JPH02277040A - Film observing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To precisely and effectively test a negative film by arranging plural light sources which are different from each other in light quality on the film bottom part of a film observation window and illuminating the film by the light quality which an observer desires to use to observer's taste. CONSTITUTION:The selecting key of a keyboard 55 is operated and desired light sources 39 and 40 are selected and either whitish fluorescent lamp 39 or highly bluish fluorescent lamp 40 is lighted. For effectively testing the negative film, for example, the film observation window 38 is formed to be as big as the size of two frames and an operator tests the negative film while looking at the frame of the film 18 positioned on the observation window 38. The negative film test is effectively and precisely performed since each frame is illuminated by the light source of operator's taste. Since exposure quantity correcting data is automatically calculated by a scanner 31, the negative film test is such a test as that a rough correcting direction is indicated so that the data is complemented. Instead of the plural light sources, an illuminating light source and a filter for adjusting its light quality can be provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a film observation device, and more particularly to a film observation device suitable for use in a printer that performs negative inspection and prints.

[Conventional technology]

Color printers have a built-in automatic exposure control device that extracts at least one characteristic value from a color negative image and calculates the printing exposure amount for each color light from an exposure calculation formula using this characteristic value. There is.

In reality, an exposure control amount having a predetermined relationship with the printing exposure amount is calculated, and the red component of the printing light is adjusted according to this exposure control amount.
The green and blue components are automatically controlled. However, since color negative images have a wide variety of scenes, it is practically difficult to calculate an appropriate printing exposure amount for all color negative images and to create a well-finished printed photograph. Therefore, a color negative test is performed before photographic printing, and the amount of correction is determined based on the operator's experience for specific scenes where automatic exposure control does not produce a good finish. This negative verification is performed using a special negative verification machine when processing a large amount, and when processing a small amount, it is performed by observing the negative image set at the print position before printing and exposure.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the negative test, an image of a negative film illuminated with a test light source is observed, and the amount of correction is determined based on the operator's experience. Therefore, since the negative verification is performed manually, each operator has a preference for the light quality of the illumination light source. However, with conventional testing devices, etc., there is only one light source and its light quality is limited.
There is a problem in that it is not possible to test using a light source of your choice.

In particular, for experienced people who have gained experience in negative verification under a certain light source and conduct negative verification based on this experience,
If the light quality of the light source differs, the negative verification results will be slightly different, and there is a problem in that the negative verification cannot be performed efficiently and accurately.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a film observation device that enables accurate and efficient negative inspection by illuminating a film with a desired light quality. purpose.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a plurality of light sources with different light qualities arranged below the film of the film observation window,
A means for selectively driving the plurality of light sources according to the preference of the film viewer is provided. Another invention, instead of using a plurality of light sources with different light qualities, uses one light source, a filter that adjusts the light quality of this light source, and this filter that is inserted into the observation optical path according to the preference of the film viewer. A means of escape is provided.

[Effect]

Before observing the film, the operator first selects the light quality of the light source for illuminating the film. As a result, a light source with the selected light quality is driven, or a filter is inserted or removed on the light source so as to provide the selected light quality. Therefore, the operator can observe the film using a light source of his choice.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1 showing the printer processor, a printing light source 1
The white light emitted from the light source enters the diffusion box 12 after the light quality is adjusted by the light quality adjustment section 11 . light! Adjustment part 1
1 adjusts the light quality in order to automatically control the exposure amount based on the exposure control amount, and each cyan, magenta, and yellow filter 13 to 15 is automatically placed in the printing optical path according to the exposure control amount. insert. The printing light diffused by the diffusion box 12 illuminates a color original, such as a color negative film 18, set on a film carrier 17.

An imaging lens 20 is arranged above the film carrier 17, and forms a negative image on the color paper 21 centered at the exposure position. Also, ° color paper 2
1 and the imaging lens 2o.
5 is arranged, and this shutter 25 is inserted into the printing optical path by a shutter driving section 26. color paper 2
1 is wound up into a roll and stored in a magazine 27, and is pulled out frame by frame by a pair of conveying rollers 28 to the exposure position. After exposure, the color paper 21 is sent to a well-known processor 29, where it is developed and then cut frame by frame and discharged onto a tray 3o.

Further, a scanner 31 is arranged diagonally above the film carrier 17. This scanner 31 is composed of a lens 32 and a color image area sensor 33 such as a CCD. The color image area sensor 33 separates and photometers the printing light transmitted through the color negative film 18 into three colors, and sends the photometric values to the characteristic value calculation section 34 . The characteristic value calculation unit 34 is composed of a well-known microcomputer, and automatically calculates the 3-color separation photometric value of each point.
Calculates color exposure correction data. The obtained exposure correction data is sent to a controller 50, which will be described later.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the film carrier 17 is provided with an exposure window 35 at the exposure position, and a carrier mask 36 and a film holder 37 are arranged in the exposure window 35. .

The film presser 37 is urged downward by a solenoid (not shown) during printing exposure, and presses the negative film 18.

A film observation window 3 is provided on the film entrance side of the exposure window 35.
8 is provided. Below this film observation window 38, first and second illumination light sources 39.40 for illuminating the negative film 18 and a diffusion plate 41 for diffusing the light from these light sources 39.40 are arranged. . First light source 39
A white fluorescent lamp is used, and a bluish fluorescent lamp is used as the second light source 40. A driver 42.43 is connected to each of these light sources 39.40.
Drive 40. A selector 44 consisting of a changeover switch is connected to each driver 41.42, and supplies power to one of the drivers 41.42.

The film observation window 38 is formed to the size of a plurality of frames, for example, two frames, in order to efficiently perform negative inspection.
You can perform negative tests continuously while looking at the connections on the screen. Additionally, a film observation window 38 and an exposure window 35 are provided.
A loop forming means 45 for temporarily storing the negative film 18 in a loop shape is arranged between the two. The loop forming means 45 includes a guide plate 46 and a negative film 1 that is arranged to form a loop on the guide plate 46.
A pair of film observation window-side transport rollers 47 and a pair of exposure window-side transport rollers 48 transport the film 8, and each of these transport roller pairs 47
．． 48, and a controller 50 that controls the rotation of the controller 48. Each transport roller pair 47, 48 is rotated by pulse motors 51, 52. These pulse motors 51, 5
2 is driven by the controller 50 via drivers 53 and 54. Note that instead of the pair of transport rollers 47, a belt may be used to sandwich and transport the negative film from above and below. ``The controller 50 is composed of a well-known microcomputer, and in addition to controlling each pair of transport rollers 47 and 48 of the film carrier 17, it also controls the scanner 31,
Light quality dimming section 11, shutter drive section 26, and selector 4
4 is also controlled. This controller 50 has a keyboard 5.
5 is connected. This keyboard 55 includes density keys 56 . for inputting negative test results. color key 57
In addition, there is a fine adjustment key 58 for finely adjusting the frame position, and a frame advance key 5 for positioning the next frame in the observation window 38.
9, print start key 60, and film illumination light source 3
Selection keys 61, 62, etc. for selecting 9.40 are provided.

A film leading edge detection sensor 71 is arranged on the entry side of the pair of film observation window side transport rollers 47 .

Further, on the entrance side of the observation window 38, there is a well-known edge sensor 72 for detecting the edge of each frame of the negative film 18, and a reference point detection sensor 73 for emitting a reference signal for tracking the position of each frame. and is provided.

The controller 50 stops the rotation of the transport roller pair 47 based on the edge detection signal from the edge sensor 72, and accurately sets each frame at a predetermined position in the observation window 38. The reference point detection sensor 73 is configured similarly to the film leading edge detection sensor 71. Based on the film leading edge detection signal from the sensor 73, the controller 50 operates a built-in counter to count the amount of transport of the negative film 18, for example, the number of driving pulses of the pair of transport rollers 47.

An edge sensor 74 and a reference position detection sensor 75 are also provided on the entry side of the exposure window 35, and the controller 50 accurately positions each frame of the negative film 18 in the exposure window 35 in the same way as on the observation window side. do. Each of these sensors 74 , 75 is mounted within a sensor holding frame 76 . Note that when the position data of each frame is stored together with the negative verification data during negative verification and this position data is used during printing, the edge sensor 74 disposed at the entry side position of the exposure window 35 can be omitted.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

First, select the desired light source 39, 40 by operating the selection keys 61, 62 on the keyboard 55. As a result, the controller 50 turns on either the white fluorescent lamp 39 or the bluish fluorescent lamp 40 using one of the drivers 42 and 43. Next, the operator selects the film carrier 17.
When the negative film 18 is set on the entrance side of the observation window 38, the film leading edge detection sensor 71 is turned on. As a result, the controller 50 rotates each conveyance roller pair 47°48
is rotated to transport the negative film 18 in the ig=3s direction. During this transfer, the controller 50 detects the leading edge of the negative film 18 with the reference point detection sensor 73,
Based on this detection signal, a built-in counter is reset, and the number of driving pulses of the motor 51 is counted as a new film transport Y.

Further, when the edge sensor 72 detects a dent in a frame of the negative film 18, the controller 50 stops feeding the negative film 1B after it has been fed by a certain amount, thereby positioning the frame within the observation window 38.

At this time, if the frame position is deviated from the normal position within the observation window 38, the fine adjustment key 58 is operated to center the negative film 18 at a predetermined position. When the fine adjustment key 58 is operated, the number of drive pulses is subtracted or added depending on the direction of rotation of the motor, so accurate position data can be obtained.

The operator observes the frame located in the observation window 38 and performs a negative test. This negative verification can be performed efficiently and accurately because each frame is illuminated by the operator's preferred light source. Note that, in this negative verification, since the exposure amount correction data is automatically calculated by the scanner 31, it is sufficient to indicate an approximate direction of correction to supplement this data. For example, any supplementary information that allows scanners to correctly recognize images that are difficult to use, such as the presence or absence of color areas and density fencing, or whether the image is a portrait or a landscape photograph, may be sufficient. The negative test result is input to the controller 50 from the keyboard 55, and is stored in the storage unit along with the frame position data of the built-in counter.

When a suitable number of frames have been negative verified in this manner, the leading edge of the negative film 18 reaches the film leading edge detection sensor 75 on the exposure window 35 side, and this sensor is turned on. Based on this detection signal, the controller 50 stops the rotation of the exposure window side transport roller pair 48. Thereby, the negative film 18 is stored on the guide plate 46 as a fixed amount of free loop. This is followed by a loop detection sensor (not shown) or the operator's print start key 6.
Printing is started by operation 0.

Also, during printing, negative verification is performed one after another.

Printing is performed as follows. First, the exposure window 35
A frame to be printed is set in the exposure window 35 based on a detection signal from the edge sensor 74 on the person's side.

Next, the scanner 31 is activated and photometry is performed for the frame at the exposure position. When the photometric value from the image area sensor 33 is input to the characteristic value calculation unit 34, the characteristic value calculation unit 34 stores this photometric value in a built-in memory unit and extracts the characteristics of the stored photometric value. In order to make it easier, pre-processing is performed, and then calculation of large area average transmission density (LATD) and feature extraction such as average density of a specific area are performed. Furthermore, a pattern identification calculation is performed based on this extraction result. The pattern identification calculation is performed by performing identification processing using identification parameters obtained from the extraction results, various correction programs, and correction data obtained from negative verification. The exposure correction data obtained in this way is sent to the controller 50.

The controller 50 automatically adjusts the exposure side of the three colors using a well-known exposure calculation formula based on various exposure correction data and LATD. 11 amount, and based on this, the light quality adjustment section 11,
The shutter drive units 26 are controlled respectively. This results in
The frame to be printed on the negative film 18 is printed and exposed on the color paper 21 by the printing light adjusted by the light quality adjustment section 11 .

After printing and exposure, negative film 18 and color paper 2
1 is transferred by one frame. In this way, each frame of the negative film 18 is sequentially printed and exposed onto the color paper 21. The exposed color paper 21 is transferred to the processor 2
9, where it is developed and then cut frame by frame and discharged into a tray 30.

In the above embodiment, the film carrier 17 is integrally provided with the exposure window 35 and the observation window 38, and is attached to the workbench of the printer processor, but the present invention is not limited thereto. , the exposure window 70 and the observation window 71 may be provided on separate film carriers 72, 73. Further, in the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a film carrier used in a printer processor, but it can also be applied to a negative inspection device.

In addition, in the above embodiment, a scanner measures each point of each frame of the negative film, patterns are identified based on this photometric value, and highly accurate printing exposure is performed. For example, simply using a photometric sensor such as Cds and calculating the exposure amount based only on LATD,
This allows printing exposure, and in this case, the scanner can be omitted.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the illumination light source for film observation is
Although white fluorescent lamps and bluish fluorescent lamps are used, this is just an example, and other types of fluorescent lamps may also be used. Additionally, other light sources can be used, such as halogen lamps or tungsten lamps.

Also, instead of using multiple light sources with different light qualities, a third
As shown in the second embodiment of the invention, a light source 80 for illumination
A filter holder 82 may be provided between the filter holder 81 and the diffuser plate 81, and the filter holder 82 may be inserted into and removed from the illumination optical axis by means of a moving means 83. A color temperature conversion filter 85 and a color correction filter 86 are stacked and loaded in the filter holder 82.
The light quality is adjusted to the operator's preference.

In addition, if the negative verification results change significantly by changing the light quality for film observation, a correction coefficient corresponding to the change in light quality is determined in advance, and the negative verification data is corrected using this correction coefficient. You can also do that.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, since the light quality of the illumination light source for film observation is changed according to the operator's preference, the operator can use the illumination with the desired light quality to which he or she is accustomed. It is now possible to observe the film that has been
Negative verification can be performed efficiently and accurately.

Also, the color of the film base 4° may change depending on the type of film, but this color difference can be corrected by changing the light quality of the illumination light source, so even films with different film bases can be the same. You will be able to perform negative tests intuitively.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a printer processor implementing a film observation device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the film carrier in the same embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the main parts of another embodiment. 83...Moving means 85.86...Filter. Film carrier Negative film Film observation window First light source Second light source Selector Controller Film holder

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) It is characterized by comprising a plurality of light sources of different light quality arranged below the film in the film observation window, and a means for selectively driving the plurality of light sources according to the preference of the film viewer. Film observation device. (2) A light source disposed below the film in the film observation window, a filter for adjusting the light quality of this light source, and a means for inserting and removing this filter into the observation optical path according to the preference of the film viewer. Characteristic film observation device.