JPS62293890A - Examinating device for photograph printing condition - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To remarkably reduce the number of times of manual corrections by displaying a color positive image simulated in an exposure control system having high generality on a CRT, calculating the difference between the two exposure control system and outputting it as the quantity of the correction. CONSTITUTION:An exposure control quantity arithmetic part 86 has an exposure control quantity arithmetic equation most excellent in the generality in order to reduce the manual correction as much as possible and calculates three color density values A (different from every color) as the exposure control quantity of picture data R2, G2, B2. Exposure control quantity arithmetic parts 87, 88 are disposed correspondingly to the exposure control quantity arithmetic equation used for a color printer and calculate three color density values B, C as the exposure control quantity by the use of the picture data R2, G2, B2 of respective picture elements. In a density difference arithmetic part 92, the difference F of the three color density values B and A calculated in the exposure control quantity arithmetic part, for instance, 87 is calculated it is fed to a key step number converting table 93 and converted to the number of steps n3 (different from every color) of a color correction key.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention] 3. Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention simulates and displays a print image created from a color negative image, and determines printing conditions by observing this. This article relates to Sudame's photographic printing condition verification device.

[Conventional technology]

Color printers have a built-in automatic exposure control device that extracts at least one characteristic value from a color negative image and calculates the printing exposure amount for each color light from an exposure calculation formula using this characteristic value. There is.

Actually, an exposure control amount that has a predetermined relationship with the printing exposure amount is calculated, and 1 Jla of light is applied in accordance with this exposure control amount.

The red component, green component, and blue component of
It is meant to be controlled. However, since color negative images have many scenes for species names, it is practically difficult to provide a proper printing exposure of 3γ for all color negative images and to produce print photographs with a good finish.

Therefore, we used a photo printing condition verification device (negative verification device) to test the color negative before printing the photo, and checked whether it was on the automatic exposure side. In III, it is necessary to determine the amount of correction based on the operator's experience for a unique scene where the finish is not good.

A conventional photographic printing condition verification device captures a color negative image with a color TV camera, converts the obtained image data from negative to positive, and processes the image according to the printing conditions determined by an automatic exposure control device. , CR this image data
It is known to send to T and display it. Since this photo printing condition verification device can simulate a photo created with a color printer and display it on a CRT, it is possible to eliminate the occurrence of defective prints and improve yield. The operator observes the color and density of the color positive image displayed on the CRT, and if the operator determines that the finish is insufficient under the standard printing conditions, corrects it by creating 15 color correction keys, density correction keys, etc. Enter the amount. When this correction amount is input, the simulation is performed again under these printing conditions, and the corrected color positive image is displayed on the CRT.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

Most color printers currently in operation control the exposure amount of each of the three colors in accordance with the average transmission density (LATD). Therefore, in the conventional photographic printing condition verification apparatus, a color positive image processed by the LATD method is displayed on the CRT. Special Public Service 1986-1
As described in Publication No. 3011, this LATD
Only about 70% of the photos are finished well using this method, so if you use a conventional photo printing condition verification device,
For the remaining 30% of the color negative images, it is necessary for the operator to determine the amount of correction based on his or her experience, which poses a problem in that negative verification takes time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a photographic printing condition verification apparatus that can reduce the number of color negatives to be corrected and efficiently perform negative verification.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has a first calculation section that calculates an exposure control amount calculation formula that is most widely applicable to various color negative images, and a first calculation section that calculates an exposure control amount calculation formula that is most widely applicable to various color negative images. A second calculation section that calculates an exposure control amount calculation formula is provided, and a color positive image subjected to image processing is displayed on CR "I" according to the calculation result of the first calculation section, while the second calculation section calculates the exposure control amount calculation formula. The difference between the calculation results of the second calculation part and the second calculation part is output as a correction amount.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

〔Example〕

In No. 11J showing the appearance of the apparatus of the present invention, a color negative film 11 is wound on a supply reel 10 in the form of a roll, and is guided by guide rollers 12 and 13 and transported toward a take-up reel 14. . This take-up reel 14 is rotated by a motor and winds up the color negative film 11 frame by frame. The supply reel IO and the take-up reel 14 are exchangeably loaded into the main body 15 of the apparatus.

The color negative film 11 has an arcuate notch formed in advance on the side edge of each frame to be printed.

An illumination section 17 and an image reading section 18 are arranged between the guide rollers 12 and 13 with the color negative film 11 in between, and a reading position is formed between them. In the color negative film 11, when a frame with a notch is detected, the frame advance stops, so this frame with a notch is correctly positioned at the reading position, and the color negative image reflected in this frame is read by the image reading section 18. It will be done.

Five CRTs 21 to 25 are installed horizontally in a line above the device main body 15, and when different printing conditions are applied to a single frame color negative image read from the color negative film 11. Each finished print image is displayed as a color positive image. In other words, each CRT
The color positive images displayed at 2t-25 are simulated from color negative images so that they have colors and densities similar to those of printed photographs produced under each printing condition.

CR located in the center behind the five CRTs 21 to 25
At T23, a color positive image simulated under automatically set printing conditions (standard printing conditions) is displayed.

Further, on the CRT 22.21 placed on the left side, a color positive image whose density is successively corrected by a predetermined number of steps in the negative direction with respect to the standard printing conditions is displayed. CRTs 24 and 25 placed on the right side display color positive images whose density has been successively corrected by a predetermined number of steps in the positive direction with respect to standard printing conditions. In this embodiment, a color positive image that has been sequentially corrected step by step using the density correction key is displayed on each CRT.

The user observes the color positive images displayed on each of the CRTs 21 to 25, selects one with a good finish, and inputs the selection result using the keyboard 27.

If it is recognized that none of the five color positive images displayed on each of the CRTs 21 to 25 has a good finish, a correction (2) for the color positive image displayed on the CRT 23 is input using the keyboard 27. When this correction amount is input, a color positive image that has been corrected by the input correction amount with respect to the original color positive image is displayed on each CRT 21.
~25 will be displayed.

The number of CRTs is desirably determined from the viewpoint of ease of negative verification and cost, and five is usually sufficient. In addition, the CRTs 21 to 25 may be arranged in a column, or the CRT 23 may be used to display a color positive image under standard printing conditions.
The CRT may be placed in a different position than other CRTs.

The keyboard 27 is mounted on the table 15a of the device main body 15.
It is placed on the top of the apparatus and is connected to a computer provided in the main body 15 of the apparatus via the table 28. The device body 15 is also provided with a door 29 that can be opened and closed, and a system floppy or the like for controlling the computer is loaded therein.

A puncher 31 is provided on the right side of the apparatus main body 15, and data representing a correction amount for the basic exposure control amount automatically determined in the color printer to be used is provided in the form of a punching code to the puncher tape 30. to be recorded. This puncher 31 has 1 wound on the supply reel lO.
When the certification of 6 color negative films 11 was completed,
It is operated by a command from the keyboard 27, and the correction data for each frame is recorded on the Mr. Ichi tape 30 pulled out from the replaceable supply reel 32. In addition, instead of puncher 31,
A magnetic recording device may be provided to write the correction data onto a magnetic floppy disk or the like.

The paper tape 30 is set in a color printer when printing a photograph of the color negative film 11, and the correction data recorded thereon is read. This correction data is added to or subtracted from the automatically calculated basic exposure control amount, and the printing exposure amount is controlled according to the calculated exposure control amount.

FIG. 2 shows the electrical configuration of the present invention.

The white light emitted from the white light source 35 is diffused by the diffusion tube 36 and then illuminates the color negative film 11 placed on the negative carrier 37.

This color negative film 11 is held down by a mask 38 having an opening corresponding to the screen, thereby ensuring the flatness of the frame stopped at the reading position. The white light source 3
A plurality of ND filters are arranged between the ND filter 5 and the diffusion tube 36, and by inserting one or more ND filters into the optical path 43, the intensity of the illumination light is adjusted in fixed steps. In the drawing, two ND filters 39 and 40 are shown, each being driven by a filter driver 41 and 42 to direct the optical path 43.
inserted into. The take-up reel 14 is driven and rotated by a motor 44 to feed the color negative film 11 frame by frame. During this frame-by-frame advance, a bar code reading section 45 consisting of a plurality of photosensors reads the vernier nodes written on the sides of the color negative films 1 and 11, which represent the type of negative processed.

An imaging lens 48 and a three-color separation optical system 49 are arranged above the mask 38. This three-color separation optical system 4
Reference numeral 9 is composed of the joined Briz J, 50 to 52, the red dichroic mirror 53 deposited on the prism 50, and the blue dichroic ink mirror 54 deposited on the prism 51. The red dichroic ink mirror 53 reflects only the red light behind the incident light toward the red image sensor 55.The blue dichroic mirror 54 reflects only the blue light out of the incident light. The green light passes through the red dichroic ink mirror 53 and the blue dichroic mirror 56 and is reflected toward the green image sensor 56.
57. These dichroic mirrors 53.
54 has color separation characteristics similar to the spectral sensitivity of color paper used in color printers. Note that although an image area sensor is used in this embodiment, a line sensor may be used instead. Alternatively, a stripe filter or the like may be formed in front of the image area sensor, and a color negative image may be read with one image area sensor. Furthermore, a color TV camera is used, and the output color video (No. 3) is input into a color signal separation circuit to separate the three color signals (Ro, Go, B).
o) may be separated and taken out.

The image sensors 55 to 57 are CCD type,
A MOS type is used, and a three-color separation optical system 4 is installed on the light receiving surface.
The monochromatic images separated by color at step 9 are respectively formed. These image sensors 55 to 57 are driven by a driver 60 to photoelectrically convert each pixel of the incident monochrome image into red R1 green G.

Generates blue B time series signals (Ro, Go, Bo). These three color signals (Ro, Go, B,) are digitally converted by an A/D converter 61 provided for each color. The obtained image data (R+, Gs, 13+) is converted into density signals (R2゜02, B
2) and then sent to frame 11 memory 63 and color correction circuit 64, respectively. Further, the driver 60 sends a sampling signal synchronized with the reading of the image sensors 55 to 56 to the A/D converter 61, and
A synchronization signal for specifying the pixel position is sent to the frame memory 63.

Reading and writing of this frame memory 63 is controlled by a control circuit 65 consisting of a computer.

The image data of each color read from the frame memory 63 is sent to five color correction units 663 to 65c provided corresponding to each CR'l''21 to 25, where the image data is subjected to masking processing. (R3, G:l,
B3). This color correction is to correct the difference between the spectral sensitivity of the color paper and the spectral transmittance of the color separation optical system 49, and as described above, when this is corrected by the dichroic mirrors 53 and 54, , can be omitted. Note that this color correction section 66
a to 66e are composed of a look-up table memory storing the coefficients of the masking calculation formula and an adder, and the coefficients of the look-up table memory are stored in the control T.
11 circuit 65.

The color-corrected image data (R), G3,
B3) is sent to a look-up table unit 67 for performing negative/positive conversion and density correction for each color positive image displayed on each CRT 21-25.

This look-up table section 67 consists of five look-up table memories 67a-67e, and table data determined for each CRT is written for each color in each look-up table memory 67a-67e. By referring to this table data, image data (
R3, G:l, 13:l) ;/+<l'L deviation (No. 2 conversion is performed, and as a result, the color and density of the color positive image displayed on each CRT 21 to 25 are adjusted to 1 using the density correction key.
They will be shifted step by step.

The image data (R4, G4, B4) whose color and density have been corrected in each lookup table memory 67a to 67e are
The signals are sent to D/A converters 2yj 68a to 68e, respectively, where they are converted into analog signals.

The obtained analog signals of each color positive image are sent to CRT drive circuits 69a to 69e, which drive the CRTs 21 to 25, respectively, to display a color positive image.

1 on the keyboard 27, a color and density correction key 73;
Function ni'--75, Sonora paper insertion key-76, start key 77, negative verification end key 78
．． Print key 79. Burning condition selection key 80. A printer mode designation key 81 is provided. The color and density correction key 73 consists of a red correction key, a green correction key, a blue correction key, and a density correction key, and is operated when it is recognized that none of the color positive images displayed on the CRTs 21 to 25 are finished well. It is something that This correction key 7
3, each of the five color positive images is modified by the same amount in the positive or negative direction.

Here, the number of steps in rNJ is zero, and no correction is performed. In addition, rDJ has a step number of "-4",
Four steps of correction are performed in the negative direction. Note that in a color negative verification device that looks directly at the color negative film, the cyan correction key, magenta correction = 1--,
Although a yellow correction key is used, in the present invention, a CRT
In order to display a positive image, correction keys with red, green, and blue indications are used.

The function key 75 is intended to simplify the input operation for color correction, and is prepared for scenes that appear frequently, and when it is operated, the same color as when multiple color correction keys are operated. Corrections can be made.

The color paper insertion key 76 is provided corresponding to the color photographic paper used in the color printer, and the coefficients of the calculation formula calculated by the color correction section 66 are preset by the color vapor type information input from the color paper insertion key 76. selected from those provided.

The start key 77 is operated at the start of the negative verification to start the operation of the control circuit 65, and the negative verification end key 78 is operated every time the verification of one frame is completed. When this negative verification end key 78 is operated, the color negative film 11 is transferred and the next frame is set at the reading position. The print key 79 is operated when the negative verification of one roll of color negative film 11 is completed.

When this print key 79 is operated, the puncher 31
is activated to record the correction data of each frame on the tape 30.

The printing condition selection key 80 is used to select one of the color positive images displayed on each of the CRTs 21 to 25 that is expected to have a good finish. Here, the code attached to the burning condition selection key 80 is
For example, if it is determined that the color positive image displayed on the CRT 21 has a good finish, the leftmost key with the number "1" is pressed. In addition, grilled.

If the negative verification end key 78 is operated without operating the condition selection key 80, it is assumed that the printing condition for the color positive image displayed on the CRT 23 has been selected.

The printer mode designation key 81 is used to indicate the difference between the exposure control amount calculation formula of the photographic printing condition verification device and the exposure control amount calculation formula of the color printer to be used. In other words, since the photographic printing condition verification device of the present invention uses an exposure control amount calculation formula different from that of a color printer, CR
The color positive image displayed on T does not accurately simulate the printed photograph produced by the color printer used. Therefore, an exposure control amount calculation formula for the color printer is designated using the printer mode designation key 81, and the difference between the calculation result of the designated formula and the result is determined and output in the form of a correction key.

Note that instead of selecting the exposure control amount calculation formula, the calculation formula may be written by key operation before negative verification.

FIG. 3 shows the functions of the color correction circuit 64 shown in FIG. 2, and this color correction circuit 64 is composed of a macrocomputer. The exposure control amount calculation section 86 is set with the most versatile exposure control amount calculation formula in order to minimize manual correction, and calculates the three exposure control amounts from the image data (R2, GZ, B2). color/
Calculate the temperature value A (different for each color).

On the other hand, the exposure control amount calculation units 87 and 88 are provided corresponding to the exposure control amount calculation formula used in color printers that are actually in operation, and calculate the image data of each pixel (
RZ, G2, B2) are used to calculate three color density values B and C as exposure control amounts, respectively. Note that, of these exposure control amount calculation units 87 to 88, only the one selected by the printer mode designation key 81 operates.

The exposure control amount calculation section 86 calculates an average transmission density (Dmean) called LATD from the image data of each pixel.
), maximum density (Dmax), and minimum density (Dmin
) is calculated for each color, and from the following formula using these as characteristic values,
Calculate the three color density values A.

A = Dmean + 1/2 (Dmax
-Dmin) Exposure control - The calculation unit 86 calculates the average transmission temperature (Dmean) by arithmetic averaging the image data (Rz, C; 2, Bz) of each pixel for each color, and calculates the average transmission temperature (Dmean). Output as color density value B.

The exposure control unit 88 calculates the maximum density (Dmax) and minimum density (Dmin) of each pixel,
Three colors from the following formula with these as characteristic values? Calculate the seismic intensity value C.

C= 1/2 (Dmax + Dmin) The above exposure system? Three-color density value A calculated by the ff1ri calculation unit 86
(DR+, DGt, DB+) is the density difference calculation unit 8
Sent to 9th. This density difference calculation unit 89 compares the standard density value D (different for each color) read from the memory 90, and calculates the density difference E (DR2, DG2, DB2) for each color.
is calculated, and the obtained density difference E is sent to the addition section 91.

As mentioned above, since the photo printing condition verification device and the color printer use different exposure control calculation formulas, each CR
The color positive image displayed on the T is different from the color positive image created by a color printer. Therefore, the density difference calculation section 92'' calculates the difference F between the three-color density value B calculated in the designated exposure control amount calculation section 87 and the three-color density implantation, and converts this into the number of key steps. It is sent to table 93 and converted into the number of color correction key stages n3 (different for each color).

Further, the image data (Rz, Gt, Bz) is sent to the calculation unit 85, where the average transmission temperature is calculated for each color, and by adding each average transmission density and dividing by "3", The gray average transmission density value is calculated,
This is sent to the ND filter selection section 94. This gray average transmission 'density value D1 is compared with the gray average transmission density value D2 of the standard negative stored in the memo IJ95, and an ND filter in which both are the same or similar is selected. (The signal is sent to the control circuit 65. At the same time, the 'density value' of the selected ND filter is output and sent to the addition circuit 91. Also, the control circuit 65
operates one of the filter drive units 41 and 42 to insert a suitable ND filter into the optical path 43. The I distribution memory 93 stores data corresponding to each negative type, and reads out the gray average transmission density value according to the negative type information read by the barcode reading section 45.

The addition circuit 91 calculates the three-color density value E (DR2°DG2
, DB2) and the filter density value D3 for each color,
Calculate the three color density values G (DR3, DGt, DBJ).

3 in DI = DR2ID.

L) G J= I) G 24D :IDl3:+
=DB□←D.

This three-color density value G is sent to the step number conversion table 96, where it is converted into the number of tone steps for shifting the table data of the lookup table memory, and the signal N1 (NR+, NG+) representing this number of steps is sent to the step number conversion table 96. , N
B+) is sent to the adder circuit 97. To convert the number of steps, for example, if the density difference is ro, 3J, the number of gradation steps is to be shifted by "50", so divide the density difference by ro, 3J, and add "50". '', the step number signal N1 is obtained.

When the density correction key on the keyboard 27 is pressed, a signal n1 indicating the number of steps is sent to the step number conversion table 98. Also, when one color correction key is created, the number of steps of the key of the operated color becomes 98° in the step number conversion table.
The signal is sent to an inverting circuit 99.

Since the function key 75 is made by tU instead of the three types of color keys, the conversion table 100
After being converted into a signal representing the number of color correction key steps,
The signals are sent to a step number conversion table 98 and an inversion circuit 99, respectively.

The number n2 of color correction keys for each color inverted by the inversion circuit 99 and the number n3 of color correction keys for each color output from the key number conversion table 93 are added for each color in an adding circuit 101, and The number of stages of correction keys is output as n.

The step number conversion table 9th has a signal N2 corresponding to the number of stages 01 of the operated density correction key, and a signal Nz (NR3,
NG:l, NB:+) are outputted and sent to the adder circuit 97. For example, if the number of steps per density correction key is "16" and the density correction key "3" is operated, the step number conversion table 98 will change the number of steps to "48". A representing signal N2 is output.

Also, change the number of steps per step of the color correction key to "
8", the operated red correction key is rNJ.
When the green correction key is rAJ and the blue correction key is "2", the signal N3 becomes (Ol-8, 16). Note that the number of steps per stage is determined through experiments.

The adder circuit 97 performs the following calculation and calculates the number of steps N.
(NR, NG, NB) is calculated and sent to the data shift circuit 100.

NR=NR, +l'J, +NR:+NG=NG,+N2+NG3 NB=NBI +NZ +NBi As shown in FIG.
3 is shifted by 1 to N by the keyword frequency, and this table data 114 is written into the lookup table 67c. This standard table data 113 is provided for each color, and when a color negative image with a standard density value is printed on color photographic paper, the density of the printed photograph obtained and displayed on the CRT is shown. It is determined experimentally that the brightness is the same as the brightness. Note that instead of shifting this data, each lookup table memory 67a-6
By writing the reference table data into 7e, and providing shift 1 to concave at its input terminal, and shifting the human signal by the number of gradations by N, it becomes unnecessary to rewrite the lookup table memory. Color correction processing can be performed at high speed.

The CRT 23 contains a color positive image simulating a finished print image corresponding to the calculation result of the exposure control amount calculation unit 86, or a color positive image that is corrected by adding a manual correction amount specified by the keyboard 27 to the color positive image. is displayed. For this standard baking condition,
Subtraction circuits 105 and 106 and addition circuit 10 are used to set the burning conditions that are sequentially shifted one step at a time using the density correction key.
7.108 are provided respectively. Here, the subtraction circuit 105 subtracts the number of steps 2M per two steps of the density correction key from the number N of steps of the standard printing condition. Similarly, the subtraction circuit 106 subtracts the number of steps IM per density key from the number of steps N under the standard printing conditions. On the other hand, the addition circuit 107 adds the number M of steps per step layer of the density 1117 primary key to the number N of steps under the standard baking conditions.
Add. Further, the addition circuit 108 adds the number of steps 2M per two steps of the density correction key to the number N of steps of the standard printing condition.

The subtraction circuits 105 and 106 and the force! 11th Road 107.
The step numbers calculated in step 108 are sent to data shift circuits 109 to 112, respectively, and stored in the memory lot.
The 44j table data of each color read out from the 44j table data is shifted by the calculated step number CJ, and this table data is transferred to each of the 44j table data 67a, 67b, 67b,
Write to 67d and 67e, respectively.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram for calculating correction data. The CRT 23 displays a simulated color print image that is automatically controlled, but the other CRTs display a color positive image that is automatically corrected one step at a time using 4-degree correction: 1-1. There is. Therefore, each CR
In order to calculate the number of stages of the density correction key of the color positive image displayed on T, subtraction circuits 115 and 116 and addition circuit 1 are used.
17°118 are provided. The addition circuit 115 is
The number of stages of the density correction key "2" is subtracted from the number of stages 01 operated by the density correction key, and the calculation circuit 116 subtracts the number of stages of the density correction key "1". On the other hand, the addition circuit 117
adds the number of stages rlJ of the density correction key to the number n1 of stages input with the density correction key, and the addition circuit 118 adds the number of stages of the density correction key "2". The five step numbers obtained in this way are sent to the selection circuit 119, where one of them is selected by the burning condition selection key 80, and the selected one is sent to the storage device as positive temperature hli data. .

The storage device temporarily stores correction data for each frame (the number of cyan correction key steps, the number of magenta correction key steps, the number of yellow correction key steps, and the number of density correction key steps). When the print key 79 is operated, the correction data for each frame is sent to the puncher 31.
Convert the correction data of each frame into a perforation code and use Gio tape 3
Output to 0.

Note that if a collection key is provided, information on this collection key is also output on paper tape.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained. First, the supply reel 10 winds up one roll of color negative film 11.
is loaded into the main body 15 of the apparatus. When you turn on the device,
The system shown in Figure 2? '[The II circuit 65 operates each section and clears the data in the frame memory 63, color correction section 66, and lookup table section 67. One of the printer mode designation keys 81 is operated depending on the type of color printer used. Next, by operating the paper key on the keyboard 27, the user manually selects the type of color photographic paper to be used in the color printer.

The control circuit 65 selects the coefficients of the matrix according to the ↑) I-th U of this type of color paper, and writes them into the color correction section 66.

When the start key 77 is operated, the control circuit 65 drives the motor 44 to rotate the take-up reel 14, and stops the motor 44 when the notched frame reaches the reading position. Since the image sensors 55 to 57 start reading at a predetermined cycle from the time the power is turned on, when the verification frame is placed at the reading position, the three-color separation photometry of this frame is performed.

That is, the color negative image reflected in the test frame is separated into a red image, a green image, and a blue image by a three-color separation optical system 49, and each monochrome image is input to image sensors 55 to 57. These image sensors 55 to 57 photoelectrically convert each pixel of an incident monochromatic image and output a time-series signal. Red signal R0° Green signal G output from image sensor -55 to 57. , blue signal B0 is A/D
After each is converted into a digital signal by a converter 61,
A logarithmic converter 62 converts the image data (Rz, Gz, B
z).

The image data (RZ, cz, B2')
are respectively sent to a gray average transmission 4 degree calculation section 85 and exposure control amount calculation sections 86 to 88 shown in FIG. This exposure side 611 amount calculation unit 86 performs exposure control Eit with good performance.
? Execute the iij calculation and calculate the three-color density value A.

The three color density values A are sent to the density difference calculation section 89 and read from the memory 90. The difference E from the temperature is calculated.

Also, only the exposure-side '<'# star calculation units 87 and 88 that are selected by the printer mode designation key 81 operate to calculate the exposure control amount. This exposure control meter is the same as the exposure control amount automatically calculated by a color printer used when printing photographs. For example, if the color printer used is of the L A T D method, the exposure control amount calculation section 87
is selected. When this exposure control amount calculation unit 87 is selected, the average transmission density is calculated for each color, and this value is sent to the density difference calculation unit 92 as the three-color density value B, and is combined with the three-color density value A. The difference F is calculated.

17I The gray average transmission density calculating section 85 calculates the gray average transmission density by arithmetic averaging the image data. Further, the barcode reading section 45 reads the color negative film 11.
Read the barcode. The control circuit 65 decodes the barcode and outputs negative type information, which is stored in the memory 93.
send to This memory 95 outputs the gray average transmission density D2 of the reference negative according to the negative type information. The ND filter selection section 94 selects an ND filter so that the gray average transmission luminance of the test negative image approximates the gray average transmission density D2 of the reference negative, and sends the filter selection signal to the control circuit 65. This control circuit 65 operates a filter drive unit, for example 41, corresponding to the selected ND filter to generate an ND filter.
A filter 39 is inserted into the optical path 43. This ND filter 39 modulates the amount of light incident on each of the image sensors 55 to 57 by eight cycles.

From the image data obtained in the pre-scan mentioned above, the light 11
Perform one section, then start the main scan.

In this main scan, the control circuit 65 controls writing to the frame memory 63 at a timing synchronized with reading by the driver 60.

The filter density D3 and the three color density values E are calculated by an adding circuit 9.
1 and is added here to form the three-color density value G. This three-color density value G is used in step tl! of shifting the reference table data in the step number conversion table 96! After being converted into IN1, it is sent to the adder circuit 97. Normally, since correction is not performed using the keyboard 27, the step number N1 output from the step number conversion table 96 is sent to the data shift 1-circuit 103, and the reference table data for each color stored in the memory 104 is N in key steps (this number of steps N1 differs for each color)
and the table data obtained for each color is written into the lookup table memory 67C. Therefore, this lookup table memory 67
In c, a gradation spread 114 is written for each color by shifting the curve 113 representing the gradation of color photographic paper (different depending on the color) by the number of gradations N1.

Step H! In order to display four types of color positive images that are changed one step at a time using the density correction key with respect to the color positive image displayed on the CRT 23, step H! lN l is the subtraction circuit 105
, 106 and adding circuits 107 and 108, respectively, and the obtained step numbers are sent to data shift circuits 109 to 11.
2 respectively. These data shift circuits 10
Similar to the data shift 1 circuit 103 described above, reference numerals 9 to 112 shift base half table data of each color by a predetermined number of steps, and store the obtained table data of each color in look amplifier table memories 67a, 67b, and 67d.

67e respectively.

The image data (Rz, Gt, Bz) written separately for each color in the frame memory 63 is processed by the color correction section 66 based on the spectral sensitivity of the color photographic paper and the three-color separation optical system 4.
After the difference in spectral transmittance of 9 is corrected, the data is distributed to the lookup table memories 67a to 67e. The lookup table memories 67a to 67e perform color correction, density correction, and negative/positive inversion. The image data (R4, G4.B4) output from each of the look amplifier table memories 67a to 67e is converted to a D/A converter RS 68a.
~68 After each is converted to an analog signal by e, each CI? The signal is sent to T drive circuits 70a to 70e. The CRT drive circuits 70a to 70e are connected to each CRT 21 to 25.
are respectively driven to display a color positive image simulated under standard printing conditions, and four color positive images whose density is corrected in the positive and negative directions relative to the standard printing conditions, and whose density is changed by one step in a 1-1 manner.

Each of the CRTs 21 to 25 displays five color positive images that are changed one step at a time using the density correction key, so the operator observes the images and selects one with a satisfactory finish. For example, if it is recognized that the color positive image displayed on the CRT 22 is good, the key marked with the symbol "2" of the printing condition selection keys 80 is operated. In this case, the selection circuit 119 is a subtraction circuit. 116, and take out the printing conditions that are shifted by one step in the negative direction using the density key with respect to the mark (V printing conditions).

If the finish of any of the five color positive images displayed on each of the Cr2Ts 21 to 25 is found to be unsatisfactory, the correction keys (density correction key, color correction key, function key) on the keyboard 27 are operated. When the density correction key is operated, a step PN2 corresponding to the number of steps of the pressed key is output from the step number conversion table 98. Furthermore, when color correction nodes provided for each of red, green, and blue are created, the step number conversion table 98 outputs the step number N. Furthermore, when one function key 75 is pressed, according to the conversion table 100,
After being converted into a predetermined number of color correction key steps, it is sent to an inversion circuit 99 and a step number conversion table 98.

As mentioned above, when the density correction amount and color correction amount are manually specified by operating the correction key, the addition circuit 9
7 to calculate the number of gradation steps N. The reference table data is shifted according to the changed number N of gradation steps, and the shifted table data is written into the look amplifier table memory 67c. Along with this, lookup table memories 67a, 67b, 6
7d and 67e include a lookup table memory 67c.
Table data that is changed one step at a time using the density correction key is written respectively.

Based on this updated table data, a color positive image whose density or color has been corrected is displayed on each of the CRTs 21 to 25, respectively. The five corrected color positive images are observed, one of which is recognized as having a good finish is found, and the printing condition selection key 80 is pressed to designate it. Note that if there is no one with a good finish, the keyboard 27 can be operated again to make corrections.

After operating the baking condition selection key 80 to perform HJe on a product with a good finish, the verification end key 78 is operated.

When the verification end key 78 is operated, the automatically determined correction data or the correction data corrected using the key 1 is sent to the storage device. Here, the density correction data is expressed by the number of density correction keys selected by the selection circuit 119. On the other hand, the color correction data is expressed by the number of color correction keys output from the addition circuit 101. This addition circuit 101 is
The manually input number of stages 02 and the number of stages 03 output from the key stage number conversion table 93 are added to output the number of stages n4 of color correction keys.

Further, when the verification end key 78 is operated, the motor 44 rotates again, sets the next verification frame at the reading position, and starts reading the image. This read color negative image is also subjected to image processing as described above, and each CRT 21 to
25 respectively. And these CRT2
Select one with a good finish from among the color positive images displayed in Nos. 1 to 25, or correct it manually and then select it. Thereafter, the burning conditions for each frame are determined in the same manner.

When the negative verification of all the frames wound on the supply reel (2) 0 has been completed, the print key 79 is operated. When this print key 79 is operated, the correction data of each frame recorded/Lα in the storage device is transferred to the puncher 3.
1 and recorded on the tape 30 with a perforated code.

This Gion Tape 30 is made by printing certified color negative film by Mr. Color Printing ♀. It is set in a color printer when it is ready for printing. This color printer uses paper tape 3
Red, red,
Controlling the exposure amount of green and blue] ① An image that is almost the same as the color image displayed on the verification CRT is printed on color photographic paper as a latent image.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which a dedicated sensor for measuring the average transmitted density is installed. The color negative image is formed on a light receiving surface of a color scanner 126 via a lens 125. This color scanner 126 performs three-color separation photometry on each pixel and outputs three-color signals. This trichromatic signal is A
The signal is converted into a digital signal by a /D converter 127, and then converted into a three-color density signal by a logarithmic converter 128. These three color density signals are sent to exposure control (1) calculation units 129 and 130, respectively.

Further, in order to perform average photometry of the color negative image, a red photometry section 132. Green photometry section 133. A blue photometry section 134 is provided. Each of the four base units 132 to 134 has a different color filter, so only the red photometry unit 132 will be explained. These photometering units 132 to 134 measure the average light of the entire screen, and also measure the average light of the entire screen (50 to 80% of the entire screen).
) may be averaged.

A3 outputted from each of the photometric sections 132 to 134 is as follows:
The signal is converted into a digital signal by an A/D converter 140, and then logarithmically converted by a logarithmic converter 141.

The obtained average transmission density is calculated by the gray average transmission density calculation section 14.
2, the exposure control amount calculation section 129, and the exposure control amount calculation section 143.

The exposure control amount calculation unit 129 is used to simulate a print image, and extracts the maximum density and minimum density from the image data of each pixel measured by the color scanner 126, and also includes a logarithmic converter. Using the average transmission density from 141, the three-color density value A as the exposure control amount is calculated.

The exposure control amount calculation unit 143 is used in an LATD color printer, and is selected by the printer mode designation key 81 to output the three-color density value B. Also,
The exposure control amount calculation unit 130 inputs image data from the color scanner 126, extracts maximum density and minimum density, and calculates three-color density values C from these.

Although a plurality of CRTs are used in the embodiment described above, one CRT having a large display area may be used instead, and five color positive images may be displayed simultaneously on this CRT. Further, the present invention may be applied to a color printer to perform negative verification immediately before printing a photograph.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained in detail above, according to the present invention, a highly versatile exposure control method is used without being restricted by the exposure control method of a color printer, and a color positive image simulated by this exposure control method is transferred to a CRT. Since the difference between the two exposure control methods is calculated and outputted as a correction amount, the number of manual corrections can be significantly reduced compared to conventional photographic printing condition verification devices. Therefore, the efficiency of negative inspection work can be improved and the cost of photographic prints can be reduced, which is a remarkable effect.

Further, by setting a plurality of printer modes, negative verification for various color printers can be performed with one printer.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an example of the photographic printing condition verification device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a functional diagram showing an example of the color correction circuit. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing changes in table data. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a correction data calculation circuit. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the main parts of an embodiment provided with a sensor for measuring average transmitted density. 11...Color negative film 21-15...CRT 27...Keyboard 31...Puncher 49...Three color separation optical system 55...Red image sensor 56...Green image sensor 57... Image sensor for blue color 73... Correction key 75... Function key 80... Burning condition selection key 81... Printer mode specification key 132... Photometering section for red color 133... Photometering for green color Section 134: Blue photometry section.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a photo printing condition verification device that simulates a finished image when a color negative image is printed on color photographic paper and displays it on a CRT, a first a first calculation means for calculating an exposure control amount; a means for simulating a finished image according to the first exposure control amount; and a second calculation means for calculating an exposure control amount calculation formula used in a color printer. and a means for calculating a difference between the first exposure control amount and the second exposure control amount and outputting the difference as a correction amount. Features: Photo printing condition verification device. (2) The photographic printing condition as set forth in claim 1, wherein N CRTs are provided, and each CRT displays a color positive image obtained by shifting the first exposure control amount by a predetermined amount. Verification device.