conversion according to the set conversion condition, and the converted gradation value information is converted into the color information by the synthesis means. And the recording means,
An image is recorded on a recording material based on the recording image information obtained by the combining by the combining means. Therefore, claim 8
According to the invention, a recorded image in which the scene represented by the original image is properly reproduced can be obtained.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in accordance with the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a main image part gradation value determining means for obtaining a gradation value of a main image part in an original image, wherein the individual reference gradation value calculation is performed. The means performs tone conversion on the basis of the average value of the high-density-side reference tone values and the average value of the low-density-side reference tone values of the plurality of original images, based on the main image portion tone value. It is characterized in that a high-density-side reference tone value and a low-density-side reference tone value of an original image are calculated.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, the high-density-side reference gradation value and the low-density-side reference gradation value of the original image to be subjected to gradation conversion are calculated based on the main image part gradation value. The gradation value range (the gradation value range represented by the high-density-side reference gradation value and the low-density-side reference gradation value) is determined on the basis of the gradation value of the main image portion. Thus, the main image portion can be reproduced more appropriately.

[0044]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a photographic processing system 10 according to this embodiment. A large number of negative films 12 on which images are captured and recorded by a camera (not shown) are brought into the photo processing system 10. The many negative films 12 brought in are connected by a splicing tape or the like, and after being processed by a film processor (not shown) such as development, the negative films 12 are set on the film image reading device 16.

Inside the film image reading device 16, a prescan unit 36 and a fine scan unit 38 are sequentially arranged along the film transport path. Each scanning unit 3
At steps 6 and 38, scanning and reading of the film image recorded on the negative film 12 are performed. As shown in FIG.
A barcode reader 40 is provided upstream of the prescan unit 36 on the film transport path. The bar code reader 40 is configured such that a pair of a light emitting element 40A and a light receiving element 40B are opposed to each other across a film transport path. The light receiving element 40B is connected to the control circuit 42.
The control circuit 42 reads a barcode representing the film type and the like optically recorded on the negative film 12 based on the change in the level of the signal output from the light receiving element 40B, and reads the film type and the like of the negative film 12. Judge.

The bar code reader 40 and the pre-scan unit 3
6, a pair of rollers 44 for nipping and transporting the negative film 12, a reading head 46, and a screen detection sensor 50 are sequentially arranged. The reading head 46 and the screen detection sensor 50 are connected to the control circuit 42, respectively. In the negative film 12 set in the film image reading device 16, a transparent magnetic material is applied to the back surface to form a magnetic layer, and a frame number, a film type, photographing conditions at the time of photographing, and the like are formed on the magnetic layer. The information to be represented may be magnetically recorded. The read head 46 is arranged at a position where the information magnetically recorded on the magnetic layer can be read, and reads the information and outputs it to the control circuit 42.

The screen detection sensor 50 comprises a pair of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, like the bar code reader 40 described above. The control circuit 42 determines the position (and size) of the film image on the negative film 12 based on the change in the level of the signal output from the light receiving element of the screen detection sensor 50.

On the other hand, the pre-scan section 36 has a lamp 52 arranged to emit light toward the negative film 12 passing through the pre-scan section 36. The lamp 52 is connected to the control circuit 42 via a driver 54, and the magnitude of the voltage supplied from the driver 54 is controlled by the control circuit 42 so that the amount of emitted light becomes a predetermined value. You. On the light emission side of the lamp 52, there are three of C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow).
A light control filter group 56 composed of a plurality of light control filters and a light diffusion box 58 are arranged in this order, and an image forming lens 60 and a CCD line sensor 62 are sandwiched across a film transport path.
Are arranged in order.

Each light control filter of the light control filter group 56 is
The amount of insertion into the optical path is adjusted in advance in order to correct variations in the sensitivity of the R, G, and B colors in the CCD line sensor 62. Light sequentially transmitted through the light control filter group 56, the light diffusion box 58, the negative film 12, and the imaging lens 60 is applied to the light receiving surface of the CCD line sensor 62. The CCD line sensor 62 includes a sensor for detecting the light amount of R light, a sensor for detecting the light amount of G light and a sensor unit for detecting the light amount of B light adjacent to each other. Are arranged at predetermined intervals along the width direction.

Accordingly, the CCD line sensor 62 divides the image into a number of pixels each having an interval between the sensor units of one side, and detects the amount of transmitted light for each pixel.
The imaging lens 60 intersects the optical axis of the light emitted from the lamp 52 among the light transmitted through the negative film 12, and extends along one pixel row (hereinafter, referred to as the width direction) of the negative film 12.
The light transmitted through the position corresponding to the pixel row is referred to as a reading position), and forms an image on the light receiving surface of the CCD line sensor 62.

On the output side of the CCD line sensor 62, an amplifier 64, a LOG converter 66, and an A / D converter 68 are sequentially connected. The signal output from the CCD line sensor 62 is amplified by an amplifier 64, logarithmically converted by a LOG converter 66, and converted by an A / D converter 68 into digital image data (R, G, B for each pixel of a film image). Data representing the density value of The A / D converter 68 is connected to the control circuit 42, and the image data output from the A / D converter 68 is input to the control circuit 42 as prescan image data. The prescanned image data corresponds to the original image information of the present invention, and the prescan section 36 corresponds to the input means of the present invention.

Although not shown, the control circuit 42 has a CP
A U, a ROM, a RAM, and an input / output port are provided, and these are connected to each other via a bus. Further, the control circuit 42 includes a nonvolatile storage unit 70 for storing input pre-scan image data and the like, and a look-up table (LUT) for converting fine scan image data (described later) into image data for recording. 71 are provided. Further, a CRT display 72 is connected to the control circuit 42, and it is also possible to perform processing using the input pre-scan image data and display a positive image on the display 72.

Further, between the pre-scanning section 36 and the fine scanning section 38, a roller group including a pair of conveying rollers 74 and a driven roller 76, and driven rollers 78A, 78
B and 78C are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other. A loop of the negative film 12 is formed between the two roller groups. By this loop, the transport speed of the negative film 12 in the prescan unit 36,
The difference between the transport speed of the negative film 12 in the fine scan unit 38 and the speed is absorbed. A pulse motor 80 is connected to the transport roller pair 74. The pulse motor 80 is connected to the control circuit 42 via a driver 82.
The control circuit 42 controls the pulse motor 80 via a driver 82.
, The negative film 12 is transported.

On the other hand, the fine scan section 38 has substantially the same configuration as the pre-scan section 36. That is,
The fine scan unit 38 includes a lamp 84 that emits light toward the negative film 12. The lamp 84 is connected to the control circuit 42 via a driver 86, and the control circuit 42 controls the magnitude of the voltage supplied from the driver 86 so that the emitted light has a predetermined light amount. A dimming filter group 88 composed of three dimming filters and a light diffusion box 90 are sequentially arranged on the light exit side of the lamp 84. Further, an image forming lens 9 is sandwiched across a film transport path.
2. CCD line sensors 94 are sequentially arranged.

Each dimming filter of the dimming filter group 88 is also
The amount of insertion into the optical path is adjusted in advance in order to correct variations in the sensitivity of the R, G, and B colors in the CCD line sensor 94. The imaging lens 92 includes the light control filter group 8
8. Of the light transmitted through the light diffusion box 90 and the negative film 12, the light transmitted through the pixel row located at the reading position is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD line sensor 94. CC
The D line sensor 94 has the same configuration as the CCD line sensor 62, but the interval between the sensor units is smaller than that of the CCD line sensor 62. Therefore, CC
The D line sensor 94 divides an image into finer and more pixels as compared with the CCD line sensor 62,
The transmitted light amount is detected for each pixel.

On the output side of the CCD line sensor 94, an amplifier 96, a LOG converter 98, and an A / D converter 100 are sequentially connected. The signal output from the CCD line sensor 94 is amplified by an amplifier 96 and is output to a LOG converter 98.
Are converted to digital image data by the A / D converter 100. A / D converter 100
Are connected to the control circuit 42, and the converted image data is input to the control circuit 42 as fine scan image data. The fine scan image data corresponds to the original image information of the present invention.
Reference numeral 8 also corresponds to the input means of the present invention.

The control circuit 42 obtains conversion data to be set in the LUT 71 based on the pre-scan image data input from the pre-scan unit 36, as will be described in detail later. Is converted into image data for recording for recording an image on a recording material such as photographic paper. The control circuit 42 is connected to a print head 120 (details will be described later) of the printer processor 18, converts the image data for recording obtained by the conversion into a recording signal, and transfers it to the print head 120.

A transport roller pair 102 is disposed downstream of the fine scan section 38. The pulse motor 104 is also connected to the transport roller pair 102. The pulse motor 104 is connected to the control circuit 42 via the driver 106.
It is connected to the. The control circuit 42 conveys the negative film 12 by driving the pulse motor 104 via the driver 106.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, a recording material 1 such as photographic paper wound in a layer
A magazine 114 that houses the magazine 12 is set. The recording material 112 is pulled out of the magazine 114 and sent to the printer unit 110 via the cutter unit 116. The printer unit 110 is provided with a print head 120, which is connected to the control circuit 42 of the film image reading device 16. When the recording signal is transferred from the control circuit 42, the print head 120 performs image exposure on the recording material 112 based on the recording signal.

The print head 120 modulates, for example, laser light for each of the R, G, and B component colors in accordance with the recording signal, and scans the laser light in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording material 112. By irradiating the recording material 112 with the recording material 112, a print head configured to expose and record an image on the recording material 112 can be used. Instead of this, a display means such as a CRT or a liquid crystal panel is provided,
A configuration in which an image represented by a recording signal is displayed on a display unit, and the image displayed on the display unit is exposed and recorded on a recording material 112 (for example, when a CRT is used as the display unit, a CR
This can be realized by irradiating the recording material 112 with light emitted from T directly or through a spatial light modulator. When a liquid crystal panel is used as a display means, the light transmitted through the liquid crystal panel is applied to the recording material 112. (Which can be realized by irradiation).

Recording material 11 that has passed through printer section 110
2 is sent to the reservoir unit 150. Reservoir part 1
50 is provided with a pair of rollers 152 at predetermined intervals, and the recording material 112 has a loop formed between the pair of rollers 152. By this loop, the printer unit 1
The transport speed difference between the processor 10 and the downstream processor unit 154 is absorbed. The processor 154 includes a color developing tank 15.
6, bleach-fix tank 158, washing tank 160, 162, 164
Are arranged in order. A predetermined processing liquid is stored in each of these processing tanks. The recording material 112 is sequentially sent into each processing tank, immersed in each processing liquid, and processed.

The drying section 1 is located downstream of the processor section 154.
66 are provided. The drying unit 166 supplies hot air generated by a fan and a heater (not shown) to the recording material 112. Thereby, the moisture adhering to the surface of the recording material 112 is dried. The recording material 112 that has passed through the drying unit 166 is cut out for each print by the cutter unit 168 and then discharged to the outside of the printer processor 18.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 shows the operation of the control circuit 42 according to the first embodiment divided into blocks for each function. Note that FIG.
In the figure, the pre-scan image data input from the pre-scan unit 36 is indicated by a solid arrow, and the fine scan image data input from the fine scan unit 38 is indicated by a broken arrow.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control circuit 42 includes an image data input unit 200, an achromatic data conversion unit 202,
The image processing apparatus includes an image density range determination unit 204, a storage unit 206, a gradation conversion condition creation unit 208, a gradation conversion unit 210, an achromatic color data reverse conversion unit 212, and an image signal conversion unit 214. The details of the processing executed by each unit will be described later with reference to flowcharts. However, the image data input unit 200 corresponds to the pre-scan unit 36 and the fine scan unit 38, and the pre-scan image data and the fine scan Input image data.

The achromatic color data conversion means 202 converts the prescan image data input from the image data input means 200 into prescan density data representing the density of the film image and prescan color data representing the color of the film image. At the same time, the fine scan image data input from the image data input means 200 is separated into fine scan density data representing the density of the film image and fine scan color data representing the color of the film image.

The image density area determining means 204 converts the reference densities (individual maximum reference density Dnx and individual minimum reference density Dni) representing the density area to be reproduced on the recorded image into individual film images based on the prescan density data. In addition to the setting, the storage unit 206 stores the reference density of the film image satisfying the predetermined reference. Further, the image density area determination means 204 uses the reference densities (average maximum reference values) for creating gradation conversion conditions for the film images to be subjected to gradation conversion based on the reference densities of a large number of film images stored in the storage means 206. Density DNX and average minimum reference density DN
Set I).

The tone conversion condition creating means 208 creates tone conversion conditions based on the reference density for tone conversion condition creation set by the image density area determining means 204 (specifically, sets them in the LUT 71). Conversion data). The gradation conversion unit 210 is configured to include the LUT 71, sets the conversion data determined by the gradation conversion condition creation unit 208 in the LUT 71, and converts the gradation to the fine scan density data by the LUT 71 ( Amend).

The achromatic color data reverse conversion means 212 synthesizes the fine scan density data subjected to gradation conversion by the gradation conversion means 210 and the fine scan color data to form image data (that is, image data for recording). ). The image signal converter 212 converts the recording image data into a recording signal for performing image recording by the print head 120, and converts the recording signal to the print head 12.
Output to 0. When the film image is a negative image, a negative-positive conversion is performed simultaneously with the conversion into the recording signal.

Next, the processing executed by the control circuit 42 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step 250, it is determined whether or not pre-scan image data has been input from the pre-scan unit 36. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 280, where it is determined whether fine scan image data has been input from the fine scan unit 38.

As is clear from the configuration shown in FIG.
In the film image reading device 16, for each film image,
In the order of the pre-scan unit 36 and the fine scan unit 38,
The film images are read by the scanning units 36 and 38, respectively, and the reading of the film image by the pre-scanning unit 36 and the reading of the film image by the fine scanning unit 38 are performed asynchronously. Therefore, if the determination at step 280 is also negative, the process returns to step 250, and the process returns to step 25 until the pre-scan image data or the fine scan image data is input.
Repeat steps 0 and 280.

When the film image is read by the pre-scan unit 36 and the pre-scan image data is input, the determination in step 250 is affirmed and the step 252 is performed.
Then, the input pre-scan image data is fetched and temporarily stored in the storage unit 70. In the next step 254, the prescan image data is separated into prescan density data indicating the density of the film image and prescan color data indicating the color of the film image.

The prescan density data includes, for example, each component color (R, R,
G, B) of the density values of each color (for example, G
Density), and in this case, the pre-scan color data is color difference data (RG, BG) including the predetermined color.
Can be obtained by calculating for each pixel.
Further, for example, the prescan density data may be an average value W (W = (R + G + B) / 3) of the density values for each component color of each pixel. In this case, the average value W and each color are used as the prescan color data. (R−W, B−W) can be used. Further, for example, the prescan density data is a minimum value k (k = min (R,
G, B)). In this case, the difference (R−k, B−k) between the minimum value k and each color can be used as the prescan color data.

As the pre-scan density data, luminance or chromaticity lightness may be used. For example, if the prescan density data is a luminance signal Y (Y = 0.30 · R + 0.59 · G
+ 0.11 · B), the prescan color data can be represented by color difference signals (RY, BY) and color difference signals I, Q. If representing the prescan density data in lightness L ^*, a ^* in the CIE1976L ^* a ^* b ^* color space as the pre-scan color data, b ^* and, u ^* in CIE1976L ^* u ^* v ^* color space, v ^* and Can be used. Note that lightness or luminance and chromaticity of a color system other than the uniform color system may be used. This step 254 corresponds to the achromatic data conversion means 202 (calculation means according to claim 8), and corresponds to obtaining gradation value information and color information according to claim 2.

As described above, the density data representing shading,
As the data conversion for separating the image data into the corresponding color data, various conversions having a relationship that allows the inverse conversion from the density data and the color data to the image data can be applied. For example, density data is Dv, color data is Ca, Cb
Then, it can be expressed by the following linear conversion formula of R density, G density and B density.

[0076]

(Equation 1)

The conversion from the corrected density data Dv '(density data Dv after gradation conversion) and the color data Ca and Cb to the recorded image data R', G 'and B' can be easily performed by inverse conversion based on the above conversion formula. Can be done.

In the next step 256, based on the pre-scan density data and the pre-scan color data, the individual maximum reference density Dnx _a representing the density area to be reproduced on the recorded image.
And the individual minimum reference concentration Dni _a (provided that, a code for identifying the individual film image) is calculated. The individual maximum reference density Dnx _a corresponds to the high concentration side reference grayscale value according to claim 3, the individual minimum reference concentration Dni _a response to the low concentration side reference grayscale value according to claim 3 ing. Step 256 corresponds to the reference gradation value calculating means.

[0079] The operation of the individual maximum reference density Dnx _a and the individual minimum reference concentration Dni _a can be applied to various known methods conventionally, specifically, for example, up to neutral color density of the film image was the individual maximum reference density Dnx _a, the minimum neutral color density may be separate minimum reference density Dni _a. Further, the film image is divided into a main image area and a background image area, and a weighted average value of the maximum neutral color density in the background image area and the maximum neutral color density in the main image area is calculated as an individual maximum reference density Dnx _a , a weighted average value of the minimum neutral color density in the background image area and the minimum neutral color density in the main image area may be set as the individual minimum reference density Dni _a , or the maximum neutral density in the background image area. the color density as an individual maximum reference density Dnx _a, the minimum neutral color density of the background image region may be as a separate minimum reference density Dni _a.

In the next step 258, as a separate reference density difference, it calculates the difference between the individual maximum reference density Dnx _a and the individual minimum reference density _{Dni a (Dnx a -Dni a)} . In the next step 260, it is determined whether or not the film image corresponding to the pre-scan image data input from the pre-scan unit 36 is a film image satisfying a predetermined criterion.
As the predetermined criterion, the individual reference density difference is the image reproduction area of the recording material (a density area for reproducing an image on the recording material: hereinafter, the highlight recording density and the shadow recording of the image reproduction area of the recording material). The high density side converted density value determined from the density is referred to as Dx, and the low density side converted density value is referred to as Di).

If the determination at step 260 is denied, the process proceeds to step 264 without performing any processing. If the determination at step 260 is affirmed, at step 262, the previously calculated individual reference After storing the density difference in the storage unit 70, the process proceeds to step 264. The above-described processing is executed each time the pre-scan image data is input from the pre-scan unit 36, so that the storage unit 70
Each time pre-scan image data of a film image that satisfies the predetermined criterion is input, the individual reference density difference of the film image is stored, and the individual criterion density difference of many film images that satisfy the predetermined criterion is stored. Will be accumulated.

In step 264, the individual reference density differences of a large number of film images already stored in the storage unit 70 are fetched, and the average value of the individual reference density differences of the large number of film images (average reference density difference Δ: (Equivalent to the average of the difference between the high-density-side reference tone value and the low-density-side reference tone value of each image). This step 264 corresponds to the average value calculating means according to claim 8. Step 2
In 64, the individual reference density differences of all the film images stored in the storage unit 70 may be fetched to calculate the average reference density difference Δ, but the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, an individual reference density difference of each film image is stored in the storage unit 70 in association with the film type of the negative film 12 on which each film image is recorded, and the difference between the film image to be subjected to gradation conversion and The average reference density difference Δ may be calculated by taking in only the individual reference density differences of the film images recorded on the negative film 12 of the same film type. Also, for example, the same negative film 1
2 is calculated in advance, and the average reference density difference Δ is calculated using only the individual reference density differences of the respective film images recorded on the same negative film 12. You may do so.

Further, for example, the image contents of the individual film images and the scenes represented by the individual film images are converted into the image characteristic amounts of the film images or the photographing conditions that are magnetically recorded on the negative film on which the magnetic layer is formed. Classification is performed based on information indicating the like, the classification result is stored in the storage unit 70 or the like, and only the individual reference density difference of a film image having similar image contents or a film image obtained by shooting and recording a similar scene is determined. Alternatively, the average reference density difference Δ may be calculated.

Also, instead of the average value of the individual reference density differences,
A weighted average value of the individual reference density differences may be used. The weighting factor used to calculate the weighted average value is, for example, information (for example, film type, image content) serving as a criterion for determining the weighting factor when the individual reference density difference of each film image is stored in the storage unit 70. Is stored in the storage unit 70 or the like in association with the individual reference density difference, and is determined based on the information when calculating the weighted average value of the individual reference density difference. can do.

In the next step 266, step 264
The average reference density difference Δ calculated in step 2
Individual maximum reference density Dnx of image_a, Individual minimum reference density D
ni _a, Individual reference density difference Dnx_a-Dni_a, Coefficient Kn
x, Kni, and gradation change according to the following equation (1).
Average maximum reference density DNX for the film image to be replaced
_a, Average minimum reference density DNI_aIs calculated.

[0087]

(Equation 2)

In the above equation (1), the coefficient Knx = K
When ni = 1, the average reference density difference Δ corresponding to the average of the density areas to be reproduced of many film images and the individual reference density difference Dnx _a −D of the film image to be subjected to gradation conversion
ni _a and, of the difference d _a fraction only individual maximum reference density of the film image that performs gradation conversion Dnx _a and the individual minimum reference concentration Dn
Correct the i _a and calculates the average maximum reference density DNX _a and average minimum reference density DNI _a (see FIG. 5 (A) also)
Density area is reproduced on the recording image ((DNX _a -DNI _a):
The width of “corresponding to the grayscale value range corresponding to the average of the grayscale value ranges to be reproduced set for each original image” according to claim 1) is equal to the average reference density difference Δ.

The density range (D) reproduced on the recorded image
NX _a −DNI _a ) is the average reference density difference Δ and the individual reference density difference Dnx _a −
And dni _a, so that the size corresponding to the weighted average of the average maximum reference determined coefficients KNX, the Kni concentration DNX
_a and may determine the average minimum reference density DNI _a. This is because, for example, _a coefficient Knx (where 0 <Knx <
Determine the average maximum reference density DNX _a by adding the value obtained by multiplying 1) the individual maximum reference density Dnx _a, likewise difference d _a
It may coefficient kni (where, 0 <Knx <1) is achieved by determining the average minimum reference density DNI _a by subtracting a value obtained by multiplying the individual minimum reference density Dni _a that the. Step 266 corresponds to the individual reference gradation value calculating means, and the above-mentioned steps 256 to 266 correspond to the image density area determining means 204.

[0090] In the next step 268, the average maximum reference density DNX _a and average minimum reference concentration DNI was calculated at
Based on _a, the tone conversion condition (gradation conversion data to be set in the look-up table 71 in order specifically to function lookup table 71 as the gradation conversion table)
Create Gradation conversion conditions for a negative film images, as shown in FIG. 5 (B) as an example, the average maximum reference density DNX _a is converted to a high density side converted density value Dx, the average minimum reference density DNI _a low concentration It can be created so as to have a conversion characteristic converted to the side conversion density value Di. The above step 268 is performed by the gradation conversion condition creating means 208.
(Conversion condition setting means according to claim 8).

Using the gradation conversion conditions created above,
A recorded image in which the scene represented by the film image is properly reproduced by converting the gradation of the fine scan density data obtained from the fine scan image data and combining the color data with the gradation converted density data to record the image Can be obtained. In the gradation conversion for the density data, if the film image is a negative image, the gradation image is corrected as a negative image. If the film image is a positive image, the gradation image is corrected as a positive image, and only the gradation of the density data is corrected. .

In the next step 270, the gradation conversion conditions determined above are stored in a memory or the like in association with the frame number of the film image, and the process returns to step 250 once. Note that the processing in steps 252 to 270 described above is performed on pre-scan image data having a lower resolution and a smaller data amount than fine scan image data, so that the processing is performed in comparison with the case where processing is performed on fine scan image data. Thus, the processing can be completed in a shorter time.

On the other hand, when the fine scan section 38 reads the film image and inputs the fine scan image data, the determination in step 280 is affirmed, and the flow shifts to step 282 to convert the input fine scan image data. Then, the data is temporarily stored in the storage unit 70, and in the next step 284, fine scan image data is separated into fine scan density data and fine scan color data in the same manner as in step 254 described above.
At this time, the gradation conversion condition corresponding to the film image represented by the input fine scan image data has already been created and stored in a memory or the like.

In step 286, the gradation conversion conditions (gradation conversion data to be set in the look-up table 71) corresponding to the film image represented by the previously acquired fine scan image data are stored in a key. Then, the retrieved gradation conversion data is set in the lookup table 71. Step 28
In step 8, fine scan density data is input to the look-up table 71. As a result, the lookup table 71 outputs image data (density data) that has been subjected to gradation conversion in accordance with the gradation conversion conditions fetched in step 286.

As described above, step 286 corresponds to the gradation conversion means 210 (the conversion means of the present invention). In the next step 290, the image data for recording is generated by synthesizing the fine scan color data with the fine scan density data on which the gradation conversion has been performed (specifically, performing the reverse process of steps 254 and 284). . This step 290 corresponds to the achromatic color data reverse conversion means 212.

As described above, the density range falls within the image reproduction range of the recording material, the color tone of each image portion in the film image including the main image portion does not change, and the scene represented by the film image is reproduced properly. In the negative film, the curves representing the color density characteristics (the relationship between the exposure amount and the color density) for each component color (R, G, B) are parallel to each other. However, since the color density characteristics are different for each film type, even if an image is recorded on a recording material using the above-described recording image data, the color density characteristics of each component color are different. Under the influence of the above, it is not possible to obtain an image that accurately reproduces a subject (a scene represented by a film image) at the time of shooting. If the film image is a negative image, it is necessary to perform a negative-positive conversion. For this reason, in the next step 298 and thereafter, correction according to the color density characteristics of the negative film is performed on the recording image data.

That is, in this embodiment, the gradation balance characteristic representing the relationship between the density values of each component color on the film image when the subject is gray is obtained by using image data obtained from a series of film images or film data. For each type, it is statistically obtained based on image data obtained from a large number of film images recorded on the negative film of the same film type and stored in the storage unit 70. In step 298, the film image reading device Negative film 1 set to 16
The gradation balance characteristics corresponding to a series of two films or film types are fetched from the storage unit 70. In the present embodiment, as the tone balance characteristics, the tone balance characteristics of the R density based on the G density and the tone balance characteristics of the B density based on the G density are used. FIG. 6 shows an example of the gradation balance characteristic of the R density based on the reference.

In the next step 300, a high-density reference value and a low-density reference value are obtained for each component color on the basis of the gradation balance characteristics acquired above. Specifically, the maximum density value and the minimum density value for each component color are obtained from the recording image data, and the average value of the maximum density value for each component color is defined as the high density side reference value DXG of the G density. The average value of the minimum density values for each color is defined as a low density side reference value DNG of G density. next,
On the basis of the previously acquired tone balance characteristics, the high density reference value DXG of G density, the low density reference value DNG, the high density reference value DXR of R density, the low density reference value DNR, and the B density High density side reference value DXB, low density side reference value DN
Find B.

In step 302, a predetermined recording material is determined with respect to the high-density-side reference value DXi and the low-density-side reference value DNi (where i represents any one of R, G, and B). Of the highlight part Dhi (the density of the brightest part on the recorded image (positive image)) and the shadow part recording density Dsi (the density of the darkest part on the recorded image)
Take in. In the present embodiment, since the negative-positive conversion is simultaneously performed on the recording image data, the high density reference value DXi is converted into the highlight recording density Dhi, and the low density reference value DNi is converted into the shadow recording density Dsi. A gradation balance conversion table is created for each component color so as to be converted. Then, in the next step 304, gradation conversion is performed on the recording image data using the gradation balance conversion table corresponding to each component color data. As a result, image data (recording signal) corrected according to the gradation balance characteristics of the negative film is generated.

When it is not necessary to perform the negative-positive conversion as in the case where the film image is a positive image, the high density side reference value DXi is converted into the shadow portion recording density Dsi, and the low density side reference value is converted. DNi is the recording density Dh in the highlight area.
The color balance conversion condition may be determined so as to be converted into i.

In the next step 306, the generated recording signal is output to the print head 120, and the process returns to step 250. As a result, the film image is recorded on the recording material as a positive image by the print head 120 in the printer processor 18. Thus, steps 298-3
The process 06 corresponds to the recording unit of the present invention, together with the print head 120 that actually records an image on a recording material.

By repeating the above-described processing, it is possible to obtain, from each film image recorded on the negative film 12, a variation in gradation and a recorded image in which a scene represented by each film image is properly reproduced. Can be.

In the present embodiment, a large number of film image data are collected by the film image reading device 16 and tone conversion conditions are created based on the collected data. Correction of variations in various characteristics (so-called machine differences) for each device is also included, and an optimum gradation conversion condition is automatically obtained for each device.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the second embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the respective portions, and the description of the configuration is omitted, and the operation of the second embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 7 shows a control circuit 4 according to the second embodiment.
2 is a block diagram showing the operation of each function. As shown in FIG. 7, the control circuit 42 according to the second embodiment is different from the control circuit according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 3) in that a main part density A determination unit 216 and a reference density determination unit 218 are provided. The main part density determining means 216 obtains the density DNF of the main image part in the film image based on the prescan density data and the prescan color data output from the achromatic data conversion means 202.

The reference density determining means 218, like the image density area determining means 204 described in the first embodiment, uses the reference density (individual maximum reference density Dnx and the individual maximum reference density Dnx) based on the fine scan density data to represent the density area to be reproduced. An individual minimum reference density Dni) is set for each film image.
The reference density determining means 218 is a main part density determining means 2.
A density difference (Dnx-DNF) between the individual maximum reference density of the film image satisfying the predetermined criterion and the density of the main image portion based on the density DNF of the main image portion obtained in step 16;
The density difference (DNF-Dni) between the individual minimum reference density and the density of the main image portion is stored in the storage means 206. Further, the reference density determination unit 218 determines the density difference (Dnx−DN) of a large number of film images stored in the storage unit 206.
F) and (DNF-Dni) and the density DNF of the main image portion of the film image to be subjected to gradation conversion, and the reference density (average) for generating gradation conversion conditions for the film image to be subjected to gradation conversion. The maximum reference density DNX and the average minimum reference density DNI are set.

In the control circuit 42 according to the second embodiment,
The gradation conversion condition creation processing shown in FIG. 8 is performed instead of the processing of steps 252 to 270 of the flowchart of FIG. 4 described in the first embodiment. This gradation conversion condition creation processing will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. In steps 350 and 352, as in steps 252 and 254 of the flowchart of FIG. 4, the prescan image data is fetched from the prescan unit 36, and the prescan image data is separated into prescan density data and prescan color data. I do.

[0108] In the next step 354, with as in step 252, 254 of the flowchart of FIG. 4 calculates the individual maximum reference density Dnx _a and the individual minimum reference concentration Dni _a (corresponding to the reference density determining means 218), the film The density DNF (corresponding to the image representative tone value according to claim 4) of the main image portion in the image is estimated by calculation (main portion density determining means 216, determining the main image portion tone value according to claim 9). Means). The main image density is
Any one of the R, G, and B component colors, or a value corresponding to the prescan density data, such as a weighted average value of each component color, can be used.

The main image portion density DNF is estimated by, for example, displaying a film image on the display 72 or the like based on the input pre-scan image data (preferably converting to a positive image and displaying the film image) and using a light pen or the like. By allowing the operator to specify the main image portion in the film image, the position of the main image portion in the film image can be specified, and the average density or the like of the specified area can be used as the main image portion density DNF.

Further, the main image portion density DNF can be automatically estimated without bothering the operator as described above. That is, a region (face region) corresponding to the face of a person in the film image as the main image portion is extracted, and the density of the extracted face region (for example, an average density) is set as the main image portion density. As a method of extracting a face region, for example, JP-A-52-156624, JP-A-52-156625, JP-A-53-12330, JP-A-53-145620,
As described in JP-A-53-145621, JP-A-53-145622, etc., each pixel is included in the range of skin color on color coordinates based on photometric data obtained by photometry of a film image. It is possible to extract a region where a cluster (group) of pixels determined to be within the skin color range exists as a face region.

Further, as proposed by the present applicant in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 4-346333, 5-100328, 5-165120, etc., hue values (and (Saturation value) is obtained, the obtained histogram is divided for each peak, it is determined to which of the divided peaks each measurement point belongs, and each measurement point is divided into a group corresponding to the divided peak, The image is divided into a plurality of areas for each group (so-called clustering), an area corresponding to a person's face among the plurality of areas is estimated, and an extraction method of extracting the estimated area as a face area is applied. You may.

The applicant of the present invention has already disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-122944.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-184925, based on image data, a specific shape pattern (for example, the outline of the head, the outline of the face, the internal structure of the face) , A shape pattern representing the contour of the torso, etc.), according to the size and orientation of the detected shape pattern, and the positional relationship between the predetermined portion of the person represented by the detected shape pattern and the face of the person. In addition to setting an area estimated to correspond to a person's face, searching for another shape pattern different from the detected shape pattern, finding the consistency of the previously set area as a person's face, It is also possible to apply an extraction method for extraction.

Further, an area (background area) estimated to correspond to the background in the film image may be determined, and an area other than the background area may be extracted as an area corresponding to the main image portion. Specifically, based on the image data, the color of each pixel is included in the range of a specific color (for example, blue of sky or sea, green of lawn or tree, etc.) which clearly belongs to the background in color coordinates. It is determined whether or not there is a pixel, and the area where the cluster (group) of pixels determined to be within the specific color range exists is determined and removed as a background area, and the remaining area is defined as a non-background area (main image section). Can be extracted. Similarly, a background area may be determined by determining whether or not the image is included in a specific density range that clearly belongs to the background, and the remaining area may be extracted as a main image portion.

Further, as proposed by the present applicant in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 8-122944 and 6-266598, after dividing an image into a plurality of regions in the same manner as described above, Features as a region corresponding to the background (ratio of straight line portion included in contour, degree of line symmetry, number of irregularities, contact ratio with outer edge of image, density contrast in area, presence / absence of density change pattern in area, etc.) May be determined based on the obtained feature amount, whether or not each area is a background area, the area determined as the background part is removed, and the remaining area may be extracted as a non-background area (main image part). .

Further, without specifying the position of the main image portion existing in the film image as described above, information indicating the photographing conditions read from the magnetic layer of the negative film 12 by the read head 46 (for example, a strobe at the time of photographing). It is also possible to estimate the density of the main image portion in the film image based on the presence or absence of light emission, the distance to the subject measured at the time of shooting, and the like. For example, when the film image is an image photographed by emitting a strobe light and the distance to the subject is about a short distance to a medium distance, the main image portion exists in a high to medium density range (however, the film image Is a negative image)
It can be estimated that it is. It is also possible to estimate the main image portion density in consideration of shooting conditions such as subject brightness measured at the time of shooting.

Further, when there is no image part which can be clearly determined as a main image part such as a face area in the film image, for example, the film image is replaced with an image in which the highlight image part is important. The shadow image portion is classified into an image to be emphasized, the intermediate density image portion is classified into an image to be emphasized, and a density value predetermined for each classification is used as a main image portion density. The density value of the area can be used as the main image portion density.

The exposure amount when recording a film image on a recording material by surface exposure is generally determined based on various image feature amounts of the film image.
If an exposure amount that can properly reproduce the main image portion can be obtained by this exposure amount determination method, calculate the exposure amount when the film image is surface-exposed by the exposure amount determination method,
It is also possible to calculate the density of the main image portion by back-calculating the density value corresponding to the obtained exposure amount.

As described above, the individual maximum reference density Dn
x _a, the individual minimum reference density Dni _a and the main image part density D
When obtaining the NF proceeds to step 356, as the high concentration side individual reference density difference, thereby calculating the density difference between the individual maximum reference density and the main image part density DNF (Dnx _a -DNF), low density side individual standard concentration The difference is a density difference (DNF-Dn) between the individual minimum reference density and the main image portion density DNF.
i _a) to calculate the.

In the next step 358, it is determined whether or not the film image corresponding to the pre-scan image data input from the pre-scan unit 36 is a film image satisfying a predetermined standard. As the predetermined criterion, a criterion such as whether or not the sum of the high-density-side individual reference density difference and the low-density-side individual reference density difference is equal to or larger than the width of the image reproduction area of the recording material can be used.

If the determination in step 358 is denied, the process proceeds to step 362 without performing any processing. If the determination in step 358 is affirmed, in step 360, the high density side individual standard density difference shifts (Dnx _a -DNF) and the low concentration side individual reference density difference (DNF-Dni _a) to step 362 after storing in the storage unit 70. As a result, the storage unit 70 stores and stores the high-density individual reference density difference and the low-density individual reference density difference of a number of film images satisfying the predetermined criterion.

In step 362, the high-density individual reference density difference and the low-density individual reference density difference of a large number of film images already stored in the storage unit 70 are fetched, and the individual reference density differences of the large number of film images are taken. , An average value (average high density side reference density difference ΔH, average low density side reference density difference ΔL) is calculated. The average high-density-side reference density difference ΔH corresponds to “an average of the difference between the image representative tone value of each image and the high-density-side reference tone value” according to claim 4. The reference density difference ΔL corresponds to “an average of the difference between the image representative tone value of each image and the low density side reference tone value”.

In this step 362, similarly to step 264 described in the first embodiment, the data of the film image recorded on the negative film 12 of the same film type as the film image to be subjected to the gradation conversion, The average high-density side reference density difference ΔH and the average low density are obtained by using the film image data recorded on the negative film 12, the film image having similar image contents, and the film image data obtained by shooting and recording a similar scene. Side reference density difference Δ
L may be calculated, or a weighted average value of the individual reference density differences may be used instead of the average value of the individual reference density differences on the high density side and the low density side.

In the next step 364, based on the average high-density-side reference density difference ΔH, the average low-density-side reference density difference ΔL, and the main image portion density DNF of the film image to be subjected to gradation conversion, the following equation (2) is used. , An average maximum reference density DNX _a and an average minimum reference density DNI _a for the film image to be subjected to gradation conversion.

DNX _a = DNF + ΔH, DNI _a = DNF−ΔL (2) In the above equation (2), the main image portion density DNF and the individual maximum reference density Dnx in a large number of film images are obtained from the main image portion density DNF. the average mean high concentration side reference density difference ΔH by concentration across the high density side is the difference as the average maximum reference density DNX _a, from the main image part density DNF, separately with the main image part density DNF in multiple film images The density separated on the low density side by the average low density side reference density difference ΔL, which is the average of the difference from the minimum reference density Dni, is the average minimum reference density D
And the NI _a, the concentration range to be reproduced on the recording image ((D
NX _a -DNI _a ): This is also equivalent to “the gradation value range corresponding to the average of the gradation value ranges to be reproduced set for each original image” according to claim 1), and the average is high density. Side reference density difference Δ
This is equal to the sum of H and the average low density side reference density difference ΔL. Steps 356 to 364 described above also correspond to the reference density determination means 218.

The density range (D) reproduced on the recorded image
NX _a -DNI breadth of _a) has an average high-concentration side reference density difference and the sum of the average low-density side reference density difference ΔL and [Delta] H, individual standard density difference of the film image that performs gradation conversion Dnx _a -Dni _a
When, like in a breadth corresponding to the weighted average may be computed an average maximum reference density DNX _a and average minimum reference density DNI _a.

This is because, for example, the average high density side reference density difference Δ
H multiplied by a coefficient k ₁ (where 0 <k ₁ ≦ 1) and an individual high-density-side density difference (Dn
x _a -DNF) to the coefficient k ₂ (where average maximum at 0 <a value obtained by adding a value obtained by multiplying a k ₂ ≦ 1), adding to the main image portion density DNF of the film image that performs gradation conversion obtains the reference density DNX _a, as well as the average coefficient in a low concentration side reference density difference [Delta] L k ₃ (where, 0 <k ₃ ≦ 1) multiplied by a value,
Individual low density side density difference (D
NF-Dni _a) the coefficient k ₄ (however, the average minimum 0 <a value obtained by adding the value obtained by multiplying a k ₄ ≦ 1), be subtracted from the main image part density DNF of the film image that performs gradation conversion it can be achieved by determining the reference density DNI _a.

[0127] Based on the mean maximum reference density DNX _a and average minimum reference density DNI _a computed at the step 366, creates a gradation conversion condition as in step 268 described in the first embodiment. Thus, as compared with the main image portion density DNF (image representative tone value) of the film image to be subjected to the gradation conversion, the main image portion density DNF of the plurality of film images and the individual maximum reference density are provided. D
nx (high-density-side reference tone value) and a density value (average maximum reference density DNX) separated on the high-density side by an amount corresponding to the average of the difference
_a ) and main image density DNF of a plurality of film images
And the individual minimum reference densities Dni (low-density side reference gradation values), the density values (average minimum reference densities DNI _a ) separated on the low density side by an amount corresponding to the average of the differences are converted into predetermined values. Thus, the gradation conversion condition is created.

The above step 366 corresponds to the gradation conversion condition creating means 208 (the conversion condition setting means according to claim 8). In the next step 368, the determined gradation conversion condition is stored in a memory or the like in association with the frame number of the film image, and the gradation conversion condition creation processing ends.

In the second embodiment, the main image portion density DN
Determine the mean maximum reference density DNX _a and average minimum reference density DNI _a basis of F, since the created tone conversion conditions, with a gradation conversion condition created above, obtained from the fine scan image data By converting the fine scan density data into gradations, combining color data with the gradation-converted density data and recording an image, gradation variations are suppressed, and the scene represented by the film image is reproduced properly. In addition, it is possible to obtain a recorded image in which the main image portion is properly reproduced.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the third embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the respective parts, and the description of the configuration is omitted. Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described. The operation will be described.

FIG. 9 shows a control circuit 4 according to the third embodiment.
2 is a block diagram showing the operation of each function. As shown in FIG. 9, the control circuit 42 according to the third embodiment is different from the control circuit according to the second embodiment (see FIG. 7) in that a main part density Deciding means 220, and the reference density deciding means 21
8 is provided with a reference density range determining means 222. The main part density area determining means 220 is an achromatic color data converting means 2
Based on the pre-scan density data and the pre-scan color data output from 02, a main image portion density DNF in the film image is obtained, and a density region including the main image portion density DNF is set as the main portion density region.

The reference density area determining means 222, like the reference density determining means 218 described in the second embodiment, uses the reference density (individual maximum reference density Dnx and Dmax) representing the density area to be reproduced based on the fine scan density data. An individual minimum reference density Dni) is set for each film image.
The reference density area determining means 222 determines the individual maximum reference density of the film image satisfying the predetermined standard and the density of the main image part based on the density DNF of the main image part obtained by the main part density area determining means 220. And the density difference (Dnx−DN
F) and the density difference (DNF-Dni) between the individual minimum reference density and the density of the main image portion are stored in the storage means 206. Further, the reference density range determining means 222 includes a storage means 206.
(Dnx) of many film images stored in
−DNF) and (DNF−Dni), and the density DNF of the main image portion of the film image to be subjected to gradation conversion,
By setting the reference densities (average maximum reference density DNX and average minimum reference density DNI) for the tone conversion condition creation for the film image to be subjected to the tone conversion, the density outside the main part density area (higher than the main part density area) is set. Density areas (high-density reproduction density area and low-density reproduction density area) to be reproduced on the density side and the low-density side are set.

The tone conversion means 210 according to the third embodiment includes a main part density area set by the main part density area determining means 220 and a high density side reproduction density set by the reference density area determining means 222. The conversion characteristics are determined independently for the area and the low-density side reproduction density area, and the gradation conversion conditions are set.

Next, the tone conversion condition creation processing according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10 and only the parts different from the tone conversion condition creation processing described in the second embodiment.

In the tone conversion condition creation processing according to the third embodiment, the prescan section 36 is executed in steps 350 and 352.
After the pre-scan image data is captured from the pre-scan image data and separated from the pre-scan image data into pre-scan density data and pre-scan color data, in step 353, the pre-scan density data and pre-scan color data The density DNF of the main image portion is estimated by calculation, and the main portion density region is set based on the estimated main image portion density DNF.

The main part image density area is, for example, based on the main image part density DNF and the main image part density DNF.
A density range from a density lower than the predetermined value α to a density higher than the main image portion density DNF by a predetermined value β can be set (see FIG. 11 as an example). This step 353 corresponds to the main part density area determining means 220, and corresponds to “calculating the tone value of the main image part”. In step 355, as in step 354 of the flowchart of step 252 and 254 and 8 of the flowchart of FIG. 4 calculates the individual maximum reference density Dnx _a and the individual minimum reference density Dni _a.

In the next step 356 and subsequent steps, the same processing as the gradation conversion condition creation processing described in the second embodiment is performed. That is, in step 356, the individual maximum reference density and the main image portion density DN are set as the high-density-side individual reference density differences.
While calculating the density difference (Dnx _a -DNF) from F,
As the low concentration side individual reference density difference, it calculates the density difference between the individual minimum reference density and the main image part density DNF (DNF-Dni _a).

In step 358, the pre-scan unit 36
It is determined whether or not the film image corresponding to the pre-scan image data input from is a film image satisfying a predetermined criterion. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 362 without performing any processing. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 360, where the previously calculated high-density-side individual reference density difference (Dnx _a -DNF) and proceeds to step 362 low concentration side individual reference density difference (DNF-Dni _a) after storing in the storage unit 70. In step 362, the high-density individual reference density difference and the low-density individual reference density difference of a large number of film images already stored in the storage unit 70 are fetched and averaged for each individual reference density difference of a large number of film images. Values (average high-density-side reference density difference ΔH, average low-density-side reference density difference ΔL) are calculated.

In the next step 364, based on the average high-density-side reference density difference ΔH, the average low-density-side reference density difference ΔL, and the main image portion density DNF of the film image to be subjected to gradation conversion, the same as in the second embodiment is performed. Te average maximum reference density DNX _a relative film image performing tone conversion, and calculates the average minimum reference density DNI _a. Thus, minor portion density region to be reproduced present in the high concentration side than the main portion density region (density region extending from the DNF + beta to DNX _a), and to be reproduced is present in the low-density side than the main portion density region so that the minor portion density region (density region extending from the DNF-beta in DNI _a) is determined. 8. The tone value range corresponding to the "tone value range corresponding to the average of the high density tone value range" or the "tone value corresponding to the average of the low density tone value range" according to claim 7. Range ". In addition, step 355 described above
Reference numerals 364 correspond to the reference density range determining means 222.

In the next step 365, a gradation conversion curve for the main part density area is set. In this gradation conversion curve, for example, a conversion characteristic (specifically, for example, a gradient of the conversion characteristic) for a main portion density region is fixedly determined in advance, the main image portion density DNF is converted to a predetermined density DTF, and It can be set so that the density data belonging to the main part density area is converted with the predetermined conversion characteristic. Thereby, as an example, in FIG. 11, a gradation conversion curve as indicated by a bold line is set in the main portion density area.

The gradation conversion curve for the main part density area may be set in advance by setting the conversion characteristics for each film type and taking in the conversion characteristics of the corresponding film type. Also, information representing the image content of each film image and the scene represented by each film image, the image feature amount of the film image, or the imaging conditions magnetically recorded on the negative film on which the magnetic layer is formed, and the like. Based on the classification result for the film image to be subjected to gradation conversion, the conversion characteristics of the corresponding scene type are taken in, and the gradation conversion curve for the main part density area is obtained. May be set.

In the next step 367, a gradation conversion curve is set for the non-main part density area present on the high density side and the low density side of the main part density area. This gradation conversion curve is
The reference density (density separated from the main image portion density DNF by the average high density side reference density difference ΔH and the average low density from the main image portion density DNF are linked to the gradation conversion curve for the main portion density region set in the previous step 365). Density separated by the density-side reference density difference ΔL) can be determined so as to be converted into predetermined densities (high-density-side converted density value Dx, low-density-side converted density value Di).

As a result, in the example shown in FIG. 11, a gradation conversion curve for the non-main part density area on the high density side is obtained as shown in FIG.
The tone conversion curve of the conversion characteristic shown by a thick line is set to the gradation conversion curve of the conversion characteristic shown in FIG. 11 as a tone conversion curve for the low density side minor portion density region by a thin line a ₁ is set Become. Then, in step 367, based on the gradation conversion curve for each density range set above,
A gradation conversion condition (gradation conversion data set in the lookup table 71) is created, and in the next step 368, the created gradation conversion condition is stored in a memory or the like in association with the frame number of the film image. The gradation conversion condition creation processing according to the third embodiment ends.

As described above, in the third embodiment, the gradation conversion curve for the main part density area is set so that the gradation conversion characteristic for the main part density area has a predetermined conversion characteristic. The gradation of image data (specifically, fine scan density data) can be converted so that the gradation of an image portion (main image portion, etc.) corresponding to the upper main portion density area becomes substantially constant, and the In this case, it is possible to suppress variations in the gradation of the main image portion, and to properly and stably reproduce the main image portion.

In the third embodiment, the conversion characteristic for the non-principal density area is set as a gradation conversion curve independently of the conversion characteristic for the main density area.
It is also possible to soften or harden the non-main part density area independently of the main part density area so that the image part corresponding to the non-main part density area is properly reproduced on the recorded image. ,
The gradation conversion characteristics for the non-principal density region can be appropriately determined.

For example, assuming that the gradation conversion curve for the non-main part density region is created by extending the gradation conversion curve for the main part density region indicated by the bold line in FIG. 11, as shown in FIG. On the lower concentration side than the concentration range,
Concentration converted to the average minimum reference density DNI _a is greatly exceeded shadows converted density value Ds, so that the relatively wide concentration range of the low-density side can not be reproduced on the recorded image than the main portion density region. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, the gradation conversion curve for the low-density non-main part density region is determined so that the gradation conversion characteristic is softened independently of the gradation conversion curve for the main part density region. (For example, see thin lines a ₁ and a ₂ ). By setting the gradation conversion curve in this way, many image portions corresponding to the density region on the lower density side than the main portion density region are recorded. It can be reproduced on an image. This is the same for the non-principal density area on the higher density side than the main density area. Further, the gradation conversion condition for the non-principal density region may be a conversion condition having a non-linear conversion characteristic.

In the above description, an example is described in which the main image portion density DNF is used as the image representative gradation value. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the intermediate value between the individual maximum reference density Dnx and the individual minimum reference density Dni is used. Alternatively, a density value representing a density range in which a film image is to be reproduced can be used as an image representative gradation value.

In setting the individual maximum reference density Dnx and the individual minimum reference density Dni, a density range h which deviates from the image reproduction range of the recording material is extracted, and a region on the film image corresponding to the density range h is extracted. The reproduction condition of the density range h may be determined based on the image feature amount, and the individual reference densities Dnx and Dni may be set based on the determined reproduction condition. As the image feature amount for determining the reproduction condition of the density range h, for example, the average value of the contrast between pixels in the region corresponding to the density range h, the average value of the color difference between the pixels, and the average Value change, the area of a region with a predetermined contrast or more in the background region, the number of clusters based on color and density, the density difference and color difference between each cluster, the neutral color region and the non-neutral color in the background region The area ratio and distribution of the region, the analysis result of the spatial frequency with respect to the background region, and the like can be used.

In the above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, image data is separated into density data and color data. Although the mode in which image data is obtained has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and gradation conversion may be performed on the input image data itself. In this case, the gradation conversion from the image data to the recording image data and the gradation conversion from the recording image data to the recording signal are integrated, and the image data is converted into the recording signal by one gradation conversion. Also becomes possible. However, performing tone conversion on the density data separated from the image data can properly reproduce the tint of each image portion including the main image portion in the original image on the recorded image. preferable.

In the above description, two scan units (the pre-scan unit 36 and the fine scan unit 38) are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a single scan unit corresponding to the fine scan unit in the above embodiment is provided. A scanning unit is provided, and image processing such as a method of extracting pixels at regular intervals or a pixel density conversion for reducing the number of pixels by combining pixels is performed on the image data input from the scanning unit. The reduced image data may be similarly used as the pre-scan image data described in the above embodiment.

In the above description, the film image recorded on the negative film 12 as an original image has been described as an example.
The present invention is not limited to this. For example, another transparent original such as a film image recorded on another photographic film such as a reversal film, an image recorded on paper (reflective original), or a computer It is also possible to apply the image represented by the image data created in the above as the original image. As for the recording medium, in addition to photosensitive materials such as photographic paper, recording materials such as plain paper, heat-sensitive materials, and OHP sheets can be applied.

Further, the present invention is not limited to application to a color reproduction system for recording an image in three colors of R, G, and B. For example, four colors of R, G, B, and K (black) may be used. It is also possible to apply the present invention to a color reproduction system for recording an image.

In the above description, the density value (optical density) has been described as an example of the physical quantity representing the shading of the original image. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Various physical quantities such as a photometric value, a halftone dot area ratio, and a value obtained by exponentially converting the density value with respect to the original image can be applied.

In the above description, the form in which image data representing the density value of each pixel of each pixel of the original image is input has been described. However, the present invention is directed to the density data representing the density of each pixel of the original image. The present invention is also applicable to a case where color data representing the color of each pixel of the original image is input. In this case, means for separating density data and color data from the input image data (achromatic signal conversion means) 202) can be omitted.

In the above description, gradation conversion data corresponding to a desired gradation conversion condition is set in a look-up table.
Although the gradation conversion is performed using the look-up table, instead of this, the gradation conversion is performed according to the gradation conversion condition represented by a function expression or the like, and the function expression or the like is directly changed. Thus, a desired gradation conversion condition may be obtained.

[0156]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the tone value range corresponding to the average of the tone value ranges to be reproduced set for a plurality of original images is reproduced. A conversion condition for converting the gradation of the original image is determined, and the gradation of the original image is converted in accordance with the determined conversion condition. Has an excellent effect that the gradation of the image can be converted.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, tone value information representing the density of the original image and color information representing the color of the original image are obtained from the original image information, and the tone value information is obtained. Since the tone conversion is performed on the converted image and the converted tone value information and color information are combined, in addition to the above-described effects, the original image information is a single information representing both the shading and the color of the original image. However, there is an effect that the conversion of the gradation with respect to the original image information can be easily realized.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or the second aspect of the present invention, the high-density-side reference tone value and the low-density-side reference tone value that define the tone value range to be reproduced are set as original values. It is set for each image, and the conversion conditions are determined so that a tone value range corresponding to the average of the difference between the high-density reference tone value and the low-density reference tone value for each original image is reproduced. Therefore, in addition to the above effects, there is an effect that the conversion condition can be obtained by a relatively simple operation.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, a high-density-side reference gradation value and a low-density-side reference gradation value defining a gradation value range to be reproduced for each original image. The gradation value is set, the image representative gradation value is obtained, and the image representative gradation value of each original image and the high-density reference gradation value are compared with the image representative gradation value of the original image to be subjected to gradation conversion. The tone values separated on the high density side by the amount corresponding to the average of the differences between the image, and the low density side by the amount equivalent to the average of the differences between the image representative tone values of each original image and the low density side reference tone values The conversion conditions are determined so that the tone values separated by are converted to predetermined values, respectively. In addition to the above effects, an appropriate tone value range based on the image representative tone value in the original image is used. Has the effect that the gradation of the original image can be converted so that is reproduced.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the original image information
In addition to obtaining gradation value information representing the density of the original image and color information representing the color of the original image, the gradation value of the main image portion in the original image is obtained, and the gradation value of the main image portion in the gradation value information is obtained. Information corresponding to the main image portion tone value range including the tonal value, and information corresponding to the non-main image portion tone value range not including the tone value of the main image portion;
Is converted using the conversion conditions created by defining conversion characteristics independently of each other, and the converted tone value information and the color information are combined, so that at least the main image portion is properly reproduced. This makes it possible to convert the gradation of the original image information as described above.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the invention, a tone value of a main image portion is obtained, and a high density side tone value range to be reproduced on a higher density side than the tone value range of the main image portion. And setting a low-density-side gradation value range to be reproduced on the low-density side of the main image part gradation value range for each of a plurality of original images, which is equivalent to an average of the high-density-side gradation value ranges. The conversion characteristic of the conversion condition for the information corresponding to the high-density-side gradation value range is determined based on the gradation value range to be performed, and the conversion characteristic of the conversion Since the conversion characteristics of the conversion conditions for the information corresponding to the density-side gradation value range are determined, in addition to the above-described effects, the image part other than the main image part is also controlled to suppress the variation in gradation and reproduce properly. Has the effect that the gradation of the original image information can be converted to

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, tone value information representing the density of the original image and color information representing the color of the original image are obtained from the original image information, and the tone information is obtained from the tone value information of the plurality of original images. The average value of the calculated high-density-side reference tone value and the average value of the low-density-side reference tone value are calculated to obtain the average value of the high-density-side reference tone value and the average value of the low-density-side reference tone value. The high-density-side reference tone value and the low-density-side reference tone value of the original image to be subjected to the tone conversion are calculated based on the high-density-side reference tone value and the low-density-side reference value of the original image to be subjected to the tone conversion. A conversion condition is set so that each gradation value is converted to a predetermined gradation value, gradation value information is converted according to the conversion conditions, and the converted gradation value information and color information are combined to form a recording image. Since information is obtained and an image is recorded on a recording material, a recorded image in which the scene represented by the original image is properly reproduced can be obtained. That has an excellent effect that.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the eighth aspect, the tone value of the main image portion in the original image is obtained, and the average value and the low density Based on the average value of the side reference gradation values, the high-density reference gradation value and the low-density reference gradation value of the original image to be subjected to gradation conversion are calculated based on the main image part gradation values. In addition to the effect, there is an effect that the main image portion can be more appropriately reproduced on the recorded image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a photographic processing system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a film image reading device.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a control circuit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a gradation conversion condition setting / gradation conversion process executed by the control circuit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a line showing an example of an average reference density difference obtained from a number of film images, a density area set for a film image to be subjected to gradation conversion, and a density area to be reproduced on a recorded image. FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an example of a gradation conversion condition.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of tone balance characteristics of a negative film obtained from image data of a large number of images.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a control circuit according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a gradation conversion condition creation process according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of a control circuit according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a tone conversion condition creation process according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a tone conversion condition created by a tone conversion condition creation process according to a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 photo processing system 12 negative film 36 pre-scan unit 38 fine scan unit 42 control circuit 71 LUT 112 recording material 120 print head

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A tone value range to be reproduced among the tone value ranges of each original image represented by each piece of original image information is set for each of the original images based on a plurality of pieces of original image information. A conversion condition for converting the gradation of the original image represented by the original image information is determined so that the gradation value range corresponding to the average of the gradation value ranges to be reproduced set for each is determined. An image information conversion method for converting the gradation of an original image represented by original image information according to a conversion condition. 2. A method for obtaining gradation value information representing the density of an original image and color information representing a color of the original image from the original image information, and performing gradation conversion on the gradation value information in accordance with the predetermined conversion condition. 2. The image information conversion method according to claim 1, further comprising: synthesizing the converted gradation value information and the color information. 3. A tone value range to be reproduced by setting a high density reference tone value and a low density reference tone value representing the tone value range to be reproduced for each of the original images. And setting the conversion condition so that a tone value range equivalent to the average of the difference between the high-density reference tone value and the low-density reference tone value for each original image is reproduced. 3. The image information conversion method according to claim 1, wherein 4. A gradation value range to be reproduced by setting a high-density reference gradation value and a low-density reference gradation value representing the gradation value range to be reproduced for each of the original images. And setting an image representative tone value for each original image, and setting the conversion condition to the image representative tone value of each original image with respect to the image representative tone value of the original image to be subjected to tone conversion. A tone value separated on the high density side by an amount corresponding to the average of the difference between the high density side reference tone value and the average of the difference between the image representative tone value of each original image and the low density side reference tone value The image information conversion method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gradation values separated on the low density side by an amount corresponding to (i) are determined so as to be converted into respective predetermined values. 5. The image representative gradation value is a gradation value corresponding to an intermediate value of the gradation value range to be reproduced or a gradation value of a main image portion in an original image. Item 4. The method for converting image information according to Item 4. 6. A method for obtaining tone value information representing the density of the original image and color information representing the color of the original image from the original image information representing the original image, and obtaining the tone value of a main image portion in the original image. As conversion conditions for converting the gradation of the original image, information corresponding to the main image part gradation value range including the gradation value of the main image part, of the gradation value information, And information corresponding to the non-primary image portion tone value range not including the tone value, and the tone of the original image represented by the tone value information using a conversion condition created by defining conversion characteristics independently of each other. And a method of converting image information by combining the converted gradation value information and the color information. 7. The non-main image portion tone value range includes a high density side tone value range higher in density than the main image portion tone value range, and a low density side tone value region in a lower density side than the main image portion tone value range. Gradation value range,
The tone value of the main image part is obtained, and the high density side tone value range to be reproduced on the higher density side than the main image part tone value area and the lower density side than the main image part tone value area are reproduced. Setting the low density side tone value range to be performed for each of the plurality of original images, and the tone value corresponding to the average of the high density side tone value ranges respectively set for the plurality of original images. Based on the range, the conversion characteristic of the conversion condition for the information corresponding to the high-density-side gradation value range is determined, and the conversion characteristic is equivalent to the average of the low-density-side gradation value range set for each of the plurality of original images. 7. The image information conversion method according to claim 6, wherein a conversion characteristic of the conversion condition for information corresponding to the low-density-side gradation value range is determined based on a gradation value range. 8. An input unit for inputting original image information representing an original image, and an arithmetic unit for obtaining, from the original image information, gradation value information representing shading of the original image and color information representing a color of the original image. Reference tone value calculating means for calculating a high-density-side reference tone value and a low-density-side reference tone value of the original image from the tone value information; and the calculated high-density-side reference tone value and low-density. Storage means for storing a side reference tone value; calculating an average value of high density side reference tone values and an average value of low density side reference tone values calculated for a plurality of original images and stored in the storage means; Average value calculating means for performing, based on the average value of the high density side reference tone value and the average value of the low density side reference tone value, the high density side reference tone value and the low Individual reference gradation value calculation means for calculating the density side reference gradation value, and the height of the original image to be subjected to gradation conversion. Conversion condition setting means for setting a conversion condition such that the density-side reference tone value and the low-density-side reference tone value are each converted to a predetermined tone value; and performing the tone conversion according to the set conversion condition. Conversion means for converting the gradation of the original image represented by the gradation value information of the original image to be performed; synthesizing means for synthesizing the converted gradation value information and the color information to obtain recording image information; Recording means for recording an image on a recording material based on recording image information. 9. A main image part gradation value determining means for obtaining a gradation value of a main image part in an original image, wherein the individual reference gradation value calculating means comprises a high density side reference of the plurality of original images. On the basis of the average value of the tone values and the average value of the low-density-side reference tone values, the high-density-side reference tone value and the low-density value of the original image to be subjected to the tone conversion with reference to the main image portion tone value. 9. A side reference gradation value is calculated.
The image recording apparatus as described in the above.