Image analysis – Image enhancement or restoration – Intensity – brightness – contrast – or shading correction
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-01
2002-04-16
Grant, II, Jerome (Department: 2624)
Image analysis
Image enhancement or restoration
Intensity, brightness, contrast, or shading correction
C358S446000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06373993
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an image processing method and an image processing apparatus, and in particular, to an image processing method and an image processing apparatus suitable for use in an image printer.
In a conventional photographic print system, in order to obtain a well finished photographic print, it is actualized an image processing method in which an original to be printed is divided into a plurality of pixels beforehand for measuring light intensity, image data for evaluation is obtained, the characteristic values of the image are obtained, and a proper condition for printing is automatically obtained.
There are a variety of printing conditions such as, for example, ‘an average density value’ for determining the duplicating conditions for images having a normal brightness distribution of photographic objects, ‘a density correction value’ for making the correction of brightness in the case where the brightness distribution of photographic objects is deviated from a normal form, and ‘a color correction value’ for correcting the color tone in the case where the average color balance is deviated from no color. The print exposure time and the exposure light intensity for a photographic paper have been determined on the basis of these print processing conditions to carry out the printing for duplicating an original.
On the other hand, it has been developed a digital photographic print system wherein image data are obtained by dividing an original into a plurality of pixels for measuring light by means of a scanner, a proper printing conditions are automatically obtained by the above-mentioned processing method, and on the basis of these, the aforesaid obtained image data are outputted to various kinds of image outputting apparatus after being subjected to a gradation conversion.
In order to obtain a proper printing conditions from the image characteristic values, it is often the case that mathematical equations such as a product and sum equation, a discriminant, and a conditional equation are used (hereinafter these are referred to as correction equations). The most suitable correction equation often varies depending on the magnitude and the character of the characteristic values to be obtained, and it is necessary that the equation is re-obtained in accordance with the kinds of means for obtaining the image data for evaluation, resulting in spending a large amount of time and labor.
Further, in a digital photographic print system, the quality of the image read by the scanner has greatly influenced the quality of the photographic print. In particular, if there is a large amount of flare component in the optical system for image reading of the scanner resulting from the inner surface reflection etc., taking an image from a negative-film for instance, the reproduced image is made to have an incomplete highlight portion and a poor modulation.
However, in the case where a smooth gradation expression, a high quality impression, and a stereoscopic impression are important, as in the case of depicting the face in the photography of a woman, for example, it is desirable that there is a certain measure of flare component; therefore, the real situation is that it does not exist an ideal optical system for reading an image that can read satisfactorily various kinds of images.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned subject, and it is the first object of it to provide an image processing method and an image processing apparatus which can obtain a stable good photographic quality by adjusting the influence of the flare in the image reading system, and it is the second object of the invention to provide an image processing method and an image processing apparatus which can actualize a favorable photographic quality by making it possible to suitably adjust the flare quantity in the image reading system.
The above-mentioned objects of the invention can be accomplished by the following structures, methods and memory media memorizing the methods.
A) An image processing apparatus, comprises:
an optical system to for irradiating light to an image document, for detecting light transmitting through the image document or light reflected from the image document and for converting the light into electric signals, thereby obtaining a first image information, the optical system having an amount of flare;
flare amount memorizing means for memorizing an amount of flare of the optical system;
flare component calculating means for obtaining a flare component contained in the first image information on the basis of the first image information and the flare amount of the optical system; and
determining means for determining on the basis of the flare component a copy condition on which the image document is copied.
B) An image processing apparatus, comprises:
an optical system for irradiating light to an image document, for detecting light transmitting through the image document or light reflected from the image document and for converting the light into electric signals, thereby obtaining a first image information, the optical system having an amount of flare;
flare amount memorizing means for memorizing the amount of flare of the optical system;
flare component calculating means for obtaining a flare component contained in the first image information on the basis of the first image information and the flare amount of the optical system; and
image processing means for applying an image processing to the first image information on the basis of the flare component, thereby obtaining a second image information.
C) An image processing method, comprises steps of:
irradiating light to an image document, detecting light transmitting the image document or light reflected from the image document, converting the light into electric signals, and obtaining a first image information by an optical system;
obtaining a flare component contained in the first image information on the basis of the first image information and the flare amount of the optical system; and
determining on the basis of the flare component a copy condition on which the image document is copied.
D) An image processing method, comprises steps of:
irradiating light to an image document, detecting light transmitting the image document or light reflected from the image document, converting the light into electric signals, and obtaining a first image information by an optical system;
obtaining a flare component contained in the first image information on the basis of the first image information and the flare amount of the optical system; and
applying an image processing to the first image information on the basis of the flare component and obtaining a second image information.
E) A memory medium capable of memorizing a program capable of executing steps in such a manner that the program can be read from the memory medium by a computer, the steps comprises steps of:
irradiating light to an image document, detecting light transmitting the image document or light reflected from the image document, converting the light into electric signals, and obtaining a first image information by an optical system;
obtaining a flare component contained in the first image information on the basis of the first image information and the flare amount of the optical system; and
determining on the basis of the flare component a copy condition on which the image document is copied.
F) A memory medium capable of memorizing a program capable of executing steps in such a manner that the program can be read from the memory medium by a computer, the steps comprises steps of:
irradiating light to an image document, detecting light transmitting the image document or light reflected from the image document, converting the light into electric signals, and obtaining a first image information by an optical system;
obtaining a flare component contained in the first image information on the basis of the first image information and the flare amount of the optical system; and
applying an image processing to
Grant II Jerome
Konica Corporation
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