JPS61239234A - Picture information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform picture detection and printing processing efficiently by discriminating the size and the passing direction of a negative film in accordance with a density value obtained by dividing picture information on the negative film into many picture elements. CONSTITUTION:A negative carrier 1 is loaded to a prescribed position of a photographic printer, and picture information is detected by a two-dimensional image sensor 11 of a picture information detector to detect density '0'. This detection result is compared with a pattern stored preliminarily in a memory to discriminate the size and the passing direction of a negative film 2. After discriminating the size and the passing direction of the negative film 2, the loaded negative film 2 is carried by a carrying mechanism 9 to place a prescribed frame picture in an exposure part, and this frame picture is detected by the picture information detector 10. Information of the frame picture is classified in accordance with data of detected size and passing direction, and the quantity of emitted light is obtained on a basis of this classification data. Exposure and printing are performed in accordance with this quantity of emitted light.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Technical Field of the Invention) The present invention automatically detects image information of an original film such as a negative film from pixel information of the entire screen divided into pixels in both size and threading direction. , relates to an image information processing method in which exposure calculation formulas and the like can be used in common.

(Technical background of the invention and its problems) In a photoprinting device, it is necessary to measure the density of the original film (for example, negative film) in order to determine the printing exposure amount or correction amount. A light sensor such as a photodiode placed nearby measures the average density of the negative film as LATfl (Large
Area Trans-mittance Densi
ty). Image detection using LATD measures the average light of negative film, and does not measure the image density of negative film accurately over the entire screen, so it has the disadvantage that printing exposure or correction is not reliable. . Furthermore, when printing negative film onto photographic paper, it is necessary to change the amount of exposure and correction depending on the size of the film due to differences in light diffusion, etc. Conventionally, the size of the negative film, which is the original film, was determined visually. However, keys must be pressed manually from a keyboard or the like, or a negative size status signal from a negative film carrier must be read. Therefore, there are problems such as complicated key operations and signal processing, as well as erroneous inputs.

The applicant has proposed a device as shown in FIG.
4, Japanese Patent Application No. 59-33723), that is, FIG. 1 shows an example in which the photographic image information detecting device 10 is applied as is to a conventional photographic printing apparatus, and the photographic image information detecting device 10 is sent to the printing section by the conveying mechanism 9. The negative film 2 on the negative film carrier l that has been brought is illuminated by a light source 4 through three complementary color filters 3 of yellow (Y), magenta CM) and cyan CG), and the light from the negative film 2 is The transmitted light passes through a lens unit 5 and a black shutter 6 and reaches photographic paper 7. Photographic paper 7
is wound on the supply reel 7A, and is wound on the take-up reel 7B in synchronization with the conveyance and stop of the negative film 2. A red (red) mark is placed near the lens unit 4 side of the negative film 2. An optical sensor 8 such as a photodiode is provided to detect image density information of the three primary colors of R), green (G), and blue (B), and photo printing is performed based on the detection signal of this optical sensor 8. It looks like this. and,
An image information detection device 10 is provided near the negative film 2 at an angle with respect to the optical axis LS of the light source 4 and the negative film 2, and an image information detecting device 10 is provided in the vicinity of the negative film 2 at an angle approximately at the center of the negative film 2 in front of the built-in two-dimensional image sensor 11. A lens unit H2 for forming an image is provided, and a substrate 13 on which a processing circuit such as an IC for image processing is mounted is attached to the back side of the unitized detection device.

Here, the two-dimensional image sensor 11 includes an imaging section 101 that optically captures an image, and an imaging section 10 as shown in FIG.
an accumulation section 10 for accumulating the charges transferred from 1;
2, and an output register 103 for outputting the charges accumulated in the accumulation section 102, and converts two-dimensional (area) image information into photoelectrons by controlling drive signals 10Is-103S from the drive circuit. After conversion, an analog image signal PS is output from the output register 103 in series. Further, the circuit configuration mounted on the substrate 13 is, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. The light irradiated on 101 is the output register I
Q3 outputs the image signal PS, which is sampled and held in the sample hold circuit 21 at a predetermined sampling period, and the sample value is sent to the AD converter 22.
is converted into a digital signal OS. AD converter 22
The digital signal DS is inputted to the logarithmic conversion circuit 23, is logarithmically converted, is converted into a density signal ON, and is later written into the memory 25 via the write control circuit 24. Note that the write control circuit 24 connects the drive circuit 20 to the image sensor 1.
A reading speed signal R5 for reading image information at a constant speed by driving the image sensor IO is input, and the density signal IO is sequentially stored at a predetermined position in the memory 25 according to the driving speed of the image sensor IO.
It is designed to write 1lN. That is, the reading speed of the image sensor 10 is changed depending on the driving speed, and the number of divided pixels for the image area is determined depending on the size of the reading speed, and it is necessary to store it in the memory 25 according to the number of divided pixels.

In such a configuration, when printing a normal photograph, the optical sensor 8 detects the transmitted light of the negative film 2 that is conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 9 and is stationary at the printing section, and the 33I color RGB is detected. Every picture! The filter 3 is adjusted in accordance with the signal, the black shutter 6 is opened, and the photographic paper 7 is exposed to the determined exposure amount.

A surface scanning two-dimensional image sensor 11 made of COD, for example, is arranged near the negative film 2.
Image information is detected by dividing the entire screen of the negative film 2 into a large number of aligned pixels.

That is, by applying predetermined drive signals 101S to 103S from the drive circuit 20 to the image sensor 11, two
The dimensional image sensor 11 receives the transmitted light of the negative film 2 placed in the printing section through the lens 12, so the two-dimensional image sensor 11 receives the light transmitted from the negative film 2 placed in the printing section. The entire screen of the negative film 2 can be divided into a large number of aligned small pixels 21, and the entire screen of the negative film 2 can be scanned in order according to the scanning lines SL. After scanning one entire screen, the output register 103 of the image sensor 11 sequentially outputs the image signal PS, the sample hold circuit 21 samples and holds this image signal PS, and the AD converter 22 converts the sample value into a digital signal DS. Convert to The digital signal DS from the AD converter 22 is logarithmically converted by the logarithmic conversion circuit 23 to obtain the density signal DH, and this density signal INN is stored in the memory 25 under the control of the write control circuit 24 as shown in FIG. 4(B). The negative film 2 has an arrangement corresponding to the pixels 21 as shown.
It will be stored as a density digital value.

In this way, when the digital value for each pixel of the negative film 2 or the density value for each pixel regarding the 3M colors is stored in the memory 25, the digital value for each pixel of the negative film 2 can be read out from the memory 25 and used. I can do it. Therefore, if density values such as those shown in Figure 4 CB) are determined and stored for each of the three primary colors RGB, then by reading out the stored values and performing calculations, etc., it is possible to obtain the same photographic printing exposure as in the past. It can be used as a determination or correction amount.

Here, the long negative film 2 is sequentially conveyed to the printing section by the conveyance mechanism 9, and in the printing section, as shown in FIG. The negative film 2 held between the upper guide 1B and the lower guide IC is printed frame by frame. The size of the opening IA of the upper guide IB completely corresponds to the frame size of the negative film 2, and the peripheral edge of the frame image does not protrude beyond the edge of the opening IA of the upper guide 1B. The area where the two-dimensional image sensor 11 receives light includes not only the frame images of the negative film 2 but also the non-transmitted light portion of the upper guide IB so that it can handle large-sized negative films with ease. I'm here.

The image information of the castle that is detected by the two-dimensional image sensor 11 is as shown in Figure 1g6 (A) for a 110 size negative film carrier, and the same image information for a 135 size negative film carrier. figure(
Figures 6 (A) and (H), shown in Figure 6 (A) and (H), show the detection image information of the image when there is no negative film 2 or when no image is taken on the negative film 2. This shows an example, and the area surrounded by the broken line in the center indicates the opening IA, that is, the area of the image frame.The size of the 0 image frame corresponds to the size of the negative film 2, so the image The area of the aperture IA can be determined by binarizing the image information read by the sensor 11 as necessary, detecting the density "ON" which indicates clearness, and determining the area. It is possible to determine the size of the negative film 2. In this case, since the optical axis of the image sensor 11 is directed approximately to the center of the aperture IA, the number of pixels with a density of "0" (or a value near it) is By counting by hardware or software, the size of the negative film 2 can be determined by comparing the counted value with a predetermined value predetermined for each size.

In this way, from the entire image information read by the image sensor 11, the area of density "0" indicating the size of the opening IA of the negative carrier 1 is counted by the number of pixels, and the size of the negative film 2 is calculated from the counted value. Determine. For example, if the number of pixels with density "0" is 12 (for example, between 11 and 14 to provide a margin) as shown in FIG. 6(A), the size is 110, and As shown in the figure, the size of the negative film 2 determined in this way is determined as 135 size in the case of 56 (similarly, for example, between 58 and 54) and 126 size in the case of 30 to 34. The information is sent to the printing system, and after selecting and calculating an exposure amount determination formula as will be described later, printing according to the size is realized.

Here, when determining the amount of light: a, the amount of transmitted light of the RGB a-packet components over the entire area of the screen is usually controlled to be constant, so as to create a print with good color balance and printing. This is based on the empirical rule that in a normal photographic scene, the average reflectance or transmittance of the three colors integrated over the entire scene is approximately constant. That is, when a neutral general subject is photographed using a color negative film, the average transmission density changes depending on the amount of exposure, the quality of the light source at the time of photographing, the sensitivity of the RGB photosensitive layer of the color negative film, the presence or absence of a mask, etc.

These changes can be controlled by keeping the RGB printing exposure constant during printing.

On the other hand, the density change of the three colors of a color negative film caused by the difference in the color distribution of the subject is
The above method cannot control the area components correctly because it changes the area component ratio of the three colors. If the luminance composition is extremely biased compared to the luminance distribution of Similarly, if the main subject has shadow areas or extreme highlights compared to the surrounding subjects, it cannot be corrected because the settings are significantly different from the printer settings. As a method of determining the exposure amount, the negative screen is divided to obtain image information individually as in JP-A No. 52-23936, JP-A No. 54-28131, and JP-A No. 5B-2891. There is a method of determining an appropriate exposure amount for the scene from image information. That is, the average transmitted density of the screen is Da, and the maximum density in the 9-split screen is Dma.
When x + minimum density is Dsin, for example, 1
The exposure amount x1 of 35F size film is Xlmal・Da+bl φ Dmax ” c+
It is expressed as +In5In + dl (1), and the exposure amount x2 of 110 size film is X2sa2m [], +b2 * Dsax
+c2・Dain +d2 (2) It is expressed as follows. For the exposure amount X obtained in this way, Xs = K1+ for each film size: ・X ---
If you prepare a correction formula Xs like (3), you can make negative film 2 with exposure amount
can be printed. Here, the coefficient Ki + K
is determined experimentally depending on the film size.

By the way, when dividing the screen and determining or correcting the exposure amount based on information from the divided areas,
There is a problem of how to perform the screen division, and if the screen division differs depending on the film size, the calculation process becomes complicated. Therefore, even if the film size is different, the number of divided areas and the position of the divided screen can be adjusted on a one-to-one basis.
The exposure amount can be determined in common for each size. That is, the above equations (1) and (2) can be expressed as, for example, X−a a Da+ beDaax◆c@Dstn”
d-...=(4), and the seventh
As shown in Figures (A) to (E), negative film 2 to 2
The size of the pixel PX itself for image detection by the dimensional image sensor 11 is constant for each size, and in the 135F size shown in FIG.
The screen is divided into 16 areas by the pixels RIA-R4A in columns 3, 3, and 2, and screen center data is obtained from the 16-pixel center area CPA. In addition, Fig. 7 (B
) In the 135H size shown in ), two rows each of pixels GIB-0
The screen is divided into 16 areas by 4B and pixels RIB-R4B in 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, and 2nd columns.

The screen center data is obtained from the 16-pixel central area CPB.
C-04G and 2nd row, 3rd row, 3rd row, 2nd row of pixels RIG-R
4C: The screen is divided into 16 areas, and screen center data is obtained from the 16-pixel center area CPC. Similarly, in the 110 size shown in FIG. 7(D), pixels 010-C4 are arranged in two rows each.
The screen is divided into 16 by D and pixels RID to R4D in each column, and the central area CPD is formed by four pixels. Pixel CIE-04E in a row and RIE-R4E in each column
The pixel is divided into 18 parts, and the four pixels form a central area CPE. In this way, if the screen is divided into 16 areas El-E16 for each film size and image information is obtained from the central area CPA-GPE including the center of the screen, the reading of the image sensor 10 can be performed according to the film size. Image processing can also be performed using a common formula without changing the range. In this case, since one divided area may be formed by a plurality of pixels, image information of each divided area can be obtained by calculating the average value of each pixel data in such an area. That is, the screen of each film size is divided into areas E1 to E1B and the central area CP.
i (i=A ``E), each area E1 to ELS,
Since the average information of GPi can be easily calculated from the data of the constituent pixels, even if the size of the negative film 2 conveyed to the printing section is different, the exposure amount x can be calculated from the above equation (4) and this exposure The amount X can be modified according to the size according to equation (3) above.

By the way, in a photographic printing apparatus, there are two ways to convey the negative film 2 in a direction parallel to or in the opposite direction to the conveyance direction of the photographic paper 7, as shown in FIG. There is a vertical passage for conveyance. This is done in order to save on the types of photographic paper 7 to be loaded and to make the printing process more efficient.
This is commonly done for negative films other than 2e size. In this way, the image information detection described above cannot be applied as is to photo printing machines that switch between horizontal and vertical scanning functions, and the determination of exposure amount becomes complicated. There were many cases in which people printed the wrong size or threaded film, resulting in the loss of large amounts of photographic paper.

(Object of the invention) This invention was made under the above circumstances,
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image information processing method that processes image signals by determining the size and threading direction of the original film, thereby enabling efficient image detection and printing processing.

(Summary of the Invention) The present invention relates to an image information processing method, in which light from a carrier opening illuminated by a light source is received by an image sensor, and image information of the entire area of the carrier opening is divided into pixels. The size and threading direction of the original film are determined by comparing the two numbers and patterns of the characteristic density values or true values of the detected values with stored information. The present invention also relates to an image information processing method, in which light from a carrier opening illuminated by a light source is received by an image sensor,
The image information of the entire area of the carrier opening is detected for each screen-divided pixel, and the number and pattern of characteristic density values or true values of the detected values are compared with the stored information. By determining the size and threading direction and organizing the pixel detection information of the original film according to the determination results, it is possible to commonly use one exposure calculation formula prepared in advance.

(Embodiments of the invention) This invention is carried out with the same configuration as in FIG.
The operation will be explained with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

First, the above-mentioned negative film carrier 1 is loaded into a predetermined position of the photographic printing apparatus (Step Sl).

The two-dimensional image sensor 11 of the image information detection device detects image information (step S2), detects density "0" (or a value close to this) (step S3), and then detects the number of density "0". By doing so, the size is determined in the same manner as described above (steps S4 and S5), and the pattern formed with the density "0" as shown in FIGS. Comparison with pattern information is performed (steps S8 and S7), in this case,
Since the memory stores the horizontal pass pattern shown in Figure 1O (A) and the vertical pass pattern shown in Figure 1O (B) for each film size, the detected pattern can be compared with these stored information. The threading direction of the negative film 2 can be determined by (step S6). After the size and threading direction of the negative film carrier l, that is, the negative film 2 are determined in this way, the loaded negative film 2 is transported. Step 5: Conveyed by mechanism 9
IO), a predetermined frame image is positioned in the exposure section, the image information detection device IO detects the frame image (step 5ll), and the information of this frame image is classified according to the detected size and threading direction data. The exposure amount is determined by substituting this classification data into equation (4) (step 512), and the printing apparatus exposes the frame using the determined exposure amount (step 513).
, the above-described burning operation is repeated until the burning of all frames is completed.

By the way, for example, image information of 135 size is detected in the broken line area ARI in FIG. 1O (A) in the case of horizontal passing,
The same is true for vertical threads! It is detected in the broken line area ARIO of J(B). Therefore, pixels PXI and PX of area ARI
2 +7) Bootara, area AR1017) Pixel PXI1
If all the detected pixel data is organized by converting the table in the memory 25 so that it corresponds to the data of 1 and PXII, the exposure calculation formula (4) described above can be used in both horizontal and vertical scanning. be able to. Equation (4) is the method explained in Figures 7 (A) to (E), and can be used in common regardless of the size of the original film, so if you rearrange the detection data for horizontal and vertical threads, you can change the size and According to the determination of the threading direction, one exposure calculation formula can be used in common. Note that the exposure calculation formula may be divided into a basic exposure formula and an exposure modification formula, and an exposure calculation formula for horizontal threading and an exposure calculation formula for vertical threading may be provided separately to determine the threading direction. It is also possible to select according to the results.

Note that in the above description, image information is detected by a two-dimensional image sensor, but it is also possible to position a one-dimensional line sensor at the opening of the negative film carrier and detect it by moving (scanning) it relative to the opening. You can also do it. In addition, although the two-dimensional information of almost the entire hump image is detected in the above, the difference or ratio of the one-dimensional information of each row representing the orthogonal horizontal and vertical directions of the negative film carrier opening is detected. , the determination result of the image information detection device and the printing setting conditions of the printer may be automatically compared, and if there is a difference, an alarm may be generated by a buzzer or the like.

In the above embodiment, the determination of the size and threading direction of the original film will be explained using the case where there is no negative film on the negative film carrier or when a blank negative film with no image is loaded on the negative film carrier. Ta. In the frame image information of actual original film, there are almost no images in which the minimum and maximum density values are regularly consecutive, so even during continuous printing, image information data for several frames is required. It is then binarized accordingly and discriminated according to the method described above. Through this determination, even during the actual printing process, the size and threading direction of the original film can be automatically compared with the printing setting conditions, and if it is different from the settings, an alarm will be generated. It is possible to prevent the loss of a large amount of photographic paper and the waste of time due to reprinting.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, the image information including the Mm film and the surrounding area is detected by the image sensor, and the size and threading direction of the original film are determined from the density values divided into a large number of pixels. Since the determination is made and the exposure amount is determined without providing a dedicated detector such as a microswitch, the printing operation can be performed quickly and accurately. In addition, the image detection information is categorized and organized according to the size and threading direction of the original film, and one exposure calculation formula can be used in common, making it easy and fast to determine the exposure amount by detecting the image information. can be converted into

Further, by automatically comparing the discrimination information and the printing setting conditions, errors in setting the combination of the size and threading direction of the original film can be prevented by generating an alarm.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a case where a two-dimensional image sensor is applied to image information detection in a photo printing device, and Figure 2
Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the control system of the 2D image sensor; Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the functions of the dimensional image sensor;
Figures (A) and (B) are diagrams explaining an example of the correspondence between pixel division of the original film and stored data, Figure 5 is a diagram showing details of the printing section, and Figures 6 (A) and (B). are memory diagrams showing examples of image information, Figures 7 (A) to (E) are diagrams for explaining how the film size and exposure amount are determined, and Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining the film threading direction. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the method of this invention, Figure 10 (A)
and (B) are diagrams for explaining the operation. 1... Negative film carrier, 2... Negative film, 3... Filter, 4... Light source, 5.11...
Lens unit, 6... Black shutter, 7...
Photographic paper, 8... Optical sensor, lO... Image information detection device, 11... Two-dimensional image sensor, 20...
Drive circuit, 22...AD converter, 24...Write control circuit, 25...Memory. Applicant's agent Yu Angata Sanjo l Nitsuri 2 Zuo 5 Zutsuri 6 Figures (A) (B) Procedural amendment June 10, 1980

Claims (7)

[Claims] (1) An image sensor receives light from an original film carrier opening illuminated by a light source, detects image information of the entire area of the carrier opening for each divided screen pixel, and also detects characteristics of the detected value. An image information processing method characterized in that the size and threading direction of an original film are determined by comparing the quantity, number, and pattern of a certain density value or true value with stored information. (2) The image information processing method according to claim 1, wherein a two-dimensional image sensor is used as the image sensor. (3) The image information processing method according to claim 1, wherein a one-dimensional line sensor is used as the image sensor, and the line sensor is moved relatively over the carrier opening. (4) The image information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the threading direction is determined as vertical threading or horizontal threading. (5) An image sensor receives light from the opening of the original film carrier irradiated by a light source, detects image information of the entire area of the carrier opening for each divided screen pixel, and also detects characteristics of the detected value. The size and threading method of the original film are determined by comparing the quantity, number, and pattern of a certain density value or true value with stored information, and the pixel detection information of the original film is organized according to the results of this determination. An image information processing method characterized in that a single exposure calculation formula, etc., can be used in common. (6) The image information processing method according to claim 5, wherein the threading direction is vertical threading or horizontal threading. (7) The image information processing method according to claim 5, wherein the exposure calculation formula includes an exposure amount correction formula.