JPWO2004002132A1 - Image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

When the image of the mount film is read by the film scanner, image data including a frame around the image portion to be originally output is generated. When auto crop is instructed, a frame is extracted by histogram analysis of image data. At this time, if the output size of the image data to be output, that is, the aspect ratio is instructed, for example, the vertical output range is automatically set so that the frame is removed, and further the horizontal output range. Are automatically set to achieve the indicated aspect ratio.

Description

  This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2002 184374, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

  The present invention relates to an image processing system and an image processing program having both a function of automatically removing unnecessary portions from image data and a function of selecting an output size of an image.

There is a function of automatically removing only unnecessary portions by removing unnecessary portions from the image data read by the scanner. This function is called “auto crop” or “automatic trimming”, and is used, for example, when removing a blank portion of a document or removing a mount portion of an image read from a mount film. The basic principle of auto-crop is to discriminate between an image portion and an unnecessary portion of a document by analyzing a histogram or the like of image data, and set a vertical and horizontal output range so that only the image portion is extracted ( For example, JP-A-8-315107 and JP-A-10-105694).
By the way, an image read by a scanner is often used for printing purposes. However, in recent years, an image having a size suitable for the selected size is automatically selected by selecting a print medium size in advance. Scanning programs (driver software) that have a function to output are now on the market. The size is selected from a plurality of options such as “A4 size” and “postcard size” according to the user's instruction. This output size selection function is useful not only for printing but also when, for example, an image is pasted on a Web homepage or when an image is viewed on a computer. If this type of software is used, the user does not have to perform complicated operations when setting the image size.
Consider the combined use of the above-described auto crop function and output size selection function. Since the aspect ratio of the image obtained by auto-crop processing does not necessarily match the aspect ratio of the selected output size, if you execute auto crop after specifying the output size, the aspect ratio of the final output image will be changed by the output size selection function. The selected aspect ratio may not be achieved. More specifically, when A4 (horizontal orientation) is selected as the output size, the aspect ratio is about 1: 1.4. Therefore, when the selection is made, the scanning program reading setting has an aspect ratio of 1: 1. .4. However, when the read original is a 35 mm film, the aspect ratio of the first image is 2: 3 = 1: 1.5. Therefore, when auto-crop is executed, the aspect ratio of the output data is 1: 1.5. End up. As a result, there arises a problem that, for example, a blank portion is undesirably generated although it is desired to print on the entire A4 sheet. In order to avoid this, it is necessary to manually correct the crop again in order to obtain a desired image, or to manually set the output range without using the auto crop function from the beginning.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing program capable of easily obtaining image data of a desired size while using an auto crop function.
An image processing system according to the present invention reads an image from a document and generates image data including an unnecessary portion around an image portion to be output;
Aspect ratio indicating means for instructing the aspect ratio of the image data to be output, unnecessary part removal instructing means for instructing removal of unnecessary parts, and analysis of generated image data when instructed to remove unnecessary parts When the extraction means for extracting unnecessary portions and the aspect ratio and the unnecessary portion removal instruction are output, the unnecessary portion is removed from either the vertical or horizontal output range of the image. The first output range setting means for automatically setting and the other output range in the vertical or horizontal direction of the image are instructed based on the output range set by the first output range setting means. Second output range setting means for automatically setting the aspect ratio to be realized, and vertical and horizontal output ranges set by the first and second output range setting means in the generated image data Final image data And a final output unit for outputting.
The output range setting direction by the first output range setting means may be determined so that unnecessary portions are not included in the final output image data in both the vertical and horizontal directions. Alternatively, the output range setting direction by the first output range setting means may be determined so that all image portions that should be output are included in the final output image data.
The above two types of image output forms can also be selected. When one image output form is selected, the output range setting direction by the first output range setting means is determined so that the unnecessary portion is not included in the output image data in both the vertical and horizontal directions, and the other When the image output mode is selected, the output range setting direction by the first output range setting means can be determined so that all the image portions that should be output are included in the final output image data.
An image processing program according to the present invention is executed by a computer that processes image data that is input from an image reading apparatus and includes unnecessary portions around it. This program analyzes the generated image data to extract unnecessary parts when it is instructed to remove unnecessary parts from the image data to be output, the aspect ratio of the output image, and unnecessary part removal. And the first output range setting process that automatically sets the output range in either the vertical or horizontal direction of the image so that unnecessary portions are removed, and the vertical direction of the image. And a second output range in which the other output range in the horizontal direction is automatically set based on the output range set in the first output range setting process so that the designated aspect ratio is realized. Each step includes a setting process and a final output process for finally outputting data in the set vertical and horizontal output ranges of the input image data.
According to the present invention, the aspect ratio of the image data can be selected, and the output range is set so that an unnecessary portion is removed in one of the vertical and horizontal directions of the image. Based on one of the output ranges, the output range is set so that the selected aspect ratio is realized. As a result, it is possible to easily obtain image data having a desired aspect ratio while always using a convenient function called auto crop.

An image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
1 and 2 are sectional views of a film scanner (image reading apparatus) SC in this embodiment. In the film scanner SC, a plurality of types of adapters are prepared according to the type of the read document 1. The figure shows an example in which the document 1 is a slide mount, and the mount adapter 2 holding the slide mount 1 is set at the reading position. When the original is a strip film, another adapter is used.
In the film scanner SC of the present embodiment, reading is performed by moving the reading optical system with respect to the fixed document 1. The reading optical system includes an illumination unit 10 that illuminates the document 1, and an imaging unit 20 that captures the transmitted light of the document 1 (here, the transmitted light of the mounted film). The illumination unit 10 serves as a light source. B-LED, G-LED, and R-LED. The imaging unit 20 includes an image reading sensor (hereinafter simply referred to as a reading sensor) 21, and a mirror 22 and a projection lens 23 that constitute an optical system for guiding the transmitted light of the document to the reading sensor 21.
The illumination unit 10 and the imaging unit 20 are integrated as a mechanical block, and the mechanical block is scan-driven in the left-right direction in FIG. That is, the rotation of the stepping motor 24 rotates the lead screw 25 via the reduction gear, and the mechanical block moves while being guided by the guide bar 27 by the action of the lead screw 25 and the nut 26.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an image processing system including a film scanner SC and a host computer HC. The scanning stepping motor 24 described above is driven via a motor driver 32 in response to a command from the control circuit 31. The LEDs constituting the illumination unit 10 are driven via an LED driver 33 in response to a command from the control circuit 31, and the reading sensor 21 constituting the imaging unit 20 is driven via a timing generator 34. The photoelectric conversion output of the reading sensor 21 is amplified by an amplifier 35 and converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter 36 to generate image data in a predetermined form. The generated image data is sent to the host computer HC via the control circuit 31. Also connected to the control circuit 31 is a motor driver 38 of the focusing motor 37, a memory 39, and an interface 40 for connecting to the host computer HC. The driving force of the focusing motor 37 is transmitted to the projection lens 23 of the imaging unit 20 via the focus adjustment mechanism 41, and the focus of the projection lens 23 is adjusted.
On the other hand, the host computer HC includes a personal computer and peripheral devices, and includes a CPU 51, a memory 52, a hard disk 53, an interface 54 for connecting to the film scanner SC, a display device (monitor) 55, and a printer 56. And a CD-ROM drive 57 and the like. Image data from the scanner SC is stored in the memory 52 or the hard disk 53. A scanning program (driver software) is installed in the hard disk 53, and the CPU 51 controls the scanner SC and processes image data from the scanner SC according to the processing procedure of this program.
Among various functions supported by the scan program, the auto crop function and the output size selection function will be described with specific examples. Input relating to the auto crop function and the output size selection function is performed from an input operation unit (not shown).
When the image reading is instructed, the scanner SC first reads the image for preview, and the read preview image is displayed on the display device 55 of the host computer HC. FIG. 4A shows an example in which an image corresponding to 1 mm of a 35 mm film is read, and reference numeral 61 denotes a portion corresponding to an exposure screen of the film (hereinafter referred to as an image portion). The aspect ratio of this image portion is 1: 1.5.
Here, when the document is a slide mount as described above, a frame 62 corresponding to the mount portion is generated around the entire image portion 61. When the original is a strip film, the gap between the films and a part of the film holder also appear as a frame. These frames 62 are unnecessary portions that do not constitute the original image, and are desirably removed from the final output image as much as possible. However, since no auto-crop is currently performed, the frame 62 remains as shown in the figure.
The user can select and instruct an output size (print size) by operating an input unit (not shown) while viewing the preview image. For example, a plurality of options such as “A4 size” and “postcard size” are prepared, and by selecting one of them, the output size is instructed to the CPU 51. By selecting the output size, the aspect ratio of the output image is automatically determined, and the reading setting of the scanning program is set to the aspect ratio. In other words, the selection of the output size is, in other words, the selection of the aspect ratio. Here, it is assumed that A4 size (horizontal orientation) is selected. Since the A4 size aspect ratio is 1: 1.4 (FIG. 4B), the reading setting of the program is set to the aspect ratio 1: 1.4.
When auto-crop is specified by an input unit operation (not shown), the image data 61 and the frame 62 are discriminated by analyzing the histogram of the image data and the like so that the frame 62 is removed. A range is set. However, if range setting is performed by auto-crop in both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction as in the past, the obtained image data is the data of the entire image portion 61, and the aspect ratio is 1: 1.5. . This does not match the 1: 1.4 previously selected as the aspect ratio.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, first, an output range setting (range setting by auto crop) for removing the frame 62 is performed in one of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and one of the other ranges is set. Based on the above, the output range is set so that the selected aspect ratio is realized. Specific examples will be described below.
FIG. 5 shows an example of an output range setting when A4 is designated as the output size and auto crop is designated for the image of FIG. 4A, and a rectangular area surrounded by a broken line is the final output. It corresponds to image data (print output data). As can be seen from the figure, in the vertical direction, the output range is set so that the upper and lower portions of the frame 62 are removed by auto-crop, and the horizontal direction is 1.4 when the vertical output range is 1. The output range is set as follows. In this case, the frame 62 is completely removed both vertically and horizontally, but the left and right portions of the image portion 61 are lost. This is suitable, for example, when it is desired to print without borders on the entire surface of A4 paper.
In FIG. 5, the horizontal output range is the center of the image portion 61. However, for example, a range of 1.4 may be set from one of the left and right ends to the other end.
When formal image reading (main scan) is performed after the preview, the image data in the range set by the broken line frame is finally output and stored in the hard disk 53 or the like. This image data is used for printing.
According to the method for setting the output range as described above, the output size (aspect ratio) selected in advance can be realized while taking advantage of a convenient function called auto cropping. Print result). For example, when it is desired to print on the entire A4 sheet, there is no inconvenience that an undesired blank portion is generated. This is the same as when printing an image on a Web homepage or viewing an image on a computer other than printing.
Here, since the broken line indicating the output range is actually displayed on the screen at the time of the preview, the user can easily recognize the output range and can correct it as necessary. For example, the size and aspect ratio of the broken line frame can be freely changed using a mouse. However, when the aspect ratio is determined by selecting the output size, only the size of the broken line frame can be changed while maintaining the aspect ratio. In addition, the position can be shifted while the size of the broken line frame remains unchanged.
In FIG. 5, range setting by auto-crop is performed in the vertical direction, but FIG. 6 shows an example in which output range setting by auto-crop is performed in the horizontal direction for the image of FIG. That is, the output range is set so that the left and right portions of the frame 62 are removed in the horizontal direction, and the output range is set so that the vertical direction becomes 1 when the horizontal direction is 1.4. In this case, the image portion 61 is not missing both vertically and horizontally, but some frames 62 remain above and below. This frame portion appears as a margin at the time of printing, but this setting is desirable when it is desired to print the image portion 61 in a complete state even if a margin occurs.
In FIG. 6, the upper and lower frames 62 remain evenly. However, this may not be equal, and for example, the frame may be formed only on either the upper or lower side.
Although the two output range setting methods (FIGS. 5 and 6) have been described above, which method is suitable depends on the purpose of printing, etc., so that the specifications of the scan program can be selected by the user. It is desirable to decide. Options include, for example:
-First output form: Output so that no frame is included (FIG. 5)
Second output form: all image portions are output (FIG. 6)
Like this.
Depending on which of the first and second output forms is selected, the range setting direction (vertical direction or horizontal direction) by auto-crop changes. Even in the same output form, depending on the combination of the aspect ratio of the image portion 61 and the aspect ratio based on the output size selection, whether the range setting by auto-crop is performed for the aspect ratio changes. For example, when the first output form is selected, if the selected size is shorter in the horizontal direction with respect to the image portion 61 as shown in FIG. 5, that is, the aspect ratio of the image portion 61 is selected to be 1.5. When the size aspect ratio is 1.4, the range is set by auto-crop in the vertical direction as described above. On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the selected size is horizontally long with respect to the image portion 61, that is, when the aspect ratio of the selected size is 1.6 with respect to the aspect ratio 1.5 of the image portion 61. In the horizontal direction, range setting is performed by auto-crop. In the second output form, it is the reverse of the first output form.
Note that only one of the first and second output forms may be supported.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the film scanner that allows the user to select the two output range setting methods described above. This processing procedure is executed by a program stored in the hard disk 53 of the host computer HC.
A pre-scan is executed in step S1, and a pre-scan image is displayed on the display device 55 in step S2. In step S3, it is determined whether auto crop is instructed. When instructed, in step S4, a histogram analysis is performed on the pre-scan image, and an image frame is extracted in step S5. If it is determined in step S6 that there is no instruction for the output size, in step S7, an auto crop process for setting an output image range having an aspect ratio that does not include a frame is executed. Then, the main scan is performed in step S8, and the output image in the set range is stored in the hard disk 53 in step S9.
If it is determined in step S6 that the output size is instructed, the process proceeds to step S10. In the case of proceeding to step S10, since both the output size and auto crop are instructed, the user is made to select the type of output image. When the user selects “no frame image”, the process proceeds to step S11, and is instructed by holding the vertical dimension of the output image and adjusting the horizontal dimension of the output image, for example, as shown in FIG. Set the aspect ratio of the output image according to the output size. On the other hand, when the user selects “entire image”, the process proceeds to step S12, where, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the horizontal dimension of the output image is maintained and the vertical dimension of the output image is adjusted to indicate Set the aspect ratio of the output image according to the output size. Then, the output image in the range set by executing step S11 or step S12 is stored in the hard disk 53 by the processing of steps S8 and S9.
If it is determined in step S3 that there is no auto-crop instruction, the process waits until an output size is instructed in step S13. When the output size is designated, the aspect ratio of the output image of the designated output size is set in step S14. Then, the output image in the set range is stored in the hard disk 53 by the processes in steps S8 and S9.
The following image processing system can be realized by the CPU 51 that executes the processing of FIG. That is, this image processing system has an aspect ratio instructing unit for instructing the aspect ratio of image data to be output, an unnecessary part removal instructing unit for instructing removal of an unnecessary part, and removal of an unnecessary part instructed. , When an extraction unit that analyzes generated image data and extracts unnecessary portions, and an aspect ratio and an instruction to remove unnecessary portions are output, the output range in either the vertical or horizontal direction of the image is A first output range setting unit that automatically sets an unnecessary part to be removed, and an output set by the first output range setting unit in either the vertical or horizontal output range of the image Based on the range, the second output range setting unit that automatically sets the instructed aspect ratio to be realized, and the first and second output range setting units of the generated image data are set. Vertical and horizontal output range And a final output unit for outputting the image data finally.
In the above description, the output size is selected from “A4 size”, “postcard size”, or the like. However, for example, a method of specifying the vertical and horizontal dimensions and aspect ratio of the paper numerically may be used. Further, the frame 62 which is an unnecessary portion does not necessarily exist on all four sides of the image portion 61. Further, although the frame 62 is regarded as an unnecessary part, even a part of an image part may be regarded as an unnecessary part as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-315107.

  Auto crop and output size selection are supported by the driver software, but may be supported by the scanner firmware. That is, the scanner itself may have an auto crop function and / or an output size selection function. Further, although a film scanner has been exemplified as an image reading device (image data generating device), this may be a flat bed scanner, a copier or a facsimile.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a film scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system including a film scanner and a host computer.
FIG. 4 is a diagram comparing the aspect ratio of image data obtained by reading an image of one 35 mm film and A4 paper.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the range is set so that an unnecessary portion is not included in the final output in the combination of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the range is set so that the final output includes all image portions in the combination of FIG. 4.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a range is set so that an unnecessary part is not included in the final output in a combination different from FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing for setting an output image range by a program executed by a host computer.

Claims (8)

An image data generation device that reads an image from a document and generates image data including an unnecessary portion around an image portion to be output;
Aspect ratio indicating means for specifying the aspect ratio of the image data to be output;
Unnecessary part removal instruction means for instructing removal of the unnecessary part;
An extraction means for analyzing the generated image data and extracting the unnecessary portion when removal of the unnecessary portion is instructed;
When the aspect ratio and the instruction for removing the unnecessary portion are output, a first output range in either the vertical or horizontal direction of the image is automatically set so that the unnecessary portion is removed. Output range setting means;
The output range of either the vertical or horizontal direction of the image is automatically set based on the output range set by the first output range setting means so that the indicated aspect ratio is realized. Second output range setting means for
An image processing system comprising: final output means for finally outputting image data in the vertical and horizontal output ranges set by the first and second output range setting means among the generated image data. The image processing system according to claim 1,
The output range setting direction by the first output range setting device is determined so that the unnecessary portion is not included in the final output image data in both the vertical and horizontal directions. The image processing system according to claim 1,
The output range setting direction by the first output range setting device is determined so that the final output image data includes all of the original image portion to be output. The image processing system according to claim 1,
Two image output forms can be selected,
When one of the image output forms is selected, the output range setting direction by the first output range setting means is determined so that the unnecessary portion is not included in the output image data in both the vertical and horizontal directions. When the other image output form is selected, the output range setting direction by the first output range setting means is determined so that all the image portions that should be output are included in the final output image data. A program that is executed by a computer that processes image data that is input from the image reading apparatus and includes unnecessary portions in the surrounding area,
When it is instructed to remove the unnecessary part from the image data to be output, an extraction process for analyzing the generated image data and extracting the unnecessary part;
When the aspect ratio of the output image and the instruction for removing the unnecessary part are output, the first output range in either the vertical or horizontal direction of the image is automatically set so that the unnecessary part is removed. Output range setting process,
Based on the output range set in the first output range setting process, the other output range in the vertical and horizontal directions of the image is automatically set so as to realize the selected aspect ratio. A second output range setting process;
Each step of the final output process which finally outputs the data of the set vertical and horizontal output ranges among the input image data is provided. In the program of Claim 5,
The output range setting direction by the first output range setting process is determined so that the unnecessary portion is not included in the final output image data in both the vertical and horizontal directions. In the program of Claim 5,
The output range setting direction by the first output range setting process is determined so that all the image portions to be originally output are included in the final output image data. In the program of Claim 5,
A determination process for determining which of the two types of image output forms is instructed;
When one of the image output forms is instructed, the output range setting direction by the first output range setting process is determined so that the unnecessary portion is not included in the output image data in both the vertical and horizontal directions. When the other image output form is instructed, the output range setting direction by the first output range setting process is determined so that the entire image portion to be output is included in the final output image data.

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