JP2000171909A - Automatic discrimination device for photographic film - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically discriminate negative film from positive film. SOLUTION: The DX code (42a or 42b) of a photographic film is read and analyzed; the photographic film is decided that it is the negative film when the analysis can be performed, the image of the DX code (42a or 42b) is reversed when the analysis can not be performed, then the DX code is analyzed again, the photographic film is decided that it is the positive film when the analysis can be performed; and the reading condition and the exposing condition of the image, or the condition of the color balance of the image and the condition of color density, etc., are set according to whether the DX film is the positive one or the negative one. Thus, operability and operation efficiency are improved, and loss printing caused by erroneous decision by an operator is prevented from increasing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic photographic film identification apparatus for identifying a negative film and a positive film.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image on a photographic film is printed on a print sheet by optically projecting an image on a photographic film onto a print sheet and developing the print sheet. When projecting an image on a photographic film, the characteristics of the image on the printing paper are different between the negative film and the positive film. For this reason, the negative film and the positive film both require a special printing paper, a special developing solution, and the like. Furthermore, each printing device dedicated to negative film and positive film was required, and these printing devices were not compatible.

On the other hand, with the rapid progress of digital image processing, an image on a photographic film is read by a CCD, and various kinds of digital processing are performed on an image signal output from the CCD. Digital printing devices for printing images on print paper are being developed. In such a digital printing device, by processing an image signal, it is possible to form an image having one characteristic common to both a negative film and a positive film, and to adjust the color balance and color density of the image. In addition, there is an advantage that print paper, a developing solution and the like can be shared between the negative film and the positive film.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional digital printing apparatus, the operator judges whether the film is a negative film or a positive film, and the operator reads the image of the film according to the type of the film. Operability and work efficiency were poor because of the setting of exposure conditions and the like. In addition, an erroneous determination by an operator causes an increase in loss print.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic photographic film identification apparatus capable of automatically identifying a negative film and a positive film in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a reading means for reading a code recorded on a photographic film, and an inversion for inverting an image of the code read by the reading means. Means, an analysis means for analyzing at least one of the code read by the reading means, and the code read by the reading means and inverted by the inversion means, based on an analysis result by the analysis means Determining means for determining the type of the photographic film.

According to the present invention, at least one of a code read from a photographic film and a read and inverted code is analyzed, and the type of the photographic film is determined based on the analysis result.

[0008] Here, the code of the negative film and the code of the positive film are in a mutually inverted relationship. For this reason,
When the code read from the photographic film can be analyzed, the read and inverted code cannot be analyzed, and when the code read from the photographic film cannot be analyzed, the read code cannot be read. The inverted code can be analyzed. That is, the read code can be analyzed or the read and inverted code can be analyzed depending on whether the film is a negative film or a positive film. According to the present invention, conversely, whether a code is a negative film or a positive film is specified depending on which code could be analyzed.

In one embodiment, there is provided setting means for setting the processing contents of the image of the photographic film in accordance with the type of the photographic film determined by the determining means.

According to this embodiment, depending on whether the film is a negative film or a positive film, the processing contents of the image, for example, image reading conditions and exposure conditions of the film,
Conditions such as color balance and color density of an image are set.

[0011]

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

FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing a printing apparatus to which an embodiment of the automatic photographic film identification apparatus of the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, a CPU 11 controls driving of a driving device 13 via a driver circuit 12. The driving device 13 includes a stepping motor, and a plurality of pairs of transport rollers 15a, 15
Rotate b. A photographic film 14 is sandwiched between a plurality of pairs of transport rollers 15a and 15b, and the photographic film 14 is rotated with the rotation of the transport rollers 15a and 15b.
Are transported one frame at a time in the direction of arrow A. A film carrier 16 is arranged in the middle of the transport path of the photographic film 14. Each frame of the photographic film 14 is sequentially conveyed to a film carrier 16, and the image of each frame is sequentially read in the film carrier 16 by, for example, a CCD (not shown), and an image signal indicating the read image is printed. It is provided to the control unit 17. The print control unit 17 receives an instruction from the CPU 11 for the type of the photographic film, performs a process according to the type on the image signal, and then displays the image signal on the display 1.
8 and the print processing device 19. The display 18 displays the image indicated by the image signal on a display screen, and the print processing device 19 prints the image indicated by the image signal on print paper.

The CPU 11 includes driver circuits 31-1 to 31-1.
The light emitting diodes 33-1 to 33-6 emit light via the 31-6 and the D / A converters 32-1 to 32-6. The light emitted from the light emitting diodes 33-1 to 33-6 enters the DX code sensors 34-1 to 34-4, the perforation sensor 35, and the screen detection sensor 36 via the photographic film 14. The inputs of the DX code sensors 34-1 to 34-4 and the input of the perforation sensor 35 correspond to the respective A / D
Each of the comparators 38-1 to 38-5 through the converters 37-1 to 37-5
The binary output of each of the comparators 38-1 to 38-5 is input to the RAM 39 or the CPU 11. The input of the screen detection sensor 36 is an A / D converter 37-6
Is input to the RAM 39 via the.

FIG. 2 shows each of the DX code sensors 34-1 to 34-34.
-4, arrangement positions of the perforation sensor 35 and the screen detection sensor 36. As is clear from FIG.
The screen detection sensor 36 crosses the photographic film 14 and detects an image of each frame of the photographic film 14. The perforation sensors 35 are arranged at the positions of the holes 41 on both edges of the photographic film 14 and detect the holes 41 on both edges.
Each of the DX code sensors 34-1 to 34-4 is a photographic film 1
4 is located at the position of the DX code 42 on both sides, and D
The X code 42 is detected.

When transporting the photographic film 14, the CPU 1
Reference numeral 1 identifies whether or not the photographic film 14 is inserted into the transport path based on the output change of each of the DX code sensors 34-1 to 34-4 that have been A / D converted and further binarized. When it is determined that the photographic film 14 is inserted in the transport path, the CPU 11 controls the driving of the stepping motor of the driving device 13 via the driver circuit 12 to rotate the plurality of pairs of transport rollers 15a and 15b. The photographic film 14 is transported. Then, the CPU 11 checks the operation state of each sensor in synchronization with the rotation of the stepping motor.

The CPU 11 controls each D in the RAM 39.
Based on the output change of the X code sensors 34-1 to 34-4,
The DX code 42 of the photographic film 14 is identified, and this DX
The type of the photographic film 14 and the like are determined from the code 42, and the image processing corresponding to the type is instructed to the print processing apparatus 19.

Further, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the photographic film 14 is satisfactorily conveyed based on the output change of the perforation sensor 35 which has been A / D converted and further binarized.

The CPU 11 reads the input of the A / D converted screen detection sensor 36 from the RAM 39, and determines the edge of the image of each frame of the photographic film 14 based on the output.

In the ROM 21, a control program and the like for performing a process of transporting a negative film, a process of reading a DX code, and the like are recorded in advance. The keyboard 22 is
This is for giving an instruction to the PU 11. CP
U11 controls the processing of transporting the negative film 14, the reading of images, the reading of DX codes, and the like, based on control programs and data in the ROM 21 or instructions from the printer control unit 17.

The photographic film 14 is, for example, a 135 type film (36 mm film).
The code 42 is configured as shown in FIG. 3 (a) or (b).

The DX code 42a shown in FIG. 3 (a) is recorded on both edges of the negative film, and is composed of a plurality of bars formed of black marks. The DX code 42a indicates three types of information such as a photographic film manufacturer name, a photographic film type, and a frame number.

The DX code 42b shown in FIG. 3 (b) is recorded on both edges of the positive film, and has a plurality of bars formed of white snakes arranged. This DX code 42b is the DX code shown in FIG.
As with the code 42a, the maker name, type, and frame number of the photographic film are shown.

As is clear from comparison between the DX codes 42a and 42b, the DX code 42a and the DX code 4
2b is a relationship where the image of the code is inverted.

Next, the photographic film 1 in the present embodiment
4 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, with the photographic film 14 being conveyed, the CPU 11 determines the edge of the image of the frame of the photographic film 14 based on the input of the screen detection sensor 36, 1
The driving of the stepping motor of the driving device 13 is controlled so as to introduce up to 6 (step 101). Along with this, the inputs of the DX code sensors 34-1 to 34-4 are sampled, and the input changes of the DX code sensors 34-1 to 34-4 are stored in the RAM 39 (step 102).

When the frame of the photographic film 14 is introduced into the film carrier 16 by the drive control of the stepping motor, the CPU 11 analyzes the input change of each of the DX code sensors 34-1 to 34-4 in the RAM 39 (step 103). 3), that is, an analysis is performed to find out the format of the DX code 42a shown in FIG. 3A from the input changes of the DX code sensors 34-1 to 34-4.

As a result of this analysis, the format of the DX code 42a shown in FIG.
If it can be found among the input changes of .about.34-4, the CPU 11 determines that the photographic film 14 is a negative film (Step 104, Yes), and reads an image for negative film, exposure conditions, or Conditions such as color balance and color density of the image are set, and these conditions are instructed to the print processing device 19 (step 10).
5). At this time, the frame of the photographic film 14 introduced to the film carrier 16 is read by the CCD,
The image signal is provided to the print control unit 17.
The print control unit 17 performs a process according to the previously specified condition for the negative film on the image signal (step 106), and outputs the image signal to the display 18.
And outputs it to the print processing device 19. The print processing device 19 prints the image indicated by the image signal on print paper (step 107).

As a result of analyzing the input change of each of the DX code sensors 34-1 to 34-4, the DX code 42a shown in FIG.
If the format cannot be found in the input changes of the DX code sensors 34-1 to 34-4 (step 104, No), the CPU 11
The input changes of the X code sensors 34-1 to 34-4 are inverted (step 108), that is, the low level and the high level are inverted, and the inverted DX code sensors 34-1 to 34-4 are inverted.
Is analyzed (step 109), and the format of the DX code 42b shown in FIG. 3B is found out of the inverted input changes of the DX code sensors 34-1 to 34-4.

As a result of this analysis, if the format of the DX code 42b shown in FIG. 3B can be found in the inverted input changes of the DX code sensors 34-1 to 34-4, the CPU 11 It is determined that the photographic film 14 is a positive film (Step 110, Yes), and image reading conditions and exposure conditions for the positive film, or conditions such as color balance and color density of the image are set, and these conditions are set. An instruction is given to the print processing device 19 (step 111). At this time, the film carrier 16
The frame of the photographic film 14 which has been introduced is read by the CCD, and the image signal is sent to the print control unit 17.
Given to. The print control unit 17 performs a process according to the previously specified condition for the positive film on the image signal (step 106), and the print processing apparatus 1
9 prints the image indicated by the image signal on print paper (step 107).

If it is determined that the photographic film 14 is not a positive film (step 110, No), the CPU 1
1 indicates that it is impossible to determine whether the film is a negative film or a positive film.
Through the display 18. In this case, the operator himself / herself determines whether the film is a negative film or a positive film, and operates the keyboard 22 to change image reading conditions and exposure conditions, or conditions such as image color balance and color density. Are set, and these conditions are instructed to the print processing apparatus 19 (step 11).
2). The print control unit 17 performs a process according to the previously instructed condition on the image signal (step 10).
6) The print processing device 19 prints the image indicated by the image signal on print paper (step 1).
07).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the DX code of the photographic film is read and analyzed. If the DX code can be analyzed, it is determined that the photographic film is a negative film. If the analysis cannot be performed, the image of the DX code is inverted. After that, the DX code is analyzed again, and if it can be analyzed, the photographic film is determined to be a positive film, and depending on whether the film is a negative film or a positive film, image reading conditions, exposure conditions, or image Conditions such as color balance and color density are set. Therefore, operability and work efficiency are improved, and an increase in loss print due to erroneous determination by the operator is not caused.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be variously modified. For example, D
Not only X code but also various latent image codes such as frame number code, FID code and lot number code recorded on the APS film, and whether the read code could be analyzed or read. Depending on whether the inverted code could be analyzed, it may be determined whether the film is a negative film or a positive film. Furthermore, 135 type film (36mm film)
The present invention can be applied to other types of films as long as the codes are recorded.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, at least one of a code read from a photographic film and a read and inverted code is analyzed, and the type of the photographic film is determined based on the analysis result. Is determined.
For this reason, it is not necessary to rely on the judgment of the operator, the operability and work efficiency are improved, and an increase in loss print due to the erroneous judgment of the operator is not caused.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing a printing apparatus to which an embodiment of the automatic photographic film identification apparatus of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an arrangement position of various sensors in the printing apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3A is a plan view showing a DX code of a negative film, and FIG. 3B is a plan view showing a DX code of a positive film.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process in the printing apparatus of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 11 CPU 12 Driver circuit 13 Drive device 14 Photo film 15a, 15b Conveying roller 16 Film carrier 17 Print control unit 18 Display 19 Print processing device 31-1 to 31-6 Driver circuit 32-1 to 32-6 D / A converter 33-1 to 33-6 Light emitting diode 34-1 to 34-4 DX code sensor 35 Perforation sensor 36 Screen detection sensor 36 37-1 to 37-5 A / D converter 38-1 to 38-5 Comparator 39 RAM 42 DX code

Claims (2)

[Claims] A reading means for reading a code recorded on a photographic film; a reversing means for reversing an image of the code read by the reading means; a code read by the reading means; and the reading. Analyzing means for analyzing at least one of the codes read by the means and inverted by the inverting means; and a photographic film comprising: determining means for determining a type of the photographic film based on an analysis result by the analyzing means. Automatic identification device. 2. The automatic photographic film identification apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit configured to set a processing content of an image of the photographic film in accordance with the type of the photographic film determined by the determination unit.