JPH11164100A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable high accuracy focusing with an image at all the time when reading the image. SOLUTION: A prescan of a photographic film is instructed to a scanner for reading through a lien sensor (300), and a segmentation (306) of image data is repeated while discriminating the frame position of each image recorded on the film from data inputted from the scanner. Each time this processing is performed for a prescribed number of images, a high contrast part in an image is extracted from an segmented image data and the position of this high contrast part is stored as a focusing control position (312 and 314). When the focusing control position on the film reaches a reading position by means of the sensor in the case of reading respective images on the film again (in the case of fine scan) at the scanner, conveyance of film is stopped and focusing control is performed to move an image forming lens at an optimum position by monitoring changes in data provided through reading by the line sensor while stepwisely moving the position of the image forming lens.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus in which an image forming position of an image coincides with a position of a reading means based on data output from the reading means. As described above, the present invention relates to an image reading apparatus that performs focusing control for moving at least one of an image forming unit and a reading unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, film images recorded on a photographic film have been
After reading by an image reading device equipped with a reading sensor such as a CD, and performing image processing such as various corrections on the image data obtained by the reading, the image is recorded on a recording material or the image is displayed on a display. 2. Description of the Related Art An image processing system that performs display and the like is known. In this image processing system, reading of a film image by an image reading device is performed by:
This is performed by transporting a photographic film by using a film carrier set in an image reading device so that a portion where a film image is recorded corresponds to a reading position by a reading sensor.

However, since the dimensions of each part of the film carrier vary from one film carrier to another, the distance between the reading sensor and the photographic film varies depending on the film carrier set in the image reading apparatus. In addition, there are various sizes of photographic film, and a plurality of types of film carriers are prepared according to the size of the photographic film. Therefore, the distance between the reading sensor and the photographic film depends on the type of the film carrier set in the image reading apparatus. Also change. Further, the focal position of the imaging lens for forming the film image on the light receiving surface of the reading sensor changes according to the change in the ambient temperature.

Therefore, in order to always read the film image with high accuracy, the image forming position of the film image by the image forming lens is determined by the light receiving surface of the reading sensor irrespective of the exchange of the carrier and the change of the ambient temperature. It is necessary to perform focusing control (auto-focus control) for adjusting the position of the imaging lens so as to exactly match the above.

As an example of the focus control, a method is known in which a distance to an object is measured by a distance measuring sensor, and a lens is moved based on the measured distance to focus. However, in order to match the image forming position of the image with the image forming lens to the light receiving surface of the reading sensor regardless of the change in the ambient temperature,
Measure the relationship between the ambient temperature and the imaging position in advance, measure the ambient temperature in addition to the distance to the photographic film during focusing control, and take into account the relationship between the ambient temperature and the imaging position. Since it is necessary to perform control, there is a problem that providing a temperature sensor causes an increase in cost and a decrease in reliability.

Further, the positional relationship between the distance measuring sensor, the photographic film, and the imaging lens slightly changes when the ambient temperature changes due to the thermal expansion of a member for fixing or holding them. Therefore, even if the change in the image forming position of the image by the image forming lens is corrected as described above, it is difficult to accurately match the image forming position of the image with the light receiving surface of the reading sensor.

In Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-69572, light transmitted through an image frame of a micro roll film is focused on a screen or a photoreceptor, so that an image can be enlarged and projected on a screen or a hard copy of an image can be printed. A focus control method for guiding a light transmitted through a blip mark provided at a certain distance from each image frame to a line CCD sensor and automatically moving a projection lens to focus the reader printer is described. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 60-169268 discloses a document in which a focus detection mark including a light transmitting portion and a light non-transmitting portion is provided outside an image area.

However, according to the above-mentioned technique, when a blip mark or a mark for focus detection is not recorded on a recording material on which an image to be read is recorded (for example, when an image recorded on a photographic film is an object to be read) ) Has a problem that it is necessary to newly record a mark for focus control on a recording material.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-45127 discloses that a lens is moved so that a peak value obtained when an object is imaged by a photosensor and a low-frequency component of a signal output from the photosensor is differentiated is maximized. At the same time, it has been proposed to shorten the charge accumulation time of the photosensor as the brightness of the object increases. If the above technology is applied to an image reading device that reads a film image and focus control is performed so that the contrast of an image read by a reading sensor is maximized, a mark for focus control is newly added to the photographic film. It is possible to accurately focus without correcting the influence of the ambient temperature without recording.

However, when the image reading apparatus is configured to sequentially read the film images while transporting the photographic film by using a reading sensor such as a line sensor that partially reads the image by one reading, focus control is performed. Specifically, while the conveyance of the photographic film is stopped, the image sensor is repeatedly read by moving the position of the imaging lens and the like, and the contrast represented by the data obtained in each reading is repeated. Control is performed to determine the optimum position (focusing position) by comparison. If the position read by the reading sensor at this time is a position where the contrast in the film image is poor, the position of the imaging lens or the like is moved. Also, since the change in contrast represented by each data becomes poor, the focus position cannot be determined with high accuracy, and the focus control is not accurately performed. Is significantly decreased, there is a problem that.

In particular, a film image recorded on a photographic film includes a large number of images in which a portion having low contrast exists, such as an image against the background of the sky or the sea. Therefore, it is difficult to always perform focusing control with high accuracy. In addition, the above-described problem is not limited to the case where the reading sensor is a line sensor. Even when the reading sensor is an area sensor that reads the entire surface of an image in one reading, an image used for focusing control may be used. However, if the image occupies a large area occupied by a portion having low contrast, the focusing control is similarly significantly reduced.

Further, when the flatness of the recording material on which the image to be read is recorded is lower than the depth of field in the image reading, focusing is performed with high accuracy over the entire surface of the image. Is difficult, but in such a case, what kind of focusing control is specifically performed in order to perform focusing so that the accuracy of focusing control is evaluated to be high from data obtained by reading an image. Nothing is clear about what to do.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned facts, and has as its object to provide an image reading apparatus capable of always focusing on an image with high accuracy when reading an image.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus for forming an image of light from an image recorded on a recording material. Placed near the image forming position of the image by the image means,
Reading means for reading the image, moving means for moving at least one of the image forming means and the reading means, and a height in the image based on data obtained by reading the entire surface of the image by the reading means. Determining means for determining the position of a contrast part or a main part; and the combining unit based on data output from the reading means corresponding to the high contrast part or the main part in the image whose position has been determined by the determining means. Focusing control means for performing focusing control for moving at least one of the image forming means and the reading means by the moving means so that the image forming position of the image by the image means and the position of the reading means coincide with each other; Contain and include.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the position of the high-contrast portion or the main portion in the image is determined by the determining unit based on the data obtained by reading the entire surface of the image by the reading unit. Image forming means and reading means such that the position of the image formed by the image forming means coincides with the position of the reading means based on the data output from the reading means corresponding to the high-contrast portion or the main part in the image. Focusing control for moving at least one of the two is performed.

The data output from the reading means corresponding to the high-contrast portion in the image is obtained when the image forming position of the image by the image forming means coincides with the position of the reading means. Therefore, the contrast of the image represented by the data greatly differs. Therefore, if the focusing control is performed based on the data output from the reading unit corresponding to the high-contrast part in the image, even if the area of the low-contrast part in the image is large, for example, high-precision Can be focused on the image.

In the evaluation of the image quality of an image or the like, each part of the image is rarely uniformly tested, and a specific part (that is, a main part) in the image is often focused on. For this reason, if focusing control is performed based on data output from the reading unit corresponding to the main part in the image,
The main part in the image can be accurately focused, and the reading unit can read the main part in the image particularly accurately. Therefore, even when the flatness of the recording material is low compared to the depth of field in image reading, the accuracy of the focus control is evaluated to be high based on the data obtained by reading the image by the reading unit. Can be focused on the image.

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the focusing control is performed based on the data output from the reading means corresponding to the high contrast portion or the main portion in the image.
When reading an image, it is possible to always focus on the image with high accuracy.

When the determining means determines the position of the main part in the image, the position of the area corresponding to the face of the person is determined as the position of the main part. Is preferred. In an image including an area corresponding to a person, an area corresponding to a face of a person is mostly a main test target area in evaluation of image quality or the like.
According to the second aspect of the invention, the focusing control is performed based on the data output from the reading unit corresponding to the area corresponding to the face of the person as the main part in the image. When an image including the image is read by the reading unit, the image can be focused so that the accuracy of the focusing control is evaluated to be high based on data output from the reading unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the recording material is a photographic film, and the reading means is
The preliminary reading and the main reading of the image recorded on the photographic film are sequentially performed, and the determining unit performs the determination based on the data obtained by performing the preliminary reading of the image by the reading unit. The present invention is characterized in that focusing control is performed at the time of actual reading of an image by a reading unit.

Generally, an image recorded on a photographic film has a large variation in density and the like. To read an image recorded on a photographic film with high accuracy by a reading means, the image must be preliminary prepared with a relatively coarse resolution. After reading, detecting the density of the image and the like, and determining the conditions for performing the main reading of the image, the main reading of the image is often performed at a relatively fine resolution.

On the other hand, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the position of the high-contrast portion or the main portion in the image is determined using the data obtained by performing the preliminary reading of the image. The number of times of image reading does not increase for performing the determination, and it is possible to suppress an increase in time required for focusing control and image reading. Further, since the focus control means performs the focus control when the image is read by the reading means, the reading of the image by the reading means can be performed with high accuracy.

As the reading means according to the present invention, for example, a reading sensor such as an area sensor which reads the entire surface of an image in one reading can be used. It is also possible to use a reading sensor such as a line sensor that reads an image separately. When a line sensor is used as the reading means, as described in claim 4, the line sensor performs the preliminary reading and the main reading of the image while the photographic film is being conveyed by the conveying means. The focus control unit can perform the focus control by stopping conveyance of the photographic film when a high-contrast portion or a main portion in the image corresponds to the line sensor at the time of the main reading of the image by the line sensor.

[0024]

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] First, a digital laboratory system according to the first embodiment will be described.

(Schematic Configuration of Entire System) FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a digital laboratory system 10 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows an appearance of the digital laboratory system 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the lab system 10 includes a line CCD scanner 14, an image processing unit 1
6, a laser printer unit 18 and a processor unit 20. The line CCD scanner 14 and the image processing unit 16 are integrated as an input unit 26 shown in FIG. Part 20
Are integrated as an output unit 28 shown in FIG.

The line CCD scanner 14 is for reading a film image recorded on a photographic film such as a negative film or a reversal film. For example, a 135 size photographic film, a 110 size photographic film, and a transparent magnetic film are used. Photographic film (2
40 size photographic film: so-called APS film), 1
Film images of photographic films of sizes 20 and 220 (Broni size) can be read. The line CCD scanner 14 reads the film image to be read by the line CCD and outputs image data. Instead of the line CCD scanner 14, an area CCD scanner for reading a film image by an area CCD may be provided.

The image processing section 16 stores image data (scanned image data) output from the line CCD scanner 14.
Is input, and image data obtained by photographing with a digital camera, image data obtained by reading a document other than a film image (for example, a reflection document, etc.) with a scanner, image data generated by a computer, etc. Hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as file image data.) It is also possible to externally input (for example, input via a storage medium such as a memory card, or input from another information processing device via a communication line). It is configured as follows.

The image processing section 16 performs image processing such as various corrections on the input image data, and outputs the image data to the laser printer section 18 as recording image data. Also,
The image processing unit 16 outputs image data on which image processing has been performed to an external device as an image file (for example, outputs the image data to a storage medium such as a memory card, or transmits the image data to another information processing device via a communication line). It is also possible.

The laser printer section 18 is provided with R, G, and B laser light sources, and irradiates a photographic paper with laser light modulated in accordance with recording image data input from the image processing section 16 to perform scanning exposure. To record an image on photographic paper. Further, the processor unit 20 performs each process of color development, bleach-fix, washing, and drying on the photographic paper on which the image is recorded by the scanning exposure by the laser printer unit 18. Thus, an image is formed on the printing paper.

(Configuration of Line CCD Scanner) Next, the configuration of the line CCD scanner 14 will be described. FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of an optical system of the line CCD scanner 14. The optical system includes a halogen lamp, a metal halide lamp, or the like, and includes a light source 30 that irradiates light to the photographic film 22. Diffusion boxes 36 are arranged in order.

The photographic film 22 includes a light diffusion box 36.
A film carrier 38 (see FIGS. 4 and 6 and not shown in FIG. 3) disposed on the light exit side of the camera positions the screen center of the film image so as to coincide with the optical axis. As shown in FIG. 4, the film carrier 38 includes transport roller pairs 280 and 282 arranged on both sides of the optical axis L of the light emitted from the light source 30. The conveying roller pairs 280 and 282 are rotated by the driving force of the motors 284 and 286, respectively.
With the rotation of, the photographic film 22 sandwiched between the pair of conveying rollers 280 and 282 is conveyed at a predetermined speed so as to pass through a reading position (a position where the optical axis L intersects). The motors 284 and 286 are connected to a transport controller 172 (see also FIG. 6, details will be described later) via drivers 288 and 290. The transport roller pairs 280 and 282 and the motors 284 and 286 correspond to the transport unit according to the fourth aspect.

In FIG. 3, a long photographic film 22 is shown.
The slide film (reversal film) or the AP held in the slide holder for each frame
For the S film, a dedicated film carrier is prepared for each (the film carrier for the APS film has a magnetic head for reading information magnetically recorded on a magnetic layer). Positioning is also possible.

Between the light source 30 and the light diffusion box 36, C (cyan), M (magenta) and Y (yellow) dimming filters 114C, 114M and 114Y are arranged along the optical axis of the emitted light. A lens unit 4 that is provided in order and forms an image of light transmitted through the film image along an optical axis on a side opposite to the light source 30 across the photographic film 22.
0 and a line CCD 116 are sequentially arranged. Although FIG. 3 shows only a single lens as the lens unit 40, the lens unit 40 is actually a zoom lens composed of a plurality of lenses. The lens unit 40 corresponds to the image forming means of the present invention, and the line CCD 116 corresponds to the reading means of the present invention.

The line CCD 116 includes a large number of photoelectric conversion elements such as CCD cells and photodiodes arranged in a line, and three sensing units provided with an electronic shutter mechanism are provided in parallel with one another at intervals. One of R, G, and B color separation filters is attached to the light incident side of the sensing unit (a so-called three-line color CCD). The line CCD 116 is arranged so that the light receiving surface of each sensing unit coincides with the image forming position of the film image by the lens unit 40. In the vicinity of each sensing unit, a transfer unit including a large number of CCD cells is provided corresponding to each sensing unit.
The electric charges accumulated in each CCD cell of each sensing unit are sequentially transferred via the corresponding transfer unit. Although not shown, a shutter is provided between the line CCD 116 and the lens unit 40.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of an electric system of the line CCD scanner 14. Line CCD scanner 1
4 includes a microprocessor 46 for controlling the entire line CCD scanner 14. The microprocessor 46 corresponds to a focusing control unit of the present invention together with an autofocus circuit described later. The microprocessor 46 has a RAM 64 (for example, SRAM) via a bus 62,
A ROM 66 (for example, a ROM whose storage content is rewritable) is connected, and a motor driver 48 is connected. The motor driver 48 is connected to the filter driving motor 5.
4 are connected. The filter drive motor 54 can slide the dimming filters 114C, 114M, and 114Y independently of each other.

The microprocessor 46 turns on and off the light source 30 in conjunction with turning on and off a power switch (not shown). The microprocessor 46 includes a line CCD 1
When the film image is read (photometric) by the filter drive motor 54, the dimming filter 11 is
4C, 114M, and 114Y are independently slid, and the amount of light incident on the line CCD 116 is adjusted for each component color light.

The motor driver 48 changes the zoom magnification of the lens unit 40 by relatively moving the positions of the plurality of lenses of the lens unit 40, and detects the zoom magnification of the lens unit 40. The zoom position sensor 72 is connected. The microprocessor 46 drives the zoom drive motor 70 while monitoring the zoom magnification detected by the zoom position sensor 72 according to the size of the film image, whether or not to perform trimming, and the like, and adjusts the zoom magnification of the lens unit 40. Change to the desired magnification.

On the other hand, a timing generator 74 is connected to the line CCD 116. The timing generator 74 generates various timing signals (clock signals) for operating the line CCD 116, an A / D converter 82 described later, and the like. The signal output terminal of the line CCD 116 is connected to an A / D converter 82 via an amplifier 76. The signal output from the line CCD 116 is amplified by the amplifier 76 and converted to digital data by the A / D converter 82. Is done.

The output terminal of the A / D converter 82 is connected to an interface (I / F) circuit 90 via a correlated double sampling circuit (CDS) 88. The CDS 88 samples the feedthrough data indicating the level of the feedthrough signal and the pixel data indicating the level of the pixel signal, and subtracts the feedthrough data from the pixel data for each pixel. Then, the calculation result (pixel data accurately corresponding to the amount of charge stored in each CCD cell) is expressed by I /
The data is sequentially output to the image processing unit 16 as scan image data via the F circuit 90.

Note that R, G,
Since the photometric signals of B are output in parallel, the amplifier 76, A
Three signal processing systems including a / D converter 82 and a CDS 88 are also provided, and the I / F circuit 90 outputs R, G, and B image data as scan image data in parallel.

The motor driver 48 is connected to a shutter drive motor 92 for opening and closing the shutter.
The dark output of the line CCD 116 is corrected by the image processing unit 16 at the subsequent stage. The dark output level can be obtained by closing the shutter by the microprocessor 46 when the film image is not being read. .

The output terminal of the CDS 88 for outputting G data is connected to a digital band-pass filter (BPF) 9.
6. Absolute value calculation circuit (ABS) 98, addition circuit (AD
D) 100 and an autofocus circuit composed of an I / F circuit 102. BPF96 is CDS8
8, only frequency components corresponding to locations where the amount of light incident on the line CCD 116 changes rapidly (that is, edges) are extracted as edge data from the data output from the line CCD 8. The ABS 98 converts the input edge data into input data. Convert to absolute value and output. The ADD 100 integrates data representing the absolute value of the edge data output from the ABS 98. The I / F circuit 102 is connected to the microprocessor 46 via the bus 62, and outputs data (AF indicating the integrated value of the absolute value of the edge data output from the ADD 100).
Data) to the microprocessor 46.

The motor driver 48 includes a lens driving motor 106 for moving the entire image forming position of the lens unit 40 along the optical axis L by moving the entire lens unit 40 of the lens unit 40, and the lens unit 4
A lens position sensor 108 for detecting the position of 0 is connected. The microprocessor 46 adjusts the imaging position of the film image by the lens unit 40 at a predetermined timing based on the AF data input from the autofocus circuit. Note that the lens drive motor 106 corresponds to the moving means of the present invention.

(Configuration of Image Processing Unit) Next, the image processing unit 16
Will be described with reference to FIG. Image processing unit 1
Reference numeral 6 is provided with a line scanner correction unit 122 corresponding to the line CCD scanner 14. The line scanner correction unit 122 includes a dark correction circuit 124, a defective pixel correction unit 128, and a light correction circuit 13 corresponding to R, G, and B image data output in parallel from the line CCD scanner 14.
There are provided three signal processing systems composed of 0s.

The dark correction circuit 124 includes a line CCD 116
In the state where the light incident side is shielded from light by the shutter, data input from the line CCD scanner 14 (data representing the dark output level of each cell of the sensing unit of the line CCD 116) is stored for each cell, and CCD
From the scanned image data input from the scanner 14,
The correction is performed by reducing the dark output level of the cell corresponding to each pixel.

Further, the photoelectric conversion characteristics of the line CCD 116 vary from cell to cell. Defective pixel correction unit 12
In the bright correction circuit 130 at the subsequent stage of 8, the line CCD 116 reads the adjustment film image with the line CCD 116 while the film image for adjustment having a constant density is set on the entire screen of the line CCD scanner 14.
A gain is determined for each cell based on the image data of the adjustment film image input from the scanner 14 (the density variation of each pixel represented by this image data is caused by the variation of the photoelectric conversion characteristics of each cell). Previously, line CCD
The image data of the film image to be read input from the scanner 14 is corrected for each pixel according to the gain determined for each cell.

On the other hand, if the density of a specific pixel is significantly different from the density of other pixels in the image data of the film image for adjustment, the cell corresponding to the specific pixel in the line CCD 116 has some abnormality. The specific pixel can be determined as a defective pixel. Defective pixel correction unit 12
8 stores the address of the defective pixel based on the image data of the film image for adjustment,
Among the image data of the film image to be read inputted from 4, the data of the defective pixel is interpolated from the data of the surrounding pixels to newly generate data.

Since three lines (CCD cell rows) are arranged in the line CCD 116 at predetermined intervals along the direction in which the photographic film 22 is conveyed, the line CCD 116 scans each line sensor of the line CCD scanner 14. The reading positions (the positions of the reading lines) on the film 22 are shifted from each other, and there is a time difference between the timings at which the line CCD scanner 14 starts outputting the image data of the R, G, and B component colors. The line scanner correction unit 122 delays the output timing of the image data with a different delay time for each component color so that the R, G, and B image data of the same pixel is simultaneously output on the film image.

The output terminal of the line scanner correction unit 122 is connected to the input terminal of the selector 132.
Are output to the selector 132. The input terminal of the selector 132 is also connected to the data output terminal of the input / output controller 134. From the input / output controller 134, externally input file image data is input to the selector 132. Selector 1
The output terminals of the 32 are connected to the input / output controller 134 and the data input terminals of the image processor units 136A and 136B, respectively. The selector 132 can selectively output the input image data to each of the input / output controller 134 and the image processors 136A and 136B.

The image processor 136A includes a memory controller 138, an image processor 140, and three frame memories 142A, 142B, 142C. Frame memories 142A, 142B, 142C
Has a capacity capable of storing image data of a film image for one frame, and the image data input from the selector 132 is stored in any of the three frame memories 142. The memory controller 138 The data of each pixel of the input image data is stored in the frame memory 14.
2 so that they are stored in a certain order in the storage area,
The address at which the image data is stored in the frame memory 142 is controlled.

The image processor 140 takes in the image data stored in the frame memory 142, performs gradation conversion, color conversion, hypertone processing for compressing the gradation of an ultra-low frequency luminance component of the image, and sharpness while suppressing graininess. Various image processing such as hyper sharpness processing for emphasizing is performed. Note that the processing conditions of the above image processing are automatically calculated by an auto setup engine 144 (described later), and the image processing is performed according to the calculated processing conditions. The image processor 140 is connected to the input / output controller 134, and the image data subjected to the image processing is temporarily stored in the frame memory 142 and then output to the input / output controller 134 at a predetermined timing. Note that the image processor unit 136B has the same configuration as the above-described image processor unit 136A, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, each line image is read twice by the line CCD scanner 14 at different resolutions. 4. The first reading at a relatively low resolution (hereinafter referred to as prescan).
In the case where the density of the film image is extremely low (for example, a negative image overexposed on a negative film), the line CCD 116
In the photographic film 2 under the reading conditions (light amounts of the light irradiating the photographic film 22 for each of the R, G, and B wavelength ranges, and the charge storage time of the CCD) determined not to cause the saturation of the accumulated charge.
2 is read. Data (pre-scan data) obtained by this pre-scan is supplied to the selector 13.
2 is input to the input / output controller 134, and further output to the auto setup engine 144 connected to the input / output controller 134.

The auto setup engine 144 uses C
PU 146, RAM 148 (for example, DRAM), ROM
150 (for example, a rewritable ROM) and an input / output port 152, which are connected to each other via a bus 154.
From the pre-scan data input via, data of an area where a film image on the photographic film 22 is recorded (pre-scan image data) is cut out.

The auto-setup engine 144 reads a second relatively high-resolution image by the line CCD scanner 14 based on the pre-scan image data of the film image for a plurality of frames (hereinafter referred to as fine scan). The processing conditions of the image processing for the image data (fine scan image data) obtained by the above described main reading are calculated, and the calculated processing conditions are output to the image processor 140 of the image processor unit 136. In the calculation of the processing conditions of this image processing, it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of film images that photograph a similar scene based on the exposure amount at the time of photographing, the photographing light source type and other characteristic amounts, and a plurality of film images that photograph the similar scene are determined. Are determined, the image processing conditions for the fine scan image data of these film images are the same or similar.

The optimum processing conditions for image processing vary depending on whether the image data after image processing is used for recording an image on photographic paper in the laser printer unit 18 or output to the outside. Since the image processing unit 16 is provided with two image processor units 136A and 136B, for example, when the image data is used for recording an image on photographic paper and is output to the outside, the auto setup engine 144 is used. Calculates the optimal processing conditions for each application, and calculates the image processor units 136A and 136A.
Output to B. Thereby, the image processor unit 13
6A and 136B, the same fine scan image data is subjected to image processing under different processing conditions.

Further, the auto setup engine 144
Calculates, based on the pre-scanned image data, an image recording parameter that defines a gray balance or the like when recording an image on photographic paper by the laser printer unit 18, and records the image data for recording (described later) to the laser printer unit 18. Is output at the same time as is output. Further, the auto setup engine 144 calculates the processing conditions of the image processing for the file image data input from the outside in the same manner as described above.

The input / output controller 134 is an I / F circuit 1
It is connected to the laser printer section 18 via 56.
When the image data after image processing is used for recording an image on photographic paper, the image data processed by the image processor 136 is transferred from the input / output controller 134 via the I / F circuit 156 to the recording image. The data is output to the laser printer unit 18 as data. The auto setup engine 144 is connected to a personal computer 158. When the image data after the image processing is output to the outside as an image file, the image data processed by the image processor unit 136 is sent from the input / output controller 134 to the auto setup engine 144.
Is output to the personal computer 158 via the.

The personal computer 158 has a CPU
160, memory 162, display 164 and keyboard 166 (see also FIG. 2), hard disk 168, C
It includes a D-ROM driver 170, a transport control unit 172, an expansion slot 174, and an image compression / decompression unit 176.
These are connected to each other via a bus 178. The transport controller 172 is connected to the film carrier 38 and controls the transport of the photographic film 22 by the film carrier 38. In addition, the film carrier 38
When the APS film is set in the APS film, information (for example, image recording size) read from the magnetic layer of the APS film by the film carrier 38 is input.

A driver (not shown) for reading / writing data from / to a storage medium such as a memory card.
A communication control device for communicating with another information processing device is connected to the personal computer 158 via the expansion slot 174. When image data for output to the outside is input from the input / output controller 134, the image data is output to the outside (the driver, the communication control device, or the like) as an image file via the expansion slot 174. When file image data is input from outside via the expansion slot 174, the input file image data
4 to the input / output controller 134. In this case, the input / output controller 134 outputs the input file image data to the selector 132.

The image processing section 16 outputs prescanned image data and the like to the personal computer 158,
The film image read by the line CCD scanner 14 is displayed on the display 164, or the image obtained by recording on the photographic paper is estimated and displayed on the display 164, and the operator can correct the image via the keyboard 166. When instructed, this can be reflected in the processing conditions of image processing.

(Configuration of Laser Printer Unit and Processor Unit) Next, the configuration of the laser printer unit 18 and the processor unit 20 will be described. FIG. 7 shows a laser printer unit 1.
The configuration of the optical system No. 8 is shown. Laser printer unit 1
Numeral 8 includes three laser light sources 210R, 210G, and 210B. The laser light source 210R is configured by a semiconductor laser (LD) that emits a laser beam having an R wavelength. The laser light source 210G includes an LD and a wavelength conversion element (SHG) that converts the laser light emitted from the LD into a laser light having a wavelength of １ ／, and a laser light having a wavelength of SHG to G. The emission wavelength of the LD is determined so that is emitted. Similarly, the laser light source 210B also includes an LD and an SHG, and the oscillation wavelength of the LD is determined so that a laser beam having a wavelength of B is emitted from the SHG.

Laser light sources 210R, 210G, 210B
The collimator lens 212,
An acousto-optic light modulator (AOM) 214 is arranged in order. The AOM 214 is arranged so that the incident laser beam passes through the acousto-optic medium, and is connected to the AOM driver 216 (see FIG. 8). When the high frequency signal is input from the AOM driver 216, the AOM 214 Ultrasonic waves according to the high-frequency signal propagate in the optical medium, and an acousto-optic effect acts on the laser light transmitted through the acousto-optic medium to cause diffraction. Is emitted as diffracted light.

A polygon mirror 218 is disposed on the diffracted light emission side of the AOM 214. The three laser beams of R, G, and B wavelengths emitted from each AOM 214 as diffracted light are reflected by the polygon mirror 218. The light is applied to substantially the same position on the surface and is reflected by the polygon mirror 218.
The fθ lens 220 and the plane mirror 222 are disposed on the laser light emission side of the polygon mirror 218. The three laser beams reflected by the polygon mirror 218 are transmitted through the fθ lens 220 and reflected by the plane mirror 222. Irradiated on photographic paper 224.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic configuration of an electric system of the laser printer section 18 and the processor section 20. The laser printer section 18 has a frame memory 230 for storing image data. The frame memory 230 is connected to the image processing unit 16 via the I / F circuit 232, and the recording image data (R, R, and R for each pixel of the image to be recorded on the photographic paper 224) input from the image processing unit 16 The image data representing the G and B densities are temporarily stored in the frame memory 230 via the I / F circuit 232. Frame memory 230
Are connected to an exposure unit 236 via a D / A converter 234 and to a printer unit control circuit 238.

The exposure section 236 has three laser light sources 210 composed of LDs (and SHGs) as described above, and also has three systems of AOM 214 and AOM driver 216. The polygon mirror 218, polygon mirror 2
Main scanning unit 240 equipped with a motor for rotating 18
Is provided. The exposure unit 236 is connected to a printer unit control circuit 238, and the operation of each unit is controlled by the printer unit control circuit 238.

When recording an image on the photographic paper 224,
In order to record the image represented by the recording image data on the photographic paper 224 by scanning exposure, the printer control circuit 238 performs various operations on the recording image data based on the image recording parameters input from the image processing unit 16. To generate image data for scanning exposure, and
30. Then, the polygon mirror 218 of the exposure unit 236 is rotated, and the laser light sources 210R and 210R are rotated.
G and 210B, and emits the scanning exposure image data from the frame memory 230 to the D
Output to the exposure unit 236 via the / A converter 234.
Thus, the scanning exposure image data is converted into an analog signal and input to the exposure unit 236.

The AOM driver 216 changes the amplitude of the ultrasonic signal supplied to the AOM 214 according to the level of the input analog signal, and changes the intensity of the laser light emitted from the AOM 214 as diffracted light to the level of the analog signal (ie, the level of the analog signal). The modulation is performed according to the R density, the G density, or the B density of each pixel of the image to be recorded on the photographic paper 224. Accordingly, the three AOMs 214 emit R, G, and B laser beams whose intensity is modulated in accordance with the R, G, and B densities of the image to be recorded on the photographic paper 224, and these laser beams are emitted from the polygon mirror 218. , Fθ lens 220, mirror 2
The photographic paper 224 is radiated through the photographic paper 22.

The main scanning is performed by scanning the irradiation position of each laser beam along the direction of arrow B in FIG. 7 with the rotation of the polygon mirror 218, and the printing paper 224 is moved along the direction of arrow C in FIG. The laser beam is sub-scanned by being conveyed at a constant speed, and the photographic paper 2 is scanned and exposed.
An image is recorded in 24. The photographic paper 224 on which the image is recorded by the scanning exposure is sent to the processor unit 20.

A printer driver 242 is connected to the printer control circuit 238, and the fan 24 for blowing air to the exposure unit 236 is connected to the printer driver 242.
4. A magazine motor 246 for pulling out the photographic paper stored in the magazine loaded in the laser printer unit from the magazine is connected. The printer control circuit 238 is connected to a back print unit 248 that prints characters and the like on the back surface of the printing paper 224. The operations of the fan 244, the magazine motor 246, and the back print unit 248 are controlled by the printer control circuit 238.

The printer control circuit 238 has a magazine sensor 250 for detecting the attachment / detachment of the magazine in which the unexposed photographic paper 224 is stored and the size of the photographic paper stored in the magazine. Operation panel 252 (see also FIG. 2) for inputting, processor unit 20
The densitometer 254 for measuring the density of the image visualized by processing such as development is connected to the processor unit control circuit 256 of the processor unit 20.

The processor control circuit 256 detects the passage of the photographic paper 224 conveyed along the photographic paper conveyance path inside the processor of the processor unit 20 and detects the level of various processing liquids stored in the processing tank. Various sensors 258 for detecting the position and the like
Is connected.

The processor control circuit 256 includes:
A sorter 260 (see FIG. 2) for sorting the photographic paper discharged to the outside of the machine after completion of the processing such as development into a predetermined group, and a replenishing system 26 for replenishing a processing tank with a replenisher.
2. An automatic cleaning system 264 for cleaning rollers and the like is connected, and various pumps / solenoids 268 are connected via a processor driver 266. These sorters 260, replenishment systems 262, automatic cleaning systems 264, and various pumps / solenoids 26
The operation of 8 is controlled by the processor unit control circuit 256.

(Operation) Next, as an operation of the first embodiment, reading of a film image (pre-scan, fine scan) will be described. When reading a film image, the auto setup engine 144 of the image processing unit 16 performs a reading control process shown in FIG. 9, and the microprocessor 46 of the line CCD scanner 14 performs a film image reading process shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, the auto set-up engine 144 sets the value of the counter n to 0 in step 298 of the film image reading control processing,
At 00, predetermined reading conditions for performing pre-scanning on the film image are notified to the line CCD scanner 14, and the film image recorded on the photographic film 22 is transmitted to the line CCD scanner 14 and the transport control unit 172. To execute a pre-scan for. In the next step 302, it is determined whether or not pre-scan data has been input. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 304 to determine whether the input of the pre-scan data of one photographic film 22 is completed. If this determination is also negative, the process returns to step 302, and steps 302 and 304 are repeated.

On the other hand, in the film image reading process (FIG. 10) executed by the microprocessor 46, step 33 is executed.
At 0, it is determined whether or not execution of the pre-scan has been instructed, and the process waits until the determination is affirmed. When the execution of the pre-scan is instructed, the determination in step 330 is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 332. In step 332, the photographic film 22 is transported by the film carrier 38 in a predetermined direction at a constant transport speed suitable for pre-scanning.
At 34, the line CC is read in accordance with the pre-scanning reading condition notified from the auto setup engine 144.
Prescanning for reading the entire surface of the photographic film 22 at a relatively low resolution is performed by D116, and data obtained by the prescanning is sequentially output to the image processing unit 16 as prescanning data.

The prescan data input to the image processing unit 16 is stored in the RAM 1 of the auto setup engine 144.
48 in order. When the unprocessed pre-scan data is stored in the RAM 148 by a predetermined amount or more, the determination in step 302 of the reading condition calculation process (FIG. 9) is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 306, where the pre-scan image data stored in the RAM 148 Based on this, the edge positions on both sides (upstream and downstream) of the film image recorded on the photographic film 22 along the transport direction of the photographic film 22 are determined, and the frame position of the film image is determined. R
The data is stored in the AM 148, and the data of the area where the film image is recorded (pre-scan image data) is cut out from the pre-scan data.

In the next step 308, 1 is added to the counter n. In step 310, it is determined whether or not the value of the counter n has reached a predetermined value A. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 320, based on the pre-scan image data cut out earlier, the reading conditions when performing the fine scan on the same film image, and the fine scan image obtained by the fine scan. The processing conditions of the image processing for the data are calculated, and the calculation results are stored in the RAM 148 or the like in association with the frame numbers.

As described above, for a single film image, the frame position is determined, prescanned image data is cut out, reading conditions for fine scan, image processing conditions are determined, and the process returns to step 302. Therefore,
Until the input of the pre-scan data is completed, the processes of steps 306 and 320 are repeated for all the film images read as the pre-scan data. When the above processing is performed on a predetermined number A of film images, the determination in step 310 is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 312.

In step 312, a high-contrast portion in the film image is extracted based on the pre-scan image data cut out in step 306. In step 314, the position of the extracted high-contrast portion is stored in the RAM 148 as a focus control position. . The extraction of the high contrast portion can be performed, for example, as follows.

That is, based on the prescanned image data, only data of frequency components corresponding to edges are extracted, the extracted data is converted into absolute values and integrated, and data representing the integrated value of the absolute values of edge data is obtained. (AF data)
Is determined in the width direction of the photographic film 22 (line C).
This is performed for each pixel row along the direction parallel to the reading line by the CD 116). Then, the values of the AF data of each pixel row constituting the film image are compared, and the pixel row having the largest value of the AF data is extracted as a high contrast portion.

Steps 312 and 314 correspond to the judgment means of the present invention. After the process of step 314 is performed, the value of the counter n is returned to 0 in step 316, and the process proceeds to step 320. Therefore, until the input of the pre-scan data is completed, each time the frame position is determined and the pre-scan image data is cut out for the predetermined number A of film images, the above-described focus control position is also set. Will be.

When the input of the pre-scan data is completed,
If the determination in step 304 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 324, where the frame position of each film image, the reading conditions at the time of fine scan, and the focus control position are set to the line CCD scanner 14.
And instructs the line CCD scanner 14 to execute a fine scan on the film image, and terminates the reading control process. The processing conditions of the image processing previously calculated for each film image are described in the image processor 13
6 is notified to the image processor 140.

On the other hand, in the film image reading process (FIG. 10), when the pre-scanning of the photographic film 22 is completed, the conveyance of the photographic film 22 is stopped in step 336. In the next step 338, it is determined whether the reading conditions of each film image, the focus control position, and the like have been notified, and the process waits until the determination is affirmed. If the determination in step 338 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 340 where the photographic film 22 is transported at a predetermined transport speed in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction. Next step 34
In line 2, based on the frame position of each film image notified from the auto setup engine 144, the line CC
It is determined whether or not the film image has reached the reading position by D116. If the determination is negative, step 344 is reached.
Then, it is determined whether or not all the film images of the photographic film 22 have been read. If this determination is also negative, the process returns to step 342, and steps 342, 34
Repeat 4.

When the film image arrives at the reading position by the line CCD 116, the determination in step 342 is affirmed, and the flow shifts to step 346 where the focus on the photographic film 22 is determined based on the focus control position notified from the auto setup engine 144. It is determined whether the focus control position has reached the reading position of the line CCD 116 (more specifically, the reading position of the G line sensor). If the determination is negative, the flow shifts to step 348 to perform a fine scan in which the line CCD 116 reads a film image with a relatively high resolution in accordance with the reading conditions for the fine scan notified from the auto setup engine 144. In the next step 358, it is determined whether reading of a single film image (fine scan) has been completed. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 346, and steps 346, 348, and 358 are repeated until the fine scan for a single film image is completed. During this time, the image data (fine scan image data) obtained by the fine scan is sequentially output to the image processing unit 16.

When the fine scan for a single film image is completed, the determination in step 358 is affirmed, the process returns to step 342, and the processes in and after step 342 are repeated. As described above, reading (fine scan) of each film image recorded on the photographic film 22 is sequentially performed.

Each time the fine scan of a predetermined number A of film images is completed, the focus control position on the photographic film 22 reaches the reading position by the line CCD 116 during the fine scan of the next film image. I do. As a result, the determination in step 346 is affirmed, and the flow shifts to step 350 to stop the conveyance of the photographic film 22. Thus, the fine scan for the film image is interrupted. In step 352, an AF control process is performed. For details of the AF control processing, see FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that this A
The F control processing corresponds to the processing by the focus control unit of the present invention together with the previous steps 346 and 350 (the step 350 corresponds to the focus control unit according to claim 4 in more detail). .

In step 370, the lens position sensor 1
The lens drive motor 106 is driven while monitoring the position of the lens unit 40 detected by 08 to move the lens unit 40 by a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction (a direction approaching or moving away from the photographic film). Step 3
At 72, AF data is fetched from the autofocus circuit, and at the next step 374, the initial position of the lens unit 40 (the position before driving the lens drive motor 106).
It is determined whether or not the value has increased beyond the value of the AF data in.

The AF data (the integrated value of the absolute value of the edge data) indicates the sharpness of the focus control position on the photographic film 22 read by the line CCD 116.
Therefore, when the value of the AF data after moving the lens unit 40 is larger than the value of the AF data before moving the lens unit 40, the moving direction (predetermined direction) of the lens unit 40 is It can be determined that the image formation position of the film image by 40 is in the direction approaching the position of the light receiving surface of the line CCD 116.

For this reason, if the determination in step 374 is affirmative, the flow shifts to step 376, where the previous step 3
The lens unit 40 is moved by a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction as in the case of 70, and the AF data is taken in the next step 378. In step 380, it is determined whether or not the value of the currently acquired AF data has increased with respect to the value of the previously acquired AF data, and if the determination is affirmed, the process returns to step 376. Therefore, while the AF data is gradually increasing, steps 376 to 380 are repeated, and the lens unit 40 is moved by a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction.

If the determination in step 380 is negative (if the value of the AF data acquired this time is smaller than the previous time), the image forming position of the film image by the lens unit 40 is the position of the light receiving surface of the line CCD 116. Since it can be determined that the user has moved away from the
The lens unit 40 is moved to a position where the AF data is maximized (ie, in this case, the position of the lens unit 40 is moved by a predetermined amount in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction),
The control processing ends.

On the other hand, if the determination in the step 374 is negative, the moving direction (predetermined direction) of the lens unit 40 is determined by changing the image forming position of the film image by the lens unit 40 from the position of the light receiving surface of the line CCD 116. It can be determined that the direction is away. Therefore, the process proceeds to step 382, in which the lens unit 40 is moved by a predetermined amount in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction, and in the next step 384, the AF data is acquired. In step 386, it is determined whether or not the value of the currently captured AF data has increased with respect to the value of the previously captured AF data. If the determination is affirmative, step 3 is performed.
Return to 82. Therefore, while the AF data is gradually increasing, steps 382 to 386 are repeated, and the lens unit 4
0 is moved by a predetermined amount in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction.

If the determination in step 386 is negative, the flow shifts to step 388 where the lens unit 40 is moved to the position where the AF data is maximized (that is, in this case, the position of the lens unit 40 is shifted in a predetermined direction). (The fixed amount is moved), and the AF control process is terminated.

The above-described AF control processing is performed on the photographic film 22
Since the focus control position above corresponds to the reading position by the line CCD 116, the focus position of the film image by the lens unit 40 and the line CCD 11
The value of the AF data greatly changes depending on the distance from the position of the light receiving surface 6. Therefore, even when the film image to be read is an image in which the area of the low contrast portion is large, the image formation position of the film image by the lens unit 40 can be matched with the light receiving surface of the line CCD 116 with high accuracy. it can.

Upon completion of the AF control processing, the flow shifts to step 354 of the film image reading processing (FIG. 10), and shifts to step 358 after the conveyance of the photographic film 22 is restarted. Thus, the fine scan for the interrupted film image is restarted.

As described above, the reading (fine scan) of each film image recorded on the photographic film 22 is sequentially performed, and each time the focus control position on the photographic film 22 reaches the reading position by the line CCD 116. Focus control is performed. And photographic film 22
When the fine scan is completed for all the film images recorded in step S344, the determination in step 344 is affirmed, and the conveyance of the photographic film 22 is stopped in step 346, and the film image reading process ends. In addition, line CC
The fine scan image data of each film image input from the D scanner 14 to the image processing unit 16 is subjected to image processing in the image processor unit 136 according to the processing conditions calculated for each film image by the auto setup engine 144. Is output.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the configuration will be omitted. Hereinafter, a reading control process according to the second embodiment will be described. With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 12, only the differences from the reading control processing described in the first embodiment will be described.

In the reading control processing according to the second embodiment,
If the determination in step 310 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 311 and based on the cut out prescan image data,
An area (face area) corresponding to a person's face is searched for in the film image, and in the next step 313, it is determined whether or not a face area exists in the film image.

As a method for extracting a face area, for example,
JP-A-52-156624, JP-A-52-156625, JP-A-53
JP-12330, JP-A-53-145620, JP-A-53-14
As described in JP-A-5621, JP-A-53-145622, etc., based on film image data, it is determined whether each pixel is included in the range of skin color on color coordinates, and Can be extracted as a face region in which a cluster (group) of pixels determined to be within the range is present.

Further, as proposed by the present applicant in JP-A-4-346333, JP-A-5-100328, and JP-A-5-165120, 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 Application Laid-Open No. Hei 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.

The determination in step 313 is affirmative when the face area is extracted with high accuracy in the above-described face area extraction, and when the face area is not extracted or the accuracy of the extracted area as the face area is determined. Is low (for example, an image that does not include a person, such as a landscape photograph, or an image with high image complexity (see JP-A-0-146194 and JP-A-9-197575) and low face area extraction accuracy) ) Is denied.

If the determination in step 313 is negative, a high-contrast portion in the film image is extracted as described in the first embodiment (step 312), and the position of the high-contrast portion is set as the focus control position. When the determination in step 313 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 315, where the focus control position is determined based on the position of the face area extracted by the search for the face area in step 311. decide. The focus control position in this case may be, for example, a position corresponding to the center of the face area, or the AF data value is maximized in the face area as in the case of the extraction of the high contrast part described above. The position of the pixel row may be set as the focus control position.

This step 315, together with step 311 described above, corresponds to the judging means of the present invention (more specifically, the judging means according to claim 2).

As described above, in the second embodiment, when the face area can be extracted from the film image with high accuracy, the focus control position is set in the extracted face area. In particular, the imaging position of the face area is line CCD1.
Focusing control is performed so that the face area coincides with the light receiving surface of the photographic film 16, and the face area can be accurately read even when the flatness of the photographic film 22 at the reading position by the line CCD 116 is low.

In the second embodiment, a case where a region corresponding to a person's face is extracted as a main part in a film image has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Without narrowing down to the face, a region (background region) estimated to correspond to the background in the film image is determined, and a region other than the background region may be extracted as a main part (region corresponding to the main image part). Good.

Specifically, for example, the color of each pixel is determined based on image data within a 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. Is determined as a background area, the area where a cluster (group) of pixels determined to be within the specific color range exists is determined and removed, and the remaining area is determined as a non-background area (main area). Image part). 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.

As proposed by the present applicant in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. Hei 8-122944 and Hei 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). .

In the above description, the focus control position is set such that the focus control is performed periodically (every time a fine scan of a predetermined number A of film images is performed) during the fine scan of the film image. However, the present invention is not limited to this. First, the focus control position is set only for the film image to be fine-scanned, and after the focus control is performed at this focus control position, the focus control position is opposite to the transport direction during the fine scan. , The photographic film 22 may be once conveyed, and fine scanning of each film image may be performed without performing focusing control in the middle.

Further, in the above, the entire lens unit 40 is moved by the lens driving motor 106 as a moving means, so that the image forming position of the image by the lens unit 40 is moved along the optical axis L, and the film image by the lens unit 40 is moved. Is formed on the light receiving surface of the line CCD 116, but the lens unit 40
Can be realized by moving at least one of the lens unit 40 and the line CCD 116, so that the moving means moves only the line CCD 116. Or the lens unit 40
And the line CCD 116 may be moved. Needless to say, the movement of the lens unit 40 includes moving each lens such that the relative positions of a plurality of lenses constituting the lens unit 40 change.

In the above description, the line CCD 116 is used as the reading means according to the present invention. However, the reading means uses a plurality of images to be read in units smaller than the entire surface of the image to be read, such as a line sensor. It is not limited to the reading sensor that reads the data separately,
A reading sensor such as a CD that reads the entire surface of the image to be read at one time may be applied. In this case, a high-contrast portion or a face region is extracted from image data obtained by one reading by a reading sensor that reads the entire surface of the image to be read at one time, and focusing control is performed using the extracted data. By doing so, focusing control can be performed with high accuracy.

In the above description, BPF96, ABS98,
And the ADD 100 is used to calculate the AF data. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The circuit is omitted, and the microprocessor 46 performs the same calculation as the above circuit to obtain the AF data. Is also good.

Further, the case has been described above in which the autofocus control is performed based on the integrated value (AF data) of the absolute values of the edge data. However, the autofocus control is performed using the above AF data. The present invention is not limited to this. Based on a signal output from the reading unit in response to light from a hole or a notch or a mark provided on a photographic film, various known control methods are used to apply auto focus control. It goes without saying that it is possible to do

[0114]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the position of a high-contrast portion or a main portion in an image is determined based on data obtained by reading the entire surface of the image. Since the focus control is performed based on the data output from the reading unit corresponding to the high-contrast portion or the main portion in the image, when reading the image,
This has an excellent effect that an image can be always focused with high accuracy.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the position of the area corresponding to the face of the person in the image is determined as the position of the main part. For an image including the corresponding area, the image can be focused so that the accuracy of focusing control is evaluated to be high from data output from the reading unit by reading the image by the reading unit. It has the effect of.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the reading unit sequentially performs preliminary reading and the main reading of the image recorded on the photographic film, and the determining unit performs the preliminary reading of the image. Based on the obtained data, the position of the high-contrast portion or the main portion in the image is determined, and the focus control means performs the focus control at the time of the actual reading of the image. This has the effect of suppressing an increase in the time required for reading an image, and enabling highly accurate main reading of an image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a digital laboratory system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a digital laboratory system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical system of the line CCD scanner.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a film carrier set in a line CCD scanner.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electric system of the line CCD scanner.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing unit.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical system of a laser printer unit.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an electric system of a laser printer unit and a processor unit.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a reading control process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a film image reading process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an AF control process.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a reading control process according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 14 Line CCD Scanner 46 Microprocessor 96 Band Pass Filter (BPF) 98 Absolute Value Operation Circuit (ABS) 100 Addition Circuit (ADD) 102 I / F Circuit 106 Lens Drive Motor 116 Line CCD

Claims (4)

[Claims] An image forming means for forming an image of light from an image recorded on a recording material; a reading means arranged near an image forming position of the image by the image forming means for reading the image; A moving unit that moves at least one of an image unit and a reading unit; and a position of a high-contrast portion or a main portion in the image is determined based on data obtained by reading the entire surface of the image by the reading unit. Determining means, based on data output from the reading means corresponding to a high-contrast portion or a main part in the image whose position has been determined by the determining means, based on an image forming position of the image by the image forming means; Focusing control means for performing focusing control for moving at least one of the imaging means and the reading means by the moving means so that the position of the reading means coincides with the position of the reading means. Location. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines a position of an area corresponding to a person's face in the image as the position of the main part. 3. The recording material is a photographic film, the reading unit sequentially performs preliminary reading and main reading of an image recorded on the photographic film, and the determining unit determines that the reading unit has a preliminary image. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determination is performed based on data obtained by performing the reading, and the focusing control unit performs the focusing control when the reading unit reads the image.
The image reading device according to claim 1. 4. The reading means is a line sensor, and performs pre-reading and main reading of an image while the photographic film is being conveyed by a conveying means. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, when the main reading is performed, when the high contrast portion or the main portion in the image corresponds to the line sensor, the conveyance of the photographic film is stopped to perform the focusing control. Image reading device.