Facsimile and static presentation processing – Static presentation processing – Attribute control
Reexamination Certificate
1997-04-21
2001-10-09
Coles, Edward (Department: 2622)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Static presentation processing
Attribute control
C358S296000, C358S451000, C358S523000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06301015
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image printing apparatus, or more specifically to an image printing apparatus for projecting and printing images recorded on a photographic film and a method of setting the monitor display density.
2. Description of the Related Art
In conventional image printing apparatus for printing images recorded on a photographic film on to printing paper, the image to be printed is displayed on the monitor included in the image printing apparatus and the operator adjusts the exposure condition, etc. by visually checking the image.
In this image printing apparatus, an image displayed on the monitor and an image to be actually printed on the printing paper are required to be adjusted in advance to present the same appearance (to the human eye) using a reference negative image prepared for each predetermined density. As a reference negative image, what is called a Bull's eye with a gray image
601
recorded for each predetermined density as shown in
FIG. 8
is used. The Bull's eye generally has four types according to density. They are an under negative film (hereinafter called the U Bull's eye), a normal negative film (hereinafter called the N Bull's eye), an over negative film (hereinafter called the 0 Bull's eye) and an over-over negative film (hereinafter called the Oo Bull's eye). A figure image
602
such as shown by dotted line in
FIG. 8
may be recorded on the image frame
600
of the Bull's eye. This is referenced for adjustment taking the skin color into consideration.
An index print separate from the main print can be prepared using the image data displayed on the monitor. This index print includes a matrix of frames arranged so that the photographs on the developed film may be easily checked. In an index printer capable of producing such an index print, a liquid crystal panel is used as an image display means, on which the image data corresponding to a plurality of image frames recorded on the photographic film are displayed and are printed at the same time on the printing paper as an image smaller than a normal print.
The image displayed on the monitor, i.e., the image used for the index print depends on the operator's skill for the adjustment thereof, therefore, having the disadvantage of causing considerable variations in adjustment depending on the sense of the individual operators and depending on which portion of the Bull's eye image is attentively observed by the operator, and that quick adjustment is difficult.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been developed in view of the above-mentioned facts. The object of the present invention is to provide an image printing apparatus and a monitor display density setting method in which a simulator for simulating the recording of an image on a photosensitive material can easily adjust the gray for monitor display and can print a proper image.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image printing apparatus for exposing an image recorded on a photographic film and printing the image in a predetermined printing area on the photosensitive material, the apparatus comprising a simulator including a scanner for reading the image, producing a digital image data, and displaying an image based on the digital image data on a monitor, wherein the simulator has a reference image signal processing mode for reading a reference image by the scanner, extracting a predetermined number of digital pixel data for each color of the gray component from the read reference image and displaying the digital pixel data on the monitor.
In the first aspect, a predetermined number of digital pixel data on the gray component of the reference image read by the scanner is displayed on the monitor in terms of a numerical value (quantitatively), for example. Consequently, by reference to the pixel data displayed on the monitor, the operator can quantitatively adjust the appearance on the display section. In this way, the variations due to different sensory perceptions among individual persons can be eliminated and even the operator with little experience can make adjustment quickly.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image printing apparatus, wherein, in the first aspect, a plurality of digital pixel data are extracted for each color of the gray component from a reference image read by the scanner, and the average value of the digital pixel data is displayed on the monitor for each color, in the reference image signal processing mode.
In the second aspect, only the average value of a plurality of digital pixel data on the gray component of the reference image read by the scanner is displayed on the monitor. Therefore, as compared with the case in which the digital pixel data on a single pixel is displayed, it is possible to obtain a stable digital pixel data hardly affected by the scar, smear or the like on the reference image, with the result that the appearance on the monitor can be accurately adjusted. Also, as compared with the case in which a plurality of digital pixel data are all displayed at once, the digital pixel data can be checked at a glance. As a result, the appearance on the monitor can be adjusted more quickly.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a monitor display density setting method used with an image printing apparatus for exposing an image recorded on a photographic film, displaying the image on a monitor before printing it in a predetermined printing area on a photosensitive material, and adjusting the image to be printed, the method comprising the steps of reading a reference by a scanner to obtain a digital image data, extracting a predetermined number of digital pixel data for each color of the gray component from the digital image data, and, on the basis of the predetermined number of extracted digital pixel data for each color of the gray component, adjusting the monitor according to the predetermined quantitative condition for substantially equalizing the appearance of the image on the monitor.
According to the third aspect, the data for substantially equalizing the image on the monitor and an image to be printed is quantitatively presented on the basis of a predetermined number of digital pixel data of the gray component of a reference image read by the scanner. The quantitative presentation is defined as displaying a numerical value or the like on the monitor and causing the operator to make adjustment on the basis of the numerical value or as making it possible to set an automatically adjustable numerical value or the like in a control program. This quantitative presentation eliminates the variations due to the different senses of different operators and makes possible the speed-up of the adjustment at the same time.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a monitor display density setting method, wherein, in the third aspect, the digital image data of the reference image read by the scanner is displayed on the monitor.
In the fourth aspect, the digital image data of a reference image read by the scanner is displayed on the monitor. Consequently, the legitimacy of the result obtained by the monitor display density setting method according to the third aspect can be determined visually by the operator.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a monitor display density setting method, wherein, in the third or fourth aspect, a predetermined number of the digital pixel data for each color of the gray component extracted is displayed on the monitor.
In the fifth aspect, the digital pixel data for each color of the gray component is displayed on the monitor. Therefore, the operator can visually determine whether the digital pixel data is set in a predetermined range where the appearance is substantially the same between the image on the monitor and an image to be printed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5264946 (199
Coles Edward
Fuji Photo Film Co. , Ltd.
Lamb Twyler
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
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