JP2001209159A - Color image forming method and development processing device used for the method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming method which makes it possible to obtain approximately the same finish quality as the finish quality of a reference development processing and is capable of preventing the fluctuation of a processing liquid composition while allowing the rapid development processing meeting the characteristics of a film. SOLUTION: The kinds of photographed color photographic sensitive materials are discriminated by a kind discriminating means 111 and both of the processing time of the photosensitive materials and the replenishing amount of the processing liquid are changed by a control means 131 and thereafter, image information is photoelectrically read from the processed photosensitive materials processed by being in contact with the processing liquid and this image information is converted into the digital image information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming method for obtaining color image information of high quality from a photographed color light-sensitive material in a short time and a color print, and a developing apparatus used for the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the color photographic market, a so-called color print is obtained in which a photographed color light-sensitive material (hereinafter also referred to as a "color film") is developed in a development shop, and the obtained image is printed on photographic paper. Color film and paper systems are commonly used. Recent trends in the color photography market include (1) decentralization of development sites, that is, the conventional aggregation of collecting and developing color films from stores such as photo shops, and delivering the completed color prints to customers via photo shops. From the large-scale processing lab (large lab) to the development of the customer's film at the store and the distribution of color prints on the spot to the over-the-counter development lab (mini-lab),
(2) With the expanded use of digital photographic images, that is, with the advent of digital minilabs that handle photographic images digitally, electronic imaging of photographed film images, as well as print services, optical recording, magnetic recording, and magneto-optical through electronic images. The momentum of development to various image media such as recording and semiconductor element recording is becoming remarkable.

[0003] However, regarding the above (1), it is a fact that the time from receipt of a color film from a customer to delivery of a finished print has been significantly shortened due to the decentralization of development sites by the minilab, but still at least 30 minutes. Minutes, and among them, the development of a film requires at least 10 minutes at present. In addition, since the developing solution is used, maintenance is troublesome and there is little room for simplification. Regarding the above item (2), the digitalization of film information takes a long time (for example, several days) and the number of service bases is limited, which restricts the development of multimedia.

[0004]

Under these circumstances, compared to the conventional color film / paper system, image access is much simpler and faster, and image information utilization is less. Therefore, it is desired to realize a new image forming system using a general-purpose color film, which enables digital image formation and development to various image media.

[0005] As a method for meeting this need, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 9-146647 and 9-202031 disclose
A method for obtaining digital image information by scanning and reading from an image obtained by heating and developing a film containing a developing agent is disclosed. According to this method, rapid and simplified development processing can be performed. However,
It has the disadvantage that general-purpose films cannot be applied,
Not practical.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-309831 discloses a developing apparatus in which both a standard developing process and a rapid developing process are variable. However, changing the development processing time alone results in a change in the development rate, resulting in a variation in the composition of the processing solution, and has the disadvantage that the performance is difficult to stabilize. Also, in the development process, the extreme time reduction
This causes a reduction in sensitivity and a deterioration in the S / N ratio, and does not provide a satisfactory finish even when digital image processing is performed. Furthermore, there are many types of commercially available films, and it is required to change the processing time according to the characteristics of each film.

In view of such circumstances, the present invention provides an image forming method capable of performing a rapid development process according to the characteristics of a film, obtaining substantially the same finish quality as a reference development process, and preventing a fluctuation in the composition of a processing solution. And a developing device used for the same.

[0008]

The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following constitution. (1) Determine the type of color photographic light-sensitive material
Depending on the type, both the processing time of the photosensitive material and the replenishment amount of the processing solution are changed, and thereafter, image information is photoelectrically read from the processed photosensitive material by contact with the processing solution, and the A color image forming method comprising converting image information into digital image information. (2) Determine the type of color photographic light-sensitive material that has been taken,
Depending on the type, both the processing time of the photosensitive material and the replenishment amount of the processing solution are changed, and thereafter, image information is photoelectrically read from the processed photosensitive material by contact with the processing solution, and the A color image forming method comprising: converting image information into digital image information; performing image processing on the digital image information; and outputting the processed image information to a printer. (3) Type determining means for determining the type of photosensitive material, storage means for storing an appropriate processing time and a replenishing amount of the processing liquid for each type of photosensitive material, and a detection result by the type determining means. And a control means for changing both the processing time of the photosensitive material and the replenishment amount of the processing liquid with reference to the value stored in the storage means.

According to the color image forming method described in (1) above, first, the type of the photographed color photographic light-sensitive material is determined, and then the processing time of the light-sensitive material and the replenishment amount of the processing liquid are determined according to the type. Change both. Then, the image information is photoelectrically read from the color photographic light-sensitive material processed by contact with the processing solution, and the image information is converted into digital image information. Therefore, even if the processing time is shortened,
The replenishment amount of the processing solution is changed accordingly, and in this case, the replenishment amount can be reduced, so that the composition of the processing solution can be prevented from fluctuating. Also, even if the processing time is shortened,
If the image processing is performed after the conversion into digital image information, the image quality does not deteriorate as compared with the image quality obtained by the reference development processing.

Here, "changing the processing time" means changing the processing time by changing the rotation speed of the transport roller, or changing the processing time by changing the rack length in the developing tank. However, in view of the simplicity, it is preferable to change the rotation speed of the transport roller. Further, the "processing solution" means a developing solution when only the developing step is performed, and when a subsequent processing such as desilvering or a stabilizing bath is performed after the developing step, not only the developing solution but also a bleaching solution, a fixing solution, It is preferable to include a stabilizer and the like. Further, the "change of the replenishment amount" includes not only the change of the replenishment amount to be replenished at one time, but also the substantial change of the replenishment amount per unit area by changing the replenishment interval. In addition, if the processing time is shortened by increasing the rotation speed of the conveying roller, the conveying speed of the photosensitive material increases. Therefore, it is preferable to change the drying temperature, the drying air amount, and the like in the drying unit accordingly. Further, in the present invention, a simple and quick image access method of electrically extracting and using image information at the stage when only the development process is completed without performing the entire development process can be adopted. A black-and-white development process may be used as the development process.

According to the color image forming method described in the above (2), first, the type of the photographed color photographic light-sensitive material is determined, and the processing time of the light-sensitive material and the replenishment amount of the processing liquid are determined according to the type. Change both. Then, the image information is photoelectrically read from the color photographic light-sensitive material processed by contact with the processing solution, and the image information is converted into digital image information. Thereafter, the digital image information is subjected to image processing and output to a printer. Therefore, even if the processing time is shortened, the replenishing amount of the processing liquid can be changed accordingly, and in this case, the replenishing amount can be reduced, so that the fluctuation of the processing liquid composition can be prevented. Further, even if the processing time is shortened, since the image is converted into digital image information and the image processing is performed, the image quality is not deteriorated as compared with the image quality obtained by the reference development processing.

According to the developing device described in the above (3),
First, the type of the film is determined by the type determining means.
Next, the control unit determines the processing time and the processing liquid replenishment amount for the obtained film type with reference to the values stored in the storage unit. Then, the control means controls the processing time and the processing liquid replenishment amount. Therefore, even if the processing time is shortened by the control means, the replenishment amount of the processing liquid is changed by the control means, and in this case, the replenishment amount can be reduced, thereby preventing the fluctuation of the processing liquid composition. be able to. Even if the processing time is shortened, if it is converted into digital image information and image processing is performed,
The image quality is not impaired as compared with the image quality obtained by the reference development processing.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail. First, the elemental technologies constituting the present invention will be described in the following order. 1. 1. Outline of development processing apparatus of the present invention and a method of creating a positive image having image characteristics at the time of reference development processing using the same. 2. Photographed color photography materials Development processing 4. 4. Image reproducing device 4.1 Image information reading from developed film 4.2 Image processing of read image information 4.3 Output of image processed image signal to printer Output photosensitive material 6. Development processing to which the present invention can be applied

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE OVERVIEW OF THE PROCESSING PROCESSING APPARATUS OF THE INVENTION AND THE POSITIVE IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD WITH IMAGE CHARACTERISTICS DURING THE REFERENCE PROCESSING PROCESSING USING THE SAME However, since the color negative film is overwhelmingly used and there is no fundamental difference between the two in applying the present invention, the following description will be made by taking the case of a color negative film as an example. I do.

The developing apparatus and method of the present invention can be applied to any photographed color photographic material. In the development processing apparatus of the present invention, the type of a photographed color photographic material (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "film") is determined at the beginning of the process. Used for both manufacturers and varieties. In other words, if one manufacturer manufactures products under the same manufacturing prescription and has the same product name, they have the same “type” but products with the same manufacturer but different sensitivity indications have different “types”. Film.

In the present invention, the reference development processing refers to a substantially common processing which is generally used in most developing laboratories worldwide, and specifically, processing of a color negative film. In the process, there are development processing prescriptions called CN16 series (Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.), C41 series (Eastman Kodak Co., Ltd.) and the like. The most common. Further, in the present invention, the term "development" refers to all the processes starting from the development step and being completed in the drying step, and when the "development" step is specifically referred to, the term "development" is used. In the present invention, the term "developing apparatus" is used to generally refer to an apparatus which achieves the object of the present invention. . Further, in the following description, there are two completely different operations even though the common terms “processing” of “development processing” and “image processing” are attached. Expressions are distinguished from “development processing” and “image processing”.

Now, a specific description of the present invention will be made with the foregoing as a preamble. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a development processing apparatus of the present invention and a flow of operations therein, and FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a development machine. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the film is loaded into the developing device from the left end of the drawing. First, the type of the film is read by the type determination unit 111 (01). This reading is for knowing the type of the film described in the perforation symbol for identification called a DX code on the film, and the developing condition is controlled by the “type” information, and the image processing described later is performed. The setting conditions are controlled (02).

After controlling the developing conditions, the film is conveyed through a series of processing tanks in the developing machine. The developing machine is of a tab leader transport system, and the control unit controls the rotation speed of the transport roller, the replenishment amount of the processing liquid, and the drying unit (02). The film (03) which has been subjected to the development process including the color development 113, the bleaching 115, the fixing 117a, 117b, the stabilization 119a, 119b, 119c, and the drying 121 according to the development process, then proceeds to the image information reading process (1). .

In this step, the transmission density (reflection density when the film is a color reversal film) is measured for each small area unit (usually called a pixel) constituting the image of the developed film, and the image information is determined for each pixel. Is read as As a result of the reading, the image information is converted into an electric image signal based on the density value, and is converted into a digital signal by an A / D (analog / digital) converter 18 via an amplifier 17. This information signal is sent to the image processing device 5 through the log converter 20 after the CCD function correction 19 such as the correction of sensitivity variation and dark current for each pixel. In the image processing device, the image information converted into the digital signal is subjected to electrical processing and converted into a digital image signal. The above image processing operation is described in Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 8-1.
This method is performed by a method and an arithmetic unit described in Japanese Patent Application No. 74022 and Japanese Patent Application No. 8-182551.

The image signal of, for example, a rapid development film converted into a normal photographic characteristic value is output to a printer (8), and as a result, a normal positive image is obtained. The printer may be any printer that inputs an electric image signal or a photoelectric image signal, and particularly preferable printers are color print, instant photograph, silver salt color print such as dye thermal transfer type, ink jet, sublimation type thermal transfer, wax. It is a printer for each positive image such as mold thermal transfer and color electrophotography.

The image information converted into the digital image signal is stored in a disk (CD-R, DVD, etc.) or a tape form (data cartridge, etc.) in each image information recording medium such as a magnetic, optical, or semiconductor device. An excellent feature of the present invention is that the digital image information can be converted between the image information recording medium and various forms of color prints (color copies).

In the present invention, when the photographic characteristic values obtained by the non-reference development processing such as the rapid development processing are converted to the normal photographic characteristic values at the time of the reference development, the same quality as the image information obtained by the reference development is obtained. This means that image information can be obtained, that is, image information with almost the same photographic characteristics can be obtained. Specifically, whether or not the image information is of the same quality is basically determined based on observation evaluation of a photographic image. However, when importance is placed on objectivity, image density is used as a characteristic value that can represent photographic characteristics. be able to. More specifically, if the density value is within ± 10% of the reference value, it can be said that image information at the time of the reference development processing was obtained. In other words, the one-key correction amount of a normal surface exposure type color printer is about 8%, and a difference within this range is usually allowed, so that the photographic characteristic value obtained by the non-reference development processing is different from the reference value. 1
If it is within 0%, it can be determined that it is acceptable.

2. Photographed Color Negative Film The photographed color negative photosensitive material used in the present invention includes all general-purpose color negative films from various manufacturers generally sold in the market. A typical example is a support comprising at least one, usually 3 to 4, photosensitive layers comprising a plurality of silver halide emulsion layers having substantially the same color sensitivity but different sensitivities. Is a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material having The photosensitive layer is a unit photosensitive layer having color sensitivity to any of blue light, green light, and red light,
In a multilayer silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material, the arrangement of unit light-sensitive layers is generally arranged in the order of a red-sensitive layer, a green-sensitive layer, and a blue-sensitive layer from the support side. However, the order of installation may be reversed depending on the purpose, or the order of installation may be such that different photosensitive layers are sandwiched between the same color-sensitive layers. A non-light-sensitive layer may be provided between the silver halide light-sensitive layers and as the uppermost layer and the lowermost layer.

Next, several or more than 10 tabular silver halide emulsions are usually used in color photographic materials. Tabular silver halide emulsion grains (hereinafter, referred to as "tabular grains") have an average circle equivalent diameter value of 2 times the average thickness.
Value divided by the value of the power (the degree of flattening) (JP-A-3-13533)
No. 5 is defined as ECD / t2) is 25 or more, and preferably 50 or more. It is desirable that the tabular grains have an average aspect ratio of 5 or more. Aspect ratio is defined as the circle equivalent diameter of two opposing parallel principal planes (the diameter of a circle having the same projected area as the principal plane) divided by the distance of the principal plane (ie, the thickness of the particle), The average aspect ratio is a number average value of the aspect ratio of each particle. When the input color photographic light-sensitive material is particularly a color reversal light-sensitive material, the tabular grains are preferably monodisperse having a coefficient of variation in particle size distribution of 20% or less. The variation coefficient referred to here is a value obtained by multiplying 100 by a value obtained by dividing the variation (standard deviation) of the projected area of the tabular grain by the circle equivalent diameter by the average value of the projected area of the average grain by the circle equivalent diameter. is there.

The grain size distribution of a silver halide emulsion composed of a group of grains having uniform grain morphology and small variation in grain size shows almost normal distribution,
The standard deviation can be easily obtained. The grain size distribution of the tabular grains of the present invention has a coefficient of variation of 20% or less,
Preferably 15% or less, more preferably 12% or less 1%
That is all. The diameter of a tabular grain (equivalent to a circle) is generally 0.2
To 5 μm, preferably 0.3 to 3.0 μm, and more preferably 0.3 to 2.0 μm. Particle thickness is 0.0
It is preferably from 5 to 0.5 μm, and from 0.08 to 0.5 μm.
More preferably, it is 3 μm. The particle diameter and the particle thickness can be determined from an electron micrograph of the particles as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,226.

3. Development Processing The development conditions are controlled according to the DX code symbol read by the film type determination unit 111, and the optimal development conditions are set according to the various films (02, 0 in FIG. 1).
3). More specifically, referring to FIG.
The DX code is read by 1 to determine the type of film. Next, a lookup table 137 (LUT, see FIG. 4) in which the optimum development processing time, processing solution replenishment amount, and operating state of the drying unit (drying temperature, drying air flow, etc.) for the obtained film type are stored in the storage unit 133. Is determined by the control unit 131 while referring to FIG. And the control unit 13
1 controls the rotation speed of the transport roller 125, in other words, the developing process time by controlling the transport speed of the film, the replenishment amount of the replenisher by controlling the pump unit 135, the drying temperature of the drying unit 121, and the drying temperature. Controls air volume and the like.

In the case of the present invention, the development processing time of a normal color negative film (8 minutes to 20 minutes in DRY TO DRY)
(Approximately 1 minute), a method in which the processing time is shortened by increasing the film transport speed and the rapid development processing is performed is preferable. For example, the rate of improvement of the transport speed is about 1.2 to 5 times, preferably about 1.5 to 3 times the standard processing time. The replenishment rate of the developer in a normal color negative film is 200 ml / m ^{2 to} 1000 ml /
m ² , and the basic replenishment amount set in the standard processing time differs depending on the composition of the replenisher and the like. In the present invention, the value of the LUT is set so as to reduce the replenishment amount in conjunction with the reduction of the processing time. For example, the replenishment amount is 90% to 20% of the standard replenishment amount, while the processing time reduction rate is 1.2 to 5 times.
%, Preferably about 80% to 30%.
By making such a change, the processing time is shortened,
It becomes possible to maintain the composition of the processing solution in response to a change in the development rate. As a result, stable photographic performance is obtained. In addition to the development, it is desirable to change the replenishment amount of bleaching, fixing, stabilizing solution, and the like. When the succeeding film is of a different type (processing time), control is performed so that the developing process is not performed and the process is in a standby state. It is desirable to control with a part.

4. Image reproducing device (from image information processed by rapid development to image processed by reference development) Image information of the developed film is read, digitized, image-processed, and converted to the image characteristics of the developed image. The process of outputting to an image printer will be described in the range of 4.1 to 4.3, but here, for the sake of easy understanding, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos.
No. 551 will be described with reference to the image reproducing apparatus disclosed in each publication. However, the developing apparatus and the image reproducing method of the present invention are not limited to these.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an image reproducing system according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the image reproducing system reads an image reading device 1 that reads a color image and generates digitized image data, and an image that performs predetermined image processing on the image data generated by the image reading device 1. The image processing apparatus 5 includes a processing device 5 and an image output device 8 that reproduces a color image based on image data on which image processing has been performed by the image processing device 5.

4.1 Image Information Reading from Developed Film Image reading can be performed mainly by the following three methods. (I) While rotating the drum while irradiating the measuring light combined with the color separation filter around the rotating drum, the drum is rotated, and at the same time, sub-scanning is performed in the direction of the drum, and the reflection density of each pixel is photoelectrically converted by a photomultiplier tube. (Ii) using a line CCD in which light-receiving elements are arranged one-dimensionally and receiving transmission or reflection density into the line CCD while sub-scanning the image on the developed film. (Iii) a line CCD-scanning method in which the electric signal is converted into an electric signal by electric scanning, and (iii) a two-dimensional pixel density is read using an area CCD, and a time series is obtained by electric scanning from the area CCD. Any of the area CCD systems in which the electrical signals are converted into electrical signals that are rearranged in order may be adopted. Especially preferred is area CC
This is the D method, and the following description will be made on the premise of this method. However, the present invention can be implemented without any problem in the other two methods.

FIG. 6 shows the appearance of the image reproducing system shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, in an actual image reproducing system, as an image reading device 1, a transmission type image reading device 10 for photoelectrically reading a color image recorded on a film, and a color printing device A reflective image reading device 30 that photoelectrically reads a color image recorded in
Optionally, it is configured to be connected to the image processing device 5, so that both the color image recorded on the film and the color image recorded on the color print can be reproduced. However, here, an image reading apparatus will be described for a color negative film according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a transmission type image reading apparatus 10 for a color image reproducing system for generating image data based on a color image. As shown in FIG. 7, the transmission type image reading device 10 irradiates a color image recorded on the film F with light and detects the light transmitted through the film, thereby reading the color image photoelectrically. The light source 11, a light amount adjustment unit 12 capable of adjusting the light amount of the light emitted from the light source 11, and the light emitted from the light source 11 are output to R (red), G (green), and B (blue). A) a color separation unit 13 for separating light into three colors, a diffusion unit 14 for diffusing light so that light emitted from the light source 11 is uniformly irradiated on the film F, and light transmitted through the film F. CCD area sensor 15 for photoelectrically detecting and CCD area sensor 15 for transmitting light transmitted through film F
Is provided with an electric zoom lens 16 for forming an image. The transmission-type image reading apparatus 10 can be configured by exchanging a film carrier (not shown) so that the 135 negative film, 135
Positive film, Advanced Photo System (APS)
Various types of films such as films can be read.

As the light source 11, a halogen lamp is used.
The light amount adjustment unit 12 moves the two aperture plates,
The amount of light changes exponentially with respect to the moving distance. The color separation unit 13 performs color separation into three colors in a plane sequence by rotating a disk having three filters of R, G, and B. Also, the CCD area sensor 15 is
It has a light receiving element of 20 pixels and 1380 pixels in width, and can read image information on a film with high resolution. When reading a color image, the CCD area sensor 15 sequentially converts odd-field image data consisting of odd-line image data and even-field image data consisting of even-line image data of the photoelectrically read image. It is configured to transfer.

The transmission type image reading apparatus 10 further includes a CC
An amplifier 17 amplifies the R, G, B image signals photoelectrically detected and generated by the D area sensor 15, an A / D converter 18 for digitizing the image signals, and digitization by an A / D converter 18. A CCD correction unit 19 that performs a process of correcting variations in sensitivity and dark current of each pixel with respect to the obtained image signal, and a log converter 20 that converts R, G, and B image data into density data. Log converter 20
Are connected to the interface 21.

The film F is held by the carrier 22, and the film F held by the carrier 22 is
The driving roller 24 is driven by the driving roller 24 and is fed to a predetermined position, is pressed and held in a stopped state, and is fed by one frame when reading of one frame of a color image is completed. As an auto carrier for handling a negative film, a carrier used in a conventional minilab such as NC135S manufactured by Fuji Film is used. It is possible to read an image in a range corresponding to a print mode, such as a full size, a panorama size, and a powerful size. In addition, when a carrier used in a conventional minilab is used as a trimming carrier, the magnification can be increased by about 1.4 times around the center. Also, as a reversal carrier, Japanese Patent Application Hei 7-
No. 271048, No. 7-275358, No. 7-275
No. 359, No. 7-277455, No. 7-285015
Use what is disclosed in the above item.

The screen detection sensor 25 detects the density distribution of the color image recorded on the film F, and transmits the detected density signal to the CPU 26 for controlling the transmission type image reading apparatus 10.
The CPU outputs a signal based on the density signal.
26 is configured to calculate the screen position of the color image recorded on the film F, and stop the driving of the motor 23 when determining that the screen position of the color image has reached a predetermined position. The image reading device may be at any location such as an entrance or an exit of a drying unit of the developing machine, an independent reading / image processing device or attached to a printer unit.

4.2 Image Processing of Read Image Information The image reader 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 has been described in detail above. Next, the image processor 5 also shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 will be described. I do.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are block diagrams showing the structure of the image processing apparatus 5 divided into two figures. As shown in these figures, the image processing apparatus 5 is provided with an interface 2 of the transmission type image reading apparatus 10.
1 or an interface 48 connectable to the interface 41 of the reflection type image reading device 30 and the value of two adjacent pixel data of the image data generated by the image reading device 1 and transmitted for each line, Averaging means 49 for averaging and making one pixel data;
A first line buffer 50a and a second line buffer 50b for alternately storing pixel data in each line of image data sent from the averaging means 49.
And the line data stored in the line buffers 50a and 50b are transferred, and the line data recorded on the film F (FIG. 4)
First for storing image data corresponding to a color image of a frame
Frame memory unit 51, second frame memory unit 52, and third frame memory unit 53
It has. Here, the first line buffer 50a and the second line buffer 50b store the odd-numbered pixel data of each line of the image data in one line buffer.
It is configured to store even-numbered pixel data alternately in the other line buffer.

In this embodiment, first, the first reading (hereinafter, referred to as "pre-reading") of the one frame color image recorded on the film F by the image reading device 1 and the read image are performed. Is converted into digital image data. At this time, based on the image data obtained by the pre-reading, the image processing device 5
Image reading conditions for a second reading (hereinafter, referred to as “main reading”) to be performed next are set. Then, based on the set reading conditions, the reading of the color image, that is, the main reading, is executed again, whereby digital image data to be subjected to image processing for reproduction is generated. To perform such processing, the image processing device 5 stores the image data obtained by the pre-reading in the first frame memory unit 51, and stores the image data obtained by the main reading in the second frame memory unit 52, The third frame memory unit 53 is configured to store the information.

Before describing the other components shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, these frame memory units will be described in detail. FIG. 10 shows a first frame memory unit 51 and a second frame memory unit 52.
6 is a block diagram showing details of a third frame memory unit 53. As shown in FIG. 10, the image processing device 5 includes a first frame memory unit 51, a second frame memory unit 52, and a third frame memory for processing image data generated by reading a color image. The units 53 are respectively R
R data memory 51R, G data memory 51G and B data memory 51B, R data memory 52R, G data memory 52G, and B data memory 52B for storing image data corresponding to (red), G (green), and B (blue). And an R data memory 53R, a G data memory 53G and a B data memory 53B. Note that, as described above, the first
The frame memory unit 51 stores image data obtained by pre-reading, and the second and third frame memory units 52 store image data read and stored. , Image data obtained by prefetching is input to the first frame memory unit 51, and the second frame memory unit 52
3 shows a state in which the image data stored in the output bus 64 is output to the output bus 64.

The configuration of the image processing apparatus 5 will be described again with reference to FIGS. The image processing device 5 includes a CPU 60 that controls the entire image processing device 5. C
The PU 60 is a CPU that controls the transmission type image reading device 10.
26 (FIG. 4) and a communication line (not shown) that can communicate with each other and controls an image output device 8 described later.
It is configured to be able to communicate with U via a communication line (not shown). With this configuration, the CPU 60 changes the image reading conditions for performing the main reading of the color image based on the image data obtained by the pre-reading stored in the first frame memory unit 51, and further reads as necessary. It is possible to change image processing conditions for image processing to be performed on a subsequent image.

That is, based on the image data obtained by the pre-reading, the CPU 60 sets the image reading conditions for the main reading so that the dynamic range of the CCD area sensor 15 or the CCD line sensor 35 can be used efficiently at the time of the main reading. Is determined, and a reading control signal is output to the CPU 26 of the transmission type image reading device 10 or the CPU 46 of the reflection type image reading device 30. At this time, when the CPU 26 of the transmission type image reading device 10 or the CPU 46 of the reflection type image reading device 30 receives the read control signal, the CPU 26 of the light amount adjustment unit 12 or the light amount adjustment unit 3
Light amount and CCD area sensor 15 adjusted by 4
Alternatively, the storage time of the CCD line sensor 35 is controlled. At the same time, based on the obtained image data, the CPU 60 makes it possible to reproduce a color image having an optimum density, gradation and color tone on a color paper by a first
A control signal for changing image processing conditions such as parameters of image processing by the image processing means and the second image processing means is output to the first image processing means and the second image processing means as necessary. At this time, the image reading conditions or image processing conditions determined by the CPU 60 are stored in the memory 66.
Is stored.

When the CPU 60 performs the above control, if the image reading condition or the image processing condition is held by the instruction of the operator, the CPU 60 does not determine the condition based on the pre-read image data as described above. And outputs various control signals based on the held conditions. When the operator sets various conditions by using an input device such as the keyboard 69, and further instructs to hold them,
These conditions are stored in the memory 66. If the operator subsequently instructs to release the holding of these conditions, the conditions stored in the memory 66 become invalid. Therefore, when performing the above-described control, the CPU 60 first refers to the condition stored in the memory 66, and if the condition is stored, it follows the condition. Determine these conditions based on the data. Therefore, the operator can read from the DX code, instruct the condition setting according to each film type according to a special order of the customer, or automatically set the conditions for each film type in advance and automatically set the conditions. It is also possible to perform processing according to the instruction. It is not always necessary to hold such conditions in large units, such as image reading conditions or image processing conditions. For example, the setting of the saturation may be maintained, and the sharpness may be set using an automatically determined condition.

The configuration of the image processing apparatus 5 in the range shown in FIG. 8 has been described above. Here, the image data generated in the image reading apparatus 1 is input to the image processing apparatus 5 through the interface 48, and the first The processing performed on the image data from the time when the image data is stored in the third frame memory unit will be described in detail.

Next, as described above, an image processing apparatus for performing image processing on the image data stored in the second frame memory unit 52 and the third frame memory unit 53 as a result of the actual reading. 5 will be described.

The image processing device 5 includes a second frame memory unit 52 and a third frame memory unit 53
A lookup table and matrix operation are performed so that a color image can be reproduced on a color paper with desired density, gradation and color tone in the image data stored in
First to perform image processing such as gradation correction, color conversion, and density conversion
The image processing means 61 (FIG. 9) and the image data stored in the first frame memory unit 51 have a look-up table so that a color image can be reproduced on a CRT screen described later with desired image quality. And a second image processing means 62 (FIG. 9) for performing image processing such as gradation correction, color conversion, density conversion, and the like by matrix operation.
The outputs of the second frame memory unit 52 and the third frame memory unit 53 are connected to a selector 55, and the selector 55 stores the output in one of the second frame memory unit 52 and the second frame memory unit 53. The image data is selectively inputted to the first image processing means 61.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing details of the first image processing means 61. As shown in FIG. 11, the first image processing unit 61 includes a color density gradation conversion unit 100 that converts density data, color data, and gradation data of image data, and a color conversion unit that converts saturation data of image data. Digital conversion unit 102 for converting the number of pixel data of image data, frequency processing unit 103 for performing frequency processing on image data, and dynamic range conversion unit 104 for converting the dynamic range of image data. I have. Each of these conversion means is configured so that each processing means operates at the same time, and the next processing is performed after the operation is completed, as usually called a pipeline processing, so that high-speed processing is possible. I have.

The image processing means shown in FIG. 11 can perform not only processes such as gradation correction, color conversion, and density conversion, but also suppress the film graininess as shown in Japanese Patent Application No. 7-337510. At the same time, a process for improving sharpness can be performed. Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 7-
An automatic dodging process that provides good image reproduction can also be performed on an image having a large contrast between light and dark as shown in Japanese Patent No. 165965. In the present invention, the film for which rapid development processing is selected has (i) a soft tone, that is, a low tone, (ii) a color balance disorder, and (iii) a soft tone particularly in a high density portion. In addition, depending on the film, low-density portions are not developed and the foot is stretched (soft), and (iv) less fogging but not washing out of dyes, etc., or antihalation layer of colloidal silver particles There is a possibility that Dmin remains, and Dmin is considerably shifted toward either higher or lower depending on the type of the light-sensitive material. Therefore,
In this CPU, the image processing conditions for correcting the read image information digitized with respect to the above four characteristics to the reference process are set. If these four characteristic values are converted into characteristic values obtained when the reference development processing is performed, the conversion information is stored, and then the process proceeds to a step of outputting a positive image to the printer.

In this series of image processing for image reproduction, the most important image processing for image reproduction is, in particular, the correction of the soft gradation described in (i) to the gradation at the time of reference development. That is, the tone conversion means 100 has a function of correcting the density in the range of the variation of the reference development to the reference value, and in many cases, the low-density side obtained by the rapid development processing under the conditions set as such. Although the density information can be corrected to the reference value even if the density information is far apart, if the correction is insufficient, it is necessary to set the image processing conditions again to enable a large hardening correction. At the same time, a large part of the correction of the color balance described in (ii) is performed by adjusting each color for the high contrast, and further finely adjusted by a combination of the following image processing functions. The further softness of the high-density portion and the elongation of the foot in the low-density portion described in (iii) are set by setting the level of the saturation emphasis of the saturation conversion unit 101 high, and the dynamic range conversion unit 104 and the gradation conversion unit 100 This is performed by modifying the shape of the characteristic curve of the leg and the high-density portion by a combination of changing the density amplification degree according to the spatial frequency described below. Also in this case, similarly to the reproduction of the gradation (high contrast), if the reproduction to the reference development processing characteristics is insufficient under the already set image processing conditions, the image processing conditions are reset.

Further, processing for enhancing the fringe of the image,
The image sharpness of the entire and fine image portions can be improved by incorporating the process of increasing the gradation of the low density portion, but this is performed by the frequency processing means 103. That is, the spatial frequency of the image portion is analyzed, and emphasis processing is set for a fringe portion where the frequency greatly changes and a fine image portion where the frequency increases. As described above, the accuracy of the correction of the image information by the above image processing may be within 10% of the reference value as the density value, and preferably within 8%. If the color balance and the gradation characteristics are within the above ranges as the density values, it is determined that the image has been reproduced. The conversion to the characteristic values at the time of the standard development processing may be performed by setting conversion conditions for each type of film and automatically selecting the conditions by reading the type of film to be processed, or Alternatively, the operator may specify conversion processing conditions for each film to be processed. The operation details of the image processing apparatus used for the above image processing are disclosed in JP-A-8-174022 and JP-A-8-182551.

In addition to the above, the image processing apparatus 5 has a data bus separate from the input bus 63 and the output bus 64 of the first frame memory unit 51, the second frame memory unit 52, and the third frame memory unit 53. 65
The data bus 65 includes a CPU 60 for controlling the entire color image reproduction system, a memory 66 for storing an operation program of the CPU 60 or data relating to image processing conditions, and a hard disk capable of storing and storing image data. 67, CRT68, keyboard 6
9, a communication port 70 connected to another color image reproduction system via a communication line, and a C of the transmission type image reading apparatus 10.
A communication line with the PU 26 is connected.

4.3 Output of Image-Processed Image Signal to Printer The configuration of the image processing apparatus 5 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 has been described in detail. Next, the image output device 8 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 will be described. FIG. 12 shows, on a color paper, based on image data processed by the image processing apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image output device 8 for a color image reproduction system that reproduces a color image.

In FIG. 12, an image output device 8 includes an interface 78 connectable to an interface 77 of the image processing device 5 and a CPU 7 for controlling the image output device 8.
9 and an image data memory 8 composed of a plurality of frame memories for storing image data inputted from the image processing device 5.
0, a D / A converter 81 for converting image data into an analog signal, a laser light irradiation means 82, and a modulator driving means 83 for outputting a modulation signal for modulating the intensity of the laser light. The CPU 79 is a CPU 60 of the image processing device 5.
And a communication line (not shown).

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the laser beam irradiating means 82 shown in FIG. 10. The laser beam irradiating means 82 includes semiconductor laser light sources 84a, 84b, and 84c, and emits laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser light source 84b. The light is converted into green laser light having a wavelength of 532 nm by the wavelength conversion means 85, and the laser light emitted by the semiconductor laser light source 84 c is converted by the wavelength conversion means 86 into blue laser light having a wavelength of 473 nm.

6 emitted from the semiconductor laser light source 84a
Red laser light of any wavelength between 70 nm and 690 nm,
The green laser light whose wavelength has been converted by the wavelength converting means 85 and the blue laser light whose wavelength has been converted by the wavelength converting means 86 are respectively converted into an acousto-optic modulator (AO).
M) and the like so as to be incident on the optical modulators 87R, 87G, 87B.
B is configured to receive a modulation signal from the modulator driving unit 83 and to modulate the intensity of the laser light according to the modulation signal. At this time, if the semiconductor laser light source 84a can operate at high speed, the light modulator 87R can be omitted by directly modulating the semiconductor laser light source 84a.

The laser light whose intensity has been modulated by the optical modulators 87R, 87G, 87B is reflected by the reflection mirror 88R,
The polygon mirror 89 is reflected by 88G and 88B.
Incident on. Here, the paper is conveyed at a speed of about 75 mm per second, the scanning line density is 600 lines per inch, and each pixel is modulated every 100 nsec.

The image output device 8 is provided with a magazine 91 in which color paper 90 is stored in a roll shape. It is configured to be. A color paper with a width of 89 mm to 210 mm can be used, and it may be a color paper used in ordinary minilabs or the like, or a special color suitable for high-illuminance short-time exposure unique to laser exposure. Paper may be used. As the magazine 91, a magazine used in a normal minilab, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 4-317051
Use the one described in the item. The transport path of the color paper 90 is provided with perforation means 92 for perforating a reference hole at a side edge of the color paper 90 at intervals corresponding to the length of one color print. In the device 8, according to the reference hole, the color paper 90
Is synchronized with the driving of other means. As the transport means, the one shown in Japanese Patent Application No. 2-272722 is used. As a processing tank, Japanese Patent Application No. 2-280228
Use the one shown in the item.

The laser light modulated by the light modulators 87R, 87G and 87B is scanned in the main scanning direction by the polygon mirror 89, and exposes the color paper 90 via the fθ lens 93. Here, color paper 90
Is transported in the sub-scanning direction, so that the entire surface is exposed by laser light. Here, the transport speed of the color paper 90 in the sub-scanning direction is the main scanning speed of the laser light,
That is, it is controlled by the CPU 79 so as to synchronize with the rotation speed of the polygon mirror 89.

The color paper 90 exposed by the laser beam is sent to the developing section 94 at a speed of about 29 mm per second, and is subjected to predetermined color developing processing, bleach-fixing processing, and water washing processing. A color image is reproduced on the color paper 90 based on the image data subjected to the image processing. The color paper 90 that has been subjected to the color development processing, the bleach-fixing processing, and the water-washing processing by the color developing tank 94, the bleach-fixing tank 95, and the washing tank 96 is sent to the drying unit 97, where the color paper 90 is dried. Based on the reference holes formed in the side edges, the color paper 9
By the cutter 98 driven in synchronization with the conveyance of 0, the cutter 98 is cut into a length corresponding to a color image recorded on one frame of the film F or one color paper P, sent to the sorter 99, and The number of sheets corresponding to the film F of the book or the number of customers is accumulated. As the sorter, one shown in Japanese Patent Application No. 2-332146 is used.

Here, the color developing tank 94 and the bleach-fixing tank 9
5. As the washing tank 96, the drying unit 97, the cutter 98, and the sorter 99, those used in an ordinary minilab automatic developing machine can be used. In the present embodiment, the processing method CP47L is adopted.
It is also possible to deal with CP43FA.

Further, in the present embodiment, the characteristic variation of the color paper used, the characteristic variation, the laser light source,
Calibration can be performed in order to absorb characteristic variations of the modulator and the development processor and perform stable image reproduction. First, density data stored as digital data is cyan, magenta, and yellow, each in a single color, and gray in which the three colors are superimposed,
After exposure and development with a plurality of density step patterns, the developed densities are automatically measured using a densitometer. Based on the difference between the target density and the measured density, the table storing the characteristics of the electric signal given to the modulator at the time of exposure is rewritten for the density data to be reproduced. This allows you to use paper, equipment,
It is possible to always stably reproduce an image without being affected by changes in the environment. The input device has a calibration function for keeping the characteristics constant independently of absorbing characteristic fluctuations due to replacement of the halogen lamp light source and the like in a constant state. As described above, by independently managing the input device and the output device, stable image reproduction can be always performed.

[0062] 5. Output Positive Sensitive Material Output materials for obtaining positive images are, as already mentioned, inkjet, sublimation type thermal transfer, color diffusion transfer, color electrophotography, heat development type silver halide color diffusion transfer, heat development type multilayer. Any signal such as color diazo, silver halide color paper or the like can be input as long as the image signal is a time-series electric or optical signal. Among them, color paper is particularly preferable. All of the photosensitive silver halide emulsions in the light-sensitive material preferably have silver chloride content of at least 95 mol%, the balance being silver bromide, and preferably comprise silver halide grains substantially free of silver iodide. Here, “substantially free of silver iodide” means that the silver iodide content is 1 mol% or less, preferably 0.2 mol% or less, more preferably 0 mol%. From the viewpoint of rapid processing, the above silver halide emulsion is particularly preferably a silver halide emulsion having a silver chloride content of 98 mol% or more. Among such silver halides, those having a silver bromide localized phase on the surface of silver chloride grains are particularly preferable because high sensitivity can be obtained and photographic performance can be stabilized.

The silver halide emulsion contained in at least one photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer has a coefficient of variation in grain size distribution (standard deviation of grain size distribution divided by average grain size) of 15% or less. Some are preferred and 1
Monodispersed emulsions of 0% or less are more preferred. It is preferable to use two or more of the above monodispersed emulsions in the same layer for the purpose of obtaining a wide latitude. At this time, the monodispersed emulsions preferably differ in average grain size by 15% or more, more preferably differ by 20 to 60%, and particularly preferably differ by 25 to 50%. The sensitivity difference between the monodispersed emulsions is preferably from 0.15 to 0.50 logE, more preferably from 0.20 to 0.40 logE, even more preferably from 0.25 to 0.35 logE. . To obtain the desired image gradation of the present invention,
Iron and / or ruthenium and / or osmium compounds are added to silver chlorobromide having a silver chloride content of 95 mol% or more substantially containing no silver iodide at 1 × / mol of silver halide.
A silver halide emulsion containing 10 @ -5 to 1.times.10@-3 mol and containing 1.times.10@-7 to 1.times.10@-5 mol of an iridium compound per mol of silver halide in a silver bromide localized phase. It is effective to use

As the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material for output used in the present invention, conventional photographic materials and additives can be used. For example, a transmissive support or a reflective support can be used as a photographic support. Examples of the transparent support include transparent films such as cellulose nitrate film and polyethylene terephthalate, and polyesters of 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (NDCA) and ethylene glycol (EG) and polyesters of NDCA, terephthalic acid and EG. And the like provided with an information recording layer such as a magnetic layer are preferably used. For the purpose of the present invention, a reflective support is preferred, in particular laminated with a plurality of polyethylene layers or polyester layers, and at least one such water-resistant resin layer (laminated layer) contains a white pigment such as titanium oxide. Reflective supports are preferred.

Further, it is preferable that the water-resistant resin layer contains a fluorescent whitening agent. The fluorescent whitening agent may be dispersed in the hydrophilic colloid layer of the light-sensitive material. As the fluorescent whitening agent, preferably, benzoxazole type, coumarin type,
A pyrazoline-based fluorescent whitening agent can be used, and a benzoxazolylnaphthalene-based or benzooxazolylstilbene-based fluorescent whitening agent is more preferable. The amount used is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1 to 100 mg / m2. The mixing ratio when mixed with the water-resistant resin is preferably 0.0005 to 3% by weight, and more preferably 0.1 to 3% by weight.
001 to 0.5% by weight. A body in which a hydrophilic colloid layer containing a white pigment is provided on the body may be used. Also,
The reflective support may be a support having a specular or second-class diffusely reflective metal surface.

The above-mentioned reflection type support and silver halide emulsion,
Further, different metal ion species doped in silver halide grains, storage stabilizer or antifoggant of silver halide emulsion, chemical sensitization (sensitizer), spectral sensitization (spectral sensitizer), Cyan, magenta and yellow couplers and their emulsifying and dispersing methods, color image storability improvers (anti-stain agents and anti-fading agents), dyes (colored layers), gelatin species, layer composition of photosensitive material, coating pH of photosensitive material, etc. Is described in Table 1
04448, 7-77775, and 7-301
No. 895 can preferably be applied to the present invention.

[0067]

[Table 1]

[0068]

[Table 2]

Examples of cyan, magenta and yellow couplers that can be used for output light-sensitive materials (color paper) include those described in JP-A-62-215272, No. 91.
4th line in the upper right column of the page to 6th line in the upper left column of the 121st page, JP-A 2-3
No. 3144, page 3, upper right column, line 14 to page 18, upper left column last line, page 30, upper right column, line 6 to page 35, lower right column line 11, and EP 0355,660A2, page 4, line 15 Eye~
The couplers described on line 27, page 30, line 30 to page 28, line 45, line 29 to line 31, page 47, line 23 to page 63, line 50 are also useful. As the antibacterial and antifungal agents which can be used in the color light-sensitive material for output, those described in JP-A-63-271247 are useful. In order to make the image reproducing system of the present invention compact and inexpensive, it is preferable to use a second harmonic generation light source (SHG) in which a semiconductor laser or a solid laser is combined with a nonlinear optical crystal. Particularly, in order to design an apparatus that is compact, inexpensive, and has a long life and high stability, it is preferable to use a semiconductor laser, and it is preferable to use a semiconductor laser as at least one of the exposure light sources.

When using such a scanning exposure light source,
The maximum wavelength of the spectral sensitivity of the output color photosensitive material can be arbitrarily set depending on the wavelength of the scanning exposure light source to be used. In a solid-state laser using a semiconductor laser as an excitation light source or an SHG light source obtained by combining a semiconductor laser and a nonlinear optical crystal, the laser oscillation wavelength can be halved, so that blue light and green light can be obtained. Therefore, the spectral sensitivity maximum of the photosensitive material can be provided in the usual three wavelength ranges of blue, green and red. If the exposure time in such scanning exposure is defined as the exposure time for the pixel size when the pixel density is 400 dpi, the preferred exposure time is 10-4 seconds or less, more preferably 10-6 seconds or less. Preferred scanning exposure methods applicable to the present invention are described in detail in the patents listed in the above table. In order to process the color light-sensitive material for output, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-207250, page 26, lower right column, lines 1 to 34
The processing materials and methods described in the ninth line of the upper right column of the page and the 17th line of the upper left column of page 5 to the 20th line of the lower right column of page 18 of JP-A-4-97355 can be preferably applied. As the preservative used in this developer, the compounds described in the patents listed in the above table are preferably used.

The method of developing the output color photosensitive material after exposure is, for example, a developing method using a conventional developing solution containing an alkali agent and a color developing agent, or using a color developing agent (a reducing agent for color development) for the photosensitive material. A built-in developing method using an activator solution such as an alkali solution not containing a developing agent, or the above-mentioned various silver halide type or non-silver salt type color photographic materials for output can be used.

6. Development Processing to which the Present Invention can be Applied In the description so far of the present invention, the reference development processing is CN1
Although the current general-purpose and common processing such as the 6-system and the C41-system has been premised, the rapid processing of the present invention is not limited to these as long as it is a standard processing.

The color development processing to which the present invention is applied will be supplemented. As the color developer, a known aromatic primary amine color developing agent is used. A preferred example is a p-phenylenediamine derivative, representative examples of which are shown below, but are not limited thereto.

1) N, N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine 2) 4-amino-N, N-diethyl-3-methylaniline 3) 4-amino-N- (β-hydroxyethyl) -N-
Methylaniline 4) 4-amino-N-ethyl-N- (β-hydroxyethyl) aniline 5) 4-amino-N-ethyl-N- (β-hydroxyethyl) -3-methylaniline 6) 4-amino- N-ethyl-N- (3-hydroxypropyl) -3-methylaniline 7) 4-amino-N-ethyl-N- (4-hydroxybutyl) -3-methylaniline 8) 4-amino-N-ethyl- N- (β-methanesulfonamidoethyl) -3-methylaniline 9) 4-amino-N, N-diethyl-3- (β-hydroxyethyl) aniline 10) 4-amino-N-ethyl-N- (β -Methoxyethyl) -3 methyl-aniline 11) 4-Amino-N- (β-ethoxyethyl) -N-
Ethyl-3-methylaniline 12) 4-amino-N- (3-carbamoylpropyl-
Nn-propyl-3-methylaniline 13) 4-amino-N- (4-carbamoylbutyl-N
-N-propyl-3-methylaniline 15) N- (4-amino-3-methylphenyl) -3-
Hydroxypyrrolidine 16) N- (4-amino-3-methylphenyl) -3-
(Hydroxymethyl) pyrrolidine 17) N- (4-amino-3-methylphenyl) -3-
Pyrrolidine carboxamide

Of the above-mentioned p-phenylenediamine derivatives, particularly preferred are the exemplified compounds 5), 6), 7), 8) and 12). In addition, these p-phenylenediamine derivatives are usually sulfates, hydrochlorides,
It is in the form of salts such as sulfite, naphthalenedisulfonic acid and p-toluenesulfonic acid. The concentration of the aromatic primary amine developing agent in the development replenisher or the developer is preferably 2 mmol to 200 mmol, more preferably 12 mmol to 200 mmol, and still more preferably 12 mmol to 150 mmol per liter of the developer. is there.

The developing solution or the developing replenisher may contain a small amount of sulfite ion or may not substantially contain it depending on the kind of the light-sensitive material to be treated. This is because sulfite ions have a remarkable preservative action, but may adversely affect the photographic performance in the color development process depending on the target photosensitive material. Hydroxylamine may or may not be included in the components depending on the type of the light-sensitive material. This is because the photographic properties can be affected because the developer itself has a silver developing activity at the same time as the function as a preservative of the developer.

The development replenisher or developer may contain an inorganic preservative such as hydroxylamine or sulfite ion or an organic preservative. The organic preservative refers to any organic compound that reduces the deterioration rate of an aromatic primary amine color developing agent by being included in a processing solution for a photosensitive material. That is,
Organic compounds having a function of preventing air oxidation of color developing agents, among others, hydroxylamine derivatives, hydroxamic acids, hydrazides, phenols, α-hydroxyketones, α-aminoketones, sugars, monoamines , Diamines, polyamines, quaternary ammonium salts, nitroxy radicals, alcohols, oximes, diamide compounds, and condensed amines are particularly effective organic preservatives. These are disclosed in
−4235, 63-30845, 63-21647, 63-44655
Nos. 63-53551, 63-43140, 63-56654, 63
-58346, 63-43138, 63-146041, 63-44657
No. 63-44656, U.S. Pat.Nos. 3,615,503, 2,494,
No. 903, JP-A-52-143020, and JP-B-48-30496.

Other preservatives include various metals described in JP-A-57-44148 and JP-A-57-53749;
No. 0588, salicylic acids, alkanolamines described in JP-A-54-3532, polyethyleneimines described in JP-A-56-94349, U.S. Pat.
An aromatic polyhydroxy compound described in the specification of JP-A No. 4 and the like may be contained as necessary. In particular, addition of alkanolamines such as triethanolamine other than the above-mentioned alkanolamines, substituted or unsubstituted dialkylhydroxylamine such as disulfoethylhydroxylamine, diethylhydroxylamine, or aromatic polyhydroxy compound Is preferred. Among the above-mentioned organic preservatives, hydroxylamine derivatives are particularly preferred, and details thereof are described in JP-A Nos.
Nos. 6,939, 1-186940, and 1-187557. In particular, it is more preferable to use a hydroxylamine derivative and an amine in combination in view of improving the stability of the color developer and the stability during continuous processing. Examples of the amines include cyclic amines described in JP-A-63-239447, amines described in JP-A-63-128340, and other amines described in JP-A-1-1869.
Amines such as those described in JP-A Nos. 39 and 1-187557 are exemplified.

In the development according to the present invention, the developer contains bromine ions or chlorine ions. Bromine ions in the developer are 1-5 × 10
-3mol / l, 1.0 for printing material processing
It is preferably at most 10 3 mol / l. In addition to the above, 0.1 to 5.0 × 10 -4 mol /
Often contains liters of iodine ions.

In the case of the color developer or replenisher which is the object of the method of the present invention, the pH is designed to be 10 or more, more preferably 10.1 to 12.5, and other known developing solutions. A liquid component compound can be included. In order to maintain the above pH, it is preferable to use various buffers. Buffers include carbonates, phosphates, borates,
Tetraborate, hydroxybenzoate, glycyl salt, N,
N-dimethylglycine salt, leucine salt, norleucine salt, guanine salt, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine salt, alanine salt, aminobutyrate, 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol salt, valine salt, proline Salts, trishydroxyaminomethane salts, lysine salts and the like can be used. In particular, carbonates, phosphates, tetraborates, and hydroxybenzoates have excellent buffering ability in the high pH range of pH 9.0 or higher, and adversely affect photographic performance even when incorporated in color and black-and-white developers ( The use of these buffers is particularly preferred because they have the advantage of no fog and low cost. The amount of the buffer added is 0.01 to 1 per liter in the development replenisher prepared therefrom.
2.0 mol, preferably 0.1-O. Adjusted to 5 moles.

Specific examples of these buffers include sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, trisodium phosphate, tripotassium phosphate, disodium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, and sodium borate. , Potassium borate, sodium tetraborate (borax),
Potassium tetraborate, sodium o-hydroxybenzoate (sodium salicylate), potassium o-hydroxybenzoate, sodium 5-sulfo-2-hydroxybenzoate (sodium 5-sulfosalicylate), 5-sulfo-
Potassium 2-hydroxybenzoate (potassium 5-sulfosalicylate) and the like can be mentioned. However, the invention is not limited to these compounds.
The amount of the buffer is included so that the concentration in the diluted developer replenisher is 0.1 mol / L or more, particularly 0.1 mol / L to 0.4 mol / L.

The developing solution and the replenishing solution according to the present invention may contain other developing solution components, for example, various chelating agents which are calcium or magnesium precipitation preventive agents or developer stability improving agents. it can. For example,
Nitrilotriacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, N, N, N-trimethylenephosphonic acid, ethylenediamine-N, N, N ', N'-tetramethylenesulfonic acid, transsirohexanediaminetetraacetic acid, 1,2 -Diaminopropanetetraacetic acid, glycol ether diaminetetraacetic acid, ethylenediamine orthohydroxyphenylacetic acid, 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid, 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, N, N'-bis ( 2-hydroxybenzyl) ethylenediamine-N, N'-diacetic acid, 1,2-dihydroxybenzene-4,6-disulfonic acid and the like. These chelating agents may be used in combination of two or more as necessary. The amount of these chelating agents may be an amount sufficient to block metal ions in the developer. For example, it is added so as to be about 0.1 g to 10 g per liter of the prepared processing solution.

The developer and replenisher according to the present invention may contain an optional development accelerator, if necessary. As development accelerators, JP-B-37-16088, JP-B-37-5987 and JP-B-38-78
No. 26, No. 44-12380, No. 45-9019 and U.S. Pat.
No. 3,247, etc., thioether compounds described in the specification or JP-A Nos. 52-49829 and 50-15554, p-phenylenediamine compounds described in JP-A Nos.
137726, JP-B-44-30074, quaternary ammonium salts represented in JP-A-56-156826 and JP-A-52-43429, U.S. Pat.Nos. 2,494,903, 3,128,182, 4,23.
No. 0,796, 3,253,919, JP-B-41-11431, U.S. Pat.Nos. 2,482,546, 2,596,926, and 3,582,346, etc.
37-16088, 42-25201, U.S. Patent No. 3,128,183,
JP-B-41-11431, JP-B-42-23883 and U.S. Pat.
Polyalkylene oxides described in each publication or specification such as No. 501, other 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidones, imidazoles, and the like can be added as necessary.

Further, an optional antifoggant can be contained as required. As the antifoggant, alkali metal halides such as sodium chloride, potassium bromide and potassium iodide and organic antifoggants can be used. Examples of the organic antifoggant include benzotriazole, 6-nitrobenzimidazole, 5-nitroisoindazole, 5-methylbenzotriazole, 5-nitrobenzotriazole, 5-chloro-benzotriazole, 2-thiazolyl-benzimidazole, Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds such as -thiazolylmethyl-benzimidazole, indazole, hydroxyazaindolizine and adenine can be mentioned as typical examples. The addition amount of these antifoggants is 0.01 mg to 1 liter of working solution prepared by diluting the treating agent composition with water.
2 g, preferably 0.2 mg of mercaptoazoles when the subject photographic material is a silver iodobromide material.
To 0.2 g, and 1 mg to non-mercaptoazoles.
2 g. When the target photographic material is silver chlorobromide, silver bromide, or silver chloride photographic material, the amount of mercaptoazoles is 0.01 mg to 0.3 g, and that of non-mercaptoazoles is 0.1 mg to 1 g. is there. If necessary, various surfactants such as alkyl sulfonic acid, aryl sulfonic acid, aliphatic carboxylic acid, and aromatic carboxylic acid may be added.

In the development processing according to the present invention, any known bleaching solution, bleach-fixing solution and fixing solution can be used after color development. As the bleaching agent for the bleaching solution or the bleach-fixing solution, any bleaching agent can be used. Acids, persulfates, hydrogen peroxide and the like are preferred.

Of these, organic complex salts of iron (III) are particularly preferred from the viewpoint of rapid processing and prevention of environmental pollution. Iron (III)
Aminopolycarboxylic acids or salts thereof useful for forming an organic complex salt of the following are listed: biodegradable ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (SS form), N- (2-carboxylateethyl) -L-asparagine Acid, beta-alanine diacetate, methyliminodiacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, 1,3
-Diaminopropanetetraacetic acid, propylenediaminetetraacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid,
Iminodiacetic acid, glycol ether diamine tetraacetic acid, and the like. These compounds may be any of the sodium, potassium, lithium or ammonium salts. Among these compounds, ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (SS form), N- (2-carboxylateethyl)
-L-aspartic acid, β-alanine diacetate, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 1,3-diaminopropanetetraacetic acid, methyliminodiacetic acid, and S, S-ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid, whose iron (III) complex salt has good photographic properties Is preferred. These ferric ion complex salts may be used in the form of complex salts or ferric salts such as ferric sulfate, ferric chloride, ferric nitrate, ferric ammonium sulfate, ferric phosphate. And a chelating agent such as aminopolycarboxylic acid may be used to form a ferric ion complex salt in a solution. In addition, the chelating agent may be used in excess of forming a ferric ion complex salt. The addition amount of the iron complex is 0.01 to 1.0 mol / L, preferably 0.05 to 0.50 mol / L, and more preferably 0.10 to 0.1 mol / L for the treatment solution prepared by diluting with water. It is 50 mol / l, more preferably 0.15 to 0.40 mol / l.

The bleach-fixing solution for color processing or the fixing solution for color may contain a known fixing agent such as thiosulfates such as sodium thiosulfate and ammonium thiosulfate, thiocyanates such as sodium thiocyanate and ammonium thiocyanate, and the like. Ethylenebisthioglycolic acid, 3,6-dithia-
It is a thioether compound such as 1,8-octanediol and a water-soluble silver halide dissolving agent such as thiourea, and these can be used as a solution of one kind or a mixture of two or more kinds. Also, a special bleach-fixing solution comprising a combination of a fixing agent described in JP-A-55-155354 and a large amount of a halide such as potassium iodide can be used. In the present invention, the use of thiosulfates, particularly ammonium thiosulfates, is preferred. The amount of the fixing agent per liter of the prepared processing solution is preferably from 0.3 to 2 mol, more preferably from 0.5 to 1.0 mol.

The pH range of the prepared bleach-fixing solution or fixing solution is preferably 3 to 8, more preferably 4 to 7.
When the pH is lower than this, the desilvering property is improved, but the deterioration of the solution and the leuco-formation of the cyan dye are promoted. Conversely, if the pH is higher than this, desilvering will be delayed and stain will easily occur. Further, the pH range of the prepared bleaching solution is 8 or less,
2-7 are preferred, and 2-6 are particularly preferred. If the pH is lower than this, the deterioration of the solution and the leuco-formation of the cyan dye are promoted. In order to adjust the pH, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, bicarbonate, ammonia, caustic potash, caustic soda, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and the like can be contained as necessary.

The bleach-fixing composition may contain an antifoaming agent or a surfactant, or an organic solvent such as polyvinylpyrrolidone or methanol, in addition to the various fluorescent brightening agents described above. Compositions of bleach-fixing agents and fixing agents include sulfites (eg, sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite, ammonium sulfite, etc.) and bisulfites (eg, ammonium bisulfite, sodium bisulfite, potassium bisulfite, as preservatives) ), Metabisulfites (eg, potassium metabisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, ammonium metabisulfite, etc.), and compounds such as p-toluenesulfinic acid and m-carboxybenzenesulfinic acid. -Sulfinic acid and the like. These compounds are converted to sulfite ions or sulfinate ions in an amount of about 0.02-1.
It is preferable to contain 0 mol / liter.

As a preservative, in addition to the above, ascorbic acid, carbonyl bisulfite adduct, carbonyl compound and the like may be added. Further, a buffer, an optical brightener, a chelating agent, an antifoaming agent, a fungicide, and the like may be added as necessary.

When performing color development according to the present invention, the processing temperature of the color developer in the standard processing is preferably 30 ° C. or higher, more preferably 35 to 55 ° C., and particularly preferably 38 to 45 ° C. The development processing time is preferably 60 seconds or less for a color print material, more preferably 15 to 45 seconds, and even more preferably 5 to 20 seconds. Although the replenishment amount is preferably small, it is suitably 20 to 600 ml per m 2 of the light-sensitive material, and preferably 30 to 600 ml.
It is 120 ml, particularly preferably 15 to 60 ml. On the other hand, the color development step for color negative and color reversal films is 6 minutes or less, preferably 1 to 4 minutes.
Minutes, more preferably 1-3 minutes and 15 seconds for color negatives, and 1-4 minutes for color reversal.

The processing time of the bleaching step, fixing step and bleach-fixing step is 5 to 240 seconds, preferably 10 to 60 seconds.
Processing temperature is 25 ° C to 50 ° C, preferably 30 ° C to 45 ° C
It is. The replenishment rate is 20 ml per m2 of photosensitive material.
２５０250 ml, preferably 30 ml-100 ml, particularly preferably 15-60 ml.

After desilvering such as fixing or bleach-fixing, washing and / or stabilization are generally performed. The amount of rinsing water in the rinsing step can be set in a wide range depending on the characteristics of the photosensitive material (for example, depending on the material used such as a coupler), the use, the rinsing water temperature, the number of rinsing tanks (the number of stages), and various other conditions.
Of these, the relationship between the number of washing tanks and water volume in the multi-stage countercurrent method is described in Journal of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (Journal of the Society of Motion Pilot).
ctureand Television Engineers) Volume 64, pp. 248-253
(May 1955). Usually, the number of stages in the multistage countercurrent system is preferably 3 to 15, and particularly preferably 3 to 10.

According to the multi-stage countercurrent method, the amount of washing water can be greatly reduced, and the increase in the residence time of water in the tank causes bacteria to propagate and the resulting suspended matter to adhere to the photosensitive material. Occurs. As a solution to such a problem, the method of reducing calcium and magnesium described in JP-A-62-288838 can be used very effectively.
Further, chlorinated fungicides such as isothiazolone compounds and thiabendazoles described in JP-A-57-8542, chlorinated sodium isocyanurate described in JP-A-61-120145, and JP-A-61-26761. Benzotriazole, copper ion, and others described in the official gazette.
1986) Sankyo Publishing, Sanitary Technology Association, "Microbial Sterilization, Sterilization, and Antifungal Technology" (1982) Industrial Technology Association, Japan Society of Antimicrobial and Fungicide, "Encyclopedia of Antifungal Agents" (1986) Can be used.

Also, aldehydes such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and pyruvaldehyde which inactivate the remaining magenta coupler to prevent color fading and stain formation, methylol compounds described in US Pat. No. 4,786,583 and hexamethylentetramine Hexahydrotriazines described in JP-A-2-153348, formaldehyde bisulfite adduct described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,921,779, seized patent publication 504609.
And azolylmethylamines described in JP-A Nos. 519190 and 519190 are added.

Further, in the washing water, a surfactant as a draining agent and a chelating agent represented by EDTA as a hardening agent can be used. Continue with the above washing process or
Alternatively, the treatment can be performed directly with the stabilizing solution without going through the washing step. A compound having an image stabilizing function is added to the stabilizing solution, and examples thereof include an aldehyde compound represented by formalin, a buffering agent for adjusting a membrane pH suitable for stabilizing a dye, and an ammonium compound. Further, in order to prevent the growth of bacteria in the liquid and impart fungicidal properties to the processed photosensitive material, the above-mentioned various bactericides and fungicides can be used. Further, a surfactant, a fluorescent whitening agent and a hardening agent may be added.

In the processing of the light-sensitive material according to the present invention, when the stabilization is directly performed without going through a washing step, JP-A-57-8543, JP-A-58-14834, JP-A-60-220345, etc. All known methods described in can be used. In addition, it is also a preferable embodiment to use a chelating agent such as 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid or ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonic acid, or a magnesium or bismuth compound.

A so-called rinsing liquid is also used as a washing liquid or a stabilizing liquid used after the desilvering treatment. The preferred pH of the washing step or the stabilizing step is 4 to 10, and more preferably 5 to 8. The temperature can be set variously depending on the use and characteristics of the photosensitive material, but is generally 20 ° C to 50 ° C, preferably 25 ° C to 45 ° C. Drying is performed following the washing and / or stabilizing step. From the viewpoint of reducing the amount of water carried into the image film, it is possible to speed up drying by absorbing water with a squeeze roller or cloth immediately after leaving the washing bath. As a means of improvement from the dryer side, as a matter of course, it is possible to speed up the drying by increasing the temperature or changing the shape of the spray nozzle to increase the drying air. Further, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-157650, drying can be accelerated by adjusting the blowing angle of the drying air to the photosensitive material and removing the exhaust air.

The light-sensitive material according to the present invention is provided with a protective agent such as that described in JP-A-63-271247 in order to prevent various molds and bacteria that propagate in the hydrophilic colloid layer and deteriorate the image. It is preferred to add a fungicide. In the case of a photographic film photosensitive material, cellulose triacetate, poly (ethylene terephthalate) or poly (ethylene naphthalate) is used as a support for the photosensitive material according to the present invention. Is paper (resin-coated paper) laminated with white pigment-kneaded polyethylene,
A support such as a poly (ethylene terephthalate) film kneaded with a white pigment for display is used.

The silver halide emulsion and other materials (additives, etc.) and photographic constituent layers (layer arrangement, etc.) applied to the light-sensitive material according to the present invention, and processing methods applied for processing this light-sensitive material And processing additives, EP 0,355,660 A2, JP-A-2-33144 and JP-A Shosho 62
Those described in the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 215272 or those listed in Table 3 below are preferably used.

[0101]

[Table 3]

Further, as a cyan coupler, JP-A-2-33
Nos. 144, EP0,333,185A2 and JP-A-64-32260 can also be used.

Cyan, magenta or yellow couplers are impregnated with loadable latex polymers (eg, US Pat. No. 4,203,716) in the presence (or absence) of the high boiling organic solvents listed in the preceding table. Or dissolved together with a water-insoluble and organic solvent-soluble polymer and emulsified and dispersed in a hydrophilic colloid aqueous solution. Preferred water-insoluble and organic solvent-soluble polymers are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,449, column 7 to column 7.
Homopolymers or copolymers described in column 15 and pages 12 to 30 of WO 88/00723 can be mentioned. In particular, a methacrylate or acrylamide polymer is particularly preferred in terms of color image stability and the like.

The light-sensitive material according to the present invention includes European Patent E
It is preferable to use a color image preservability improving compound as described in P0,277,589A2 in combination with a pyrazoloazole coupler, a pyrrolotriazole coupler, or an acylacetamide type yellow coupler.

Examples of the cyan coupler include phenol couplers and naphthol couplers described in the publicly known documents in the above table, as well as JP-A-2-33144.
JP, EP 0333185 A2, JP-A-6
4-32260, European Patent EP 0 456 226 A1, European Patent EP 0 484 909, European Patent EP
Preference is given to using the cyan couplers described in US Pat. No. 4,488,248 and EP0491197A1.

In the photographic light-sensitive material according to the present invention, as magenta couplers, besides 5-pyrazolone-based magenta couplers described in the publicly known documents in the above table, WO92 / 18901, WO92 / 18901 1890
No. 2 and WO92 / 18903 are also preferable. In addition to these 5-pyrazolone magenta couplers, known pyrazoloazole-type couplers can be used in the present invention. 61-65246
No. JP-A-61-14254, European Patent No. 226,8
Use of the pyrazoloazole couplers described in Nos. 49A and 294,785A is preferred.

As the yellow coupler, known acylacetanilide type couplers are preferably used. Among them, European Patent EP0447969A and JP-A-5-15-1 are preferable.
07701, JP-A-5-113642, European Patent E
The couplers described in P-0482552A and EP-0524540A are preferably used.

[0108]

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be described specifically with reference to Examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

<Example 1> Color Negative Films Tested (1) Material of Support Each support used in this example was produced by the following method. PEN: 100 parts by weight of a commercially available poly (ethylene-2,6-naphthalate) polymer and Tinuvi as an ultraviolet absorber
n 2 parts by weight of P.326 (manufactured by Geigy Corporation) were dried by a conventional method, melted at 300 ° C., extruded from a T-die, stretched at 140 ° C. by 3.3 times, and then stretched at 130 ° C. The film was stretched 3.3 times in C and heat-set at 250 ° C. for 6 seconds. The glass transition temperature was 120 ° C.

(2) Coating of Undercoat Layer Each of the above-mentioned supports was subjected to a corona discharge treatment on both surfaces thereof, and then an undercoat solution having the following composition was applied to provide an undercoat layer on the high temperature side during stretching. Was. The corona discharge treatment uses a solid state corona treatment machine 6KVA model manufactured by Pillar Co., and treats a 30 cm wide support at 20 m / min. At this time, the object to be treated is 0.375 KV · A · min / m ^{2 based} on the current and voltage readings.
Was processed. Discharge frequency during processing is 9.6KH
z, the gap clearance between the electrode and the derivative roll is
It was 1.6 mm.

Gelatin 3 g Distilled water 250 ml Sodium-α-sulfodi-2-ethylhexyl succinate 0.05 g Formaldehyde 0.02 g An undercoat layer having the following composition was provided on the support TAC. Gelatin 0.2g Salicylic acid 0.1g Methanol 15ml Acetone 85ml Formaldehyde 0.01g

(3) Coating of Back Layer The following first to third back layers were coated on one side of the undercoated support prepared in (2). The coercive force of the obtained back layer was 960 Oe. A) Back first layer Co-containing acicular γ-iron oxide fine powder (contained as a gelatin dispersion; average particle size 0.08 μm) 0.2 g / m ² Gelatin 3 g / m ² 0.1 g / m ² Compound 0.02 g / m ² Poly (ethyl acrylate) (mean diameter 0.08 μm) 1 g / m ²

[0113]

Embedded image

[0114]

Embedded image

B) Back second layer Gelatin 0.05 g / m ² Conductive material [SnO ₂ / Sb ₂ O ₃ (9: 1), particle size 0.15 μm] 0.16 mg / m ² Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate 0.05 g / m ²

C) Back third layer Gelatin 0.5 g / m ² Polymethyl methacrylate (average particle size 1.5 μm) 0.02 g / m ² Cetyl stearate (sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate dispersion) 0.01 g / m ² Sodium di (2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate 0.01 g / m ² Compound described below 0.01 g / m ²

[0117]

Embedded image

(4) Heat treatment of the support The undercoat layer and the back layer were applied by the above-mentioned method, dried and wound up, and then heat-treated at 110 ° C. for 48 hours. The photosensitive layer shown in (5) was applied onto the two types of supports prepared by the above method to prepare a photosensitive material. The sample with a PEN support was designated as Sample 101, and the sample with a TAC support was designated as Sample 102.

(5) Preparation of photosensitive layer The main materials used for each layer are classified as follows: ExC: cyan coupler UV: ultraviolet absorber ExM: magenta coupler HBS: high boiling point organic solvent ExY: Yellow coupler H: gelatin hardener ExS: sensitizing dye The number corresponding to each component indicates the coating amount in g / m ² , and the silver halide indicates the coating amount in terms of silver. However, as for the sensitizing dye, the coating amount is shown in mol unit with respect to 1 mol of silver halide in the same layer.

First Layer (Antihalation Layer) Black Colloidal Silver Silver 0.09 Gelatin 1.60 ExM-1 0.12 ExF-1 2.0 × 10 ^-3 Solid Disperse Dye ExF-2 0.030 Solid Disperse Dye ExF-3 0.040 HBS-1 0.15 HBS- 2 0.02

Second layer (intermediate layer) Silver iodobromide emulsion M silver 0.05 ExC-2 0.04 polyethyl acrylate latex 0.20 gelatin 1.04

Third layer (low-sensitivity red-sensitive emulsion layer) Silver iodobromide emulsion A silver 0.20 silver iodobromide emulsion B silver 0.20 ExS-1 6.9 × 10 ^-5 ExS-2 1.8 × 10 ^-5 ExS-3 3.1 × 10 ^-4 ExC-1 0.17 ExC-3 0.030 ExC-4 0.10 ExC-5 0.020 ExC-6 0.010 Cpd-2 0.025 HBS-1 0.10 Gelatin 0.87

Fourth Layer (Medium Sensitivity Red-Sensitive Emulsion Layer) Silver Iodobromide Emulsion C Silver 0.60 ExS-1 3.5 × 10 ^-4 ExS-2 1.6 × 10 ^-5 ExS-3 5.1 × 10 ^-4 ExC-1 0.13 ExC-2 0.060 ExC-3 0.0070 ExC-4 0.090 ExC-5 0.015 ExC-6 0.0070 Cpd-2 0.023 HBS-1 0.10 Gelatin 0.75

Fifth layer (high-sensitivity red-sensitive emulsion layer) Silver iodobromide emulsion D Silver 1.10 ExS-1 2.4 × 10 ^-4 ExS-2 1.0 × 10 ^-4 ExS-3 3.4 × 10 ^-4 ExC-1 0.10 ExC-3 0.045 ExC-6 0.020 ExC-7 0.010 Cpd-2 0.050 HBS-1 0.22 HBS-2 0.050 Gelatin 1.10

Sixth layer (intermediate layer) Cpd-1 0.090 Solid disperse dye ExF-4 0.030 HBS-1 0.050 Polyethyl acrylate latex 0.15 Gelatin 1.10

Seventh layer (low-sensitivity green-sensitive emulsion layer) Silver iodobromide emulsion E silver 0.10 silver iodobromide emulsion F silver 0.10 silver iodobromide emulsion G silver 0.10 ExS-4 3.0 × 10 ^-5 ExS-5 2.1 × 10 ^-4 ExS-6 8.0 × 10 ^-4 ExM-2 0.33 ExM-3 0.086 ExY-1 0.015 HBS-1 0.30 HBS-3 0.010 Gelatin 0.73

Eighth Layer (Medium Speed Green Sensitive Emulsion Layer) Silver Iodobromide Emulsion H 0.70 ExS-4 3.2 × 10 ^-5 ExS-5 2.2 × 10 ^-4 ExS-6 8.4 × 10 ^-4 ExC-8 0.010 ExM-2 0.10 ExM-3 0.025 ExY-1 0.018 ExY-4 0.010 ExY-5 0.040 HBS-1 0.13 HBS-3 4.0 × 10 ^-3 Gelatin 0.80

Ninth layer (high-sensitivity green-sensitive emulsion layer) Silver iodobromide emulsion I Silver 1.00 ExS-4 3.7 × 10 ^-5 ExS-5 8.1 × 10 ^-5 ExS-6 3.2 × 10 ^-4 ExC-1 0.010 ExM-1 0.020 ExM-4 0.025 ExM-5 0.040 Cpd-3 0.040 HBS-1 0.25 Polyethyl acrylate latex 0.15 Gelatin 1.33

10th layer (yellow filter layer) Yellow colloidal silver silver 0.015 Cpd-1 0.16 Solid disperse dye ExF-5 0.060 Solid disperse dye ExF-6 0.060 Oil-soluble dye ExF-7 0.010 HBS-1 0.60 Gelatin 0.60

Eleventh layer (low-sensitivity blue-sensitive emulsion layer) Silver iodobromide emulsion J silver 0.07 silver iodobromide emulsion K silver 0.07 ExS-7 8.6 × 10 ^-4 ExC-8 7.0 × 10 ^-3 ExY-1 0.050 ExY-2 0.22 ExY-3 0.50 ExY-4 0.020 Cpd-2 0.10 Cpd-3 4.0 × 10 ^-3 HBS-1 0.28 Gelatin 1.20

12th layer (high-sensitivity blue-sensitive emulsion layer) Silver iodobromide emulsion L silver 0.80 ExS-7 4.0 × 10 m ^-4 ExY-2 0.10 ExY-3 0.10 ExY-4 0.010 Cpd-2 0.10 Cpd-31.0 × 10 ^-3 HBS-1 0.070 Gelatin 0.70

13th layer (first protective layer) UV-1 0.19 UV-2 0.075 UV-3 0.065 HBS-1 5.0 × 10 ^-2 HBS-4 5.0 × 10 ^-2 Gelatin 1.8

Fourteenth layer (second protective layer) Silver iodobromide emulsion M silver 0.10 H-1 0.40 B-1 (1.7 μm in diameter) 5.0 × 10 ^-2 B-2 (1.7 μm in diameter) 0.15 B-3 0.05 S-1 0.20 Gelatin 0.70

Further, W-1 to W-3, B-4 to B- are preferably added to each layer in order to improve storability, processability, pressure resistance, fungicide / antibacterial properties, antistatic properties and coatability. 6, F-
1 to F-17, and iron salts, lead salts, gold salts, platinum salts, palladium salts, iridium salts, and rhodium salts.

[0135]

[Table 4]

In Table 4, Emulsions J to L were subjected to reduction sensitization during the preparation of grains using thiourea dioxide and thiosulfonic acid according to the examples of JP-A-2-19938. Emulsions A to I were subjected to gold sensitization, sulfur sensitization and selenium sensitization in the presence of the spectral sensitizing dye described in each photosensitive layer and sodium thiocyanate according to the examples of JP-A-3-237450. . For preparing tabular grains, low molecular weight gelatin is used according to the examples of JP-A-1-158426. Dislocation lines as described in JP-A-3-237450 are observed in the tabular grains using a high-pressure electron microscope. Emulsion L is a double-structured grain containing an internal high iodine core described in JP-A-60-143331.

Preparation of Dispersion of Organic Solid Disperse Dye ExF-2 shown below was dispersed by the following method. That is, water 21.7
3 ml of 5% aqueous solution of sodium p-octylphenoxyethoxyethoxyethoxyethanesulfonate and 5% of 5% aqueous solution
0.5 g of an aqueous solution of p-octylphenoxypolyoxyethylene ether (degree of polymerization 10) was placed in a 700 ml pot mill, and 5.0 g of dye ExF-2 and 500 ml of zirconium oxide beads (diameter 1 mm) were added. To disperse the contents for 2 hours. For this dispersion, a BO type vibration ball mill manufactured by Chuo Koki was used. After dispersion, the contents were taken out, added to 8 g of a 12.5% gelatin aqueous solution, and the beads were removed by filtration to obtain a gelatin dispersion of the dye. The average particle size of the fine dye particles is 0.44
μm.

Similarly, solid dispersions of ExF-3, ExF-4 and ExF-6 were obtained. The average particle diameters of the fine dye particles were 0.24 μm, 0.45 μm, and 0.52 μm, respectively.
ExF-5 is a microprecipitation described in Example 1 of EP-A-549,489A.
Dispersed by a dispersion method. The average particle size was 0.06 μm.

Compound used

[0140]

Embedded image

[0141]

Embedded image

[0142]

Embedded image

[0143]

Embedded image

[0144]

Embedded image

[0145]

Embedded image

[0146]

Embedded image

[0147]

Embedded image

[0148]

Embedded image

[0149]

Embedded image

[0150]

Embedded image

[0151]

Embedded image

[0152]

Embedded image

[0153]

Embedded image

[0154]

Embedded image

[0155]

Embedded image

Preparation of Sample 101 The photosensitive material prepared as described above was applied to a 24 mm wide, 160 c
m, and two 2 mm square perforations are provided at a distance of 5.8 mm at 0.7 mm from the width direction on one side in the length direction of the photosensitive material. 32 sets of these two sets
mm is provided at intervals of mm.
No. 6,887. 1 to FIG. The sample was stored in a plastic film cartridge described in No. 7 (Sample 101).

Preparation of Sample 102 Next, in the same manner as in Sample 101, except that the emulsion was changed from a silver iodobromide emulsion to a tabular silver chlorobromide emulsion having a (100) plane as shown in Table 2. The sample thus obtained was designated as Sample 102.

[0158]

[Table 5]

In Table 5, Emulsions J 'to M' were reduced and sensitized during the preparation of grains using thiourea dioxide and thiosulfonic acid according to a method similar to that of the example of JP-A-2-19938. Emulsions A 'to I' were prepared in the same manner as in the examples of JP-A-3-237450 in the presence of the spectral sensitizing dye described in each photosensitive layer and sodium thiocyanate in the presence of gold, sulfur and selenium. A feeling is given. Tabular grains are prepared according to a method similar to the example of US Pat. No. 5,264,337, and a silver chloride fine grain emulsion is rearranged to obtain tabular grains having (100).

(6) Development and Evaluation Development Test and Evaluation of Photographic Properties Using the above-mentioned samples, portraits were taken for processing in a running test, that is, a large-scale continuous development test. In addition, in order to evaluate photographic characteristics, a color temperature of 4800K and 20 cm
Prepare a sample for sensitometry exposed through a gray light wedge for sensitometry at s, and replenish with a commercially available cine-type small automatic developing machine for color negative film using the following processing steps and processing solutions. While performing the continuous processing. In the developing process, the material 101 is replenished at a certain amount,
The processing performed in time was standard processing. As shown in Table 6 below, when processing the sample 102, the developing process was performed while changing the replenishing amount and the processing time. In the developing process, a so-called running process in which a total of 500 samples 101 and 102 were processed was performed, and the finished photographic characteristics were checked by sensitometry during the continuous continuous large-volume developing process similar to the actual process. In sensitometry, the density of a developed sensitometric sample is measured by a density measuring device based on international standards (ISO5-2 and ISO5-3), and a color negative film defined by international standards (ISO5800) is measured. The sensitivity was measured and the minimum density (Dmin) was measured according to the sensitometry method.

The change in photographic characteristics was indicated by a change in the minimum density of yellow (ΔDBmin) and a change in magenta sensitivity (ΔlogE) at the start and end of the running test when the sensitometric sample was developed. .

Test No. 10 in which Sample 101 in Table 6 was processed under the standard development conditions was used. 1 is sample 101 and sample 102
, And the evaluation results are indicated by relative values to the evaluation values of this sample.

2. Other than the developing processor used for the comparative experiment, the specifications of Japanese Patent Application No. 8-174022 and Japanese Patent Application No.
Developing machine for color negative film (FP560B, manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.) incorporating the image processing mechanism described in JP-A-182551 (hereinafter referred to as image processing built-in type). However, the drive motor was modified so that the film transport speed was variable.

[0164] 3. Developing Process The following developing process specifications for color negative were used. This specification is substantially the same as CN16 which is widely used in the market for developing various types of films on the market. The processing steps and the composition of the processing solution are shown below.

(Processing step) Step Processing time Processing temperature Replenishment amount * Tank capacity Color development 3 minutes 5 seconds 38.0 ° C 20 ml 17 liter Bleaching 50 seconds 38.0 ° C 5 ml 5 liters Fixing (1) 50 seconds 38.0 ° C -5 liters Fixing (2) 50 seconds 38.0 ° C 8 ml 5 liters Washing 30 seconds 38.0 ° C 17 ml 3.5 liters Stable (1) 20 seconds 38.0 ° C-3 liters Stable (2) 20 seconds 38.0 ° C 15 ml 3 liters Drying 1 minute 30 seconds 60 ° C * The replenishment amount is 35 mm of photosensitive material and 1.1 m width (equivalent to 24 Ex. 1 bottle)

The stabilizing solution was of a countercurrent type from (2) to (1), and the overflow of the washing water was all introduced into the fixing (2). The fixing solution is also connected from (2) to (1) by a countercurrent pipe. The amount of the developer brought into the bleaching step, the amount of the bleached liquid brought into the fixing step, and the amount of the fixing liquid brought into the washing step were 2.5 ml and 2.0 ml, respectively, per 1.1 mm of 35 mm width photosensitive material. ,
2.0 ml. The crossover time is 6 seconds in each case, and this time is included in the processing time of the previous step.

The composition of the processing solution is shown below. (Color developing solution) Tank solution (g) Replenisher (g) Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid 2.0 2.0 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid 2.0 2.0 Sodium sulfite 3.9 5.3 Potassium carbonate 37.5 39.0 Potassium bromide 1.4 0.4 Potassium iodide 1.3 mg-disodium-N, N-bis (sulfonatoethyl) hydroxylamine 2.0 2.0 hydroxylamine sulfate 2.4 3.3 2-Methyl-4- [N-ethyl-N- (β-hydroxyethyl) amino] aniline sulfate 4.5 6.4 Add water 1.0 liter 1.0 liter pH (adjusted with potassium hydroxide and sulfuric acid) 10.05 10.18

(Bleaching solution) Tank solution (g) Replenisher (g) Ferric ammonium 1,3-diaminopropanetetraacetate monohydrate 118 180 Ammonium bromide 80 115 Ammonium nitrate 14 21 Succinic acid 40 60 Maleic acid 33 50 Add water 1.0 liter 1.0 liter pH (adjusted with aqueous ammonia) 4.4 4.0

(Fixing solution) Tank solution (g) Replenisher (g) Ammonium methanesulfinate 1030 Ammonium methanethiosulfonate 4 12 Aqueous solution of ammonium thiosulfate (700 g / L) 280 mL 840 mL Little imidazole 7 20 Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid 15 45 1.0 liter with water 1.0 liter pH (adjusted with ammonia water and acetic acid) 7.4 7.45

(Washing water) Tap water was replaced with an H-type strongly acidic cation exchange resin (Amberlite IR- manufactured by Rohm and Haas Company).
120B) and a mixed bed column packed with an OH type strongly basic anion exchange resin (Amberlite IR-400) to reduce the calcium and magnesium ion concentration to 3 mg.
Per liter or less, followed by 20 mg / liter of sodium diisocyanurate and 150 mg of sodium sulfate.
mg / l was added. The pH of this solution is 6.5-7,
5 range.

(Stabilizing solution) Common to tank liquid and replenisher (unit: g) Sodium p-toluenesulfinate 0.03 Polyoxyethylene-p-monononylphenyl ether (average degree of polymerization: 10) 0.2 Disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate 0.05 1, 2,4-triazole 1.3 1,4-bis (1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl) piperazine 0.75 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one 0.10 Add water 1.0 liter pH 8.5 8.5

[0172] 4. Test results The test results are shown in Table 6.

[0173]

[Table 6]

Test No. Sample Nos. 2 and 3 were obtained without changing both the developer replenishing amount and the color developing time.
2 were processed by 250 lines, and it can be seen that both ΔDmin and ΔlogE did not give good results. Test No. Sample Nos. 3 and 4 are the cases where the sample 102 was processed by changing the amount of replenishing developer only 250 times (sample 101
For 250 processing without changing both the developer replenishment amount and the color development time), and ΔDmin and Δl
It can be seen that the results are not good for both ogE. Test No. Samples Nos. 5 and 6 show the cases in which the sample 102 was subjected to 250 processings by changing only the color development time (for the sample 101, the 250 processings were performed without changing both the replenishing amount of the developing solution and the color development time). It turns out that it is not good. On the other hand, in the test No. which is the object of the present invention in which both the replenishing amount of the developer and the color developing time were changed.
In the case of Nos. 7 and 8, it can be seen that the results of both ΔDmin and ΔlogE are good because the fluctuation of the composition of the processing solution can be prevented.

Example 2 A film obtained as a result of processing as shown in Table 6 above was output by a printer. F
A laser printer / paper processor LP-100 is an example of a commercially available printer capable of forming a positive image by inputting an electric image signal output from the P560B.
0P (Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.) was used. Also,
For the comparative sample, a commercially available surface exposure type color printer / paper processor PP728A (Fuji Mini Lab Champion Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.) was used. The printer of this device is a system that is commonly used in the current market where the color balance is controlled by the filter control by the simultaneous full-surface exposure system in which the developed color negative is transmitted through and printed on color paper. It is. In each case, the color paper uses commercially available Fuji Color Pepper Super FA3 (manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.), and the development process is a general-purpose CP47L formulation (development process formulation and processing agent for color paper, Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.) Manufactured).

In the evaluation method, samples 101 and 102 were printed in L size, and seven persons were requested to perform a five-step evaluation. 5: Very good 4: Good 3: Normal 2: Somewhat dissatisfied 1: Dissatisfied Table 7 shows the results of calculating the average score of five people excluding those who scored the highest and lowest scores.

[0177]

[Table 7]

As shown in Table 7, Test No. In the case of Test Nos. 7 and 8, Compared with the image quality obtained by the reference development processing shown in FIG. 1, it can be seen that a color print of normal image quality can be provided without deteriorating the image quality.

[0179]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Even if the photographed color film is rapidly processed according to the type of film, the amount of replenishment of the processing solution can be reduced, and the composition of the processing solution can be prevented from changing. Become smaller. Further, even if the processing time is shortened, if image processing is performed after conversion into digital image information, the image quality is not impaired compared with the image quality obtained by the reference development processing, and the normal image quality is obtained. Image information can be obtained, and a color print of normal image quality can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an image forming method and apparatus according to the present invention and an overall flow.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a developing machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit, a storage unit, a type determination unit, and the like of the developing device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an LUT.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an image reproduction system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an embodiment of an image reproduction system according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view schematically showing a transmission type image reading apparatus.

8 is a block diagram showing a part of the configuration of the image processing device 5 shown in FIG.

9 is a block diagram illustrating another part of the configuration of the image processing apparatus 5 illustrated in FIG. 5 that is not illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing details of a first frame memory unit, a second frame memory unit, and a third frame memory unit shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing details of a first image processing unit shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing the image output device shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a laser beam irradiation unit of the image output device shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 F film P Color print 01 DX code 02 Development condition control 03 Development processing 1 Image reading device 5 Image processing device 8 Image output device 10 Transmissive image reading device 11 Light source 12 Light intensity adjustment unit 13 Color separation unit 14 Diffusion unit 15 CCD area sensor Reference Signs List 16 lens 17 amplifier 18 A / D converter 19 CCD correction means 20 log converter 21 interface 22 carrier 23 motor 24 drive roller 25 screen detection sensor 26 CPU 48 interface 49 averaging operation means 50a first line buffer 50b second Line buffer 51 First frame memory unit 51R R data memory 51G G data memory 51B B data memory 52 Second frame memory unit 52R R data memory 5 GG data memory 52B B data memory 53 Third frame memory unit 53R R data memory 53G G data memory 53B B data memory 55 Selector 60 CPU 61 First image processing means 62 Second image processing means 63 Input bus 64 Output Bus 65 Data bus 66 Memory 67 Hard disk 68 CRT 69 Keyboard 70 Communication port 75 Data synthesizing means 76 Synthetic data memory 76R R data memory 76G G data memory 76B B data memory 77 Interface 78 Interface 79 CPU 80 Image data memory 81 D / A conversion Device 82 laser light irradiation means 83 modulator driving means 84a, b, c semiconductor laser light source 85 wavelength conversion means 86 wavelength conversion means 87R, G, B light modulator 88R, G, B Reflecting mirror 89 Polygon mirror 90 Color paper 91 Magazine 92 Perforating means 94 Color developing tank 95 Bleaching and fixing tank 96 Washing tank 97 Drying section 98 Cutter 99 Sorter 100 Color density gradation converting means 101 Saturation converting means 102 Digital magnification converting means 103 Frequency processing unit 104 Dynamic range conversion unit 111 Type discriminating unit 113 Developing unit 121 Drying unit 125 Conveying roller 131 Control unit 133 Storage unit 135 Pump unit 137 LUT

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page F term (reference) 2H016 CA04 2H098 DA07 DA11 EA03 EA11 2H110 BA13 CB41 CB76 5C062 AB03 AB17 AB22 AB42 AC04 AC65 AE03

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. The type of a photographed color photographic light-sensitive material is determined, and both the processing time of the light-sensitive material and the replenishment amount of a processing solution are changed according to the type, and thereafter, the photosensitive material is brought into contact with the processing solution. A color image forming method comprising photoelectrically reading image information from the processed photosensitive material and converting the image information into digital image information. 2. The type of color photographic light-sensitive material that has been photographed is determined, and both the processing time of the photographic material and the replenishment amount of the processing liquid are changed according to the type, and thereafter, the material is brought into contact with the processing liquid. A color image forming apparatus comprising: photoelectrically reading image information from the processed photosensitive material, converting the image information into digital image information, subjecting the digital image information to image processing, and outputting the digital image information to a printer. Method. 3. A type discriminating means for discriminating a type of photosensitive material, a storage means for storing an appropriate processing time and a replenishing amount of a processing liquid for each type of the photosensitive material, and a detection result by the type discriminating means. And a control means for changing both the processing time of the photosensitive material and the replenishment amount of the processing solution with reference to the value stored in the storage means.