JPH11234510A - Image input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the device that properly stores image data on a storage medium with excellent workability depending on a residual capacity of the storage medium or request from a customer or the like by calculating the residual capacity of the storage medium and converting the resolution of the image data depending on the calculation result. SOLUTION: Image data processed by a data conversion section 56 of a main scanning data processing section 46 are outputted to an output device 16 and a resolution conversion section 60. The resolution conversion section 60 applies resolution conversion to the image data outputted from the data conversion section 56 depending on a residual capacity of a storage device 58 detected by a amount detection section 62 and provides an output of the result to the storage device 58. The amount detection section 62 detects a residual capacity of the storage medium mounted on the storage device 58 by any of various methods and gives the result of detection to the resolution conversion section 60. The resolution conversion section 60 converts the resolution depending on the residual capacity or an instruction of an operation system 18 or the like to adjust the amount of the image data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention belongs to the technical field of an image input device which photoelectrically reads an image recorded (photographed) on a film and outputs the image as digital image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, an image photographed on a photographic film (hereinafter referred to as a film) such as a negative film or a reversal film is printed on a photosensitive material (photographic paper) by projecting an image of the film onto the photosensitive material. Surface-exposing the photosensitive material,
So-called direct exposure (analog exposure) is the mainstream.

On the other hand, in recent years, a printing apparatus using digital exposure, that is, an image recorded on a film is photoelectrically read, the read image is converted into a digital signal, and then various image processing is performed. 2. Description of the Related Art Digital photo printers have been put to practical use, in which image data (latent images) are recorded by scanning and exposing a photosensitive material with recording light modulated in accordance with the image data, and the resulting images are printed. In a digital photo printer, an image can be converted into digital image data, and the exposure conditions at the time of printing can be determined by image data processing. Therefore, image skipping and blurring caused by backlight, strobe shooting, and the like can be corrected, and sharpness (sharpening) can be improved. 3) By suitably performing processing, correction of color or density feria, etc., it is possible to obtain high-quality prints that cannot be obtained by conventional direct exposure. Further, synthesis of a plurality of images, image division, and synthesis of characters can also be performed by image data processing, and a print that has been freely edited / processed according to the intended use can be output.

[0004] Such a digital photo printer basically includes a scanner (image reading device) for photoelectrically reading an image recorded on a film, and image data (exposure conditions) for processing the read image and outputting the image. An image input device having an image processing device, a printer (image recording device) for scanning and exposing a photosensitive material in accordance with image data output from the image input device to record a latent image, and an exposed photosensitive material And an image output device having a processor (developing device) that performs a development process on the image to produce a print.

In a scanner, reading light emitted from a light source is incident on a film to obtain projection light carrying an image photographed on the film, and the projection light is transmitted to an image sensor such as a CCD sensor by an imaging lens. The image is read by forming an image and performing photoelectric conversion, subjected to various processes as necessary, and then sent to an image processing apparatus as film image data (image data signal). The image processing apparatus sets image processing conditions from image data read by a scanner, performs image processing according to the set conditions on the image data, and outputs the image data to a printer as output image data (exposure conditions) for image recording. send. In the printer, for example, if the device uses light beam scanning exposure, the light beam is modulated according to the image data sent from the image processing device,
The light beam is deflected in the main scanning direction and the photosensitive material is conveyed in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, thereby exposing (burning) the photosensitive material with the light beam carrying an image to form a latent image. Then, the processor performs a developing process or the like in accordance with the photosensitive material to obtain a reproduced print (photograph) of the image photographed on the film.

[0006]

According to such a digital photo printer, not only can an image be printed and output, but also image data can be stored in a storage medium such as a floppy disk. It is possible to perform additional printing without a negative film or the like, and it is possible to easily obtain a reprint in which an image similar to that in the simultaneous printing is reproduced. According to digital photo printers, image data and its files can be supplied to a computer or the like.In recent years, with the spread and progress of personal computers and photo retouching software, image data has been used for various purposes. It is easy to use, and the demand for outputting a photograph as an image data file to a storage medium is expected to increase accordingly.

Here, as is well known, the amount of data when an image is converted into digital data is very large. On the other hand, the capacity of the storage medium is limited. Therefore, when outputting image data of a print obtained from a film to a storage medium, the operator needs to work while checking the number of images to be stored and the remaining capacity of the storage medium, which is troublesome. Work.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image input device which reads an image recorded on a film, performs necessary processing, and outputs the processed image to a recording medium or a printer. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image input device capable of suitably storing image data in a storage medium with good workability according to the remaining capacity of a medium or a customer's request.

[0009]

According to the present invention, an image recorded on a film original is photoelectrically read by an image sensor and converted into digital image data on at least one of a recording medium and a printer. An image input device for outputting, the remaining capacity calculating means for calculating the remaining capacity of the recording medium, and a resolution for converting the resolution of the image data according to a result of the remaining capacity calculation of the recording medium by the remaining capacity calculating means. An image input device comprising a conversion unit.

The resolution conversion means preferably performs at least one of electronic scaling, gradation resolution conversion, thinning, and compression. Preferably, resolution conversion is performed in accordance with an instruction from the operator.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image input apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a digital photo printer using the image input device of the present invention. The digital photo printer (hereinafter, referred to as a photo printer 10) illustrated in FIG. 1 basically includes a scanner (image reading device) 12 that photoelectrically reads an image captured on a film F, and read image data ( An image input device according to the present invention, which has an image processing device 14 which performs image processing of image information), operation and control of the entire photo printer 10, and the like, and which is modulated in accordance with image data output from the image processing device 14. An output device 16 for exposing a photosensitive material (printing paper) to an image with a light beam, developing and outputting (finished) prints, and storing image data output from the image processing device 14 in a storage medium. A storage device 58 for reading image data stored in the medium and supplying the read image data to the image processing device 14. The image processing apparatus 14 includes an operation system 18 having a keyboard 18a and a mouse 18b for inputting (setting) various conditions, selecting and instructing processing, and instructing color / density correction, and the like. A display 20 for displaying images read at 12, various operation instructions, setting / registration screens for various conditions, and the like is connected.

The scanner 12 is a device for photoelectrically reading an image photographed on a film F or the like one frame at a time.
A variable aperture 24, a diffusion box 28 for making the reading light incident on the film F uniform in the surface direction of the film F, an imaging lens unit 32, R (red), G (green), and B
An image sensor 34 having a line CCD sensor corresponding to each image reading of (blue) and an amplifier (amplifier) 36 are configured.

In the photo printer 10, the type and size of a film such as a new photographic system (Advanced Photo System) or a 135-size negative (or reversal) film, the form of a film such as strips and slides, and the like are determined. A dedicated carrier 30 that can be mounted on the main body of the scanner 12 is prepared. By replacing the carrier 30, various types of films and processes can be handled. An image (frame) photographed on a film and provided for printing is conveyed by the carrier 30 to a predetermined reading position. Also, as is well known, a magnetic recording medium is formed on the film of the new photographic system, and a cartridge ID, a film type, etc. are recorded. And various data such as the model of the developing machine can be recorded. Carrier 30 corresponding to film (cartridge) of new photo system
The magnetic information reading means is disposed, and when the film is transported to the reading position, the magnetic information is read, and the various types of information are sent to the image processing device 14.

When reading an image photographed on the film F in such a scanner 12, the reading light emitted from the light source 22 and adjusted in light amount by the variable aperture 24 is moved to a predetermined reading position by the carrier 30. By entering the transmitted film F and transmitting the same, projection light carrying an image photographed on the film F is obtained.

The carrier 30 is, for example, a 24-sheet carrier.
It corresponds to a long film F (strips) such as a 35-size film or a cartridge of a new photo system. As schematically shown in FIG. 2A, the film F is located at a predetermined reading position. While the film F is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the direction in which the line CCD sensor of the image sensor 34 extends (the main scanning direction), and the film F is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction. It has a pair of transport rollers 30a and 30b to be arranged, and a mask 26 having a slit 26a extending in the main scanning direction and corresponding to the reading position, which regulates the projection light of the film F into a predetermined slit shape. The film F is the carrier 3
The reading light is incident while being transported in the sub-scanning direction by being positioned at the reading position by 0. As a result, the film F is two-dimensionally slit-scanned by the slit 26a extending in the main scanning direction, and the image of each frame captured on the film F is read.

The projection light of the film F is imaged on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 34 by the imaging lens unit 32. As shown in FIG. 2B, the image sensor 34
Is a line CCD sensor 34 for reading an R image
Line CCD sensor 34 for reading R and G images
This is a so-called three-line color CCD sensor having a line CCD sensor 34B for reading G and B images. Each line CCD sensor extends in the main scanning direction as described above. The projection light of the film F is separated into three primary colors of R, G and B by the image sensor 34 and read photoelectrically. The output signal of the image sensor 34 is amplified by the amplifier 36 and
Sent to

The scanner 12 reads an image photographed on the film F by two image readings: a prescan for reading at a low resolution and a main scan for obtaining image data of an output image. The pre-scan is performed so that the image sensor 34 can read all the images of the film F targeted by the scanner 12 without saturation.
The scanning is performed under pre-scanning reading conditions set in advance. On the other hand, the main scan is based on the pre-scan data,
The reading is performed under the reading conditions set for each frame so that the image sensor 34 is saturated at a density slightly lower than the minimum density of the image (frame).

The scanner constituting the image input apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the one using the slit scanning, but may be the one using the surface exposure for reading the entire surface of one frame image at a time. . In this case, for example, using an area CCD sensor, providing means for inserting R, G, and B color filters between the light source and the film F, and inserting the color filters to read an image with the area CCD sensor. , R, G and B sequentially, the image captured on the film F is separated into three primary colors and read.

As described above, an output signal from the scanner 12 is supplied to an image processing device 14 (hereinafter, referred to as a processing device 14).
Is output to FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the processing device 14. The processing device 14 converts the output signal from the scanner 12 into digital image data, performs predetermined image processing on the image data, and converts the image data into image data for output.
6 and a storage device 58, a data processing section 38, a prescan (frame) memory 40, a main scan (frame) memory 42, a prescan data processing section 44, a main scan data processing section 46, and a condition setting section. 48,
It has a resolution conversion section 60 and a remaining amount detection section 62. FIG. 3 mainly shows parts related to image processing. The processing device 14 includes a CPU that controls and manages the entire photo printer 10 including the processing device 14, and a photo printer 10. A memory or the like for storing information necessary for the operation or the like is arranged, and the operation system 18 and the display 20 are connected to each part via the CPU or the like (CPU bus).

The R, G, and B output signals output from the scanner 12 are converted by an A / D
(Analog-digital) conversion, Log conversion (gradation conversion),
Darkness correction, shading correction, DC offset correction,
Data processing such as defective pixel correction is performed to obtain digital image data. Prescan (image) data is stored (prestored) in the prescan memory 40 and main scan (image) data is stored in the main scan memory 42. You. Note that the scanner 1 is used in the pre-scan and the main scan.
The output signals from 2 are basically the same data except that the pixel density and the output level are different.

The pre-scan data stored in the pre-scan memory 40 is sent to a pre-scan data processing section 44 having an image processing section 50 and an image data conversion section 52.
The main scan data stored in the main scan memory 42 is processed by a main scan data processing unit 46 having an image processing unit 54 and an image data conversion unit 58, respectively.

The image processing unit 50 of the pre-scan data processing unit 44 and the image processing unit 5 of the main scan data processing unit 46
Reference numeral 4 denotes a unit that performs predetermined image processing on image data according to image processing conditions set by a condition setting unit 48 described later. The image processing unit 50 and the image processing unit 54 basically perform the same processing except that the resolution is different. The image processing performed by both processing units is not limited. For example, color balance adjustment, gradation adjustment, density adjustment, saturation adjustment, electronic scaling processing, dodging processing (density dynamic range compression / expansion), Various types of image processing performed by a known image processing device, such as a sharpness process (sharpening process), are exemplified. Each of these processes is a process using a look-up table (LUT), a matrix (MTX) calculator, a low-pass filter, an adder, or the like, or a known process using an averaging process, an interpolation calculation, or the like performed by appropriately combining these processes. It may be done by means.

The image data conversion unit 58 includes an image processing unit 54
Is converted into, for example, 3D (three-dimensional)-
The data is converted using an LUT or the like, and supplied to the output device 16 and the resolution conversion unit 60 as image data corresponding to image recording by the output device 16. When outputting image data only to the resolution conversion unit 60 (storage device 58), processing by the image data conversion unit 58 and / or the image processing unit 54 may not be performed as necessary. On the other hand, the image data conversion unit 52 thins out the image data processed by the image processing unit 50 as necessary, converts the image data similarly using a 3D-LUT or the like, and converts the image data corresponding to the display on the display 20. The data is displayed on the display 20 as data. The processing conditions in both cases are set by a condition setting unit 48 described later.

The condition setting section 48 sets reading conditions for the main scan and various processing conditions in the pre-scan data processing section 44 and the main scan data processing section 46. More specifically, the condition setting unit 48 includes the pre-scan memory 40
From the pre-scan data, create a density histogram from the pre-scan data, average density, LAT
It calculates image feature amounts such as D (large area transmission density), highlight (lowest density), shadow (highest density), sets the scanning conditions for the main scan, and further operates the operation system 18 as necessary. The image processing conditions such as the color balance adjustment and the gradation adjustment described above are set in consideration of an instruction from the operator using the image processing apparatus, the reading conditions are transmitted to the scanner 12, and the image processing conditions are transmitted to the pre-scan data processing unit 44 and the main unit. This is set in the scan data processing unit 46. In addition, the condition setting unit 48
If there is an image adjustment by the operator in the verification etc.,
The image processing conditions set in the pre-scan data processing section 44 and the main scan data processing section 46 are adjusted or reset.

As described above, the image data processed by the data conversion section 56 (main scan data processing section 46) is output to the output device 16 and the resolution conversion section 60. The resolution conversion unit 60 converts the resolution of the image data output from the data conversion unit 56 in accordance with the remaining capacity of the storage medium mounted on the storage device 58 detected by the remaining amount detection unit 62, and stores the image. It is a part that outputs to the device 58.

A storage medium to which the image input device of the present invention outputs image data, that is, a storage device 58 connected to the image input device of the present invention records the image data, reads out the image data, and reads out the image data. There is no particular limitation on the storage medium to be supplied to the HDD, such as a floppy disk, a removable hard disk (Zip, Jaz, etc.), a magnetic recording medium such as a DAT (digital audio tape), an MO (magneto-optical) disk, an MD (mini disk), and a DVD. All known storage media such as a magneto-optical recording medium such as a (digital video disk) and a card memory such as a PC card and a smart media can be used. Further, the storage device 58 may correspond to a plurality of storage media. In the image input device of the present invention, even if image data is output to an unused (full capacity open) storage medium, the image data is added to a storage medium in which some image data or the like is stored first. Of course, it may be memorized.

The remaining amount detection unit 62 detects the remaining capacity from the storage medium mounted on the storage device 58 by various known methods, and supplies the detection result to the resolution conversion unit 60.

The resolution conversion unit 60 responds to the remaining capacity of the storage medium supplied from the remaining amount detection unit 62, the number of images to be stored in the storage medium (the number of frames), an instruction from an operator using the operation system 18 or the like, and the like. Then, the resolution of the image data output from the data conversion unit 56 is converted, that is, the image data amount is adjusted and output to the storage device 58.

The resolution conversion by the resolution conversion unit 60 includes:
There is no particular limitation, and various embodiments are exemplified. For example, the resolution may be determined according to the remaining capacity of the storage medium or the like so that the resolution is determined so that all the frames instructed to be output to the storage medium can be stored. At this time, the minimum resolution is determined. If all the frames cannot be stored in the storage medium even at the minimum resolution, a warning to that effect and an instruction to replace (add) the storage medium are given on the display 20. The resolution may be displayed, or all the frames may be stored in a storage medium with the resolution of only the last frame being lower than the minimum resolution according to the judgment of the resolution conversion unit 60 or the instruction of the operator. Further, the operator may instruct the resolution of the image data using the operation system 18 or the like in response to a request of a customer or the like. At this time, the resolution conversion unit 60 converts the resolution of the image data according to the instructed resolution. However, if the image data of all frames cannot be stored in the storage medium according to the remaining capacity of the storage medium, In the same manner as described above, a warning, display of another storage medium replacement, resolution reduction of the last frame, or the like may be performed. Or,
When the resolution is instructed by the operator and the remaining capacity of the storage medium is more than this, the resolution conversion unit 60 converts the image into the maximum resolution that can be stored in the storage medium. Data conversion may be performed.
Further, image data having different resolutions for each frame may be used in accordance with an instruction from the operator or the like, or one image may be used as a plurality of image data having different resolutions. Note that the resolution conversion unit 60 does not need to perform the resolution conversion when all the predetermined image data can be stored in the storage medium with the resolution of the image data output from the data conversion unit 56 unchanged.
If the remaining capacity has room, the resolution may be increased.
When outputting image data to a plurality of storage media,
Since it is not preferable to divide one image and store it in a plurality of storage media, it is preferable that processing in the resolution conversion unit 60 and storage of image data in the storage device 58 be avoided.

The resolution conversion method in the resolution conversion section 60 is not particularly limited. For example, electronic scaling using a thinning-out, interpolation operation, averaging, adding and thinning-out method, a method using an LUT, A method such as a gradation (resolution) conversion process, a thinning process, a data compression process, or the like by a method of dividing by a power of is exemplified. These may be performed singly or in combination of a plurality of them, or the processing performed by the resolution conversion unit 60 may be appropriately selected according to the remaining capacity of the storage medium or the like. Further, a plurality of frames are stored in the storage device 5.
When the image data is output to the frame 8, a different resolution conversion process may be performed for each frame as necessary. If necessary, the image data may be compressed in the resolution conversion unit 60 or the storage device 58 by a known method.

The output device 16 prints a latent image by exposing the photosensitive material (printing paper) in accordance with the supplied image data, and performs predetermined processing on the exposed photosensitive material. Processor (developing device) that outputs as a print
And is configured. In a printer, for example, after cutting a photosensitive material into a predetermined length corresponding to a print, a back print is recorded, and then three types of light beams of R exposure, G exposure, and B exposure according to the spectral sensitivity characteristics of the photosensitive material. Is modulated in accordance with the image data output from the processing device 14 and is deflected in the main scanning direction, and the photosensitive material is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. A latent image is recorded by dimensional scanning exposure,
Supply to the processor. The processor that has received the photosensitive material performs a predetermined wet development process such as color development, bleach-fixing, and washing with water, and forms a print by drying, and sorts and accumulates it into a predetermined unit such as one film.

Hereinafter, the operation of the photo printer will be described, and the image input apparatus of the present invention will be described in more detail.

An operator loads the carrier 30 corresponding to the film F into the scanner 12, sets the film F at a predetermined position on the carrier 30, and sets a frame for printing (instruction for simultaneous printing), a print size,
The user inputs necessary instructions such as the number of prints and frames for storing image data in the storage medium.
After loading the print data in No. 8, print creation start is instructed.

Thus, the variable aperture 24 of the scanner 12
Aperture value and image sensor 34 (line CCD sensor)
The accumulation time is set in accordance with the prescan reading conditions, and then the carrier 30 transports the film F in the sub-scanning direction at a speed corresponding to the prescan, and the prescan is started. F is slit-scanned so that the projection light forms an image on the image sensor 34, and the image captured on the film F is decomposed into R, G, and B and read photoelectrically. In the present invention, the pre-scan and the main scan may be performed one frame at a time, or the pre-scan and the main scan may be performed continuously for all frames or for a predetermined plurality of frames. As an example, pre-scanning of all frames shot on the film F is performed first.

The output signal of the image sensor 34 by the prescan is processed by the data processing unit 38 to be digital image data, and is stored in the prescan memory 40 as prescan data. Prescan memory 40
When the pre-scan data is stored, the condition setting unit 4 reads the pre-scan data, creates a density histogram, calculates an image feature amount, and the like for each frame, and sets the reading conditions for the main scan as described above. Then, the image data is supplied to the scanner 12, and various image processing conditions such as gradation adjustment and gray balance adjustment are set in predetermined portions (hardware) of the set pre-scan data processing unit 44 and the main scan data processing unit 46.

When performing the test, the pre-scan data is read out by the pre-scan data processing unit 44,
Image processing is performed under the image processing conditions set in the image processing unit 50, and is converted by the image data conversion unit 52.
The image of the frame is displayed on the display 20 as a simulation image. The operator operates the display 20
, The image, that is, the image processing result is confirmed (verified), and the color, density, gradation, and the like are adjusted using adjustment keys and the like set on the keyboard 18a as necessary. The image processing conditions are adjusted by the condition setting unit 48, and the image displayed on the display 20 also changes. The print frame, print size,
The instruction of the number of sheets, the frame for outputting the image data to the storage medium, and the like may be performed using the pre-scanned image.

When the operator determines that the image of this frame is proper (test OK), the operator issues an instruction to that effect, and
The next frame is verified, and all required frames are verified. When the verification of all frames is completed, a print start instruction is given by using the keyboard 18a or the like. Thus, the image processing conditions are determined, the carrier 30 in the scanner 12 transports the film F at a speed corresponding to the main scan in the direction opposite to the prescan, and the main scan is started. When the verification is not performed, the image processing conditions are determined at the time when the setting of the image processing conditions in the image processing unit 54 of the main scan data processing unit 46 is completed, and the main scan is started.

The main scan is performed in the same manner as the pre-scan except that reading conditions such as the aperture value of the variable aperture 24 are different.
The output signal from the image sensor 34 is amplified by the amplifier 36, sent to the processing device 14, subjected to predetermined processing by the data processing unit 38, and sent to the main scan memory 42 as main scan data. In this example, as an example, the film F is continuously conveyed from the front end to the rear end, and the main scan of all necessary frames is performed. Needless to say, reading of each frame is performed according to the previously set reading conditions of the main scan.

When the main scan data of the first frame is sent to the main scan memory 42, the main scan data is read out by the main scan processing unit 46, processed by the image processing unit 54 under the corresponding image processing conditions, and then converted into image data. The output image data is converted by the unit 58. The converted image data is output to the resolution conversion unit 60 if the frame is instructed to be output to the storage medium, and is output to the output device 16 if the frame is instructed to be printed. If it is a frame, it is output to both.

In the illustrated photo printer 10,
When the storage medium is mounted in the storage device 58, the remaining capacity is detected by the remaining capacity detection unit 62, and the information is sent to the resolution conversion unit 60. The resolution conversion unit 60
From the remaining capacity of the storage medium, the number of frames stored in the storage medium, etc.,
For example, the resolution is determined so that all the frames instructed to be output to the storage medium can be stored in the storage medium. For example, the resolution of image data is converted by electronic scaling processing, and the converted image data is stored in the storage device 58. send. The storage device 58 stores the supplied image data in a loaded storage medium together with a header or the like having necessary information. Also,
The display 20 may display the remaining capacity of the storage medium, the data amount of the image data being processed, the data amount of the image data after resolution conversion, and the like, along with the display of the test image described above.

On the other hand, when the image data is supplied from the image data converter 58 to the output device 16, the output device
A latent image is recorded by exposing the photosensitive material with a light beam modulated in accordance with image data, and then subjected to processing such as development and drying to form a print. .

Hereinafter, similarly, the second frame, the third frame,...
..., the main scan data of each frame is sequentially read out,
The image data of the frame processed by the main scan data processing unit 46 and instructed to be output to the storage medium is subjected to gradation conversion processing by the gradation conversion unit 60 and stored in the storage medium by the storage device 58. The frame instructed to be created is output to the output device 16 to create a print.

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

[0045]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in an image input apparatus for converting an image photographed on a film into digital image data, when an image data is stored in a storage medium, an operator is required. The image data can be stored in the storage medium with good workability according to the remaining capacity of the storage medium and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital photo printer using an example of an image input device of the present invention.

2A is a schematic perspective view for explaining a carrier mounted on the digital photo printer shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a conceptual diagram of an image sensor of the digital photo printer shown in FIG. is there.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus of the digital photo printer shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 (Digital) Photo Printer 12 Scanner 14 (Image) Processing Device 16 Printer 18 Operation System 18a Keyboard 18b Mouse 20 Display 22 Light Source 24 Variable Aperture 28 Diffusion Box 32 Imaging Lens Unit 34 Image Sensor 34R, 34G, 34B Line CCD Sensor 38 Data processing unit 40 Prescan (frame) memory 42 Main scan (frame) memory 44 Prescan data processing unit 46 Main scan data processing unit 48 Condition setting unit 50, 54 Image processing unit 52, 56 Image data conversion unit 58 Storage device 60 Tone converter 62 Remaining capacity detector

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image input device for photoelectrically reading an image recorded on a film original by an image sensor and outputting it as digital image data to at least one of a recording medium and a printer, wherein the remaining capacity of the recording medium is determined. An image input apparatus, comprising: a remaining capacity calculating means for calculating; and a resolution converting means for converting a resolution of image data according to a result of calculating a remaining capacity of a recording medium by the remaining capacity calculating means. 2. The image input device according to claim 1, wherein said resolution conversion means performs at least one of electronic scaling processing, gradation resolution conversion, thinning-out, and compression. 3. The image input device according to claim 1, wherein said resolution conversion means performs resolution conversion in accordance with an instruction from an operator in addition to the remaining capacity of the recording medium.