JPH0833587B2 - Photo printing device with simulator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a photographic printing apparatus with a simulator for simulating a print photograph of a color original image and displaying it on a color monitor.

[Conventional technology]

In the minilab system, etc., the color original image set at the printing position, for example, the color negative image, is directly looked at, and the correction key (color key, density key, function key, etc.) ) Is being operated to input the correction amount. Recently, instead of directly looking at a color negative image, a color monitor is incorporated in a photographic printing apparatus and a color image obtained by inverting the image of the captured color negative image is displayed on the color monitor (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-242242). 62-294236). Also,
There is also known a simulator in which a video signal is subjected to electrical gradation correction in accordance with the exposure amount, and a simulated image simulating a print photograph is displayed on the color monitor.

The above-described simulator has a drawback in that the circuit configuration is complicated because the gradation is electrically corrected. Further, in photo printing, a dimming filter device is provided, and by adjusting the positions of color filters of the three primary colors, the color and density of a print photo are adjusted. Therefore, when the simulator is installed in a photoprinting device,
Since the color and density of the photo printing system and the simulator system are adjusted independently of each other, it is difficult to accurately associate the two.

In order to solve such a problem, the applicant has installed a simulator for simulating the characteristics of color paper in a photographic printing apparatus, and activates a dimming filter apparatus according to the exposure amount to produce a color negative image. We proposed a photographic printing device with a simulator that optically adjusts the color and density of the simulated image by adjusting the three-color light components of the illuminating printing light (Japanese Patent Application No. 63-15893).

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

In this simulator for photo printing, if you change to the type of color paper used for photo printing,
Since the exposure amount increases and decreases according to the characteristics of the color paper,
Although the dimming state of the dimming filter device changes, the finished state of the printed photograph is the same, so it is necessary to display a simulated image with the same color and density on the color monitor. Therefore, in the simulator, it is necessary to perform correction so as to remove a change amount of dimming of the dimming filter device based on the characteristics of the color paper. In order to perform this correction, the simulator needs a paper channel that stores characteristic data for each type of color paper. Also, when the lens can be switched,
A lens channel storing characteristic data is required for each type of lens.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a photographic printing apparatus with a simulator that does not require a paper channel or a lens channel for a simulator system.

[Means for solving the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention calculates a monitor exposure amount under the exposure condition using a standard color paper at the time of monitoring, and calculates a print exposure amount under the exposure condition using an actual color paper at the time of photo printing. And a calculation unit for adjusting the exposure light amount for monitoring, which is inserted in the printing optical path according to the exposure amount for monitoring, and for the photo printing, is inserted in the printing optical path according to the exposure amount for printing. Three primary color filter means for adjusting in stages;
Means for capturing the color original image and outputting a video signal,
An image processing means for inputting this video signal to simulate the characteristics of standard color paper, and a simulator including a color monitor for inputting the image-processed video signal and displaying a simulated image are provided.

Also, as the exposure conditions that do not affect the simulator, since there is a printing lens in addition to color paper, the exposure amount for this printing lens is calculated under the standard printing lens at the time of monitoring, and it is actually used at the time of photo printing. The amount of exposure is calculated under the printing lens used for.

[Action]

At the time of monitoring, the monitor exposure amount is calculated under the exposure condition using the standard color paper and the standard printing lens. The positions of the color filters of the three primary colors are adjusted according to the obtained monitor exposure amount, and the light quality and intensity of the printing light for illuminating the color original image are adjusted. In this state, a color original image is picked up, and the obtained video signal is subjected to image processing with the characteristics of standard color paper and a printing lens. The image-processed video signal is sent to a color monitor to display a simulated image simulating a print photograph.

When the finish is not sufficient, the keyboard is operated to input the correction amount. When this correction amount is entered,
The color filter insertion amount is adjusted, and by capturing the color original image irradiated in this dimming state, a simulator image in which the color or density is optically corrected is displayed on the color monitor.

At the time of photographic printing, the exposure amount for printing is calculated under the exposure conditions using the color paper loaded in the photographic printing apparatus and the printing lens attached. The setting position of the color filter is adjusted according to the printing exposure amount, and the light quality and intensity of the printing light are adjusted. The color negative image is printed on the color paper by the printing light in the dimming state.

In this way, by adjusting the color filter in two stages,
The simulator paper channel and lens channel can be omitted.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

〔Example〕

In FIG. 1, white light emitted from a light source 10 is diffused by a diffusion box 11 and then illuminates a color original image, for example, a color negative film 13 set on a negative carrier 12.
Between the diffusion box 11 and the light source 10, a cyan filter 16 for adjusting the red component of the illumination light, a magenta filter 17 for adjusting the green component, and a yellow filter 18 for adjusting the blue component. And are arranged. The filter adjusting unit 19 includes three pulse motors for driving the filters 16 to 18 of the respective colors, and the filters 16 of the respective colors are adjusted according to the exposure amount.
The amount of insertion of ~ 18 into the printing optical path 20 is adjusted. For example, if the insertion amount of the cyan filter 16 is increased, the red component of the illumination light is decreased, so that the red exposure amount is decreased.

A turret 22 rotated by a motor 21 is arranged below the color negative film 13. The turret 22 has a plurality of print lenses 23, for example, two print lenses 23.
A and 23b are attached, and one of them is selected and set in the printing optical path 20 in accordance with the enlargement magnification determined by the screen size of the color negative film 13 or the color paper 24. Further, the turret 22 is formed with an opening 22a for imaging and photometry, and the opening 22a is set in the printing optical path 20 during monitoring.

The light that has passed through the turret 22 is reflected in the horizontal direction via a mirror 25 and enters a zoom lens 26. The mirror 25 is inserted into the printing optical path 20 during monitoring, and retracts from the printing optical path 20 during photo printing. Further, the zoom lens 26 has its focal length adjusted according to the screen size of the color negative film 13, and adjusts the sizes of all simulated images displayed on the monitor to the same size. Behind this zoom lens 26 is a half mirror 27 for dividing the optical path.
Is arranged. The light reflected by the half mirror 27 enters the image sensor unit 29 for image pickup through the color filter 28 in which red, green and blue areas are formed at a predetermined pitch. On the other hand, the light transmitted through the half mirror 27 enters the scanner (photometric image sensor unit) 31 via the color filter 30.

The video signal output from the image sensor unit for image pickup 29 is sent to the image processing unit 33 and subjected to image processing. This image processing simulates the characteristics of standard color paper 24 and a print photograph when photoprinted using a standard printing lens. The video signal output from the image processing unit 33 is sent to the color monitor 34, and a simulated image is displayed on its display surface. The synchronization signal output from the image sensor unit 29 for imaging is
It is sent to the image processing unit 33 and the color monitor 34.

As the standard color paper, any color paper may be selected from existing color papers, but it is preferable that the color paper mainly used is the standard color paper. Similarly, the standard printing lens is the printing lens that is mainly used. As the standard color paper and the standard lens, it is possible to select an ideal one that does not exist.

On the other hand, the scanner 31 is for approximately three-color resolution photometry of each pixel of the color original image, and the red color of each pixel,
The green and blue color signals are read in order for each color. The time series signal of each pixel read for each color is the A / D converter 3
It is converted into a digital signal in 5, then logarithmically converted in a logarithmic converter 36, and then sent to an arithmetic unit 37. The arithmetic unit 37 is composed of a microcomputer and calculates the average density value (including the LATD value) from the three color density values of each pixel.
Calculate the density correction value and color correction coefficient. The obtained photometric data is written in the RAM 39 via the bus line 38 and then taken in by the CPU 51 to calculate red, green and blue exposure amounts, respectively. Note that a photometric sensor for photometrically measuring the LATD value of each color may be separately provided in order to calculate the exposure amount quickly.

The keyboard 42 is a color key 43 for inputting a color correction amount of a photo printing system, a density key 44 for inputting a density correction amount of a photo printing system, and a color and density correction of a photo printing system for a specific scene. A function key 45 for simultaneously inputting the amount, a data input key 46 for inputting channel data such as paper type, negative type, lens type, etc., a print key 47, and an operation key 48 for inputting operation instructions are provided. Has been. Commands and data input from the keyboard 42 are sent to the CPU 51 via the I / O port 50. In addition,
Reference numeral 52 is a ROM that stores a simulation procedure program, a photo printing procedure program, and the like.

The shutter 54 is driven by a shutter drive unit 55 during photoprinting, and opens the photoprinting optical path 20 for a fixed time to expose the color paper 24. This color paper 24 is the reel that is not exposed at the end of the photo-burning of one frame.
It is pulled out from 56 and set at the exposure position behind the paper mask 57. Then, the exposed portion is sent to a well-known photo developing unit 58 for photo processing, and then a cutter 59 is used.
Is cut into one frame and discharged to the tray 60. Reference numeral 61 is a feed roller for nipping and conveying the color paper 24, and reference numeral 62 is a cutter for separating the rear end of the exposed color paper.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the simulator system. The video signal output from the imaging image sensor unit 29 is amplified by the amplifier 65 and then sent to the clamp circuit 66 to set the reference potential. The video signal output from the clamp circuit 66 is sent to the −γ circuit 67,
Positive reversal is performed. The γ-corrected video signal is sent to the color signal separation circuit 68, where the red signal, the green signal,
It is separated into a blue signal. These color signals are sent to the 3 × 3 matrix arithmetic circuit 69, where they are electrically masked to correct the difference between the light emission characteristics of the color monitor 34 and the color development characteristics of the standard color paper 24. The characteristics of the standard print lens are also corrected. The controller 70 controls each unit according to the synchronization signal of the image sensor unit 29 for imaging. The gain of the amplifier 65 is adjusted by the CPU 51 when the color filters 16 to 18 alone cannot be used for correction.

FIG. 3 shows the exposure calculation function of the CPU 51. For example, the following formula is used as the exposure amount calculation formula, and the exposure amount E _{i for} each color (i represents one of red, green, and blue)
Is calculated.

log E _i = LM _i × CS _i × CC _i × (DN _i −D _i ) + α1 × KD + α2
× KA + α3 × KC _i + PB _i + LB _i + MB _i + NB _i (1) LM: Magnification slope coefficient, which is preset according to the enlargement magnification determined by the type of negative and print size.

CS: A color slope coefficient prepared for each type of negative, and there are two types, one for over and one for under, which is selected by determining whether the average density of the frame to be printed is under or over.

CC: Color correction coefficient obtained by scanner DN: Standard normal density value D: Average density value of print frame α1: Density key value input by operator KD: Density key step width α2: Density correction amount calculated by scanner KA: Density key step width α3: Color key value specified by operator KC: Color key step width PB: Corrected paper balance value for standard color paper, which is determined according to the type of color paper.

LB: A corrected lens balance value for the standard print lens, which is determined according to the type of print lens.

MB: Master balance value that is commonly added to all negative types NB: Negative (color balance) value, which is determined for each negative type.

Since the logarithmic value of the exposure amount is the density, the CPU 40 refers to the color filter calibration curve showing the relationship between each filter set position and the density value, yellow for blue, magenta for green, For red, the set positions of the cyan color filters 16-18 are obtained.
And the current position of each color filter 16-18 (photometric position)
And the difference in the number of drive pulses between the set positions of the color filters 16 to 18 are calculated. The calculated number of driving pulses is sent to the filter adjusting unit 19, and the pulse motors are respectively driven to operate the road filters 16 to 18 to adjust the three-color light components of the printing light.

The filter adjusting unit 19 is a color filter that takes into consideration the characteristics of color paper, the characteristics of a printing lens, the magnification slope, and the like.
Since the setting position of 16 to 18 is adjusted, if you change the color paper or the printing lens, the exposure amount will increase or decrease according to these characteristics, and the dimming state of the printing light by the color filters 16 to 18 will change. come. For example, when a high-sensitivity paper is used instead of the standard color paper, the paper balance value becomes large and the exposure amount becomes large. As a result, the amount of color filters inserted into the optical path increases, so that the colors and densities of printed photographs are finished to be the same. But,
Since the illumination state of the color negative image is changed by the operation of the color filters 16 to 18, the brightness of the simulated image displayed on the color monitor 34 is lower than that of the color image before conversion. So, in the simulator system,
It is necessary to provide a paper channel and a lens channel.

According to the present invention, in order to deal with the change of color paper and the printing lens without providing the paper channel and the lens channel, the exposure amount calculation formula (1) is used to determine the exposure amount for printing at the time of photographic printing. The logarithmic value is obtained, and at the time of monitoring, the logarithmic value of the exposure amount for monitoring is obtained from the following equation, and the color file is adjusted in two steps according to each logarithmic value.

log E _i = CS _i × CC _i × (DN _i −D _i ) + α1 × KD + α2 × KA
+ Α3 × KC _i + NB _i (2) In the functional block diagram of FIG. 3, the calculation unit 75 executes the exposure amount calculation formula (2) to calculate the monitor exposure amount, and the calculation unit 76.
Executes the exposure amount calculation formula (1) to calculate the printing exposure amount. During monitoring, the logarithmic value of the monitor exposure amount calculated from the calculation unit 75 is sent to the table data 77 written in the RAM 39, and during photoprinting, the logarithmic value of the printing exposure amount obtained by the calculation unit 76 is the table data. Sent to 77.
This table data represents the color filter calibration curve described above, and is prepared for each of yellow, magenta, and cyan. Note that P is the setting position of the color filter, and j is any one of yellow, magenta, and cyan.

RAM3 is used for the parameters and data used for the above exposure amount calculation.
Written on 9. That is, the photometric data (color correction coefficient CC _i , density correction amount α2) calculated by the arithmetic unit 37, and the correction amount (density key value α1, color key value α3) keyed in by the operator are written in the RAM 39. In addition, this RAM39 has a negative channel,
The paper channel and lens channel are also stored. This negative channel is provided with one channel for each type of color negative film, and the color slope coefficient CS _i , standard normal density DN _i , and negative balance value NB _i are stored in each channel. Also, for the paper channel, one channel is given for each type of color paper, and the paper balance value is set for each channel.
PB _i is stored. Further, a lens balance value LB _i and a magnification slope coefficient LM _i are stored in each lens channel. Although not shown, the RAM 39 also stores the key step width and the master balance value MB _i designated by the keyboard 42 when setting the conditions.

FIG. 4 shows the procedure of the monitor and the photo printing, and the operation of the embodiment will be briefly described with reference to this. Operation keys 48 and data input keys on the keyboard 42
Operate 46 to input printing conditions such as the type of color negative film to be printed, the type of color paper, and the print size.

Next, replace the frame of the color negative film 13 with the negative carrier 12
Position on top of. Color monitor 16
To 18 are set to preset positions (photometric positions), and the opening 22a of the turret 22 and the mirror 25 are set to the printing optical path 20. Furthermore, the zoom ends 26 are automatically adjusted by the CPU 51 to a magnification according to the screen size of the color negative film 13.

The printing light emitted from the light source 10 passes through the color filters 16 to 18 set at the photometric position, is sufficiently diffused by the diffusion box 11, and then reaches the color negative film 13. The light transmitted through the color negative film 13 passes through the opening 22a of the turret 22 and then enters the half mirror 27 via the mirror 25 and the zoom lens 26. The light reflected by the half mirror 27 enters the image sensor unit 29 for imaging, and the light transmitted through the half mirror 27 is a scanner.
Incident on 31.

The scanner 31 reads out the color signals of red, green, and blue separately, and thereby A / D
Send to D converter 35. The signal digitally converted by the A / D converter 35 is taken into the arithmetic unit 37 through the logarithmic converter 36, where the average density value D _i , the density correction amount α 2, and the color correction coefficient CC _i are set for each color. Is calculated. The obtained data is once stored in the RAM 39 via the bus line 38, then read by the CPU 51 and sent to the arithmetic unit 75. The calculation unit 75 calculates the exposure amount calculation formula (2) to calculate the monitor exposure amount for each color. This monitor exposure amount is determined by referring to the table data 77 and setting positions P _{j of the} color filters 16-18.
Is converted to. The filter adjusting unit 19 operates the filters 16 to 18 for each color according to the set position P _j , and adjusts the printing light according to the color negative image. If the color filters 16 to 18 cannot be corrected by setting them to the maximum filter value, CP
U51 changes the exposure time and adjusts the gain of the amplifier 65.

The frames set at the printing position are color filters 16-
It is irradiated with the printing light that has been dimmed at 18, and in this state, an image is taken by the imaging image sensor unit 29. The video signal output from the image sensor unit 29 for imaging is amplified, clamped, γ-corrected, color-extracted and masked, and then sent to the color monitor 34. This simulates a print photograph created using standard color paper and a standard printing lens, and this simulated image is displayed on the color monitor 34.

By observing the color monitor 34, it is judged whether or not the finish of the printed photograph is proper. If it is recognized that the color or the density is not appropriate, the color key 43 or the density key 44 of the photo printing system is operated to input the correction amount. When this correction amount is input, the CPU 51 recalculates the exposure amount calculation formula (2). Since the correction amount is an addition term, the exposure amount calculation formula (2) may be executed by adding the correction amount to the monitor exposure amount that is initially obtained. The set positions of the color filters 16 to 18 are adjusted according to the obtained monitor exposure amount. Therefore, since the illumination state of the frame changes according to the correction amount manually input, the color monitor 34 displays the simulator image in which the color or density is corrected. When the function key 45 is operated, the insertion amount of the color filters 16 to 18 is adjusted in the same manner. When performing trimming printing, the position of the negative film 13 may be shifted while observing the color monitor 34. Since the photometry for the automatic exposure control is performed only at the beginning, the dimming state of the color filters 16 to 18 does not change even if the position of the negative film 13 is changed.

When it is recognized that the finish is good, the print key 47 of the keyboard 42 is operated. This print key
When 47 is operated, the calculation unit 76 executes the exposure amount calculation formula (1), and calculates the exposure amount for printing in consideration of the color paper and the printing lens that are actually used. The set positions of the color filters 16 to 18 are adjusted according to the obtained exposure amount for printing. When calculating the print exposure amount, the exposure amount calculation formula (1) may be executed by multiplying the monitor exposure amount by the magnification slope coefficient and adding the paper balance value and the like.

After adjusting the color filters 16 to 18, the turret 22 rotates, and one of the printing lenses 23a and 23b is selected and set in the printing optical path 20, and the mirror 25 is set in the printing optical path 20. evacuate. Immediately after this, the shutter 54 is activated, and the frames recorded on the color negative film 13 are printed on the color paper 24 by the printing light whose light quality is adjusted by the color filters 16-18.

When the photographic printing of one frame is completed, the color paper 24 is transferred by one frame and the unexposed portion is set at the exposure position. Along with this, the opening 22a of the turret 22 and the mirror 2
5 and 5 are set in the printing optical path 20, and the color filters 16 to 18 are set in the photometric position. Negative inspection and photographic printing can be performed on each frame in the same procedure.

When the paper type is changed, the keyboard 42 is operated to input the paper type and instruct to select the paper channel. Since the exposure amount for printing is changed by changing the paper channel, when the same print frame is photoprinted, the setting position of the color filter at the time of photoprinting is different from that before changing the color paper. However, since the monitor exposure amount does not change, the monitor position is the same as when using standard color paper when monitoring,
A simulator image having the same color and density as before the color paper is changed is displayed on the color monitor 34. It should be noted that even when the printing lens is converted, it is handled in the same manner as when changing the color paper.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, when monitoring, the standard color paper and the standard printing lens are used to perform the light control by the color filter, and when the photo printing is performed, the actual color paper and the printing lens are used. Since the dimming of the color filter is performed, it is not necessary to provide a paper channel and a lens channel in the simulator system, and the circuit configuration becomes simple.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a photographic printing apparatus with a simulator according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the simulator system. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a procedure for calculating the monitor exposure amount and the print exposure amount. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the procedure of monitor display and photo printing. 10 …… Light source 13 …… Color negative film 16 …… Cyan filter 17 …… Magenta filter 18 …… Yellow filter 23a, 23b …… Burning lens 24 …… Color paper 29 …… Image sensor unit for imaging 31 …… Scanner 34… … Color monitor 43 …… Color key 44 …… Density key.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An arithmetic unit for calculating a monitor exposure amount under the exposure condition using a standard color paper at the time of monitoring, and a printing exposure amount under the exposure condition for using an actual color paper at the time of printing a photograph, and a monitor unit at the time of monitoring. It is inserted in the printing optical path according to the exposure amount for the monitor, and is also inserted in the printing optical path according to the exposure amount for printing during photo printing, and the three primary color colors that adjust the three color light components of the printing light to illuminate the color original image in two stages. Filter means, means for capturing the color original image and outputting a video signal,
Image processing means for inputting this video signal to simulate the characteristics of standard color paper, and a simulator consisting of a color monitor for inputting the image-processed video signal and displaying a simulated image are provided. Photographic printing device with simulator. 2. A monitor exposure amount is calculated under the exposure condition using a standard color paper and a standard printing lens at the time of monitoring, and a print exposure amount is calculated under an exposure condition using the actual color paper and the baking lens at the time of photo printing. The operation unit and the three-color light components of the printing light for illuminating the original color image are inserted into the printing optical path according to the monitor exposure amount during monitoring, and into the printing optical path according to the printing exposure amount during photo printing. Three primary color filter means for adjusting in stages, means for capturing the color original image and outputting a video signal,
Image processing means for inputting this video signal to simulate the characteristics of standard color paper, and a simulator consisting of a color monitor for inputting the image-processed video signal and displaying a simulated image are provided. Photographic printing device with simulator.