U.S. patent application number 09/741995 was filed with the patent office on 2001-12-20 for image reading and readout system.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIKON CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Fujinawa, Nobuhiro, Maeda, Eisaku, Suzuki, Maki, Tsuchihashi, Hidehisa.
Application Number | 20010052931 09/741995 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26424072 |
Filed Date | 2001-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010052931 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Suzuki, Maki ; et
al. |
December 20, 2001 |
Image reading and readout system
Abstract
An image reading system that reads long-type film images and
displays the images on a monitor screen. The image reading system
includes a display method having the capability to effectively
utilize, on the monitor screen, all of the image information that
is on the film, and which allows easy imaging capability of the
final image when changes have been made to the original image. The
image reading system creates first image data corresponding to
roughly the entire body of the image storage region based on the
image signal, and creates second image data corresponding to the
image of the image storage region that has been trimmed based on
trimming-related information included in the image signal and
magnetic information. The image reading system displays the first
image corresponding to the first image data and the second image
corresponding to the second image data on the display.
Inventors: |
Suzuki, Maki; (Ichikawa-shi,
JP) ; Maeda, Eisaku; (Sakura-shi, JP) ;
Tsuchihashi, Hidehisa; (Tokyo, JP) ; Fujinawa,
Nobuhiro; (Yokohama-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. Box 19928
Alexandria
VA
22320
US
|
Assignee: |
NIKON CORPORATION
|
Family ID: |
26424072 |
Appl. No.: |
09/741995 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09741995 |
Dec 22, 2000 |
|
|
|
09589354 |
Jun 8, 2000 |
|
|
|
09589354 |
Jun 8, 2000 |
|
|
|
08888673 |
Jul 7, 1997 |
|
|
|
6094218 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
348/96 ;
348/E5.112; 396/319 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/45 20130101; H04N
1/00249 20130101; H04N 1/3872 20130101; H04N 1/00267 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/96 ;
396/319 |
International
Class: |
H04N 005/253; H04N
009/47 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 9, 1996 |
JP |
08-179223 |
Apr 1, 1997 |
JP |
09-83008 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An image reading system comprising: an image reading device
including a magnetic information reading device; and a controller
-coupled to the image reading device, the controller including a
trimming size setting device and a display device, wherein the
image reading device outputs an image signal and the magnetic
information reading device outputs a magnetic signal, the
controller controlling the image reading device to read an image,
frame-by-frame, of a long-type film having an image storage region
and a magnetic information storage region, and the controller
creates a first image of the image storage region based on the
image signal and the controller creates a second image
corresponding to the image of the image storage region that has
been trimmed based on the image signal and information related to
trimming included in the magnetic signal, the controller displaying
the first image and the second image on the display device.
2. The image reading system of claim 1, wherein the first image and
the second image are displayed juxtaposed on said display
device.
3. The image reading system of claim 1, wherein the first image and
the second image are displayed superimposed on said display
device.
4. An image reading system comprising: a film scanner that reads an
image, frame-by-frame, of a long-type film having an image storage
region and a magnetic storage region in each frame, the film
scanner outputting an image signal based on the read image; a
magnetic head coupled to the film scanner, the magnetic head
reading magnetic information of said magnetic storage region and
outputting a magnetic signal; a display device to display the
image; and a controller coupled to the film scanner, wherein the
controller controls the image reading system to create first image
data corresponding to the image of said image storage region based
on said image signal and the controller creates second image data
corresponding to the image of said image storage region that has
been trimmed based on said image signal and information related to
trimming included in said magnetic signal, wherein the display
device displays a first image corresponding to said first image
data and a second image corresponding to said second image
data.
5. The image reading system of claim 4, further comprising a
trimming size setting device that sets the trimming size of the
image of said image storage region and outputs a trimming signal,
wherein said controller converts said second image data to third
image data based on said image signal and said trimming signal, the
controller displays a third image corresponding to said third image
data on said display device.
6. The image reading system of claim 5, further comprising a
magnetic information writing head that writes information
corresponding to the trimming size information set by said trimming
size setting device into said magnetic storage region.
7. An image reading system comprising: a film scanner that reads an
image, frame-by-frame, of a long-type film provided with an image
storage region and a magnetic storage region in each frame, and
outputs an image signal based on the read image; a magnetic head
coupled to the film scanner, the magnetic head reading magnetic
information of said magnetic storage region and outputs a magnetic
signal; a display device coupled to the film scanner that displays
the image; and a controller coupled to the film scanner, wherein
the controller controls the image reading system to create first
image data corresponding to the image of said image storage region
based on said image signal and the controller creates first
trimming frame data based on said image signal and information
relating to trimming that is included in said magnetic signal, and
wherein said display device displays a first image corresponding to
said first image data and a first trimming frame corresponding to
said first trimming frame data which is superimposed on said first
image.
8. The image reading system of claim 7, further comprising a
trimming size setting device that sets the trimming size of the
image of said image storage region and outputs a trimming signal,
wherein said controller converts said first trimming frame data
based on said image signal and said trimming signal into second
trimming frame data and the controller displays a second trimming
frame corresponding to said second trimming frame data on said
display device which is superimposed on said first image.
9. The image reading system of claim 8, further comprising a
magnetic information writing head that writes information
corresponding to the trimming size set by said trimming size
setting device into said magnetic storage region.
10. The image reading system of claim 7, further comprising: an
image size designating device that sets one of an enlargement and a
reduction of said image and outputs one of enlargement data and
reduction data, and a magnetic information writing head, wherein
said controller converts said first image data into second image
data based on one of said enlargement and said reduction data, the
controller displays the second image corresponding to the second
image data on the display device, and the magnetic information
writing head writes one of said enlargement data and said reduction
data in a memory.
11. An image reading system comprising: image reading means for
reading the image, frame-by-frame, of a long-type film provided
with an image storage region and a magnetic storage region in each
frame, the image reading means outputting an image signal based on
the read image; magnetic information reading means for reading
magnetic information of said magnetic storage region and outputting
a magnetic signal; display means for displaying an image; and
control means for creating first image data corresponding to the
image of said image storage region based on said image signal, the
control means further for creating second image data corresponding
to the image of said image storage region that has been trimmed
based on said image signal and information related to trimming
included in said magnetic signal, and the control means for
displaying a first image corresponding to said first image data and
a second image corresponding to said second image data on said
display means.
12. The image reading system of claim 11, further comprising
trimming size setting means for setting the trimming size of the
image of said image storage region, and for outputting a trimming
signal, wherein said control means converts said second image data
to third image data based on said image signal and said trimming
signal, and the control means displays a first image corresponding
to said first image data and a third image corresponding to said
third image data on said display means.
13. The image reading system of claim 12, further comprising
magnetic information writing means for writing information
corresponding to the trimming size set by said trimming size
setting means into said magnetic storage region.
14. An image reading system comprising: image reading means for
reading an image, frame-by-frame, of a long-type film provided with
an image storage region and a magnetic storage region in each
frame, the image reading means outputting an image signal based on
the read image; magnetic information reading means for reading
magnetic information of said magnetic storage region and outputting
a magnetic signal; display means for displaying an image; and
control means for creating first image data corresponding to the
image of said image storage region based on said image signal, the
control means for creating first trimming frame data based on said
image signal and on information relating to trimming that is
included in said magnetic signal, the control means for displaying
a first image corresponding to said first image data on said
display means, and for displaying a first trimming frame
corresponding to said first trimming frame data on said display
means, which is superimposed on said first image.
15. The image reading system of claim 14, further comprising
trimming size setting means for setting the trimming size of the
image of said image storage region and outputting a trimming
signal, wherein said control means converts said first trimming
frame data based on said image signal and said trimming signal into
second trimming frame data, and the control means displays a second
trimming frame corresponding to said second trimming frame data on
said display means, which is superimposed on said first image.
16. The image reading system of claim 15, further comprising
magnetic information writing means for writing information
corresponding to the trimming size set by said trimming size
setting means into said magnetic storage region.
17. The image reading system of claim 14, further comprising: image
size designating means for setting one of enlargement and reduction
of the image within the trimming frame, and for -outputting one of
enlargement data and reduction data; and magnetic information
writing means for writing in said magnetic storage region, wherein
said control means converts said first image data into second image
data based on one of said enlargement data and reduction data, the
control means displays the second image corresponding to the second
image data on said display means, and said magnetic information
writing means writes one of said enlargement data and reduction
data in said magnetic storage region.
18. A method of reading an image, frame-by-frame, of a long-type
film provided with an image storage region and a magnetic storage
region in each frame, and outputting an image signal, the method
comprising the steps of: reading an image of the film and
outputting image data; reading magnetic information and outputting
trimming frame data; displaying an image based on the image data;
displaying trimming frame data corresponding to the image based on
said trimming frame data; reading the trimmed image; and storing
the trimmed image and the trimming frame data.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the trimming frame data is
displayed superimposed with the image.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the image is one of enlarged
and reduced in accordance with the trimming frame data.
21. A method of reading an image, frame-by-frame, of a long-type
film provided with an image storing region and a magnetic storage
region in each frame, and outputting an image signal, the method
comprising the steps of: reading an image of the film and
outputting image data; reading magnetic information and outputting
trimming frame data; displaying a first image based on the image
data; trimming the image in accordance with the trimming frame data
and outputting a trimmed image data; displaying a second image
based on the trimmed image data; reading the second image; and
storing the second image.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the second image is displayed
juxtaposed with the first image.
23. A memory medium that stores a control procedure for an image
reading system, the image reading system comprising: image reading
means for reading an image, frame-by-frame, of a long-type film,
which has image memory and magnetic memory areas in each frame, and
for outputting an image signal; magnetic information reading means
for reading the magnetic information of said magnetic memory area
and for outputting magnetic signals; and new display means for
displaying an image, wherein first image data is created
corresponding to almost an entire image of said image memory area
and based upon said image signal, second image data is created
corresponding to the image of the image memory area trimmed based
on information related to trimming comprising said image signals
and said magnetic signals, and a control procedure is stored that
displays a first image corresponding to said first image data and a
second image corresponding to said second image data on said
display means.
24. The memory medium that stores the control procedure for an
image reading system of claim 23, said image reading system
comprising trimming size setting means for setting the trimming
size of the image of the image memory area and for outputting a
trimming signal, wherein a control procedure is further stored in
which said second image data is converted to said third image data
based upon said image signal and said trimming signal, and the
first image corresponding to said first image data and the third
image corresponding to said third image data are displayed on said
display means.
25. The memory medium that stores the control procedure for an
image reading system of claim 24, wherein said image reading system
further comprises magnetic information writing means for writing in
said magnetic memory area and said writing control means are
further stored for writing trimming size information set by said
trimming size setting means in said magnetic information writing
means.
26. A memory medium that stores a control procedure for an image
reading system, the image reading system comprising: image reading
means for reading an image, frame-by-frame, of a long-type film
that has image memory and magnetic memory areas in each frame and
for outputting image signals; and magnetic information reading
means for reading the magnetic information of said magnetic memory
area and for outputting magnetic signals, and display means for
displaying images, wherein a control procedure is stored that
creates first image data corresponding to almost the entire image
of the image memory area based upon the image signal, creates the
first trimming frame data based upon the information related to
trimming which is included in said image signals and said magnetic
signal, and displays the first image corresponding to the first
image data on the displays means and displays the first trimming
frame corresponding to the first trimming frame data on the display
means as superimposed on said first image.
27. The memory medium that stores a control procedure for an image
reading system of claim 26, wherein said image reading system
comprises trimming size setting means for setting the trimming size
of an image of said image memory area and for outputting a trimming
signal, and wherein a control procedure is further stored in which
said first trimming frame data is converted into the second
trimming frame data based on said image signal and said trimming
signal, and a second trimming frame corresponding to said second
trimming frame data is displayed on the display means as
superimposed on said first image.
28. The memory medium that stores a control procedure for an image
reading system of claim 27, said image reading system further
comprising magnetic information writing means for writing in said
magnetic memory area, wherein a writing control procedure is
further stored, which writes the trimming size information set by
said trimming size setting means in said magnetic information
writing means.
29. The memory medium that stores a control procedure for an image
reading system of claim 26, said image reading system further
comprising: image size designation means for setting the
enlargement or reduction with respect to the image within the
trimming frame, and for outputting enlargement data or reduction
data; and magnetic information writing means for writing in said
magnetic memory area, wherein a writing control procedure is
further stored that converts enlargement or reduction from said
first image data to said second image data based upon said
enlargement or reduction data, displays the second image
corresponding to the second image data on the display means, and
writes said enlargement or reduction data in said magnetic
information writing means.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0001] The disclosures of the following priority applications are
herein incorporated by reference: JP 8-179223, filed Jul. 9, 1996
and JP 9-83008, filed Apr. 1, 1997.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an image reading and
readout system that reads the image of each frame of a long-type
film, displays the image on a monitor screen, and provides a method
of trimming the image.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] The image reading system is composed of a film image reading
device, or film scanner. The film scanner, under the control of a
host computer, reads the image of a film negative or reverse film.
The host computer collects image data and controls the display of
the image on the monitor screen.
[0006] In recent years, new types of film have been proposed. One
of these is a long type of film (referred to below as "roll film")
which is left in a film cartridge even after development. The roll
film is equipped with a magnetic storage region in each frame. In
each magnetic storage region, a photographic item is recorded when
photography is performed. Print sizes C, H, and P are included in
the photographic item.
[0007] The C size is called the classic size, and has an aspect
ratio of 3:2. The H size is called the high-vision size, and has an
aspect ratio of 16:9. The P size is called the panorama size, and
has an aspect ratio of 3:1.
[0008] In addition to reading the image of each frame, the film
image reading device also reads the magnetic information of each
magnetic storage region. The host computer executes trimming
processing of image data received from each frame, according to the
aspect ratio determined by the print size included in the magnetic
information, and then displays the image on the monitor screen.
[0009] Accordingly, in a conventional image reading system that
handles roll film, not all of the image information of the frame
read by the film image reading device is displayed on the monitor
screen. Only the trimmed frame image, which was automatically
trimmed according to the aspect ratio determined by the print size
included in the magnetic information, is displayed on the monitor
screen.
[0010] Sometimes the user sees the frame image displayed on the
monitor screen and wants to add changes to the print size set
during photography. However, a conventional display method ignores
part of the image information on the film, as explained above.
[0011] Accordingly, the user cannot freely select, on the monitor
screen, all of the image information for the film. Instead, the
user can only change the frame image displayed according to the
aspect ratio determined by the print size set during photography.
Therefore, it is difficult to obtain a frame image of a
satisfactory size.
[0012] Further, in a conventional display method, the frame image
is displayed on the monitor screen based on the aspect ratio
determined by the print size. Because the print size is only set
during photography, when the user changes the image size, the user
must do so without knowing what the print size was originally set
to. This also points out why it is difficult in a conventional
display method to obtain a frame image of a satisfactory size.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention has an objective to provide an image
reading display system equipped with a display method that performs
size changes on the monitor screen, effectively using all of the
image information on the film, and that can easily scan the final
image resulting after changes have been added.
[0014] According to a first embodiment, an image reading system is
provided having an image reading device for reading the image,
frame-by-frame, of long-type film provided with an image storage
region and a magnetic storage region in each frame, and outputting
an image signal. A magnetic information reading device reads the
magnetic information of the magnetic storage region, and outputs a
magnetic signal. A display device displays an image and a control
device creates a first image data corresponding to roughly the
entire body of the image of the image storage region, based on the
image signal. The control device also creates a second image data
corresponding to the image of the image storage region, which has
been trimmed based on the image signal and information related to
trimming that is included in the image signal and the magnetic
signal. The control device further displays a first image
corresponding to the first image data, and a second image
corresponding to the second image data, on the display device.
[0015] The image reading system may also include a trimming size
setting device for setting the trimming size of the image of the
image storage region, and for outputting a trimming signal. The
control device converts the second image data to third image data
based on the image signal and the trimming signal, and displays a
first image corresponding to the first image data and a third image
corresponding to the third image data on the display device.
[0016] The image reading system may still further include a
magnetic information writing device for writing the trimming size
information set via the trimming size setting device into the
magnetic storage region.
[0017] According to a second embodiment, an image reading system
includes an image reading device for reading the image,
frame-by-frame, of long-type film provided with an image storage
region and a magnetic storage region in each frame, and outputting
an image signal. A magnetic information reading device reads the
magnetic information of the magnetic storage region and outputs a
magnetic signal. A display device displays an image and a control
device creates a first image data corresponding to roughly the
entire body of the image of the image storage region, based on the
image signal. The control device also creates first trimming frame
data, based on the image signal and on information relating to
trimming, which is included in said image signal and the magnetic
signal. The control device also displays a first image
corresponding to the first image data on the display device and
displays a first trimming frame corresponding to the first trimming
frame data on the display device, superimposed on the first
image.
[0018] The image reading system may further include a trimming size
setting device for setting the trimming size of the image of the
image storage region, and for outputting a trimming signal. The
control device converts the first trimming frame data, based on the
image signal and the trimming signal, into second trimming frame
data, and displays a second trimming frame corresponding to the
second trimming frame data on the display device, superimposed on
the first image.
[0019] The image reading system may still further include a
magnetic information writing device for writing trimming size
information set via the trimming size setting device into said
magnetic storage region.
[0020] The image reading system may also include an image reading
device having the magnetic information reading device and the
magnetic information writing device and a host computer having the
display device, the control device, and the trimming size setting
device.
[0021] The image reading system may also include an image size
designating device for setting enlargement or reduction with regard
to the image within the trimming frame and for outputting
enlargement data or reduction data. A magnetic information device
writes in the magnetic storage region, where the control device
enlargement converts or reduction converts the first image data
into second image data based on the enlargement data or reduction
data, displays the second image corresponding to the second image
data on the display device, and writes the enlargement data or
reduction data in the magnetic information writing device.
[0022] The image reading device reads each frame of the image,
frame by frame, of the long-type film that is equipped with an
image storage region and a magnetic storage region in each frame,
and outputs an image signal. The magnetic information reading
device reads the magnetic information of the magnetic storage
region and outputs a magnetic signal.
[0023] Further, the control device may create first image data
corresponding to roughly the entire body of the image of the image
storage region, based on the image signal, and may create second
image data corresponding to the image of the image storage region,
in which trimming has been performed based on information relating
to trimming included in image signals and magnetic signals. The
control device then displays a first image corresponding to the
first image data, and a second image corresponding to the second
image data, on the display device. Accordingly, a user may confirm
the trimming image (the second image) that corresponds to the
original image (the first image) by direct comparison.
[0024] In addition, a trimming size setting device may set the
trimming size of the image of the image storage region and output a
trimming signal. The control device converts the second image data
to third image data, based on the image signal and the trimming
signal, and displays the first image corresponding to the first
image data, and a third image corresponding to the third image
data, on the display device. Thus, the user may confirm the
trimming image (the third image) corresponding to the original
image (the first image) by direct comparison.
[0025] The magnetic information writing device may write the
information of the trimming size set by the trimming size setting
device into the magnetic storage region. Accordingly, when the user
obtains the image desired by trimming through direct comparison of
the trimming image (the second image) against the original image
(the first image), and further, by trimming through direct
comparison of the trimming image (the third image) and the original
image (the second image), performing the trimming a plurality of
times, the desired image and the trimming result may be saved.
[0026] In one embodiment, the image reading device reads each frame
of the image, frame by frame, of the long film that is equipped
with an image storage region and a magnetic storage region in each
frame, and outputs am image signal. The magnetic information
reading device reads the magnetic information of the magnetic
storage region and outputs a magnetic signal.
[0027] The control device creates first image data corresponding to
roughly the entire body of the image of the image storage region,
based on the image signal, and creates a first trimming frame data,
based on information relating to trimming included in image signals
and magnetic signals. Then, the control device displays the first
image corresponding to the first image data on the display device,
and displays the first trimming frame, corresponding to the first
trimming frame data, as superimposed on the first image, on the
display device. Accordingly, the user may directly confirm the
trimming frame corresponding to the original image (the first
image).
[0028] The trimming size setting device may set the trimming size
of the image of the image storage region, and output a trimming
signal. Further, the control device may convert the first trimming
frame data to second trimming frame data, based on the image signal
and the trimming signal, and display the second trimming frame
corresponding to the second trimming frame data as superimposed on
the first image, on the display device. Accordingly, the user can
easily compare the second trimming frame and the original image
(the first image) to decide if the second trimming frame should be
the final output image.
[0029] In one embodiment, the magnetic information writing device
writes the information of the trimming size set by the trimming
size setting device into the magnetic storage region. Accordingly,
the user may perform trimming by direct comparison of the first
trimming frame against the original image (the first image), and
further, by direct comparison of the second trimming frame against
the original image (the first image), performing trimming a
plurality of times. When the desired image has been obtained, it
can be saved along with the trimming results.
[0030] The image reading system may include an image reading device
having a magnetic information reading device and a magnetic
information writing device. In addition, the host computer may
include a display device, a control device, and a trimming size
setting device. Accordingly, the image reading system is easily and
simply composed, without requiring changes in hardware.
[0031] In one embodiment, an image size setting device, with regard
to the image within the trimming frame, is set as enlarged or
reduced, and outputs enlarged data or reduced data. The control
device, based on the enlarged data or the reduced data, enlargement
converts or reduction converts the first image data to second image
data, and displays the second image corresponding to the second
image data on the display device, and performs writing of the
enlarged data or the reduced data into the magnetic information
writing device.
[0032] Accordingly, the user can easily and simply perform an
operation to obtain the desired image, performing enlargement
display or reduction display of the original image, within a
certain trimming frame, and further, can save the results.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] The invention will be described with reference to the
following drawings in which like reference numerals refers like
elements and wherein:
[0034] FIG. 1 is an outer view of an image reading system of one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 2 is an outer view of a cartridge used in one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 3 is an outer view of long-type film (roll film);
[0037] FIG. 4 shows an image reading system of one embodiment of
the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 5 is an operation flow chart of the juxtaposing display
method of one embodiment of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 6 is an operation flow chart of a superimposing display
method of one embodiment of the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 7 is an operation flow chart of the superimposing
display method of one embodiment of the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 8 shows a display example of a thumbnail window
(thumbnail screen);
[0042] FIG. 9 shows a display example of a preview window (preview
screen);
[0043] FIG. 10 shows a display example of a preview window (preview
screen);
[0044] FIG. 11 shows a display example of a preview window (preview
screen);
[0045] FIG. 12 shows a display example of a preview window (preview
screen);
[0046] FIG. 13 shows a display example of a preview window (preview
screen);
[0047] FIG. 14 is an operation flow chart of the juxtaposing
display method of one embodiment of the present invention;
[0048] FIG. 15 is an operation flow chart of the juxtaposing
display method of one embodiment of the present invention;
[0049] FIG. 16 is an operation flow chart of the superimposing
display method of one embodiment of the present invention;
[0050] FIG. 17 is an operation flow chart of the superimposing
display method of one embodiment of the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 18 is an operation flow chart of the superimposing
display method of one embodiment of the present invention; and
[0052] FIG. 19 is an operation flow chart of the superimposing
display method of one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0053] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are
described below with reference to the drawings.
[0054] FIG. 1 is an outer view of an image reading system of one
embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image
reading system is composed mainly of the film image reading device
1 and a control device 2.
[0055] The control device 2 is composed of a central processing
device (referred to below as a CPU), a computer device equipped
with a program memory and a working memory, and a display device
having a monitor screen 2a as its output device.
[0056] The film image reading device 1 is connected by a
communication cable 3, used as the input device of the computer
device. Input tools including a keyboard 4 and a mouse (not shown)
may be connected to the computer device.
[0057] Film image reading devices generally fall into one of two
categories: 1) light transmission type, in which light is
transmitted through the original film and is read by a live sensor;
and 2) light reflective type, in which light is reflected off the
original film and is read by a line sensor. In both types of image
reading devices, either the original film is moved relative to a
fixed line sensor or the line sensor is moved relative to a fixed
film.
[0058] The film image reading device 1 of the first embodiment of
the present invention is a light transmission type, in which the
film original document is moved relative to the line sensor.
[0059] A cartridge 5 is loaded into the film image reading device
1. FIG. 2 is an outer view of the cartridge 5. A cylindrical case
51 axially supports a cartridge spool 52 on both ends in the
longitudinal direction of the cartridge spool 52. The cartridge
spool 52 is free to rotate in the cylindrical case 51. The
cylindrical case 51 is provided with an aperture 53 along one side.
The roll film 27 enters and exits the case 51 through the aperture
53, and is wound or is fed out by the cartridge spool 52.
[0060] FIG. 3 is an outer view of the roll film 27. The roll film
27 in FIG. 3 is shown in the state of being fed out from the
cartridge 5.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 3, the roll film 27 includes a prescribed
region, or lead, at a distal end (the end that is pulled out)
section. Following the lead, image storage regions 70 are provided
in each frame, placed at prescribed intervals. Magnetic storage
regions 71 and perforations 72, on one end side of a width
direction of the roll film 27, are provided in the lead. The lead
of the roll film 27 also contains a magnetic storage region 73 and
a bar code 74 on another end side in the width direction of the
roll film 27.
[0062] In each frame, two perforations 75 and 76 are provided on an
outside of one end of the film width direction of the image storage
region 70. Further, in each frame, a magnetic storage region 77 is
provided on the outside of the other end of the film width
direction of the image storage region 70.
[0063] Film information of the roll film 27 is stored in the
magnetic storage regions 71 and 73. By varying density, the bar
code 74 displays the film information of the film. The film
information includes the type or variety of the film, the frame
number and the total number of frames. The film type includes color
film, monochrome film, positive film, and negative film, for
example.
[0064] The information relating to photography, such as the frame
number, title, photographic date/time, photographic item,
designated print size, is also recorded in each magnetic storage
region 77. These data can be written in during photography and
during development. In addition, data concerning the maker of the
film is often written into the magnetic storage regions 71 and 73
of the lead before shipping.
[0065] As described above, the print sizes include the high vision
size (H size), the classic size (C size), and the panorama size (P
size). As for the aspect ratios, the H size is 16:9, the C size is
3:2, and the P size is 3:1.
[0066] Next, FIG. 4 shows the composition of an image reading
system of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows the
film image reading device 1. The film image reading device 1 is
equipped with an installation chamber, in which the following may
be provided: a CPU 11, a memory 12, an interface (IF) circuit 13, a
motor drive circuit 14, a magnetic signal processing circuit 15, a
line sensor drive circuit 16, a signal processing circuit 17, an
A/D converter circuit 18, an optical source drive circuit 19, an
optical source 20, a lens 21, a line sensor 22, an original
document position detection sensor 23, an optical information
reading sensor 24, a magnetic head 25, a motor 26 and a cartridge
5. The film image reading device 1 is also equipped with a feed
path of the roll film 27, which is wound out from the cartridge
5.
[0067] The host computer 30 is equipped with a computer device a
and a display device b including a monitor screen 2a, which is used
as an output device. The host computer 30 may also include a
keyboard 4 and a mouse c, which are used as input devices. The film
image reading device 1 is connected to the host computer 30 via the
IF circuit 13.
[0068] Further, the control program of the host computer 30 in the
above embodiment is stored in the hard disk drive, which is a
memory medium. The control program stored in hard disk may also be
found in a memory medium 30a such as a CD-ROM, for example, so that
it can be set up in the host computer 30 in advance.
[0069] It is also appropriate to use the CPU 11 of the image
reading device instead of a central processing unit of the host
computer 30. Moreover, it is appropriate to use the memory 12 of
the image reading device instead of a memory of the host computer
30. In this case, it is acceptable to store a program that is
identical to a program of the host computer 30 in ROM (program
memory). By reading out the program stored in ROM to the working
memory, it is possible for the CPU 11 of the film image reading
device 1 to perform the execution of the program.
[0070] Next is a summary of the general operation of the image
reading system shown in FIGS. 1-4. The user installs the cartridge
5 into the installation chamber of the film image reading device 1.
Then the spool of the cartridge 5 is connected to an axle of the
motor 26.
[0071] The user then closes a lid of the installation chamber. When
this is done, an electrical power source is supplied to each
circuit of the film image reading device 1, and each circuit is
activated.
[0072] The user inputs a read command using the keyboard 4 or the
mouse c and the host computer 30 sends a read operation command to
the CPU 11 via the IF circuit 13. As a result, the CPU 11 initiates
the control operation of each part. The motor drive circuit 14,
based on commands from the CPU 11, controls the starting and
stopping and the rotational speed and direction of the motor 26.
When the motor 26 is driven in a forward direction, the roll film
27 is wound out to the feed path from the cartridge 5. When the
motor 26 is driven in a reverse direction, the roll film 27 is
wound in to the cartridge 5 from the feed path.
[0073] The original document position detection sensor 23 optically
detects each perforation 75 and 76, and provides that information
to the CPU 11. The optical information reading sensor 24 reads the
film information of the bar code 74, and provides it to the CPU
11.
[0074] The magnetic head 25, under the control of the magnetic
signal processing circuit 15, reads the magnetic information of the
magnetic storage regions 71, 73, and 77, and provides the magnetic
information to the CPU 11. Further, the magnetic head 25, under the
control of the magnetic signal processing circuit 15, writes
information to the magnetic storage regions 71, 73, and 77.
[0075] The magnetic signal processing circuit 15, under the control
of the CPU 11, digitizes the magnetic information read by the
magnetic head 25, and provides it to the CPU 11. Further, the
magnetic signal processing circuit 15, under the control of the CPU
11, provides the information written into the magnetic storage
regions 71, 73, and 77 to the magnetic head 25.
[0076] The light source 20, under the control of the light source
drive circuit 19, illuminates one surface of the roll film 27. The
optical source 20 may be equipped with three colors, such as R
(red), G (green), and blue (B), of light-emitting diodes (referred
to below as "LED"). In this case, the optical source drive circuit
19, according to the command from the CPU 11, performs control of
the changeover lighting/extinguishing of the tri-colored LED of the
optical source 20.
[0077] The optical source 20 may also be a white light. In this
case, the optical source 20 is equipped with three color filters,
such as R (red), G (green), and B (blue). When three color filters
are provided, a changeover mechanism for the three filters is
required.
[0078] The lens 21 is arranged for light of the optical source 20,
which has passed through the roll film 27, to be resolved on the
light receptor surface of the line sensor 22. The line sensor 22 is
equipped with a feeding part that feeds the charge accumulated in
each image accumulation part, which is a plurality of photoelectric
conversion parts arranged in a horizontal row. The line sensor 22
is arranged so that a plurality of the light receptor surfaces of
the image accumulation parts are arranged in a horizontal row,
orthogonal to the direction of motion of the roll film 27.
[0079] The image sensor 22 can be a black and white image sensor or
a color image sensor. When the black and white image sensor is
used, the optical source 20 may be equipped with either the
tricolored LED or the white light. When the color image sensor is
used, the optical source 20 is the white light.
[0080] The line sensor drive circuit 16, based on commands from the
CPU 11, controls the accumulation operation/accumulation time of
the line sensor 22. The line sensor drive circuit 16 also controls
the main scanning in which the accumulated charge (image
signal/electrical signal) is swept out to the signal processing
circuit 17.
[0081] The signal processing circuit 17, based on commands from the
CPU 11, amplifies the signal from the line sensor 22, performs
signal processing, and provides the signal to the A/D converter 18.
Processing, such as correlated double sampling (CDS), shading
correction, dark current correction, and even/odd correction is
included in the signal processing.
[0082] The A/D converter 18 converts the image signal sent from the
signal processing circuit 17 into a digital signal of a prescribed
bit number, and provides the digital signal to the CPU 11. The bit
width is 8 bits, for example.
[0083] The CPU 11, based on a program set in the memory 12,
performs the following control operation. First, the CPU 11
controls the motor drive circuit 14, the magnetic signal processing
circuit 15, the line sensor drive circuit 16, and the optical
source drive circuit 19, and reads the roll film 27. Next, the CPU
11 sets the accumulation time, according to the exposure
information obtained from the host computer 30.
[0084] The CPU 11 then receives the output of either the original
document position detection sensor 23 or the optical information
reading sensor 24, and performs position detection of the
perforation and deciphering of the content of the bar code.
[0085] The CPU 11 also controls the magnetic signal processing
circuit 15, the signal processing circuit 17, and the A/D converter
18, and reads the read magnetic information and the film image, and
stores them in the memory 12. Next, the CPU 11 takes one frame's
worth or a plurality of frames' worth of line data (image data)
that has been read, and stores the information in the memory 12 as
the three colors of line data (image data) of R, G, and B.
[0086] The CPU 11 then takes one frame's worth or a plurality of
frames' worth of line data (image data) that has been read, and
stores the information in the memory 12 as the line data (image
data) of one color, from among the three colors of R, G, and B.
Finally, the CPU 11 obtains image data set by the user on the
monitor screen 2a, from the host computer 30 via the IF circuit
13.
[0087] The memory 12 is a program memory and a working memory. The
IF circuit 13 of this embodiment is an SCSI (Small Computer System
Interface). The IF circuit 13 outputs line data (image data) stored
in the memory 12 to the host computer 30. Further, the IF circuit
13 outputs line data (image data) stored in the memory 12 to the
host computer 30. Finally, the IF circuit 13 provides the order, on
the monitor screen 2a, of each type of frame designation that is
sent from the host computer 30, to the CPU 11.
[0088] The host computer 30 displays the image data received from
the IF circuit 13 on the monitor screen 2a. The host computer 30
also provides the command input from the keyboard 4 or the mouse c
to the IF circuit 13.
[0089] The operation of the image reading system of an embodiment
of the present invention will now be described with reference to
FIGS. 5-19. In this description, the film image reading device is
called the "scanner".
[0090] FIGS. 5-7 are flow charts of the operation of the display
method of one embodiment. FIG. 8 is an example of the display of
the Thumbnail Window (thumbnail screen). FIGS. 9-13 are examples of
the display of the Preview Window (preview screen). FIGS. 14-19 are
flow charts of the operation of another embodiment.
[0091] FIGS. 5, 14 and 15 relate to a juxtaposed display method,
displaying two images as juxtaposed (lined up). FIGS. 6, 7 and
16-19 relate to a superimposing display method that displays the
trimming frame superimposed on the original image.
[0092] The operation of the display method of the first embodiment
is described with reference to FIG. 5. In step S1 the host computer
30 outputs a "pre-scan command" to the scanner.
[0093] The CPU 11 of the scanner receives the "pre-scan command,"
controls the line sensor 22, and reads the reading of the image of
all of the frames of the roll film 27 and the magnetic information
of the magnetic storage region 77 of each frame, and outputs the
information to the host computer 30. In this way, the host computer
30 obtains the image data (thumbnail image data) of all the frames,
and the magnetic information of each frame, of the roll film 27,
and displays the thumbnail window on the monitor screen 2a.
[0094] The thumbnail window, as shown in FIG. 8, is a window in
which images of all the frames of the roll film 27 can be
displayed. The user can perform a trimming process on each frame on
this thumbnail window, as described below.
[0095] The user can designate some or all the frames for trimming.
The user designates the frame by clicking on the frame number using
the keyboard 4, or the user selects the frame number part or image
part using the mouse c.
[0096] In step S2, the host computer 30 determines if the user has
designated a- frame. If the user has designated a frame, the
control program advances to step S3. Otherwise the control program
remains at step S2.
[0097] In step S3, the host computer 30 displays the image of the
selected frame as is, without trimming, in the preview window as
shown in FIG. 9. In prior image reading systems, the image of a
preview window was trimmed according to the aspect ratio determined
by the print size included in the magnetic information. In this
embodiment, the print size included in the magnetic information is
ignored, and the frame image obtained from the scanner is displayed
"as is" (the original image) as a first image. The control program
then proceeds to step S4.
[0098] In step S4, the host computer determines if the juxtaposed
display method is selected. If the juxtaposed display method is
selected, the control program advances to step S5. Otherwise, the
control program jumps to step S13, as shown in FIG. 6.
[0099] In step S5, the host computer 30 displays the frame image
shown in FIG. 9, in which the trimming process has not been
executed. The host computer 30 also displays a second image in
which the trimming process has been completed based on the aspect
ratio of the print size read from the magnetic information. The
frame image and the second image are justaposed in the preview
window as shown in FIG. 10.
[0100] Accordingly, the user can compare the image trimmed
according to the aspect ratio of the print size set during
photography, and the original image, directly by sight. Further,
the user can easily confirm the image of the final output image
against the original image. The control program then proceeds to
step S6.
[0101] In step S6, the host computer 30 determines if the user has
changed the print size. If the user does not desire resetting of
the display provided in step S5, then the user operates the "OK"
button on the preview window. When the user operates the "OK"
button, the host computer determines that the print size has not
changed and the control program jumps to step S10.
[0102] In step S6, if the user selects a print size other than the
print size set during photography, then the host computer 30
determines that the print size has changed. If the print size has
changed, the control program proceeds to step S7.
[0103] In step S7, the host computer 30 displays the frame image,
shown in FIG. 9, in which the trimming process has not been
executed, and the second image. The second image has been trimmed,
based on the aspect ratio of the print size to which the second
image has been changed. The first and the second image are
juxtaposed in the preview window, as shown in FIG. 10. The control
program then proceeds to step S8.
[0104] In step S8, the host computer 30 determines if the user has
input a write command. When the second image has been trimmed by
the user according to the aspect ratio of the print size, the user
can select the second image as a final print out image. The user
selects the "OK" button to signify that the second image is the
final output image. If the "OK" button has been selected, the host
computer receives a write command to write the print size to the
magnetic storage region of the scanner. The control program then
proceeds to step S9. Otherwise, if the user operates the "CANCEL"
button, the control program remains at step S8.
[0105] In step S9, the changed print size data are output to the
scanner. The control program then proceeds to step S10. In step
S10, the host computer 30 determines whether the trimming process
is finished. If the trimming process will be performed for another
frame as well, the user sets the thumbnail window as the window by
operating the keyboard 4 or the mouse c. In this case, the host
computer 30 makes a negative determination (NO) in step S10, and
the control program returns to step S2. The trimming process is
then performed as described above in steps S2-S9 for the next frame
image.
[0106] If in step S10, the user terminates the trimming process, by
operation of the keyboard 4 or the mouse c, the host computer 30
makes a positive determination (YES). The control program then
advances to step S11.
[0107] In step S11, the host computer 30 determines if the user has
input a main scan command. If the user inputs the main scan
command, the control program advances to step S12. In step S12, the
host computer 30 outputs a main scan command designating the frame
for which the main scan is to be performed.
[0108] After the scanner reads the image of the designated frame
and the magnetic information, the scanner outputs the information
to the host computer 30. The trimming process can suitably be
performed on the data of the print size that was reset. This data
can be included in the magnetic information.
[0109] The scanner can output the image data, in which the trimming
process is performed according to the aspect ratio of the print
size in which this magnetic information is included, to the host
computer 30. Or, the scanner outputs the image data of the
designated frame and the magnetic information to the host computer
30, and the trimming process is performed according to the aspect
ratio of the print size that the host computer 30 included in the
magnetic information.
[0110] In step S13, the host computer 30 displays the trimming
frame as superimposed, according to the aspect ratio of the print
size read from the magnetic information in the frame image (first
image), shown in FIG. 9. The untrimmed, superimposed frame is shown
in FIG. 11. The control program then proceeds to step S14.
[0111] In the same way as in the case of the juxtaposed display
shown in FIG. 10, the user can, by eye, directly confirm and
compare the trimming frame, on the original image, according to the
aspect ratio of the print size set during photography. Further, the
user can easily confirm the image of the final output image
corresponding to the original image.
[0112] In step S14, the host computer 30 determines whether the
user has changed the print size. The user compares the trimming
frame and the original image by sight, decides if the image size
has been properly trimmed from the original image, and decides if
resetting is desired.
[0113] The user operates the "OK" button of the preview window,
when resetting is not desired with regard to the display of step
S13. When the user operates the "OK" button, the host computer 30
performs the negative determination (NO) in step S14, and the
control program jumps to step S26.
[0114] The user performs the input of the size designation without
operating the "OK" button when resetting is desired with regard to
the display of step S13. When the user selects another print size,
the host computer 30 performs a positive determination (YES) in
step S14, and the control program advances to step S15.
[0115] In step S15, the host computer 30 displays the trimming
frame as superimposed, according to the aspect ratio of the
selected print size, on the frame image shown in FIG. 9. For
example, the user selects and inputs the P size. The host computer
30 then superimposes the trimming frame according to the aspect
ratio of the altered print size P. The host computer 30 then
displays the superimposed trimming frame as shown in FIG. 11. The
control program then proceeds to step S16.
[0116] In step S16, the host computer determines if the user has
inputs the enlargement command. If the user inputs the enlargement
command, the control program proceeds to step S17. Otherwise, the
control program jumps to step S20.
[0117] In step S17, the host computer 30 displays the corresponding
image frame as enlarged, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. The control
program then proceeds to step S18.
[0118] In step S18, the host computer 30 determines if the user has
input the write command. If the user input the write command, the
control program proceeds to step S19. Otherwise, the control
program remains at step S18.
[0119] In step S19, the host computer 30 outputs the corresponding
trimming frame data and the enlargement data to the scanner. In the
scanner, the trimming frame data and the enlargement data are
written to the magnetic storage region of the corresponding frame.
The control program then jumps to step S26.
[0120] In step S20, the host computer 30 determines if the user
inputs the reduction command. If the user inputs the reduction
command, the control program proceeds to step S21. Otherwise, the
control program jumps to step S24.
[0121] In step S21, the host computer 30 displays the reduced image
in the corresponding trimming frame. The control program then
proceeds to step S22.
[0122] In step S22, the host computer 30 determines if the user
inputs the write command. The user inputs the write command by
operating the "OK" button. If the user operates the "OK" button,
the control program proceeds to step S23. Otherwise, if the user
operates the "CANCEL" button, the control program remains at step
S22.
[0123] In step S23, the host computer 30 outputs the corresponding
trimming frame data and reduction data to the scanner. In the
scanner, the trimming frame data and reduction data are written
into the magnetic storage region 77 of the frame. The control
program then jumps to step S26.
[0124] In step S24, the host computer 30 determines if the user
inputs the write command. The user operates the "OK" button,
signifying that the trimming frame as superimposed is desired, by
operating the "OK" button. If the user operated the "OK" button,
the control program advances to step S25.
[0125] In step S25, the host computer 30 outputs only the altered
trimming frame data to the scanner. The control program then
advances to step S26. In the scanner, the trimming frame data is
written in to the magnetic storage region 77 of the corresponding
frame.
[0126] In step S26, the host computer 30 determines whether
trimming was terminated by the superimposing display method. When
the determination is negative (NO) the control program returns to
step S2, and the process is performed in the same way with regard
to the following frame.
[0127] In step S26, when the determination is positive (YES) the
control program proceeds to step S27. In step S27, the host
computer 30 determines whether the user has input the main scan
order. When the user inputs the main scan order, the control
program advances to step S28.
[0128] The scanner then outputs a main scan command designating the
frame in which the main scan is performed. The scanner then reads
the image and the magnetic information of the designated frame, and
outputs the information to the host computer 30. The resetting of
the print size of the data, and the enlargement or reduction of the
data is included in the magnetic information. The host computer 30
performs the trimming process according to the print size and
enlargement or reduction data included in the magnetic
information.
[0129] Next, the operation of the display method of the second
embodiment is described by reference to FIG. 14. In step S30, the
host computer 30, by a method similar to that in step S1, obtains
the thumbnail image data and the magnetic information of each frame
from the scanner, and displays a thumbnail window on the monitor
screen 2a, as shown in FIG. 8. The control program then proceeds to
step S31.
[0130] In step S31, the host computer 30 determines if the user has
designated a frame. If the user has designated a frame, the control
program advances to steps S32. Otherwise the control program
remains at step S31.
[0131] In step S32, the host computer 30 displays the image of the
selected frame on the preview window, without trimming, as shown in
FIG. 9. The control program then proceeds to step S33.
[0132] In step S33, the host computer 30 awaits the selection
designation input of the display method. In the display method, as
described above, there is a juxtaposing display method and a
superimposing display method.
[0133] In step S33, if the juxtaposing display method has been
selected, the host computer 30 performs a positive (YES)
determination, and the control program proceeds to step S34.
[0134] In step S33, if the superimposing display method has been
selected, the host computer 30 performs a negative (NO)
determination and the control program proceeds to step S50, as
shown in FIG. 16.
[0135] As noted above, the print sizes are the C size, H size, and
P size. The user selects and inputs the three sizes in any order.
In this second embodiment, for ease of explanation, the selection
of the print sizes is that the C size is selected first, the H size
is selected next, and the P size is selected last.
[0136] The juxtaposing display method is performed in the following
manner. In step S34, the host computer 30 determines whether the C
size has been selected. The control program advances to step S35
when the determination is positive (YES), and jumps to step S41
when the determination is negative (NO).
[0137] In step S35, the host computer 30 displays the frame image
shown in FIG. 9, in which the trimming process has not been
executed, and the image (the second image) in which the trimming
process has been performed based on the aspect ratio of the
selected print size C. The frame image and the second image are
lined up in the preview window as shown in FIG. 10. The control
program then proceeds to step S36.
[0138] In step S36, when satisfied with the trimming image, the
user operates the "OK" button. When the user operates the "OK"
button, the host computer 30 receives a command writing the C size
data into the magnetic storage region 77 of the scanner. The
control program then proceeds to step S37.
[0139] In step S37, the host computer 30 outputs the C size data to
the scanner. In the scanner, the C size data is written into the
magnetic storage region 77 of the frame. The control program then
advances to step S38.
[0140] In step S36, if not satisfied with the trimming image, based
on the aspect ratio of the print size C, the user operates the
"CANCEL" button, and again performs the selection and input of the
print size.
[0141] In step S41, the host computer 30 determines whether the H
size has been selected. If the H size is selected, the control
program advances to step S42. Otherwise, the control program jumps
to step S45.
[0142] In step S42, the host computer 30 displays the frame image
shown in FIG. 9, in which the trimming process is not executed, and
the image (the second image) in which the trimming process is
performed, based on the aspect ratio of the selected print size H.
The frame image and the second image are lined up in the preview
window as shown in FIG. 10. The control program then proceeds to
step S43.
[0143] In step S43, when satisfied with the trimming image, based
on the aspect ratio of the print size H, the o-user operates the
"OK" button. When the user operates the "OK" button, the host
computer 30 receives a command to write the H size data into the
magnetic storage region 77 of the scanner. In step S43, if the host
computer 30 receives a write command, the control program proceeds
to step S44.
[0144] In step S44, the host computer 30 outputs the H size data to
the scanner. In the scanner, the H size data is written into the
magnetic storage region 77 of this frame. The control program then
returns to step S38.
[0145] In step S43, if not satisfied with the trimming image, based
on the aspect ratio of the print size H, the user operates the
"CANCEL" button and again performs selection and input of the print
size. When the user operates the "CANCEL" button in step S43, the
control program then advances to step S45.
[0146] In step S45, the host computer 30, because the P size has
been selected, displays the frame image shown in FIG. 9, in which
the trimming process is not executed. The host computer 30 also
displays the image (second image) in which the trimming process is
performed, based on the aspect ratio of the selected print size P.
The frame image and the second image are lined up in the preview
window as shown in FIG. 10. The control program then proceeds to
step S46.
[0147] In step S46, when satisfied with the trimming image, based
on the aspect ratio of the print size P, the user operates the "OK"
button. When the user operates the "OK" button in step S46, the
host computer 30 receives a command to write the P size data in to
the magnetic storage region 77 of the scanner. In step S46, if the
host computer 30 receives a write command, the control program
proceeds to step S47.
[0148] In step S47, the host computer 30 outputs the P size data to
the scanner. In the scanner, the P size data is written into the
magnetic storage region 77 of the frame concerned. The program then
returns to step S38.
[0149] Because the main scan steps (steps S38, S39, and S40) after
the trimming process, according to the juxtaposing display, proceed
in the same way as in the main scan steps (steps S10, S13, and S12)
that are described in the first embodiment, their explanation is
omitted.
[0150] The user can easily reset the trimming image and the
original image in which trimming is not performed, by direct
comparison according to the aspect ratio of the selected size, in
the same way as in the juxtaposing display method of the first
embodiment. Thus, as described above, it is possible to easily
obtain the desired trimming image in the juxtaposing display method
of this second embodiment.
[0151] Next, the superimposing display method when the
determination of step S33 is negative (NO) is described by
reference to FIG. 16.
[0152] In step S50, the host computer 30 determines whether the C
size is selected. When the C size is selected, the control program
proceeds to step S51. Otherwise, the control program jumps to step
S65, as shown in FIG. 17.
[0153] In step S51, the host computer 30 superimposes the trimming
frame of the C size aspect ratio on the non-trimmed frame image and
displays the superimposed images. The non-trimmed frame image (the
first image) is shown in FIG. 9. The superimposed display is shown
in FIG. 11. The control program then proceeds to step S52.
[0154] In step S52, the host computer 30 determines if the user has
input an enlargement command. If the user has input an enlargement
command, the control program proceeds to step S53. Otherwise, the
control program jumps to step S56.
[0155] In step S53, the host computer 30 displays the image
enlarged within the C size trimming frame, as shown in FIGS. 12 and
13. The control program then advances to step S54.
[0156] In step S54, the host computer 30 determines if the user has
input a write command. The user inputs a write command by operating
the "OK" button. If the user operates the "OK" button, the control
program advances to step S55.
[0157] In step S55, the host computer 30 outputs the C size
trimming window data and the enlargement data to the scanner. In
the scanner, the C size trimming frame data and the enlargement
data are written into the magnetic storage region 77 of the frame.
The control program then jumps to step S95.
[0158] In step S56, the host computer 30 determines if the user has
input the image reduction command. If the user has input the image
reduction command, the control program proceeds to step S57.
Otherwise, the control program jumps to step S60.
[0159] In step S57, the host computer 30 displays the reduced size
image. The control program then advances to step S58. In step S58,
the host computer 30 determines if the user has input a write
command. The user inputs a write command by operating the "OK"
button. If the user operates the "OK" button, the control program
advances to step S59.
[0160] In step S59, the host computer 30 outputs the C size
trimming frame data and the reduction data to the scanner. In the
scanner, the C size trimming frame data and the reduction data are
written to the magnetic storage region 77 of the frame. The control
program then jumps to step S95.
[0161] In step S60, the host computer 30 determines if the user has
input a write command. If the user inputs a write command, the
control program advances to step S61.
[0162] In step S61, the host computer 30 outputs the C size
trimming frame data to the scanner. In the scanner, the C size
trimming frame data is written into the magnetic storage region 77
of the frame. The control program then jumps to step S95.
[0163] In step S65, shown in FIG. 17, the host computer 30
determines whether the H size was selected. If the H size was
selected, the control program proceeds to step S66. Otherwise, the
control program jumps to step S81, as shown in FIG. 18.
[0164] In step S66, the host computer 30 superimposes the trimming
frame corresponding to the H size aspect ratio on the non-trimmed
frame image and displays the superimposed images. The non-trimmed
frame image (the first image) is shown in FIG. 9. The superimposed
display is shown in FIG. 11. The control program then proceeds to
step S67.
[0165] In step S67, the host computer 30 determines if the user has
input an enlargement command. If the user inputs an enlargement
command, the control program proceeds to step S68. Otherwise, the
control program jumps to step S71.
[0166] In step S68, the host computer 30 displays the image
enlarged within the H size trimming frame, as shown in FIGS. 12 and
13. The control program then advances to step S69.
[0167] In step S69, the host computer 30 determines if the user has
input a write command. The user inputs a write command by operating
the "OK" button. If the user operates the "OK" button, the control
program advances to step S70.
[0168] In step S70, the host computer 30 outputs the H size
trimming window data and the enlargement data to the scanner. In
the scanner, the H size trimming frame data and the enlargement
data are written into the magnetic storage region 77 of the frame.
The control program then jumps to step S95.
[0169] In step S71, the host computer 30 determines if the user has
input the image reduction command. If the user has input the image
reduction command, the control program proceeds to step S72.
Otherwise the control program jumps to step S75.
[0170] In step S72, the host computer 30 displays the reduced size
image within the H size trimming frame. The control program then
proceeds to step S73.
[0171] In step S73, the host computer 30 determines if the user has
input a write command. The user inputs a write command by operating
the "OK" button. If the user operates the "OK" button, the control
program advances to step S74.
[0172] In step S74, the host computer 30 outputs the H size
trimming frame data and the reduction data to the scanner. In the
scanner, the H size trimming frame data and the reduction data are
written to the magnetic storage region 77 of the frame. The control
program then jumps to step S95.
[0173] In step S75, the host computer 30, after determining in
steps S67 or S71 that a reduction command has not been input,
determines if a write command has been issued. If a write command
has been issued, the control program advances to step S76. In step
S76, the host computer 30 outputs the H size trimming frame data to
the scanner. In the scanner, the H size trimming frame data are
written into the magnetic storage region 77 of the frame. The
control program then jumps to step S95.
[0174] In step S81, as shown in FIG. 18, the host computer 30
superimposes the trimming frame of the P size over the frame image
shown in FIG. 9. The superimposed image is displayed as shown in
FIG. 11. The control program then advances to step S82.
[0175] In step S82, the host computer determines if the user has
inputs the image enlargement command. If the user input the image
enlargement command, the control program proceeds to step S83.
Otherwise, the control program jumps to step S86.
[0176] In step S83, the host computer 30 displays the enlarged
image within the P size trimming frame, as shown in FIGS. 12 and
13. The control program then proceeds to step S84.
[0177] In step S84, the host computer 30 determines if the user has
input a write command. The user inputs a write command by operating
the "OK" button. If the user operated the "OK" button, the control
program proceeds to step S85.
[0178] In step S85, the host computer 30 outputs the P size
trimming frame data and the enlargement data to the scanner. In the
scanner, the P size trimming frame data and the enlargement data
are written into the magnetic storage region 77 of the frame. The
control program then jumps to step S95.
[0179] In step S86, the host computer 30 determines if the user has
input the reduction command. If the user inputs the reduction
command, the control program proceeds to step S87. Otherwise, the
control program jumps to step S90.
[0180] In step S87, the host computer 30 displays the reduced image
within the P size trimming frame. The control program then proceeds
to step S88.
[0181] In step S88, the host computer 30 determines if the user has
input a write command. The user inputs the write command by
operating the "OK" button. If the user inputs a write command, the
control program proceeds to step S89. Otherwise, the control
program remains at step S88.
[0182] In step S89, the host computer 30 outputs the P size
trimming frame data and the reduction data to the scanner. In the
scanner, the P size trimming frame data and the reduction data are
written into the magnetic storage region 77 of the frame. The
control program then jumps to step S95.
[0183] In step S90, the host computer 30 determines if the user has
input a write command. The user inputs a write command by operating
the "OK" button. If the user operated the "OK" button, the control
program proceeds to step S91. Otherwise, the control program
remains at step S90.
[0184] In step S91, the host computer 30 outputs the P size
trimming frame data to the scanner. In the scanner, the P size
trimming frame data is written into the magnetic storage region 77
of the frame. The control program then proceeds to step S95.
[0185] In step S95, the host computer 30 determines if the trimming
process of the superimposing display is terminated. If the trimming
process is terminated, the control program proceeds to step S96.
Otherwise, the control program returns to step S31.
[0186] In step S96, the host computer 30 determines if the user has
input a main scan command. If the user inputs a main scan command,
the control program proceeds to step S97. Otherwise, the control
program remains at step S96. In step S97, the host computer 30
outputs the main scan command to the scanner.
[0187] As described above, the first embodiment of the image
reading system allows the user to easily confirm the image of the
final output image (window), because the user can directly compare
the trimming image (the second or third image) to the original
image (the first image).
[0188] In addition, the user can directly compare the trimming
image (the second or third images) to the original image (the first
image), can perform trimming a plurality of times, using the entire
body of the original image, and can save the result.
[0189] Further, with the first embodiment, the user can easily
install the image reading system, without changing hardware.
[0190] In the second embodiment of the image reading system, the
user can easily confirm the image of the final output image
(window), because the user can directly compare the first and
second trimming frames to the original image (the first image).
[0191] In addition, with the second embodiment, the user can
directly compare the first and second trimming frames against the
original image (the first image), can perform trimming a plurality
of times, using the entire body of the original image, and can save
the result.
[0192] Further, with the second embodiment, the user can easily
install the image reading system, without changing hardware.
[0193] Finally, with the second embodiment, the user can simply
perform an operation that obtains the desired image, by an enlarged
display or a reduced display of the original image within a certain
trimming frame, and can save the result.
[0194] While the invention has been described in relation to
preferred embodiments, many modifications are apparent from the
description of the invention, and all such modifications and
variations are intended to be with the scope of the present
invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *