JPH0683363B2 - Color video printer - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color video printer having a function of color-correcting a still image according to an input signal, and more specifically, a still image is color-coded for each divided area. The present invention relates to a color video printer capable of correction.

[Conventional example] In recent years, each manufacturer has a video printer that inputs a television signal (NTSC signal) or a video signal, stores one still image based on the signal, prints the still image, and displays it on a monitor device. It came to be proposed from. Moreover, with the advent of color video printers that perform color printing, the range of use has expanded.

Such a color video printer has, for example, the configuration shown in FIG.

In the figure, the input signal (for example, NTSC signal) is regarded as R, G, B signals in the color decoder unit 1, and these R, G, B signals are respectively supplied to the respective A / D conversion circuits of the A / D conversion unit 2. Converted to digital. At this time, if the color video printer is in a recording operation, R, which is converted to digital,
One R, G, B memory circuit of the memory unit 3 stores one still image data by G, B signals.

Then, when the color video printer is operated by the monitor, the still image data stored in the memory unit 3 is printed line by line and in each color (Y: yellow, M: magenta, C: cyan). Is read according to. The still image data read in this way is converted into analog by the D / A conversion unit 4 and input to the color correction unit 5. In the color correction unit 5, the converted analog signal is corrected based on correction data according to an external instruction or the like, and each R, G, B signal is corrected according to the correction of each color. The color-corrected R, G, and B signals are output as monitors through an output circuit, for example. That is, the color-corrected still image is displayed on the monitor device connected to the video printer.

When the video printer is operated for printing,
As described above, the still image color-corrected by the color correction unit 5 is A /
It is converted to digital by the D converter 6 and input to the printer 7. In this way, the color-corrected still image is printed for each line of the print, and for each yellow, magenta,
Each cyan color is input to the printer unit 7, and the printer unit 7
A still image is printed at.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, since the color video printer described above performs color correction of a still image by analog processing, it converts the still image data stored in the memory unit into analog data. Since the / A conversion unit 4 and the printer unit 7 perform printing by digital processing, the A / D conversion unit 6 for converting the analog still image into the original digital image is required.

That is, the still image stored in the memory unit 3 is converted from digital to analog through the two conversion units of the D / A conversion unit 4 and the A / D conversion unit 6 and further converted from the analog to digital, and the printer Since it is input to part 7,
There is a problem that the image quality of a still image printed by the printer unit 7 is deteriorated.

Also, due to the recent development of electronic technology, various functions such as still images can be divided into four and monitored or printed in the color video printer.

However, the conventional color correction is performed on the entire still image, and the actual situation is that different color correction cannot be performed for each divided area.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is a color video printer capable of performing color correction for each divided area of a still image without degrading the image quality of the still image. To provide.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an input signal A /
The digital conversion is performed by the D conversion unit, the data of one still image is stored in the memory unit from the signal converted to the digital, the stored still image is color-corrected, and the color-corrected still image is printed by the printer unit. A color video printer for printing on a monitor and outputting to a monitor, and a color correction data section in which a plurality of color correction values are set for performing color correction on respective predetermined divided areas of the still image, and this color A data selector section for selecting a color correction value of the correction data section, a control section for outputting a control signal for selecting one of the plurality of color correction values for each of the predetermined areas to the data selector section, and the memory. A color correction unit for performing color correction on a predetermined area of a still image stored in each unit according to the color correction value selected by the data selector unit, and a static image color-corrected by the color correction unit. It is equipped with a D / A converter that converts a still image to analog and uses this analog converted signal as a monitor output, and stores the stored still image in the color selected by the data selector for each divided area. The color-corrected still image is digitally calculated based on the correction value, and the color-corrected still image is output to the printer section and also output to the monitor.

[Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, the same parts as those in FIG. 6 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the duplicated description will be omitted.

In FIG. 1, the still image data read from the memory unit 3 is input to the color correction unit 8 and corrected in accordance with each color (Y, M, C) correction. The color correction unit 8 includes a plurality of color correction values (for example, D ₁ and D ₁ ) set in advance in the color correction data unit 9.
₂ , D ₃ , D ₄ ) is input via the data selector unit 10.
A control signal for selecting the color correction values D ₁ , D ₂ , D ₃ , and D ₄ is input to the data selector unit 10, and the control signal is a predetermined still image division area (for example, the number of divisions). Is output from the control unit 11 in accordance with. Therefore, the control unit 11 has an X column counter (X on the monitor screen: see FIG. 3) 11a, Y for counting the address when the still image data is read from the memory unit 3.
A row counter (Y on the monitor screen: see FIG. 3) 11b and a data selector controller 11c that outputs a control signal when the values of the counters and the data of the predetermined divided area match each other are provided. In addition,
The still image division of the monitor screen may be performed by an external division area designating means (eg mouse) 12. Further, the divided area designating means 12 may be capable of selecting a color correction value for color-correcting a still image in the divided area.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the memory unit 3 has R, G,
In the case of the B memory, the color correction unit 8 is provided with R, G, and B single color correction units 8a, 8b, and 8c.
The monochromatic color correction units 8a, 8b, 8c are provided with a contrast correction circuit that corrects the contrast of the print and monitor screens and a bright correction circuit that corrects the print and the brightness of the monitor screen. Although not shown in the figure, the contrast correction circuit is provided with a multiplier / divider that calculates the input R, G, B signals based on the color correction value (contrast), and the bright correction circuit has a color correction value (brightness). ), An adder / subtractor or the like for arithmetically processing the input R, G, B signals is provided.

The still image data color-corrected by the color correction unit 8 is converted to analog by the D / A conversion unit 13 and output as a monitor when the color video printer is operated for monitoring. When the color video printer is operated for printing and also for color correction, the color-corrected still image data is output to the printer unit 7.

Next, the operation of the color video printer having the above configuration will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG.

First, the above-mentioned color video printer is operated for recording,
It is assumed that one still image based on the input signal is stored in the memory unit 3. When the color video printer is operated on the monitor for the purpose of confirming whether the still image stored in the memory unit 3 is the desired one, the memory unit 3
From the monitor screen, still image data is read out line by line in the horizontal direction, and the R, G, B signals based on the still image data are input to the respective monochromatic color correction units 8a, 8b, 8c, and the data selector unit 10 Processing of contrast correction, bright correction or no color correction is performed according to the color correction value selected in.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the still image is divided into, for example, four divisions a, b, c, d, and the color correction values D ₁ , It is assumed that D ₂ , D ₃ and D ₄ are selected. In this case, if the X column of the monitor screen is 640 and the Y row is 480, the following four divided areas a, b, c, d are indicated,
It is assumed that the color correction value is different for each area.

0 ≦ X ≦ 319,0 ≦ Y ≦ 239 (color correction value D ₁ ) 320 ≦ X ≦ 639,0 ≦ Y ≦ 239 (color correction value D ₂ ) 0 ≦ X ≦ 319,240 ≦ Y ≦ 479 (color correction value D ₃ ) 320 ≦ X ≦ 639, 240 ≦ Y ≦ 479 (color correction value D ₄ ) First, the still image data stored is sequentially output from the memory unit 3 for each scanning line 1. That is, the data corresponding to the pixels of (0,0), ..., (0,639) on the monitor screen are sequentially output by the R, G, B signals, but until the data corresponding to (0,319) is read, The data selector 10 selects the color correction value D ₁ , and thereafter the color correction value D ₂ is selected. Furthermore, up to (239,639), the above color correction D
₁ is selected, then the still image is read out in the same way as above, until the data corresponding to (240,319) is read out, the color correction value D ₃ is selected, and thereafter the color correction value D ₄ is selected. To be done. That is, as shown in the figure, different color correction values D ₁ , D ₂ , D ₃ , D ₄ are selected for the four divided regions a, b, c, d.

As a result, of the still image data read from the memory unit 3, the data corresponding to the above-mentioned area is converted by the color correction values D ₁ , D ₂ , D ₃ , and D ₄ selected by the data selector unit 10, respectively. D / A converter 13
Is converted into analog and is used as monitor output. That is, on the monitor screen, a still image subjected to different color correction by the color correction unit 8 is displayed for each of the predetermined divided areas or the areas designated by the divided area designating means 12.

When the selected color correction value is for correcting the contrast, the still image read from the memory unit 3 is arithmetically processed by the multiplier / divider of the color correction unit 8 and the level of the signal is changed. It is changed and converted to analog by the D / A converter 13 to be a monitor output. In this case, if the bright correction is not performed, the level of the signal is simply changed, so that the still image of the monitor image is corrected in contrast. Moreover, a still image color-corrected in accordance with an external instruction is displayed on the monitor screen in real time.

When the selected color correction value is for correcting the brightness, the still image read from the memory unit 3 is arithmetically processed by the adder / subtractor of the color correction unit 8 and the level of the entire signal is increased. Is changed, and is converted into analog by the D / A conversion unit 13 to be a monitor output. In this case, if the contrast is not corrected, only the level of the entire signal is changed, so that the still image on the monitor screen is brightly corrected. Moreover, on the monitor screen,
The color-corrected still image is displayed in real time as described above.

Further, even when the color correction value is for correcting both contrast and brightness, a still image color-corrected in the same manner as above is displayed on the monitor screen in real time.

Further, the reading of the still image data in the above embodiment is
Although it is performed in the horizontal direction with respect to the monitor screen, it can be performed in the vertical direction with respect to the monitor screen. This is because the X column address counter 11a and the Y row address counter 11b of the control unit 11 count the addresses for reading the still image data.

Therefore, in a color video printer capable of divided display and capable of displaying still images respectively divided, color correction suitable for each of the divided still images can be performed.

In the above embodiment, the case where the monitor screen is divided into four has been described for the sake of clarity. However, as shown in FIG. 4, the still image to be displayed on the monitor screen is predetermined. Alternatively, the same applies to the case where division is performed by the functions f ₁ (Y) and f ₂ (Y) input by the division area designating means 12.

In this case, the divided area e is 0 ≦ Y ≦ Y ₁ or Y ₂ <Y ≦ 47.
9 (n ₅ color correction value data), Y ₁ ≤ Y ≤ Y ₂ and 0 ≤
When X <f ₂ (Y) or Y ₁ (X) <X ≦ 639 (n ₅ color correction value data), the divided area f is Y ₁ ≦ Y ≦ Y ₂ and f ₂ (Y) ≦ X ≦ f ₁ Designated by (Y).

That is, when the still image data is read from the memory unit 3, the data corresponding to the area e is color-corrected based on the color correction value D ₁ , and the data corresponding to the area f is color-corrected. Color correction is performed based on D ₂ . Therefore, the still image displayed on the monitor screen is arbitrarily divided, and the color correction value set in the color correction data section 9 is set for the divided area.
By selecting D ₁ and D ₂ , different color correction can be performed on a still image on the monitor screen in a predetermined area.

On the other hand, when the color video printer is printed for the purpose of printing the still image confirmed on the monitor screen of the monitor device, the still image data read from the memory unit 3 is color-corrected as in the above monitor. The printer unit 7
Since it is input to, the still image color-corrected according to the contrast correction and the brightness correction can be printed.

In this way, at the time of monitoring and printing, the color correction of the still image stored in the memory unit 3 can be performed by digital processing, so that only one D / A conversion unit 13 can output the monitor.
Further, the color-corrected still image can be input to the printer unit 7 without the A / D conversion unit 6 and the D / A conversion unit 4 (see FIG. 6). Furthermore, the still image displayed on the monitor screen can be arbitrarily divided, and the color correction of the divided areas can be performed with different color correction values.

Note that the same color correction can be performed regardless of whether the still image data stored in the memory unit 3 is the R, G, B signals or the color difference signals (RY, GY, BY). it can. Further, the color correction value set in the correction data unit 9 is not limited to the above number and may be increased.

Next, a modified embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In the figure, a memory unit 3 (see FIG. 1), for example, R, G, B
In the memory, normally only still image data is stored in the storage portion of 1 pixel g. Therefore, the number of bits of 1 pixel g in the memory unit 3 is increased, and the still image data area g ₁ and the color correction values D ₁ , D ₂ , D ₃ , D ₄ are selected in the storage portion of the 1 pixel g. A select information area g ₂ is provided. That is, as shown in the table below, information (L, H) for selecting the color correction value is assigned to, for example, the most significant bit and the least significant bit of the constituent bits of the storage portion of the one pixel g. , Still image data is assigned to other bits.

As described above, one pixel is sequentially read from the memory unit 3 containing the information for selecting the color correction values D ₁ , D ₂ , D ₃ , and D ₄ as the monitor operation and the print operation of the color video printer. It is output and input to the color correction unit 8. Then, in the color correction unit 8, the input still image for each pixel is color-corrected based on the predetermined color correction value selected by the 2-bit information, and the printer unit 7 or the D / A conversion unit 13 is corrected. Is output. Therefore, when the color video printer is operated by the monitor, one pixel stored in the memory unit 3 becomes one.
The data is read out to the scanning line, color-corrected by the color correction unit 8 for each pixel unit, converted into analog by the D / A conversion unit 13, and output as a monitor. That is, it is not necessary to divide the still image displayed on the monitor screen as in the previous embodiment.
Since color correction is performed for each pixel, finer color correction can be performed.

Further, the number of bits of the 1 pixel g is further increased, and the color correction value is stored in the 1 pixel g in addition to the still image data. That is, for each pixel, the selection information is changed to, for example, a 4-bit contrast correction value,
Stores 4-bit bright correction value data. In the case of this example, the color correction data section 9, the data selector section 10 and the data selector control section 11 shown in FIG.
Etc. can be omitted. In addition, R, G, and B are set for each pixel by the 4-bit contrast correction value and bright correction value.
With 3 colors, 16777216 different color corrections can be made, and there is no difference from the conventional color correction by analog processing.

The selection information, the contrast correction value, and the bright correction value can be easily written because the memory unit 3 is a DRAM or the like.

As described above, according to the present invention, the monitor screen,
It is possible to display and print in real time a still image that has been color-corrected for each predetermined divided area or for each pixel of the still image to be printed, and it is possible to further expand the use of color video printers and to perform the color correction. Can be performed by digital processing, and noise generated in the D / A conversion unit and A / D conversion unit can be removed, and the image quality of the monitor screen and print can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a color video printer showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partial block diagram of the color video printer, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are color block printers. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the video printer, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a memory section showing a modified embodiment of the color video printer, and FIG. 6 is a conventional color printer.
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a video printer. In the figure, 1 is a decoder section, 2 and 6 are A / D conversion sections, 3 is a memory section, 4 and 13 are DA conversion sections, 5 and 8 are color correction sections, 7 is a printer section, and 8a is a single color correction section. (For R), 8b is a single color correction unit (G
, 8c is a single color correction unit (for B), 9 is a color correction data unit, 10 is a data selector unit, 11 is a control unit, 11a,
11b is a counter, 11c is a data selector controller, 12
Is a divided area designating means.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI Technical display location H04N 9/79 H 7916-5C

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An A / D converter converts an input signal into a digital signal, data of one still image is stored in a memory unit from the signal converted into the digital signal, and the stored still image is color-corrected. A color video printer that prints the color-corrected still image on a printer unit and outputs it to a monitor, and sets a plurality of color correction values for color-correcting each predetermined divided area of the still image. A color correction data section, a data selector section for selecting a color correction value of the color correction data section, and a control signal for selecting one of the plurality of color correction values for each of the predetermined areas. And a color correction unit for correcting a predetermined area of the still image stored in the memory unit with a color correction value selected by the data selector unit, and a color correction unit. Color correction still image into an analog Te, and monitor output a signal converted into the analog D /
And a digital conversion processing of the stored still image for each divided area by the color correction value selected by the data selector unit, and outputting the color-corrected still image to the printer unit. And a color video printer characterized by being output to a monitor. 2. The color video printer according to claim 1, wherein the monochrome correction unit is provided with a contrast correction circuit for correcting the contrast of print and monitor and a bright correction circuit for correcting the brightness thereof. . 3. An input signal is converted into digital by an A / D converter, data of one still image is stored in a memory from the signal converted into digital, and the stored still image is color-corrected. A color video printer that prints the color-corrected still image in a printer unit and outputs it to a monitor, wherein the memory unit selects the color correction value for each pixel of the still image. Select information is stored according to the select information, and a color correction unit for selecting the plurality of color correction values to perform color correction on the still image is provided, and the color correction is performed for each pixel. Color video printer that does.