JP2000214542A - Photographic printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To execute automatic processing that a scratch is made inconspicuous at the time of printing the film having the scratch. SOLUTION: This device is equipped with a diffuser 30 freely advancing/ retreating by the driving force of an electromagnetic solenoid 29A. In the case of deciding that a negative film 1 is scratched based on image data fetched by a CCD line sensor 38, the image is fetched again in a state where a light beam is diffused by driving the solenoid 29A so that the diffuser 30 may overhang in an optical path L from a light source 6. A digital printing part is driven according to a signal based on the image data fetched in such a way, so that printing is performed to photographic paper.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a light source for guiding a light beam from a light source to a photographic film set on a film carrier, and electrically extracting image information of the light beam transmitted through the photographic film by a CCD type sensor. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technology for interposing a diffuser in an optical path from a light source to a film carrier.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As described above, when a diffuser is interposed in an optical path from a light source to a film carrier, even if a scratch is present on a film base of a photographic film, a scratch appearing on a printed photographic paper can be made inconspicuous. An improved version of this diffuser has been proposed (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 10-257248).

[0003]

However, in the case of the one provided with the diffuser, as described above, the influence of the flaw formed on the film base on the print can be reduced, but the light amount of the light reaching the photographic film is greatly reduced. Therefore, the efficiency of the printing operation is reduced, and there is room for improvement.

An object of the present invention is to rationally construct a photographic printing apparatus which does not reduce the influence of a scratch on a photographic paper even if a scratch is present on a photographic film and which does not reduce the efficiency of a printing operation. It is in.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, as described at the outset, a light from a light source is guided to a photographic film set on a film carrier and transmitted through the photographic film. The image information of the light beam obtained is electrically extracted by a CCD type sensor, the image information is converted into optical information by an exposure unit and printed on photographic paper. When a diffuser that can be switched between an operating position that protrudes into the optical path and diffuses light rays and a retracted position that is separated from the optical path is provided, and when this diffuser is set to the operating position,
Compared with the accumulation time of the electric charge of the sensor when the diffuser is set at the storage position, there is provided a correction means for increasing the accumulation time of the electric charge of the sensor, its operation, and,
The effects are as follows.

According to a second feature of the present invention (claim 2), in the first aspect, an actuator for switching the diffuser between an operation position and a storage position is provided, and the photographic film is damaged based on image information taken out by the sensor. When detecting the presence of, there is provided control means for operating the actuator to set the diffuser to the operation position and re-taking the image by the sensor, and the operation and effect are as follows. It is as follows.

A third feature of the present invention (claim 3) is that, in claim 1 or 2, the diffuser is constituted by a glass plate having both surfaces formed on ground glass surfaces. And the effect is as follows.

[Action]

According to the first feature, when printing is performed from a photographic film having no scratches that affect the printing, the amount of light reaching the photographic film is reduced by setting the diffuser to the retracted position. In addition, it is not necessary to extend the charge accumulation time of the sensor, so it is possible to perform highly efficient printing work.Also, when printing from photographic film that has scratches that affect printing, set the diffuser to the working position This makes the scar less noticeable, and in this setting, the correction means extends the charge accumulation time of the sensor, thereby compensating for a decrease in the amount of light. That is, since the use or non-use of the diffuser is selected based on the presence or absence of scratches on the photographic film, there is no reduction in the efficiency of the printing work due to the decrease in the amount of light as in the case where the diffuser is always arranged in the optical path, and the diffuser was used In such a case, the shortage of the light amount can be automatically compensated by only the electric processing.

According to the second feature, the image information captured by the sensor is discriminated, and when a flaw on the photographic film is detected, the control means operates the actuator to set the diffuser to the operating posture. Reloading the image information from the sensor not only eliminates the inconvenience of wasting photographic paper, but also eliminates the possibility of oversight of scratches compared to the case where the operator visually determines the presence or absence of scratches. Can be easily improved.

According to the third feature, since the diffuser is made of a glass plate having both sides ground glass surfaces,
It does not become expensive like the one using microprisms, it has higher efficiency of diffusing light rays than one formed on frosted glass surface, and has higher heat resistance compared to resin plate It will be.

[Effects of the Invention] Therefore, even when printing is performed from a photographic film having scratches, scratches are unlikely to appear on the photographic paper, and the efficiency of the printing operation is also lower than that in which the light beam is always diffused by the diffuser. The photographic printing device that does not lower the camera was rationally constructed. Also, if there is a scratch on the film, the position of the diffuser is automatically switched and the image information is re-input, so that there is no need for bothering the operator. High quality printing is now possible.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a photographic printing apparatus. In this photographic printing apparatus, a film scanner unit A (of a film carrier) for converting a frame image of a 135-size negative film 1 as a silver halide photographic film into a digital signal. And a controller 2 for receiving a signal from the film scanner unit A, and printing an image on a photographic paper 3 supplied from a paper magazine 3M based on the signal from the controller 2. B (an example of an exposure unit), a development processing unit C for developing the photographic paper 3 thus exposed, a monitor 4 on which information for displaying various processing information is displayed, and an operation for inputting various processing instructions A table 5 is provided.

The film scanner unit A includes an illumination optical system A1 for irradiating the negative film 1 by adjusting the intensity distribution of the light from the halogen lamp 6 as a white light source, and sandwiching the negative film 1 from above and below. A plurality of rollers 9 driven synchronously via a timing belt or the like to convey, a first motor 9A of a stepping motor type for driving the plurality of rollers 9, a negative mask 10 for determining a scan area of the negative film 1, a light source 11
And an information sensor 12 for receiving a light beam transmitted through the negative film 1 from a negative carrier unit A2, and further includes an imaging optical system A3 and a photoelectric conversion unit A4.

The photographic paper 3 developed in the developing section C is subjected to a drying process, cut into a size corresponding to one frame image by a cutter (not shown), and discharged as a finished print. Ori, paper magazine 3
A transport system is configured so that the photographic paper 3 from the M is continuously transported from the digital printing unit B to the development processing unit C by a plurality of rollers 14 that are driven synchronously, and a stepping motor that drives the plurality of rollers 14 Type second motor 1
4A.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the illumination optical system A
1 is a fly-eye lens 17 having a large number of convex lens portions formed on the surface thereof by passing light from the halogen lamp 6 as the white light source through the filter unit FU, a cold mirror 18, a pair of condenser lenses 19, 19, at least. The light is guided to each of the diffusion plates 20 made of a glass plate having a polished glass surface formed on one surface, whereby the light beam having the adjusted light intensity distribution is sent to the negative carrier portion A1. The filter unit FU has a frame 21 and a shutter 22 that can be switched between a position where the light path L of the light beam from the halogen lamp 6 is blocked and a position where it is opened.
An electromagnetic solenoid 22A for switching the attitude of the shutter 22, a heat reflection filter 23 disposed in the optical path L of the light beam, and a disk 25 rotatably supported around a support shaft 24 in an attitude parallel to the optical path L. Prepared for this disk 2
5, a plurality of ND filters 26 set in the optical path L, and a rotary motor 27 for rotating the disk 25 via a gear formed on the outer periphery of the disk 25
A fly-eye lens 28 disposed in the optical path L and having a large number of convex lens portions formed on the surface; a “operating” position protruding into the optical path L; and a “retracted” position separated from the optical path L. Diffuser 30 supported on plate 29
And an electromagnetic solenoid 29A (an example of an actuator) for switching the attitude of the plate 29.

Further, the shutter 22 is set to a blocking position, thereby functioning to block light rays to the negative film 1 and prevent damage to the negative film 1 due to heat, and the plurality of ND filters 26 are respectively provided. The diffuser 30 is provided for obtaining a reference light amount at the time of test printing with different densities. The diffuser 30 is formed of a glass plate having both surfaces formed on a polished glass surface. As shown in FIG. By setting the position at the position "", the light beam is diffused, as described later, so that the film base of the negative film 1 has a function of making the film base less noticeable.

As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging operation system A3
Is a sub-scanning oscillating mirror 33 that guides a beam transmitted through the negative film 1 and a stepping motor type oscillating device that oscillates the oscillating mirror 33 about an axis perpendicular to the transport direction of the negative film 1. A motor 34 and a single focus type reading lens 35 are provided, and the photoelectric conversion unit A4
The prism 36 splits the light beam from the reading lens 35 in three directions, and the light beams split in three directions from the prism 20 pass through a red filter 37r, a green filter 37g, and a blue filter 37b, respectively. Three CCD line sensors 38r, 38 arranged at the positions where they are guided
g, 38b, so that the three CCD line sensors 38r, 38g, 38b can independently take in image information separated into three primary colors of a red component, a green component, and a blue component. Each CCD line sensor 3
8r, 38g and 38b are many in the main scanning direction (for example, 50
00) CCD elements, and the pixel signals from the CCD line sensors 38r, 38g, 38b accumulate charges by exposure for a predetermined period of time, and then pass through a sample and hold circuit (not shown). Each pixel signal is extracted as a continuous image signal, and the signal thus extracted is A
The digital signal is converted into a digital signal of a predetermined number of bits (for example, 12 bits) by a / D converter (not shown) and is taken into the controller 2.

The engine of the digital printing section B includes a liquid crystal shutter system, a laser exposure system, and a CRT.
And a fluorescent tube method are known. Here, a line exposure print head 4 using a liquid crystal shutter method is used.
The light from the exposure print head 41 is guided to the printing paper 3.

In this photographic printing apparatus, an input / output system for the controller 2 has a control system as shown in FIG. That is, the controller 2 includes the CPU, the RO
A microcomputer system including an M, a RAM, an I / F circuit, and the like is configured as a core member. In this photo printer, the presence or absence of a scratch on the negative film 1 set in the negative carrier portion A2 is determined. In such a case, a control operation according to the flowchart of FIG. 6 is set so that the diffuser 30 diffuses the light beam to capture image data in a state where the scratch is not noticeable, and performs printing based on the image data.

That is, in this photographic printing apparatus, when performing printing, the developed negative film 1 is set in the negative carrier section A1, and when printing a frame image to be printed, the operation console is used. 5 by operating the keyboard 5 (in the case of simultaneous printing, all frames are specified), while the negative film 1 is being conveyed by the driving force of the first motor 9A, the information sensor 1
2, the center position of the frame image formed on the negative film 1 is obtained from the density information of the image area of the negative film 1 measured at 2, and the frame formed on the side of the negative film 1 based on a signal from the information sensor 12. The barcode information indicating the number and the barcode information indicating the film manufacturer name and the sensitivity are read. When the center position of the frame image reaches the center position of the negative mask 10 by this conveyance, the first motor 9A is stopped to stop the respective center positions. Are matched (# 101 step).

Next, the swing mirror 33 is swung at a preset speed, and at the same time, the frame image information guided by the swing mirror 33 is synchronized with the swing speed at the preset timing. The signals from the CCD line sensors 38r, 38b, 38g are taken out and input to the controller 2 every time the accumulated charge is stored, and the R, R
The G and B data are stored in the memory (not shown) of the controller 2.
The process of saving in the work area is performed. When the density of adjacent pixels of the R, G, and B data stored in the work area is compared with each other, if the condition that the R, G, and B data both fall below the threshold in a linear narrow area is satisfied. It is determined that the negative film 1 has a flaw. If this condition is not satisfied, it is determined that no flaw exists. Only when it is determined that the flaw exists, the negative film 1 is stored in the working area of the memory. The R, G, and B data of the target frame are cleared, the diffuser 30 is set to the operating position by driving the electromagnetic solenoid 29A, and the oscillating mirror 33 is oscillated at a lower speed than the aforementioned speed. The frame image information guided by the oscillating mirror 33 is taken out at the timing synchronized with the oscillating speed and at every charge accumulation time set longer than the above-mentioned time and input to the controller 2. The correcting means in the program for longer charge accumulation time is configured) performs a process of storing in the work area of the controller 2 of the memory (not shown). After the R, G, B data is stored in the working area of the memory, the R, G, B data from this working area is corrected for color tone, density, etc. (Not shown), save the image data, read the saved image data, and display it on the monitor 4 (video RAM
(For example, a process of transferring data to the CPU) (# 102 to # 107 steps).

Next, as described above, R, G, and B are stored in the main memory.
After the data is stored, the data has already been corrected for color tone and density, and even if there is a flaw in the film, the flaw is also inconspicuous. The digital printing unit B is driven while the photographic paper 3 is being conveyed by the drive of 13A to expose the photographic paper 3 (the digital printing unit B may be moved while the photographic paper 3 is stopped). ing.

As described above, in the present invention, only by setting the negative film 1 in the negative carrier portion A2,
And automatically prints the frame image of the negative film 1, corrects the color tone and density, and prints the information of the frame image.
If there is a flaw in the frame image, the apparatus automatically determines the presence of the flaw and clears the data that has already been captured, and thereafter, the frame image in a state where the diffuser 30 sufficiently diffuses the light rays. By taking the image again, you can capture the data of the image frame with the scratches inconspicuous,
As described above, the image data can be printed by automatically correcting the color tone and density in the same manner as described above, so that high quality printing can be performed without wasting the photographic paper 3. It has become. In particular, in the present invention, the operator is not bothered by the determination of the scratch, and the diffuser 30 is made of a glass plate having both sides polished on a glass surface. Good diffusion can be achieved with parts.

[Other Embodiments] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in order to determine the presence or absence of a flaw in a film or the boundary position between frames, the CCD line sensor 38 captures image data. Prior to this, it is possible to set the control mode so that the image is captured and processed while the resolution of the CCD line sensor is reduced, and it is also possible to configure to print from a positive film as a photographic film. It is.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a photographic printing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a path through which a light beam from a light source is guided.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an arrangement of a filter unit and the like.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a switching structure of a diffuser.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a digital print unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a reading routine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 photographic film 2 control means 3 photographic paper 6 light source 29A actuator 30 diffuser 38 sensor A2 film carrier B exposure unit L optical path

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A light beam from a light source (6) is guided to a photographic film (1) set on a film carrier (A2).
The image information of the light beam transmitted through the photographic film (1) is represented by C
A photographic printing apparatus configured to electrically extract the image information with a CD-type sensor (38), convert the image information into optical information in an exposure unit (B), and print the optical information on a photographic paper (3). 6) A diffuser (3) that can be switched between an operating position that extends in an optical path (L) between the film carrier (A2) and diffuses a light beam and a storage position that is separated from the optical path.
0), and when the diffuser (30) is set to the operation position, the sensor (38) is compared with the charge accumulation time of the sensor (38) when the diffuser (30) is set to the storage position. A photographic printing apparatus comprising a correction means for extending the charge accumulation time of the photo print. 2. An actuator (29A) for switching the diffuser (30) between an operating position and a storage position, and detecting the presence of a flaw in the photographic film (1) from image information taken out by the sensor (38). The control means (2) for operating the actuator (29A) to set the diffuser (30) to the operating position in such a case, and retrieving an image by the sensor (38). Photo printing equipment. 3. The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said diffuser (30) is formed of a glass plate having both surfaces formed on a ground glass surface.