GB2072361A

GB2072361A - TV Monitoring and Photocopy Data Recording

Info

Publication number: GB2072361A
Application number: GB8109282A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Dainippon Screen Manufacturing Co Ltd
Current assignee: Dainippon Screen Manufacturing Co Ltd
Priority date: 1980-03-26
Filing date: 1981-03-25
Publication date: 1981-09-30
Also published as: JPS56135836A; JPS6335018B2; DE3111429A1; DE3111429C2; GB2072361B

Abstract

Originals to be copied on to film (6, Fig. 1) are viewed on a monitor TV screen 60, a control panel 59a being used to control layout, trimming and other photocopying conditions and record the information on punched or magnetic material. Four originals (62, Fig. 4) are mounted in a replaceable frame (63) which is movable in mutually orthogonal directions and is rotatable. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A Method and Machine for Obtaining Data for Reproducing Picture Images on a Duplicate Film This invention relates to a method and a machine for obtaining data for use in an automatic process camera for reproducing picture images on a duplicate film from original pictures according to a desired layout and desired reproduction scales.

When a plurality of colour pictures are reproduced according to current practice in the form of a printwork such as a book, a catalog and a pamphlet, trimming and colour correction of the original pictures are usually required, and such operations hereto for have been carried out as follows.

In a first conventional method, for example, when the original pictures are reproduced, usually the colour correction conditions and the reproduction scales are changed independently for every original picture in order to unify the colour tones thereof, thereby obtaining a plurality of duplicate films. Then, the duplicate films are laid out in the desired relative positions to obtain a secondary original picture from which colour separation printing plates of primary colours are prepared. However, this method requires a lot of time for preparing the duplicate films for each original picture and the secondary original picuture.

In a second conventional method, first, while the reproduction scale of each original picture is changed, each original picture is colour-separated independently to obtain colour separation picture films of primary colours. Then, the obtained colour separation picture films of each colour are arranged in the desired layout to obtain a colour separation printing plate of each colour. However, in this method, when the colour separation printing plates are prepared by laying out the colour separation picture films, it is essential that the various colour separation printing plates print precisely in coincidence, to prevent "colour mackle", which would otherwise impair the printing quality, and thus the layout operation of the colour separation picture films requires great skill and attention, and furthermore a lot of operation time.

In order to remove the problems abovementioned, a third method has been developed, as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Specification No. 55-147621 (Japanese Patent Application No. 54-55424), wherein a plurality of original pictures are reproduced according to a desired layout and desired reproduction scales by a reproduction camera to obtain a composite colour picture.

This method is carried out by a process camera shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings which is similar to a normal floor-mounted type process camera for plate making, comprising a cabinet 1, base supports 2, a horizontal frame 3 supported by the cabinet 1 and the supports 2, a lens carriage 4 and an original-picture carriage 5, the two carriages 4 and 5 being slidably disposed on the frame 3.

The cabinet 1 is provided with a film holder 7 on which a duplicating film 6 is retained by suction means. The holder 7 is adapted to be moved in vertical and horizontal directions. A masking device 8 is positioned in front of the film holder and has an opening whose size is adjustable in the vertical and horizontal directions.

The lens carriage 4 is provided with a lens means 10 having a diaphragm 9, and a shutter 11.

The original-picture carriage 5 is provided with an original-picture holder 12 on which a plurality of original colour pictures (not shown) are mounted and which is movable in vertical and horizontal directions and is rotatable about a horizontal axis. The carriage 5 is also provided with a colour separation filter 1 3 which is movable in a horizontal direction, light sources 14 for reflected light photography, and another light source 1 5 for transmitted light photography. Near the cabinet 1 a control panel 1 6 and a television monitor 1 7 are set up.

The camera described above is operated as follows.

An operator by operating the control panel 1 6 inputs data to a central processing unit, hereinafter referred to as CPU, of control means.

The data relates to the original pictures mounted in, the picture holder 12, such as reproduction scale ratios, photographing order, basic exposure factors, colour correction values, reproduction picture positions, reproduction picture sizes and reproduction scales, corresponding to the number of photographing times.

Then, according to the information from the CPU the layout of the original pictures is displayed on the TV monitor 17, and it is confirmed whether the original pictures are laid out in the desired positions. When the layout of the original pictures is wrong, it is corrected by operating the control panel 1 6. Then, the data of the desired layout positions of the original pictures is recorded on tape by a tape puncher (PTP) (not shown).

In this operation, when trimming of the original picture is to be carried out, a focusing lens (not shown) is set up instead of the film holder 7, and a tape-read drive switch is switched on. Then, a tape reader (PTR) (not shown) reads the data recorded on the tape as described above and selects one of the original pictures, and thus the original picture selected is projected to the focusing lens in the desired position with the desired reproduction scale.

Then, the operator adjusts the control panel 1 6 so that the desired trimming of the reproduction pictures may be performed, and then a tape-out switch is switched on, with the result that the tape puncher records the data including the new trimming information.

When the original picture is photographed, a return switch of the control panel 1 6 is operated in order to return the film holder 7, the masking device 8, the lens carriage 4, the diaphragm 9, the original picture carriage 5. the original picture holder 12, and the filter 1 3 to their respective origins. Then, a start switch is switched on, and the tape puncher reads out the data on the tape.

Then, according to the data obtained the above members are operated in preparation for photographing the original picture, and thereafter the proper exposure of the light is conducted according to the data obtained of the tape.

This operation is consecutively repeated for every original picture and thereby all the original pictures are automatically photographed on the duplicate film 6 in the desired layout positions with their reproduction scales, while the trimming of the original pictures is performed.

However, in this method, when the trimming of the original pictures is carried out, the necessary data is recorded on the tape, or the like, by using the camera of Figure 1, and then the original pictures are reproduced by controlling the camera according to the necessary data, as described above. Accordingly, the operational efficiency of such a high cost camera is considerably reduced.

Further, in this camera, since colour correction is carried out in a conventional manner by using the colour separation filter having a certain correction value, in practice, many filters of various densities are required, and since the original picture is observed through the filter, the brightness of the picture is reduced, and thus has to be corrected. The colour correction and brightness correction are time consuming and require a skilled operator.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for obtaining data for use in a process camera, for reproducing picture images on a duplicate film from original pictures depending on the desired layout and the desired reproduction scales, free from the aforementioned disadvantages, and which is simple, reliable and quick.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a machine for obtaining data for use in a process camera, for reproducing picture images on a duplicate film from original pictures depending on the desired layout and the desired reproduction scales, free from the aforementioned disadvantages, and which is simple and is capable of performing a reliable and quick operation.

The data obtained according to the present invention is once recorded on a tape or card, or the like, and then it is input to a process camera as shown in Figure 1. Then, the process camera is controlled by the data input to obtain a composite colour picture for plate making.

According to the present invention there is provided a method for obtaining data for use in a process camera, for reproducing picture images on a duplicate film, comprising the steps of (a) monitoring by a television camera a plurality of original pictures to be reproduced mounted in an original picture holder, and (b) detecting data for reproducing picture images on a duplicate film in the desired layout positions with the desired reproduction scales by using a process camera, by moving the original picture holder in vertical and horizontal directions and rotating the same with respect to the television camera.

According to the present invention there is also provided a machine for obtaining data for use in a process camera for reproducing picture images, comprising (a) an original picture carriage, (b) a plurality of original picture frames on which a plurality of original pictures are mounted, (c) a plurality of original picture holders provided on the original picture carriage, on which the corresponding original picture frames are movable in the vertical and the horizontal directions and are rotatably mounted, (d) an original-picture holder exchange means mounted, on the original-picture carriage and which extends one of the original-picture holders with the one positioned in a setup position on the originalpicture carriage, (e) a light source for illuminating the original picture in the setup position, (f) a television camera which is arranged in front of the original picture frame in the setup position, (g) a television monitor on which picture images photographed by the television camera are displayed, and (h) a data detector which detects data for reproducing picture images on a duplicate film in the desired layout positions with the desired reproduction scales by using a process camera, when the original picture holder positioned in the setup position is moved in the vertical and the horizontal directions and is rotated with respect to the television camera.

In order that the present invention may be better understood, preferred embodiments thereof will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a conventional automatic process camera as previously described; Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a machine according to the present invention Figure 3 is a top plan view of Figure 2; Figure 4 is an elevational view of a picture holder of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-section, taken along the line V-V shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of a picture frame and a slidable frame contacted therewith, shown in Figure 4; Figure 7 is a block diagram of an electric circuit for controlling the machine of Figure 2; and Figure 8 is a flow chart showing the operation of the machine of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings there is shown in Figures 2 and 3 a machine according to the present invention. An original-picture carriage 51 is mounted by a support arm 52 which extends forwardly from the centre top of the carriage 51.

At the front free end of the support arm 52 a colour TV camera 54 is suspended via a support bar 53, and faces the original-picture carriage 51.

The original-picture carriage 51 is provided with two pairs of light sources 55 for reflected light photography and another light source 57 having a cooling blower 56 for transmitted light photography. The light sources 55 are disposed via support members in front of the carriage 51 and at upper and lower, right and left positions.

The light source 57 is positioned centrally behind the rear surface of the carriage 51. A motor drive unit 58 (Figure 3) is arranged on the rear side of the carriage 51.

Control means 59 having an operating board 59a and a colour TV monitor 60 are set up near the original-picture carriage 51.

One original-picture holder 61 which has the same functions as the picture holder 12 shown in Figure 1, is mounted in the set-up position on the front surface of the carriage 51, and further original-picture holders 61 (only one is shown in Figure 2) are held ready in the peripheral region of the carriage 51. The exchange of original-picture holder 61 between the set-up position and the peripheral region is carried out by an originalpicture holder exchange means (not shown) of the same type of that used in the original-picture carriage 5 of Figure 1.

In Figures 4 and 5 there is shown an original picture holder 61. A plurality of original pictures 62 (four pictures are seen in Figure 4) are mounted in a frame 63 which is fitted into upper and lower grooves of a frame 64 from one side thereof.

The frame 64 is mounted for horizontal movement on the front surface of a frame 65. For this purpose a lower horizontal screw rod 66 and an upper hoizontal guide rod 67 are mounted at the lower and the upper ends of the frame 65. A lower nut member 68 projects from the center bottom of the frame 64 and threadedly engages the rod 66. An upper collar member 69 projects from the top of the frame 64 and slidably locates on the rod 67. The screw rod 66 is rotationally connected to driving motor M, mounted on the frame 65. Hence rotation of the motor will cause horizontal traversing of frame 64.

The frame 65 is mounted for vertical movement on the front surface of a rotatable frame 70 via a vertical screw rod 71 and a vertical guide rod 72 mounted on the left and right sides of the frame 70, and a nut member 73 and a collar member 74 projecting centrally from the left and the right sides of the movable frame 65, and engaging with the screw rod 71 and the guide rod 72. A motor M2 is rotationally coupled to the screw rod 71 and is mounted on the frame 70, Thus, the frame 65 can be traversed vertically.

The frame 70 is provided with four sector-like members 75 at its four corners by which it is somewhat rotatably mounted on the front surface of a fixed frame 76, the four sector-like members 75 engaging with four guide wheels 77 which are rotatably mounted to the fixed frame 76. To effect rotation of the frame 70, an arm member 79 having a roller 78 at its lower end extends downwardly at certain distance from the center bottom of the rotatable frame 70. A horizontal screw rod 80 is rotatably mounted on the central lower end portion of the fixed frame 76, and a fork-shaped member 8i engaging with the roller 78 of the arm member 79 is threadedly engaged with the screw rod 80. A motor M3 mounted in the fixed frame 76 is rotationally connected to the screw rod 80, and thus the frame 70 is rotated through a certain angle by energising the motor M3.

In Figure 6 is shown an original-picture frame discriminator comprising a detector 82 having proximity switches, or the like, attached to one inner side of the horizontally movable frame 64, and selection members 84 of magnetic material, or the like, which are directed towards the detector 82 and are selectively contained in chambers 83a-83d of a holder 83 mounted to one side end of the original-picture frame 63 so that the detector 82 and the selection members 84 may cooperate with one another.

The discrimination of the original-picture frames 63 is carried out as follows. Only the proximity switches of the detector 82 which actually cooperate with the selection members 84, are actuated and output a discrimination signal corresponding thereto. The number of the selection members 84 and the chambers in which they are contained varies in dependence upon the picture frame 63 used. Hence the discrimination signal is unique for any one original-picture frame 63.

In Figure 7 there is shown an electric circuit for controlling the machine shown in Figure 2. The operating board 59a of the control means 59, a zoom means 103 for the TV camera 54, the light sources 55 and 57 and the motor drive unit 58 for the motors M,, M2 and M3 are connected to a CPU 101 contained in the control means 59 via an interface 102. The monitor TV 60 is linked to the CPU 101 through a digital-analog (D/A) converter 110 and an interface 104, and a tape puncher 106 and a tape reader 107 are connected to the CPU 101 via an interface 105.

The colour TV camera 54 is also linked to the CPU 101 via an analog-digital (A/D) converter 109 and a memory 108.

The operation of the machine for obtaining the data for reproducing picture images on a duplicate film will now be described in connection with Figures 7 and 8. The data obtained is once recorded on a tape or card, or the like, and then it is input to the automatic process camera shown in Figure 1. Then, the process camera is controlled by the data input to obtain a composite colour picture.

An electric supply is first switched on and then a return switch of the operating board 59a is operated to cause the zoom means 103 of the TV camera 54 and the motor drive unit 58 to be actuated, thereby returning the zoom lens and the original picture holder 61 to their respective origins corresponding to those of the lens carriage and the original-picture carriage of the process camera of Figure 1.

Then, the original pictures 62 to be reproduced are mounted in the original-picture frame 63 of the original-picture holder 61, and the data, such as the serial numbers of the original pictures 62 and the original picture frames 63, the picture image positions according to the layout, the sizes of the picture images, and the reproduction scales, for the original pictures are input to the CPU 101 via the interface 102.

Then the layout of the original pictures is observed on the monitor TV 60 in the form of data or pictures in order to confirm whether the data is correctly input according to the desired layout.

When the layout of the original pictures is wrong, it is corrected by operation of the board 59a.

Then, the light sources 55 or the light source 57 is switched at the operating board 59a, and by actuating the motor drive unit 58 the desired original picture 62 is moved to the standard position so as to be aligned with the optical axis of the TV camera 54. The original picture 62 aligned is then displayed on the monitor TV 60.

Next, by control from the board 59a the original picture frame 63 is moved in the vertical and the horizontal directions and is rotated by means of the motors M,, M2 and M3 so that the desired part of the original picture 62 may be positioned in a prodetermined reproduction size, and the amounts of the movements in the vertical and the horizontal directions and the amount of rotation of the original picture frame 63 are input into the CPU 101.

Then, the size of the desired part of the original picture 62 is input to the CPU 101 by operating a ten key (not shown) on the board 59a. When the desired part of the original picture 62 is small, it is properly zoomed up by the zoom means 103 of the TV camera 54, and the picture zoomed up can be displayed on the monitor TV 60.

Then, the colour tone, the brightness and the contrast of the picture images displayed on the monitor TV 60 are adjusted to the desired values, under observation, by operating dials (not shown) on the board 59a, and the adjusting amounts are converted into the data for controlling the process camera in the CPU 101. That is, the colour tone is adjusted with respect to primary colours, such as red (R), green (G) and blue (B), and colour correction filters corresponding to the adjusting amounts from standard positions of red, green and blue are found in advance by conducting an experience. Thus, the adjusting amounts can be converted into the kinds and the serial numbers of the colour correction filters in the CPU 101.

The brightness is entirely varied by operating a dial (not shown) on the board 59a in the same manner as above, and the adjusting amount from the standard position of the dial is converted into the corresponding exposure time for the camera in the CPU 101.

Further, the adjustment of the contrast is performed by operating a dial (not shown) in the same manner as above. When the contrast is stronger or weaker than the standard value, it is adjusted by turning the dial and the adjusting amount from the standard position of the dial is converted into the corresponding flash exposure time for the camera in the CPU 101.

Thus, the obtained necessary data for photographing all the original pictures 62 are input to the CPU 101 in the manner described above, and then the data is once stored in the memory 108 together with the corrected reproduction pictures. In this case, the amount of the necessary data for one original picture is approximately one mega-byte. That is, a frame of the reproduction surface of the monitor TV 60 is estimated at 525 scanning lines, one line including 600 points, for each colour, and thus 525x600x3=945,000 bytes for three colours.

Then, in order to check the layout and the trimming conditions of the picture images or a composite reproduction, the data is read out of the memory 108 and then according to the data read out the layout of the picture images are displayed on the monitor TV 60. In this case, of course, the picture image size may be reduced as.

compared with its original picture size, and therefore the amount of the data of the picture image is reduced from that of the original picture.

On this occasion, when the picture image is corrected again, its data is read out of the memory 108 and is corrected, thereby obtaining a corrected picture image again. After finishing the recorrection and the confirmation of the picture images in the desired layout positions with the desired reproduction scales, the data obtained, as described above, is recorded on a punched tape by the tape puncher 106 via the CPU 101. Of course the data can be recorded in other recording media such as a punched card, a magnetic tape, a magnetic card, a magnetic disc, and the like. Further, the data recorded in the taps is read out by the tape reader 107 by operating the operation board 59a in order to display the reproduction pictures on the monitor TV 60 for checking, or the like.

Thus, the obtained tape is then input to the automatic process camera shown in Figure 1, and the corresponding original picture frame 63 having the original pictures thereon is mounted in the original picture carriage 5 of the process camera of Figure 1. Then, the colour composite picture is photographed quickly on the duplicate film 6 without conducting the trimming operations and colour control operations. Hence the present method and machine promote very much the operational efficiency of such an automatic process camera of Figure 1.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, however, various changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining data for use in a process camera for reproducing picture images on a duplicate film comprising the steps of: (a) monitoring by a television camera a plurality of original pictures to be reproduced, mounted in an original-picture holder, and (b) detecting data for reproducing picture images on a duplicate film in the desired layout positions with the desired reproduction scales by using a process camera, by moving the original picture holder in vertical and horizontal directions and rotating the same with respect to the television camera.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 , further comprising recording the data obtained on a recording medium through an electronic arithmetic means.

3. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein the recording medium comprises punched tape, punched card, magnetic tape, magnetic card, or magnetic disc.

4. A machine for obtaining data for use in a process camera for reproducing picture images on a duplicate film comprising: (a) an original-picture carriage; (b) a plurality of original-picture frames on which a plurality of original pictures are mounted; (c) a plurality of original-picture holders, provided on the original picture carriage and on which the corresponding original picture frames are movable in the vertical and horizontal directions and are rotatably mounted; (d) an original-picture holder exchange means, mounted on the original picture carriage and which exchanges one of the original picture holders with the one positioned in a set up position on the original picture carriage; (e) a light source for illuminating the original pictures in the setup position;; (f) a television camera which is arranged in front of the original picture frame in the setup position; (g) a television monitor on which picture images photographed by the television camera are displayed; and (h) a data detector which detects data for reproducing picture images on a duplicate film in the desired layout positions with the desired reproduction scales by using a process camera, when the original picture holder is positioned in the setup position is moved in the vertical and the horizontal directions and is rotated with respect to the television camera.

5. A machine according to claim 4, further comprising a data record means which records the data obtained on a recording medium via an electronic arithmetic means.

6. A machine as defined in claim 5, wherein the recording medium comprises punched tape, punched card, magnetic tape, magnetic card, or magnetic disc.

7. A machine as defined in any of claims 4-6, wherein the television camera is provided with a zoom lens.

8. A machine as defined in claim 5 or 6, wherein the data is read out of the recording medium by a reader in order to display the picture images on the television monitor.

9. A method for obtaining data for use in a process camera for reproducing picture images on a duplicate film, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A machine for obtaining data for use in a process camera for reproducing picture images on a duplicate film, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.