JP2001272734A - Photographic printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographic printing device capable of surely and rapidly obtaining a good-quality extra print. SOLUTION: This device is equipped with a scanner 6 for reading the picture information of a negative film 1, a picture display means for displaying the read picture information as a simulation picture on a monitor 16, an exposure condition correcting means for correcting a set exposure condition (color and density correction data), and a digital exposure head 15 forming a photographic print by printing the picture information on paper 11 based on the decided exposure condition, and equipped with a printing information recording means for recording printing information concerning the decided exposure condition as a bar code on the photographic print and a printing information reading means for reading the printing information from the bar code recorded on the photographic print.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image information reading means for reading image information from an image recording medium on which an image to be printed is recorded, and an exposure means for exposing a photosensitive material based on the read image information. Exposure condition setting means for obtaining a condition, image display means for displaying a simulation image predicted to be obtained when exposure is performed according to the exposure condition set by the exposure condition setting means on a monitor screen, and the exposure condition setting means The present invention relates to a photographic printing apparatus comprising: an exposure condition correction unit for correcting the set exposure condition; and an exposure unit for printing a photographic print by printing image information on the photosensitive material based on the determined exposure condition.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a prior art of such a photographic printing apparatus,
Image information (frame image information) is read from the photographed and developed negative film (image recording medium), and conditions for exposing the photosensitive material based on the read image information are first set by exposure condition setting means. In addition, there has been known a method in which a simulation image obtained when a photosensitive material is temporarily exposed under the exposure conditions is displayed on a monitor screen.

[0003] An operator of a photographic printing apparatus can observe a simulation image displayed on a monitor screen to judge whether or not exposure conditions are appropriate. If the photosensitive material is exposed under the conditions, a photographic print is obtained, and if the exposure conditions require correction, the exposure determined by the operator correcting the color and density using exposure condition correction means such as a keyboard. Under the conditions, the photosensitive material is exposed to obtain a photographic print. Further, in the case of a conventional photographic printing apparatus, various data (color and density correction data) at the time of printing are printed as printing information on the back surface of the photosensitive material (the side opposite to the emulsion surface) (so-called collection printing is performed). .).

With such a configuration, even if the exposure conditions are not appropriate, the operator can check in advance whether or not the exposure conditions are appropriate based on a simulated image on a monitor screen before actually exposing the photosensitive material, thereby correcting the photographic print. Can be prevented beforehand, and a photographic print of appropriate finish can always be obtained.

In a school event or the like, a photo shop takes a picture, creates a photo print from the negative film used for the photograph, gives the print to the school side, and receives a request for additional printing. taking it. At the photo shop receiving the reprint order, the operator of the photo printing apparatus reads the printing information visually from the collection print of the photo prints to be reprinted, and manually inputs the printing information with a keyboard or the like, so that the same printing as the first printing is performed. Exposure conditions can be set without observing a simulation image or revising the exposure conditions.

[0006]

However, when data is read from the collection print by the operator's eyes and input by the operator as in a conventional photoprinting apparatus, the reading and inputting of the data is almost a manual operation. Therefore, not only reading errors and input errors may occur, but also inputting time and effort is required. As a result, there is a problem that high-quality reprints cannot be obtained reliably and promptly. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a photographic printing apparatus capable of reliably and promptly obtaining good-quality reprints.

[0007]

A photographic printing apparatus according to the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems comprises: an image information reading means for reading image information from an image recording medium on which an image to be printed is recorded; Condition setting means for obtaining exposure conditions for exposing the photosensitive material based on the image information obtained, and a monitor screen for displaying a simulation image expected to be obtained when the exposure is performed according to the exposure conditions set by the exposure condition setting means. , An exposure condition correcting means for correcting the exposure condition set by the exposure condition setting means, and a photographic print by printing image information on the photosensitive material based on the determined exposure condition. A photographic printing apparatus having an exposure unit, wherein printing information on the determined exposure condition can be machine-readable. In which it characterized in that it comprises a baking information recording means for recording on the photographic print, and baking information reading means for reading the baking information recorded on the photographic print.

The operation of this configuration is as follows. (1) Image information is read from an image recording medium on which an image to be printed is recorded. (2) Exposure conditions for the photosensitive material when performing photographic printing are set based on the read image information. (3) A simulation image predicted to be obtained when the exposure is performed according to the set exposure condition is displayed on the monitor screen. (4) Exposure conditions such as color and density are corrected as necessary by an operator who has observed the simulation image, and the exposure conditions are determined. (5) The photosensitive material is exposed on the basis of the determined exposure conditions to finish as a previous photographic print, and printing information including at least the determined (at the time of printing) exposure conditions is recorded on the photographic print in a machine-readable form. You.

(6) When reprinting a photographic print obtained as described above, printing information recorded on the previous photographic print to be reprinted is mechanically read and taken into the apparatus, and Exposure conditions same as those at the time of printing are automatically set. (7) The photosensitive material is exposed on the basis of the set conditions, and a printed print is completed.

As described above, printing information including exposure conditions at the time of printing is recorded on a photographic print in a machine-readable form, and when printing is performed, printing information is read from the photographic print to be printed again. Since the exposure conditions are automatically set and the same exposure conditions as in the previous printing are quickly reproduced without human intervention, it is possible to provide a photographic printing apparatus capable of reliably and promptly obtaining high quality prints. it can.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the printing information recording means combines the printing information with image information to be printed, so that the printing information is recorded on the emulsion side of the photosensitive material. That are configured to be recorded together with the information.

According to this structure, after the printing information is combined with the image information to be printed, both information can be simultaneously exposed on the emulsion side of the photosensitive material, so that the printing apparatus for recording the printing information is used. There is an advantage that it becomes unnecessary.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the printing information recording means is configured so that the printing information is printed on the back surface of the photosensitive material.

In this configuration, since the image information of the frame image is recorded on the emulsion side and the printing information is recorded on the back side of the photosensitive material, the image information is recorded on the emulsion side when reading the printing information. Image information does not hinder reading.

[0015] In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
An image information storage unit for storing the image information read by the image information reading unit; and the printing information recording unit includes an image collating unit for extracting image information corresponding to the photographic print from the image information storage unit. For example, there is a configuration in which application data is configured to be recorded as the burning information.

In addition to the creation of a photographic print, the image information read by the image information reading means is stored in the image information storage means. At the time of additional photo printing, the image information relating to the photo print to be reprinted is automatically extracted from the image information storage means in accordance with the image comparison data in the printing information read from the previous photo print relating to the additional photo. Therefore, it is possible to save the trouble of reading the image information of the photographic print to be reprinted again from the image recording medium by the reading unit.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS <First Embodiment> An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic overall configuration of a photographic printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The photographic printing apparatus includes a scanner unit P1 for reading image information and a digital exposure type printing unit P2.
A light source 2 for reading an image frame of the example negative film 1 by a scanner 6 (corresponding to image information reading means) including a CCD line sensor, a mirror tunnel 3, and light from the light source 2 are passed. Opening 4 for
, A reading lens 5, a scanner 6, a transport roller 7 for transporting the negative film 1, and a bar code sensor 9 for reading a bar code (indicating a DX code and a frame number) of the negative film 1. Note that the negative mask 4, the transport roller 7, and the barcode sensor 9 are integrally incorporated in a transport unit called a negative carrier 20.

The printing unit P2 drives a paper magazine 12 for storing paper 11 (corresponding to a photosensitive material) conveyed along a predetermined conveying path, a conveying roller 13 for conveying the paper 11, and a driving roller 13. Drive motor 14 and arrow A along the transport path of paper 11
A digital exposure head 15 (corresponding to an exposure unit) that exposes the digital image to the paper 11 by predetermined lines (for example, one line at a time) by moving in the direction. As the digital exposure head 15, an appropriate one such as a laser printer, a fluorescent printer, a PLZT printer, a CRT printer, etc. can be adopted. The paper 11 on which the image has been formed is processed by the developing unit 21 and the drying unit 22 and then cut by the cutter 23 into individual photographic prints. Thereafter, the cut photographic print is placed on a tray of an order sorting machine in which a large number of trays are circulated along a predetermined circulation path.
Installed in order units.

The controller 10 controls operations of the scanner unit P1 and the printing unit P2. The controller 10 displays a monitor 16 for displaying various kinds of information necessary for performing a photographic process, and an exposure process. Input required to perform, for example, Y (yellow), M (magenta)
A keyboard 17 for inputting correction of exposure conditions such as the degree of three colors of C (cyan) and average image density;
(Corresponding to an exposure condition correcting means), an image information storage device 18 for storing image information appropriately selected and designated, or printing information recorded on a photographic print (the above-described color and density correction). Bar code reader 19 for reading data and the like) (corresponding to a burning information reading means).
Is connected. Note that the image information storage device 18 may store the image information in a compressed form. As the image information storage device 18, an appropriate device such as a built-in storage device such as a hard disk or an external storage device such as a CD-R can be adopted.

<Main Configuration of Controller> FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the controller 10. The controller 10 includes an image information storage unit 2 that stores image information read from the negative film 1 and converted into digital data.
4, an exposure condition setting unit 25 for setting exposure conditions for the paper 11 at the time of performing photographic printing based on the read image information, and a prediction that the image is obtained when exposure is performed in accordance with the exposure conditions set by the exposure condition setting unit 25. An image information display unit 26 for displaying the simulation image to be displayed on the screen of the monitor 16 and an exposure control unit 27 for controlling the digital exposure head 15 according to the determined exposure conditions. In addition to being configured so that the exposure condition set in the exposure condition setting unit 25 can be corrected by an input operation of the keyboard 17, the image information display unit 26 also displays a simulation image of the image to be printed. A plurality of (for example, six) are collectively displayed in the order of frame numbers and displayed on one screen (this is called a pre-judge screen). The correction items of the exposure conditions executed by the input operation of the keyboard 17 include an increase / decrease in the exposure amount of each of the three colors Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) or an exposure corresponding to a density change of the entire image. Operation keys corresponding to the correction items are arranged on the keyboard 17.

The controller 10 has an information synthesizing section 28 for synthesizing various data at the time of printing as image printing information with the image information to be printed. When the paper 11 is exposed based on the determined exposure conditions. Further, the printing information is also recorded by being simultaneously exposed by the digital exposure head 15 together with the image to be printed in the form of a barcode (machine-readable form) (see FIG. 4). Here, the printing information recorded on the photographic print includes information on exposure conditions such as correction data of the exposure amount for each of the three colors of Y, M, and C, correction data of the overall density, and the ID of the negative film 1 (identification information). ) And a frame number (these correspond to image collation data). As described above, the digital exposure head 15 functions as printing information recording means.

Further, the controller 10 is configured so that a barcode, which is printing information recorded on a previously created photographic print, is read by a barcode reader 19 and taken into the apparatus. The image information corresponding to the frame number of the negative film indicated by the bar code formed on the photographic print is read from the image information storage device 18 and set in the image information storage unit 24, and the color / density correction data is read. Is set by the exposure condition setting section 25, and the same setting of the exposure condition as that at the time of the printing of the previous photographic print is quickly reproduced.

Next, control of the operation of each unit by the controller 10 of the photographic printing apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described. First, the case of performing printing using the photographed and developed negative film 1 on which an image to be printed is recorded will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The negative film 1 is set at a predetermined position of the scanner section P1 (step # 01). Then, by operating the scanner unit P1, the negative film 1
And the image information (frame image information) to be printed is read and stored in the image information storage unit 24 (step # 02). Subsequently, based on the image information read by the exposure condition setting unit 25, an exposure condition for the paper 11 when performing photographic printing is set, and a simulation predicted from the exposure condition set by the image information display unit 26 is performed. The image is displayed on the screen of the monitor 16 as a pre-judgment screen (not shown) (steps # 03 and # 04).

The operator observes the simulation image displayed on the screen of the monitor 16 and determines whether or not it is necessary to correct the color and density (step # 0).
5). If correction is needed, the operator
7, a correction input operation is performed, and the exposure condition being set is corrected by the exposure condition setting unit 25 according to the input operation, and the exposure condition is determined (step # 06, step # 07). If no correction is necessary, the exposure condition being set by the exposure condition setting unit 25 is determined as the final exposure condition.

When the exposure conditions are determined, the ID and frame number of the negative film 1 and printing information relating to the determined exposure conditions are converted into barcode signals, and are combined with the corresponding image information. Print section P according to
The image information and the printing information are exposed to the paper 11 by the second exposure control unit 27 and finished as a photographic print (step # 08, step # 09, step # 1).
0). The image information that needs to be stored is stored in the image information storage device 18 together with the ID and frame number of the negative film 1 (step # 11).

As shown in FIG. 4, in the photographic print PA thus finished, a bar code BKa, which is printing information, is recorded on the emulsion surface side so as to be inconspicuous together with image information to be printed. In the print creation example shown in FIG. 4, the bar code BKa is recorded in the frame image. However, the bar code BKa may be recorded on the rim portion of the photographic print as a rim print. This case is also included in the concept of combining the image information and the burn-in information of the frame image.

<Reprint Processing> Next, a case where printing is performed using a photographic print on which printing information is recorded (a case where an additional photographic print is created) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, a photo print is set at a predetermined position (step # 01). Then, the operator uses the barcode reader 19 to read the printing information recorded on the photographic print and takes it into the controller 10 (step # 02). In the controller 10, the image information corresponding to the photographic print related to the printing process out of the printing information is extracted from the image information storage device 18 and stored in the image information storage unit 24, and the image information of the printing information recorded in the barcode is stored. The data relating to the exposure condition is directly set by the exposure condition setting unit 25 (step #).
03, step # 04). Therefore, negative film 1
The barcode is image collation data for extracting image information corresponding to a photo print from the image information storage unit 18. Subsequently, a simulation image is displayed on the screen of the monitor 16 according to the exposure condition set by the image information display unit 26 (Step # 05).

The exposure conditions are checked, and if the same conditions as those of the previous photographic print are acceptable, the exposure conditions being set are determined as final. However, if the conditions need to be changed, Then, the operator operates the keyboard 17 to correct the condition being set by the exposure condition setting unit 25 to determine the exposure condition (Step # 06, Step # 07, Step # 08). In the case of the additional printing process according to the present invention, steps # 05 to # 08 can be omitted.

Once the exposure conditions are determined, the finally determined exposure conditions are converted into barcode signals as print information and combined with the image information of the corresponding frame image, as in the case of FIG. Print section P according to the determined exposure conditions
The image information and printing information are exposed to the paper 11 by the second exposure control unit 27, and are printed as additional prints (Step # 09, Step # 10). Also in this reprint photo print, a bar code as printing information is recorded on the emulsion surface.

Therefore, in the case of the device of the first embodiment,
The printing information is recorded on the photographic print in a machine-readable form, and at the time of reprinting, the printing information recorded from the photographic print to be reprinted is read mechanically and taken into the device, requiring human labor. Without
Since the same exposure conditions and the like as those at the time of the previous printing are set automatically and automatically, a reprinted photographic print of good quality can be obtained reliably and promptly.

Also, in the case of a group photo at a school event or a company trip, the first photo print is often a sample photo, and it is usually expected that a reprint order will be made later. It is. The photo printing apparatus according to the first embodiment has a configuration in which necessary image information can be stored in the image information storage device 18 together with its ID. Therefore, in the case of a group photo, image information corresponding to printing of a sample photo is stored. It can be pulled out from the image information storage device 18 and promptly processed for a reprint order.

<Second Embodiment> Next, a photographic printing apparatus according to a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 shows a schematic overall configuration of a photographic printing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
2 shows a main configuration of a controller 10 of the apparatus according to the embodiment.
The photo printing apparatus according to the second embodiment is a bar code printer 29 (corresponding to printing information recording means) that prints a bar code as printing information on the back surface of the paper 11 opposite to the printing surface of the image on the printing unit P2. ) Is provided, and the controller 10 controls the bar code printer 29 to convert the information relating to the ID and frame number of the negative film 1 and the determined exposure conditions into a bar code signal as printing information and to cause the bar code printer 29 to print the bar code signal. Since the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the control unit 30 is provided, the description of the other points is omitted.

In the apparatus according to the second embodiment, the image information is exposed to the paper 11 by the exposure control unit 27 of the printing unit P2 according to the determined exposure conditions, and the bar code printer 29 receives the control of the print control unit 30. The printing of the printing information is performed on the back surface of the paper 11, and FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8A, image information is recorded on the front surface of the paper 11, and as shown in FIG. 8B, a photographic print PB in which a bar code BKb as printing information is recorded on the back surface of the paper 11. Finished.

In the case of the apparatus according to the second embodiment, image information is printed on the front side of a photographic print and printing information is printed on the back side. When additional printing is performed, the printing from the previous photographic print on the back side is performed. Barcode Bk for information
When reading b, the image information on the emulsion side does not interfere.

<Another Embodiment> (1) In the case of the apparatus of the above-described embodiment, the image recording medium on which the image to be printed was recorded was a negative film, but the image to be printed was recorded. The image recording medium used is not limited to a negative film, but may be a digital image memory medium for a digital camera such as a smart media, a compact flash card (PC card), or a compact disk, in addition to a positive film. It may be configured to print a digital image photographed and stored in the camera. (2) In the case of the apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, only the image photographed and developed on the negative film is printed, but in addition, the digital image photographed and stored on the digital image memory medium is printed. It may be configured to be able to

(3) Burn-in information need not always be recorded in the form of a bar code. The printing information may be recorded, for example, as a symbol or a number that can be read by the so-called OCR method.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic overall configuration of a photographic printing apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part configuration of a controller of the photographic printing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure when performing a printing process in the photo printing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a photographic print obtained by the photographic printing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for performing an additional printing process using a photo print in the photo printing apparatus according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic overall configuration of a photographic printing apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a controller of a photographic printing apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of a photographic print obtained by the photographic printing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Negative film 6 Scanner 9 Barcode sensor 10 Controller 11 Paper 15 Digital exposure head 16 Monitor 17 Keyboard 18 Image information storage device 19 Barcode reader 24 Image information storage unit 25 Exposure condition setting unit (exposure condition setting means) 26 Image display unit (Image display means) 27 Exposure control section 28 Information synthesis section 29 Barcode printer 30 Printing control section BKa Barcode BKb Barcode PA Photo print PB Photo print

Claims (4)

[Claims] An image information reading means for reading image information from an image recording medium on which an image to be printed is recorded, and an exposure condition setting for obtaining an exposure condition for exposing a photosensitive material based on the read image information. Means, image display means for displaying on a monitor screen a simulation image predicted to be obtained when the exposure is performed according to the exposure condition set by the exposure condition setting means, and the exposure condition set by the exposure condition setting means An exposure condition correcting means for correcting the exposure information, and an exposure means for creating a photographic print by printing image information on the photosensitive material based on the determined exposure condition, wherein the printing information on the determined exposure condition is Printing information recording means for recording the photographic print in a machine-readable form; Photographic printing apparatus characterized by and a baking information reading means for reading the baking information recorded. 2. The printing information recording means, by synthesizing the printing information with image information of a photographic printing target,
2. A photographic printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said printing information is recorded together with said image information on the emulsion side of said photosensitive material. 3. The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing information recording means is configured to print the printing information on a back surface of the photosensitive material. 4. An image information storage means for storing image information read by the image information reading means, and the printing information recording means stores image information corresponding to the photographic print from the image information storage means. The photographic printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein image collation data to be extracted is also recorded as the printing information.