JP2003231295A - Storage device for instant film pack and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive instant film pack and a printer which can form suitable prints with the use of the instant film pack. <P>SOLUTION: A recognizing part 56 for recognizing a size of the instant film pack 16 is set in the storage device 17 which stores the instant film pack 16. When the instant film pack 16 is set, the size of the instant film pack 16 is recognized, and characteristic data of an instant film unit corresponding to the size is specified. Printing data is corrected on the basis of the characteristic data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an instant film pack storage device and printer, and more particularly to an instant film pack storage device used in an instant camera and the like, and a printer using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various instant film packs (hereinafter referred to as film packs) in which a plurality of mono-sheet type instant film units (hereinafter referred to as film units) are housed in a box-shaped case are commercially available. The case is formed of a light-shielding plastic, and is provided with an exposure opening for exposing the exposed surface of the film unit and a slit-shaped discharge opening for discharging the exposed film unit. This film pack is used for an instant camera, a printer, etc., and is loaded together with a case in a pack chamber provided in these devices.

Various types of printers and electronic still cameras with printers have been proposed as devices using the film unit. These printers generate print data from the image data recorded in the image memory,
Based on this print data, the print head of the print section is caused to emit light in a plurality of colors, and the film unit is exposed.

However, the film unit has a plurality of different sizes, and in some cases, different performance is required for each size. That is, when the film unit is used in an instant camera, it may be provided as a dedicated film unit. This is because the instant camera exposes the subject light that has passed through the shooting lens to the film unit as it is, so if you use a dedicated film unit that is manufactured and controlled so that the color balance and density are at a certain level. Because it is good. However, when it is used in a printer, various settings need to be changed. This is because the printer, unlike the instant camera, needs to form an image based on image data on various film units. For this reason, it is required to enable image formation with a characteristic according to the film unit with a low cost and a simple configuration.

Therefore, in order to obtain the characteristic according to the film unit, the data is recorded in the film pack,
A technique has been proposed in which this is read and the characteristics are changed to form an image (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-147483).

[0006]

However, in order to obtain the characteristics according to the film unit, it is necessary to newly record the data in the film pack, and a new work is required, and the film pack in which the data is not recorded is required. In that case, the data could not be specified and a good image could not be obtained.

In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to provide an accommodating device and printer for an instant film pack which is low in cost and has a simple structure and which can form an image with characteristics according to a film unit.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention accommodates a plurality of instant film units, the plurality of instant film units, and exposes the exposed surface of the instant film units. Discriminating means for discriminating the size of the instant film pack in an instant film pack accommodating device for accommodating an instant film pack including a case having an exposure opening And output means for outputting a signal corresponding to the characteristic data of the instant film unit to the various devices when loaded in the storage chamber of the various devices.

The present invention is applied to a storage device for storing an instant film pack. The instant film pack consists of multiple instant film units,
And a case in which the plurality of instant film units are accommodated and an exposure opening for exposing the exposure surface of the instant film unit is formed. The storage device stores an instant film pack and loads it into a storage chamber of various devices for use. In the storage device of the present invention, the size of the instant film pack is discriminated by the discriminating means, and when loaded in the storage chamber of various devices by the output means, a signal corresponding to the characteristic data of the instant film unit is output. Output to the device. Thereby, the characteristic data can be automatically grasped even when the instant film packs of different sizes are stored.

In the storage device for the instant film pack, the determination means includes a holding means for holding the instant film pack in the width direction and a recognition means for interlocking with the holding means and recognizing the held width. The output means outputs a signal corresponding to the characteristic data corresponding to the recognized width.

The instant film packs may have the same size in either vertical or horizontal direction, and for example, often have different sizes only in width. Therefore, sandwich the instant film pack in the width direction by the sandwiching means,
Recognize the sandwiched width by the new-type means linked to the sandwiching means. By outputting the signal corresponding to the characteristic data corresponding to the recognized width by the output means, the characteristic data can be automatically grasped even when the instant film packs of different sizes are stored.

The holding means may include a detector, and the recognition means may detect the position of the detector of the holding means.

The distance between the holding means varies depending on the size of the instant film pack. Therefore, by providing the sandwiching means with a detector, the position sandwiched in the width direction can be easily detected.

The recognizing means detects an identifier, which is provided in advance in the instant film pack and represents the size of the instant film pack.

Further, in order to recognize the size of the instant film pack, if an identifier representing the size of the instant film pack, such as a protrusion, is provided in advance for each size of the instant film pack, and by detecting this, The size of the instant film pack can be easily detected.

In the storage device for the instant film pack, the following printer enables the image formation according to the instant film pack without being affected by the size of the instant film pack. Specifically, an instant film pack including a plurality of instant film units and a case formed with an exposure opening that exposes the exposed surface of the instant film unit is stored together with the plurality of instant film units. In addition, a storage device for an instant film pack that is used by being loaded in a storage chamber of various equipment is loaded in the storage chamber, and print data is exposed on the exposed surface of the instant film unit by using a printing unit that emits light of a plurality of colors. The printer is provided with reading means for reading a signal corresponding to the characteristic data of the instant film unit from the output means, and print data correcting means for correcting print data based on the read signal.

The printer may further include a storage unit for storing characteristic data of the instant film unit corresponding to a signal read by the reading unit.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment is an application of the present invention to a digital camera with a printer.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of an electronic still camera (hereinafter abbreviated as camera) 2 with a printer, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of the camera 2. A power switch 3 is provided on the upper surface of the camera 2. When the power of the camera 2 is turned on, the camera 2 automatically enters the imaging mode, and is switched to the reproduction mode or the print mode by operating the mode switching button.

Above the front surface of the camera 2, there are provided an image pickup section 5 and a stroboscopic light emitting section 6 used in the image pickup mode. A photographing lens 7, a shutter mechanism and a diaphragm mechanism, and a CCD 8 on which the subject light that has passed through the photographing lens 7 forms an image are incorporated in the back of the imaging unit 5. A release button 9 is provided below the image pickup unit 5.
When the release button 9 is operated, the subject light imaged on the CCD 8 at the time of the operation is recorded as image data in the image memory 10 or the memory card 11.

The image memory 10 is built in the camera 2 in advance and records image data. The memory card 11 is an expansion image memory set in a memory card slot (not shown) of the camera 2 and stores general-purpose image data that can be used by a personal computer, a printer, or the like.

When the subject brightness is low, the strobe light emitting section 6 irradiates the subject with strobe light. On the side of the camera 2, there is provided a battery chamber in which a dry battery serving as a power source of the camera 2 is loaded. This battery compartment has a battery cover 1
Covered by 3.

Further, the storage device 1 is provided at the center of the camera 2.
7 is provided. The plate-shaped device lid 15 that constitutes the storage device 17 is configured in common with the camera 2, and has one side pivotally attached to the body of the camera 2 and is openably and closably attached. The details of the storage device 17 will be described later.

An instant film pack (hereinafter abbreviated as film pack) 16 is housed in the space where the device lid 15 is opened. The storage device 17 includes a print head 18 that prints on an instant film unit (hereinafter abbreviated as a film unit) stored in the film pack 16, and a head that scans the print head 18 with respect to the film unit. A traveling mechanism 19, a film transport mechanism 20 for developing while ejecting the film unit to the outside of the camera 2, a device lid detection switch 21 for detecting the open / closed state of the device lid 15, and a film for detecting the presence or absence of the film pack 16 in the storage device 17. The pack detection switch 22 and a recognition unit 56 for detecting the type of the film pack 16 stored in the storage device 17 are incorporated.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the back surface of the camera 2,
A control panel 24 on which various operation buttons are arranged is provided. The control panel 24 incorporates an operation unit such as a liquid crystal (LCD) panel 25, a cursor button 26, a mode switching button 27, and a print start button 28. The LCD panel 25 constitutes an electronic viewfinder and is used for reproducing image data read from the image memory 10 or the memory card 11. The cursor button 26 is used not only for zooming of digital zoom, but also for operation in various shooting modes in combination with the mode switching button 27, operation for reproduction, selection of frames during printing, and the like. When the print start button 28 is pressed, the printing of the image displayed on the LCD panel 25 is started.

On the upper surface of the camera 2, there is formed a slit-shaped outlet 31 through which the printed film unit 30 is discharged to the outside of the camera 2. This outlet 3
1 is normally light-tightly covered by a door 32, and the door 32 is a film unit 30 that is ejected at the time of printing.
It is pushed and released.

As shown in FIG. 4, the film pack 16
Is a box-shaped case 36 formed by combining a plastic first member 34 and a second member 35, and the case 3
A plurality of film units 3 stacked in 6
0, a light-shielding cover 37 accommodated in the case 36 together with the film unit 30, a plastic leaf spring 38 attached to the inner wall surface of the second member 35, and a slit-shaped slit formed in the first member 34. It is composed of a light-shielding seal 39 that closes the discharge port 34b.

The film unit 30 has an exposure surface 30a on which an image is exposed, a pod portion 30b arranged along one side of the exposure surface 30a and containing a developer, and an exposure surface 3
0a is sandwiched between the trap portion 30c and the pod portion 30b. Trap section 30c
Absorbs the developer remaining after spreading. The film unit 30 is a mono-sheet type film unit that is handled as a single sheet from when it is not used to after the formation of a positive image, and a transmissive film having a different exposed surface and a positive image formed surface. It is a unit. Therefore, the surface opposite to the exposure surface 30a is provided with a positive image forming surface on which a positive image is formed after the development is completed.

The first member 34 constituting the case 36 of the film pack 16 has an exposure opening 34a for exposing the exposure surface 30a of the stored film unit 30 and a discharge port 34b for delivering the exposed film unit 30.
And a notch 34c used when the front end of the film unit 30 is sent out from the case 36.

The light-shielding cover 37 is formed of a light-shielding plastic in a sheet shape, and is housed in the case 36 while being stacked on the film unit 30. As a result, the exposure opening 34a and the notch 34c are closed from the inside of the case 36, and the film pack 16 when not in use
Shade the inside. The light-shielding cover 37 is the film pack 16
After being set in the storage device 17 and the device lid 15 is closed, the film transport mechanism 20 automatically starts to be discharged to the outside of the camera 2.

As shown in the sectional view of the main part of the camera 2 in FIG. 5, the second member 35 has an opening 35 into which the pressing members 44 and 45 provided on the inner wall surface of the device lid 15 of the camera 2 are inserted.
a and 35b are formed. This opening 35a, 35b
The pressing members 44 and 45 that have entered the case 36 from above press the leaf spring 38, and the leaf spring 38
Is pressed toward the exposure opening 34a with a uniform force. Thereby, the flatness is given to the film unit 30. The leaf spring 38 has the openings 35 a and 35 b of the second member 35.
It also has the function of closing the

Although not shown, the storage device 17 includes a pair of unfolding rollers 48 driven by the rotation of a motor.
And a film transport mechanism including a claw mechanism for sending the exposed film unit 30 from the case 36,
And printhead 1 for exposing film unit 30
A head traveling mechanism for moving and scanning 8 is built in or attached.

The developing roller pair 48 sandwiches the film unit 30 sent from the discharge port 34b of the case 36 and conveys the film unit 30 toward the take-out port 31 of the camera 2. At that time, the pod portion 30b of the film unit 30 is cleaved, and the developing solution is spread on the exposed surface 30a for development. The claw mechanism moves the uppermost filmed film unit 30 from the case 36 and sends the film unit 30 to the outside from the delivery port 34b.

The print head 18 prints while moving the exposure surface 30a of the film unit 30 in parallel, and includes a liquid crystal array in which a large number of dot-type transmissive liquid crystals are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the film unit 30. A light-emitting body that irradiates these with white illumination light in a line shape and a color filter for each color of red, green, and blue provided between the liquid crystal array and the light-emitting body are incorporated. As a result, red, green, and blue print lights are emitted from the print head 18 toward the film unit 30, and a full-color image is exposed on the exposure surface 30a.

Next, the details of the storage device 17 provided in the camera 2 of the present embodiment will be described. It should be noted that the description here will be made assuming that the members common to the camera 2 in order to explain the storage device 17 are extracted. Therefore,
When the storage device 17 is provided in the camera 2, the storage device 17 can be integrated by providing a common component, or may be configured by the storage device 17 alone.

FIG. 6 shows an outline of the storage device 17,
(A) is an external perspective view and (B) is a plan view. Figure 6
As shown in (A), the storage device 17 includes a casing 50.
A device lid 15 is attached to the. A storage chamber 5 for storing the film pack 16 is provided at a substantially central portion of the casing 50.
1 and the size of the storage chamber 51 is the pressing member 5 that holds the film pack 16 provided inside the casing 50.
2a, 52b.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the pressing member 52
a and 52b are for accommodating the film pack 16 and sandwiching it in the width direction (direction of arrow A in FIG. 6), and the width direction of the film pack 16 accommodated from the side surface portions 17a, 17b of the accommodating device 17. It is a structure in which it is sandwiched by pressing the end surface of.

That is, an elastic body 54 such as a spring is attached between the side surface portion 17a of the storage device 17 and the pressing member 52a, and the pressing member 52a is moved from the side surface portion 17a side surface portion 17 to the side surface portion 17a side.
A biasing force that biases toward b is applied. Similarly, the elastic member 54 is attached between the side surface portion 17b and the pressing member 52b, and the pressing member 52b is moved from the side surface portion 17b side to the side surface portion 1b.
A biasing force is applied to bias 7a.

The storage device 17 includes a film pack 1
The recognition unit 56 is provided at a position where the end portions of the film packs 16 of various sizes can be detected without interfering with the storage position of the film 6.
Is attached. The recognition unit 56 is provided with a plurality of reflective photosensors each including a light projecting unit that projects detection light toward the film pack 16 and a light receiving unit that receives the detection light reflected at the end of the film pack 16. And generates a detection signal that matches the size of the film pack 16.

The recognition section 56 of this embodiment corresponds to the discrimination means and output means of the present invention. Further, the recognition unit 56
Is for detecting the type of the film pack 16,
There are a plurality of types of film units included in the film pack 16. In this embodiment, film packs of the same size are assumed to be composed of film units having the same characteristic data.

That is, in the present embodiment, the characteristic data of the film unit is determined for each size of the film pack 16, and it is assumed that the film packs 16 having the same size are processed by the same characteristic data. Therefore, if the size of the film pack 16 is specified, the characteristic data of the film unit can be set. This characteristic data includes each color sensitivity data of the film unit 30 and unique data such as the date and time of manufacture, the manufacturing factory and the lot number.

FIG. 6 shows a case where the recognition section 56 has a detection set composed of a combination of four light projecting sections and light receiving sections. In this case, the recognition unit 56 uses the film pack 1
Four types of detection signals are output according to the size of 6. As an example, the on / off states of the four detection sets are made to correspond to “1” and “0”, and the unstored “0000” and “100”
It is possible to output detection signals corresponding to five types of data of "0", "1100", "1110", and "1111".

For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, when a narrow film pack 16A is stored, "100
When the detection signal corresponding to the data "0" is output and the film pack 16B having the maximum width is stored, "111" is output.
The detection signal corresponding to the data of "1" is output.

As shown in FIG. 2, the camera 2 is controlled by a system controller 73 including a CPU, a program ROM, a data RAM and the like. The detection signal of the recognition unit 56 obtained immediately after the film pack 16 is set is input to the system controller 73. The system controller 73, for example, compares the detection signal of the recognition unit 56 with the reference data recorded in the EEPROM 79, and determines the characteristic data of the film unit 30. The correction data processing unit 80 generates correction data suitable for the film unit 30 based on the input characteristic data.

The subject light imaged on the CCD 8 is CC
It is photoelectrically converted by D8 and input to the image data processing unit 74. The image data processing unit 74 controls the CCD 8 to convert the input photoelectric signal into an NTSC signal and LC
Input to D panel 25. This allows the LCD panel 2
The images formed on the CCD 8 are continuously displayed on the display 5, and can be used as a viewfinder.

When the release button 9 is operated, the image data processing unit 74 converts the image formed on the CCD 8 at that time into dedicated image data, and the image calculation processing IC
Enter in 76. The image calculation processing IC 76 records the input image data in the image memory 10. When the image data is recorded in the memory card 11, the dedicated image data is converted into general-purpose image data by the image calculation processing IC 76 and recorded in the memory card 11 using the image data processing unit 74 as an interface.

When the print start button 28 of the control panel 24 is operated, the image calculation processing IC 76
Converts the dedicated image data into print data and inputs the print data to the print data processing unit 78. The print data processing unit 78 decomposes the input print data into each color data, separates each color data into each line data, and inputs to the print head 18 in gradation units.

When the correction data of the film unit 30 is obtained when the film pack 16 is set, the print data processing unit 78 generates the corrected print data from the print data and the correction data. The corrected print data is separated into each color and each line data as in the normal print data, and is input to the print head 18 in gradation units.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 shows the film pack 16 executed by the system controller 73 in the camera 2 of the present embodiment.
7 shows a flow of processing in which a main part is extracted for the image recording processing according to the size of.

In step 100 of FIG. 8, it is affirmed that the film pack 16 is stored in the storage device 17 of the camera 2, and in the next step 102, the data of the recognition section 56 is read to determine the type of the film pack 16, that is, the film. Read the size of the pack 16.

Specifically, first, when the film pack 16 is set in the storage device 17 provided in the camera 2, the film pack detection switch 2 provided in the storage device 17 is set.
2 is turned on, and this detection signal is sent to the system controller 73.
Entered in. At this time, the recognition unit 56 arranged near the end surface of the film pack 16 in the storage device 17.
Recognizes the size of the film pack 16. Recognition unit 5
6 which is the recognition result of 6, namely, the film pack 16
The detection signal of the size is input to the system controller 73.

The process in which the recognition unit 56 recognizes the size of the film pack 16 corresponds to the process of the discriminating means of the present invention, and is stored when the detection signal of the size of the film pack 16 is input to the system controller 73. The process of outputting the detection signal in the device 17 corresponds to the process of the output means of the present invention.

After this, when the device cover 15 is closed, a detection signal indicating that the device cover detection switch 21 is on is input to the system controller 73. System controller 73
Shows the unused film pack 1 from the detection signals of the film pack detection switch 22 and the apparatus cover detection switch 21.
6 is set in the storage device 17, and the light-shielding cover 37 is ejected. In this case, the light-shielding cover 37 in the case 36 is pressed toward the discharge port 34b in conjunction with driving the developing roller pair 48 by the film transport mechanism 20, and the tip of the light-shielding cover 37 is extended by the developing roller pair 4.
8, the light-shielding cover 37 is ejected.

The recognition unit 56 may recognize the size of the film pack 16 after the device cover detection switch 21 is turned on, or may recognize the size of the film pack 16 after the series of processes described above is completed. .

The film pack detection switch 22 can also be used as the recognition section 56. In this case, a detection set of a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit for outputting a signal in a state where the film pack 16 is not loaded may be added to the recognition unit 56.

In the next step 104, the characteristic data of the film pack 16 stored in the storage device 17 is read, and in the next step 106 various settings of the camera 2 are stored from the currently set film pack 16. Change to the characteristic data of.

Specifically, the system controller 73
The data of the detection signal of the recognition unit 56 and the reference data recorded in the EEPROM 79 are collated to determine the characteristic data of the film unit 30. This reference data represents the correspondence between each of “0000” to “1111” of the recognition unit 56 and the size of the film pack 16, and the reference data corresponds to the characteristic data. The obtained characteristic data is input to the correction data processing unit 80. The correction data processing unit 80 generates correction data suitable for the film unit 30 based on the input characteristic data. This correction data is stored in a data RAM for temporary storage provided in the system controller 73 and used at the time of printing.

At the next step 108, it is judged whether or not the exposure processing of the image on the film pack 16 is to be executed. If the result is negative, the present routine is ended, and if the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 110.

More specifically, when the light-blocking cover 37 is completely discharged, the camera 2 is ready for printing. The image to be printed may be newly captured, or the image memory 1
It is also possible to use 0 or image data recorded in the memory card 11. In this embodiment, this printing process is an exposure process.

At the time of shooting, the CCD is transmitted through the shooting lens 7.
The image formed on the image 8 is displayed on the image data processing unit 74 as NT.
It is converted into an SC signal and input to the LCD panel 25.
Images captured by the CCD 8 are continuously displayed on the LCD panel 25. The photographer uses the LCD panel 25 as a viewfinder to perform framing.
When the release button 9 is operated after the framing is determined, the image captured by the CCD 8 is converted into dedicated image data by the image data processing unit 74.

The image memory 10 and the memory card 11
Which of the two is used to record image data is determined in advance by setting various operation buttons on the control panel 24. When it is set to be recorded in the image memory 10, the dedicated image data converted by the image data processing unit 74 is recorded in the image memory 10 via the image calculation processing IC 76. If the memory card 11 is set to record, the dedicated image data is converted into general-purpose image data by the image calculation processing IC 76 and recorded in the memory card 11 via the image data processing unit 74. .

In step 110, the recorded image data is read from the memory, in the next step 112, the image data is read for each line (main scanning line), and in the next step 114, light according to the image data is irradiated to expose the image data. To do. At this time, the two-dimensional image is exposed by exposing while moving the print head 18. That is, the exposure is repeated until the exposure of the entire image is completed (No in step 116), and when the exposure is completed, the affirmative determination is made in step 116 and the process proceeds to step 118.

More specifically, when printing is performed, the mode switching button 27 is operated to shift the camera 2 to the print mode, and the cursor button 26 or the like is operated.
The image data read from the image memory 10 or the memory card 11 is displayed on the LCD panel 25. The image data read from the image memory 10 or the memory card 11 is converted into an NTSC signal by the image data processing unit 74 and displayed on the LCD panel 25.

When the image data to be printed is decided, the print start button 28 is pressed while the image data is displayed on the LCD panel 25. As a result, print data is generated from the image data by the image calculation processing IC 76, and this print data is input to the print data processing unit 78.

The print data processing unit 78 generates corrected print data from the print data input from the image calculation processing IC 76 and the correction data input from the correction data processing unit 80. This corrected print data is separated into each color data and each line data, and is input to the print head 18 in gradation units. Print head 18
Emits light according to the input correction print data,
The exposure surface 30a of the film unit 30 is exposed by one line.

The system controller 73 drives the motor 69 of the head traveling mechanism 19 and causes the traveling unit 68 to start moving the print head 18. As a result, the entire exposure surface 30a of the film unit 30 is exposed.

In step 118, the exposed film unit 30 is ejected to shift the process to the film unit 30 for image formation, and this routine is finished.

Specifically, when the exposure of the film unit 30 is completed, the system controller 73 operates the film transport mechanism. As a result, similarly to the discharging operation of the light-shielding cover 37, the exposed film unit 30 is discharged to the outside of the case 36 and is sandwiched by the developing roller pair 48. The developing roller pair 48 sandwiches the film unit 30 and cleaves the pod portion 30b to expose the developing solution to the exposed surface 30a.
Expand to the top. The developer remaining after being spread on the exposed surface 30a is absorbed by the trap portion 30c.

The film unit 30 conveyed by the developing roller pair 48 presses the door 32 to take out the take-out port 3
1 is discharged from the camera 2. Development of the film unit 30 taken out from the camera 2 is completed after a fixed time, and a positive image is formed on the positive image forming surface on the back side of the exposure surface 30a.

Since the print data is corrected according to the characteristic data of the film unit 30, the image appearing on the positive image forming surface has high image quality with proper color balance and density. That is, the characteristic data of the film unit 30 corresponding to the size of the film pack 16 detected by the recognition unit 56 is automatically changed and used to form an image with high image quality with appropriate color balance and density. To be done.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the characteristic data of the stored instant film unit can be automatically input by the recognition unit 56 when the instant film pack is set. Correct the print data according to the characteristic data,
Prints with appropriate color balance and density can be created. Therefore, the photographer and the operator should automatically perform the processing with the optimum characteristic data without performing the work of changing the characteristic data according to the film unit assumed for the camera and without being aware of it. Is possible.

Further, since the recognition section is provided at a position where it does not interfere with the film pack and the size of the film pack is read, it is not necessary to perform special processing or processing on the film pack, and the conventional film pack is used as it is. It becomes possible.

In the above embodiment, the size of the film pack 16 is detected by using the recognition unit 56 including a plurality of detection sets of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit, but the recognition unit 56 is not limited to the plurality of detection sets. . For example, a detection element such as a line sensor that can detect different positions with one sensor may be used.

In the above embodiment, the case where the size of the film pack 16 is recognized by detecting the end surface of the film pack 16 by the recognition unit 56 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, the pressing member 52 corresponding to the size of the film pack 16
The size of the film pack 16 may be recognized by detecting the position of a or the pressing member 52b. in this case,
The film pack 16 is restricted by the design value on the manufacturing side.
Since only the size, that is, the size such as the width, is provided, it is possible to improve the recognition rate by providing the pressing members 52a and 52b with an identifier for position recognition.

In the above-described embodiment, the size of the film pack 16 is detected by using the recognition unit 56 which is composed of a plurality of detection sets of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. Alternatively, the recognition unit 56 may automatically input when the instant film pack is set. An example of this case will be described in detail.

FIG. 9 shows an outline of the storage device 17 provided with a recognition section 57 for recognizing the size by combining a plurality of contacts, (A) is an external perspective view, and (B) is a plan view. . As shown in FIG. 9A, the storage device 17 has a device cover 15 attached to a casing 50. Recognition unit 5
7 is provided in the lower part of the casing 50 and in the same vicinity as the recognition part 56.

As shown in FIG. 9B, the recognition unit 57
It includes a contact set of contacts 57a and 57b. The upper side of FIG. 9B shows a state where the film pack 16 is not housed or the end surface of the film pack 16 does not press the contact 57a, and the lower side of FIG. 9B shows the end surface of the film pack 16. Shows the state in which the contact 57a is pressed. Therefore, the recognition unit 57 has a plurality of contact sets of contacts 57a and 57b, and is arranged in the vicinity of the corners of the film pack 16 when the film pack 16 is stored, that is, at different positions corresponding to the size of the film pack 16. .

As a result, when the film pack 16 is stored, the corners and end faces of the film pack 16 press the contacts 57a to bring one or more contact sets into conduction (on). The recognition unit 57 outputs a combination signal of these on / off states as a detection signal. That is,
The recognition unit 57 displays the number of images depending on the size of the film pack 16
Outputs the detection signal of the type. As an example, the ON / OFF states of the four detection sets are made to correspond to “1” and “0”, and “0” is stored without being stored.
"000", "1000", "1100", "1"
It is possible to output detection signals corresponding to five types of data up to "110" and "1111".

For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, when a narrow film pack 16C is stored, "11
When the detection signal corresponding to the data of "00" is output and the film pack 16B having the maximum width is stored, "111" is output.
The detection signal corresponding to the data of "1" is output.

When the contact is used, the conventional film pack 16 may be used as it is, or the film pack 16 may be provided with a projection for pressing the contact. When the conventional film pack 16 is used as it is, the rising position of the contact 57a may be brought into the inside of the film pack 16 from the end face side of the film pack 16.
That is, it is sufficient that the casing 17 of the storage device 17 is raised from the inner surface 17X to the storage chamber 51 side. in this case,
The rising parts of the contact 57a are pressing members 52a and 52b.
Of the pressing members 52a, 52
It is preferable to form a cutout portion in the buffer portion of b.

On the other hand, when the film pack 16 is provided with the protrusions, it is preferable that the film packs 16 having the same size are provided at the same position (for example, near the corners of the film pack 16). Then, the recognition unit 57 arranges a plurality of contact sets of the contacts 57a and 57b at positions where the protrusions of various film packs 16 sizes can be detected, that is, at positions where the protrusions should press the contact 57a.

[0082]

As described above, according to the present invention, the size of the instant film pack is determined, and when the instant film pack is loaded into the storage chamber of various devices, the signal corresponding to the characteristic data of the instant film unit is output. Since the data is output to various devices, there is an effect that the characteristic data can be automatically grasped even when the instant film packs of different sizes are stored.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external shape of a camera according to this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a camera.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of the back surface of the camera.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of a film pack.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a camera.

6A and 6B show a storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing an external shape, and FIG. 6B is a plan view.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which a film pack is stored in the storage device according to the embodiment of the present invention, (A) stores a small size film pack, and (B) stores a large size film pack. Indicates the status.

FIG. 8 is executed in the camera of the present embodiment,
It is a flow chart which shows the flow of the main processing according to the size of a film pack.

9A and 9B show a storage device provided with a recognition unit different from that in FIG. 7, in which FIG. 9A is a plan view showing an external shape, and FIG.

FIG. 10 shows a state in which a film pack is stored in a storage device having a recognition unit different from that in FIG. 7, (A) stores a small size film pack, and (B) stores a large size film pack. Shows the state.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... camera 10 ... Image memory 11 ... Memory card 15 ... Device lid 16 ... Film pack 17 ... Storage device 17a ... Side portion 17b ... side surface 18 ... Print head 21 ... Device lid detection switch 22 ... Film pack detection switch 30 ... Film unit 36 ... Case 50 ... Casing 51 ... Storage room 52a ... Pressing member 52b ... Pressing member 56 ... Recognition unit 57 ... Recognition unit 57a ... contact

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G03B 17/48 G03C 3/00 510Y 17/50 570F G03C 3/00 510 572A 599C B41J 3/21 L 570 3 / 00 B 572 599 (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Uchiyama 3-1146 Izumi, Asaka-shi, Saitama Prefecture F-term (reference) 2C162 AE12 AE23 AE28 AE47 FA05 FA36 2C187 AC01 AC06 AD13 AF03 BH17 BH26 DB05 2C262 AA06 AA16 AA24 AC02 BA02 BB03 EA11 GA03 2H104 AA18 AA19 BC04

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An instant film pack comprising a plurality of instant film units, a plurality of instant film units, and a case having an exposure opening for exposing an exposed surface of the instant film unit. In addition, in the storage device of the instant film pack used by being loaded into the storage chamber of various devices, the determination means for determining the size of the instant film pack, and when loaded in the storage chamber of the various devices, A storage device for an instant film pack, comprising: an output unit that outputs a signal corresponding to the characteristic data of the instant film unit to the various devices. 2. An instant film pack comprising a plurality of instant film units, a plurality of instant film units, and a case having an exposure opening for exposing an exposed surface of the instant film unit. In addition, the storage device for the instant film pack, which is used by being loaded into the storage chamber of various equipment, is loaded into the storage chamber, and the print data is exposed on the exposed surface of the instant film unit by using the printing means that emits light of a plurality of colors. In the printer, there is provided a reading unit that reads a signal corresponding to the characteristic data of the instant film unit from the output unit, and a print data correction unit that corrects print data based on the read signal. . 3. A storage unit for storing characteristic data of the instant film unit corresponding to a signal read by the reading unit.
The printer described in.