Method of classifying color originals and apparatus thereof

A method of classifying color originals from which image are reproduced into at least color photographs and color printed articles, which comprises the steps of:

• measuring light reflected from said color original at different wavelengths within a wavelength band of one of the three primary colors, to detect at least two light reflection values;
• examining said color original by comparing either a difference between or a ratio of said detected light reflection values with a predetermined threshold value;
• and
• classifying color originals into at least color photographs and color printed articles based on a result of said comparison.

A method of classifying color originals from which color images are reproduced into at least color photographs and color printed articles, which comprises the steps of:

• measuring light reflected from divisions into which said color original is spatially divided, by means of first and second light sensors having peak sensitivities at different wavelengths within a wavelength band of one of the three primary colors, to detect first and second light reflection values (R1, R2) of said color original for each said division;
• measuring light reflected from said divisions by means of third and fourth light sensors having peak sensitivities at different wavelengths within a wavelength band of another one of the primary colors, to detect third and fourth light reflection values (R3, R4) for each said division;
• comparing said first and second light reflection values for each said division;
• comparing said third and fourth light reflection values for each said division;
• and
• classifying said color original based on the results of said comparisons.

A method of classifying color originals from which images are reproduced into at least color photographs and color printed articles, which comprises the steps of:

• measuring said color original to detect a reflection density for blue;
• classifying said color original as having a low blue reflection density or as having a middle or high blue reflection density;
• measuring a color original classified to have low blue reflection density to detect a light reflection value for a wavelength between approximately 370 and 430 nm so as to classify a color original having low blue reflection density into a color photograph or color printed article based on said detected light reflection value;
• measuring light reflected from said color original classified as having middle or high blue light reflection density by means of light sensors having respectively different spectral sensitivities, to detect at least first and second light reflection values;
• and
• examining said color original classified to have middle or high blue reflection density by comparing said detected light reflection values, and classifying such color originals into at least color photographs and color printed articles based on a result of said comparison.

A method of classifying color originals from which color images are reproduced into at least color photographs and color printed articles, which comprises the steps of:

• measuring light reflected from said color original using first and second light sensors having respective peak sensitivities at different wavelengths within a wavelength band of one of the three primary colors, to detect first and second light reflection values;
• measuring light reflected from said color original using third and fourth light sensors having respective peak sensitivities at different wavelengths within a wavelength band of another one of the three primary colors, to detect third and fourth light reflection values;
• measuring light reflected from said color original using fifth and sixth light sensors having peak sensitivities at different wavelengths within a wavelength band of the remaining one of the three primary colors, to detect fifth and sixth light reflection values;
• comparing said detected first to sixth light reflection values, by color;
• and
• classifying said color original into a color photograph or a color printed article based on a combination of the results of said light reflection value comparisons for the three primary colors.

An apparatus for classifying color originals from which color images are reproduced into at least color photographs and color printed articles, said apparatus comprising:

• first means having a peak sensitivity at a wavelength between approximately 370 and 420 nm for detecting light reflected from said color original;
• second means having a peak sensitivity at a wavelength within a wavelength range of visible light, for detecting light reflected from said color original;
• means for comparing values detected by said first and second means;
• and
• examining means for examining said color original based on a result of said comparison of said detected values, and classifying color originals into color photographs and color printed articles.