Abstract: The image processing apparatus comprises a synthesis unit and a selection unit or an image processing unit or both units. The synthesis unit synthesizes image data of a plurality of images obtained by taking a same scene under different exposure conditions or image data of a plurality of optimal images selected by the selection unit to generate synthesized image data of a composite image. The selection unit selects the plurality of the optimal images for synthesis among the image data of the plurality of images described above. The image processing unit for subjecting the synthesized image data by the synthesis unit to dodging processing. The apparatus can secure a sufficient dynamic range of the image data even when the scene having a high contrast is taken by a digital camera that has a narrow photographing latitude and also output prints reproducing high-quality images.

Abstract: The image processing apparatus receives image data from an image data supply source and coverts the image date into output image data by subjecting the image data to image processing. The apparatus includes an instructing device for interactively instructing a region from an image of one frame, and at least two of a first dodging processing device for applying automatic dodging processing to an entire image of the one frame (first mode), a second dodging processing device for applying the automatic dodging processing only to the instructed region (second mode) and a third dodging processing device for applying the automatic dodging processing to the instructed region and to the regions other than the instructed region in different intensity (third mode). The apparatus can switch optionally or automatically the above first, second and third modes and interactively designate the region to which the dodging processing is applied or the region to which the dodging processing is applied in the different intensity.

Abstract: A finishing code is determined with precedence given to a finishing code recorded in an IC later rather than to a finishing code recorded in a bar code as an initial value. If the determined finishing code is a monochrome finishing code, image processing for attaining a monochrome finishing is performed, and if the determined finishing code is a sepia tone finishing code, image processing for attaining a sepia tone finishing is performed. Further, if the determined finishing code is a special finishing cancellation code or an ordinary finishing code, image processing for attaining an ordinary color finishing is performed. As a result, by only recording a desired finishing code in the IC, it is possible to obtain a photographic print corresponding to the desired finishing code instead of to the a finishing code recorded on the bar code during production.

Abstract: In the image processing method, first, frame images exposed and developed in frames of a taking light-sensitive material and calibration patterns exposed outside image exposure areas of the taking light-sensitive material at least one of before and after exposure of the frame images and developed are read digitally to obtain digital image data for the frame images and digital calibration pattern data at an image reading mode. Next, image processing condition concerning at least one of color and density for processing the frame images is adjusted based on a relative value to the obtained digital calibration pattern data. Thereafter the digital image data on the frame images is processed under the thus adjusted image processing condition.

Abstract: This improved image processing method comprises the steps of selecting a low-pass filter having a mask size corresponding to the pixel density of an image to be reproduced from a plurality of types of low-pass filters; creating unsharp image signals representing an unsharp image of the photographic image from digital image signals using the selected low-pass filter; obtaining difference signals by carrying out subtraction between signals relating to pixels which correspond to the digital image signals and the unsharp image signals; and obtaining processed image signals for reproducing visible signals by subjecting the difference signals to predetermined image processing.

Abstract: The image processing method of the invention for subjecting image data which is obtained by reading an image on a film photoelectrically to specified image processing, which comprises the step of: acquiring film characteristic of said film; and correcting the image data in accordance with the acquired film characteristic. According to this method, the characteristic change, particularly, gradation characteristic change of the film can be suitably corrected and as a result, a high-quality print having a high-quality image can be constantly and stably obtained.

Abstract: A photographic photosensitive material and a photographic printing system are provided which can prevent deterioration in image quality even in a case in which a photographic photosensitive material which does not have a color correcting function or a sharpness enhancing function is subjected to printing processing. An identification code recorded in advance on the photographic film is read. Prescan conditions are computed in accordance with the identification code, and prescanning is carried out. On the basis of a prescan image, fine scan conditions are computed, and fine scanning is carried out. Further, parameters for color correction and parameters for sharpness processing which correspond to the identification code are read. Read parameters are outputted to an automatic set-up engine, and image processing is carried out by combining designated parameters.

Abstract: The improved image processing apparatus comprises a device for receiving input image data from a source of image data supply; an image processing device for performing necessary image processing on the received input image data to produce output image data; an extracting device for extracting at least one specified portion of an image carried by the input image data; and a setting device for setting image processing conditions in accordance with the at least one specified portion extracted by the extracting device and the input image data, and the image processing device performs the image processing on the input image data in accordance with the image processing conditions set by the setting device. This image processing apparatus allows for the setting of image processing conditions that are optimal for the scene of a picture of interest. In digital photoprinters, high-quality prints reproducing images of high quality can be produced consistently.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus has an image reading unit which photoelectrically reads an image recorded on a film; a detecting unit which detects an image defect caused by a foreign particle deposited on the film and a flaw of the film using image data read with the image reading unit; a display unit which displays the image read with the image reading unit and the image defect detected by the detecting unit; an instruction unit which instructs at least one of the image defect to be processed automatically and the image defect to be processed manually; a processing unit which automatically processes the image defect that are instructed to be corrected automatically; and a correcting unit which manually corrects the remaining image defects.

Abstract: An image processing method of subjecting image data having been supplied to image processing so as to arrange the image data as output image data has the steps of: performing a verification for adjusting image processing conditions when necessary referring to a finished-state anticipating image; and performing an image processing operation, which is not affected by the adjustment of the image processing conditions performed by the verification, is performed regardless of whether or not the verification has been finished.

Abstract: When it is determined that a film original is at least one of an under-exposed negative film and a high sensitive film, the image processing method and apparatus separate the input image signals into at least three kinds of frequency components composed of lowest frequency components a band of which is made more narrower, frequency components containing high frequency components and at least one kind of remaining frequency components, enhance frequency components containing the high frequency components, suppress at least one kind of frequency components of the remaining frequency components and synthesize both of enhanced and suppressed frequency components and the lowest frequency components. The method and apparatus are capable of obtaining a reproduced image having good image quality by suppressing graininess and further improving the reproduced image particularly in the under-exposed negative film and the high sensitive negative.

Abstract: This improved image processing method comprises the steps of selecting a low-pass filter having a mask size corresponding to the pixel density of an image to be reproduced from a plurality of types of low-pass filters; creating unsharp image signals representing an unsharp image of the photographic image from digital image signals using the selected low-pass filter; obtaining difference signals by carrying out subtraction between signals relating to pixels which correspond to the digital image signals and the unsharp image signals; and obtaining processed image signals for reproducing visible signals by subjecting the difference signals to predetermined image processing.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that includes a determining section for determining whether or not read-in image data of an image recorded on a photographic film will require distortion aberration correction for correcting distortion caused by a photographing lens employed to record the image on the photographic film. Additionally, a reading-range setting section is included for setting an image reading range to be substantially the same range that is used for an output image, when a determination has been made that distortion aberration correction is not required. Alternatively, the reading-range setting section sets the image reading range to be larger than the range used for the output image by a predetermined amount, when it is determined that distortion aberration correction is required. As a result, missing image regions on the output image can be prevented.

Abstract: An image processing system includes a reference exposure section, a developing section, a film scanner, and an image processing apparatus. The reference exposure part carries out reference exposure by R light, G light, B light and gray light, by using an unexposed area of a photographic film as a reference exposure area, in order to form image information to be used for determining image processing conditions. The film scanner reads the reference exposure area developed by the developing section. A control section of the image processing apparatus calculates the image processing conditions, such as color correction conditions, from read data of the reference exposure area. An image processing section carries out image processing of frame images recorded on the photographic film, according to calculated image processing conditions.

Abstract: An interpolation arithmetic method and an image reader are provided which, in reading a film image using an area CCD sensor in which reading elements are arranged in a hound's tooth check form, is capable of making full use of excellent characteristics of the area CCD sensor. The interpolation arithmetic method and the image reader can be realized by interpolating first image signals of the neighboring two or more reading elements to allocate the second image signals and outputting the interpolated second image signals or the first and second image signals in a square check form, and by providing a light source section; an area image sensor; an imaging optical system; and at least one of pixel shifting device of the area image sensor, and an interpolation arithmetic section for rearranging the second image signals of pixels in the square check form by performing interpolation arithmetic of first image signals outputted from respective reading elements of the area image sensor.

Abstract: In a case in which simultaneous printing is to be carried out, thumbnail image data is recorded onto an IC chip which is provided at a cartridge loaded in a camera. A control section reads the thumbnail image data from the IC chip and outputs the data to a personal computer via an I/F section. A user designates order information for each frame image while viewing an order information setting screen of the personal computer. Designated order information is transmitted to the camera via a serial port of the personal computer. The control section records received order information onto the IC chip. In a case in which reprinting is to be carried out at a laboratory, a printing process is performed on the basis of the order information recorded on the IC chip. With this arrangement, a customer need not designate order information at a shop.

Abstract: A simulator for use in an automatic photographic printing apparatus of the type in which a negative image carried by a color negative film is printed on a photographic paper by a light source system which is under an automatic exposure control, the simulator having a CRT for displaying a positive image corresponding to the negative image.