Fuji Photo Film Company, Limited

Takaaki Terashita

Shinpei Ikenoue

Jin Murayama

Koji Takahashi

Kiichiro Sakamoto

Hiroaki Nakamura

Shigeru Watanabe

Kenji Suzuki

Naoto Kinjo

Taizo Akimoto

Takao Shigaki

Keiko Yukawa

Takatoshi Ishikawa

Keisuke Shiba

Kazuo Shiota

Nobuo Matsumoto

Hiroshi Sunagawa

Fumio Matsumoto

Noboru Sasaki

Hirofumi Saita

Hideaki Iijima

Fumio Mogi

Eiichi Asai

Kenji Nakauchi

Ryoichi Hayashi

Shuji Tahara

Sethuo Okada

Setsuo Okada

Fumiaki Sato

Kunihiko Kanafusa

In an image processing method for carrying out image processing on digital image signals, which have been acquired with digital cameras, image processing is carried out on the digital image signals and under different image processing conditions in accordance with kinds of the digital cameras. The image processing is thereby carried out such that reproduced images having good image quality may be obtained regardless of the kinds of the digital cameras. An apparatus for carrying out the image processing method comprises an input device for inputting pieces of information, which represent kinds of the digital cameras, and an image processing unit for carrying out image processing on the digital image signals and under different image processing conditions in accordance with the kinds of the digital cameras, which are represented by the pieces of information inputted from the input device.

Image processing method and apparatus

An image processing method for creating a reproduced image by executing image processing on digital image data obtained by a digital camera. This method determines first a density conversion condition for the digital image, determines next a gradation conversion condition for the image on the basis of the density conversion condition, modifies the digital image on the basis of at least one of the density and the gradation conversion conditions, and thus creates the reproduced image. The method may initially separate the digital image data into density component data and color component data, determine the density and gradation conversion conditions by using the density component data instead of the digital image data, modify the density component data in accordance with the density and gradation conversion conditions and synthesize the modified density component data with the color component data.

Image processing method and image processing apparatus

An image processing method for image-processing digital image data acquired by a digital camera to enable reproduction of high-quality images includes the steps of computing first characteristic values characterizing colors of an image represented by digital image data, normalizing the digital image data based on the first characteristic values to produce normalized image data, computing from the normalized image data a second characteristic value characterizing density of the image represented by the digital image data, and correcting the normalized image data based on the second characteristic value to produce processed image data. Also provided is an image processing system for carrying out the method.

Image processing method and system

In a digital printer, a great number of images recorded on the same type recording medium as an original to be reproduced are roughly pre-scanned prior to main scanning of the original. The pre-scanning image data is sorted according to green density levels, and red and blue densities of those pixels which are selected according to a standard are respectively accumulated for each green density level. Mean values of the red and blue densities accumulated in the respective green density levels are used as the pixel selection standard. Different kinds of gradation balance data are obtained by use of different methods from the mean values of the accumulated image data and/or image data of the original, to derive optimum gradation balance data from these different kinds of gradation balance data by selecting and combining the data. A gradation conversion table is produced from the optimum gradation balance data and previously stored gradation curve data. Main scanning image data of the original is converted through the gradation conversion table.

Digital printer and image data conversion method

First characteristic values of a reference film is stored in a first characteristic value memory, whereas second characteristic values of each type of recording media of the originals is stored in a second characteristic value memory, to produce a gradation balance conversion table for each color from the first and second characteristic values. Image data of an original is converted according to the gradation balance conversion tables, so as to make the color balance proper in all density ranges from highlight through shadow points, even if the original image is under-exposed or over-exposed. The gradation balance converted image data is converted through an image data conversion device into recording data to record a reproduced image as a hard copy of the original.

Digital printer and image data conversion method therefor

During the photographing of an image, photographic data corresponding to the image, such as a photographing date, subject brightness and distance, a shutter speed, an aperture size, data about illumination light, as well as photographic intention data, are recorded on a photographic film. An index code for identifying a recording format of the photographic data is recorded on the photographic film along with the photographic data. During printing, the index code is read out from the photographic film, and one of a plurality of predetermined data conversion tables which are memorized in a printer are selected so as to convert the photographic data into printer codes that can be used in the printer. Then, the photographic data read from the photographic film is converted according to the selected conversion table. Based on the converted photographic data and photometric values obtained from the image to be printed, a print-exposure amount is determined.

Photographic printing method

By the present invention, on the basis of information read from a magnetic recording section of a negative film (Step 200), when it is judged that there are a plurality of negative images to be exposed by the same exposure amount (the judgment in Step 212 is affirmative), a film type is identified to determine the film base density thereof, and a predetermined reference density value is added to the film base density so as to obtain a density control amount which controls the density of a print image (Steps 216 through 220). Thereafter, a color balance mean value of a large number of negative images of the same type is detected and a weighted mean value of a color balance mean value among a plurality of negative images to be exposed and the detected color balance value to obtain a color control amount (Step 222). Then, a common exposure amount is computed from the thus obtained density control amount and the color control amount (Step 224) for exposing the negative images to be exposed by the same exposure amount onto a printing paper by the common exposure amount (Step 278).

Reproducing machine and a method of determining reproducing conditions

A color copying apparatus for constantly obtaining a high-quality print irrespective of a change in film characteristics due to deterioration is disclosed. A reference image recorded on the film is photometrically measured to determine film characteristic data. After transformed values of an original image have been stored normalizing conditions are determined, and a transformation formula or table is generated in correspondence with a film type. Pixels are then selected from the original image set in the printing position, and a characteristic amount of the image is calculated and made to correspond to print characteristic data. An abnormal frame is then determined, and an exposure amount is determined by setting coefficients of an exposure calculating formula. Also disclosed is a color copying apparatus for constantly obtaining a high-quality print on the basis of the density of a reference image and the density of a print frame. A reference image recorded on the film is photometrically measured to determine film characteristic data. After transformed values have been stored, normalizing conditions are determined, and corrected film characteristic data is determined in correspondence with a film type. Pixels are then selected from the original image, and a characteristic amount of the image is calculated to determine a reference density for controlling the exposure of the print frame. An exposure amount is determined so as to effect exposure control.

Color copying apparatus

A photographic printer effects a second printing operation for one original frame (60) on a developed photo film (10), after a first printing operation is effected. First correcting information is used in the first printing operation for correcting an exposure amount of the original frame. To produce a photographic print, first and second equipment information is predetermined, which is associated respectively with the first and second printing operations. The first and second equipment information represents an ID of each photographic printer for effecting the first and second printing operation, or represents an ID of a printer group to which each printer belongs. The first correcting information of the original frame and the first equipment information is written to a magnetic recording layer (10c) in the first printing operation. The magnetic recording layer is formed on the photo film. The first correcting information of the original frame and the first equipment information is read from the magnetic recording layer before the second printing operation. It is determined whether the first equipment information coincides with the second equipment information. If the first equipment information coincides with the second equipment information, then the second printing operation of the original frame is effected by use of the first correcting information.

Photographic printer and printing method

A digital image recording method is to make high quality positive reproduction images from any types of originals by processing image data of each original based on an image characteristic value such as an average density of a prime subject portion of the original, which is derived from the image data. A basic image recording amount, which is used for every pixel, is determined based on the image characteristic value. Based on the basic image recording amount and a value of image data assigned to a pixel, recording data of that pixel is determined, and the recording data is converted into an image control amount with reference to a look-up table. The image control amount is used in an image recording device for recording the reproduction image.

Digital image recording method and apparatus therefor and digital image

A color copying apparatus for constantly obtaining a high-quality print irrespective of a change in film characteristics due to deterioration over time and the like is disclosed. A reference image recorded on the film is photometrically measured to determine film characteristic data. After logarithmically transformed values of photometric values of an original image on one film set in a printing position have been stored, normalizing conditions are determined on the basis of average image data, and a transformation formula or table for transformation between the film characteristic data and image data is generated in correspondence with a film type. Pixels are then selected from the original image set in the printing position, and a characteristic amount of the image is calculated and is made to correspond to print characteristic data by means of the transformation formula or table. An abnormal frame is then determined by using the film characteristic data and the characteristic amount of the image, and an exposure amount is determined by setting coefficients of an exposure calculating formula as a result of the determination, so as to effect exposure control.

Color copying apparatus for determining exposure amount from image data

In an image reproducing apparatus, an image recorded on a negative film is subjected to optical measurement by an optical measuring device. The data obtained by the optical measurement is stored in a photometric data memory for each type of film which is judged by a DX code reader and a film type detecting device. In the apparatus, a difference in characteristics between a reference film and the negative film is calculated by a film characteristic difference calculating device, and the image characteristic amount of the image is calculated by an image characteristic amount calculating device. In a film type correction amount calculating device, a correction value is calculated based on the calculated difference in the film characteristics and the image characteristic amount to compensate for a decrease in the quality of the printed image due to the difference in the film characteristics. In an exposure condition determining device, exposure conditions are determined based on reference exposure conditions input from a reference exposure condition setting device, photometric data selected by a photometric value selecting device, and the above-described correction value. Accordingly, images having proper image quality can be reproduced from various films having different film characteristics.

Image reproducing apparatus and method of determining reproduction

A method of making a high-quality print avoids carrying out photometry twice on images on a film. In a first transporting process for transporting the film in a first direction, photometry is carried out on all of the images on the film that are to be copied by dividing the images into a number of pixels, logarithmically transforming thus obtained photometric values into photometric data sets, and storing all thus transformed photometric data sets in correspondence with individual images on the film. At least some of the photometric data sets are used to determine a condition of selection for selecting photometric data of pixels. The photometric data thus selected is used in determining the exposure amount of the images, and photographic prints are made during a second transporting process using the determined exposure amounts.

Method of making a photographic print

A plurality of principal-component spectral distributions are determined in advance by analyzing spectral distributions of a multiplicity of sample films; light transmitted through a film to be estimated is measured by spectrally diffracting the transmitted light into wavelengths of different bands or into different wavelength bands the number of the wavelengths or wavelength bands being equivalent to that of the plurality of principal-component spectral distributions; coefficients for expressing the spectral distribution of the film to be estimated as a linear sum of the plurality of principal-component spectral distributions are determined on the basis of photometric values of the respective wavelengths wavelength bands and the plurality of, principal-component spectral distributions; and the spectral distribution of the film to be estimated is estimated by determining the linear sum of the plurality of principal-component spectral distributions by using the coefficients obtained. On the basic of the spectral distribution estimated and by using an effective spectral sensitivity distribution of the copying light-sensitive material, a calculation is made of a transmission density which is equivalent to a transmission density obtained when an image on the film to be printed is photometrically measured by a photometric device having a spectral sensitivity distribution identical to a spectral sensitivity distribution of the copying light-sensitive material; and exposure amount for printing the image on the film to be printed onto the light-sensitive material is determined on the basis of the transmission density calculated.

Method of estimating spectral distribution of film and method of

A photographic printer has an exposure station, in which a frame of a photographic film and color photographic paper are set. A light source is disposed in opposition to the color paper with reference to the photographic film set in the exposure station, and constituted by LED elements. The LED elements are disposed in a matrix for emitting light of red, green and blue colors. The light source illuminates the frame from behind. The color paper is exposed by the light transmitted through the frame, to print the frame recorded on the photographic film to the color paper. In a preferred embodiment, a drive signal is determined individually for driving respective the LED elements. The drive signal is applied to the respective LED elements.

Growing community of inventors

Kanagawa, Japan

Takaaki Terashita