JPH0514886B2 - - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Technical Field of the Invention) This invention detects the image information of an original film such as a negative film from the information of the entire screen divided into pixels, and detects the exposure amount or correction amount for automatically printing. The present invention relates to an image information detection device for photo printing, which determines image information.

(Technical Background of the Invention and Problems thereof) In a photographic printing apparatus, the density of an original film (for example, a negative film) must be measured in order to determine the printing exposure amount or correction amount. 1st
The figure shows an example of a photo printing device configured for this purpose, and includes a two-dimensional image sensor 1.
By adding 0 to a conventional general photographic printing apparatus, the image information of the negative film 2 can be detected accurately and in detail with a simple configuration. That is, the negative film 2 sent to the negative carrier 1 position is yellow (Y),
It is illuminated by a light source 4 through three primary color filters 3 of magenta (M) and cyan (C), and the transmitted light from the negative film 2 passes through a lens system 5 and a black shutter 6 and reaches photographic paper 7. It's becoming like that. Photographic paper 7 is feed roller 7
A is wound around roller 7B, and is wound around roller 7B in synchronization with the conveyance and stopping of negative film 2. A two-dimensional image sensor 10 is provided in the vicinity of the negative film 2 at an angle to the optical axis LS of the light source 4 and the negative film 2, and in front of the two-dimensional image sensor 10 is located approximately at the center of the negative film 2. A lens system 11 for forming an image is provided, and a substrate 12 is attached to the back side of the unitized detection device to which a processing circuit including an IC or the like for image processing is mounted.

Here, the two-dimensional image sensor 10 includes an imaging unit 101 that optically captures an image, as shown in FIG.
, an accumulation section 102 for accumulating the charges transferred from the imaging section 101, and an output register section 10 for outputting the charges accumulated in the accumulation section 102.
3, photoelectrically converts two-dimensional (area) image information by controlling drive signals 101S to 103S from the drive circuit, and serially outputs an analog image signal PS from the output register unit 103. It is now output to . In addition, the substrate 12
The circuit configuration installed in the image sensor 10 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
are drive signals 101S to 103 from the drive circuit 20
The light driven by S and irradiated onto the imaging unit 101 of the image sensor 10 is output to the output register unit
is output as an image signal PS, sampled and held in the sample hold circuit 21 at a predetermined sampling period, and the sample value is
The AD converter 22 converts it into a digital signal DS. The digital signal DS from the AD converter 22 is inputted to a logarithmic conversion circuit 23 where it is logarithmically converted, converted into a density signal DN, and then written into the memory 25 via the write control circuit 24. Note that the write control circuit 24 receives a read speed signal RS from the drive circuit 20 for driving the image sensor 10 and reading image information at a constant speed,
The density signals DN are sequentially written to predetermined positions in the memory 25 according to the driving speed of 0.

In such a configuration, image information necessary for photo printing (e.g. size, average overall density,
Contrast, maximum density, minimum density) are detected by a two-dimensional image sensor 10 by dividing the entire screen of the negative film 2 into a large number of aligned pixels. That is, by applying predetermined drive signals 101S to 103S from the drive circuit 20 to the image sensor 10, the two-dimensional image sensor 10 converts the transmitted light of the negative film 2 placed in the printing section into the lens system 11.
Since the light is received through the two-dimensional image sensor 1
0 divides the entire negative film 2 into a large number of aligned small pixels 21 as shown in FIG. 4A.
The entire screen of the negative film 2 can be scanned in sequence according to the scanning line SL. After the entire screen has been scanned, the image signal PS is sequentially output from the output register section 103 of the image sensor 10, the image signal PS is sampled and held in the sample hold circuit 21, and the sample value is sent to the AD converter 2.
2 to convert it into a digital signal DS. AD converter 2
The digital signal DS from 2 is sent to the logarithmic conversion circuit 23
is logarithmically transformed and obtained as the concentration signal DN,
Under the control of the write control circuit 24, this density signal DN is stored in the memory 25 as shown in FIG.
1 and the density digital values of negative film 2 are stored.

In this way, the negative film 2 is stored in the memory 25.
When digital values for each pixel or density values for each pixel related to the three primary colors are stored, the negative film 2
Digital values can be read out from the memory 25 and used for each pixel. Therefore, the three primary colors
If density values such as those shown in Figure 4B are determined and stored for each RGB, the stored values can be read out and processed through calculations, etc., to determine the photographic printing exposure amount or the correction amount in the same way as in the past. Can be used.

Here, determination of the size of image frames of the negative film 2 will be explained. Long negative film 2
are sequentially conveyed to the negative carrier 1 of the printing section,
In the baking section, as shown in FIG. 5, a rectangular upper guide 1B having an opening 1A engages with a lower guide 1C disposed below, and is held between the upper guide 1B and the lower guide 1C. Negative film held 2
is designed to be printed frame by frame. The size of the opening 1A of the upper guide 1B completely corresponds to the frame size of the negative film 2, and the snaking part at the periphery of the frame image protrudes from the edge of the opening 1A of the upper guide 1B. Never. Therefore, the area where the two-dimensional image sensor 10 receives light is designed to include not only the frame images of the negative film 2 but also the non-transmitted light portion of the upper guide 1B so that it can handle large-sized negative films with ease. For example, the image information of the area detected by the two-dimensional image sensor 10 is as shown in Figure 6A for a 110 size negative carrier, and the image information for a 135 size negative carrier is the same. It will look like Figure B. These figures 6A and B
shows an example of detected image information of a Snake image when no image is taken on the negative film 2, and the part surrounded by the broken line in the center is the opening 1.
A indicates the area of the image frame. Since the size of the image frame corresponds to the size of the negative film 2, the aperture can be determined by detecting the density "0" indicating a snook from the image information read by the image sensor 10 and calculating its area. The area of 1A can be determined, and as a result, the size of the negative film 2 can be determined.
In this case, the optical axis of the image sensor 10 is
Since it is directed almost to the center of A, the concentration is “0”.
By counting the number of pixels (or a value close to it) using hardware or software, the size of the negative film 2 is determined by comparing the counted value with a predetermined value predetermined for each size. can do.

In this way, from the entire image information read by the image sensor 10, the opening 1A of the negative carrier 1 is determined.
The area of density "0" indicating the size of the image is counted by the number of pixels, and the size of the negative film 2 is determined from the counted value. For example, if the number of pixels with density "0" is 12 (for example, between 10 and 14 to provide a margin) as shown in Figure 6A, then
The size is determined as follows: 110 size, 135 size when there are 56 pieces (similarly, it may be between 54 and 58, for example) as shown in FIG. B, and 126 size when there are 36 to 40 pieces.

Further, the exposure amount can also be determined using digital values for each pixel of the negative film 2 stored in the memory 25 or density values for each pixel regarding the three primary colors.

By the way, in the image information detection device as described above, the two-dimensional image sensor 10 is connected to the negative film 2.
Since the light source 4 and the light source 4 are provided at an angle with respect to the optical axis LS, the image of the negative film 2 determined on the two-dimensional image sensor 10 is distorted.
The drawback was that correct image information could not be detected. In other words, although "0" information arranged in a rectangle should be obtained on the image sensor 10 as shown in FIG. 6B, the formed image is distorted, so the "0" information shown in FIG. As shown by the broken line, there are differences depending on distance. When such image distortion occurs, a deviation occurs between the actual image and the information detected on the image sensor 10, making it impossible to accurately detect image information. In order to eliminate such drawbacks, the transmitted light of the negative film 2 is reflected by a half mirror disposed in front of the lens system 5, and this reflected light is applied to the two-dimensional image sensor 10 with the optical axis at right angles. It is also possible to do so. However, this method has the disadvantage that an extra optical system called a half mirror is inserted in front of the lens system 5, which adversely affects the quality of the image printed on the photographic paper 2. Another way to overcome this drawback is to use an image processing method that corrects the distortion when data is loaded into the memory 25 or by performing correction calculations on the number of pixels of the loaded image information using hardware or software. This is possible, but it is difficult to make accurate corrections due to the limited number of pixels, and the calculation process is complex and takes a lot of time.
It's not a good idea.

(Object of the Invention) This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the invention is to eliminate the distortion of the detected image due to the two-dimensional image sensor 10 being tilted with respect to the optical axis. An object of the present invention is to provide a device that is modified to detect accurate image information.

(Summary of the Invention) This invention uses a two-dimensional image sensor to receive transmitted light or reflected light from an original film illuminated by a light source, and detects image information of the entire range of light received by the two-dimensional image sensor for each pixel. This invention relates to an image information detection device for detecting image information, and when the two-dimensional image sensor is installed at a position away from the optical axis of the original film, the distortion of the detected image due to diagonal photometry of the original film is detected by the two-dimensional image. This is corrected by arranging the light receiving surface of the sensor parallel to the original film.

(Embodiment of the Invention) FIG. 8 shows an example in which the image detection device of the present invention is attached to a photoprinting device, corresponding to FIG. They are provided in parallel so as not to block the optical path from the negative film 2 to the lens system 5. When the two-dimensional image sensor 10 is provided in this way, the optical axis LS' connecting the two-dimensional image sensor 10 and the negative film 2 is inclined with respect to the optical axis LS, and the optical axis in front of the two-dimensional image sensor 10 is As shown in FIG. 9A, a lens system 11 for forming an image of approximately the center of the negative film 2 on LS' is connected to a two-dimensional image sensor 10 with its original optical axis.
The sensor is placed perpendicular to the light receiving surface of the sensor. Further, on the back side of the unitized detection device, a board 12 is attached which is equipped with a processing circuit including an IC for performing image processing.

In this way, the two-dimensional image sensor 10 and the lens system 11 are installed in a general photo printing apparatus by tilting the optical axis.
Even if the two-dimensional image sensor 10 is attached, since the light-receiving surface of the two-dimensional image sensor 10 is parallel to the negative film 2, an accurate image without distortion of the negative film 2 is formed on the two-dimensional image sensor 10. Become.
Therefore, for example, a negative image is no longer detected as shown in FIG. 7, but is always detected accurately as shown in FIG. 6B. In other words, this invention applies Camera Adjustments in photographic technology, and in order to simplify the mechanism of the printing device, the optical axis of the lens for the two-dimensional image sensor 10 is intentionally set to be perpendicular to the center of the screen. This makes it possible to accurately detect image information. The types of tilt are shift (parallel movement of the lens seat or screen frame vertically and horizontally), tilt (tilting the lens seat or screen frame upward or downward), swing, and rise fall. be.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the optical axis of the lens system 11
The lens system 11 is arranged so that LX is perpendicular to the light-receiving surface of the two-dimensional image sensor 10, and the optical axis LX and LS' of the lens system 11 are arranged to coincide, as shown in FIG. 9B. You may do so. If the optical axis LX of the lens system 11 is arranged perpendicular to the light-receiving surface of the two-dimensional image sensor 10 as in the embodiment shown in FIG. Although it is possible to focus, since the lens 11 is used by fanning, a lens with a wide image circle is required. On the other hand, the 9th
As shown in Figure B, the optical axis LX and optical axis of lens system 11
When arranged so that LS′ coincide, it is necessary to increase the depth of focus in order to focus over the entire surface of the two-dimensional image sensor 10, but it becomes possible to use a lens with a narrow image circle. .

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the image information detection device of the present invention, since the light-receiving surface of the two-dimensional image sensor is provided parallel to the original film, it is possible to accurately detect distortion-free images on the two-dimensional image sensor. A more accurate image is formed, and more accurate image information can be detected.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional image information detection device applied to a photo printing device, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the functions of a two-dimensional image sensor, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the control system of the two-dimensional image sensor. Figures 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an example of the correspondence between pixel division of the original film and stored data, Figure 5 is a diagram showing details of the printing section, and Figures 6A and B are image information, respectively. 7 is a diagram for explaining the state of distortion of a detected image, FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the image information detection device of the present invention, and FIGS. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a two-dimensional image sensor section of the applied image information detection device. 1...Negative carrier, 2...Negative film, 3
... Filter, 4 ... Light source, 5, 11 ... Lens system, 6 ... Black shutter, 7 ... Photographic paper, 10 ... Two-dimensional image sensor, 20 ... Drive circuit, 22 ... AD converter, 24...Write control circuit, 25...Memory.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An image information detection device that receives transmitted light or reflected light from an original film illuminated by a light source with a two-dimensional image sensor, and detects image information of the entire area received by the two-dimensional image sensor for each pixel, When the two-dimensional image sensor is installed at a position away from the optical axis of the original film, distortion of the detected image due to diagonal photometry of the original film can be avoided by setting the light-receiving surface of the two-dimensional image sensor parallel to the original film. An image information detection device characterized in that the image information detection device is configured to perform correction by disposing the image information in the image information detection device.