JP2003186167A - Photograph film developing and processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To read images from a photograph film under developing and processing, to turn the images into digital image data and to print a photograph with a digital photograph printer or to record the photograph on a recording medium such as a CD-R. <P>SOLUTION: A developer 3 or other processing liquid 4 is removed from the surface of a photograph film 1 developed at least to be developed and transported at a prescribed speed by a processing liquid removing device 50 composed of a pair of squeeze rollers 51 and 52, and the image developed on the photograph film 1 before drying is read by an image reader 60 composed of a light source 61, a reflector 62, an imaging device 63 and an image pickup lens 64 or the like provided inside the squeeze rollers 51 and 52. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the development of a color photographic film using silver halide as a catalyst for coloring a dye, and the reading of an image on the photographic film to obtain a C
The present invention relates to a photographic film developing apparatus for recording on a recording medium such as D-R.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed a method for developing a photographic film by directly spraying or coating an appropriate amount of each processing solution on the emulsion surface of the photographic film (hereinafter referred to as "direct coating development"). (See, for example, JP-A-62-92957). However, in putting this direct coating development into practical use, simple rapid development is further proposed in which at least one of the other steps except the development step among the processing steps of development, bleaching, fixing and stabilization is omitted. It became so. First, the background will be described.

As is well known, at the same time as a service for developing a photographic film and printing it on photographic paper, a service for reading an image on the photographic film with a scanner and recording digital image data on a recording medium such as a CD-R is provided. ing. Also, a piece of photographic paper is exposed with a laser beam using digital image data taken by a digital camera or digital image data recorded on the CD-R or the like,
A digital photographic printing apparatus that forms an image on a piece of photographic paper is also in practical use.

With the downsizing and cost reduction of photographic film developing devices and photographic printing devices, so-called minilab stores, where these devices are installed in stores to develop films and print on photographic paper in a short time, are rapidly increasing. is doing. further,
Digital cameras are rapidly becoming popular in place of cameras using photographic film. As a result, the number of photographic films processed in one minilab store tends to decrease, and this trend is expected to continue.

Under these circumstances, a minilab store has both or both functions of a conventional analog photographic printing device for printing photographs using photographic film and a digital photographic printing device for printing photographs using digital image data. Installing a composite photo printing device is costly in terms of location and / or economy. Therefore, a minilab store with a small capital power has a desire to unify the photographic print processing into a digital photographic printing apparatus.

However, in the conventional system, the image data is read by the scanner after developing, bleaching, fixing, stabilizing and drying the photographic film in the photographic film developing device. Therefore, the time required to read image data when performing photographic print processing with a digital photographic printing apparatus using image data read from photographic film is greater than when performing photographic printing processing with a conventional analog photographic printing apparatus. The processing time increases as much. As a result, the minilab store, which sells products for a short time, has a problem that its competitiveness with other stores is reduced.

For a customer who orders a print of a photo from a minilab store, it suffices that the finished photo has a certain image quality, and whether the process in the middle is analog or digital, but not so much. It can be said that it has no relationship. Further, if the same photograph can be duplicated in the future, it does not matter whether the medium for recording the image is a film or a recording medium such as a CD-R. As an extreme example, if the image data is stored on a CD-R or the like, the photographic film may be discarded.

On the other hand, if at least the developing step is completed, the exposed portion is developed on the photographic film,
It is in a state where it can be recognized as an image. Therefore, the image data can be read by the scanner even if the subsequent processing is omitted. Therefore, on the premise that printing is performed by a digital photographic printing apparatus, simple quick development is proposed in which at least one of the development, bleaching, fixing, and stabilization processing steps other than the development step is omitted. It was
Specifically, a first method consisting of two steps of development and drying, a second method consisting of three steps of development, bleaching and drying, and development,
It is a third method consisting of three steps of fixing and drying. In any of the methods, the most time-consuming stabilization treatment step is omitted, and therefore the time required from the development of the photographic film to the drying can be greatly shortened.

Incidentally, the case where all of the development, bleaching, fixing and stabilizing processes are executed is referred to as "standard development", and in any case of any of the above-mentioned methods, the omitted steps should be additionally processed afterwards. Gives a negative film in the same processing state as in standard development. Therefore, if the customer desires, it is possible to return the standard-developed negative film by performing the omitted steps after reading the image data.

[0010]

However, since the developing solution, the bleaching solution, and the fixing solution are all prepared by melting the chemicals in the solvent, the photographic film cannot be directly dried without the stabilization treatment step. The drug is deposited as crystals on the surface of the. When the image data is read by the scanner with the crystal of the drug adhering to the surface of the photographic film, the illumination light is diffusely reflected by the crystal part, which causes a problem that the image data different from the original image is read.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional example, and the photographic film can be printed by a digital photographic printing apparatus without drying the photographic film during the development process so that the photographic film can be printed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a film development processing device capable of reading image data from a computer.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the photographic film developing apparatus of the present invention wipes the processing liquid from the surface of the photographic film which has been at least developed and conveyed at a predetermined speed. Processing liquid wiping means, and image reading means for reading the image developed on the photographic film, provided at the same position as the processing liquid wiping means with respect to the transport direction of the photographic film or at the downstream side thereof. It is equipped with.

In the above arrangement, it is preferable that the processing liquid wiping means is a pair of squeeze rollers that rotate while being in close contact with both sides of the photographic film.

Of the pair of squeeze rollers,
It is preferable that at least the outer peripheral surface of the roller on the emulsion side of the photographic film is formed of a light-transmissive material, and the image reading means is provided therein.

Further, the developing treatment is preferably carried out by directly spraying or coating a developing solution on the emulsion surface of the photographic film.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a photographic film developing apparatus according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, a photographic film developing apparatus according to this embodiment is a cartridge (patrone).
The photographic film 1 pulled out from the film 10 is conveyed at a constant speed in a predetermined direction (for example, the right side in the drawing) by a film conveying mechanism 20 including a roller 21 and a belt 22. Incidentally. The numbers and positions of the rollers 21 and the belts 22 are not limited to the illustrated example, and can be changed as appropriate.

When the type of the photographic film 1 is 135, the photographic film 1 is placed near the cartridge 10.
A first cutter 11 is provided for cutting the end of the. Further, a second cutter 12 for cutting the developed photographic film 1 into a predetermined length is also provided near the final end of the film transport mechanism 20. When the type of photographic film 1 is the APS type, the photographic film 1 is stored in the original cartridge without being cut, so
The cutter 11 and the second cutter 12 are unnecessary.

A first coating head 3 for directly spraying or coating the developing solution onto the emulsion surface 1a of the photographic film 1 in the conveying direction of the photographic film 1 and on the downstream side of the first cutter 11.
0, a first storage tank 31 for storing the developer, a first valve 32 for adjusting the amount of the developer, and a constant thickness (amount) of the developer applied on the emulsion surface 1a. The first coating amount adjusting rollers 33 and 34 are provided.

On the downstream side of the first coating amount adjusting rollers 33 and 34, there is provided a second one for directly spraying or coating a processing solution other than the developing solution such as a bleaching solution or a fixing solution on the emulsion surface 1a of the photographic film 1. Application head 40, second storage tank 41 for storing treatment liquid, second for adjusting amount of treatment liquid
Valve 42, second coating amount adjusting roller 4 for adjusting the thickness (amount) of the processing liquid applied on the emulsion surface 1a to a constant value.
3 and 44 are provided.

A processing liquid wiping device 50 (a pair of squeeze rollers 51 and 52) for wiping the processing liquid on the emulsion surface 1a of the photographic film 1 is provided downstream of the second coating amount adjusting rollers 43 and 44. Is provided. Further, inside the squeeze rollers 51 and 52, respective components of an image reading device 60 for reading an image developed on the photographic film 1 and outputting image data are housed. Details of the image reading device 60 will be described later.

First coating head 30 and second coating head 40
During the period, the distance is set so that the photographic film 1 is conveyed at the above-mentioned constant speed and the time required for development (for example, 1 minute) is required. Similarly, the distance between the second coating head 40 and the treatment liquid wiping device 50 is set to a distance that requires the time required for the reaction with the treatment liquid.

A drying device 1 for drying the photographic film 1 wet with the processing liquid is provided on the downstream side of the processing liquid wiping device 50.
5 is provided, and the second cutter 12 is provided further downstream thereof.

Inside or in the vicinity of each belt 22 for conveying the photographic film 1, the temperature of the photographic film 1 during processing (more strictly speaking, a developing solution impregnated in the emulsion layer of the photographic film 1 A heater 23 is provided to keep the temperature of the processing liquid constant. Also, photographic film 1
It goes without saying that the feeding speed of the image reading device 60 and the image reading speed of the image reading device 60 are synchronized.

Now, a method of developing the photographic film 1 in this embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, direct coating development in which the emulsion surface 1a of the photographic film 1 is directly sprayed or coated with a processing solution, in particular, processing steps other than the development step among the processing steps of development, bleaching, fixing, and stabilization processing. And the simple rapid development that omits at least one of the other stabilizing processes. That is, it is one of three types of development processing only, development processing and bleaching processing, development processing and fixing processing.
In the case of only the developing process, the second coating head 40, the second storage tank 41, the second valve 42, the second coating amount adjusting roller 43.
And 44 are unnecessary. Further, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the development processing, the bleaching processing, and the fixing processing can be performed.
It may be configured to perform one processing, developing, bleaching,
The fixing and stabilizing processes may all be executed. In those cases, a coating head or the like may be further provided depending on the number of processing steps. Each processing solution such as a developing solution has a higher viscosity (eg, gel) than the processing solution used in the conventional tank-type photographic film developing apparatus.

Next, FIG. 2 shows a detailed structure of a main part of the photographic film developing processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, among the first coating amount adjusting rollers 33 and 34 and the second coating amount adjusting rollers 43 and 44, the roller 34 on the non-emulsion side of the photographic film 1 (the antihalation film side) and 44 contacts the non-emulsion surface of the photographic film 1 at all portions in the width direction of the photographic film 1. On the other hand, the rollers 33 and 43 on the emulsion surface 1a side of the photographic film 1 come into contact only with the portions of the photographic film 1 where the image is not exposed (for example, in the case of the 135 type, the perforated portions on both sides), and the image is Do not touch exposed parts. That is, steps (for example, about 0.5 to 1.0 mm) are provided on the outer peripheral surfaces of the rollers 33 and 43.

First coating head 30 or second coating head 4
The developer 3 or other processing liquid 4 sprayed or coated on the emulsion surface 1a of the photographic film 1 from 0 to the roller 33 or 4
It is possible to abut on 3 and pass only the stepped portion. Therefore, on the downstream side of the first coating amount adjusting rollers 33 and 34 and the second coating amount adjusting rollers 43 and 44, the film thickness of the developing solution 3 or the other processing solution 4 coated on the emulsion surface 1a of the photographic film 1 is reduced. The (liquid volume) is managed so as to be almost constant.

The developing solution 3 or other processing solution 4 coated on the emulsion surface 1a of the photographic film 1 is sandwiched between a pair of squeeze rollers 51 and 52, whereby the emulsion surface 1a is formed.
Almost completely wiped off from above. Each squeeze roller 51
The outer peripheral portions of 52 and 52 are each formed of a transparent material (for example, glass or plastic), and the inside is hollow. A linear light source 61 such as a halogen lamp for illuminating the photographic film 1 from the non-emulsion surface side and a reflection plate 62 are provided inside the roller 52 that contacts the non-emulsion surface side of the photographic film 1. On the other hand, photographic film 1
Inside the roller 51 that abuts on the emulsion surface 1a side, an image pickup element 63 such as a line CCD for picking up an image developed on the photographic film 1, and an image pickup element 63 for receiving the image on the photographic film 1 are received. Imaging lens 6 for focusing on a plane
4 and the like are provided.

In this embodiment, the processing liquid wiping device 50 and the image reading device 60 are provided at the same position in the transport direction of the photographic film 1. Squeeze roller 51
Since the rollers 51 and 52 are in contact with both sides of the photographic film 1 with a predetermined pressure on the pinching line formed by and 52, the developing solution 3 or the other processing solution 4 is almost completely wiped off at that portion, and air bubbles are generated. Can hardly exist. Therefore, by reading the image on the photographic film 1 with the line sandwiched by the squeeze rollers 51 and 52 as the scanning line, a good image with less distortion can be captured. Further, as compared with the case where the image reading device 60 is provided on the downstream side of the processing liquid wiping device 50 with respect to the transport direction of the photographic film 1, the size of the photographic film development processing device in the transport direction of the photographic film 1 is reduced. Can be made smaller.

In parallel with the developing process of the photographic film 1, the image data output from the image pickup device 63 of the image reading device 60 is subjected to predetermined image processing, and then a known digital photographic printing device (not shown). Is output to
It is recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-R. A digital photograph printing apparatus prints a photograph on photographic paper using the input image data. The photographic film cut into a predetermined length by the second cutter 12 is returned to the customer together with the CD-R and the printed photograph. Further, according to the customer's request, the omitted processing may be performed later to perform the standard development.

Next, a negative color type photographic film will be briefly described. In a negative color type photographic film, a dye is developed using silver as a catalyst. The unexposed emulsion layer contains silver in the form of silver halide,
When exposed, the silver halide is transformed into metallic silver. Reacting the exposed photographic film with a developer,
The dye in the portion transformed into metallic silver is colored, and the dye in the portion where the silver halide remains is not colored. When the developed photographic film is sequentially reacted with a bleaching solution and a fixing solution, both metallic silver and silver halide are removed (desilvering treatment), and undeveloped dyes are also removed. After that, a standard negative development is carried out by subjecting to a stabilizing treatment to obtain a general negative film. The antihalation layer on the non-emulsion side of the photographic film (for example, the brown layer on the back side) is slightly removed by the bleaching treatment and completely removed by the fixing treatment.

On the other hand, when the fixing process is omitted in the simple rapid development, the antihalation layer on the back surface of the photographic film remains, and the metallic silver, silver halide and undeveloped dye in the emulsion layer remain. It is not as transparent as a negative film. When the unfixed photographic film is exposed again, the silver halide in the portion which was originally unexposed and remains in the state of silver halide is transformed into metallic silver. However, the dye in the portion transformed into metallic silver does not develop color unless it is reacted again with the developing solution. Therefore, a standard-developed negative film can be obtained by subjecting an unfixed photographic film to a fixing process and a stabilizing process later. In other words, the photographic film from which the fixing process has been omitted from the standard development is illuminated when the image is read by the image reading device 60 as described above, or cut into a predetermined length after the photographic film is dried. There is no particular problem even if it is returned to the customer.

In the description of the above embodiment, the treatment liquid wiping device 50 and the image reading device 60 are provided at the same position in the transport direction of the photographic film 1, and the light source 61 and the light source 61 constituting the image reading device 60 are provided. The reflection plate 62 is housed inside the squeeze roller 52 that abuts on the non-emulsion side of the photographic film 1, and the image pickup element 63 and the image pickup lens 64 are attached to the emulsion side 1.
Although the squeeze roller 51 is configured to be housed inside the squeeze roller 51 that abuts on the a side, the present invention is not limited to this configuration example and can be appropriately modified.

For example, a light source 61, a reflection plate 62, and an image pickup device 6 are provided inside the squeeze roller 51 which is in contact with the emulsion surface 1a.
The emulsion surface 1a of the photographic film 1 may be illuminated by a so-called reflection method by accommodating all the image pickup lenses 3 and the imaging lens 64. In that case, the outer peripheral surface of the squeeze roller 52 that contacts the non-emulsion side does not need to be formed of a transparent material, and a known rubber roller or the like can be used.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the image reading device 60 may be provided on the downstream side of the processing liquid wiping device 50 in the transport direction of the photographic film 1. In that case,
Although the size of the photographic film developing device in the transport direction of the photographic film 1 becomes slightly larger, a squeeze roller known as the processing liquid wiping device 50 can be used, and an image pickup device known as the image reading device 60 can be used. .

Further, in the description of the above embodiment, the direct coating development in which the processing liquid is directly sprayed or coated on the emulsion surface of the photographic film, in particular, the developing step among the processing steps of developing, bleaching, fixing and stabilizing treatments. Although the simple rapid development in which at least one of the other steps except for the above is omitted has been described, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the photographic film is sequentially conveyed in the tank filled with each processing solution. Therefore, it can be applied to a conventional photographic film developing apparatus for developing. In that case, a photo can be printed on photographic paper using the image data read from the photographic film during the development process in parallel with the drying process of the developed negative film, which greatly shortens the photo printing process time. can do.

[0038]

As described above, according to the photographic film development processing apparatus of the present invention, at least development processing is performed,
A treatment liquid wiping unit for wiping the treatment liquid from the surface of the photographic film conveyed at a predetermined speed, and a treatment liquid wiping unit provided at the same position as or downstream of the treatment liquid wiping unit in the conveying direction of the photographic film. Since the image reading means for reading the developed image on the photographic film is provided, the image on the photographic film can be read during the developing process of the photographic film and before drying.

In this state, the drug component in the processing liquid is dissolved in the solvent and is not deposited on the photographic film.
Image data corresponding to the original image can be read without the illumination light being diffusely reflected by the crystal part. Further, since the processing liquid is wiped from the photographic film by the processing liquid wiping means, distortion or blurring of the image due to the processing liquid does not occur. Further, in parallel with the drying process of the photographic film, the photographic print process can be performed by using the image data read by the image reading means, and the photographic print process time can be greatly shortened.

Further, by using a pair of squeeze rollers that rotate while being in close contact with both sides of the photographic film as the treatment liquid wiping means, the treatment liquid can be efficiently wiped without damaging the surface of the photographic film. be able to.

Further, among the pair of squeeze rollers, at least the outer peripheral surface of the roller on the emulsion side of the photographic film is formed of a material having a light-transmitting property, and the image reading means is provided inside the outer peripheral surface of the squeeze roller. The wiping means and the image reading means can be provided at the same position, and at least the size of the photographic film developing device in the transport direction can be reduced.

Further, as the developing treatment, the developing solution is directly sprayed or applied on the emulsion surface of the photographic film, whereby the tank filled with the treating solution can be omitted, and the size of the entire photographic film developing apparatus can be reduced. be able to. In particular, since the processing liquid tank is not necessary, it is suitable for use in a minilab store where the number of photographic film developing processes is small.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a photographic film development processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a main part of the photographic film development processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a modified example of the photographic film development processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Photographic film 1a: Emulsion side 11: First cutter 12: Second cutter 15: Drying device 20: Film transport mechanism 21: Laura 22: Belt 23: Heater 30: First coating head 31: First storage tank 32: First valve 33: First coating amount adjusting roller 34: First coating amount adjusting roller 40: Second coating head 41: Second storage tank 42: Second valve 43: Second coating amount adjusting roller 44: Second coating amount adjusting roller 50: Treatment liquid wiping device 51: Squeeze roller 52: Squeeze roller 60: Image reading device 61: Light source 62: Reflector 63: Imaging device 64: Imaging lens

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A treatment liquid wiping means for wiping a treatment liquid from the surface of a photographic film which has been at least developed and conveyed at a predetermined speed, and the treatment liquid wiping in the conveying direction of the photographic film. A photographic film developing and processing apparatus, which is provided at the same position as the removing means or on the downstream side thereof and is provided with an image reading means for reading an image developed on the photographic film. 2. The photographic film development processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing liquid wiping means is a pair of squeeze rollers that rotate while being in close contact with both sides of the photographic film. 3. Of the pair of squeeze rollers, at least the outer peripheral surface of the emulsion-side roller of the photographic film is formed of a light-transmissive material, and the image reading means is provided therein. 3. The method according to claim 2,
The described photographic film development processing apparatus. 4. The photographic film development processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the development processing is carried out by directly spraying or coating a developing solution on the emulsion surface of the photographic film. .