JP2001069287A - Film scanner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the damage of a photographing film that is caused between the film and its holding part by providing a passing hole forming block on an optical path, supporting rotatively a support roller by the passing hole forming block and placing the support roller at a position near a scanning line. SOLUTION: A support roller 9c which is rotatively supported to a lower mask main body 34a has a slender cylindrical outer diameter that can cover the image surface of a photographing film 1 and also the whole width direction of the film 1. When the film 1 which is carried in the vertical scanning direction is pressed, the roller 9c rolls on the surface of the film 1. In such a constitution, the traveling property is secured for the film 1 that crosses a scanning line SL and the film 1 can be supported on a scanning surface F without damage. Then a level of the press-fixing surface can be decided between a feed roller 9a and a press-fixing roller 9b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a film scanner for a photographic film, and more particularly to a film scanner for irradiating light from a light source onto an image surface of a photographic film and transmitting the obtained transmitted light by a linear CCD or the like. The present invention relates to a film scanner for electrically reading image information carried on the image surface of a photographic film by being guided to a configured photoelectric conversion unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Film scanners as described above are conventionally
A light source, a photoelectric conversion unit including a light receiving element extending in the main scanning direction, and a transport mechanism for transporting the photographic film in a sub-scanning direction that intersects the main scanning direction, and emits light from the light source to the light receiving element. An image of a photographic film arranged on a scanning surface set to cross the reaching optical path is configured to form an image on the light receiving element,
Further, a plate-shaped support member capable of supporting the photographic film transported by the transport mechanism on the scanning surface has been provided. During the scanning, in order to accurately form an image of the photographic film on the light receiving element of the photoelectric conversion unit, the photographic film is transported by the transport mechanism while pressing the photographic film against the supporting member. Usually, the transport mechanism is composed of a pair of transport rollers that sandwich the photographic film from both sides, for example, these transport roller pairs are arranged on both the upstream side and the downstream side with the support member interposed therebetween, and The configuration is such that the photographic film is pressed against the support member by making the heights of the nips (compression bonding portions) of the upstream and downstream transport roller pairs coincide with the support surface of the support member.

[0003]

However, if the relative height between the transport mechanism and the supporting member is set so as to realize the ideal image formation, it is fixed especially when the photographic film has a curl tendency. A part of the photographic film is conveyed while being strongly pressed against the plate-shaped support member, and as a result,
The photographic film may be damaged during scanning based on the friction generated between the photographic film and the support member.

[0004] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image as ideally as possible while also taking into account the friction between the photographic film and the supporting member, in view of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art exemplified above. An object of the present invention is to provide a film scanner which is less likely to be damaged.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a film scanner according to the present invention has the features described in claims 1 to 7. Incidentally, the film scanner according to claim 1 of the present invention is characterized in that the support member is formed of a support roller having a peripheral surface rotatable along the sub-scanning direction.

[0006] In order to have such a characteristic configuration,
In the film scanner according to the first aspect of the present invention, even if the photographic film is conveyed while being strongly pressed against the supporting member, the supporting member to be pressed is constituted by the supporting roller, and the peripheral surface of the supporting roller is adapted to the advance of the photographic film. Since it is free to roll along the sub-scanning direction, friction between the photographic film and the surface of the photographic film hardly occurs. As a result, the risk of damage to the photographic film is reduced.

[0007] The supporting roller may have a cylindrical outer shape having a full length covering the entire width of the photographic film. With this configuration, the entire photographic film in the main scanning direction can be easily supported on the scanning surface. However, if the entire photographic film in the main scanning direction can be substantially supported on the scanning surface, a part of the photographic film in the main scanning direction, such as only the both ends and the center of the entire width of the photographic film, supports the photographic film. The remaining peripheral portion may be configured to have an outer shape depressed from the supporting peripheral surface.

More specifically, a passage hole forming block for forming a slit extending along the main scanning direction is arranged on the optical path, and the support roller is
A structure rotatably supported by the passage hole forming block may be employed. According to this structure, the support roller can be disposed close to the scanning line defined in the slit of the passage hole forming block, so that the support roller more precisely scans the image surface of the photographic film. It can be supported on the scanning surface at the scanning line.

The transport mechanism comprises a pair of transport rollers capable of holding only both ends of the photographic film in the main scanning direction on the scanning surface from both sides by pressure bonding, and further comprising a pair of transport rollers in the sub-scanning direction. And a support member for pressing a central portion of the photographic film in the main scanning direction against the peripheral surface of the support roller between the support roller and the support roller. According to this configuration, since only the both ends in the main scanning direction of the photographic film are pressed and held from both sides, the photographic film can be reliably transported at an accurate speed, and the vicinity of the center of the image is damaged by the pair of transport rollers. It is less likely to be done. Moreover, even when handling a normal 135 film having a strong tendency to have a curl-like curled shape in which the central portion of the photographic film in the main scanning direction protrudes upward (in the direction in which the light source is located), the central portion is the same as that described above. Since the pressing member is pressed against the peripheral surface of the supporting roller, the entire image of the photographic film is easily formed accurately on the light receiving element, and the photographic film is freely rolled even if pressed as such. Is reliably prevented by a simple supporting roller.

[0010] Further, the pressing member is a pressing roller arranged so as to be rotatable with respect to the photographic film surface, and the passage hole forming block is provided with a gap in the thickness direction of the pressing roller and the photographic film. A configuration in which opposed film guide auxiliary surfaces are formed may be adopted. With this configuration, the leading portion of the photographic film sent from the upstream enters first between the press roller and the film guide auxiliary surface, and is then naturally guided to the upper surface of the support roller. Even if the support roller and the pressing roller as described above are provided, the photographic film can be smoothly guided. Further, since the pressing member is formed of a roller that can roll when the pressing member comes into contact with the surface of the photographic film, the photographic film is less likely to be damaged by friction with the pressing member.

A gap in the sub-scanning direction is formed between the pressing roller and the supporting roller, and the peripheral surface of the pressing roller and the peripheral surface of the supporting roller overlap each other when viewed in the sub-scanning direction. It can be configured. With this configuration, even when the photographic film has a strong tendency to curl in a semi-cylindrical shape, the central portion of the photographic film is formed by the peripheral surface of the pressing roller extending so as to overlap the peripheral surface of the support roller in the sub-scanning direction. Assuredly, it is brought very close to the support roller or pressed against the upper end of the support roller. As a result, the entire photographic film in the main scanning direction is transported in the sub-scanning direction while almost contacting the upper end surface of the support roller. Therefore, scanning can be accurately focused on the entire image frame (that is,
If the image surface of the photographic film is in contact with the support roller, or is located very close to the peripheral surface of the support roller, the focus is substantially accurately adjusted. It is configured so that any portion very close to the same peripheral surface falls within the depth of focus.) Further, according to this structure, since the rollable support roller is provided at the position of the transmitted light forming block where the pressing force from the pressing roller acts most strongly, damage to the photographic film is effectively prevented. .

Further, a film mask is provided which can be attached and detached at a predetermined position on the optical path, and the film mask comprises a lower mask main body provided with one of the pair of transport rollers and the supporting member; The upper mask main body is swingably supported by the lower mask main body, and the other of the pair of transport rollers and the pressing roller are provided in the upper mask main body. With this configuration, maintenance of the transport roller pair, the support member, the pressing roller, and the like is facilitated, and operations such as taking out the photographic film by opening the upper mask as needed during scanning are performed. It becomes possible.

[0013] Other features and advantages of the present invention include:
The description will become apparent from the description of the embodiment using the drawings.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a film scanning system using an example of the film scanner of the present invention. The film scanning system includes a main body of a system including an operation table 100 and a cabinet 200 formed below the operation table 100, a film scanner unit 3 for reading image information carried on each image frame of a negative film or a positive film, A controller 7 having a function of receiving image information read by the scanner unit 3 and processing the image information into exposure data in a printer processor described later.

(Configuration of Film Scanner Unit) The main components of the film scanner unit 3 are an illumination optical system 31, an imaging optical system 32, a photoelectric conversion unit 33 using a linear CCD extending in the main scanning direction, and a photographic film. An auto-film mask 34 that conveys the photographic film 1 in a sub-scanning direction that intersects (specifically, goes perpendicular to) the main scanning direction for scanning the photographic film 1 with a linear CCD and determines the irradiation range of light with respect to the photographic film 1. is there. In the illumination optical system 31, the white light from the halogen lamp 31b in the lamp house 31a is adjusted for the color distribution and the intensity distribution of the light beam by a dimming filter 31c and a mirror tunnel 31d, if necessary, and then the auto film The photographic film 1 supported in the mask 34 is irradiated. An imaging optical system 32 that processes a transmitted light beam obtained by transmitting the photographic film 1 includes a lens unit 32b including a zoom lens and a mirror 32a that changes the direction of projection light. The photoelectric conversion unit 33 that receives the light beam guided by the imaging optical system 32 and performs photoelectric conversion on the light beam includes three CCD sensors 33a, 33b, and 33c assigned to detect each color of RGB. There are many CCD sensors (for example, 5
(000) CCD elements are line sensors arranged in the main scanning direction, that is, parallel to the width direction of the photographic film 1, and the charge accumulation operation and the charge accumulation time are controlled during the main scanning by the sensor driving circuit. Red CCD sensor 3
A color filter that allows only the red component of the light transmitted through the photographic film 1 to pass through the imaging surface 3a, and a color filter that allows only the green component to pass through the imaging surface of the green CCD sensor 33b, similarly, a blue CCD A color filter that allows only the blue component to pass is provided on the imaging surface of the sensor 33c, and basically performs photoelectric conversion of only the blue component, the red component, and the green component. Each pixel signal output from each CCD sensor is sampled and held, and each pixel signal becomes a continuous image signal. Each pixel signal is converted into a digital signal having a predetermined number of bits (for example, 12 bits).

As shown in FIG. 1, among the components of the film scanner unit 3, a lamp house 31a is installed on an operation table 100. An image pickup optical system 32, a photoelectric conversion unit 33, and the like operate. It is housed in a cabinet 200 formed below the table 100.

(Configuration of Auto Film Mask) As shown in FIG. 2, the auto film mask 34 is a lower mask body 34 located below the photographic film 1 to be conveyed.
a and an upper mask body 34b supported by a hinge with respect to the lower mask body 34a and capable of swinging operation between a closed posture and an open posture. FIG. 2 shows an example of the open position. FIG. 3 shows the closed position in which the photographic film 1 is sandwiched between the upper mask body 34b and the lower mask body 34a. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower mask main body 34 a is provided with a through-hole forming block 10 that guides light emitted from the illumination optical system 31 and transmitted through the photographic film 1 to the imaging optical system 32 as slit light. ing. The center line of the passage hole 10a formed in the transmitted light forming block 10 is:
A scanning line SL (corresponding to the optical path) is defined. The lower mask body 34a has an opening 34F for guiding the light that has exited the mirror tunnel 31c to the photographic film surface on the through-hole forming block 10. The upper mask body 34b has a photographic film surface. An opening 34G for guiding the transmitted light passing through the lens unit 32b is formed.

Further, the automatic film mask 34 moves the photographic film 1 supported between the lower mask main body 34a and the upper mask main body 34b at a predetermined speed, and moves the scanning line SL to a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. It has a film transport mechanism 9 for traversing along the scanning direction. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the film transport mechanism 9 rotates the feed roller 9a supported on the lower mask body 34a, the pressure roller 9b supported on the upper mask body 34b, and the feed roller 9a. A driving pulse motor 12 is included. In the closed position of the upper mask body 34b, the photographic film 1 includes the feed roller 9a and the pressure roller 9a.
b, the film can be reliably moved. Both the feed roller 9a and the pressure roller 9b run so as to sandwich only both ends in the main scanning direction of the photographic film 1 (corresponding to the vicinity of perforation in the case of the 135 film shown).
Divided in the width direction of the photographic film 1, and
It is provided on both the upstream side and the downstream side in the film transport direction with the scanning line SL interposed therebetween. When the upper mask body 34b is closed, a first film insertion port 34C is provided on the right side of the automatic film mask 34 as viewed from an operator located in front of the film scanning system, and a first film insertion port is provided on the left side. 2 film insertion port 34D
Are formed.

Further, in the transmitted light forming block 10, a pair of support rollers 9c are arranged rotatably so as to sandwich the passage hole 10a, that is, along the sub-scanning direction. The support roller 9c has a function of accurately supporting the photographic film 1 (strictly, an image layer formed on the emulsion surface of the photographic film 1) at an appropriate position in the optical path. In other words, the support roller 9c Can be said to define the scanning plane F. As long as the photographic film 1 is placed on the scanning surface F, the photographic film 1
The image plane is configured to form an image accurately on the light receiving element of the photoelectric conversion unit 33. The support roller 9c is rotatably supported by the lower mask body 34a so as to be embedded in a groove provided in the passage hole forming block 10. The support roller 9c has an elongated cylindrical outer shape having a length covering the entire width of the photographic film 1 as well as the image surface of the photographic film 1, and presses the photographic film 1 being conveyed in the sub-scanning direction. If possible, the photographic film 1 is configured to roll on the surface thereof, so that the running property of the photographic film 1 across the scanning line SL is ensured, and at the same time, the scanning is performed without damaging the photographic film 1. It can be supported on the surface F. The level of the pressure contact surface between the feed roller 9a and the pressure contact roller 9b is also set based on the scanning surface F determined by the support roller 9c. As a result, the film transport mechanism 9
Means that the photographic film 1 is transported along the scanning surface F in the sub-scanning direction. Further, a pair of support rollers 9c of the transmitted light forming block 10 in the sub-scanning direction.
Further, a film guide assisting surface 10g is formed on both sides of. The film guide auxiliary surface 10g belongs to a lower space of the upper and lower spaces divided by the scanning surface F as a boundary, and faces the scanning surface F in a state separated downward from the scanning surface F. .

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the upper mask body 34b has a flattened curved shape at the center of the photographic film 1 in the sub-scanning direction, and the scanning surface F For forming a flat image surface along the
The holding roller 9d and the second holding roller 9e are rotatably supported. Each of the first pressing roller 9d and the second pressing roller 9e is supported so as to freely rotate around an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the pressure roller 9b and the feed roller 9a, and has a smooth metal outer peripheral portion. Roller. The first pressing roller 9d and the second pressing roller 9e are
It has a cylindrical outer shape having a length (about 3 mm) covering only a part of the center of the photographic film 1 in the main scanning direction, and extends over the scanning surface F by about 0.3 mm from the upper mask main body 34b side to the lower mask. It extends into the space on the side of the main body 34a. The pressure roller 9b and the feed roller 9a
Consists of a roller having a relatively large diameter in order to securely press and transport the photographic film 1 without slipping. The first pressing roller 9d moves the photographic film 1 at a position as close to the optical path as possible. It consists of a relatively small diameter metal roller for holding down (the larger the diameter of the roller, the farther the point of action on the photographic film is from the optical path). Further, the first pressing roller 9d is more scanning line SL than the pressing roller 9b so that a gap in the sub-scanning direction is formed between the supporting roller 9c on the transmitted light forming block 10 and the first pressing roller 9d. (Or optical path) side, and is disposed so as to face the film guide auxiliary surface 10g via a gap in the thickness direction of the photographic film. The second pressing roller 9e is located on the side opposite to the scanning line SL (or the optical path) across the feed roller 9a in the sub-scanning direction. The second pressing roller 9e is
For this purpose, it is preferable to arrange the pressure roller 9b and the feed roller 9a close to each other. In this embodiment, the second pressing roller 9e has a larger diameter than the first pressing roller 9d, but can be arranged sufficiently close to the pressure roller 9b and the feed roller 9a. This is because the peripheral surfaces of the pressure roller 9b and the feed roller 9a are divided in the main scanning direction so as to correspond to only both ends in the width direction of the film. This is because it can be installed in a state of being interrupted between the divided roller peripheral surfaces.

In general, the photographic film 1 is first pre-scanned while the photographic film 1 is inserted through the first film insertion opening 34C on the right side and conveyed to the left, and then transferred from the pre-scan to the right side. Or
The main scan is performed while being inserted from the second film insertion port 34D and transported to the right. Therefore, in the pre-scan, the photographic film 1 is firstly moved to the second pressing roller 9 on the right side.
e, the central portion is pushed toward the scanning surface F to obtain a flat state in which the curvature is corrected, and then both ends of the photographic film 1 in the main scanning direction are the right feed roller 9a and the pressure roller 9b. (I.e., a pair of transport rollers), and the center portion in the main scanning direction is again pressed toward the scanning surface F by the first pressing roller 9d on the right side to obtain a flat state in which the curvature is corrected. Then, it passes over the support roller 9c and crosses the scanning line SL arranged in the passage hole 10a formed in the middle between the left and right support rollers 9c. After the end of the photographic film 1 in the sub-scanning direction passes through the lower end of the first pressing roller 9d on the left side, the curving property of the central portion of the photographic film 1 in the main scanning direction protrudes from the left and right. The correction is performed by one pressing roller 9d.

When the photographic film 1 is once pulled out after performing the pre-scan, the photographic film 1 is inserted again from the second film insertion opening 34D and the main scan is performed while transporting the photographic film 1 to the right. Similarly, at the time of the main scan, the photographic film 1 is first pressed at the center thereof toward the scanning surface F by the second pressing roller 9e on the left side to obtain a flat state in which the curvature is corrected. Both ends of the photographic film 1 in the main scanning direction are pressed against a pair of transport rollers on the left side, and further, a first pressing roller 9 on the left side.
The center portion in the main scanning direction is again pushed toward the scanning surface F by d to obtain a flat state in which the curvature is corrected, and then passes over the support roller 9c, and further passes through the scanning line SL. cross. That is, the photographic film 1 to be scanned has its surface (usually the base surface side) on the first pressing roller 9d and the second pressing roller 9e.
Then, while being guided by the supporting roller 9c of the transmitted light forming block 10, the scanning line SL is traversed.

The level of the central portion of the transmitted light forming block 10, that is, the level of the peripheral members of the passage hole 10a is exactly the same as that of the support roller 9c. Is transported without abutting on the central portion of the transmitted light forming block 10 while abutting only on the rotatable support roller 9c,
Therefore, the photographic film is hardly damaged by the fixed central portion of the transmitted light forming block. This is because the central portion of the photographic film 1 in the main scanning direction is pushed down slightly below the upper end of the support roller 9c by the first pressing roller 9d slightly upstream of the support roller 9c, so that the photographic film 1 is located near the optical path. This is because the film portion tends to float upward from the central portion of the transmitted light forming block 10 (due to the principle of leverage with the peripheral surface of the supporting roller as a fulcrum). As is clear from FIG. 3, the passing hole forming block 10 includes an illumination optical system along a transverse direction perpendicular to the film transport direction to shield light so that unnecessary light does not enter the CCD sensor. A slit-shaped passage hole 10a is formed so as to coincide with the optical axis 31. The width of the passage hole 10a in the sub-scanning direction is 1
The length in the main scanning direction is set to be longer than the width of the photographic film 1. Therefore, the light emitted from the lamp house 31a not only passes through the photographed image area 1a defined in the photographic film 1, but also the film information area 1b (shown in FIG. In the case of the 135 film, information such as a DX code is described), and reaches the photoelectric conversion unit 33.

As shown in FIG. 4, the through-hole forming block 10 is provided so that the leading end of the photographic film 1 having a curl tendency does not enter the through-hole 10a longer than the width of the photographic film 1 during scanning conveyance. Passing hole 10
Light transmissive members 11 made of glass or the like are embedded in both end regions of a, particularly at locations corresponding to the film information area 1b of the photographic film 1. The corner of the light transmitting member 11 is chamfered, and one side of the circular end face is made to correspond to the level of the film transport surface. Light transmitting member 11
A light reducing layer 11a is formed on the other side of the circular end face, i.e., on the side not in contact with the photographic film 1, by silver or aluminum vapor deposition. The dimming layer 11 a of the light transmitting member 11 diminishes light having a strong light amount that has passed through the transparent portion or the perforation, and prevents an excessive amount of light from reaching the photoelectric conversion unit 33. On the back side of the auto film mask 34, a constant voltage circuit 120 and a driver circuit 121 provided in the main body are provided with a pulse motor 12
A connector 13a (pin side) is provided for connection to the terminal.

As shown in FIG. 6, the auto film mask 34 in the closed position is configured to be detachable from a mask holder 105 fixed on the operation table 100. When attached to the mask holder 105, the through hole 10a formed in the transmitted light forming block 10 of the auto film mask 34 comes directly below the exit of the mirror tunnel 31d in the lamp house 31a. Between the auto film mask 34 and the mask holder 105, a positioning mechanism for positioning the auto film mask 34 at the predetermined position, and the auto film mask 34 according to an operation of moving the auto film mask 34 to the predetermined position, There is provided an automatic lock mechanism for automatically locking in a locked state that cannot be moved from a predetermined position.

First, the positioning mechanism comprises a first positioning mechanism for positioning the automatic film mask 34 in the vertical direction with respect to the mask holder 105 and for positioning the film in the film transport direction in a horizontal plane. A second positioning mechanism for positioning the mask holder 105 relative to the mask holder 105 in a direction perpendicular to the film transport direction in a horizontal plane so as to be finally installed at the “predetermined position”. The first positioning mechanism is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, a pair of rails 106a and 106b are provided on the mask holder 105 so as to extend in the front-rear direction of the operation table 100, and are provided on both outer sides of these rails so as to be rotatable around a vertical axis. The automatic film mask 34 includes a total of three guide rollers 107a, 107b, and 107c, and linear cutouts 35a and 35b formed at the lower left and right sides of the auto film mask 34.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the second positioning mechanism includes a right guide roller 1 urged by a torsion coil spring 108 of the first positioning mechanism.
07c, and an arc-shaped engaging recess 35c formed in a part of the cutout 35b on the right side of the auto film mask 34. Push in the auto film mask 34,
When the guide roller 107c finally enters the engagement recess 35c, the auto film mask 34 is stably held in the front-rear direction. In addition, a riding surface 35d that is inclined with respect to the linear notch 35b is formed behind the engaging recess 35c, and a portion where the engaging recess 35c and the riding surface 35d meet is a straight notch 35b. A projection 35e projecting further outward is formed. In the process of pushing the auto film mask 34 in, the guide roller 107c first climbs the climbing surface 35d, enters the engagement recess 35c after passing over the protrusion 35e.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the automatic lock mechanism locks a lock lever 110 via a first lock arm 112 and a lock lever 110 which can swing about a vertical axis P1 on the mask holder 105. The second connected to the lever 110
And a lock arm 115. First lock arm 112
The second lock arm 115 is swingably supported around a vertical axis P2 on a fixed shaft 114 extending upward from the mask holder 105. In addition, the automatic lock mechanism,
It includes an engaging recess 34H formed on the left side surface of the auto film mask 34. An operation knob 110a protrudes upward from one end on the near side of the lock lever 110, and an engagement protrusion 110b extends laterally from the other end. When the auto film mask 34 is at the "predetermined position", the lock lever 110 is moved from the restricted position where the engaging projection 110b has entered the engaging recess 34H of the auto film mask 34, and from the engaging recess 34H. It can swing between the separated regulation release position. Lock lever 1
10 and the mask holder 105, a lock lever 11 is provided.
A toggle spring 111 for constantly biasing the zero to one of the restriction position and the restriction release position is attached.

Lock lever 110 and first lock arm 1
12, an elongated hole 112 a formed at the front end of the first lock arm 112 so as to extend in the front-rear direction;
There is provided a linking mechanism including a locking pin 110c extending downward from the vicinity of the base end of the locking projection 110b of the lock lever 110. The first lock arm 112 moves the first lock arm 11 according to the swing operation of the lock lever 110.
2 is swingably operated around the axis P2 between a first position extending straight in the front-rear direction and a second position inclined. Next, the second lock arm 115 has a base end located near the axis P2 and a free end extending substantially horizontally from the base end. The free end is displaced between a standby position within the movement trajectory of the auto film mask 34 and an operation position outside the movement trajectory in response to the swing of the second lock arm 115. The part 115a is constituted. Second
The lock arm 115 is biased toward the standby position by a torsion coil spring 116 attached between the mask holder 105 and the second lock arm 115.

An interlocking mechanism is provided between the first lock arm 112 and the second lock arm 115. The interlocking mechanism includes an engagement groove 112a formed in the first lock arm 112, an engagement protrusion 115b formed in the second lock arm 115, and the first lock arm 1
A compression spring 117 is provided between the E-ring attached to the upper end of the fixed shaft 114 and the first lock arm 112 to press the second lock arm 115 against the second lock arm 115. Both the engagement groove 112a and the engagement protrusion 115b extend in the radial direction about the axis P2. Further, one wall surface 115s of two surfaces on the second lock arm 115 extending in the radial direction from the shaft center P2 side to form the engagement protrusion 115b extends right above, while the other wall surface 115s extends on the other side. Wall 1
15t forms a cam surface inclined with respect to the axis P2.

(Functions of Positioning Mechanism and Automatic Lock Mechanism)
9 and 12 show a state in which the auto film mask 34 has been removed from the "predetermined position". To remove the auto film mask 34 from the "predetermined position", the lock lever 110 is manually operated to the restriction release position,
Therefore, the first lock arm 112 is
It is in the inclined second posture based on a linking mechanism composed of the engaging pin 110c. Then, the second lock arm 11
The action section 115a of No. 5 is at a standby position in the movement locus of the auto film mask 34. Further, the second lock arm 115 and the first lock arm 112
7, the engagement state where the engagement groove 112a and the engagement protrusion 115b are engaged with each other is maintained. In this state, the left and right cutouts 35a and 35b of the auto film mask 34 are
After being engaged between the three guide rollers 107a, 107b, and 107c, and inserted along the movement locus,
First, the guide roller 107c enters the engaging recess 35c beyond the riding surface 35d, and the automatic film mask 34
Is positioned at the “predetermined position”. In the vicinity of the final stage of the movement of the auto film mask 34 along the movement trajectory reaching the “predetermined position”, the rear portion of the auto film mask 34 comes into contact with the action portion 115a of the second lock arm 115, Push it out. Then, the action portion 115a is pushed out to the action position outside the trajectory. At this time, the displacement of the second lock arm 115 to the action position is caused by the engagement groove 112a.
The first lock arm 112 is swung to the first position extending forward and backward based on the engagement between the lock lever 110 and the engagement protrusion 115b, so that the lock lever 110 is forcibly moved to the restriction position as shown in FIG. Displaced, the auto film mask 34
Is locked in the "predetermined position".

Next, when it is desired to remove the auto film mask 34 from the "predetermined position" again, first, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (2), the operator puts the finger on the knob 110a to set the lock lever 110 to the restriction release position. Due to the swing displacement of the lock lever 110, the first
The lock arm 112 switches to the inclined second position.
At this time, the second lock arm 115 is also rocked and displaced again toward the posture in which the action portion 115a is at the standby position based on the engagement between the engagement groove 112a and the engagement protrusion 115b. However, since the second lock arm 115 is completely prevented from being displaced halfway by the auto film mask 34 firmly held at the "predetermined position" by the second positioning mechanism, the second lock arm 115 engages with the engagement groove 112a. Protrusion 115
b is released against the urging force of the compression spring 117, and the second lock arm 115
6 presses against the back surface of the auto film mask 34. That is, the engagement groove 112a of the first lock arm 112 rides on the wall surface 115t against the compression spring 117, and the linked state between the first lock arm 112 and the second lock arm 115 is released.

Next, the operator operates the lock lever 110.
Is released from the "predetermined position" after the automatic lock mechanism is released by operating to the restriction release position, the second lock arm 115
The torsion coil spring 116 switches again to the standby position in the locus. The mask holder 105 has
A connector 13b (socket side) is provided, and the connector 13a on the auto film mask 34 is connected to the connector 13b of the mask holder 105 in accordance with the insertion operation of the auto film mask 34, and a constant voltage circuit on the main body side is provided. From 120, power can be supplied to the pulse motor 12 in the auto film mask 34.

(Configuration of Circuit Opening / Closing Mechanism) The main body of this system includes a driver circuit 121 for generating a control signal for driving and operating the pulse motor 12, a pulse motor 12
And a constant voltage circuit 120 for supplying power to the driver circuit 121. When the connectors 13a and 13b are connected, the pulse motor 1 is output from the driver circuit 121.
2 to form a motor drive control circuit for supplying the motor drive current to the pulse motor 12 from the constant voltage circuit 120. The film scanning system according to the present invention further includes means for determining the attitude of the lock lever 110, and opening and closing operation of the motor drive control circuit between the constant voltage circuit 120 and the pulse motor 12 based on the determination result. Circuit opening and closing mechanism is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 14 and the like, the determination means comprises a pair of photo-interrupter-type detection sensors 118, 118 mounted on a mask holder 105;
It includes a light shielding piece 113 provided near the middle of the first lock arm 112 and the controller 7. That is, when the lock lever 110 is in the restricting position shown in FIG. 13 and the first lock arm 112 is in the first position, the light-shielding piece 113 enters between the pair of detection sensors 118, 118 to transfer a light beam between the sensors. Cut off. On the other hand, when the lock lever 110 is in the restriction release position of FIG. 12 or FIG. 14 and the first lock arm 112 is in the second posture, the light shielding piece 113 enters between the detection sensor pairs 118 and 118 and Of the light beam. The circuit opening / closing mechanism includes a relay 1 interposed between the constant voltage circuit 120 and the connector 13b.
22 and the controller 7.

As shown in FIG. 13, the auto film mask 3
When the switch 4 is switched to the "predetermined position", the connection between the connectors 13a and 13b is already secured before the switching is completed. If the auto film mask 34 is at the "predetermined position", the lock lever 110 is at the regulation position, and the light shielding piece 113 blocks the detection sensor pair 118, 118.
It can be electrically determined that the lock lever 110 is at the restriction position. Based on the result of the determination by the determination means, the controller 7 sets the relay 122 in the relay state, and as a result, the motor drive control circuit connecting the constant voltage circuit 120, the pulse motor 12 and the driver circuit 121 is closed (see FIG. 11). reference).

The mask holder 105 is provided with a cover 109 for covering the lock lever 110. The cover 109 allows the operator to operate the lock lever 110 when the lock lever 110 is at the regulation position.
An opening 119a is cut out so that the lock lever 110 can be operated to the restriction release position by accessing the lock lever 110a. However, when the lock lever 110 is at the restriction release position, the operation knob 110a is
9a, the cover 109 is displaced from directly below the cover 9a, thereby preventing the operator from inadvertently manually operating the lock lever 110 to the restricted position when the automatic film mask 34 is not at the "predetermined position". .

The three CCs constituting the photoelectric conversion unit 33
The D sensors 33a, 33b, and 33c are arranged in three lines so as to be orthogonal to the direction in which the photographic film 1 is conveyed, and the main scanning of film scanning is performed in the arrangement direction of the CCD elements constituting each CCD sensor. When the photographic film 1 is transported, sub-scanning is performed. When a certain frame image of the photographic film 1 is positioned at a predetermined scan position in the auto film mask 34 by the film transport mechanism 9, reading processing of the frame image is started. Since the reading process is performed while the photographic film 1 is being fed by the film transport mechanism 9, the transmitted light for scanning the frame image in the sub-scanning direction is sequentially read by the three CCD sensors 33a, 33b, and 33c. . The illumination optical system 31, imaging optical system 32, and photoelectric conversion unit 33 of the film scanner unit 3 are controlled by the controller 7
Done by

(Construction of Controller) As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 7 controls the film transport mechanism 9 in the film scanner 3, and further switches the relay 122 as a circuit opening / closing mechanism based on the result of the determination. A scanner control unit 71 that performs image processing such as white balance, negative / positive inversion, and contour emphasis on image data of the captured image area 1 a acquired by the film scanner 3 to generate print data; An image processing unit 72 having a film information processing function of performing a bar code recognition process or the like on the acquired image data of the film information area 1b, a video signal for displaying the image data processed by the image processing unit on the monitor 7a And a video processing unit 73 that generates By temporarily visualizing the image information read by the film scanner unit 3 on the operation table 100,
A monitor 7a for assisting the photographed image processing function and a keyboard 7b for an operator to proceed with the photographed image processing function while watching the monitor 7a are provided. Further, the cabinet 200 is provided with an external input unit 7c for inputting image information recorded on a means other than a photographic film such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a CD-ROM, and an MO. The image information carried by the means can also be processed in the same manner and output to photographic paper or the like via the printer processor.

The image data adjusted in this manner is sent to a printer processor (not shown), where it is exposed to photographic paper, which is developed and dried to produce a photographic sheet as a final product. can get. The printer processor includes an exposure unit generally including a digital engine and a transport device that moves the photographic paper at a constant speed with respect to an exposure surface of the exposure device, and a developing tank for developing the exposed photographic paper. And a drying section. At present, the digital engine includes a PLZT shutter system, a liquid crystal shutter system, a fluorescent beam system, a FOCRT system, and the like, and an engine having characteristics according to exposure specifications may be used.

When the PLZT shutter system is adopted, the main component of the digital engine is an exposure head employing a shutter array composed of PLZT elements. This P
Light of each color of R, G, and B is introduced from a PLZT light source to each of the shutters composed of LZT elements via a number of optical fibers. The shutter array extends in the width direction of the photographic paper, that is, in the transverse direction of the transport direction. When a voltage of a predetermined level is applied to each shutter, the shutter enters a light transmitting state, and when the application of the voltage is stopped, the shutter enters a light blocking state.
Therefore, when a drive voltage is applied to the shutter corresponding to each pixel based on print data transmitted by communication or the like from the controller 7 of the film scanning system according to the present invention, the shutter opens and is introduced from the light source. Light of a certain color is irradiated on the photographic paper. The light source for PLZT is provided with a rotation filter composed of optical filters of three colors of R, G, and B. By controlling the rotation phase of this rotation filter, one of R, G, and B is selectively provided. The light of the selected color is sent to the shutter through an optical fiber through a filter of that color, facing the light source.

[Alternative Embodiment] In the above-described embodiment, a 135-size photographic film was handled as a scanning object. However, the present invention is, of course, applied to another 120-size photographic film called an APS film having a total width of 24 mm. Can also be applied.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic front view of a film scanning system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an auto film mask.

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing the vicinity of an opening of an auto film mask.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing a through hole forming block of the auto film mask.

FIG. 5 is a schematic bottom view showing a main part of a cover member of the auto film mask.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a mask holder and an auto film mask.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing another state of the auto film mask.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing main components of the automatic lock mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing a mask holder before an automatic film mask is inserted.

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing a main part of the mask holder.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a determination unit and a circuit opening / closing mechanism.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an automatic lock mechanism before an automatic film mask is inserted.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an automatic lock mechanism after an automatic film mask is inserted.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the automatic lock mechanism in a state where the lock lever is operated to the restriction release position while the automatic film mask is being inserted.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 3 film scanner unit 7 controller 9 film transport mechanism 9c support roller 9d first press roller 9e second press roller 10 passage hole forming block 10g film guide auxiliary surface 12 pulse motor 34 auto film mask

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Tanaka 579-1 Umehara Umehara, Wakayama, Wakayama Prefecture Inside (72) Inventor Kazuhiro Kobayashi 1 579 Umehara Umehara, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture In-house F term (reference) 2H012 BA11 CB29 CD06 5C022 BA02 BA07 5C062 AA05 AB03 AB32 AC02 AC11 5C072 AA01 BA04 EA05 NA04 VA03

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A light source, a photoelectric conversion unit comprising a light receiving element extending in a main scanning direction, and a transport mechanism for transporting a photographic film in a sub-scanning direction intersecting with the main scanning direction. An image of a photographic film arranged on a scanning surface set on an optical path reaching the light receiving element is configured to form an image on the light receiving element,
Furthermore, a film scanner provided with a support member capable of supporting the photographic film conveyed by the conveyance mechanism on the scanning surface, wherein the support member has a peripheral surface rotatable along the sub-scanning direction. Film scanner consisting of supporting rollers. 2. The support roller according to claim 1, wherein said support roller has a cylindrical outer shape having an overall length covering the entire width of the photographic film.
The film scanner according to 1. 3. A passing hole forming block for forming a slit extending along the main scanning direction is disposed on the optical path, and the support roller is rotatably supported by the passing hole forming block. The film scanner according to claim 1, wherein 4. The transport mechanism comprises a pair of transport rollers capable of holding only both ends of the photographic film in the main scanning direction on the scanning surface from both sides by pressing, and further comprising a pair of transport rollers in the sub-scanning direction. 4. The film scanner according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing member that presses a central portion of the photographic film in the main scanning direction against the peripheral surface of the supporting roller between the supporting roller and the supporting roller. 5. . 5. The pressing member is a pressing roller arranged so as to be rotatable with respect to a photographic film surface, and the through hole forming block is provided with a gap in the thickness direction of the pressing roller and the photographic film. 5. The film scanner according to claim 4, wherein opposing film guide auxiliary surfaces are formed. 6. A gap in the sub-scanning direction is formed between the pressing roller and the support roller, and
The film scanner according to claim 5, wherein a peripheral surface of the pressing roller and a peripheral surface of the support roller overlap each other when viewed in the sub-scanning direction. 7. A lower mask main body provided with one of the pair of transport rollers and the support member, wherein a film mask is provided which can be attached to and detached from a predetermined position on the optical path. And an upper mask body swingably supported with respect to the lower mask body, wherein the other of the pair of transport rollers and the pressing roller are provided in the upper mask body. The described film scanner.