JPH11225256A - Image processing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of interruption times for reading without increasing the capacity of a storage means in the case of reading an original image sequentially and applying a prescribed processing to read image data. SOLUTION: When an idle capacity of a memory is a prescribed level or higher (affirmative in the step 402), scanning of an image recorded on a photo film is started (404) and scanning of the image and transfer of the obtained data to the memory are repeated (408-422) untill the memory capacity is fully occupied (while the step 412 indicates negative). When the memory capacity is fully occupied, scanning is interrupted (424), and total of image data amounts in all frame which are not read is calculated (426). The whether or not the idle capacity has recovered to a designated threshold (usually a value equivalent or more to image data amounts of plural frames), and whether or not the idle capacity has reached the total or more of the image data amount of all frames which are not yet read are monitored (430, 432). When one of the above conditions is satisfied (affirmative in the step 430 or 432), the scanning is restarted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and in particular, reads a plurality of original images recorded on a recording medium sequentially while conveying a long recording medium, and stores the image data in a storage means. The present invention also relates to an image processing apparatus that reads out image data from a storage unit and performs a predetermined process using the read out image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a film image recorded on a photographic film is read by a reading sensor such as a CCD, and image processing such as various corrections is performed on image data obtained by the reading, thereby performing image processing. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known an image processing system that records an image on a recording material based on later image data. In this image processing system, the reading speed of the film image is set to be higher than the recording speed of the image on the recording material in consideration of the time for exchanging the photographic film and the like. And an image memory for storing image data after image processing.

[0003] Image data after image processing is temporarily stored in an image memory and then read out sequentially from the image memory, and is used for recording an image on a recording material. Also, since a large-capacity memory increases the cost, the image memory is relatively small.When the image memory becomes full or almost full, the reading of the film image is interrupted and the recording material is transferred to the recording material. As the image recording process progresses, the image 1 is stored in the image memory.
When a space equal to or more than a frame is generated, reading of a film image is restarted.

[0004]

However, when a line sensor is used as a reading sensor and a film image is read while a long photographic film is being conveyed, the film conveyance speed is reduced after the photographic film conveyance is started. Generally, reading is not performed until data is stabilized (data is discarded), and image recording is performed using data obtained after the film transport speed is stabilized. For this reason, if reading of the film image is interrupted while reading the film images recorded on the photographic film and the conveyance of the photographic film is stopped, the film conveyance speed is stabilized when resuming the reading of the film image. After that, the unread film image reaches the reading position of the reading sensor,
It is necessary to rewind a little photographic film.

Therefore, when the image memory is full or nearly full, the reading of the film image is frequently interrupted (for example, interrupted for each frame of the film image), and the reading of the film image is also interrupted. Each time the photographic film is rewound by a small amount, the film image retrieving time (the number of readable film images per unit time) is reduced by adding the photographic film rewinding time to the processing time. Further, there is a problem that the photographic film is markedly damaged due to frequent reversal of the transport direction. Furthermore, film image reading, film transport stop, film rewind, film image reading restart,
The operation of repeating the above sequence for each frame of the film image may give the user a sense of discomfort.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts. In reading a plurality of original images in order and performing predetermined processing using image data obtained by the reading,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus capable of reducing the number of times reading is interrupted without increasing the capacity of a storage unit.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus for conveying a first recording medium having a plurality of long original images recorded thereon. A reading unit for sequentially reading the plurality of original images, a storage unit for storing image data obtained by the reading unit reading the original image, and reading image data stored in the storage unit; A processing unit for performing a predetermined process using the read image data; and a setting unit for setting a threshold of the free space of the storage unit for the reading unit in which reading of the original image has been interrupted to resume the reading. Storing the image data obtained by reading the original image in the storage unit, and reading the original image by the reading unit when the free space of the storage unit becomes a predetermined value or less. Was suspended, the free space of the storage means is configured to include a control means for resuming the reading of the original image by the reading unit after the recovery to or higher than the threshold that is set through the setting means.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the reading unit sequentially reads the plurality of original images while transporting the first recording medium on which the plurality of long original images are recorded. The image data obtained by reading the original image (which may be the read image data itself or the image data after predetermined image processing has been performed) is stored in the storage means, and the processing unit Reads the image data stored in the storage means and performs a predetermined process using the read image data. Therefore, predetermined processing is sequentially performed on the image data of a plurality of original images.

The predetermined processing includes, for example, recording of an image on a second recording medium (for example, photographic paper, etc.) and an information storage medium (for example, a magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk). And the like). Further, as the predetermined processing, for example, transfer of image data to another information processing apparatus may be performed.

By the way, when the speed at which the processing unit performs predetermined processing is lower than the speed at which the reading unit reads the original image,
As the processing proceeds, the free space of the storage means gradually decreases, and eventually the storage means becomes full or nearly full. On the other hand, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the setting unit for setting the threshold value of the free space of the storage unit for restarting the reading by the reading unit in which the reading of the original image is interrupted is provided. Stops the reading of the original image by the reading unit when the free space of the storage unit becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, and after the free space of the storage unit is restored to a threshold or more set via the setting unit, the reading unit returns the original image. Resume reading.

If the threshold value is set to a value sufficiently larger than the amount of image data of a single image via the setting means, the free space of the storage means is equal to or less than a predetermined value (the free space is small, full or full). The reading of the original image is resumed after the free space of the storage unit has become sufficiently large with the progress of the predetermined processing in the processing unit. The number of interruptions can be reduced. Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when reading a plurality of original images sequentially and performing a predetermined process using the image data obtained by the reading, the number of times the reading is interrupted without increasing the capacity of the storage unit is set. It becomes possible to reduce.

As described above, by reducing the number of times the reading of the original image is interrupted, even when the first recording medium is conveyed by a predetermined amount in the reverse direction when the reading of the original image is resumed, The transporting time is not greatly added to the processing time, the original image can be efficiently read by the reading unit, and the first recording medium is frequently transported in the reverse direction to perform the first recording. It is also possible to prevent the medium from being scratched and giving the user a sense of incongruity.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the control unit suspends the reading of the original image by the reading unit, the free space of the storage unit is reduced by the reading unit. Is characterized by restarting the reading of the original image by the reading unit when the data amount becomes larger than the image data obtained when all the unread original images are read.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the free space of the storage means is larger than the data amount of the image data obtained when all the unread original images are read, the reading unit reads the original image. In the case where the number of unread original images is small or the like, even if the free space of the storage unit has not recovered to a threshold value or more set via the setting unit, if the above condition is satisfied, The reading of the original image is restarted, and all the unread original images are read, and while waiting for the free space to recover to the threshold or more, for example, the first recording medium is replaced (recorded). (A new first recording medium on which the original image has not been read is set in the apparatus). Therefore,
According to the second aspect of the invention, the average reading time of the original image can be reduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus, comprising: a reading section for sequentially reading the plurality of original images while transporting a first recording medium having a plurality of long original images recorded thereon; A storage unit for storing image data obtained by a reading unit reading the original image, and a process of reading image data stored in the storage unit and performing a predetermined process using the read image data And the image data obtained by the reading unit reading the original image is stored in the storage unit, and when the free space of the storage unit is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the reading of the original image by the reading unit is interrupted, The reading unit reads all unread original images based on the increasing speed of the free space in the storage unit and the increasing speed of the image data amount when the reading unit sequentially reads the original images. Taking even constitute comprise a control means for resuming the reading of the original image by the reading unit after determining that insufficient free space no longer occur storage means.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, similarly to the first aspect of the present invention, the reading unit sequentially conveys the plurality of original images while conveying the first recording medium on which the plurality of original images are recorded. The reading and control unit causes the storage unit to store the image data obtained by the reading unit reading the original image, and the processing unit reads the image data stored in the storage unit,
A predetermined process is performed using the read image data. The control means according to the third aspect of the present invention interrupts reading of the original image by the reading unit when the free space of the storage unit becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, and increases the free space of the storage unit and the reading unit stores the original image. Based on the increasing speed of the image data amount when sequentially reading, based on the reading unit reading the original image by the reading unit after determining that the shortage of free space in the storage unit does not occur even if the reading unit reads all the unread original images. Let it resume.

Thus, the reading of the original image, which has been interrupted due to the free space of the storage unit being equal to or less than the predetermined value, increases with the progress of the predetermined processing in the processing unit. Is restarted after it is determined that there is no shortage of free space in the storage means even if all unread original images have been read, so that it is possible to read all unread original images without interrupting reading of the original images again. it can. Therefore, according to the third aspect of the present invention, when reading a plurality of original images in order and performing predetermined processing using the image data obtained by the reading, the number of times the reading is interrupted without increasing the capacity of the storage means is set. Can be reduced.

Thus, even when the first recording medium is conveyed in the reverse direction by a predetermined amount when the reading of the original image is resumed, the time for conveying in the reverse direction is not greatly added to the processing time. To efficiently read the original image, and prevent the first recording medium from being frequently scratched in the reverse direction, thereby preventing the first recording medium from being scratched or giving the user a sense of discomfort. can do.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, as described in the second aspect, the free space of the storage means is larger than the data amount of image data obtained when all unread original images are read. In this case, it is needless to say that even if the reading unit reads all unread original images, it is determined that there is no shortage of free space in the storage unit, and reading of the original images is restarted. According to the third aspect of the present invention, even when all of the storage areas of the storage means are released in a state where the reading of the original image by the reading unit is suspended, the reading unit may be configured as follows. It is needless to say that the reading of the original image may be restarted.

Further, as the first recording medium, for example, a photographic film can be applied as described in claim 6. The original image (film image) recorded on a photographic film (especially a negative film) has large variations in density and the like due to variations in exposure and the like, so the optimal reading conditions at the time of reading differ for each film image. Also, for example, the recording size when recording an image on the second recording medium is often not constant for all film images.

For this reason, the reading section according to the invention of claim 6 performs the main reading after performing the preliminary reading on the plurality of original images recorded on the photographic film. The result of the preliminary reading can be used, for example, to determine the reading conditions at the time of the main reading, or to determine the recording size when recording an image on the second recording medium. The control means according to the invention according to claim 6, wherein the image data obtained by performing the main reading by the reading unit (the read image data itself or the image data after predetermined image processing is performed) May be stored in the storage means. As a result, a plurality of original images recorded on the photographic film can be read with high accuracy, and a predetermined process can be performed using image data obtained by reading the original images with high accuracy. .

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, the image data obtained by the preliminary reading is used for a test of an original image including determination of the resolution of the main reading, and the control means includes: The data amount of the image data obtained by the main reading is calculated for each original image based on the result of the verification of the original image.

When recording an image on the second recording medium as a predetermined process, for example, when recording a large-sized image with high image quality, it is desirable to read the original image at high resolution. When the original image is read at different resolutions, the data amount of the image data obtained by reading the single original image also changes, so the storage means when the image data of the single original image is stored in the storage means The amount of change in the free space or the amount of image data obtained when the reading unit reads all unread original images also changes according to the reading resolution of each original image.

On the other hand, according to the invention of claim 7, based on the result of performing the test of the original image including the determination of the resolution of the main reading using the image data obtained by the preliminary reading, Since the data amount of the obtained image data is calculated for each original image, based on the calculated data amount for each original image, it is determined in advance whether or not the free space of the storage unit is equal to or less than a predetermined value, It is possible to determine in advance the data amount of image data obtained when the reading unit reads all unread original images. Therefore, according to the present invention, even when the resolution at the time of performing the main reading of the original image is not constant, it is possible to accurately predict the change in the free space and the amount of image data obtained by reading.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] First, a digital laboratory system according to the first embodiment will be described.

(Schematic Configuration of Entire System) FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a digital laboratory system 10 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows an appearance of the digital laboratory system 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the lab system 10 includes a line CCD scanner 14, an image processing unit 16, which corresponds to a reading unit of the present invention, a laser printer unit 18, which corresponds to a processing unit of the present invention, and a processor unit 20. The line CCD scanner 14 and the image processing unit 16 are integrated as an input unit 26 shown in FIG. 2, and the laser printer unit 18 and the processor unit 20
It is integrated as an output unit 28 shown in FIG.

The line CCD scanner 14 is for reading a film image recorded on a photographic film such as a negative film or a reversal film. For example, a 135 size photographic film, a 110 size photographic film, and a transparent magnetic film are used. Photographic film (2
40 size photographic film: so-called APS film), 1
Film images of photographic films of sizes 20 and 220 (Broni size) can be read. The line CCD scanner 14 reads the film image to be read by the line CCD and outputs image data.

The image processing section 16 receives data (scan data) output from the line CCD scanner 14 and receives image data obtained by photographing with a digital camera, a document other than a film image (for example, a reflection document, etc.). ) With image data obtained by scanning with a scanner,
Computer-generated image data and the like (hereinafter collectively referred to as file image data) are externally input (for example, input via a storage medium such as a memory card or other information processing via a communication line). Input from a device, etc.).

The image processing section 16 performs image processing such as various corrections on the input image data, and outputs the image data to the laser printer section 18 as recording image data. Also,
The image processing unit 16 outputs image data on which image processing has been performed to an external device as an image file (for example, outputs the image data to a storage medium such as a memory card, or transmits the image data to another information processing device via a communication line). It is also possible.

The laser printer unit 18 has R, G, and B laser light sources, and irradiates a photographic paper with laser light modulated in accordance with recording image data input from the image processing unit 16 to perform scanning exposure. To record an image on photographic paper. Further, the processor unit 20 performs each process of color development, bleach-fix, washing, and drying on the photographic paper on which the image is recorded by the scanning exposure by the laser printer unit 18. Thus, an image is formed on the printing paper. As described above, the laser printer unit 18 more specifically corresponds to the processing unit according to claim 5, which records an image on photographic paper as a second recording medium.

(Configuration of Line CCD Scanner) Next, the configuration of the line CCD scanner 14 will be described. FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of an optical system of the line CCD scanner 14. The optical system includes a halogen lamp, a metal halide lamp, or the like, and includes a light source 30 that irradiates light to the photographic film 22. Diffusion boxes 36 are arranged in order.

The photographic film 22 includes a light diffusion box 36.
A film carrier 38 (see FIGS. 4 and 6 and not shown in FIG. 3) disposed on the light exit side of the camera positions the screen center of the film image so as to coincide with the optical axis. As shown in FIG. 4, the film carrier 38 includes transport roller pairs 280 and 282 arranged on both sides of the optical axis L of the light emitted from the light source 30. The conveying roller pairs 280 and 282 are rotated by the driving force of the motors 284 and 286, respectively.
With the rotation of, the photographic film 22 sandwiched between the pair of conveying rollers 280 and 282 is conveyed at a predetermined speed so as to pass through a reading position (a position where the optical axis L intersects). The motors 284 and 286 are connected to a transport controller 172 (see also FIG. 6, details will be described later) via drivers 288 and 290.

In FIG. 3, a long photographic film 22 is shown.
The slide film (reversal film) or the AP held in the slide holder for each frame
For the S film, a dedicated film carrier is prepared for each (the film carrier for the APS film has a magnetic head for reading information magnetically recorded on a magnetic layer). Positioning is also possible.

Between the light source 30 and the light diffusion box 36, C (cyan), M (magenta) and Y (yellow) dimming filters 114C, 114M and 114Y are arranged along the optical axis of the emitted light. A lens unit 4 that is provided in order and forms an image of light transmitted through the film image along an optical axis on a side opposite to the light source 30 across the photographic film 22.
0 and a line CCD 116 are sequentially arranged. Although FIG. 3 shows only a single lens as the lens unit 40, the lens unit 40 is actually a zoom lens composed of a plurality of lenses.

The line CCD 116 has a large number of photoelectric conversion elements such as CCD cells and photodiodes arranged in a line, and three sensing units provided with an electronic shutter mechanism provided in parallel with each other at intervals. One of R, G, and B color separation filters is attached to the light incident side of the sensing unit (a so-called three-line color CCD). The line CCD 116 is arranged so that the light receiving surface of each sensing unit coincides with the image forming position of the film image by the lens unit 40. In the vicinity of each sensing unit, a transfer unit including a large number of CCD cells is provided corresponding to each sensing unit.
The electric charges accumulated in each CCD cell of each sensing unit are sequentially transferred via the corresponding transfer unit. Although not shown, a shutter is provided between the line CCD 116 and the lens unit 40.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of an electric system of the line CCD scanner 14. Line CCD scanner 1
4 includes a microprocessor 46 for controlling the entire line CCD scanner 14. The microprocessor 46 has a RAM 64 (for example, SRA
M), ROM 66 (for example, RO whose storage contents can be rewritten)
M), a motor driver 48 is connected, and a filter drive motor 54 is connected to the motor driver 48. The filter drive motor 54 can slide the dimming filters 114C, 114M, and 114Y independently of each other.

The microprocessor 46 turns on and off the light source 30 in conjunction with turning on and off a power switch (not shown). The microprocessor 46 includes a line CCD 1
When the film image is read (photometric) by the filter drive motor 54, the dimming filter 11 is
4C, 114M, and 114Y are independently slid, and the amount of light incident on the line CCD 116 is adjusted for each component color light.

The motor driver 48 includes a zoom drive motor 70 for changing the zoom magnification of the lens unit 40 by relatively moving the positions of a plurality of lenses of the lens unit 40, and detecting the zoom magnification of the lens unit 40. The zoom position sensor 72 is connected. The microprocessor 46 drives the zoom drive motor 70 while monitoring the zoom magnification detected by the zoom position sensor 72 according to the size of the film image, whether or not to perform trimming, and the like, and adjusts the zoom magnification of the lens unit 40. Change to the desired magnification.

On the other hand, a timing generator 74 is connected to the line CCD 116. The timing generator 74 generates various timing signals (clock signals) for operating the line CCD 116, an A / D converter 82 described later, and the like. The signal output terminal of the line CCD 116 is connected to an A / D converter 82 via an amplifier 76. The signal output from the line CCD 116 is amplified by the amplifier 76 and converted to digital data by the A / D converter 82. Is done.

The output terminal of the A / D converter 82 is connected to an interface (I / F) circuit 90 via a correlated double sampling circuit (CDS) 88. The CDS 88 samples the feedthrough data indicating the level of the feedthrough signal and the pixel data indicating the level of the pixel signal, and subtracts the feedthrough data from the pixel data for each pixel. Then, the calculation result (pixel data accurately corresponding to the amount of charge stored in each CCD cell) is expressed by I /
Image processing unit 1 as scan data via F circuit 90
6 sequentially.

Note that R, G,
Since the photometric signals of B are output in parallel, the amplifier 76, A
Three signal processing systems including a / D converter 82 and a CDS 88 are also provided, and the I / F circuit 90 outputs R, G, and B data as scan data in parallel.

The motor driver 48 is connected to a shutter drive motor 92 for opening and closing the shutter.
The dark output of the line CCD 116 is corrected by the image processing unit 16 at the subsequent stage. The dark output level can be obtained by closing the shutter by the microprocessor 46 when the film image is not being read. .

(Configuration of Image Processing Unit) Next, the image processing unit 16
Will be described with reference to FIG. Image processing unit 1
Reference numeral 6 is provided with a line scanner correction unit 122 corresponding to the line CCD scanner 14. The line scanner correction unit 122 includes a dark correction circuit 124, a defective pixel correction unit 128, and a light correction circuit 13 corresponding to R, G, and B image data output in parallel from the line CCD scanner 14.
There are provided three signal processing systems composed of 0s.

The dark correction circuit 124 includes a line CCD 116
In the state where the light incident side is shielded from light by the shutter, data input from the line CCD scanner 14 (data representing the dark output level of each cell of the sensing unit of the line CCD 116) is stored for each cell, and CCD
The correction is performed by subtracting the dark output level of the cell corresponding to each pixel from the scan data input from the scanner 14.

Also, the photoelectric conversion characteristics of the line CCD 116 vary from cell to cell. Defective pixel correction unit 12
In the bright correction circuit 130 at the subsequent stage of 8, the line CCD 116 reads the adjustment film image with the line CCD 116 while the film image for adjustment having a constant density is set on the entire screen of the line CCD scanner 14.
A gain is determined for each cell based on the image data of the adjustment film image input from the scanner 14 (the density variation of each pixel represented by this image data is caused by the variation of the photoelectric conversion characteristics of each cell). Previously, line CCD
The image data of the film image to be read input from the scanner 14 is corrected for each pixel according to the gain determined for each cell.

On the other hand, if the density of a specific pixel is significantly different from the density of other pixels in the image data of the film image for adjustment, the cell corresponding to the specific pixel in the line CCD 116 has some abnormality. The specific pixel can be determined as a defective pixel. Defective pixel correction unit 12
8 stores the address of the defective pixel based on the image data of the film image for adjustment,
Among the image data of the film image to be read inputted from 4, the data of the defective pixel is interpolated from the data of the surrounding pixels to newly generate data.

Since three lines (CCD cell rows) are arranged in the line CCD 116 at predetermined intervals along the direction in which the photographic film 22 is conveyed, the line CCD 116 uses the line sensors of the line CCD scanner 14 for photographing. The reading positions (the positions of the reading lines) on the film 22 are shifted from each other, and there is a time difference between the timings at which the line CCD scanner 14 starts outputting the image data of the R, G, and B component colors. The line scanner correction unit 122 delays the output timing of the image data with a different delay time for each component color so that the R, G, and B image data of the same pixel is simultaneously output on the film image.

The output terminal of the line scanner correction unit 122 is connected to the input terminal of the selector 132.
Are output to the selector 132. The input terminal of the selector 132 is also connected to the data output terminal of the input / output controller 134. From the input / output controller 134, externally input file image data is input to the selector 132. Selector 1
The output terminals of the 32 are connected to the input / output controller 134 and the data input terminals of the image processor units 136A and 136B, respectively. The selector 132 can selectively output the input image data to each of the input / output controller 134 and the image processors 136A and 136B.

The image processor section 136A includes a memory controller 138, an image processor 140, and three frame memories 142A, 142B, 142C. Frame memories 142A, 142B, 142C
Has a capacity capable of storing image data of a film image for one frame, and the image data input from the selector 132 is stored in any of the three frame memories 142. The memory controller 138 The data of each pixel of the input image data is stored in the frame memory 14.
2 so that they are stored in a certain order in the storage area,
The address at which the image data is stored in the frame memory 142 is controlled.

The image processor 140 takes in the image data stored in the frame memory 142, performs gradation conversion, color conversion, hypertone processing for compressing the gradation of an extremely low frequency luminance component of the image, and sharpness while suppressing graininess. Various image processing such as hyper sharpness processing for emphasizing is performed. Note that the processing conditions of the above image processing are automatically calculated by an auto setup engine 144 (described later), and the image processing is performed according to the calculated processing conditions. The image processor 140 is connected to the input / output controller 134, and the image data subjected to the image processing is temporarily stored in the frame memory 142 and then output to the input / output controller 134 at a predetermined timing. Note that the image processor unit 136B has the same configuration as the above-described image processor unit 136A, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, each line image is read twice by the line CCD scanner 14 at different resolutions. 7. The first reading at a relatively low resolution (hereinafter referred to as pre-scan).
In the case where the density of the film image is extremely low (for example, a negative image overexposed on a negative film), the line CCD 116
, The reading conditions (light amounts of light irradiating the photographic film 22 for each of the R, G, and B wavelength ranges, the charge storage time of the CCD, and the resolution) determined so as not to cause saturation of the stored charges. Is read. Data (pre-scan data) obtained by this pre-scan is input from the selector 132 to the input / output controller 134,
Further, it is output to an auto setup engine 144 connected to the input / output controller 134.

The auto setup engine 144 uses C
PU 146, RAM 148 (for example, DRAM), ROM
150 (for example, a rewritable ROM) and an input / output port 152, which are connected to each other via a bus 154.
From the pre-scan data input via, data of an area where a film image on the photographic film 22 is recorded (pre-scan image data) is cut out.

The auto set-up engine 144 reads a second relatively high resolution by the line CCD scanner 14 based on the pre-scanned image data of the film image for a plurality of frames (hereinafter referred to as fine scan). The processing conditions of the image processing for the image data (fine scan image data) obtained by the above described main reading are calculated, and the calculated processing conditions are output to the image processor 140 of the image processor unit 136. In the calculation of the processing conditions of this image processing, it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of film images that photograph a similar scene based on the exposure amount at the time of photographing, the photographing light source type and other characteristic amounts, and a plurality of film images that photograph the similar scene are determined. Are determined, the image processing conditions for the fine scan image data of these film images are the same or similar.

The optimum processing conditions for image processing vary depending on whether the image data after image processing is used for recording an image on photographic paper in the laser printer unit 18 or output to the outside. Since the image processing unit 16 is provided with two image processor units 136A and 136B, for example, when the image data is used for recording an image on photographic paper and is output to the outside, the auto setup engine 144 is used. Calculates the optimal processing conditions for each application, and calculates the image processor units 136A and 136A.
Output to B. Thereby, the image processor unit 13
6A and 136B, the same fine scan image data is subjected to image processing under different processing conditions.

Further, the auto setup engine 144
Calculates, based on the pre-scanned image data, an image recording parameter that defines a gray balance or the like when recording an image on photographic paper by the laser printer unit 18, and records the image data for recording (described later) to the laser printer unit 18. Is output at the same time as is output. Further, the auto setup engine 144 calculates the processing conditions of the image processing for the file image data input from the outside in the same manner as described above.

The input / output controller 134 is an I / F circuit 1
It is connected to the laser printer section 18 via 56.
When the image data after image processing is used for recording an image on photographic paper, the image data processed by the image processor 136 is transferred from the input / output controller 134 via the I / F circuit 156 to the recording image. The data is output to the laser printer unit 18 as data. The auto setup engine 144 is connected to a personal computer 158. When the image data after the image processing is output to the outside as an image file, the image data processed by the image processor unit 136 is sent from the input / output controller 134 to the auto setup engine 144.
Is output to the personal computer 158 via the.

The personal computer 158 has a CPU
160, memory 162, display 164 and keyboard 166 (see also FIG. 2), hard disk 168, C
It includes a D-ROM driver 170, a transport control unit 172, an expansion slot 174, and an image compression / decompression unit 176.
These are connected to each other via a bus 178. The transport controller 172 is connected to the film carrier 38 and controls the transport of the photographic film 22 by the film carrier 38. In addition, the film carrier 38
When the APS film is set in the APS film, information (for example, image recording size) read from the magnetic layer of the APS film by the film carrier 38 is input.

A driver (not shown) for reading / writing data from / to a storage medium such as a memory card.
A communication control device for communicating with another information processing device is connected to the personal computer 158 via the expansion slot 174. When image data for output to the outside is input from the input / output controller 134, the image data is output to the outside (the driver, the communication control device, or the like) as an image file via the expansion slot 174. When file image data is input from outside via the expansion slot 174, the input file image data
4 to the input / output controller 134. In this case, the input / output controller 134 outputs the input file image data to the selector 132.

The image processing section 16 outputs prescanned image data and the like to the personal computer 158,
The film image read by the line CCD scanner 14 is displayed on the display 164, or the image obtained by recording on the photographic paper is estimated and displayed on the display 164, and the operator can correct the image via the keyboard 166. When instructed, this can be reflected in the processing conditions of image processing.

(Configuration of Laser Printer Unit and Processor Unit) Next, the configuration of the laser printer unit 18 and the processor unit 20 will be described. FIG. 7 shows a laser printer unit 1.
The configuration of the optical system No. 8 is shown. Laser printer unit 1
Numeral 8 includes three laser light sources 210R, 210G, and 210B. The laser light source 210R is configured by a semiconductor laser (LD) that emits a laser beam having an R wavelength. The laser light source 210G includes an LD and a wavelength conversion element (SHG) that converts the laser light emitted from the LD into a laser light having a wavelength of １ ／, and a laser light having a wavelength of SHG to G. The emission wavelength of the LD is determined so that is emitted. Similarly, the laser light source 210B also includes an LD and an SHG, and the oscillation wavelength of the LD is determined so that a laser beam having a wavelength of B is emitted from the SHG.

Laser light sources 210R, 210G, 210B
The collimator lens 212,
An acousto-optic light modulator (AOM) 214 is arranged in order. The AOM 214 is arranged so that the incident laser beam passes through the acousto-optic medium, and is connected to the AOM driver 216 (see FIG. 8). When the high frequency signal is input from the AOM driver 216, the AOM 214 Ultrasonic waves according to the high-frequency signal propagate in the optical medium, and an acousto-optic effect acts on the laser light transmitted through the acousto-optic medium to cause diffraction. Is emitted as diffracted light.

A polygon mirror 218 is disposed on the diffracted light emission side of the AOM 214. Three laser beams of R, G, and B wavelengths emitted as diffracted light from the respective AOMs 214 are reflected by the polygon mirror 218. The light is applied to substantially the same position on the surface and is reflected by the polygon mirror 218.
The fθ lens 220 and the plane mirror 222 are disposed on the laser light emission side of the polygon mirror 218. The three laser beams reflected by the polygon mirror 218 are transmitted through the fθ lens 220 and reflected by the plane mirror 222. Irradiated on photographic paper 224.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic configuration of an electric system of the laser printer section 18 and the processor section 20. The laser printer section 18 has a frame memory 230 (storage means of the present invention) for storing image data for recording. The storage capacity of the frame memory 230 according to the present embodiment is relatively small (for example, only about ten and several frames of image data for recording can be stored) in order to avoid a large increase in cost. The frame memory 230 is connected to the image processing unit 16 via the I / F circuit 232, and the recording image data (the photographic paper 2) input from the image processing unit 16 is input.
Image data representing the R, G, and B densities of each pixel of the image to be recorded in the image data 24 is temporarily stored in the frame memory 230 via the I / F circuit 232. The frame memory 230 is connected to the exposure unit 236 via the D / A converter 234 and to the printer unit control circuit 238.

The exposure section 236 has three laser light sources 210 composed of LDs (and SHGs) as described above, and also has three systems of AOM 214 and AOM driver 216. The polygon mirror 218 and polygon mirror 2
Main scanning unit 240 equipped with a motor for rotating 18
Is provided. The exposure unit 236 is connected to a printer unit control circuit 238, and the operation of each unit is controlled by the printer unit control circuit 238.

When recording an image on the photographic paper 224,
In order to record the image represented by the recording image data on the photographic paper 224 by scanning exposure, the printer control circuit 238 performs various operations on the recording image data based on the image recording parameters input from the image processing unit 16. To generate image data for scanning exposure, and
30. Then, the polygon mirror 218 of the exposure unit 236 is rotated, and the laser light sources 210R and 210R are rotated.
G and 210B, and emits the scanning exposure image data from the frame memory 230 to the D
Output to the exposure unit 236 via the / A converter 234.
Thus, the scanning exposure image data is converted into an analog signal and input to the exposure unit 236.

The AOM driver 216 changes the amplitude of the ultrasonic signal supplied to the AOM 214 according to the level of the input analog signal, and changes the intensity of the laser light emitted from the AOM 214 as diffracted light to the level of the analog signal (ie, the level of the analog signal). The modulation is performed according to the R density, the G density, or the B density of each pixel of the image to be recorded on the photographic paper 224. Accordingly, the three AOMs 214 emit R, G, and B laser beams whose intensity is modulated in accordance with the R, G, and B densities of the image to be recorded on the photographic paper 224, and these laser beams are emitted from the polygon mirror 218. , Fθ lens 220, mirror 2
The photographic paper 224 is radiated through the photographic paper 22.

The main scanning is performed by scanning the irradiation position of each laser beam in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 7 with the rotation of the polygon mirror 218, and the printing paper 224 is moved in the direction of arrow C in FIG. The laser beam is sub-scanned by being conveyed at a constant speed, and the photographic paper 2 is scanned and exposed.
An image is recorded in 24. The photographic paper 224 on which the image is recorded by the scanning exposure is sent to the processor unit 20.

A printer unit driver 242 is connected to the printer unit control circuit 238, and a fan 24 that blows air to the exposure unit 236 is connected to the printer unit driver 242.
4. A magazine motor 246 for pulling out the photographic paper stored in the magazine loaded in the laser printer unit from the magazine is connected. The printer control circuit 238 is connected to a back print unit 248 that prints characters and the like on the back surface of the printing paper 224. The operations of the fan 244, the magazine motor 246, and the back print unit 248 are controlled by the printer control circuit 238.

The printer control circuit 238 has a magazine sensor 250 for detecting the attachment / detachment of the magazine storing the unexposed photographic paper 224 and the size of the photographic paper stored in the magazine. Operation panel 252 (see also FIG. 2) for inputting, processor unit 20
The densitometer 254 for measuring the density of the image visualized by processing such as development is connected to the processor unit control circuit 256 of the processor unit 20.

The processor control circuit 256 detects the passage of the photographic paper 224 conveyed along the photographic paper conveyance path inside the processor of the processor unit 20 and detects the level of various processing liquids stored in the processing tank. Various sensors 258 for detecting the position and the like
Is connected.

The processor control circuit 256 includes:
A sorter 260 (see FIG. 2) for sorting the photographic paper discharged to the outside of the machine after completion of the processing such as development into a predetermined group, and a replenishing system 26 for replenishing a processing tank with a replenisher.
2. An automatic cleaning system 264 for cleaning rollers and the like is connected, and various pumps / solenoids 268 are connected via a processor driver 266. These sorters 260, replenishment systems 262, automatic cleaning systems 264, and various pumps / solenoids 26
The operation of 8 is controlled by the processor unit control circuit 256.

(Operation) Next, as an operation of the first embodiment, a film image recorded on a long photographic film 22 (for example, a 135- or 240-size photographic film) is read by the line CCD scanner 14. The case where the image processing section 16 performs predetermined image processing and then exposes and records an image on the photographic paper 224 by the laser printer section 18 will be described.

As described above, the film image is read by pre-scanning each film image recorded on one photographic film 22 at a relatively low resolution, and then performing a fine scan at a high resolution. This is accomplished by performing the scans sequentially. When performing pre-scanning of a film image, the auto-setup engine 144 of the image processing unit 16 notifies the line CCD scanner 14 of a predetermined fixed reading condition at the time of pre-scanning, and the line CCD scanner 14 and the film CCD. The carrier 38 is instructed to execute the prescan.

As a result, the film carrier 38 conveys the photographic film 22 at a constant conveyance speed suitable for prescanning, and the line CCD scanner 14 uses the line CCD 116 to execute the photographic film 2 according to the notified reading conditions.
2 is sequentially read, and the obtained data is output to the image processing unit 16 as prescan data. The prescan data input to the image processing unit 16 is input to the auto setup engine 144 via the line scanner correction unit 122, the selector 132, and the input / output controller 134.

In the auto setup engine 144,
Data (pre-scan image data) corresponding to the film image recording area is extracted from the input pre-scan data, a feature amount such as an average density of the film image is obtained based on the pre-scan image data, and the film image is converted to photographic paper. The print size at the time of recording on the H.224 is determined (for example, in the case of a 135 size film, the print size can be determined from the aspect ratio of the film image.
For a 40-size film, the print size can be determined from the information recorded on the magnetic layer), and the reading conditions for performing fine scan on the same film image based on the obtained feature amount and print size. Is calculated and stored in the RAM 148 or the like in association with the frame number.
Note that the resolution among the reading conditions is determined so that the resolution increases as the print size increases.

The auto setup engine 144
Is to determine the exposure, filming light source type, and other features when shooting a film image based on the pre-scanned image data, and perform a fine scan on the same film image based on the obtained features. Processor 14 for fine scan image data obtained by
The processing condition of the image processing executed at 0 is calculated. Also,
The feature values obtained from the sequentially input pre-scan image data are sequentially compared to determine whether or not the data is a film image of a similar scene, and the same or similar processing conditions are applied to the film image of a similar scene. The processing condition is calculated so that When the processing condition is calculated, the calculated processing condition is associated with the frame number and stored in the RAM 1.
48.

On the other hand, the auto setup engine 144
In parallel with the calculation of the reading conditions and the processing conditions, the personal computer 158 performs image verification processing on the film image for which the processing conditions have been calculated. That is, pre-scan image data of a plurality of film images and processing conditions of image processing are fetched from the auto setup engine 144, and equivalent to image processing executed by the image processor 140 for fine scan image data based on the fetched processing conditions. Performing various image processing on the pre-scan image data is repeated for a plurality of film images, and a plurality of simulation images are displayed on the display 164 based on the pre-scan image data (simulation image data) after the image processing of the plurality of film images. Are displayed.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the display of a simulation image. In FIG. 9, a simulation image 300 of a film image for six frames is displayed, and a line CCD is displayed.
Photographic film 22 being read by the scanner 14
Of these, a portion where a film image corresponding to the displayed simulation image 300 is recorded is also an image 3.
02, and further, on the photographic film 22 displayed as the image 302, a film image corresponding to the displayed simulation image 300 is indicated by being surrounded by a frame 304. Although not shown in FIG. 9, the print size determined by the auto setup engine 144 is also displayed together with the simulation image 300.

When the simulation image is displayed on the display 164, the operator visually checks the simulation image and determines whether the print size determined by the auto setup engine 144 is appropriate and whether the image quality of the simulation image is appropriate. (I.e., whether the processing conditions calculated by the auto setup engine 144 are appropriate) and the like, and input information indicating the test result via the keyboard 166.

If the test result of the specific simulation image is “fail”, the personal computer 15
Numeral 8 outputs correction information (information instructing correction of print size and processing conditions) input from the operator to the auto setup engine 144 following information representing the test result, and outputs a film image corresponding to the specific simulation image. At least one of the reading condition and the processing condition is corrected by the auto setup engine 144.
Then, the simulation image 300 is displayed again on the display 164 based on the corrected processing conditions and the like.
By visually checking the re-displayed simulation image of the specific image, the operator can easily determine whether or not the content of the previously input correction instruction is appropriate.

If the test result is “pass”, the test process for the film image displaying the simulation image is terminated, and the personal computer 1
Reference numeral 58 repeats the above processing for a film image for which verification has not been performed. By performing the above-described verification processing, appropriate reading conditions and processing conditions are set for all the film images recorded on the photographic film 22.

Next, the fine setup of the film image performed after the above-described processing and the transfer of the image data obtained by the fine scan to the laser printer section 18 are executed by the auto setup engine 144 of the image processing section 144. This will be described with reference to the fine scan control processing (FIG. 10) performed.

In step 400, the laser printer unit 1
8 of the frame memory 230 is detected. This free space can be detected, for example, by inquiring of the free space to the laser printer unit 18 and receiving a response from the laser printer unit 18. In addition, the entire capacity of the frame memory 230 is stored in advance, and each time the recording of a single image on the photographic paper 224 is completed (with this, the image data used for recording the image in the storage area of the frame memory 230 is used). The laser printer unit 1 is configured to notify the laser printer unit 18 that recording has been completed when the area storing the recording image data is released (the area becomes free).
8 and a frame memory 230 on the image processing unit 16 side.
By sequentially updating the value of the data (free space data) indicating the free space of the frame memory 230, the free space of the frame memory 230 may be constantly grasped.

That is, for example, when the power is turned on, the value of the free space data is set to a value corresponding to the total capacity of the frame memory 230, and every time the image data for recording is transferred to the laser printer unit 18, the size of the transferred image data for recording is changed. The value of the free space data is reduced by the
Each time the notification of the completion of the image recording is made, the value of the free space data is increased by the size of the recording image data used for recording the image. Thereby, the free space of the frame memory 230 can be always grasped.

In the next step 402, it is determined whether or not the detected free space in the frame memory 230 is equal to or larger than a predetermined value. If the determination is affirmative, the frame memory 230
Is determined to be large enough to store the new recording image data, and the flow proceeds to step 404. In step 404, the line CCD scanner 14 is notified of the reading conditions at the time of fine scanning for each film image calculated before and stored in the RAM 148,
It instructs the line CCD scanner 14 and the film carrier 38 to start the fine scan for the film image.

As a result, the film carrier 38 conveys the photographic film 22 at a conveyance speed corresponding to the film image reading conditions for which fine scanning is to be performed, and the line CCD scanner 14 has the film image reading conditions for which fine scanning is to be performed. According to the line CCD1
The image processing unit 16 reads a film image by using the obtained image data as fine scan image data.
Output to By repeating the above process for each film image, fine scan is sequentially performed on each film image recorded on the photographic film 22.

During the fine scan of the film image recorded at the head of the photographic film 22 by the line CCD scanner 14, the value of the interruption flag is set to 0 in step 406, and in the next step 408, Based on the resolution of the fine scan for the film image on which the fine scan is being performed by the line CCD scanner 14, the size of the fine scan image data obtained by the fine scan (the same size of the recording image data) is calculated. In step 410, the free space of the frame memory 230 is detected again in the same manner as in the previous step 400, and when the data of the size obtained in the previous step 408 is stored in the frame memory 230, the frame memory 230 becomes full (free space). Is 0 or extremely small). If the determination in step 412 is negative, the process proceeds to step 416, and waits until the fine scan for a single film image (in this case, the film image recorded at the top of the photographic film 22) is completed.

When the fine scan of the film image recorded at the head of the photographic film 22 is completed by the line CCD scanner 14, the fine scan image data is transferred to the line scanner correction unit 122, the selector 132, and the input / output controller of the image processing unit 16. The data is input to the image processor unit 136 and the auto setup engine 144 via 134, and accordingly, the determination in step 416 is affirmed.

When the fine scan image data is input, the auto setup engine 144 sets the processing conditions of the image processing corresponding to the input image data to the RAM 1.
48 and is notified to the image processor 140 of the image processor unit 136. The image processor 136 temporarily stores the input fine scan image data in any of the three frame memories 142A to 142C, and then stores the data in the frame memories 142A to 142C.
C, performs image processing according to the processing conditions notified from the auto setup engine 144, re-stores it in any of the frame memories 142A to 142C, and outputs it to the input / output controller 134 as recording image data. .

The recording image data input to the input / output controller 134 is transferred to the laser printer unit 18 via the I / F circuit 156 in step 418, and is stored in the frame memory 230 of the laser printer unit 18. As a result, the photographic paper 22 is
The recording of the image in No. 4 is started.

That is, the laser printer section 18 reads out one frame of recording image data stored in the frame memory 230, and outputs the laser light sources 210R, 210G, 21
0B, R, G, and B laser beams are respectively emitted, and AOM2 based on the read recording image data.
The laser light is modulated by 14 and the modulated laser light is scanned on the printing paper 224. As a result, an image corresponding to the read recording image data is recorded on the photographic paper 224. When the recording of a single image on the photographic paper 224 is completed, the storage area of the storage area of the frame memory 230 that stores the recording image data used for recording the image is released. By repeating the above processing, images represented by the recording image data stored in the frame memory 230 are sequentially recorded on the photographic paper 224.

The image data for recording is processed by the image processor 140 with respect to the fine scan image data in accordance with the processing conditions corrected so that the image quality becomes appropriate as required by the image verification processing described above. Therefore, by recording an image on the photographic paper 224 using the recording image data as described above, a recorded image of an appropriate image quality can always be obtained.

In the next step 420, photographic film 2
It is determined whether or not the fine scan has been completed for all the film images recorded in Step 2. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 422, where it is determined whether the value of the interruption flag is 1. If this determination is also negative, the process returns to step 408. Therefore, for each film image recorded on the photographic film 22, steps 408 to 42 are performed.
Steps 408 to 4 are performed until the determination of step 420 or step 422 is affirmed.
Step 22 is repeated.

By the way, the frame memory 230 according to the present embodiment is designed to be capable of storing only a few dozen frames of image data for recording, and the image recording speed by the laser printer unit 18 (the storage area of the frame memory 230). Is released) is slower than the speed of the fine scan of the film image by the line CCD scanner 14, and therefore, when a large number of film images such as more than twenty frames are recorded on the photographic film 22 to be read. In this case, the frame memory 230 may become full before the fine scan of all the film images recorded on the photographic film 22 is completed.

On the other hand, when the frame memory 230 is almost full, the determination in step 412 is affirmed,
After setting the value of the interruption flag to 1 in step 414, the process proceeds to step 416. Accordingly, the determination at step 422 is affirmed, and the routine goes to step 424. Step 4
At 24, since the frame memory 230 is full, the line CCD scanner 14 and the film carrier 3
8 is instructed to interrupt the fine scan for the film image, and the flow advances to step 426. This allows
The film carrier 38 stops the conveyance of the photographic film 22 and rewinds the photographic film 22 by a predetermined amount (in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction at the time of the fine scan, the photographic film 22 is stopped).
Is transported by a predetermined amount). The line CCD scanner 14 stops outputting image data.

In step 426, of the film images recorded on the photographic film 22, the reading conditions (reading resolution) of all the film images that have not been subjected to fine scan are fetched, and all of these film images are read. Of the fine scan image data (= size of image data for recording), and further calculate and store the total value. In the next step 428, the frame memory 2 is stored in the same manner as in step 400 described above.
In step 430, it is determined whether or not the detected free space is equal to or larger than the threshold value of the free space for resuming the suspended fine scan (recovered).

The threshold value of the free space is determined by the keyboard 166 (claim 1) when the digital lab system 10 is installed.
Is set by the user via the setting means described in
For example, it is stored in a nonvolatile storage unit such as the hard disk 168. As the threshold value of the free space, any value can be set as long as it is larger than the data amount of the recording image data for one frame and is equal to or less than the total capacity of the frame memory 230. A value corresponding to the data amount of the recording image data for a plurality of frames of two or more is recommended.

If the determination at step 430 is denied, the process proceeds to step 432, where it is determined whether the free space detected at step 428 is equal to or greater than the total value of the data amount calculated at step 426. If this determination is also denied, the process returns to step 428, and step 42 is performed until the determination of step 430 or step 432 is affirmed.
Repeat steps 8 to 432. During this time, the laser printer unit 18
Since the recording of the image on the photographic paper 224 is continuously performed, the free space of the frame memory 230 gradually increases.

Then, when the free space of the frame memory 230 recovers to a value equal to or larger than the free space threshold for resuming the interrupted fine scan (if the above-described recommended value is set as the threshold, a plurality of frames are returned). (If there is a free space capable of storing the recording image data for each minute), step 4
If the determination in step 30 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 404 to instruct the line CCD scanner 14 and the film carrier 38 to resume fine scanning. As a result, the fine scan is performed on the film image for which the fine scan has not been performed. Thus, step 430 is performed in accordance with steps 412, 414, and 4 described above.
Together with 18, 422, it corresponds to the control means according to claim 1.

When the threshold value of the free space is set to a value corresponding to the data amount of the recording image data for a plurality of frames, fine scan is stopped again when the frame memory 230 becomes full again. Even if it does, the fine scan of the film image is performed for at least the plurality of frames before the fine scan is interrupted again. Accordingly, the number of times fine scan is interrupted (the number of times the photographic film 22 is rewound) can be reduced, and damage to the photographic film 22 can be suppressed, and fine scan of the film image can be performed efficiently. Also, by rewinding the photographic film 22 for each frame of the film image, the user does not feel uncomfortable.

When the fine scan is interrupted in a state where the number of the film images that have not been subjected to the fine scan is small, the total value of the sizes of the recording image data obtained when all the film images that have not been subjected to the fine scan are read is read. There may be a case where the value is smaller than the free space threshold. In this case, the determination in step 432 is affirmed before the determination in step 430 is affirmed, and the suspended fine scan is promptly restarted. In this case, it is possible to reduce the time required to complete the fine scan of all the film images recorded on one photographic film 22. Steps 426 and 432 are described in claim 2
Corresponds to the control means described in (1).

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the second embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the respective parts, and the description of the configuration is omitted. Hereinafter, the operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. , The fine scan control processing according to the second embodiment will be described only for the parts different from the first embodiment.

In the fine scan control process according to the second embodiment, when the frame memory 230 is full and the fine scan is interrupted, the process proceeds to step 426 when all the film images for which the fine scan has not been performed are read. After calculating the total value of the sizes of the recording image data, in the next step 440, fine scan is performed based on the reading time per film image which is measured in advance for each resolution and stored in the memory. The reading time t _R (see FIG. 12) when all the film images which have not been read are calculated. In FIG. 12, a dashed line described as “transition (estimation) of image data amount” indicates a recording memory newly stored in the frame memory 230 when all film images that have not been subjected to fine scan are sequentially read. The transition of the data amount of the image data is shown.

At step 442, the free space of the frame memory 230 is detected in the same manner as at step 400, and at the next step 444, it is determined whether or not all the storage areas of the frame memory 230 have been released. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 446, and based on the transition of the free space of the frame memory 230 while the fine scan is suspended (see the thick line in FIG. 12), the free space of the frame memory 230 is determined. The average increase speed (corresponding to the slope of the broken line indicated as “transition (estimation) of frame memory free space” in FIG. 12) is calculated.

At step 448, the free space of the frame memory 230 is calculated based on the average increase rate of the free space of the frame memory 230 calculated at step 446 and the current free space detected at step 442.
A time t _W (see FIG. 12) until the size becomes equal to the total value of the size of the recording image data of the unread film image calculated in 6 is calculated. Then, in the next step 450, it is determined whether or not the time t _W has become equal to or shorter than the reading time t _R.

As an example, FIG. 12 shows a state where t _W > t _R. In this state, if the fine scan is restarted from the current time, before the reading of all the film images for which the fine scan has not been performed is completed, the free space of the frame memory 230 becomes insufficient, and the frame memory 230 becomes full. Then, it is necessary to suspend the fine scan again. Therefore, if the determination in step 450 is negative, the process returns to step 442, and step 44
Steps 442 to 450 are repeated until the determination in step 4 or step 450 is affirmative.

If the average increase rate of the free space of the frame memory 230 is constant, the fine scan is restarted from the current time in the period (t _W ≦ t _R ) shown as the “read resumable period” in FIG. However, reading of all film images can be completed without interrupting fine scan due to lack of free space in the frame memory 230. Therefore, if the determination in step 450 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 404 and the line CC
The D scanner 14 and the film carrier 38 are instructed to restart the fine scan. As a result, the fine scan is performed on the film image for which the fine scan has not been performed. Steps 426 and 44
0, 446 to 450 are steps 412, 414, 41
8 and 422 correspond to the control means according to the third aspect.

In the fine scan control processing according to the second embodiment, the rate of increase in the free space of the frame memory 230 and the amount of recording image data newly stored in the frame memory 230 when the fine scan is restarted Based on the speed of increase, the fine scan is restarted after it is determined that there is no shortage of free space even if the fine scan is restarted for all film images for which fine scan has not been performed. The number of times the film 22 is rewound) can be reduced, the photographic film 22 can be prevented from being damaged, and fine scanning of the film image can be performed efficiently. Also, by rewinding the photographic film 22 for each frame of the film image, the user does not feel uncomfortable.

When all the storage areas of the frame memory 230 have been released, the determination in step 444 is affirmative, and the fine scan for all the film images for which the fine scan has not been performed is restarted. This step 444 corresponds to the control means described in claim 4.

In the above description, the fine scan image data obtained by the fine scan is subjected to image processing and simply transferred to the laser printer unit 18 as recording image data. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, when it is determined that the image quality of the recorded image is not appropriate and there is a possibility that re-recording (so-called re-printing) of the same image on the photographic paper 224 may be instructed, etc. In addition to transferring the image data, the fine scan image data may be stored in a storage medium such as a memory or a hard disk. Thus, when a reprint is instructed, the fine scan image data is read out from the storage medium, image processing is performed under processing conditions different from the last time, and the image data is output to the laser printer unit 18 so that the film image is read again. Reprinting can be performed without performing. The fine scan image data stored in the storage medium is, for example, a predetermined time after the operator instructs to discard the fine scan image data, or when the operator instructs to print another frame, or when the printing is completed. If reprint is not instructed, it may be discarded.

In the above, the case where the photographic film 22 is used as the first recording medium and the photographic paper 224 is used as the second recording medium has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Salt photosensitive material, heat developing type recording material,
Plain paper, OHP sheets, etc. may be used.

In the above description, the photographic paper 2
Although the recording of the image on the H.24 has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this. Writing, transfer of image data to another information processing device, or the like may be performed. Further, these plural processes may be performed in parallel.

[0114]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage unit for a reading unit, in which reading of an original image recorded on a long first recording medium is interrupted, to resume reading. Setting means for setting a threshold value of the free space of the original image. The image data obtained by the reading unit reading the original image is stored in the storage means. The reading of the original images is resumed after the reading of the original images is resumed after the free space of the storage unit is restored to a threshold value or more set via the setting unit. In performing a predetermined process using the image data obtained, it is possible to reduce the number of times reading is interrupted without increasing the capacity of the storage unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the reading of the original image is interrupted, the free space of the storage means is obtained when all the unread original images are read. When the data amount becomes larger than the data amount of the image data, the reading of the original image is restarted. Therefore, in addition to the above effects, the average reading time of the original image can be shortened.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the image data obtained by reading the original image recorded on the long first recording medium is stored in the storage means, and the free space of the storage means is determined by a predetermined amount. When the reading becomes less than the value, the reading of the original image is interrupted, and the reading unit reads the unread original based on the increasing speed of the free space of the storage unit and the increasing speed of the image data amount when the reading unit sequentially reads the original image. Since the original image reading is restarted after it is determined that the free space of the storage unit is no longer insufficient even when all the images are read,
An excellent effect that, when reading a plurality of original images in order and performing a predetermined process using image data obtained by reading, the number of times that reading is interrupted can be reduced without increasing the storage unit capacity. Having.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first or the third aspect of the present invention, after a plurality of original images recorded on a photographic film as a first recording medium are preliminarily read, the actual reading is performed. Performing, the image data obtained by performing the main reading was stored in the storage means, in addition to the above-described effects, a plurality of original images recorded on the photographic film can be read with high accuracy, There is an effect that predetermined processing can be performed using image data obtained by reading an original image with high accuracy.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect, the image data obtained by the preliminary reading is
Used for verification of the original image including determination of the resolution of the main reading,
Since the data amount of the image data obtained by the actual reading is calculated for each original image based on the result of the verification of the original image, in addition to the above-described effects, the resolution at the time of the actual reading of the original image is improved. Even in the case where it is not constant, there is an effect that the amount of image data obtained by changing the free space or reading can be accurately predicted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a digital laboratory system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a digital laboratory system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical system of the line CCD scanner.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a film carrier set in a line CCD scanner.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electric system of the line CCD scanner.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing unit.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical system of a laser printer unit.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an electric system of a laser printer unit and a processor unit.

FIG. 9 is an image diagram showing a display example of a simulation image on a display.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the content of a fine scan control process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the content of a fine scan control process according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a determination of a fine scan restart timing in a fine scan control process according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Digital laboratory system 14 Line CCD scanner 16 Image processing unit 18 Laser printer unit 144 Auto setup engine 166 Keyboard 230 Frame memory

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A first device in which a plurality of long original images are recorded.
A reading unit that sequentially reads the plurality of original images while conveying the recording medium; a storage unit for storing image data obtained by the reading unit reading the original image; and a storage unit that is stored in the storage unit. Read out the image data
A processing unit for performing a predetermined process using the read image data; and a setting unit for setting a threshold of the free space of the storage unit for the reading unit in which reading of the original image has been interrupted to resume the reading. Storing the image data obtained by the reading unit reading the original image in a storage unit, and suspending the reading of the original image by the reading unit when the free space of the storage unit becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value; Control means for restarting the reading of the original image by the reading unit after the free space of the means has recovered to a threshold value or more set via the setting means. 2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein in a state where the reading of the original image by the reading unit is suspended, the free space of the storage unit is obtained when the reading unit reads all the unread original images. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the data amount becomes larger than the image data to be read, the reading unit restarts reading the original image. 3. A first device in which a plurality of long original images are recorded.
A reading unit that sequentially reads the plurality of original images while conveying the recording medium; a storage unit for storing image data obtained by the reading unit reading the original image; and a storage unit that is stored in the storage unit. Read out the image data
A processing unit that performs a predetermined process using the read image data, and stores the image data obtained by the reading unit reading the original image in a storage unit, and the free space of the storage unit is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Then, the reading of the original image by the reading unit is interrupted, and based on the increasing speed of the free space of the storage unit and the increasing speed of the image data amount when the reading unit sequentially reads the original image, the reading unit An image processing apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to restart reading of the original image by the reading unit after it is determined that the free space of the storage unit does not become insufficient even when all unread original images are read. 4. The control unit, in a state where the reading of the original image by the reading unit is suspended, when the storage area of the storage unit is completely released, the reading of the original image by the reading unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image processing apparatus is restarted. 5. The processing unit, as the predetermined processing,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image is recorded on a second recording medium, or the read image data is written on an information storage medium. 6. The first recording medium is a photographic film, wherein the reading unit performs a main reading after performing a preliminary reading on a plurality of original images recorded on the photographic film; 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data obtained by performing the main reading by the reading unit is stored in a storage unit. 7. The image data obtained by the preliminary reading is used for verification of an original image including determination of the resolution of the main reading, and the control unit is configured to perform a verification based on a result of the verification of the original image.
7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a data amount of the image data obtained by the main reading is calculated for each original image.