JP2006115366A - Photo processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photograph processing device surely reproducing the certificate photograph print of the same image as that of the preceding one in reprint of certificate photograph print. <P>SOLUTION: The photograph processing device for creating certificate photograph print is provided with: an image input section 12 for inputting face image data in which a face image is photographed; a data storage 24 for storing the inputted face image data, an image processor 20 for performing image processing for the inputted face image data; and an image exposure device 4 for creating certificate photograph print on the basis of a result of the image processing. The storage 24 is configured so that it can store the reprint data to be acquired as a result of image processing so that the reprint data may be correlated with the face image data, and can read the reprint data corresponding to the face image data together with the face image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a photo processing apparatus that performs various image processing on input face image data to create an ID photo print.

  As a photo processing apparatus for creating an ID photo print, for example, a device disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is known. According to such a photographic processing apparatus, for example, a frame image formed on a developed photographic film can be read, and image processing can be performed on the obtained face image data to create an ID photo print.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration example of ID photo print. On the ID photo print P, four face images each having a margin are formed. Such a face image needs to be formed in a predetermined size according to various uses such as a resume, a passport, and a license. Therefore, the input face image data is appropriately subjected to enlargement / reduction correction. In addition, rotation correction for making the position and tilt angle of the face image appropriate, correction for color and density, and other image processing are appropriately performed. Note that the number of face images formed on one ID photo print is appropriately set in consideration of the size of the face image and the paper size.

  Such image processing is performed by determining (pre-judge) whether or not an appropriate image can be obtained while viewing an image displayed on the monitor screen, and inputting correction data as necessary. Such correction data is input by trial and error to some extent, and finally determined correction data is used for creating a photo print.

  However, as described above, image processing on image data is performed to some extent by trial and error, and even if the same operator performs a pre-judgment operation, the same result as the previous time is not always obtained. Therefore, when performing reprinting, it has been very difficult to reproduce the ID photo print of the same image. In particular, in the case of ID photo prints, it is often necessary to add them once they have been created for the purpose of pasting them on resumes, etc., and they want to reproduce ID photo prints of the same image by reprinting (especially reprints). There was a strong demand.

  Conventionally, in general photographic prints, correction data finally determined by pre-judge work is printed on the back side of photographic prints and used as reprint data. That is, at the time of reprinting, the photographic print of the same image can be easily reproduced by using the correction data printed on the back surface for image processing. However, in the case of ID photographs, the background is often photographed in a single tone such as blue or gray, and the printing on the back surface tends to be seen through from the front. Therefore, in the case of ID photo printing, it is normal not to print on the back side.

Conventionally, there is a service for storing image data used to create ID photo prints. Thereby, at the time of reprinting, the stored image data can be read out and used for creating the ID photo print. However, when creating an ID photo print having a different size from the previous one, it is necessary to perform enlargement / reduction correction on the read image data. Therefore, there is a possibility that the image is deteriorated (image quality is deteriorated) by repeating the reprint, and there is a problem in practical use.
JP-A-11-341272

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a photo processing apparatus capable of reliably reproducing the ID photo print of the same image as the previous image in the reprint of the ID photo print. .

  In order to solve the above problems, a photo processing apparatus according to the present invention provides an image input unit for inputting face image data obtained by photographing a face image in the photo processing apparatus for creating an ID photo print, and the input face image. A data storage unit that stores data, an image processing unit that performs image processing on the input face image data, and a print creation unit that creates an ID photo print based on the result of the image processing, The data storage unit is configured to store the reprint data obtained as a result of the image processing in association with the face image data, and to be able to read the reprint data corresponding to the face image data together with the face image data. To do.

  The operational effects of the photo processing apparatus having the above configuration will be described. This photographic processing apparatus includes an image input unit for inputting face image data obtained by photographing a face image. For example, the photographic processing apparatus reads and inputs face image data from a recording medium such as a developed photographic film or a CD-R. be able to. The data storage unit has a function of storing the input face image data, and the stored face image data can be used when performing extra printing after creating a photo print. The image processing unit has a function of performing various image processes on the input face image data. Examples of such image processing include enlargement / reduction correction, rotation correction, color / density correction, and the like. Based on the result of the image processing, the ID photo print can be created by the function of the print creation unit.

  Further, in the photo processing apparatus according to the present invention, the data storage unit stores the reprint data obtained as a result of the image processing in association with the face image data, and reads out the reprint data corresponding to the face image data together with the face image data. It is configured to be possible. Therefore, when the ID photo print is created, the input face image data and the reprint data obtained as a result of the image processing are saved. Using the face image data read from the data storage unit and the reprint data corresponding to the face image data, the ID photo print of the same image as the previous time can be easily reproduced. In addition, the image is not deteriorated by repeating the reprint, and the operator can omit the pre-judgment operation again in the reprint process.

  Here, the reprint indicates a reprinted print or a reprinted print. The reprint print is a process for changing the print condition (reprint data) and creating the same ID photo print again when the quality of the ID photo print is not good. Further, the extra print is a process for creating the same ID photo print again upon request. The reprint data is data used for image processing at the time of reprinting, and includes correction data used for the various image processes described above. For example, when enlargement / reduction correction is performed, the correction data (correction parameter) can be used as reprint data.

  In the above, it is preferable that the reprint data is stored in the data storage unit as header data of the face image data.

  By storing the reprint data as the header data of the face image data, the reprint data can be stored in association with the face image data without fail.

  In the above, it is preferable that the reprint data includes at least one of enlargement / reduction correction data, rotation correction data, and face position information.

  In the ID photo, input face image data is subjected to image processing with emphasis on enlargement / reduction correction, rotation correction, and face position adjustment. In addition, as a premise for performing such enlargement / reduction correction and rotation correction, face position designation may be performed. Therefore, when the ID photo print is reprinted, a configuration in which the above data is included in the reprint data is particularly useful.

  Preferred embodiments of a photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Configuration of photo processing apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention. Such a photo processing apparatus has a function of performing image processing on input face image data and creating an ID photo print based on the result of the image processing. Note that the photo processing apparatus according to the present embodiment can create a general photo print other than the ID photo print based on the input image data.

  The image input unit 12 of the present embodiment is provided with a scanner device 13 and an image input device 14. The scanner device 13 has a function of reading image data from an image formed on a developed photographic film or the like, and includes a light source for data reading, a CCD line sensor (both not shown), and the like. The image input device 14 has a function of acquiring image data stored in a medium other than photographic film. Examples of such a medium include a storage medium of a digital camera and a recording medium such as a CD-R and MO. The image data input via the image input unit 12 is temporarily stored and held in the image data storage unit 17.

  The input image data is not immediately used for creating a photographic print, but is subjected to various image processing. The image processing unit 20 has a function of performing image processing on input image data. The image processing unit 20 according to the present embodiment is configured by software, and includes a GUI 21, an image processing unit 22, and a hardware control unit 23.

  The GUI 21 is a graphical user interface, and can perform data input operations related to image processing through the screen of the monitor 15. The input image data is displayed on the screen of the monitor 15, and the operator can determine (pre-judge) whether or not a photo print of an appropriate image is created while viewing the screen. The operator inputs correction data via the correction data input unit 16 for an image that is determined to be subjected to enlargement / reduction correction, for example. The correction data input unit 16 is configured by, for example, a keyboard or a numeric keypad. When correction data is input, an image corrected based on the input correction data is displayed on the screen of the monitor 15 in real time. Therefore, the operator appropriately performs image processing while visually checking the corrected image. be able to.

  The image processing unit 22 has a function of performing image processing based on the input correction data. As described above, the resulting image processed image is displayed on the screen of the monitor 15. The input of the correction data is performed by trial and error to some extent, and the finally determined correction data is temporarily stored and held in the correction data storage unit 18. The correction data is data in a form attached to each image data.

  In the pre-judge work, various image processing can be performed in addition to the above-described enlargement / reduction correction. For example, when performing rotation correction, data relating to the rotation amount and rotation direction is set. Further, for example, the position of the face may be specified by designating the vertex of the head and two points of the chin, and the enlargement / reduction ratio may be obtained based on the position, or the position of the face in the image may be determined. . In addition, color / density correction and gradation correction can be performed. The number of prints can also be set. As described above, the correction data includes various parameters.

  When the correction data is determined as a result of the image processing in the image processing unit 20, data (image processing data) in a form in which the correction data is attached to the input image data is obtained. Even when image processing is not performed, predetermined correction data is attached to the input image data, so that image processing data can be obtained. Here, the form of the image processing data is not limited to a specific one. As will be described later, the obtained image processing data is transmitted to the image processing board 26, and print image data is generated. The hardware control means 23 has a function of controlling the image processing board 26 that is hardware.

  The data storage unit 24 includes a face image data storage unit 25 and a database control unit (not shown). The face image data storage unit 25 is a storage device for storing input face image data for a long period of time, and a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk is used. In the present embodiment, when face image data obtained by photographing a face image is input to the image input unit 12, the above-described image processing is performed on the face image data, and then the input face image data is It is stored in the face image data storage unit 25. At this time, the reprint data obtained as a result of the image processing is stored in association with the face image data. The stored face image data can be read from the face image data storage unit 25, and reprint data corresponding to the face image data can be read together with the read face image data.

  The form of associating the reprint data with the face image data is not particularly limited. For example, the reprint data may be stored as header data of the face image data. In such a case, by reading the face image data from the face image data storage unit 25, the reprint data corresponding to the face image data can also be read reliably.

  The reprint data is data used for image processing at the time of reprinting, and includes correction data used for the various image processes described above. Here, the reprint data preferably includes at least one of enlargement / reduction correction data, rotation correction data, and face position designation information. The reprint data may include date information (photographing date information). In the case of ID photos, use may be limited to those taken within a certain period, so it can be useful to add such information.

  As described above, after image processing is performed by the image processing unit 20, image processing data for use in creating a photo print is obtained as described above, but face image data for creating an ID photo print is obtained. When input, face image data and reprint data are stored in the data storage unit 24 in parallel therewith.

  In the photographic processing apparatus of the present embodiment, the image processing data obtained by the image processing may be sent immediately to the image processing board 26 for print processing, but there is a case where it is desired to perform it later at an appropriate time zone. Therefore, the image processing data is stored in the order data storage unit 19. In the order data storage unit 19, image processing data is managed in units of orders. About the concept of an order, it can set suitably. Further, it is preferable to store the image processing data in the order data storage unit 19 even when the print processing is performed immediately after the image processing unit 20 performs the image processing. Thus, when performing the reprinting process, it is possible to save the trouble of performing the pre-judge work again by using the image processing data stored in the order data storage unit 19.

  The image processing board 26 of this embodiment includes a reception memory 27, an image processing means 28, a transmission memory 29, and firmware 30. The image processing board 26 has a function of generating image data for printing actually used for image formation based on image processing data obtained as a result of image processing in the image processing unit 20.

  The reception memory 27 has a function of receiving transmitted image processing data. Unlike the image processing unit 22 of the image processing unit 20, the image processing unit 28 is configured by hardware. The firmware 30 has its processing content set based on the correction data included in the image processing data, and based on this, processing for generating image data for printing is performed. Thus, since the image processing board 26 is configured with hardware as a core, the processing is performed at high speed.

  The image processing means 28 not only generates image data in a form in which color, density, etc. are corrected based on correction data included in the image processing data, but also becomes data having the same size as the print size to be created. Image processing related to enlargement processing or rotation correction to convert the image's vertical and horizontal orientation, special corrections as necessary, color matching correction to match the color of the finished photo print with the color on the monitor screen, etc. Image data is generated. The generated image data for printing is transmitted to the image exposure device 4 (corresponding to the print creating unit) via the transmission memory 29 for use in creating a photo print.

  Next, the configuration of the printer processor unit included in the photo processing apparatus of this embodiment will be briefly described. As shown in FIG. 1, paper (an example of a photographic material) is accommodated in the paper magazine 1 in the form of a roll R. A plurality of paper magazines 1 can be detachably attached, and papers having different width dimensions can be set in advance. The paper is pulled out from one of the paper magazines 1. The advance roller 2 sends out the long paper drawn from the paper magazine 1 to the downstream side along the transport path. The paper cutter 3 cuts long paper into a predetermined print size. In the conveyance path, a conveyance device including a large number of rollers and the like for conveying the paper is provided.

  The image exposure apparatus 4 is an apparatus for printing and exposing an image on the emulsion surface of paper. The image exposure device 4 performs scanning exposure based on the received image data for printing, and forms an image by exposure. The exposure engine 5 is a device that optically modulates image data, and forms a latent image by scanning exposure light in the main scanning direction on paper conveyed in the sub-scanning direction. As the exposure engine 5, a laser engine, a PLZT engine, a CRT engine, or the like is used. The transport rollers 6 and 7 transport the paper at a constant speed in order to perform scanning exposure. The paper on which the image is printed and exposed is sent to the development processing unit 9 by the transport roller group 8. The developed paper is dried by the drying processing unit 10 and then discharged from the paper discharge unit 11 as a finished photographic print, for example, collected in units of one order.

<Procedure for print processing by photo processing apparatus>
Next, a procedure for creating an ID photo print using the above-described photo processing apparatus will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. First, face image data is read and input from a developed photographic film or the like (# 1). The input face image data is temporarily stored and held in the image data storage unit 17. In order to perform the pre-judgment work, the operator displays the input face image on the monitor 15 and determines the size, position, angle, color / density, etc. of the face (# 2). If it is determined that an appropriate image cannot be obtained, various correction data are input via the correction data input unit 16 (# 3).

  The input correction data is temporarily stored and held in the correction data storage unit 18. The face image data is stored in the face image data storage unit 25 included in the data storage unit 24, and reprint data corresponding to the face image data is also stored (# 4). On the other hand, the image processing data obtained as a result of the image processing in the image processing unit 20 is stored in the order data storage unit 19 and then sent to the image processing board 26, and print image data is generated based on the image processing data ( # 5). The generated image data for printing is transmitted to the image exposure device 4, and the image is printed and exposed on paper (# 6). The paper on which the image has been subjected to printing exposure is subjected to development processing and drying processing (# 7), and is then discharged to the outside as a finished ID photo print (# 8).

  Next, the procedure for reprinting and printing the ID photo print using the above-described photo processing apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the face image data related to the print processing is read from the face image data storage unit 25 (# 10). At that time, along with the face image data, reprint data corresponding to the face image data is read (# 11). Then, image processing data in which correction data included in the read reprint data is attached to the read face image data is generated (# 12). The generated image processing data is sent to the image processing board 26, and an ID photo print is created in the same procedure as the above steps # 5 and later (# 13 to 16).

<Another embodiment>
(1) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the reprint data is stored as the header data of the face image data while the face image data is stored in the face image data storage unit 25 included in the data storage unit 24 has been described. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the data storage unit includes a face image data storage unit and a reprint data storage unit, and the face image data storage unit stores face image data and identification data for identifying the face image data in association with each other. In addition, the reprint data storage unit may store the reprint data in association with the identification data. Thus, when the face image data is read from the face image data storage unit, the reprint data can be read from the reprint data storage unit based on the identification data.

  (2) In the above-described embodiment, an example of creating an ID photo print using the reprint data read from the data storage unit as it is is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the read reprint data is changed. You can also make ID photo prints.

  (3) In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which a photo-sensitive material paper is developed to produce an ID photo print. However, the photo processing apparatus of the present invention is not limited to this. You may employ | adopt the dry system which produces a print, without using the developing processing liquid like a type.

  (4) In the above-described embodiment, the image processing data having the correction data attached to the image data is transmitted to the image processing board 26. Although this image data is the same as the image data when it is input to the image input unit 12, the corrected image data corrected by some correction parameters and the remaining correction data may be transmitted.

  (5) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which face image data is input via an image forming medium such as a developed photographic film or a recording medium such as a CD-R is shown, but other methods may be used. For example, it may be input via a photographing camera such as a CCD camera, or may be input via a network such as the Internet.

1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention. Flowchart showing a procedure for creating an ID photo print using a photo processing apparatus according to the present invention Flowchart showing reprint print processing procedure of ID photo print using photo processing apparatus according to the present invention Configuration example of ID photo print

Explanation of symbols

4 Image exposure device 5 Exposure engine 12 Image input unit 13 Scanner device 14 Image input device 15 Monitor 16 Correction data input unit 17 Image data storage unit 18 Correction data storage unit 19 Order data storage unit 20 Image processing unit 22 Image processing unit 24 Data Storage unit 25 Face image data storage unit 26 Image processing board 28 Image processing means

Claims (3)

In a photo processing device that creates ID photo prints,
An image input unit for inputting face image data in which a face image is captured;
A data storage unit for storing input face image data;
An image processing unit that performs image processing on the input face image data;
A print creation unit that creates an ID photo print based on the result of the image processing;
The data storage unit is configured to store the reprint data obtained as a result of the image processing in association with the face image data, and to read the reprint data corresponding to the face image data together with the face image data. Photo processing device.   The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reprint data is stored in the data storage unit as header data of the face image data.   The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reprint data includes at least one of enlargement / reduction correction data, rotation correction data, and face position information.

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