JPH11252328A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically set the scanning condition of resolution and the like at the time of image reading and picture output when the output forms of an output device, such as a printer and an output image size are selected in an image reader. SOLUTION: A control part constituted of a microprocessor and the like discriminates whether or not an output form (job) is set (S400). When the job is set, it discriminates where the job is registered among printing which has been previously registered, a film recorder and a home page (S410, S420, S430 and so on). Optimum scan conditions are called, and they are set in them which are previously stored (S415, S425, S435 and so on). When the job has not set (NO in S400), and when the scan condition which is automatically set is changed (S455), an image is read with the scan conditions, which have been set by a user.

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 (film scanner) for capturing an image on a photographic film as digital data into a personal computer or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as one of peripheral devices of a personal computer, an image on a photographic film is picked up by an image pickup device such as a CCD, and the obtained analog image data is converted into digital image data to be transferred to a personal computer or the like. 2. Description of the Related Art An image reading device that outputs an image is known.

Generally, in an image reading apparatus, an index scan for displaying a plurality of captured images in a list (index display) on a screen of a display device of a personal computer, or any one of the images displayed in a list on the index screen is performed. Three scan methods are employed: a preview scan for selecting and enlarging and displaying one (preview display) and a main scan for capturing final image data. The final image data obtained by the main scan is required to have higher image quality, and the index scan and the preview scan require high-speed image reading.

On the other hand, an image reading apparatus can read both types of negative film and positive film (slide).
The image density and color balance are various. As described above, various methods have been considered in order to read an image on a film having various conditions by an image reading device and to correctly reproduce the image on a screen of a display device. In the first method, a preliminary scan is performed once, film characteristics are analyzed from the read image data, the exposure time of the image sensor corresponding to the three primary colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), the image sensor, The scanning conditions such as the gain of the amplifier for amplifying the analog image data for each color from, and the γ of the characteristic curve for each color are determined, and the main scan (rescanning) is performed again. This first
In the method of (1), the processing speed is inherently slow because rescanning is performed, and in the case of high-density film, the exposure time is long and the processing speed is further slowed down. It has the characteristics of being obtained and having excellent image quality. Hereinafter, the first method is referred to as a high image quality mode.

In the second method, film characteristics are analyzed from image data read by one scan, and digital processing is performed on R, G, and B color image data so as to obtain an appropriate image. Although the second method does not perform re-scanning, it has a high processing speed, but has a feature that the image quality is inferior to the first method. Hereinafter, the second method is referred to as a high-speed mode.

[0006]

As described above, the image reading device is used as one of the peripheral devices of a personal computer, and the image read by the image reading device is printed by a printer or imported to a homepage. Output in various forms. Generally, for example, if an output device such as a printer and the size of an output image are set, there are an output resolution that is optimal for the output device and an input resolution by an image sensor for obtaining the output resolution.

However, most of the users who use the personal computer and the image reading device are not familiar with the relationship between the optimum input resolution and the output resolution according to the output image size. Therefore, if the user manually sets these numerical values, there is a problem that the possibility of image reading or image output failure due to incorrect setting of the numerical values is extremely high.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and frees the user from the troublesome operation of setting an optimum input resolution and an output resolution according to an output image size. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus capable of automatically setting optimum input resolution and output resolution when any one of the output forms is selected.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, an image reading apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an image pickup means for reading an image by scanning an object; and an output form of image data read by the image pickup means. Output form selecting means for selecting any one of a plurality of forms set in advance, image output means for outputting image data in a form set by the output form setting means, and output form selection For each output mode selectable by the means, storage means for storing the resolution and image size at the time of preset image reading and image data output, and storage according to the output mode selected by the output mode selection means. Means for reading the resolution and image size data at the time of reading the image and outputting the image data. Comprising a control means for controlling the output means.

The image processing apparatus further includes input / output condition setting means for setting a resolution and an image size when the image is read by the image pickup means and when the image data is output by the image output means, respectively. The configuration may be such that resolution and image size data can be changed at the time of image data output and at the time of image data output.

Further, the apparatus may be further provided with an output mode registering means for registering an output mode set arbitrarily.

According to such a configuration, when the user selects one of the preset output modes (output device, output image size, etc.), the optimum image reading according to the output mode is performed. And the image size at the time of image data output are automatically set. As a result, even when the user is not familiar with the relationship between the optimal input resolution and output resolution according to the output image size, these values are not set erroneously and image reading or image output failure can be prevented. This can be prevented. Also, the troublesome operation of setting the optimal input resolution and output resolution according to the output image size is released. On the other hand, a user who is familiar with digital image processing can set any condition.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the image reading device main body is connected to a personal computer, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the image reading device main body. The image reading apparatus of the present embodiment includes an image reading apparatus main body 1 and an image reading program installed in a storage device such as a hard disk of a personal computer 6. By activating the image reading program, the personal computer 6 also forms a part of the image reading device of the present embodiment. As is well known, a general personal computer 6 includes a circuit board including a CPU and a memory, a hard disk device, a main body 61 including a CD-ROM drive device, and a display device 6 such as a CRT.
2, a keyboard 63, a mouse 64, and the like.
The image reading device main body 1 and the main body 61 of the personal computer 6 are connected via an interface 7 such as SCSI.

On the front surface of the main body 1 of the image reading apparatus, there are provided a power switch 2, a focus adjusting operation button 3, a film insertion slot 4, and the like. Also, in the film insertion slot 4,
A shutter 41 for preventing intrusion of dust or the like is provided to be openable and closable. In the image reading apparatus of the present embodiment, in addition to the 135 size film, the APS film,
It can read images such as 20-size films, 16-mm films, materials attached on slides, and electron micrographs. In addition, for films of each size, it is possible to read images of both types of films, negative films and positive films (slides).

In the case of the new photographic system (APS) film, since the film after the development processing is also stored in the exclusive film cartridge 50, the film cartridge 50 is loaded into the APS adapter 51 to take out the film, and then the APS adapter is used. 51 is attached to the image reading apparatus main body 1. In the case of a negative film of a 120 size film and a 135 size film, the negative film is sandwiched between film holders 52 and 54, respectively.
Is mounted on the image reading apparatus main body 1. The mount holder 53 is mounted on the image reading apparatus main body 1 in a state where the slide-mounted positive film or slide of the 135 size film is mounted on the dedicated mount holder 53. Although not particularly shown, it is needless to say that an image can be read even with other film sizes such as a 16 mm film and a 110 size film.

In the following, when the film 5 is referred to,
It includes an APS film loaded in the APS adapter 51, a 120-size film or a 135-size negative film sandwiched between the film holders 52 or 54, and a slide mount or slide loaded in the mount holder 53.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a main part inside the image reading apparatus main body 1. A carriage 8 on which the APS adapter 51, the film holder 52, and the like are mounted, and a carriage drive mechanism 9 for reciprocatingly driving the carriage 8 in the direction of arrow S are provided inside the image reading apparatus main body 1. The carriage driving mechanism 9 includes a male screw shaft 9A and a male screw shaft 9 that are provided on the carriage 8 and are screwed with the screw portion 8A.
A is configured by a pulse motor 9B or the like that rotationally drives A.

In a direction perpendicular to the moving direction S of the carriage 8, a luminous body 1 such as a fluorescent lamp for illuminating the film 5 is provided.
0, a slit 15 parallel to the longitudinal direction of the luminous body 10
A light-shielding plate 15 having A, and a reflecting plate 14 for guiding light passing through the slit 15A to a one-dimensional imaging device 12 such as a CCD.
An imaging optical system including an imaging lens 13 and the like for forming an image on the film 5 mounted on the carriage 8 on the imaging element 12 is provided. Image sensor 12
Has three pixel columns corresponding to the three primary colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), for example.

At the center of the carriage 8, a film holder 52 and the like are mounted, and a guide groove 8B formed in the direction of arrow S for engaging and holding the film holder 52, and a film holder is formed on the carriage 8 along the guide groove 8B. A holder driving mechanism 8C for moving 52 and the like in the direction of the arrow S, an exposure window 8D for exposing the light emitted from the light emitting body 10 to the film, and the like are provided.

Scanning for image reading is performed by moving the carriage 8 in the direction of arrow S by the carriage driving mechanism 9. The movement (frame feed) of the film holder 52 and the like is performed by the holder driving mechanism 8C. In addition,
When the APS adapter 51 is mounted on the carriage 8, the film is pulled out (frame feed) from the film cartridge 50 by a film drawing mechanism (not shown) provided inside the APS adapter 51.

APS adapter 51 and film holder 52
, Etc., are provided with a bar code, an identification label, and the like for identifying the type, respectively, and the carriage 8 is provided with a sensor for reading the bar code, the identification label, and the like. Not shown). AP
S adapter 51, film holder 52, etc.
, The microprocessor 110 (see FIG. 4) of the image reading apparatus main body 1 identifies whether the attached object is the APS adapter 51 or which film holder 52 or the like, based on a signal from the sensor. The amount of movement of the carriage 8 by the carriage driving mechanism 9, the magnification and position of the imaging lens 13, the amount of movement of the holder 52 and the like by the holder driving mechanism 8C,
The APS adapter 51 controls the film withdrawal amount and the like.

As the luminous body 10, for example, a three-wavelength hot cathode ray tube is used. The hot cathode ray tube can emit light with high luminance, and the exposure time by the image sensor 12 can be shortened. In addition, since the positions of the bright lines of the R, G, and B colors can be specified for the three-wavelength phosphor, the total color balance can be adjusted by the light emitter 10.

Next, FIG. 4 shows a block configuration of a control system of the image reading apparatus of the present embodiment. As described above, the image reading apparatus of the present embodiment includes the image reading apparatus main body 1 and the personal computer 6, and the right side of the interface 7 in the figure is the personal computer 6
(Or its main body 61), and the left side of the interface 7 is the image reading apparatus main body 1.

For example, each image signal from the image sensor 12 corresponding to each of R, G, and B colors is output from the amplifiers 101 to 101, respectively.
3 and input to the analog signal processing unit 104, where predetermined signal processing such as clamp level adjustment is performed. Each image data that has been subjected to the analog signal processing is converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion unit 105 and input to the control unit 200 of the personal computer 6 via the interface 7.

When the image reading program installed in the storage device of the personal computer 6 is started, the control unit 200 composed of a microprocessor, a memory, and the like includes an image data analysis unit 201, a scan mode setting unit 202, a digital correction unit. It functions as 203 and a scan condition calculation unit 204.

For example, when the film 5 is a negative type, the image on the film is recorded in a color complementary to the actual color of the subject. Also, the film base itself is colored, for example, orange. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the color density characteristics of the R, G, and B layers of the film are not uniform. Therefore, it is necessary to extract the film-based colors from the image data of each color, invert the colors, and adjust γ so that the characteristic curves of the colors are aligned. The image data analysis unit 201 analyzes the characteristics of the film from the digital image signal input via the interface 7, and displays information necessary for each of the above-described processes to display an appropriate image on the screen of the display device 62. Get.

For example, when one of the high-speed mode and the high-quality mode is selected as a scan method in the index scan, the scan mode setting unit 202 displays an environment setting screen as shown in FIG. Display, and the user operates the mouse 64 to click on either “high speed” or “high image quality”.

When the high-speed mode is selected by the scan mode setting unit 202, the digital correction unit 203
Corrects the digital image signal input via the interface 7 by digital signal processing. As shown in FIG. 5, since the density of the characteristic curve becomes lower in the order of B, G, and R, if the image is reproduced as it is on the screen of the display device 62 without performing the correction processing, the image becomes B, G, and R in order. The brightness is low, that is, dark. Therefore, an appropriate image is displayed on the screen of the display device 62 by correcting the R, B, and G characteristic curves so as to overlap in the entire density region.

When the high image quality mode is selected by the scan mode setting unit 202, the scan condition calculation unit 20
4 calculates the exposure time for each color and the gain of the amplifiers 101 to 103 by the image sensor 12 of the image reading apparatus main body 1 using the information obtained by the image data analysis unit 201, and reads the image via the interface 7. It outputs to the microprocessor 110 of the apparatus main body 1.

The microprocessor 110 of the image reading apparatus main unit 1 converts the exposure time for each color and the gain of each of the amplifiers 101 to 103 output from the scan condition calculation unit 204 of the personal computer 6 into a D / A conversion unit 11.
1 and converted to an analog signal, and then output to the exposure time controller 112 and the gain controller 113, respectively. The exposure time controller 112 controls the imaging device 12 according to the input exposure time for each of the R, G, and B colors.
Control. The gain controller 113 controls each amplifier 1 according to the gains corresponding to the input R, G, and B colors.
Adjust the gain of 01 to 103.

Look-up table (LUT) 205
Is for compensating for individual differences between the amplifiers 101 to 103. When the image reading apparatus main body 1 is connected to the personal computer 6, the amplification characteristics of the amplifiers 101 to 103 sampled in advance are stored. Have been. When the scan condition calculation unit 204 calculates, for example, the value Ax shown in FIG. 6 as the gain of the amplifier 103 corresponding to the B color, for example, it searches the data of the lookup table 205 of the amplifier 103 and determines that the gain of the amplifier 103 is equal to Ax. A signal corresponding to the control voltage Vx at that time is output to the microprocessor 110 of the image reading apparatus main body 1. The gain controller 113 controls the amplifier 103 with the control voltage Vx. The same applies to the other amplifiers 101 and 102.

Here, a method of creating the lookup table 205 will be described. First, when the image reading apparatus main body 1 is connected to the personal computer 6 and the image reading program is started, the control section 200 of the personal computer 6 sends the microprocessor 110 of the image reading apparatus main body 1 to each of the amplifiers 101 to 103. On the other hand, sampling control voltages V1 to V shown in FIG.
7, so that signals corresponding to V1 to V7 are output. When the sampling control voltages V1 to V7 are applied, the amplifiers 101 to 103 indicate gain values A1 to A7 corresponding to the applied control voltages, respectively. Control unit 20
0 approximates the characteristic curve L of each of the amplifiers 101 to 103 using the obtained seven gain values A1 to A7.
01 to 103, for example, 1024
The gain is calculated for the same control voltage, and the relationship between the gain and the control voltage is stored as a look-up table 205 in the RAM.
Or a storage device such as a hard disk. Then, based on the gain value calculated by the scan condition calculation unit 204 as described above, a control voltage for obtaining the gain value is obtained from the look-up table 205.

Next, an example of each screen displayed on the screen of the display device 62 of the personal computer 6 when the image reading program is started will be described.

FIG. 7 shows an environment setting screen or window. In FIG. 7, the “scroll direction of the index screen” is, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, an array direction of the index images when the index display and the preview display are performed at the same time. In either the vertical direction (up / down) or the horizontal direction (left / right). The “index scan method” is a method of image processing when reading an index image, and can select any one of the high-speed mode and the high-quality mode described above.

"AF at the time of scanning" means that the focus of the imaging lens 13 is adjusted for the film 5 mounted on the carriage 8 of the image reading apparatus main body 1, and AF can be canceled by user setting. For example, in the case of a 135-size negative film or the like sandwiched between the film holders 24, since the flatness of the film is high,
If the focal position is set, there is no need to repeat the focus position adjustment (AF) for each frame, and the reading speed can be improved by canceling the AF.

"AE in color positive" means that, when the mounted film is a positive type, that is, a color slide, an exposure amount adjustment (AE) for reading an image with the image pickup device 12 is performed. AE can be released. In the case of the positive type film, unlike the case of the negative type film, an image is recorded in almost the same color as the subject. Therefore, by adjusting the exposure amount when reading the image with the image reading device, image data with appropriate luminance is obtained, and the image data is displayed on the screen of the display device 62 of the personal computer 6 without performing image processing. It becomes possible.

The "preview size" is shown in FIGS.
, And it is possible to select any one of an arbitrary size set by a user and an automatic size set by a computer. "Maximum number of frames to capture"
Means the number of frames to be read when scanning images.
For example, the user can specify an arbitrary number of frames of 100 frames or less.

"Rewind at the time of ejection" in the setting when using the APS means that the film cartridge 50
Alternatively, when the APS adapter 51 is taken out of the image reading apparatus main body 1, it means that the drawn film is rewound into the film cartridge 50, and it is possible to prevent the film from being rewound by user setting. "Rotating all frames up and down 180 degrees" means that some APS cameras mount a film cartridge upside down and shoot, and the image on the film shot by such a camera is oriented correctly. .

FIG. 8 shows a screen for simultaneously displaying an index of all images recorded on one APS film (initial screen: image not read), and an index window displaying "index". 500 has an index image display area 501 of 5 × 5
= 25. When the film is cut, such as a 135 size film, an arbitrary number of images can be input and displayed. The number of arrayed index images may be fixed as shown in the figure, or may be automatically changed according to the number of read images.

"Image Scan Multi"
Is displayed in the command window 510, "A
The film format display box 511 indicating “PS cartridge” is, for example, a full size (24 mm × 36 mm) of a 135 size film, and a size (6 cm × 4.5 cm, 6 cm × 6) of a 120 size film.
cm, 6cm x 7cm and 6cm x 9cm), APS film in film cartridge and sleeve, 13
A film format is selected from among various film formats such as a slide, a preparation, an electron micrograph, and a 16 mm film of a five-size film. Film type display box 51 showing "automatic selection"
2 is an image reading device main body 1 from a loaded film.
Displays the film type selected from special characteristics such as color selection, color positive, black-and-white negative, black-and-white positive, slide and electron micrograph by user setting. A job display box 513 displaying “unnamed” displays the category of the currently selected job, and includes initial settings, print, pictolo, homepage, screen display, paste to document, slide,
Set by the user from among others.

The icons 515 to 517 indicate the operations of index scan, preview scan and main scan, respectively. When one of the icons is clicked, the image reading apparatus main body 1 starts the operation corresponding to the clicked icon. . Also, blank box 5
14 displays a message such as “Scan index”. The icon 518 represents a call of the scan setting window 530. An icon 519 indicates the operation of storing the read index image. Icon 520 represents a call of the job registration window. The icon 521 represents the call of the environment setting window shown in FIG. An icon 522 indicates an operation of discharging (ejecting) the film 5 from the image reading apparatus main body 1. Icon 523 represents a call of a help window. Icon 524 represents the call of the job selection window.

In the setting window 530 displayed as "scan setting", an input resolution selection box 531 indicates the number of dots per inch (resolution) of the input image, and usually an initial value is set for each set film format. Have been. Further, the user can select from a preset list or directly input an arbitrary value. Output resolution selection box 53
Reference numeral 2 denotes the number of dots per inch (resolution) of the output image. Usually, a fixed initial value is set regardless of the film format. Further, the user can select from a preset list or directly input an arbitrary value.

The input size text boxes W533 and H534 indicate the width and height of the actual size for trimming the film, respectively, and usually the full trimming size is set. Also, an arbitrary size can be set by the user. The input size lock button 535 fixes the input size to the displayed numerical value. The magnification text box 536 indicates the magnification of the output image with respect to the input image, and can be arbitrarily set by the user. Output size text boxes W537 and H538 represent the width and height of the output image, respectively. An output size lock button 539 fixes the output size to the displayed numerical value. The unit display box 540 indicates a unit when displaying the input size or the output size, and is usually the number of pixels (pixel).
l) is set. It is also possible to select from the unit inches, millimeters, and the like that are listed in advance. The scan condition reset button 541 changes these scan settings to initial setting values.

FIG. 9 shows a standard screen when the index display and the preview display are simultaneously performed, and the preview window appears when the preview icon 516 in FIG. 8 is clicked. FIG. 9 shows a state where the number of arrays of the index image display area 501 of the index window 500A is reduced to 3 × 5 = 15. Images that cannot be displayed in the index window 500A are displayed in a sequential order by clicking the “▼” button on the scroll bar or by dragging the slider.

In the preview window 540A displaying "Preview 1/40", of the index image display area 501 of the index window 500A, the area (for example, the first area) where the color of the frame is darkened. The image is displayed as a preview image. in this case,
Nothing is displayed because the image has not been read. “Preview 1/40” indicates that the first image out of 40 frames of the film being set is displayed.

FIG. 10 shows a screen in which the index display and the preview display are performed at the same time, in which the index displays are arranged in a vertical line, and the scroll bar appears on the right side of the index window 500B in FIG.
This is because, in the environment setting screen shown in FIG. When the user scrolls with the scroll bar, the images of the frames not displayed in the index window 500B are sequentially displayed. 9 and 10, the index window 500B is reduced, and only five index image display areas 501 are arranged in the vertical direction. Further, if the index window 500B is made smaller than the index window 500A, the index window 500B and the preview window 540B can be displayed without overlapping. Also, the preview window 540B is changed to the preview window 540A.
More expandable. Preview window 540B
"Preview 2/6" indicates that the second image out of the six frames of the film being set is displayed.

Similarly, FIG. 11 shows a screen in which the index display and the preview display are simultaneously performed and the index displays are arranged in a horizontal line, and the scroll bar appears on the right side of the index window 500C. This is because, in the environment setting screen shown in FIG. 7, the "scroll direction of the index screen" is specified up and down.

FIG. 12 shows a job selection window 600, which appears when the icon 524 in the command window 510 of FIG. 8 is clicked. The category selection box 601 displayed as "print" displays the category of the currently selected job. As described above, the initial setting, print, pictolo, homepage, screen display, paste to document, slide, etc. The user selects from. A job name display box 602 displaying “A4 paper entire surface, original film size” displays all jobs belonging to the selected category. What is a job?
This is a file that stores “scan settings” according to the paper size to be output and the output resolution of the printer when an image read by the image reading device is output to a printer or the like. A display area 603 on the right side of the job name display box 602 where “scan setting” is displayed displays the setting contents of the selected job.

FIG. 13 shows a case in which a color laser printer is selected from a plurality of output devices such as printers by clicking the icon “▼” on the right side of the category selection box 601 in FIG. For color laser printers,
Maximum size (A4 paper or letter paper whole surface), A4 paper 1/2, A4 paper 1/4, A4 paper 1/8, Letter paper 1/8, Letter paper 1/4, Letter paper 2 minutes It is possible to select any one of the above jobs.
When any one of these jobs (for example, A4 paper 1/2) is selected, the data displayed in the display area 603 is automatically changed to the data of the job.

FIG. 14 shows a case where the icon “▼” on the right side of the category selection box 601 in FIG. 12 is clicked, and a film recorder is selected as an output device. A film recorder is a device for outputting digital signalized image data as slides on a photographic film.
It is possible to select one of the mm slide quarter, the 35 mm slide half and the entire 35 mm slide.
FIG. 15 shows a category selection box 601 in FIG.
This shows the case where the user clicks the icon “▼” on the right side of “” and selects the homepage. FIG. 16 shows a job registration window, which appears when the icon 520 in the command window 510 in FIG. 8 is clicked. The job name can be arbitrarily set by the user within a predetermined number of characters.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, the setting of the film format and the film type will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, when the image reading apparatus main body 1 is connected to the personal computer 6 and an image reading program is started (step S100), the microprocessor 110 of the image reading apparatus main body 1 applies a sampling control voltage to each of the amplifiers 101 to 103. Then, a gain value corresponding to the control voltage of each of the amplifiers 101 to 103 is output. The control unit 200 of the personal computer 6 creates a look-up table 205 representing the relationship between the gain of each of the amplifiers 101 to 103 and the control voltage from the obtained gain value (step S105).

Next, the control section 200 displays, for example, a command window 510 shown in FIG. 6 as an initial screen on the screen of the display device 62 (step S110). When starting the image reading, the user clicks the icon “▼” on the right side of the film format display box 511 to select a film format for starting the image reading, or selects the APS adapter 51 attached to the image reading apparatus main body 1. And the film format is automatically identified from the types of the film holders 52 to 54 (step S115). The control unit 200 selects the selected film format or the type of the mounted film holder (hereinafter simply referred to as the selected film format).
Is a 135 size film (including a case of a 120 size film) (step S120). 13
In the case of a 5-size film (YE in step S120)
S) As a film type, a color positive (color slide), which is considered to be relatively frequently used by the image reading apparatus, is initialized (step S125), and “color positive” is displayed in the box 512.

If it is not a 135 size film or the like (NO in step S120), control unit 200 determines whether or not the selected film format is an APS film (step S130). In the case of an APS film (YES in step S130), control unit 200 initially sets automatic selection as a film type (step S135), and displays "automatic selection" in film type display box 512. In the case of APS, since a bar code indicating a film type is generally attached to a film cartridge, it is possible to automatically determine the film type by reading this bar code.

If the film is not an APS film (step S1)
(NO at 30), control unit 200 determines whether the selected film format is a slide or not (step S).
140). In the case of a preparation (Y in step S140)
ES), the control unit 200 initializes the exclusive characteristic (color) as the film type (step S145), and displays “exclusive characteristic (color)” in the film type display box 512.
Is displayed. Generally, in the case of a preparation, since the material is attached to a glass piece, a special characteristic corresponding to the material is set.

If it is not a preparation (step S14)
(NO at 0), control unit 200 determines whether or not the selected film format is an electron micrograph (step S).
150). In the case of the electron micrograph (YES in step S150), the control unit 200 initially sets the exclusive characteristic (black and white) as the film type (step S155), and displays “exclusive characteristic (black and white)” in the film type display box 512. If not an electron micrograph (step S15
(NO at 0), control unit 200 determines that there is a setting error, and returns to step S115 without displaying anything in box 512.

When the film format and the film type are set, the control section 200 determines whether or not the automatically set film type has been changed by the user (step S160). Here, when changing the film type, the user is required to change the film type display box 51.
2. Click the icon “▼” on the right side of 2 and, for example, “color negative”, “color positive”, “black and white negative”, “black and white positive”, “dedicated characteristic (color)”, “dedicated characteristic (color)” displayed in the pull-down menu Black and white) ”and so on. Then, the control unit 200 changes the automatically set film type to the selected film type (step S165), and the film type display box 5
12 is changed.

If the film type has not been changed in step S160 or if the film type has been changed in step S165, the control unit 200 functions as the scan condition calculation unit 204 and the film type display box 51
2. Scanning (image reading) with an image reading device so as to be suitable for the film type finally displayed in 2.
The conditions are set (step S170), and the scan is executed (step S175).

Next, the scan execution will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the control unit 200
Functions as the scan mode setting unit 202, and determines whether the index scan is selected first based on which of the icons 515 to 517 is clicked (step S200). If the index scan is selected (YES in step S200), the control unit determines whether the high-speed mode or the high image quality mode is selected as the index scan method on the environment setting screen shown in FIG. 7 (step S205). .

When the high-speed mode is selected (YES in step S205), the control unit 200 and the microprocessor 110 fix the exposure time of the image sensor 12 and the gains of the amplifiers 101 to 103 (steps S210 and S215), and The drive mechanism 9 is driven to move the carriage 8 in a predetermined direction, and an image is input (imaged) by the image sensor 12 (step S220). Further, the control unit 200 functions as the image data analysis unit 201, and analyzes the image captured by the image sensor 12 (Step S225).

Further, the control unit 200 functions as a digital correction unit 203, digitally corrects the image signal so as to make the characteristic curves of R, G, and B colors uniform (step S230), and uses the corrected image data. Then, for example, it is displayed in the first index image display area 501 of the index window 500 shown in FIG. 8 (step S
235). Then, the control unit 200 determines whether or not there is a frame to be subjected to the next image reading from, for example, the maximum number of frames to be captured (step S240). If there is a next frame (YES in step S240), the film is advanced to a position where the next frame can be read by driving the holder driving mechanism 8C of the carriage 8 (step S245).
Steps S210 to S235 are repeated, and the image of the next frame is input and displayed as an index.

On the other hand, when the high image quality mode is selected in step S205 (N in step S205)
O), the control unit 200 and the microprocessor 110
In order to perform the preliminary scan, the exposure time of the image sensor 12 and the gains of the amplifiers 101 to 103 are fixed (steps S250 and S255), and the carriage driving mechanism 9 is driven to move the carriage 8 in a predetermined direction.
2 to input (preliminary scan) an image (step S)
260). Next, the control unit 200 controls the image data analysis unit 20
1 and analyzes the image captured by the image sensor 12 (step S265).

Further, the control unit 200 functions as a scan condition calculation unit 204, and adjusts the exposure time of the image pickup device 12 and the gain of the amplifiers 101 to 103 so that the characteristic curves of R, G, and B colors are made analogous. The value is changed to an optimal value (steps S270 and S275), and image input (main scan) is performed again (step S280). Since the image data captured by the main scan has the same R, G, and B characteristics, it is displayed on the screen of the display device 62 as it is (step S285).

Then, the control section 200 determines whether or not there is a next frame to be subjected to image reading from the maximum number of frames to be captured (step S290), and if there is a next frame (YES in step S290). By driving the holder driving mechanism 8C of the carriage 8 and the like, the film is fed to a position where the next frame can be read (step S295).
Steps S250 to S285 are repeated, and the image of the next frame is input and displayed as an index.

If index scan has not been selected in step S200, control unit 200 determines whether or not preview has been selected (step S300). When the preview is selected (Y in step S300)
ES), control unit 200 and microprocessor 110
As shown by the dotted line in the figure, as in the case where the high image quality mode is selected in the index scan, the step S
Steps S250 through S285 are executed.
11 is enlarged and displayed on the screen of the display device 62 as shown in FIG.

If the preview has not been selected in step S300 (NO in step S300), the main scan has been selected. Therefore, as shown by the one-dot line in the figure, steps S250 to S270 are repeated in steps S280 and S28.
5 is executed to take in the main scan image. In the case of the main scan, the amplifiers 101 to 101 are set so that the highest image quality is obtained.
03, the gain adjustment is not performed (step S275 is omitted), and the R, G,
B Make the characteristics of each color uniform.

In steps S240 and S290, when there is no next frame, and in step S2
When the preview image and the main scan image are displayed at 85, the control unit 200 ends the image input.

Next, the scan setting at the time of image input will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. For example, as shown in a setting window 530 in FIG. 8, in the image reading apparatus, it is necessary to specify a resolution at the time of image input / output, an input / output image size, and the like. In this embodiment, by selecting a job such as an output device or an output method in the job display box 513 in the command window 510, the resolution and input / output image size at the time of image input / output can be automatically set.

As described above, the user can, for example, click the icon 524 in the command window 510 in FIG. 8 to call up the job selection windows shown in FIGS. 12 to 16 and select a job. The control unit 200 controls the command window $ 510 in the box 51.
It is determined whether a job is selected in Step 3 (Step S400). If no job is set (NO in Step S400), the image reading apparatus is controlled according to the scan settings manually set by the user.

If any job is set (YES in step S400), control unit 200 determines whether the job category is printing (step S410). If the set job category is printing (YES in step S410), control unit 200
Displays, in the job name display box 602, those belonging to the print category among the preset job files, as shown in FIG. 13, for example. When one of the displayed jobs is selected,
The scan conditions (type 1) are set according to the contents of the selected job, and the contents are displayed in the display area 603 (step S415).

If the set job category is not printing (NO in step S410), the control unit 20
0 determines whether the job category is a film recorder (step S420). When the set job category is a film recorder (step S42)
For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 200 displays, in the job name display box 602, a job file belonging to the film recorder category among the preset job files, as shown in FIG. When any one of the displayed jobs is selected, the scan condition (type 2) is set according to the content of the selected job, and the content is displayed in the display area 603 (step S425).

If the set job category is not a film recorder (NO in step S420), control unit 200 determines whether or not the job category is a home page (step S430). When the set job category is the homepage (step S
If YES in 430), for example, as shown in FIG. 15, the control unit 200 displays, in the job name display box 602, the job files belonging to the homepage category from the preset job files. When any one of the displayed jobs is selected, a scan condition (type 3) is set according to the content of the selected job, and the content is displayed in the display area 603 (step S435).

Similarly, the control unit 200 determines the registered job category (step S4X).
0), the job files belonging to the job category are displayed in the job name display box 602, the scan conditions (type X) are set in accordance with the contents of the selected job, and the contents are displayed in the display area 603 (step). S
4X5).

When the scan conditions are set, the control unit 20
A value of 0 determines whether the automatically set scan condition has been changed by the user (step S450). When the scan conditions are changed (YE in step S450)
S), the control unit 200 changes a part manually set by the user among the automatically set scan conditions (step S455), and changes the display of the scan setting window 530 shown in FIG. 8, for example.

If the scan conditions have not been changed in step S450, if the scan conditions have been changed in step S455, and if the scan conditions have been manually set in step S405, the control unit 200 functions as the scan condition calculation unit 204. , Scan setting window 5
The scan is executed according to the scan (image reading) condition finally displayed on the screen 30 (step S46).
0). The scan is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0075]

As described above, the image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes an image pickup device for reading an image by scanning an object such as a film or a slide, an image pickup device including a carriage for moving the film, and the like. Means, a control device such as a microprocessor for selecting any one of a plurality of preset output formats of image data read by the imaging device, an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard, a CRT, etc. Output form selecting means including a display device and the like; an image output means including an interface, a printer, a CRT, etc. for outputting image data in a form set by the output form setting means;
A storage unit including a storage device such as a ROM or a hard disk for storing a resolution and an image size set at the time of image reading and image data output set in advance for each output mode selectable by the output mode selection unit; Control means including a control device such as a microprocessor for controlling the image pickup means and the image output means by reading out the resolution and image size data at the time of image reading and image data output from the storage means in accordance with the output form selected by the means; Since the user selects one of preset output modes (output device, output image size, etc.),
The optimum resolution and image size at the time of image reading and image data output according to the output form are automatically set. As a result, even when the user is not familiar with the relationship between the optimal input resolution and output resolution according to the output image size, these values are not set erroneously and image reading or image output failure can be prevented. This can be prevented. Also, the troublesome operation of setting the optimal input resolution and output resolution according to the output image size is released.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which an image reading apparatus main body is connected to a personal computer in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an appearance of the image reading apparatus main body.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part inside the image reading apparatus main body.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a block configuration of a control system of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing characteristic curves of R, G, and B colors in a color negative film.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a characteristic curve of a control voltage and a gain of the amplifier.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an environment setting window in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an initial screen of an index display in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a standard screen when an index display and a preview display are simultaneously performed in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen in which index display and preview display are simultaneously performed in the embodiment and index displays are arranged in a vertical line.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen in which the index display and the preview display are simultaneously performed in the embodiment and the index displays are arranged in a horizontal line.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a basic screen of a job selection window in the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen when printing by a printer is selected from the job selection windows in the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen when slide creation by a film recorder is selected from the job selection window in the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when a homepage is selected from the job selection windows in the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of a job registration window in the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a film format and film type setting operation in the embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an image reading operation according to the embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating job setting and scan condition setting operations in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Image reading apparatus main body 4: Film insertion slot 5: Film 6: Personal computer 7: Interface 8: Carriage 8B: Guide groove 8C: Holder drive mechanism 9: Carriage drive mechanism 10: Light emitter 12: Image sensor 13: Image pickup lens 14: Reflecting plate 15: Light shielding plate 41: Shutter 50: Film cartridge 51: APS adapter 52: Film holder 53: Mount holder 54: Film holder 61: Personal computer main body 62: Display device 63: Keyboard 64: Mouse 101: Amplifier 102 : Amplifier 103: Amplifier 104: Analog signal processing unit 105: A / D conversion unit 110: Microprocessor 111: D / A conversion unit 112: Exposure time controller 113: Gain controller 200 : Control unit 201: Image data analysis unit 202: Scan mode setting unit 203: Digital correction unit 204: Scan condition calculation unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Jonathan Chen 2-3-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City Inside Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yukari Maeda 2-3-3 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi No. 13 Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup means for reading an image by scanning an object to be picked up, and an output form of image data read by the image pickup means is selected from a plurality of preset forms. An output mode selection unit, an image output unit for outputting image data in a mode set by the output mode setting unit, and an output mode selectable by the output mode selection unit. Storage means for storing the resolution and image size at the time of image data output; and reading out the resolution and image size data at the time of image reading and image data output from the storage means according to the output mode selected by the output mode selection means. An image reading device comprising a control unit for controlling an imaging unit and an image output unit. 2. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising input / output condition setting means for setting a resolution and an image size when the image is read by the imaging means and when the image data is output by the image output means, and the control means reads the image read from the storage means. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein resolution and image size data can be changed at the time of image data output and image data output. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an output form registration unit for registering an output form set arbitrarily.