JP2001157043A - Image reader/processor, digital printer using the same and image reading and processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate or suppress the occurrence of vignetting, where a picture on a film is not outputted to a print, etc., in an image reader/processor, a digital photo printer and an image reading and processing method for reading an original image photographed on the film and giving image processing to it to make output data. SOLUTION: An image, including a photographed area and a nonphotographed area in the peripheral part of this photographed area, is read from the image frame of an original image, the range of the photographed area is decided from image data obtained by reading, an image data extracting range is set, according to the range of this decided photographed area to fetch the image data in the photographed area and is subjected to image processing in the photographed area to make the output data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading / processing apparatus for reading projection light transmitted through a film on an image sensor and performing image processing, and reduces the occurrence of vignetting of an image reflected on the film. Image reading
The present invention belongs to the technical field of a processing apparatus, particularly a digital printing apparatus using the image reading / processing apparatus, and an image reading / processing method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image photographed on a photographic film (hereinafter, referred to as a film) such as a negative film or a reversal film is printed on a photosensitive material (photographic paper) by using a printing apparatus utilizing digital exposure. After reading the image recorded on the film photoelectrically and converting the read image into a digital signal, the image is subjected to various image processing to obtain recording image data (output data), and the recording is modulated according to the image data. 2. Description of the Related Art Digital photo printers have been put to practical use in which an image (latent image) is recorded by scanning and exposing a photosensitive material with light, and a (finished) print is made.

[0003] In a digital photo printer, the exposure conditions at the time of printing can be determined by image data processing using an image as digital image data, so that image skipping and blurring caused by backlight, strobe photography, and the like can be corrected, and sharpness can be reduced. Properly perform (sharpening) processing, correction of color feria and density feria, correction of underexposure and overexposure, correction of peripheral light reduction, etc. to obtain high-quality prints that could not be obtained by conventional direct exposure Can be. In addition, synthesis of a plurality of images, image division, and synthesis of characters can be performed by image data processing, and prints that have been freely edited / processed according to the intended use can be output.
In addition, according to the digital photo printer, a print can be created from an image (image data) photographed by a digital camera or the like, and the image can be printed (photograph).
In addition to outputting the image data, the image data can be supplied to a computer or the like, or can be stored in a recording medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, so that the image data is used for various purposes other than a photograph. be able to.

[0004] Such a digital photo printer basically includes a scanner (image reading device) for photoelectrically reading an image recorded on a film, and an image processing for processing the read image into image data for recording. Equipment, and
The printer comprises a printer (image recording apparatus) that scans and exposes the photosensitive material in accordance with the image data, performs development processing, and prints.

For example, when a scanner two-dimensionally reads an image recorded on a film using an area CCD sensor, the scanner irradiates light emitted from a light source onto the film and passes the light through an aperture mask. The projection light carrying the image recorded on the film is obtained, the projection light is formed on an area CCD sensor by an optical system imaging lens, and the image is read by photoelectric conversion. After the application, the image data is sent to the image processing device as image data (image data signal) of the film. The image processing apparatus sets image processing conditions from image data read in advance by a scanner, and performs image processing according to the set conditions.
It is applied to image data and sent to the printer as output data (exposure conditions) for image recording. The printer, for example, if the device uses light beam scanning exposure, modulates the light beam according to the output data sent from the image processing device,
The photosensitive material is two-dimensionally scanned and exposed (printed) to form a latent image, and then subjected to a predetermined developing process and the like, to output a print (photograph) of a reproduced image recorded on the film.

In such a digital photo printer, a film is conveyed, a photographed image recorded on the film is detected, the image frame of the photographed image is stopped at a predetermined position, and the image recorded on the film is stopped. When the projection light is read by the area CCD sensor through the aperture mask, of the images recorded on the film, the image of the edge area is not output to a print or the like, so-called vignetting does not occur, or the print output is performed. In order to prevent an unphotographed area in the image, that is, a missing image, the detection accuracy of a sensor for detecting an image recorded on the film is improved, and an image frame of the photographed image of the film is read. It is important to stop exactly at a predetermined position accurately.

On the other hand, when a scanner reads an image recorded on a film two-dimensionally using a line CCD sensor, the scanner reads a photographed image from the film while transporting the film. The transport of the film is performed based on the positional information of the photographed image detected from the pre-scan image data obtained by previously reading the entire film without distinction between the photographing area and the non-photographing area. Even in the image reading in this case, it is important to accurately take out only the photographed image from the conveyed film so as not to cause the above-mentioned vignetting and image chipping.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent No. 2625278 discloses that the edge of an image frame is accurately detected regardless of the photographing state of the image frame recorded on the photographic film, and the detected image is detected by using the detection result. An image frame positioning method for positioning a frame at a predetermined position is provided. On the other hand, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 5-142661 discloses an image frame positioning method capable of accurately positioning a predetermined image by positioning a predetermined position in the case of a defective image frame whose edge cannot be detected. Has been proposed. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-90802 discloses a method of visually performing positioning marking so that when the edge of an image frame on a film cannot be recognized, smooth positioning can be performed at all of the positioning points without undue trouble. Has been proposed to provide a photo-processing device on a film.

[0009]

However, in a digital photo printer using an area CCD sensor as a scanner, there is a limit to the accuracy of image detection even if an attempt is made to detect the edge of a photographed image, and a transport system for transporting a film. There is also a variation in speed, etc., so that the detected captured image is stopped exactly at a predetermined position, and the stop position is accurate enough to form the entire image recorded on the film on the CCD area sensor with no excess or shortage. It is very difficult to get. For this reason, when reading an image, a smaller area than the range of the photographing area, for example, 10 to 2 of the photographing area, is used so that the image missing area that has not been photographed is not printed.
Projection light carrying a 0% narrow range image must be obtained through an aperture mask and read by an area CCD sensor. However, when an image in a smaller area than the shooting area of the image recorded on the film is read and printed out by a printer or the like, the subject actually recorded in the edge area of the image as a film image is printed on the printed image. The problem of vignetting that is not easily generated is likely to occur.

In a digital photo printer using a line CCD sensor as a scanner, when an image is read from a film to be conveyed at a predetermined timing, a change in a photographing area on the film caused by a type of a photographing camera or a photographing of the same kind occurs. It is very difficult to accurately read the entire image recorded on the film without excess or deficiency due to the fluctuation of the photographing area on the film between the individual cameras. Therefore, an image within a preset range, for example, 10 to 20% narrower than the range of the image area recorded on the film so that the image missing area that is not photographed is never printed out. Data must be obtained and printed out. However, since the image recorded in the film is read and printed out in a narrower area than the photographing area of the image recorded on the film, the subject recorded in the edge area of the image as the film image is not printed on the printed image. Is easy to occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and has been made in consideration of the above-described problems, and an image reading / processing apparatus which reads an image recorded on a film and performs image processing, and particularly prints an image recorded on the film. An image reading / processing device used in a digital photo printer for outputting,
An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading / processing apparatus and an image reading / processing method capable of eliminating and suppressing the occurrence of vignetting in which an image reflected on a film is not output on a print or the like.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an image processing method which includes a photographing area and a non-photographing area around the photographing area from an image frame of an original image recorded on a film. An image reading unit that reads an image, and determines a range of a shooting area from image data obtained by reading the image reading unit, and sets an image data extraction range according to the determined range of the shooting area. A photographed image determination / extraction unit for extracting image data of a photographed area;
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading / processing apparatus comprising: an image processing unit that performs image processing on image data of a shooting area obtained by an extraction unit and outputs the data.

At this time, the image reading unit may be an area sensor that reads the photographing area and the non-photographing area two-dimensionally, or may connect the photographing area and the non-photographing area to each other while transporting the film. By reading in two dimensions, 2
It is preferable to include a line sensor that reads an image two-dimensionally, and the image reading unit of the image reading / processing device includes a screen detection sensor that detects an original image recorded on a film when reading. Is preferred. Further, when the original image is a slide image, the image reading unit includes:
It is preferable to perform reading including the non-photographing area of the slide mount.

In the case where the image reading unit performs a pre-scan of an original image for predetermining processing conditions for image processing performed by the image processing unit and a main scan for obtaining output data, It is preferable that the determination / extraction unit sets an image data extraction range from the image data read in the main scan and extracts the image data of the shooting area, or the captured image determination / extraction unit reads the image data in the pre-scan. Determining the range of the shooting area from the image data obtained, setting the image data extraction range determined according to the determined range of the shooting area, and setting the image data of the shooting area from the image data read by the main scan. Preferably, the image data is retrieved.

Further, it is preferable that the size of the image data extraction range of the captured image determination / extraction unit is changed in accordance with the determined range of the imaging region. Preferably, it is the entire range of the region. Alternatively, the image data extraction range is preferably a designated range determined according to the determined shooting area. In this case, it is preferable that the specified range is selected from a plurality of predetermined specified ranges. Also,
Preferably, the processing performed by the image processing unit includes a scaling process performed on image data so as to conform to a predetermined image size. At this time, the image processing is performed so as to conform to an aspect ratio of the predetermined image. It is preferable to further include a cutout process for cutting out image data.

The image reading / processing device is connected to at least one output device of an image reproducing device, an image data storage / hold device, and an image display device, and outputs the output data obtained by the image processing section. Preferably it is sent to the device.

Further, the present invention comprises the above image reading / processing device, and an image reproducing device for outputting a reproduced image from the output data obtained by the image processing section, wherein the image reproducing device reproduces the reproduced image. To match the size of the playback image,
A digital printing apparatus is characterized in that an image is reproduced using output data that has been subjected to at least enlargement / reduction processing by the image processing unit.

Here, the digital printer preferably includes an image data storage and holding device for storing and holding the output data subjected to the enlargement / reduction processing on a recording medium.
It is preferable to include an image display device that displays an image using the output data that has been subjected to the scaling processing.

The present invention also relates to an image reading / processing method for reading an original image recorded on a film to obtain image data, subjecting the image data to image processing, and obtaining output data. From the image frame, the image is read including the shooting area and the non-shooting area around the shooting area, the range of the shooting area is determined from the image data obtained by reading, and the range of the determined shooting area is determined. An image data extraction range is set in accordance with, an image data of the photographing area is extracted, and image processing is performed on the extracted image data of the photographing area to obtain output data. Provide a way.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image reading / processing apparatus, a digital printing apparatus and an image reading / processing method using the same according to the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a digital photo printer 10 which is an example of a digital printing apparatus of the present invention using an example of the image reading / processing apparatus of the present invention.
The digital photo printer 10 obtains digital image data from a scanner unit 12 that is an image reading device that photoelectrically reads an original image recorded on a film, and obtains digital image data from an image signal read by the scanner unit 12. The photographing area is detected for each image frame to determine the photographing area. Based on the result of the detection and determination, the image data of the photographing area is extracted for each image frame, and various image processing is performed on the image data. A signal processing / image processing unit 14 to be performed;
An image reading / processing device 15 including a printer, a printer 16 that performs image exposure on a photosensitive material based on the image-processed data, performs a developing process, and outputs a print carrying a reproduced image, and displays an image using the image-processed data. Monitor 18,
Hard disk (HD) or MO (magneto-optical recording medium) or magnetic tape or floppy disk (FD) for storing image processing conditions, exposure conditions, processing conditions for photosensitive materials, etc.
, An external storage device 20 including a magnetic recording medium such as a hard disk drive, an HD, an MO, a magnetic tape, an FD or a smart media for recording and holding image data subjected to scaling processing by the signal processing / image processing unit 14. An image data storage device 21 composed of a magnetic recording medium and its driver, and an operation system 22 such as a keyboard 22a and a mouse 22b for inputting information such as selection of various processing and processing conditions and correction. Have.

In this embodiment, a printer 16 as an image reproducing device, a monitor 18 as an image display device, and an image data storage device 21 as image data storage and holding means are provided as output devices. It is not necessary to provide all of these output devices in the image reading / processing device described above, and any one of the output devices may be provided. The printer 16 exemplifies a printer that exposes a photosensitive material to record a latent image and then performs a development process to output a print. However, the printer 16 ejects ink droplets on recording paper to perform a print output. Any known printer such as an ink jet printer may be used.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the scanner section 12. The scanner unit 12 shown in FIG. 2 is a long negative film or a reversal film, and is a strip formed by photographing a large number of images, or a slide having a single reversal film fixed to a frame (mount). This is a device for photoelectrically reading images taken on these film originals by using films of different types and sizes as film originals.
3, light source unit 24, carrier base 26, image forming unit 28 with a built-in zoom lens, area C as area sensor
It has carriers such as a film carrier 32 and a slide carrier that are interchangeably mounted on the CD sensor 30 and the carrier base 26. Hereinafter, the film carrier 32 corresponding to a long negative film or a reversal film will be mainly described.

In the scanner section 12, a film F is conveyed by a film carrier 32 mounted on a carrier base 26 in a direction indicated by an arrow x in FIG.
To irradiate the light from the light source unit 24 to the image photographed on the film F to obtain projection light carrying the image photographed on the film F.
By forming an image on the CD sensor 30 and performing photoelectric conversion in the area CCD sensor 30 to obtain an image signal, an image photographed on a film original is read two-dimensionally as an image signal.

The light source section 24 is uniformly diffused for irradiating the image on the film F so that the area CCD sensor 30 separates the image of the film original into three primary colors of R, G and B so that the image can be read with high accuracy. It produces each color light having a sufficient light quantity, and irradiates the film F from below in the scanner section 12 in the illustrated example to obtain projection light,
It is located below the carrier base 26 of the optical frame 13,
Light source 35, reflector 35a, aperture 36, color filter 3
8 and a diffusion box 40. Light source 2
In addition, a cooling fan or the like for cooling various members such as the light source 35 is disposed in the shutter 4, and a shutter for blocking light emitted from the light source 35 may be provided as necessary. Good. As the light source 35, various known light sources that can emit a sufficient amount of projection light for image reading by the area CCD sensor 30 can be used, and examples thereof include a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, a mercury lamp, and an LED.

The stop 36 adjusts the amount of light from the light source 35. In the illustrated example, a logarithmic curve is drawn in the light-shielded portion, and two NDs having different amounts of light passing in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis L are shown. The amount of light from the light source 35 to the film is adjusted by using a filter so as to approach and separate from each other in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis L. The color filter 38 is formed by adding an R
A filter which has three color filters of a (red) filter, a G (green) filter and a B (blue) filter, and which acts on the optical axis L by rotating the central axis thereof by a rotating means (not shown) when reading an image. And an R filter, a G filter, and a B filter are sequentially inserted into the optical path L, and an image captured on a film original is separated into three primary colors of R, G, and B and read. The diffusion box 40 diffuses the light emitted from the light source 35, the light amount of which is adjusted by the diaphragm 36 and passed through the color filter, so that the light amount or the like of the light incident on the film is orthogonal to the film surface, that is, the optical axis L. In order to make the surface even and uniform, the illustrated example has a configuration in which a diffusion plate is arranged on the upper and lower surfaces of a square prism whose inner surface is a mirror surface. Are available.

Above the light source 24, the carrier base 2
6 are arranged. The carrier base 26 includes the guide rail 4
The film carrier 32 and the like are placed and held at predetermined positions by grooves 44, 44 fitted with the grooves 2, 42, and are fixed vertically to the optical frame 13.
An opening (not shown) for allowing light from the light source unit 24 to pass through a portion corresponding to the optical axis L in the carrier base 26.
Are formed. This opening is provided in the scanner section 12.
The light from the light source unit 24 in the area CCD sensor 30
The size is set according to the maximum screen size so that the entire surface of the maximum image surface size (size) of the film original readable by and the peripheral portion thereof can be sufficiently irradiated.

The film carrier 32 conveys a long film F, a reversal film, or the like on which a large number of images have been taken in the longitudinal direction, and places each of the taken images at a predetermined position on the optical axis L, ie, not shown. Carrier base 2
6 are sequentially conveyed to a reading position Z corresponding to the opening 6, and provided for reading. In the example of FIG. 2, an example of image reading of the film F is shown. A guide groove 46 is formed on the upper surface of the film carrier 32 so as to extend from one end to the other at a position intersecting with the optical axis L in the transport direction indicated by the arrow x, and the film F is inserted into the guide groove 46. In this state, the image is conveyed with the longitudinal direction coinciding with the x direction, and each image is sequentially conveyed to the reading position Z on the optical axis L.

Further, at the reading position Z of the film carrier 32, an opening through which light from the light source 24 passes is formed. The opening functions as a mask that determines the size of the image of the film original read by the area CCD sensor 30 in the input device 12, and the shape and size (size) of the opening, that is, the size of the opening area of the mask, is A mask having an opening size larger than the screen size is provided so as to eliminate vignetting of the image in accordance with the screen size (size) of the film original placed on the film carrier 32, for example, a 135-size film F. Therefore, the light is emitted from the light source unit 24,
The light defined by the mask can sufficiently irradiate the entire screen size of the original image that can be read by the scanner unit 12, and not only the photographing area but also the non-photographing area around the photographing area, that is, the non-photographing area on the film Reading can be performed photoelectrically by an area CCD sensor 30, which will be described later, including the region.

However, if the opening size of the mask is too large compared to the screen size, the area CCD sensor
Since there is less image information in the shooting area when reading at 0,
The opening size of the mask is a certain size slightly larger than the screen size photographed on the film F. Such an opening does not include the perforated portion of the film F even if the opening size is large. Also,
The opening formed in the film carrier 32 may be configured to be mountable on the film carrier 32 by exchanging masks corresponding to films of various sizes. Further, in the case of performing image reading of a slide in which one reversal film is fixed to a frame (mount) instead of a film F such as a long negative film or a reversal film, a photographing region and a peripheral portion of the photographing region are read. The photoelectrically reading is performed including the non-photographing area of the film and the slide mount section. In this case, the image of the slide may be conveyed to the reading position by hand or by detecting the edge of the mount, and the image may be read without using the screen detection sensor 52 described later.

In the guide groove 46, the transport device 4 for the film F
8, a film pressing unit 50 and a screen detection sensor 52 for detecting an image frame photographed on the film F are arranged. On the other hand, an LED light emitting element (not shown) is arranged on the side of the film F opposite to the side on which the screen detecting sensor 52 is arranged, and light emitted from the LED light emitting element transmits through the film F, and the screen detecting sensor 52 And detects a screen from the amount of transmitted light. Transport device 4
Numeral 8 is composed of a motor 48a and a conveying roller 48b, which intermittently conveys the film F in the direction of the arrow x. An image frame of the film F is detected by a screen detection sensor 52 for detecting a photographed image or a DX code. Stops when it detects that it has arrived at the reading position Z, the control unit 14 described later.
When the reading completion signal is received from c, the transport of the film F is started again, and the next image is transported to the reading position Z. The film pressure bonding unit 50 rotates the pressure bonding member 50b, which has an opening through which the projection light of the film F passes, around the rotation axis 50a in the direction of the arrow b, and is disposed at the reading position Z when reading an image. By pressing the film F against the guide groove 46, the curl or the like of the film F is corrected, and the entire surface of the image is held at a predetermined position in the optical axis L direction, that is, a document setting position.

On top of the optical frame 13, a film F
Is formed on the area CCD sensor 30. The imaging unit 28 has a lens unit 62 and a focus adjustment motor 64 that are vertically mounted on a surface plate 60 fixed to the optical frame 13. The lens unit 62 changes the optical magnification according to the size of the film F, adjusts the size of the projection light to the maximum size that can be received by the area CCD sensor 30, and
A zoom lens group 66 in which a known zoom lens is incorporated for forming an image at 0, and a focus of projection light located above (a downstream side in the optical axis L direction) the area CCD sensor 3
And a focus lens group 68 in which a well-known focus adjustment lens for adjustment is provided on the light receiving surface of the zero.

The adjustment gear 68a of the focus lens group 68 meshes with a gear 64a rotated by a focus adjustment motor 64. The focus of the focus lens group 68 is adjusted by the focus adjustment motor 64, that is, the focus position. The movement is adjusted. Further, the zoom lens group 66
Is adjusted in the direction of the optical axis L by a zoom motor (not shown) so that the size of the image formed on the area CCD sensor 30 according to the optical magnification is adjusted. Focus adjustment motor 64
Is controlled by the control unit 14c, and the scanner unit 12 in the illustrated example uses the TTL (Through The Lens) method to automatically focus (automatically adjust) using the image read by the area CCD sensor 30 and the contrast thereof. Focus: AF) is performed.

The projection light of the film F is transmitted to the lens unit 6
An image is formed on the area CCD sensor 30 by 2 and is read photoelectrically. Note that the lens unit 62 and the area C
A well-known shutter used for dark current correction or the like may be arranged between the CD sensor 30 and the shutter. In the scanner unit 12 that performs two-dimensional image reading, the area CCD sensor 30 is an area sensor, for example, 1380 ×
It is a 920 pixel CCD sensor. In the illustrated example, the area CCD sensor 30 may be configured to be movable in the x and y directions by an amount corresponding to a half pixel, and the number of read pixels may be apparently increased up to four times. Scanner unit 12
In the image reading (scanning) performed in (1), image reading (pre-scanning) is performed at a low resolution in order to determine image processing conditions and the like prior to image reading (main scanning) for outputting a print. The pre-scan image data obtained by the pre-scan and the main scan image data obtained by the main scan are basically the same data except that the resolution (pixel density) and the signal level are different. The analog image signal read by the area CCD sensor 30 is amplified using an amplifier (not shown),
It is sent to the image processing unit 14. The scanner unit 12 is basically configured as described above.

As shown in FIG. 3, the signal processing / image processing section 14 receives an image signal from the scanner section 12, performs predetermined signal processing, and converts image data such as pre-scan image data and main scan image data. A signal processing unit 14a to obtain;
An image processing unit 14b that performs required or desired image processing on the obtained image data to produce output data;
A control unit 14c for performing overall control. Control unit 14
c denotes not only control of the signal processing operation of the signal processing unit 14a but also control of each unit of the scanner unit 12, for example, the light source 35 of the light source unit 24, the stop (iris stop) 36, and the color filter 38.
Control of light intensity, aperture, type of color filter, etc.
And a CPU that performs overall control, reading optical magnification information,
Memory for storing image sensor information, carrier information, output pixel density, print size for determining the image size and aspect ratio of a printed image, and automatic focus adjustment for performing automatic focus adjustment using an image read by the area CCD sensor 30 Means, negative / positive conversion means, and the like.

The signal processing section 14a receives an image signal from the area CCD sensor 30, performs predetermined signal processing, and obtains image data such as pre-scan image data and main scan image data, and a processing section 14d. From the image data obtained in the above, a captured image is detected for each image frame,
A photographed image determination / extraction unit 14 for determining a photographed area and extracting image data of a photographed image based on the detection and determination results
e, a pre-scan memory 14 for storing the image data obtained by the processing unit 14d as pre-scan image data
f, and a main scan memory 14g that stores the image data obtained by the photographed image determination / extraction unit 14e as main scan image data. Processing unit 14d
A / D-converts an analog image signal read by the area CCD sensor 30 to obtain digital image data.
DC offset correction is performed, and then dark correction is performed.
Thereafter, the image data is LOG-converted, subjected to shading correction, and converted into image data. Then, the pre-scan image data is sent to the pre-scan memory 14f, and the main scan image data is sent to the photographed image determination / extraction unit 14e. It is.

The processing unit 14d controls the focus adjustment motor 64 from the image data corrected at the time of dark to move the lens unit 62 to each point at a predetermined interval in a predetermined search area,
Obtaining dark-time corrected image data at each point and repeatedly obtaining an image contrast integrated value are repeated to determine a position where the maximum value is obtained as a focus position (focus position). , The motor 64 is controlled to set the lens unit 62.

The photographed image judging / extracting section 14e includes the processing section 1
From the main scan image data processed in 4d, a photographed image is detected to determine the range of the photographing region, and image data of the photographing region is taken out based on the result of the determination, ie, according to the determined range of the photographing region. This is a part for extracting the image data of the shooting area by defining the image data extraction range. Here, the image data extraction range extracted as the image data of the imaging region is the entire range of the determined imaging region. The main scan image data input and processed by the processing unit 14d is image data including not only the photographing area of the image frame of the film F but also the non-photographing area on the film F around the photographing area. When the image data is output to the printer 16 via the image processing unit 14b, the image data in the non-imaging area is removed because the non-imaging area is not printed out.

The method of detecting the photographed image and determining the photographing area is based on the fact that the amount of transmitted light transmitted through the film F is largely different between the photographing area of the film F and the base portion of the non-photographing area. For example, in the case of a negative film, the amount of transmitted light is small in the photographing area of the film F, and the amount of transmitted light is large in the base portion of the non-photographing area.
By comparing the difference in transmission density value corresponding to the value of the image data with a predetermined transmission density difference, detecting the position of the edge of the captured image, which is the boundary between the imaging region and the non-imaging region, in read pixel units Done. The edge of the captured image is detected in a rectangular shape corresponding to the shape of the image of the film F, and an area surrounded by the detected edge is determined to be an imaging area. Extracted as image data. Therefore, the taken-out image data changes according to the determined range of the photographing area,
The size of the image processed by the main scan image processing unit 14i described later changes. Thereafter, the extracted image data is thinned out to obtain the number of pixels of the pre-scan image data, image processing is performed by a pre-scan image processing unit 14h described later, and the image of the photographing area is output through the data conversion unit 14k. It is displayed on the monitor 18. The photographing area is confirmed by the operator while watching the display screen of the monitor 18 for each image frame.

It should be noted that the method for distinguishing the photographing area from the non-photographing area is not limited to the above method, but may be based on other known examples. In addition, shooting conditions,
For example, it is difficult to detect the boundary between the photographing area and the non-photographing area from the difference in transmission density due to underexposure or overexposure, or when an erroneously detected edge is detected. An image including a shooting area is displayed on the monitor 18, and an operator inputs an edge of the shot image using the operation system 22 while watching the image displayed on the monitor 18, thereby assisting the determination of the shooting area. It is good to The extracted main scan image data is stored in the main scan memory 14g.

The image processing section 14b is a pre-scan image processing section 1 for performing image correction processing on pre-scan image data.
4h, a main scan image processing unit 14i for performing image correction processing on the main scan image data, a condition setting unit 14j for setting processing conditions for these image processing, and a monitor 18 at an output destination, Data conversion units 14k and 14l for converting image data suitable for the printer 16 are provided. The prescan image processing unit 14h performs color balance adjustment, contrast correction (gradation processing), brightness correction, dodging processing (compression / expansion of density dynamic range), saturation correction, and sharpness on the prescan image data. (Sharpening) processing and the like are performed. These are the operations, L
This is performed by a known method that appropriately combines processing by a UT (lookup table), matrix (MTX) calculation, processing by a filter, and the like. Color balance adjustment, brightness correction, and contrast correction are performed by an LUT. Saturation correction is performed by MTX. Further, other sharpness processing, dodging processing, correction of distortion and chromatic aberration of magnification caused by the photographing lens, and the like are performed in response to an instruction from an operator or the like. Further, the image data is subjected to enlargement / reduction processing and cutout processing so as to be adapted to the size of the reproduced image reproduced by the image reproducing apparatus such as the monitor 18.

The main scan image processing section 14i applies the same image correction to the main scan image data as the image correction applied to the prescan image data under the image processing conditions permitted by the operator's test in the prescan image data. Correction processing is performed. Further, the image data is subjected to enlargement / reduction processing and cutout processing so as to be adapted to the size of the reproduced image reproduced by the image reproducing apparatus such as the printer 16.

In the enlarging / reducing process, the pixel size of the image cut out by the photographed image judging / extracting unit 14e is defined as an input pixel area long side Hi and an input pixel area short side Vi, and a predetermined number of input pixel defective pixels is calculated. The corrected input pixel area long side Hi and the corrected input pixel area short side Vi obtained by subtracting E _k0 are obtained. On the other hand, the output pixel size obtained by multiplying the print size to be output to the printer 16 by the pixel density of the printer is defined as the output pixel area length. The corrected output pixel region long side Ho and the corrected input pixel region short side Vo are obtained by adding the predetermined number of output pixel defective pixels E _k1 to the corrected output pixel region long side Ho. Of the enlargement / reduction ratio obtained by dividing the corrected input pixel region short side Vo by the corrected input pixel region short side Vi obtained above, the larger one is obtained. Give the scaling ratio M by selecting the value, the scaling processing is performed using this. For this reason, the image of the extremely small area at the end of the short side or the long side for which the small enlargement / reduction ratio for which the selection is not made is calculated is out of the image size of the print output. Therefore, as image processing,
A cutout process is performed to cut out an image of an extremely small area that protrudes from the print image at the end of the short side or the long side and cuts out only necessary image data. As a result, it is possible to obtain the largest image in the photographing area that matches the aspect ratio of the image size of the print output.

Conventionally, the opening size of the mask provided in the carrier 32 is set to, for example, 10% in consideration of the safety factor in comparison with the size of the image photographed on the film F so that the non-photographed area is never printed out. ~ 20%
Although it was necessary to set the width as small as possible, there was a problem that such a setting easily caused a portion that was not printed out despite being reflected on the film F.
As in the present embodiment, the aperture size of the mask is increased, and the area CCD sensor 30 reads the area of the image photographed on the film F as well as the outer non-imaging area covering this area to determine and extract the photographed image. The unit 14e extracts only the image data of the photographing area and performs image processing on the image data so that the entire photographing area shown on the film F or the maximum of the photographing area that matches the aspect ratio of the image to be printed is output. Can always be printed out. As described above, since the image data of the photographing area in the photographed image judging / extracting unit 14e is extracted for each image frame, the range of the imaging area extracted from the image data changes for each image frame. , The enlargement / reduction ratio M is also calculated for each image frame, and the value of the enlargement / reduction ratio M also changes for each image frame.

The condition setting section 14j sets image processing conditions in the pre-scan image processing section 14h and the main scan image processing section 14i using the pre-scan image data, and further inputs the image processing conditions through the operation system 22 by the operator. To determine the parameters of the image processing conditions. Specifically, from the pre-scan image data, a density histogram is created, and the average density, L
ATD (large area transmission density), highlight (minimum density),
Calculation of image features such as shadow (highest density)
In addition, in accordance with an operator's instruction using the operation system 22 that is performed as necessary, a table (LUT) for gray balance adjustment, brightness correction, and contrast correction, and a matrix operation for performing saturation correction are generated. Is determined. The brightness, color, contrast, sharpness, saturation, and the like set by the keyboard 18a calculate an adjustment amount of an image processing condition (for example, an LUT correction amount, etc.) in accordance with various input instructions. , As parameters, and reset the image processing conditions. The operation system 22 has a keyboard 22a and a mouse 22b,
Information such as input, selected, added or corrected print size, reading conditions such as optical magnification, color and / or density correction, dodging correction, gradation correction, and other processing conditions are input from the keyboard 22a and the mouse 22b. The carrier ID code for identifying the film carrier 32 or the like is C
The data is input to the control unit 14c via the PU bus. The signal processing / image processing unit 14 is basically configured as described above.

The signal processing / image processing section 14 in this embodiment sends the main scan image data to the photographed image judging / extracting section 14e, judges the range of the photographing area, and extracts the image data of the photographing area. However, the pre-scan image data is sent to the photographed image determination / extraction unit 14e, the range of the photographing area is determined in the pre-scan image data, and then the pre-scan image data is read from the main scan image data read by the main scan. In, a configuration may be adopted in which image data in the range of the determined photographing region is extracted. In this case, since the pre-scan image data is read at a low resolution, the monitor 1
When the image is displayed on the image 8, it is not necessary to thin out the image data, and the processing time is shortened. Further, in the present embodiment, in order to determine the image processing conditions and the like, the pre-scan is performed to determine the image processing conditions, and then the main scan is performed. However, a press for determining the image processing conditions is used. Performs one scan of the main scan image without scanning
From the main scan image data or from the image data of which the number of pixels has been reduced by thinning out from the main scan image data, the image processing conditions are determined and the range of the photographing area is determined. The image data of the shooting area may be taken out and the image processing may be performed according to the determined image processing conditions.

The printer 16 exposes the photosensitive material (printing paper) in accordance with the main scan image data to record a latent image, and performs a developing process in accordance with the photosensitive material to obtain a print of a set (finished) size. Output. For example,
After cutting the photosensitive material into a predetermined length corresponding to the print, recording of the back print, red (R) exposure, green (G) exposure, and blue (B) exposure according to the spectral sensitivity characteristics of the photosensitive material (photographic paper) Image data (recorded image)
Along with the modulation according to, the recording medium is deflected in the main scanning direction, and performs recording of a latent image by transporting the photosensitive material in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction.
After performing predetermined wet development processing such as color development, bleach-fixing, and washing with water, and drying and printing, the paper is sorted and accumulated.

The digital photo printer 10 is basically configured as described above. Next, the image reading / processing method of the present invention will be described based on the digital photo printer 10.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the power is turned on to the digital photo printer 10, and the control unit 14c automatically acquires information on the carrier and the photosensitive material. Here, the operator checks the carrier information and the photosensitive material information displayed on the screen of the monitor 18 visually, and replaces the carrier and the magazine as necessary. Further, the print size and the like are input by the operator, and the initial setting is performed (step 100).

Next, after confirming that the digital photo printer 10 is in a predetermined rising state, such as the amount of light from the light source unit 24 of the scanner unit 12, the operator loads the film F into the film carrier 28. After the loading, the film carrier 28 transports the first frame image of the film F by the transport device 48, detects the image by the screen detection sensor 52, and sets the captured first image at the reading position Z. Transport. Here, when an instruction to start reading is issued, the scanner unit 12 first starts pre-scanning (step 102). When the pre-scan is started, the light source unit 24 has inserted the light into the optical path L.
For example, light modulated by the G filter of the color filter 38 passes through the film to obtain projection light, and the lens unit 6
2, an image is formed as a projected image of the film F so as to substantially coincide with the effective pixel area of the area CCD sensor 30,
After the G original image is read, amplified by an amplifier (not shown), and subjected to predetermined signal processing by the signal processing unit 14a,
It is stored in the pre-scan memory 14f. Next, in the same manner, for example, a B image and subsequently an R image are read,
The data is sequentially stored in the prescan memory 14f, and the prescan ends.

Thereafter, the pre-scan image data is read from the pre-scan memory 14f by the image processing section 14b, and predetermined image processing is performed by the pre-scan image processing section 14h (step 104). Thereafter, the data is sent to the data converter 14k, converted into image data suitable for the monitor 18, and displayed on the monitor 18 (step 1).
06). The operator looks at the display image displayed on the monitor 18, determines whether the image processing conditions are appropriate, and performs a test (step 108). If the image processing conditions are inappropriate, the image processing conditions are adjusted (step 110). In this case, the operation system 22 inputs an image processing condition to be adjusted and adjusts a set value of the image processing condition. If the image processing conditions are appropriate, the operation system 22 instructs to determine the image processing conditions, and the image processing conditions are stored in the external storage device 20.
And the like (step 112). At the time of the pre-scan, the automatic focus adjustment of the lens unit 62 is performed by the automatic focus adjustment means using the pre-scan image processed by the signal processing unit 14a.

Thereafter, the main scan is started (step 114). In the main scan, projection light including not only the image area of the image frame but also the image of the non-image area surrounding the image area is obtained, and the G image, the B image, and the R image of the film original are sequentially read by the projection light. The signal is sent to the processing unit 14d of the signal processing unit 14a. The image signals of the G image, the B image, and the R image are subjected to signal processing in the processing unit 14d, and are used as main scan image data. This main scan image data is
The image data is sent to the photographed image determination / extraction unit 14e, the edge of the photographed image is detected (step 116), and the photographing area is determined (step 118). Based on this determination result, an image data extraction range is set, and only the image data of the shooting area is extracted (step 120), and the image data of this shooting area is stored in the main scan memory 14g. Subsequently, in the image processing unit 14b, the main scan memory 14
g, the main scan image processing section 14i calls the image processing conditions stored in step 112, and performs image processing such as image correction (step 122). For example, color balance adjustment, contrast correction (gradation processing), brightness correction, dodging processing (compression / expansion of density dynamic range), saturation correction, sharpness (sharpening) processing, and the like are performed. Enlargement / reduction processing by electronic scaling according to the image size of
The clipping process is performed so as to match the aspect ratio of the print image. Further, the negative / positive reversal is performed by the negative / positive conversion means to obtain output data.
l. In the data conversion unit 141, the printer 16
Is output to the printer 16 (step 124).

On the other hand, in the printer 16, after the photosensitive material is cut into a predetermined length corresponding to the print, the recording of the back print, the red (R) exposure, and the green exposure according to the spectral sensitivity characteristics of the photosensitive material (photographic paper) are performed. The three types of light beams of (G) exposure and blue (B) exposure are modulated according to image data,
Deflected in the main scanning direction, recording a latent image by transporting the photosensitive material in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, etc.,
The photosensitive material on which the latent image has been recorded is subjected to predetermined wet development processing such as color development, bleach-fixing, and washing with water, dried, printed, sorted, and accumulated. Step 10 like this
The flow from 2 to 124 is performed for each image frame to be printed out. When there are a plurality of photographed images on the film F and a plurality of photographed images are to be printed out, the next image frame is conveyed to the reading position Z and set, and in accordance with the above flow, image reading and image data extraction of the photographing area are performed. , Image processing is performed. In this way, the process is performed until all the images are printed out (step 126).

The image data subjected to the image processing in step 122 is sent as output data to the data converter 14k, and an image subjected to image processing such as enlargement processing and clipping processing is displayed on the monitor 18. . The image data that has been subjected to the above-described enlargement / reduction processing and cutout processing is output as output data in response to an instruction from an operator, for example, a magnetic recording medium such as an HD, MO, magnetic tape, FD, or smart media that is recorded and held as a recording medium. Image data storage device 2 comprising a recording medium and its driver
1 is output. In the above embodiment, the pre-scan image processing unit 14h performs various image processing on the pre-scan image data. However, the pre-scan image processing unit 14h does not perform the image processing, and the main scan image processing unit 14i, the above image processing is performed, and the printer 1
6 may be output.

In the above embodiment, the scanner unit 12 uses an area CCD sensor for two-dimensional image reading. In the present invention, the image on the film F to be conveyed is read using a line CCD sensor. An image reading / processing apparatus that performs two-dimensional image reading by reading, and a digital printer using the same may be used. An example of such a digital print is a digital photo printer 100 shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 shows a digital photo printer 100.
Is shown in FIG. The digital photo printer 100 converts the original image recorded on the film into a line CCD.
A scanner unit 104, which is an image reading device that photoelectrically reads using the sensor 102, and digital image data are obtained from image signals read by the scanner unit 104, and a captured image for each image frame is obtained from the image data. Detecting and judging the photographing area, extracting the image data of the photographing area for each image frame based on the detection and judgment results, and performing signal reading / image processing unit 110 for performing various image processing. The processing device 108 and the above-described printer 1
6, a monitor 18, an external storage device 20, an image data storage device 21, and an operation system 22. The components having the same functions and configurations as those of the components of the digital photo printer 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The scanner unit 104 is a device that photoelectrically reads an image photographed on a film F or the like, and includes a light source 35, an aperture 36, a diffusion box 40, and a lens unit 62.
And a line CCD sensor 102 which is a photo sensor for reading an image, an amplifier (amplifier) 106, and a dedicated carrier 109 which can be mounted on the main body of the scanner unit 104.

The carrier 109 is, for example, one of 24 sheets.
It has various dedicated carriers for long films, such as 35-size films, cartridges of the new photo system APS, and films with lenses, and carriers for reading slides. FIG. 6 shows an example of the carrier 109.
Is schematically shown, while holding the film F at a predetermined reading position, and conveying the film F in the longitudinal direction of the film F, and a pair of conveying rollers 114a and 114b arranged in the conveying direction with the reading position interposed therebetween. And line CCD
A mask 112 having a slit 112a for restricting the projection light of the film F into a slit so as to coincide with the arrangement direction of the reading sensor unit of the sensor 102, and a screen detection sensor 52 are provided.

The line CCD sensor 102 has a line CCD sensor for reading an R image, a line CCD sensor for reading a G image, and a line CCD sensor for reading a B image. , The line sensor for the G image and the line sensor for the B image in the order (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the transport direction of the film F (sub-scanning direction). Film F
Is separated into three primary colors of R, G and B by the line CCD sensor 102 and read photoelectrically.

Image reading by the scanner unit 104 is performed at a low resolution prior to image reading (main scan) for outputting a print, similarly to the above-described digital photo printer 10 in which the area CCD sensor 30 reads an image. The pre-scan is performed for reading, the image processing conditions are set, and after the operator performs verification on the monitor 18 to confirm, the main scan for reading the image with high resolution is performed. Will be

In the pre-scan, the light is emitted from the light source 35, the light amount is
The light made uniform through 0 enters the film F held and conveyed at a predetermined reading position by the carrier 109, and is transmitted to obtain projection light carrying an image captured on the film F. After the projection light is slit by the slit 112a, an image is formed on the light receiving surface of the line CCD sensor 102 by the lens unit 62 and read photoelectrically by the line CCD sensor 102. The image signal is amplified by the amplifier 106. And
The signal is sent to the signal processing / image processing unit 110. This series of operations is not performed for each image frame, but reads one film F continuously at a constant speed without discrimination between a photographing area and a non-photographing area.

On the other hand, in the main scan, similarly to the pre-scan, the light emitted from the light source 35, the light amount of which is adjusted by the stop 36 and made uniform through the diffusion box 40 is held at a predetermined reading position by the carrier 109 and conveyed. When the light enters the transmitted film F and is transmitted therethrough, projection light carrying an image photographed on the film F is obtained. This projection light is imaged on the light receiving surface of the line CCD sensor 102 by the lens unit 62, and is photoelectrically read by the line CCD sensor 102 to generate an image signal. Then, this image signal is output to the amplifier 1
The signal is amplified at 06 and sent to the signal processing / image processing unit 110. This series of operations is different from the pre-scan
The center position information of the photographed image is obtained from the position information of the edge of the photographed image obtained at the time of the prescan, the position of each photographed image is obtained based on this center position information, and the image is read for each image frame. Will be

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the signal processing / image processing section 110. The signal processing / image processing unit 110 performs predetermined image processing on the main scan image data obtained by the scanner unit 104 and outputs output data to the printer 16, and as shown in FIG. And a signal processing unit 110a that receives predetermined image signals and performs predetermined signal processing to obtain image data such as pre-scan image data and main scan image data, and performs required or desired image processing on the obtained image data. It has an image processing unit 110b for outputting, and a control unit 110c for controlling each unit and the whole of the scanner unit 104 and the entire digital photo printer 100.

The control unit 110c includes a CPU for controlling not only the signal processing operation of the signal processing unit 110a but also each unit and the whole of the scanner unit 101;
Automatic focus adjustment is performed using a memory that stores image sensor information, carrier information, output pixel density, a print size that determines the image size and aspect ratio of a print image, and an obtained image read by the line CCD sensor 102. It is configured to include an automatic focus adjustment unit, a negative / positive conversion unit, and the like.

The signal processing section 110a receives an image signal from the line CCD sensor 102, performs predetermined signal processing to obtain pre-scan image data or main scan image data, and a press for storing pre-scan image data. It includes a main memory 110f, a main scan memory 110g for storing main scan image data, and a photographed image determination / extraction unit 110e. Processing unit 110
In d, A / D conversion is performed on an analog image signal read by the line CCD sensor 102 to obtain digital image data, DC offset correction is performed, and then darkness correction is performed. Thereafter, the image data is LOG-converted, shading correction is performed, and pre-scan image data or main scan image data is obtained.
To the main scan memory 110g.

The photographed image determining section / extracting section 110e calls the prescanned image data stored in the prescan memory 110f, detects the edge of the photographed image for each image frame, determines the photographed area, and determines the photographed area. Is a part for obtaining the position information of at least three end points of the rectangular shape, obtaining the center position information of the shot image obtained from the position information, setting the image data extraction range, and extracting the image data of the shooting area. That is, the pre-scan image data is
In the scanner unit 104, the entire film F is read without distinction between the photographing region and the non-photographing region of the image of the plurality of image frames, so that the image data including the photographing region and the non-photographing region of the plurality of image frames is obtained. From this image data, using the same method as the determination method in the captured image determination / extraction unit 14, for each image frame, the edge of the captured image is detected to determine the range of the captured area, and the range of the captured area is determined. Image data for obtaining the position information of at least three end points of the rectangular shape for each image, obtaining the center position information of the photographed image based on the position information of each image, and extracting the image data of the photographing region. An extraction range is set, and image data of the photographing area is extracted based on the extraction range. here,
The set image data extraction range is the entire range of the determined imaging region.

Conventionally, image data to be taken out is image data of a predetermined range centered on the center position of the photographed image so as to prevent image missing, and this predetermined range is compared with the photographing area of the photographed image in advance. Was set narrow. That is, the size of the image data to be taken out was always constant regardless of each image frame. On the other hand, in the present invention, the image data extraction range is the entire range of the imaging region, and the size of the image data extraction range changes according to the range of the imaging region. Therefore, a change in the size of the shooting area of an image frame on the film F caused by the type of camera used for shooting, or an image frame on the film F caused by a slight change in the optical system even with the same type of camera. If there is a change in the size of the shooting area, the size of the image data to be taken out changes according to the image frame.

It is to be noted that a case where it is difficult to detect a boundary between a photographing region and a non-photographing region from a difference in transmission density due to photographing conditions, for example, underexposure or overexposure, or a case where a clearly wrong edge is detected. In consideration of this, the image data including the photographing area and the non-photographing area is displayed on the monitor 18, and the operator inputs the edge of the photographed image using the operation system 22 while viewing the image displayed on the monitor 18. Alternatively, a configuration for assisting the determination of the shooting area may be adopted.

The image processing unit 110b performs image processing on the prescanned image data.
h, a main scan image processing unit 110i for performing image processing on the main scan image data, a condition setting unit 110j for setting processing conditions for these image processing, and a monitor 18 or a printer 16 as an output destination for the obtained image data. Data conversion units 110k and 110l for converting the image data into the image data conforming to. The pre-scan image processing unit 110h has the same configuration as the pre-scan image processing unit 14h, and performs color balance adjustment, contrast correction (gradation processing), brightness correction, dodging processing (pre-processing) on pre-scan image data. It performs density dynamic range compression / expansion, saturation correction, sharpness (sharpening) processing, and enlargement / reduction processing and cutout processing to match the size of a reproduced image reproduced by an image reproducing device such as the monitor 18. .

The main scan image processing section 110i has the same configuration and function as the main scan image processing section 14i, and converts the main scan image data into the main scan image data under the image processing conditions permitted by the operator's test in the prescan image data. On the other hand, the same image correction processing as the image correction performed on the pre-scanned image data is performed, and the image data is enlarged or reduced to match the size of the reproduced image reproduced by the image reproducing apparatus such as the printer 16 or cut out. Perform processing.

The condition setting section 110j sets image processing conditions in the pre-scan image processing section 110h and the main scan image processing section 110i using the pre-scan image data, and integrates parameters together with the processing conditions input by the operator. Since it has the same configuration and function as the condition setting unit 14j, the description is omitted. The data conversion units 14k and 110l also
Since it has the same configuration and function as k and 141, the description is omitted.

Such a digital photo printer 100
In, an example of the image reading processing method of the present invention,
This will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, the power is turned on to the digital photo printer 100, and the control device 110c automatically acquires information on the carrier and the photosensitive material. Here, the operator checks the carrier information and the photosensitive material information displayed on the screen of the monitor 18 visually, and replaces the carrier and the magazine as necessary. Further, the print size is input by the operator, and initialization is performed (step 200).

Next, after confirming that the digital photo printer 10 is in a predetermined rising state, such as the amount of light from the light source 35 of the scanner unit 104, the operator loads the film F into the carrier 109. After loading, a prescan is performed (step 202). That is, carrier 1
09, the entire film F is transported at a constant speed by the transport roller pairs 114a and 114b.
Is projected from the carrier 10, the light amount of which is adjusted by the stop 36 and is made uniform through the diffusion box 40.
9 is incident on the film F conveyed. The projection light carries information on the photographing region of the film F and the photographing region around the film F. The slit 112 extends in the main scanning direction.
a, the slit operation is performed in the main scanning direction, and the lens unit 6
An image is formed on the light receiving surface of the line CCD sensor 102 via the light receiving surface 2. The image signal photoelectrically read by the line CCD sensor 102 is amplified by the amplifier 106 and sent to the image processing unit 110.

After predetermined signal processing is performed by the processing section 110d of the signal processing section 110a, it is stored in the prescan memory 110f as prescan image data. The prescanned image data is image data obtained by reading the entire film F, that is, the photographing region and the non-photographing region of a plurality of image frames without distinction.

The pre-scan image data stored in the pre-scan memory 110f is called, and the photographic image determination / extraction unit 110e detects the edge of the photographic image for each image frame (step 204), and the range of the photographic area is changed. The position information of at least three end points of the rectangular shooting area is determined, and from this position information, the center position information of the shooting area of each image frame and the image data covering the entire determined shooting area are obtained. The extraction range is set, and the center position information and the image data extraction range are stored in the external storage device 2.
It is stored in a predetermined location such as 0 (step 206). Further, image data is extracted from the set image data extraction range, and is set as pre-scan image data for each image frame (step 208). Thereafter, the prescanned image data is sent to the condition setting unit 110j, where image processing conditions are set, and further integrated with the processing conditions input by the operation system 22, and the integrated image processing conditions are combined with the prescanned image processing unit. Sent to 110h. The pre-scan image data of the image frame extracted by the photographed image determination / extraction unit 110e is sent to the pre-scan image processing unit 110h,
Based on the image processing conditions, image processing such as enlargement / reduction processing, cutout processing, and various image corrections is performed to match the size of the reproduced image reproduced by the image reproducing device such as the monitor 18 (step 210).

Thereafter, the data conversion section 110k performs data conversion suitable for the monitor 18, and displays the processed image on the monitor 18 (step 212). The processing of steps 204 to 212 is performed for each image frame for which the range of the shooting area has been determined, and it is determined whether or not image data of a predetermined number of images, for example, six images, has been extracted and displayed on the monitor 18. Is performed (step 214). When it is determined that a predetermined number of images have been displayed on the monitor 18, the operator verifies the images displayed on the monitor 18 for each image (step 216). If the image processing conditions are inappropriate and the image processing conditions need to be reset, the operation system 22 inputs the image processing conditions, adjusts the image processing conditions (step 218), and executes the image processing again. Will be If the image processing condition is appropriate, the operation system 22 instructs to determine the image processing condition, and the image processing condition is stored in a predetermined portion such as the external storage device 20 (Step 220). In this way, the verification is continued until the verification is performed on all the images displayed on the monitor 18 (step 222). When the verification is completed for all the images displayed on the monitor 18, the processing of steps 202 to 214 is performed for another image frame. In this way, it is determined whether or not all the images of the desired photographed images have been verified (step 224), and steps 204 to 222 are performed until all the photographed images recorded on the film F have been verified.
Is performed.

After the image processing conditions are determined, the main scan is started (step 226). First, the center position information of the shooting area of each image frame stored in step 206 is called, and based on this center position information, the screen detection sensor 1
By 16, the film F is rewound and stopped so that the desired image frame stops at a predetermined position, and then the conveyance of the film F is started for image reading. The reading of the image is performed by forming the projection light transmitted through the film F into an image on the line CCD sensor 102 as in the prescan. Further, in the main scan, unlike the pre-scan, a shooting area and a non-shooting area around the shooting area are read for each image frame.

The read image signal is amplified by the amplifier 106, sent to the signal processing unit 110a, subjected to predetermined signal processing, and stored in the main scan memory 110g as main scan image data. afterwards,
The main scan image data is a captured image determination / extraction unit 110e.
Also, the image data extraction range stored in step 206 is called, and based on the image data extraction range, the main scanning image data including the non-photographing area read for each image frame is used to obtain the shooting area. Is extracted (step 228). The extracted main scan image data is stored in the main scan image processing unit 110i.
Sent to In the main scan image processing unit 110i, the image processing conditions stored in step 220 are called, and the enlargement / reduction processing for image correction and print output, and the photographing are performed so as to match the aspect ratio of the reproduced image of the printer 116 or the like. Image processing such as a cutout process for cutting out only necessary image data by removing an end of the area is performed (step 23).
0). The obtained output data is sent to the data conversion unit 141 and converted into output data suitable for the printer 16.
The image is sent to the printer 16 and the image is printed out (step 228). In this way, it is determined whether there are a plurality of photographed images on the film F and all the desired photographed images have been printed out (step 230). Scanning is performed, and a photographed image is printed out according to the above flow. In this way, print output is performed for all desired photographed images.

The digital photo printer 100 using the line CCD sensor 102 as the scanner unit 104 has been described above. In the above embodiment, the photographed image judging / extracting unit 110e extracts the photographed image of each image frame from the prescanned image data. Is detected to determine the range of the photographing area, and the image data extraction range is set for each image frame according to the range of the photographing area. The range of the photographing area may be detected and determined, and the image data extraction range may be set for each image frame according to the range of the photographing area.

The photographed image determination / extraction sections 14e and 110e of the digital photo printers 10 and 100
Is to automatically detect the edge of the shooting area, but it is not always necessary to automatically detect the edge, and to assist in determining the range of the shooting area, the operation is manually performed by an operator. The edge of the captured image may be specified from the system 22.

The scanner section 12 of the digital photo printer 10 and the photographed image determination / extraction sections 14 e and 11 of the scanner section 104 of the digital photo printer 100.
In 0e, the image data extraction range set in accordance with the determined shooting area range is the entire range of the determined shooting area. However, as described below, the image data extraction range is It may be a designated range that is selectively designated in the range of the photographing area that has been designated. That is,
The captured image determination / extraction units 14e and 110e determine that the image data extraction range determined according to the determined range of the imaging region is
A designated range determined according to the range of the photographing region, for example, a designated range of 98% of the range of the photographing region, or a designated range of 96% or 94%, or an aspect ratio of the image to be printed out, and May be selected by the operator from a designated range that is the largest range among the designated ranges, and image data of the selected designated range may be extracted. This selection of the designated range is preferably performed when an image of the shooting area is displayed on the monitor 18. In other words, it is preferable that a designation frame defining the designation range is displayed on the monitor 18 together with the image of the photographing region, and the operator can select the frame while looking at the display screen. Further, at this time, the designated frame displayed on the monitor 18 can be freely moved up, down, left, and right in the displayed image area according to the instruction of the operator while maintaining the size of the frame. It is preferable that the shooting area to be taken out is freely set by moving the designated frame.

By making the designated range selectively designated as the image data extracting range, reading is performed to perform printout and the like, and the photographed image judging / extracting section 14e is performed.
And the pixel size of the image data extracted by the image processing unit 110e can be constant for each image frame. As a result, in the enlargement / reduction processing performed by the image processing units 14b and 110b,
It is not necessary to calculate the enlargement / reduction ratio M for each image frame, the processing speed of image processing is increased, and print output can be performed efficiently. Further, since the operator can select the pixel size to be extracted, the scanner units 12 and 10 can be selected.
4 to suppress the re-reading of the image caused by the stoppage of the image frame when the photographing area of the film F is stopped at the reading position by the screen detection sensors 52 and 116, and perform economical print processing. Can be.

The components of the image processing unit 110 are as follows.
It may be constituted by hardware formed by a specific dedicated circuit, each component may be formed by software that is executed in a computer and performs processing, or a combination of hardware and software There may be.

The image reading / processing apparatus, digital printing apparatus, and image reading / processing method of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and departs from the gist of the present invention. Of course, various improvements and changes may be made without departing from the scope.

[0085]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, in addition to the photographing area of the image recorded on the film, the scanner section also preliminarily covers the non-photographing area of the outer peripheral portion covering this photographing area. From the read image data, the image data of the shooting area is taken out, subjected to image processing and output to a print or the like, so that the occurrence of vignetting that the image on the film is not output to the print or the like is eliminated.
In addition, it can be suppressed. In addition, since image data of a photographing area in a designated range selectively designated is taken out of an image of the entire photographing area recorded on the film, the enlargement / reduction ratio for each image frame is adjusted so as to conform to the output image size. This eliminates the need for calculation and calculation, increases the processing speed of image processing, enables efficient print output, and further reduces individual differences in the scanner unit, and also causes the filming area of the film to stop at a predetermined position. It is possible to suppress re-reading of an image caused by a shift in stop of an image frame or the like, and perform economical print processing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a digital photo printer which is an embodiment of a digital printing apparatus of the present invention using an image reading / processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a scanner unit constituting the image reading / processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a signal processing / image processing unit included in the digital photo printer illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of an image reading / processing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing another embodiment of the digital printing apparatus of the present invention using the image reading / processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a main part of a scanner unit constituting the digital photo printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a signal processing / image processing unit included in the digital photo printer illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the first half of another embodiment of the flow of the image reading / processing method of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the second half of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 100 Digital photo printer 12, 104 Scanner unit 14, 110 Signal processing / image processing unit 15, 108 Image reading / processing device 16 Printer 18 Monitor 20 External storage device 21 Image data storage device 22 Operation system 24 Light source unit 26 Carrier base 28 imaging unit 30 area CCD sensor 32 film carrier 62 lens unit 102 line CCD sensor

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06T 3/00 400 G06T 3/00 400A 3/40 3/40 A

Claims (17)

[Claims] An image reading section for reading an image from an image frame of an original image recorded on a film, including an imaging area and a non-imaging area surrounding the imaging area; and an image reading section for reading the image. A photographed image determination / extracting unit that determines a range of a photographing region from the image data obtained by setting, sets an image data extraction range according to the determined photographed region range, and extracts image data of the photographing region; An image reading / processing apparatus, comprising: an image processing unit that performs image processing on image data of a photographing area obtained by a photographed image determination / extraction unit and outputs the data. 2. An image sensor according to claim 1, wherein said image reading unit is a two-dimensional area sensor for reading said photographing area and said non-photographing area, or a one-dimensional sensor which conveys said film and said non-photographing area. The image reading and processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a line sensor that reads an image two-dimensionally by reading the image two-dimensionally. 3. The image reading / processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading unit includes a screen detection sensor that detects an original image recorded on a film when reading. Characteristic image reading and processing device. 4. The image reading / processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the original image is a slide image, the image reading section reads the image including a non-photographing area of a slide mount section. . 5. The image-capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading unit performs a pre-scan of an original image for predetermining processing conditions for image processing performed by the image processing unit and a main scan for obtaining output data. The image reading / processing device according to claim 1, wherein the determination / extraction unit sets an image data extraction range from the image data read by the main scan and extracts image data of a shooting area. 6. The photographed image, wherein the image reading section performs a pre-scan of an original image for predetermining processing conditions of image processing performed by the image processing section and a main scan for obtaining output data. A determining / extracting unit that determines a range of a photographing region from the image data read by the pre-scan, sets the image data extracting range determined according to the determined range of the photographing region, and The image reading / processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein image data of a shooting area is extracted from image data read by scanning. 7. The image reading / processing device according to claim 1, wherein the size of the image data extraction range of the captured image determination / extraction unit is changed according to the determined range of the imaging region. apparatus. 8. The image reading / processing device according to claim 1, wherein the image data extraction range of the captured image determination / extraction unit is the entire range of the determined imaging region. 9. The image reading / reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image data extraction range of said photographed image judging / extracting unit is a designated range determined according to the judged range of said photographing region. Processing equipment. 10. The image reading / processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the specified range is selected from a plurality of predetermined specified ranges. 11. The image reading / processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing performed by the image processing unit includes an enlargement / reduction processing performed on image data so as to be adapted to an image size of a predetermined image. . 12. The image reading / processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the image processing includes a cutout process of cutting out image data so as to match an aspect ratio of a predetermined image. 13. An image reading / processing device according to claim 1, wherein said image reading / processing device is at least one of an image reproducing device, an image data storage / hold device, and an image display device. An image reading / processing device connected to an output device, wherein output data obtained by the image processing unit is sent to the output device. 14. An image reading / processing apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising: an image reproducing apparatus for outputting a reproduced image from output data obtained by said image processing unit. A digital printing apparatus, wherein an image is reproduced using output data that has been subjected to at least enlargement / reduction processing by the image processing unit so as to be adapted to the image size of a reproduced image. 15. The digital printing apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising an image data storage and storage device for storing and holding the output data subjected to the enlargement / reduction processing on a recording medium. 16. An image display device for displaying an image using the output data subjected to the enlargement / reduction processing.
Or a digital printing device according to item 15. 17. An image reading and processing method for reading an original image recorded on a film to obtain image data, subjecting the image data to image processing, and outputting the data as output data. The image is read including the shooting area and the non-shooting area around the shooting area, and the range of the shooting area is determined from the image data obtained by reading, and the image is determined according to the determined range of the shooting area. An image reading and processing method, wherein a data extraction range is set, image data of a photographing region is extracted, and image data is applied to the extracted image data of the photographing region to obtain output data.