JP2002244263A - Film processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To rationally constitute a device capable of acquiring the image information of photographic film as digital image information in a short time with simple operation. SOLUTION: The leading edge of the film 1 is automatically taken out from a film magazine M set in the magazine holding part D of a film supply part AF, and the film 1 fed from the holding part D is fed to a scanner AS and coated with developer in a developer coating part L. Silver particles appearing in the emulsion of the film 1 by the action of the developer after such coating are optically acquired as the image information by a main image pickup unit Pa and a sub image pickup unit Pb.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises a transport mechanism for transporting a photographed silver salt type photographic film, and a developer for allowing the photographic film to contain a developing solution at a location on the transport path of the transport mechanism in the transport mechanism where the transport is good. A liquid coating section is arranged, and a scanning section for optically capturing as image information silver particles appearing in an emulsion layer of a photographic film due to the progress of development with respect to a position lower than the conveyance from the developer application section in the conveyance path is arranged. The present invention relates to a film processing apparatus which comprises a film supply unit for feeding a photographic film to a transport start end of the transport mechanism in the scanner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are techniques disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2823109 and Japanese Patent No. 2856637 as techniques related to the film processing apparatus configured as described above. Each prior art starts development processing of a photographic film that has been photographed using a developer, and in the middle of this development processing, for example, irradiates a light beam that does not expose the emulsion layer of the photographic film, such as infrared light, The digital scanning image is formed by capturing the reflected light from the film and the transmitted light.

[0003]

According to the prior art, a developing solution is applied to a photographic film to start a developing process, and silver particles appearing in an emulsion during the developing process are optically removed. Since image information is obtained only by performing the scanning process, the time required for scanning an image is shorter than that of ordinary photographic film processing. Less,
No waste liquid is generated at all, which is preferable in terms of environment. In the future, it is considered that a processor combining this technology with an existing silver halide printer or the like will be installed in a DP store, a station store, a convenience store, etc. to perform simultaneous printing. .

However, when used in a convenience store or the like, a person who is unfamiliar with the processing of a photograph often uses it, and an apparatus that can process the photograph as easily as possible is desired.

An object of the present invention is to rationally configure an apparatus capable of acquiring image information of a photographic film as digital image information by a simple operation in a short time.

[0006]

The features, functions and effects of the film processing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention are as follows. (Features) A transport mechanism for transporting the photographed silver halide photographic film is provided, and a developer application section for containing the developer in the photographic film is arranged at a position where the transport is good in the transport path in the transport mechanism. A scanner is configured by arranging a scanning unit for optically capturing as image information silver particles appearing in an emulsion layer of a photographic film due to the progress of development with respect to a lower position of conveyance from the developer application unit in the conveyance path, and In a film processing apparatus provided with a film supply unit for feeding a photographic film to a transfer start end of the transfer mechanism in a scanner, the film supply unit includes a magazine holding unit for setting a film magazine containing the photographic film, and the magazine A take-out mechanism for taking out the leading end of the photographic film from the film magazine set in the holder Lies in the fact that.

According to the above-mentioned feature, by setting the film magazine in the magazine holding portion, the take-out mechanism takes out the leading end of the photographic film from the film magazine and sends it to the transport start end of the transport mechanism. The photographic film sent by the transport mechanism by this,
The developing solution is applied in the developing solution application unit, and the developing process is started, and the scanning unit optically captures the silver particles appearing in the emulsion layer of the photographic film as image information by the developing process, so that the photographic film is photographed. Image information (information existing as a latent image) can be obtained. As a result, it is possible to acquire image information only by performing a simple operation of setting the film magazine in the magazine holding part without performing an operation of taking out the leading end of the photographic film from the film magazine prior to using this apparatus. became.

The features, functions and effects of the film processing apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention are as follows. [Features] In the film processing apparatus of claim 1, the scanner is configured with a single transport mechanism,
The film supply unit is configured to include a plurality of magazine holding units, and when a film magazine is set in any of the plurality of magazine holding units, the photographic film stored in the film magazine is transported by the transport mechanism. The present invention is characterized in that there is provided switching means for setting the relative positional relationship between the magazine holding unit and the transport start end of the transport mechanism so that the magazine is sent to the transport start end.

According to the above-mentioned feature, even if a film magazine is set in any one of the plurality of magazine holders, the photographic film from the film magazine set in the magazine holder is switched by the switching means. Can be sent to the transport start end. As a result, quick processing is possible regardless of the type of film magazine.

The features, functions and effects of the film processing apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention are as follows. [Features] In the film processing apparatus according to claim 2, one of the plurality of magazine holding units is configured to set a 135-size film magazine, and the other one of the plurality of magazine holding units holds a 240-size film magazine. It is configured to be settable.

[Operation and Effect] According to the above characteristics, 135
When comparing photographic film of size 240 and film of size 240, the method of taking out the leading edge of photographic film is different,
Although the width of the photographic film is different and the size of the photographed image is different, by providing a dedicated magazine holding part, processing to take out the leading end of the film, adjusting the width of the transport path, Corresponding processing such as adjusting the scanning area can be easily performed. As a result, a proper and lean process is performed to enable efficient process.

The features, functions and effects of the film processing apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention are as follows. [Features] In the film processing apparatus according to claim 2, one of the plurality of magazine holders is configured to set a 240-size film magazine.
The point is that the leading end of the photographic film is taken out by the take-out mechanism only when it is determined by the indicator provided in the 0-size film magazine that the photographing has been completed.

[Operation / Effect] According to the above characteristics, 240
Only the photographic film that has been shot is processed based on the indicator provided in the film magazine of the size, and if the photographic film is not shot based on the indicator, the processing is not performed. Processing can be prevented. As a result, unnecessary development processing is not required.

The features, functions and effects of the film processing apparatus according to claim 5 of the present invention are as follows. [Features] In the film processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a cutter unit that operates to cut when a rear end of the photographic film sent from the film magazine set in the magazine holding unit is determined. It has a point.

According to the above feature, when all of the photographic film is pulled out from the film magazine held in the magazine holding section, the cutter unit cuts the rear end of the photographic film. All of the photographic film can be sent to the transport mechanism and processed without any special operation by the operator. As a result, the processing from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the photographic film can be automatically performed without any operation by an operator.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a silver halide photographic film 1 (see FIGS. 2 and 3;
Film processing apparatus A for acquiring image information
And an image processing apparatus B for processing the image information acquired by the film processing apparatus A, and a printer C for printing on the silver halide photographic paper 2 based on the image information transferred from the image processing apparatus B. Thus, a photographic print system is configured. Also, in the figure, it is assumed that the film processing apparatus A, the image processing apparatus B, and the printer C are connected to each other by a signal cable, and signals are mutually accessed via the signal cable. The system is configured to send the image information processed by the image processing apparatus B to the printer C via the Internet, or to send the image information obtained by the film processing apparatus A to the image processing apparatus B via the Internet. It is also possible.

The image processing apparatus B includes a general-purpose computer 3 on which image processing software is installed, a display 4 for displaying information, a keyboard 5,
The printer C is provided with a mouse 6 and the like so that image information can be freely processed. The printer C sends the roll-shaped silver halide photographic paper 2 stored in the photographic paper magazines 7 and 7 into the housing, and After the paper 2 is cut to the print size, the paper 2 is exposed by the print head 8 in the housing, and the developing unit 9 in the housing is exposed.
, And after drying, it is sent out of the housing and is sorted by the sorter 10 on an order basis. The printer C may be a sublimation type, an inkjet type, or a thermal transfer type. This photographic print system has a feature in the film processing apparatus A, and its configuration will be described below.

That is, in the film processing apparatus A, the photographed and undeveloped film 1 is stored in the film supply unit AF disposed at one end of the casing 15 formed as a dark box as a whole. Film magazine M (film magazine Ma for 35 mm [135 size] described later,
By setting APS [240 size] film magazine Mb), this film magazine M
Of the film 1 is taken out, a developing solution is applied while the film 1 is being conveyed, and after this application, an infrared ray is irradiated at a timing after a set time elapses, and the developing solution is applied to the emulsion layer of the film 1. A scanner AS configured to perform processing so as to obtain image information as a digital signal by photoelectrically converting reflected light from the appearing silver particles and light blocked by the silver particles (light transmitted through the film 1).
And a control device (not shown) having a microprocessor to control these.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the film supply section AF is disposed at a position covered by a lid member 17 provided to be openable and closable via a hinge 16 with respect to an end of a housing 15. ing. A portion covered by the lid member 17 is provided with a table 19 which is slidably supported by a guide rod 18 having a substantially horizontal posture and a lateral posture orthogonal to the transport direction of the film 1, and reciprocates the table 19 in the horizontal direction. A screw shaft 20 that is screwed into a nut (not shown) provided on a table 19 so as to operate; and a transverse feed motor 22 that can drive the screw shaft 20 in the forward and reverse directions via a timing belt 21. Is provided.

Further, 35 mm with respect to the upper surface of the table 19
A magazine holding part Da on which a film magazine Ma of a film (135 size) can be set, and an APS film (2
A magazine holding portion Db (which is collectively referred to as a magazine holding portion D) on which a film magazine Mb of (40 sizes) can be set is formed in parallel. The table 19
Is configured such that the position can be freely switched in the horizontal direction because the magazine magazines M (M
a, Mb) is set so that the film 1 can be sent to the transport start end of the single transport mechanism E disposed on the lower side of the transport of the film 1 even when the film 1 is set. Switching means is constituted by the processing system. Therefore, the transverse feed motor 22 is used as a means for reciprocating the table 19 in the horizontal direction, but the position of the table 19 may be switched manually.

A magazine sensor 24 for detecting that the film magazine Ma has been set corresponding to the magazine holding portion Da of the 35 mm film, and a film magazine Ma
Mechanism G for taking out the leading end of the film 1 from the hopper, a supply / conveyance section H having a plurality of supply rollers for holding and feeding the film 1 thus taken out, and a cutter for cutting the rear end of the film 1 Unit J and Film Magazine M
1a, an end sensor S1 for judging the removal of the film 1 from the position of the leading end of the film 1, a loading sensor S2 for judging the presence or absence of the film 1 in this supply system, and a perforation for judging the perforation of the film 1. A sensor S3 and a trailing edge sensor S4 for determining the trailing edge of the film 1 are provided.

A reduction gear mechanism for transmitting power from a drive motor 27 to a drive shaft 26 which is detachable from a spool 25 of a film magazine Ma held in a magazine holding portion Da, and a mechanism in which an excessive load is applied. Constitutes a drive unit 28 provided with a friction transmission mechanism for avoiding breakage by generating a slip in the transmission system, and the drive unit 28 is slidably moved along the guide shaft 29 with respect to the table 19. A slide operation motor 32 that supports and rotationally drives a screw shaft 30 screwed to the drive unit 28 via a timing belt 31
It has. The take-out mechanism G includes a system for rotating the spool 25 of the film magazine Ma as described above, a guide plate 33 inserted into and removed from the opening of the film magazine Ma set in the magazine holding unit Da, and A guide plate drive motor 34 for insertion and removal is provided. When the leading end portion of the film 1 is taken out by the take-out mechanism G, the guide plate 33 is rotated by rotating the spool 25 of the film magazine Ma with the guide plate 33 inserted from the opening of the film magazine Ma.
The operation mode is set so that the leading end of the film 1 is sent out from the opening of the film magazine Ma in a state where the film 1 is guided.

The supply roller of the supply conveyance section H includes a drive roller 36 disposed below the path,
6 comprising a pressure roller 37 for pressing from above,
A supply motor 39 is provided for driving each of the drive rollers 36 in synchronization with each other via a timing belt 38. The cutter unit J has a fixed blade 40 and a movable blade 41 and an electromagnetic solenoid 42 for driving the movable blade 41. The respective sensors S1, S2,
S3 and S4 are configured by arranging a light emitting diode 43 for sending out infrared rays and a light receiving element 44 composed of a photodiode or a phototransistor for sensing infrared rays at positions facing each other with a region where the film 1 is conveyed. .

A magazine sensor 24 for detecting that the film magazine Mb has been set corresponding to the magazine holding portion Db of the APS film, and a discrimination sensor for discriminating a photographing state from a state of an indicator formed on a side surface of the film magazine Mb. 46, a take-out mechanism G for taking out the leading end of the film 1 from the film magazine Mb, a supply / conveyance unit H having a plurality of supply rollers for nipping and feeding the film 1 thus taken out, A cutter unit J for cutting the end, a loading sensor S2 for determining the presence or absence of the film 1 in the supply system, a perforation sensor S3 for determining the perforation of the film, and a rear end sensor S4 for determining the rear end of the film. ing.

A drive shaft 26 detachable from a spool 25 of the film magazine Mb held in the magazine holding portion Db
An operation shaft 48 that is detachable from an end of a light shielding cover 47 of the film magazine Mb, a reduction gear mechanism that transmits power from the drive motor 27 to each of the drive shaft 26 and the operation shaft 48, and an excessive load. The drive unit 28 is provided with a friction transmission mechanism for avoiding breakage by generating slippage in the transmission system when the drive unit 28 acts, and the drive unit 28 is slidable along the guide shaft 29. A slide operation motor 32 that supports the table 19 and that rotationally drives a screw shaft 30 screwed to the drive unit 29 via a timing belt 31 is provided. The take-out mechanism G includes a system for rotating the spool 25 of the film magazine MB and a system for opening and closing the light shielding cover 47 as described above.
When the leading end of the film 1 is taken out by the take-out mechanism G, the spool 25 of the film magazine Mb is rotated by rotating the spool 25 of the film magazine Mb while opening the light shielding cover 47 provided at the opening of the film magazine Mb. The operating mode is set to send out the tip.

The supply roller of the supply conveyance section H includes a drive roller 36 disposed below the path,
6 comprising a pressure roller 37 for pressing from above,
A supply motor 39 is provided for driving each of the drive rollers 36 in synchronization with each other via a timing belt 38. The cutter unit J has a fixed blade 40 and a movable blade 41 and an electromagnetic solenoid 42 for driving the movable blade 41. The respective sensors S1, S2,
S3 and S4 are configured by arranging a light emitting diode 43 for sending out infrared rays and a light receiving element 44 composed of a photodiode or a phototransistor for sensing infrared rays at positions facing each other with a region where the film 1 is conveyed. .

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the scanner AS is housed in a housing 15, and is provided with a transport mechanism K for pulling in the leading end of the film 1 from the take-out mechanism G and transporting the same. A developer coating section L which is arranged at a position well upstream of the transport path and contains a developer in the emulsion layer of the film 1
And a plurality of scanning sections which are arranged at a position lower than the developer application section L in the transport path of the transport mechanism K in the transport path, and optically capture as image information silver particles appearing in the emulsion layer of the film 1 as the development proceeds. N. The scanning principle of this scanner AS is basically the same as that described in the prior art.

The transport mechanism K is supplied with the film 1 from the film supply section AF, and has a developer application section L having introduction rollers 50 at both ends, a first loop section having a first tension roller 51, and both ends. A first scanning portion N1 having a first transport roller 52, and a second tension roller 5
2 and a second transport roller 54 at both ends.
Scanning section N2 having a third tension roller 55, a third scanning section N3 having third transport rollers 56 at both ends, and a discharge section 57.
Are arranged in series as a single lane. As described above, the scanning unit N includes the first, second, and third scanning units N1, N2, and N3.
Although each of the rollers 51 to 56 is drawn in a width over the entire width of the film 1 in FIG. 7, the rollers 51 to 56 are configured to contact only near both ends in the width direction of the film 1 to form an image. The film 1 is guided so that it does not contact the emulsion surface, and furthermore, the distance between the rollers arranged at both ends in the width direction of the film 1 and the both ends of the film 1 in the width direction. The interval between the guide members (not shown) is configured to be adjustable by driving force from a dedicated actuator (not shown).

The developing solution application section L has a sponge roller 59 that rotates in contact with the emulsion surface of the film 1 so as to apply the developing solution to the emulsion side (the upper surface in the figure) of the film 1. And a developing solution tank 60 for supplying the developing solution.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first, second, and third scanning portions N1, N2, and N3 are integrated with a light source and an image pickup means on the side of the film 1 facing the emulsion side. A main imaging unit Pa is arranged, and a sub-imaging unit Pb in which a light source and imaging means are integrated is arranged on the side facing the base side (the side opposite to the emulsion surface) of the film. The main imaging unit Pa and the sub imaging unit Pb have the same configuration. That is, an infrared light source 63 composed of a plurality of light emitting diodes is provided on the outer surface of the casing 62, an optical lens 64 is provided on the casing 62, and an image is formed inside the casing 62 by a light beam (infrared ray) guided from the optical lens 64. A photoelectric conversion element 65 composed of a line CCD arranged at a position is provided.

Next, scanning in the scanner AS will be described. That is, during processing, the film 1 from the film magazines Ma and Mb is supplied at a set speed, and the developer is applied to the emulsion side of the film 1 in the developer application section L. In the emulsion layer of the film 1 coated with the developing solution as described above, the silver in the silver halide is reduced by the action of the developing solution at the exposed portion (the portion where the latent image exists), and a large amount of silver particles are formed. Begin to. At the time when the set time has elapsed since the application of the developer, the timing at which the development is in an insufficient state (desensitized development state) is set to a first timing T1, and similarly, the set time has elapsed since the application of the developer. A timing at which a standard development state is set at the time is set as a second timing T2, and a timing at which development becomes excessive (a sensitized development state) is set at a time when a set time has elapsed since the application of the developer. The timing is set to T3, and the first, second, and third timings T1, T2, T3
The main and sub imaging units P
a and Pb are arranged.

The transport speed of the transport mechanism K is set to a constant value in order to transport the film 1 at a preset speed to enable proper scanning. However, the first, second and third timings T1, T2, T3
Is different depending on the characteristics of the film (such as brand and processing conditions), so that the first, second, and third timings T1, T2 can be adjusted by adjusting the positions of the tension rollers 51, 53, and 55 to arbitrarily set the entire length of the loop portion. It is configured such that T2 and T3 can be set to optimal ones.

The main image pickup unit Pa can acquire emulsion layer side reflected light data and transmitted light data via infrared rays, and the sub image pickup unit Pb can acquire base material layer reflected light data and infrared ray data via infrared rays. Acquisition of transmitted light data is possible. That is, regardless of the negative color or the positive color, a blue-sensitive layer, a green-sensitive layer, and a red-sensitive layer are formed from the surface side of the emulsion layer toward the base side.
Since data of reflected light from silver particles generated in the blue-sensitive layer on the outermost surface side of the emulsion layer is obtained, this data can be used as data representative of the blue component. In Pb, data of the reflected light from the silver particles generated in the red-sensitive layer on the base side is obtained, so that this data can be used as data representing the red component. The acquired light beam data can be used as data indicating the total light amount obtained by adding the blue component, the red component, and the green component, and the data of the reflected light acquired by the main imaging unit Pa from the data indicating the total light amount The remainder obtained by subtracting the data of the reflected light acquired by the sub-imaging unit Pb and the reflected light data can be used as data representing a green component. As a result, data for restoring a color image is obtained.

Incidentally, in a normal negative color film,
The red-sensitive layer of the emulsion layer contains, in addition to silver halide, a coupler that reacts with an oxidized developer to become a cyan dye.
The green-sensitive layer contains, in addition to silver halide, a coupler that reacts with an oxidized developer to form a magenta dye, and the blue-sensitive layer contains a yellow dye that reacts with an oxidized developer in addition to silver halide. Includes coupler In a conventional developing process (for example, C-41 process), for example, in a blue layer exposed to blue light, a yellow dye is formed together with silver particles by the developing process to form a negative color. Is formed. However, in this scanner AS, the dye generated by the coupler becomes ineffective due to scanning with infrared rays. The silver particles have a wavelength of 780 nm.
However, since the dye generated from the coupler does not absorb infrared light in this wavelength range, even if the dye is generated from the coupler, it does not affect imaging data. Of course, in the present invention, a special photographic film containing no coupler can be used.

In the scanner AS, each of the red-sensitive layer, the green-sensitive layer, and the blue-sensitive layer based on the above-described three types of information acquired by the main imaging unit Pa and the sub-imaging unit Pb arranged at three locations. In addition to acquiring the data, the data corresponding to the first, second, and third timings T1, T2, and T3 are determined according to the development characteristics determined from the brand of the photographic film 1 and the exposure conditions of individual image frames. Based on a calculation algorithm set in advance, processing for synthesizing or deleting each other is performed as appropriate, and colorized image information is generated based on the processing result. After the image information is generated in this way, a process of transferring the image information to the image processing apparatus B in a state where the image information can be managed in units of frames is performed, and the image information obtained by this process is transferred to the printer C in units of orders. Thus, necessary image information can be printed. Since the emulsion layer of the film 1 which has been scanned in this way contains a developing solution, the emulsion layer is further developed and becomes unusable.
And discarded.

With this configuration, regardless of whether the film is a negative color film or a positive color film, for example, when scanning an image photographed on a 35 mm film, the lid member 17 is opened to operate the 35 mm film. The process is started by setting the film magazine Ma on the magazine holding part Da corresponding to the film and closing the lid member 17. Thereafter, based on the detection result of the magazine sensor 24, the feed transport unit H where the film 1 is transported from the film magazine Ma by driving the horizontal feed motor 22 and the start end of the lane of the transport mechanism K of the scanner AS are linearly aligned. At the same time as setting the position of the table 19 so that
A process is performed in which the width of the plurality of rollers constituting the transport mechanism K of the scanner AS corresponds to a 35 mm film, and the slide operation motor 32 is driven to move the drive unit 28 to the film magazine side. The spool 25 of the film magazine Ma and the drive shaft 26 are engaged.

In parallel with these processes, the guide plate drive motor 34 is driven to insert the guide plate 33 into the opening of the film magazine Ma, and then the drive motor 27 of the drive unit 28 is driven to drive the drive shaft 26. The spool 25 is rotated by this, and the leading end of the film 1 is taken out of the magazine while being guided by the guide plate 33. When the leading end is detected by the end sensor S1, the guide plate driving motor 34
Is driven in the reverse direction to extract the guide plate 33, and the drive motor 2
7 is further driven and the film 1 is sent out. Then, by driving the supply motor 39, the conveyance of the film 1 is started in a state where the film 1 is nipped by the respective rollers of the supply conveyance section H, and the leading end of the film 1 is sent to the conveyance start end of the conveyance mechanism K. . After the conveyance is started in the supply conveyance section H, the drive motor 27 is stopped, and the loading sensor S2 is stopped.
To confirm the presence or absence of the film 1, and the process of determining the transport state of the film 1 by the perforation sensor S3 is continued.

Since the rear end of the film 1 is fixed to the spool 25 with tape or the like, when all the films 1 are pulled out from the film magazine Ma thereafter, the supply roller for driving the supply roller is driven. At the same time as the load on the motor 39 sharply increases (the supplied current value also increases), the tension of the film 1 sharply increases. The film processing apparatus A determines that all the films 1 have been drawn from the film magazine Ma by utilizing at least one of the phenomena, and cuts the rear end of the film 1 with the cutter unit J. That is, although not shown in the drawings, a current sensor that measures a current value supplied to the supply motor 39,
And a tension sensor for measuring the tension acting on the film 1, wherein the current sensor measures a sudden increase in the current value, or the tension sensor measures a sudden increase in the tension acting on the film 1. If the situation occurs,
The cutter unit J is operated to perform a process of cutting the rear end of the film 1, and thereafter, the drive of the supply motor 39 is continued until the discharge confirmation sensor S4 detects that the rear end of the film has passed, After this detection, the supply motor 3
9 is to be stopped.

When the supply of the film 1 is started in this manner, the image information of the film 1 is scanned by the above-described processing while the film 1 is conveyed at the set speed in the scanner AS.

When scanning an image photographed on the APS film, the cover member 17 is opened and the film magazine Mb is set in the magazine holding portion Db corresponding to the APS film, and the cover member 17 is closed. Manipulate. Only when it is determined that the photographing has been completed based on the determination result of the determination sensor 46 after the operation is performed in this way, the lateral feed motor 22 is driven based on the detection result of the magazine sensor 24 to drive the film. At the same time, the position of the table 19 is set so that the supply conveyance section H to which the film 1 is sent from the magazine Mb and the start end of the lane of the conveyance mechanism K of the scanner AS are linearly arranged. A process is performed in which the width of the rollers in the width direction corresponds to the APS film, and the drive unit 28 is driven by driving the slide operation motor 32.
Is moved to the film magazine side, the operation shaft 48 is engaged with the end of the light-shielding lid 47, and the film magazine Mb
And the drive shaft 26 are engaged.

Further, by driving the drive motor 27 of the drive unit 28 in parallel with these processes, the operation shaft 48 is driven to open the light shielding cover 47, and then the spool 25 is rotated by the drive shaft 26. The leading end of the film 1 is taken out of the magazine and sent out. Then, by driving the supply motor 39, the conveyance of the film 1 is started in a state where the film 1 is nipped by the respective supply rollers of the supply conveyance section H, and the film 1
Is sent to the transport mechanism K. As described above, when the conveyance is started in the supply conveyance section H, the driving motor 27 is stopped, the presence or absence of the film 1 is confirmed by the loading sensor S2, and the state of the conveyance of the film 1 is determined by the perforation sensor S2. The processing to be performed is continued.

Since the rear end of the film 1 is fixed to the spool 25, the film magazine M
When all the films 1 are pulled out of the film b, the load on the supply motor 39 for driving the supply roller suddenly increases, and at the same time, the film tension rapidly increases (the supplied current value also increases). 1 increases sharply. The film processing apparatus A uses at least one of the phenomena to determine that all the films 1 have been drawn from the film magazine Mb, and cuts the rear end of the film 1 with the cutter unit J, or Since a perforation indicating the rear end is formed at the rear end of the APS film, it is determined by the cutter unit J that the film 1 has been pulled out from the film magazine Mb based on the detection of the perforation. A process of cutting the rear end of the film 1 is performed. In other words, although not shown in the drawings, a current sensor for measuring the current value supplied to the supply motor 39, a tension sensor for measuring the tension acting on the film 1, and a perforation sensor for detecting perforation are provided. When a sudden increase in the value is measured, when a sudden increase in the tension acting on the film 1 is measured by the tension sensor,
If any situation occurs when the perforation sensor detects the perforation, the cutter unit J is operated to cut the rear end of the film 1, and thereafter, the discharge confirmation sensor S4 is used to cut the rear end of the film. The drive of the supply motor 39 is continued until it is detected that the end has passed, and after this detection, the supply motor 39 is stopped.

When the supply of the film 1 is thus started, the image information of the film 1 is scanned by the above-described processing while the film 1 is transported at the set speed in the scanner AS.

As described above, in the present invention, the film processing apparatus A is provided with the film magazine M (for 35 mm, APS).
The top end of the film 1 is automatically taken out even if the top end of the film 1 is rolled into the film magazine M only by setting the upper end of the film magazine including the application. Is sent to the scanner AS, so that the operator can send the film 1 of the film magazine M to the scanner AS and acquire an image without specially performing an operation of removing the leading end of the film 1 from the film magazine M. , It is easy to handle.
This scanner AS generates silver particles in the latent image portion of the emulsion layer by applying a developing solution to the film 1 in the same manner as in the conventional developing process. Since the silver particles generated in the layer are optically scanned to capture image information, not only can the time required until scanning be shortened, but also processing after development, bleaching processing and fixing processing, which has conventionally been performed. Since stable processing is not required and the amount of developer used for development can be extremely small, the effect on the environment is very small and good.

In particular, magazine holding parts Da and Db capable of setting a 35 mm film and an APS film with respect to the film supply part are formed, and the respective magazine holding parts Da and Db are formed.
b is supplied to the scanner AS, so that the main 2 currently used is
The image information can be obtained from any of the films 1 stored in the film magazine M of any kind, and after the image is obtained, the image can be printed on photographic paper without any difference from the conventional processing. Can be done.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a photo print system.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the film supply unit to which a 135-size film is supplied.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the film supply unit to which a 240-size film is supplied.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a film supply unit.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a film supply unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a film processing apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a scanner.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an arrangement and a cross section of an imaging unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Photographic film AF Film supply D Magazine holding section G Take-out mechanism J Cutter unit K Transport mechanism L Developer coating section M Film magazine Ma 135-size film magazine Mb 240-size film magazine N Scanning section

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor, Yoshiki Yoshikawa 579-Umehara, Wakayama-shi, Wakayama F-term within Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd. (Reference) 2H098 DA16 EA15 FA00 FA09 FA17

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A transport mechanism for transporting a photographed silver halide photographic film, and a developer application section for containing a developer in the photographic film is disposed at a position on the transport path of the transport mechanism in the transport mechanism where the developer is well transported. A scanner is arranged by arranging a scanning unit for optically capturing as image information silver particles appearing in an emulsion layer of a photographic film due to progress of development with respect to a position lower than the conveyance from the developer application unit in the conveyance path. A film processing apparatus comprising: a film supply unit that feeds a photographic film to a conveyance start end of the conveyance mechanism in the scanner, wherein the film supply unit sets a film magazine containing the photographic film. And a take-out mechanism for taking out the leading end of the photographic film from the film magazine set in the magazine holding section. And which film processing apparatus comprising a. 2. The scanner according to claim 1, wherein the scanner includes a single transport mechanism, the film supply unit includes a plurality of magazine holding units, and any one of the plurality of magazine holding units includes a film magazine. When set,
2. A switching means for setting a relative positional relationship between a magazine holding portion and a transport start end of the transport mechanism so as to feed the photographic film stored in the film magazine to the transport start end of the transport mechanism. Film processing equipment. 3. One of the plurality of magazine holders is a magazine holder.
The film processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a film magazine of five sizes is set, and another one of the plurality of magazine holding units is configured to set a film magazine of 240 sizes. 4. One of the plurality of magazine holders is a magazine holder.
It is configured such that a 0-size film magazine can be set, and the take-out mechanism takes out the leading end of the photographic film only when it is determined by the indicator provided in the 240-size film magazine that shooting has been completed. 3. The film processing apparatus according to claim 2, which is configured as described above. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cutter unit that operates to cut when a rear end of the photographic film sent from the film magazine set in the magazine holding unit is determined. A photographic film processing apparatus as described in the above.