JP2004304645A - Photographic image reader and reading method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To speedily read a large quantity of photographs without causing a contact flaw. <P>SOLUTION: A T-shaped arm 30 is turned 90° to successively feed a photograph 40 from a photograph feeder 11 to a photograph direction correction stage 35, a front image reading stage 36, a rear image reading stage 37, and a piling stage 38. In the photograph direction correction stage 35, the direction of the photograph 40 is corrected by a photograph direction correcting apparatus 12. In the front image reading stage 36, a front image is read by a front image reading apparatus 14. In the rear image reading stage 37, a rear image is read by a rear image reading apparatus 15. In the piling stage 38, photographs 40 with their reading completed are piled up. A timing of print creation is specified on the basis of the rear image by an image processing apparatus 18. On the basis of specified print creation timing data, front image data are sorted and stored in an image server 79. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a photographic image reader and a reading method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a document image reader, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a document image reader used in a copying machine or the like is generally used. Also, a photographic image is read by a flatbed scanner or the like.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-204079
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in recent years, the penetration rate of personal computers has increased, and electronic albums in which image data is managed by various album software have been used, and it has become common to display images on a monitor for observation.
[0005]
In many homes, printed photographs (hereinafter simply referred to as photographs) are often stored without being organized into albums. There is a growing demand for managing such photos stored on a personal computer like an electronic album. However, when trying to read these images with a flatbed scanner, it is necessary to perform setting of the photos and operation of the scanner for each photo, which is an obstacle to digitization. Although it is conceivable to automatically read a photograph using an automatic paper feeder, there is a problem that contact scratches occur in the photograph during conveyance when a sheet feeder used in a normal copying machine or the like is used. .
[0006]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a photographic image reader and a reading method capable of quickly reading a large number of photographs without causing contact scratches. . Another object of the present invention is to provide a photographic image reader and a reading method capable of displaying image data of randomly collected photos according to the time of photo creation.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a photo supply unit that sequentially sends out a plurality of stacked photographs, a photo from the photo supply unit, a front image reading stage, a back image reading stage, and a photo discharge A photographic conveying unit to be sent to a part, a front surface image reading unit that is provided on the front surface image reading stage and that reads a front image of a photo, and a back surface image reading unit that is provided on the back surface image reading stage and that reads a back surface image of a photo, And a photo discharge unit for collecting the photos from which the images have been read.
[0008]
Note that it is preferable to include an image storage unit that stores image data obtained by the surface image reading unit, and a recording medium writing unit that stores the image data stored in the image storage unit in a recording medium for each order. . Also, a photo creation time specifying unit that specifies a photo creation time based on the back image information read by the back image reading unit, and the front image reading unit based on the creation time specifying information specified by the photo creation time specifying unit It is preferable that an image data classification unit is provided that classifies the image data according to the above, classifies the image data with classification information, or classifies the image data based on the classification information. Further, it is preferable to have a photographic orientation correction unit that corrects the orientation of the photographic image before reading the surface image. The photo supply unit includes a magazine loading unit that stores and stores photos, and a photo moving unit that takes a photo from the magazine and moves the photo to the orientation correcting unit, and the photo moving unit includes the photo moving unit. It is preferable to have a suction pad that sucks a part of the periphery of the uppermost photograph of the supply unit, and a pad moving unit that lifts and moves the suction pad between the photo supply unit and the orientation correction unit.
[0009]
In the photographic image reading method of the present invention, photographs are sequentially sent out from the group of collected photographs to pick up the surface images of each photograph and specify the photo creation time, and the captured surface image data and the specified photo creation time data Are stored in association with each other. In addition, it is preferable that the back image of the said photograph is imaged and a photo preparation time is specified based on this back surface image pick-up data. Moreover, it is preferable to extract the photo creation time specifying data by pattern matching after performing the edge emphasis processing on the back surface image pickup data, and to specify the photo creation time based on the photo creation time specifying data. The photo creation time specifying data is preferably at least one of date / time data, barcode data, a back surface pattern, and a manufacturer logo. When the photo creation time specifying data cannot be read, it is preferable to use the photo creation time specifying data of the photo before or after the photo for which the photo creation time specifying data cannot be read. Further, when using the photo creation time specifying data of the front or back photo, it is preferable to use the photo creation time specifying data that is frequently used in the group in units of the number of photos corresponding to one photo film. .
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing a photographic image reader. The photographic image reader 10 includes a photographic supply device 11, a photographic orientation correction device 12, a photographic conveyance device 13, a front surface image reading device 14, a back surface image reading device 15, a photo stacking unit 16, and a control unit 17. And an image processing device 18. The image processing device 18 includes a data writing unit 24 having various writing devices for writing image data to various recording media 20 to 23 so that the read image data can be written to the designated recording media 20 to 23. It has become. The recording medium 20 is, for example, a memory IC card, the recording medium 21 is a CD, the recording medium 22 is a DVD, and the recording medium 23 is an MO. A hard disk or the like can be used.
[0011]
The photo transport device 13 includes an arm 30 and an arm drive unit 31. The arm 30 is configured in a T shape, and has first to third suction pads 32 to 34 at each end. The arm drive unit 31 rotates the arm 30 in a range of 90 degrees, and sequentially conveys the photos 40 to the four stages 35 to 38. The four stages are a photo orientation correction stage 35, a front surface image reading stage 36, a back surface image reading stage 37, and an accumulation stage 38.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 2, the photo supply device 11 includes a magazine loading unit 41 and a photo sending unit 42, and a photo orientation correction stage 35 (see FIG. 1) for each of a large number of photos 40 accumulated in the magazine 43. ). The magazine 43 is formed in a vertically long box shape, and the upper part is opened, and this opening 43a serves as a picture taking-in / out opening. One surface 43b of the rectangular cylindrical wall has a vertically long opening 43c continuous with the opening 43a, and the photograph 40 is stored in the magazine 43 in an overlapping manner using this opening 43c. A lift plate insertion opening 43e is formed in the bottom plate 43d of the magazine 43. The magazine 43 is set in the magazine loading unit 41.
[0013]
The magazine loading unit 41 includes a frame-shaped magazine fixing mechanism 45, a photographic lift plate 46, and a lift unit 47. The magazine fixing mechanism 45 holds the set magazine 43 so as not to move. The lift unit 47 lifts the photo lift plate 46 and raises the photo 40 in the magazine 43. The photo lift plate 46 enters the magazine 43 from the insertion port 43e of the magazine bottom plate 43d and moves up and down, lifts the stacked photos 40 upward, and positions the uppermost photo 40 in the upper opening 43a. The uppermost photos 40 are sent one by one to the photo orientation correction stage 35 (see FIG. 1) by the photo sending unit 42. In conjunction with this feed, the lift unit 47 moves the photo lift plate 46 to the thickness of the photo 40. Just lift upwards.
[0014]
The photograph sending unit 42 includes a suction pad 50 and a suction pad moving mechanism 51. The suction pad 50 sucks and holds the photograph 40. The suction pad moving mechanism 51 moves the suction pad 50 up and down and horizontally moves between the magazine 43 and the photo orientation correcting device 12. Therefore, the uppermost photograph 40 in the magazine 43 is picked up by the suction pad 50 and then lifted upward, and then moved horizontally to release the suction above the photographic orientation correcting device 12 so that the photograph 40 becomes the photographic orientation correcting device 12. It is put on.
[0015]
When the photograph 40 is sucked by the suction pad 50 on the magazine 43, one or two of the lower photographs 40 may be lifted together. This multiple lifting is caused by the fact that when the suction pad 50 is brought into close contact with the photograph 40 in order to ensure suction, the air between the lower photograph 40 is expelled and the upper and lower photographs are brought into close contact with each other. To do. In order to prevent this, the suction position by the suction pad 50 is set to the peripheral portion of the photograph 40, particularly to the corner portion 40a. In this case, it is lifted from the corner 40a of the photograph 40, and multiple lifting of the lower photograph due to close contact is prevented. In order to eliminate the instability of the photographic posture due to corner adsorption, it is preferable to move and guide an oblique photograph using a guide plate or the like as appropriate. Although not shown in the figure, as a two-pad system, the two corners on the diagonal line of the photograph, or two places such as the corner and the central part are adsorbed with a time difference, so that multiple lifting and maintaining the posture of the photograph can be achieved. Good. Further, when the photograph 40 disappears in the magazine 43, it is sucked into the atmosphere when lifted after being sucked by the suction pad 50. By detecting this pressure change, it is detected that the photograph 40 in the magazine 43 is empty. When the sky is detected, the image reading of the magazine 43 is completed at the stage where the last photograph 40 is accumulated in the accumulation unit described later.
[0016]
The photo orientation correcting device 12 includes a centering shift mechanism 55, an orientation correcting plate 56, and an abutment mechanism 57, and corrects the orientation of the photo 40. The centering shift mechanism 55 includes movable guides 60 and 61 that come into contact with both side edges of the photograph 40, and these move at a constant speed toward the center of the photograph 40, whereby the photograph 40 is centered. Sensors (not shown) for detecting the side edges of the photograph 40 are provided at the tips of the movable guides 60 and 61. By detecting both side edges of the photograph 40 by these sensors, the centering is completed. A signal is obtained and the movement of the shift mechanism 55 is stopped.
[0017]
The abutting mechanism 57 includes a conveyance roller 62 and sends the photograph 40 toward the orientation correction plate 56 so that the orientation of the photograph 40 is uniform. Two photosensors (not shown) are provided at the tip of the orientation correction plate 56, and the tip of the photograph 40 is detected at two positions by this photosensor. When the photograph 40 hits the orientation correction plate 56 and the orientation of the photograph 40 is corrected, these two photosensors are turned on, and a direction correction completion signal is obtained. Based on this, the driving of the conveying roller 62 is stopped. Is done.
[0018]
In addition to the above-described centering and the correction of the photo direction by abutting against the orientation correcting plate 56, the centering in two dimensions using two centering shift mechanisms, or the abutting against the two orientation correcting plates 56 are performed. The direction may be corrected by the mechanism 57, or the direction may be corrected by other methods. The abutting mechanism may be any mechanism that can send the photograph 40 to the orientation correcting plate 56, and the conveying means is not particularly limited. For example, belt feeding may be used. Alternatively, a mechanism may be used in which a photograph is placed on a synthetic resin brush planted obliquely, and the photograph is sent in the brush inclination direction by vibrating the brush.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 3, the surface image reading device 14 includes a movable vacuum easel 65, a scanner 66, and a photographic illumination unit (not shown). The movable vacuum easel 65 moves along the rail 67 between the photo delivery position (solid line display) of the photo transport device and the reading position (two-dot chain line display) by the scanner 66. At the photo delivery position, the photo 40 is delivered from the suction pad 50 to the movable vacuum easel 65. In the present embodiment, the suction force of the movable vacuum easel 65 is set to be larger than the suction force of the suction pad 50, so that the photograph 40 can be delivered smoothly. In addition to delivery based on such a difference in adsorption force, the photograph may be delivered by changing the suction timing of the photograph. At the time of delivery of the photograph 40 after reading the surface image to the suction pad 50, the suction pad 50 is lowered and the suction pad 50 sucks the photograph 40, and then the suction force of the movable vacuum easel 65 is set to be greater than the suction force of the suction pad 50. Do this by weakening or by stopping suction.
[0020]
When the movable vacuum easel 65 is set at the reading position, the scanner 66 captures the surface image 40b of the photograph 40 and obtains image data. The photographic illumination unit illuminates the photograph 40 from the upper position on both sides of the photograph 40, for example, and is composed of, for example, a fluorescent lamp and frosted glass. The incident angle with respect to the photograph 40 is as low as 30 degrees or less, so that the optimum illumination angle is obtained regardless of the type of the photograph (mat, silk, raster, glossy, etc.). In addition, the surface of the movable vacuum easel 65 is frosted.
[0021]
The scanner 66 only needs to be capable of reading an image, and may be any one of a type that captures an image using an image area sensor or a scanning reading type that captures an image using an image line sensor in synchronization with the movement of the easel 65. Good. In the above, the photograph 40 is moved between the photograph delivery position and the reading position and the image of the photograph 40 is read at the photograph reading position. However, the surface image 40b is directly taken from the photograph 40 at the photograph delivery position. May be read. Further, in the above, the orientation of the photograph is corrected by setting the photograph 40 whose orientation has been corrected by the orientation correcting device on the vacuum easel 65 of the surface image reading device 14 with the suction pad 50. Orientation correction may be performed on a movable vacuum easel. Further, a line sensor having, for example, a T-shape, an X-shape, a cross shape, or other shapes may be arranged on the movable vacuum easel 65 to finally check the orientation of the photograph. In this case, the orientation of the surface image and the surface image area are determined based on the photo orientation information from the line sensor, and the image data is corrected based on this.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 4, the back image reading device 15 includes a photographic stand 70 made of transparent glass, and an imaging unit 71 provided below the photographic stand 70. When the photograph 40 is pressed by the thirteen suction pads 34 (see FIG. 1), the back surface 40c of the photograph 40 is imaged by the imaging unit 71. The image on the back surface 40c is sent to the image processing device 18 (see FIG. 1). In addition to the print date and print correction data printed on the back side 40c of the photograph, symbols, characters, maker logos, pattern patterns, etc. representing the type of photographic paper are formed in an inconspicuous color tone on the entire back side. These various types of information are imaged.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 5, the photo stacking unit 16 includes a magazine loading unit 73 and a lift unit 74 similar to those of the photo supply device 11. An empty magazine 43 is set in the magazine loading section 73, and photographs 40 are collected on this. The photo lift plate 72 of the lift unit 74 is gradually lowered according to the accumulation state of the photos 40 so that the uppermost photo 40 is always located at the receiving position. The lift part 74 may be omitted. In this case, the read photograph 40 is dropped and collected in the magazine 43. In the present embodiment, the same magazine is used for the supply device 11 and the stacking unit, but this may be configured in a separate form.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 17 controls each unit based on signals from various sensors provided in the devices 11 to 15, 18, each unit 16, and the like, and takes a photo 40 from the magazine 43 of the photo supply device 11. Each sheet is taken out and sent to the orientation correction stage 35, the front surface image reading stage 36, the back surface image reading stage 37, and the stacking stage 38 in order to read the front surface image 40b and the back surface image of the photograph 40. The read front and back image data is sent to the image processing device 18.
[0025]
The image processing apparatus 18 includes an image processing unit 75, a photo creation time specifying unit 76, a classification unit 77, a writing controller 78, an image server 79, a data writing unit 24, and the like. The image processing unit 75 performs various types of image processing as necessary. The image-processed surface image data is sent to the classification unit 77.
[0026]
The photo creation time specifying unit 76 specifies the photo creation time based on the back image data from the imaging unit 71 of the back image reading device 15. This specification is performed by reading the date / time data, the barcode, the manufacturer logo, the pattern pattern, and the like in the pattern matching process after performing the edge enhancement process on the back surface image data. For example, when the back print data is recorded on the back side of the photograph 40 and the print date / time data is included in the back print data, the print date / time is specified using this. If the print date / time data is not included, an approximate photo creation time (age) is specified based on a logo mark, other marks, pattern patterns, and the like. The relationship between the logo mark and its photo creation time is specified using transition information such as a logo mark at a photographic paper manufacturer, and this is stored in correspondence with the memory. If there is no information for specifying the photo creation time, the photo creation time data of the photos before and after the image reading is used. When specifying the photo creation time data of the preceding and following photos, in addition to using the photo creation time data of the front or back photo as it is, for example, 20 to 40 photos before and after corresponding to one photo film. As a target, the most frequent (high frequency) photo creation time in this group may be used. In addition, when the photo creation times of the preceding and following photos are used, data indicating the estimated photo creation time is also stored together with the photo creation time data. Further, instead of specifying the photo creation time by the back image or in combination, the photo creation time may be specified by using the shooting date character image stamped on the front image. In this case, the shooting date character image is decoded by outline emphasis processing, pattern matching processing, or the like.
[0027]
The photo creation time data specified by the photo creation time specifying unit 76 is sent to the classification unit 77 and added as incidental data of the corresponding surface image data. The association between the front image data and the photo creation time data is performed by, for example, assigning the same identification number to the front image data of the same photo by the front image reading device 14 and the back image data of the same photo by the back image reading device 15. Each time an image is read, an identification number added with “1” is assigned in order. Then, the surface image data and the photo creation time data having the same identification number are paired, and the photo creation time data is incorporated as additional information into the surface image data.
[0028]
Next, those with the same incorporated photo creation time data are grouped. Then, they are classified so that they are arranged in the order of creation or oldest. For the same group after classification, a folder having a name including the photo creation time is created, and each surface image data is distributed in this folder.
[0029]
The writing controller 78 sorts each surface image data in the same order based on the photo creation time, and writes it to the image server 79. FIG. 6 shows an example of this writing, and an order ID folder 91 is created for each order ID 90. Further, a folder 92 for each photo creation time is created in the order ID folder 90. As the name of the folder 92, the date 93 indicating the photo creation time is used. In addition, when the “day” or “month / day” is unknown, these are replaced with “0”. When there are a plurality of items of the same year, for example, when there are a plurality of items of 1986, a folder name such as “860000” or “860001” is given. Then, the surface image data 94 of the corresponding photo creation time is written in each photo creation time folder 92. In the present embodiment, as the identification name 95 of the surface image data, for example, a combination of the orderer name and the serial number is used, and each surface image data 94 is easily identified. The above writing format is an example. When all the surface image data is written in the same folder, for example, the order ID folder 91, and each image is displayed based on the photo creation time data as supplementary information of each surface image data. Alternatively, these may be displayed in groups. Further, the image data and the photo creation time data may be associated with each other and stored in the image server 79 or the various recording media 20 to 23 as separate files.
[0030]
The data writing unit 24 specifies the corresponding recording mediums 20 to 23 based on the data writing instruction data specified at the time of ordering, and writes the surface image data on the recording medium 20, for example. As the writing instruction data, in addition to the classification writing based on the photo creation date and time, writing without classification, writing without photo creation time data, and the like can be selected. In the case of classification writing, the entire corresponding order ID folder as shown in FIG. 6 is written as it is on the designated recording medium. In this case, each surface image data 94 recorded on the recording medium is written in the photo creation time folder 92 corresponding to each photo creation time. In the case of writing without classification, each surface image data is written in the order ID folder in a state in which the photo creation time data is added to the surface image data as additional information. In addition, in writing without photo creation time data, only the surface image data is simply written in the same order ID folder.
[0031]
Next, an example of a procedure for continuously reading images on the front and back surfaces of the photograph 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, (1)-(9) in a figure has shown the operation | movement order. In (1), there is no arm 30 on the orientation correction stage 35, and at this time, the first photograph 40 is sent from the photograph supply device 11 to the orientation correction stage 35. For convenience of explanation, the symbols P1, P2, P3,... Are attached to the photos 40, P1 represents the first photo in the uppermost layer, and P2 represents the next photo. P3, P4,... Are attached to the lower layer photos.
[0032]
In (1), when the photograph P1 is supplied to the orientation correction stage 35, the arm 30 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise, and the state (2) is obtained. In this state, the first suction pad 32 is positioned on the orientation correction stage 35 and sucks the orientation-corrected photograph P1. Thereafter, the arm 30 is rotated 90 degrees in the clockwise direction to be in the state (3), and the photograph P1 is sent to the surface image reading stage 36. In the state of (3), the next photograph P2 is sent to the orientation correction stage 35 as in (1).
[0033]
In (4), the photograph P1 is sent from the receiving position (see the solid line display in FIG. 3) to the reading position (see the two-dot chain line display in FIG. 3) on the surface image reading stage 36. In this state, the photograph P1 is captured. Further, the arm 30 rotates counterclockwise. When the imaging of the photograph P1 is completed, the movable vacuum easel 65 moves from the reading position to the delivery position and enters the state (5).
[0034]
In the state (5), the first and second suction pads 32 and 33 suck the photographs P1 and P2, and then the arm 30 is rotated 90 degrees clockwise to reach the state (6). In the state (6), the photograph P 1 is set on the back image reading stage 37, and the back image is read by the back image reading device 15. Further, the photograph P2 is set on the surface image reading stage 36.
[0035]
In (7), the photograph P2 of the surface image reading stage 36 is sent from the receiving position to the reading position, and the surface image of the photograph P2 is read. Thereafter, only the third suction pad 34 is operated to suck the photograph P1 of the back surface image reading stage 37, and then the arm 30 is rotated 90 degrees clockwise, so that the photograph P1 is collected as shown in (8). Send to 38. In the state (8), the photograph P3 is sent from the photograph supply device 11 to the orientation correction stage 35.
[0036]
Next, the arm 30 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise to reach the state (9), and the following (6) to (9) are repeated, whereby the front and back images of the photographs P3, P4,. Are read sequentially.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 1, the surface image read by the surface image reading device 14 is sent to the image processing device 18 and subjected to known image processing. The back image read by the back image reading device 15 is sent to the photo creation time specifying unit 76 to specify the photo creation time. For this specification, after performing the contour emphasis processing on the back image, the date and time data, the manufacturer logo, and the like are read by the pattern matching processing, and the photo creation date and time is specified based on these read data. This photo creation date / time data is sent to the classification unit 77. The classification unit 77 collates both based on the identification data of the front surface image data and the back surface image data, associates the identified photo creation date data as supplementary information of the front image data, and groups these based on the photo creation date data And classify.
[0038]
The writing controller 78 collectively stores the surface image data for each order. First, as shown in FIG. 6, a folder 91 having a name including an order ID 90 is created, and each piece of image data 94 and its associated data are stored therein. Further, a folder 92 is provided for each photo creation time in the folder 91, and corresponding image data 94 is stored in each folder 92 for each photo creation time.
[0039]
When all the photos of one order 40 are read, the image data is recorded on the designated recording medium, for example, a medium 20-23 such as an IC memory card, CD, DVD, or MO, based on the recording form instruction data of the image data. .
[0040]
In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the T-arm 30 is used to sequentially send the photos 40 to the stages 35 to 38 within a rotation range of 90 degrees. The shape is not limited to the T type, and may be a single-arm type I type (which may be either a cantilevered single suction pad or a dual-supported two suction pad), a Y type, a cross shape, or other shapes. Further, the rotation range of the arm is not limited to 90 degrees, and may be appropriately changed according to the arm of various shapes.
[0041]
In addition to the rotary conveyance method using an arm, the photograph may be conveyed using a conveyance means such as another roller conveyor or a belt conveyor. Further, the conveyance path is not limited to the arc shape, and may be various shapes such as a straight shape, a T shape, and a U shape.
[0042]
FIG. 10 shows another photo transport apparatus 100 in which the stages are arranged in a straight line. In this embodiment, the photo supply device 101, the orientation correction unit 102, the front surface image reading unit 103, the back surface image reading unit 104, and the stacking unit 105 are arranged in this order. Delivery of the photograph 40 from the photograph supply device 101 to the orientation correcting unit 102 uses a suction pad to attract and lift the photograph 40 and move it to the orientation correcting unit 102. The orientation correction unit 102 corrects the orientation of a photograph using the orientation correction device 12 shown in FIG. 2 or the orientation correction device (see FIG. 15) described in detail later. The photograph whose orientation is corrected is sucked by a suction pad (not shown), and is sent to the next surface image reading unit 103 by being lifted and conveyed.
[0043]
The surface image reading unit 103 is provided with an endless suction belt 103a, and conveys the photograph 40 while being sucked by the belt 103a. When the photograph comes to the surface image reading position, the conveyance of the suction belt is temporarily stopped, and the surface image is read by the scanner 103b at this position. After reading the front image, it is sent in a state where the suction is released or weakly sucked, and naturally falls to the next back image reading unit 104. The photograph that has fallen naturally is pressed against the document table from above by a pressing member (not shown) from above, and the back image is read in this state. The suction by the suction belt 103a may be suctioned on the entire surface of the suction belt 103a, or the photograph 40 may be sucked only when the surface image reading position is reached. In the case of full-surface adsorption, the adsorption force of the surface image reading unit may be increased and the adsorption force at other parts may be decreased as necessary. In FIG. 10, the back surface image reading unit 104 may be disposed in front of the front surface image reading unit 103. Further, although the suction pad is used for transporting the photos to each stage, a suction belt or a transport roller may be used instead.
[0044]
FIG. 11 shows another embodiment in which the orientation correction unit is integrated with the surface image reading unit 106. In this embodiment, by aligning the suction belt 106a of the surface image reading unit 106 in the width direction of the photograph 40 (direction orthogonal to the feeding direction), the edges of the photograph 40 are aligned with the dead weight of the photograph 40. To correct. In this case, the photo supply area to which the photo 40 is supplied from the photo supply device 101 is not adsorbed, and in this state, the direction of the photo 40 is adjusted by sliding down by its own weight. When the photograph 40 reaches the surface image reading position, the conveyance of the suction belt 106a is stopped and the photograph 40 is sucked in this surface image reading area. When the reading of the surface image by the scanner 106b is completed, the adsorption of the photograph 40 is released, and the conveyance of the photograph 40 by the adsorption belt 106a is started. The photograph 40 from which the front image has been read is sent to the next back image reading device 104 by the conveyance of the suction belt 106a.
[0045]
FIG. 12 shows another embodiment in which a line CCD is arranged in the back surface image reading unit 107, and scanning reading is performed in synchronization with the feeding of the photograph 40. In this case, a suction belt conveyance unit 108 is provided on the downstream side of the back surface image reading unit 107, and the photograph 40 is conveyed in cooperation with the suction belt 106 a of the front surface image reading unit 106. Then, the photograph 40 from which the back image has been read is naturally dropped onto the stacking unit 105 by the suction belt conveyance unit 108 and stacked.
[0046]
FIG. 13 shows another embodiment in which the surface image reading unit 110 is provided with a suction belt conveyance base 111 that moves along the photo conveyance path. Except for the surface image reading unit 110, the configuration is the same as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, and the same reference numerals are assigned to the same devices. The suction belt conveyance table 111 reciprocates between the orientation correction unit 102 and the back surface image reading unit 104, and includes a suction belt 111a on the surface. The suction belt carrier 111 stops at the surface image reading position, and at this time, the scanner 110a reads the surface image.
[0047]
FIG. 14 shows an embodiment provided with the surface image reader 14 shown in FIG. 3 instead of the surface image reading unit 103 of FIG. In this embodiment, the suction area by the suction mechanism can be reduced. 10 to 14, the same devices are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0048]
In the above embodiment, a magazine that can store, for example, 1000 photos as one order of photos is used in the magazine. However, when the number of photos for one order is, for example, about 100 to 300, the magazines are sorted into partition portions of each order. Multiple order images may be read by inserting a plate. In this case, the sort plate is transported to each stage in the same manner as the photograph, and is detected as a sort plate by the front image reading unit and the back image reading unit, and is used as a delimiter for each order.
[0049]
In addition, a large number of photographs are stacked in a vertical direction and stored in a magazine, but instead of this, a magazine in which photographs are arranged side by side in a horizontal direction and collected may be used. Each photo is taken out in order and supplied to the photo correction stage.
[0050]
Although the conveyance roller is used as the photo feeding member in the orientation correcting device, a conveyance belt, an extrusion member, or the like may be used in addition to this. In addition, the photo can be conveyed in the direction of inclination of the flocked member by placing the photo on a brush-like thing having a large number of plastic flocked members with a uniform inclination direction and vibrating the brush, such a conveying method You can correct the orientation and carry the photos by sending photos.
[0051]
In the above-described embodiment, the movable image easel (photo stand) 65 that shifts between the receiving position and the reading position is provided in the surface image reading stage 36. You may make it read.
[0052]
Next, another embodiment in which the orientation can be surely corrected even with photographic paper with strong curl will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the suction pad 152 is not used only for the suction of the photograph 40, but is also sprayed as shown in FIG. 16, so that the photograph 40 is surely pressed against the orientation correcting table 151 and the orientation is corrected. ing. In the present embodiment, orientation correction and photo adsorption in the surface image reading stage will be described. However, the orientation correction in the present embodiment may be applied to orientation correction in the orientation correction stage in the embodiment. The direction correction device 150 according to the present embodiment includes a direction correction table 151 and a suction pad 152.
[0053]
The orientation correction table 151 includes a table body 153, a feed roller 154, and an orientation correction plate 155, and a first suction fan (F1) 156 is connected thereto. The feed roller 154 is positioned between a feed position (see FIG. 16) partially protruding from the opening 153a of the base body 153 and a retracted position (see FIG. 17) housed in the base body 153 by the roller lifting mechanism 157. It is configured to be displaceable. Further, the feed roller 154 is rotated by the roller drive motor 158 in the direction of feeding the photograph 40 toward the direction correction plate 155. In addition to the roller opening 153a, the orientation correction table 151 is provided with a number of suction holes (not shown). By sucking air from these suction holes, the photograph 40 is brought into close contact with the feed roller 154. .
[0054]
The suction pad 152 is provided with a second suction fan 160. The second suction fan 160 has a suction action by forward rotation and a blowing action by reverse rotation. As shown in FIG. 15, the second suction fan 160 is rotated forward when the photograph 40 is sucked. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the second suction fan 160 is rotated reversely during the direction correction, and air is blown out from the suction pad 152.
[0055]
As shown in FIG. 15, the suction pad 152 is attached to the distal end portion of the arm 161, and the arm 161 can be moved up and down by an arm lifting mechanism 162 and can be rotated by an arm rotating mechanism 163. The arm elevating mechanism 162 displaces the suction pad 152 to a retracted position where the suction pad 152 is retracted upward, and a lowered suction position (photo extraction position) or orientation correction position. The arm rotation mechanism 163 displaces the arm 161 between the photo supply stage and the orientation correction stage.
[0056]
FIG. 18 shows a timing chart of each part at the time of orientation correction. First, as shown in FIG. 15, in the direction correction table 151, the feed roller 154 is set at a feed position protruding from the surface of the direction correction table 151 by the roller lifting mechanism 157. Next, the second suction fan 160 rotates forward to bring the suction pad 152 into the suction state, and the photograph 40 is sucked from the supply stage. Thereafter, the arm rotation mechanism 163 is turned on, and the arm 161 is rotated and displaced from the suction position to the orientation correction position. Thereafter, the arm elevating mechanism 162 is turned on to lower the arm 161 and set it in the orientation correction position.
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 16, the roller driving motor 158 and the motor of the first suction fan 156 rotate after setting to the direction correction position, and the lowered photograph 40 is sucked by the direction correction table 151. At the same time, the rotation direction of the second suction fan 160 is changed to rotate backward, and air is blown from the suction pad 152. As a result, the photograph 40 is pressed against the orientation correction table 151 by wind pressure. Due to the pressing of the suction pad 152 by air blowing and the suction action of the orientation correction table 151, the photograph 40 is reliably pressed against the feed roller 154, and the orientation is corrected. When the feed roller 154 rotates for a certain time and the direction correction is completed, as shown in FIG. 17, the motor of the roller lifting mechanism 157 is rotated, and the feed roller 154 is submerged in the direction correction table 151 from the feeding position by the lifting mechanism 157. The retracted position is set. At this time, since the first suction fan 156 is turned on, the photograph 40 whose direction is corrected is adsorbed to the direction correction table 151. After the photograph 40 is adsorbed on the orientation correction table 151, the second suction fan 160 is turned off and the motor of the arm lifting mechanism 162 is turned on to raise the arm 161 to the retracted position. Thereafter, the motor of the arm rotation mechanism 163 is turned on, and the arm 161 is displaced from the orientation correction position to the photo supply position. When the arm 161 is retracted to the photo supply position, a reading permission flag is sent to the scanner, and a surface image is picked up by the scanner. Then, when the imaging is finished, the first suction fan 156 is turned off.
[0058]
Although illustration is omitted, a pressing roller may be provided on the suction pad 152 at a position corresponding to the feeding roller 154, and in this case, it is possible to surely perform photo feeding at the time of orientation correction. In this case, it is preferable to use a sponge roller or the like as the pressing roller to softly press the photograph in order to suppress the occurrence of scratches caused by the pressing roller being pressed against the surface image surface of the photograph.
[0059]
In the above-described embodiment, the description has been given mainly using the photograph in which the image is recorded on the color photographic paper as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the silver salt print photograph, and other heat-sensitive methods, ink-jet methods, and post-sensitivity methods. The present invention can be applied to printed photographs by various methods such as the heat development transfer method.
[0060]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, photographs sequentially sent out from a group of photographs collected by a photograph supply unit are sequentially sent to a front image reading stage, a back image reading stage, and a photo discharge unit. Since the reading of the front image, the reading of the back image of the photo, and the discharging of the photo after reading are performed, the front and back images of the photo can be read efficiently.
[0061]
Further, by having an image storage unit for storing image data by the surface image reading unit and a recording medium writing unit for storing the image data stored in the image storage unit for each order in a recording medium, This photo can be converted into electronic data.
[0062]
Classifying the image data based on the creation time specifying information specified by the photo creation time specifying unit, the photo creation time specifying unit specifying the photo creation time based on the back image information read by the back image reading unit, By providing the image data classification unit that assigns the classification information to the image data or classifies the image data based on the classification information, it is possible to store a large number of randomly accumulated photographs in association with each other. In addition, it sequentially sends out photos from the group of collected photos, picks up the surface images of each photo, specifies the photo creation time, and stores the captured surface image data and the specified photo creation time data in association with each other Thus, a large number of randomly collected photos can be related and grouped at the time of photo creation. Therefore, when searching for an image desired later, it is possible to easily specify the desired image from the approximate photo creation time.
[0063]
By having a photo orientation correction unit that corrects the orientation of a photo before reading the surface image, it is not necessary to collect the photos while paying attention to the orientation of the photo, and it is possible to efficiently read a large number of photos.
[0064]
The photo supply unit includes a magazine loading unit that stores and stores photos, and a photo moving unit that takes the photo from the magazine and moves the photo to the orientation correction stage. The photo moving unit includes: By having a suction pad that sucks a part of the periphery of the uppermost photograph and a pad moving unit that lifts the suction pad and moves it between the photo supply unit and the orientation correction stage, the suction pad is removed from the periphery of the photograph. Therefore, when the uppermost stacked photograph is sucked, the lower photograph is not sucked, and the occurrence of multiple fetching is suppressed.
[0065]
By taking a back image of a photo and specifying the photo creation time based on the back image data, each of the randomly collected photos can be reliably classified by the photo creation time. In addition, after performing edge enhancement processing on backside image capture data, photo creation time specification data is extracted by pattern matching processing, and photo creation time is specified based on this photo creation time specification data, so that photographs can be taken in various forms. It is possible to reliably specify the photo creation time of the photo for which the creation time is displayed. By using at least one of date / time data, barcode data, back pattern pattern, and manufacturer logo as photo creation time specifying data, it is easy to specify the photo creation time of various photos. In addition, if the photo creation time specification data cannot be read, all the photos can be classified or created according to the creation time by using the photo creation time specification data of the photo before or after the photo that cannot be read. Can be grouped. Furthermore, when using the photo creation time specifying data of the front or back photo, the photo creation time specifying data that is frequently used in the group is used for each group of photos corresponding to one photo film. The creation time can be estimated with high accuracy.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing a photographic image reader.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a photographic supply device and a photographic orientation correcting device.
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a surface image reading apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a back surface image reading apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a photo stacking unit.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a folder structure of an image server.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image reading procedure.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an image reading procedure.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image reading procedure.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing another embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing another embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing another embodiment, showing a state before orientation correction.
FIG. 16 shows a state during orientation correction in the embodiment.
FIG. 17 shows a state after orientation correction in the embodiment.
18 is a timing chart of each part in the embodiment shown in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Photo image reader
11 Photo feeder
12 Straightening device for photographs
13 Photo transport device
14 Surface image reader
15 Back image reading device
16 Photo collection part
17 Control unit
18 Image processing device
30 arms
32-34, 50 Suction pad
35 Correction stage for photographs
36 Surface image reading stage
37 Back Image Reading Stage
38 integration stage
40 photos
43 Magazine
56 orientation plate
70 Transparent photo stand
71 Imaging unit
75 Image processing unit
76 Photo creation time specific part
77 Classification Department
79 Image Server
151 Orientation table
152 Suction pad

Claims (11)

A photo supply unit that sequentially sends out each photo from a group of photos that have been collected;
A photo transport unit for sending a photo from the photo supply unit to a front image reading stage, a back image reading stage, a photo discharging unit;
A surface image reading unit provided on the surface image reading stage, for reading a surface image of a photograph;
A back image reading unit provided on the back image reading stage for reading a back image of a photograph;
A photographic image reader comprising a photographic discharge unit for collecting photographic images. An image storage unit for storing image data obtained by the surface image reading unit, and a recording medium writing unit for storing the image data stored in the image storage unit for each order in a recording medium. The photographic image reader according to claim 1. A photo creation time specifying unit that specifies the photo creation time based on the back image information read by the back image reading unit, and an image by the front image reading unit based on the creation time specifying information specified by the photo creation time specifying unit The photographic image reader according to claim 1, further comprising an image data classification unit that classifies data and assigns classification information to the image data or classifies image data based on the classification information. The photographic image reader according to claim 1, further comprising a photographic orientation correction unit that corrects the orientation of the photographic image before reading the surface image. The photo supply unit includes a magazine loading unit that stores and stores photos, and a photo moving unit that takes a photo from the magazine and moves the photo to the orientation correction unit,
The photograph moving means includes a suction pad that sucks a part of the periphery of the uppermost photograph of the photograph supply unit, and a pad moving unit that lifts and moves the suction pad between the photograph supply unit and the orientation correction unit. 5. The photographic image reader according to claim 4, further comprising: It is characterized by sequentially sending photos from the group of collected photos, capturing the surface images of each photo, specifying the photo creation time, and storing the captured surface image data in association with the specified photo creation time data A photographic image reading method. 7. The photographic image reading method according to claim 6, wherein a back side image of the photograph is taken, and a photo creation time is specified based on the back side image pick-up data. 8. The photo creation time specifying data is extracted by pattern matching after performing contour emphasis processing on the back surface image pickup data, and the photo creation time is specified based on the photo creation time specifying data. The photographic image reading method described. 9. The photo image reading method according to claim 8, wherein the photo creation time specifying data is at least one of date / time data, bar code data, a back surface pattern, and a manufacturer logo. 10. If the photo creation time specifying data cannot be read, the photo creation time specifying data of the photo before or behind the photo for which the photo creation time specifying data cannot be read is used. The photographic image reading method described. When using the photo creation time specifying data of the front or back photo, the photo creation time specifying data that is frequently used in the group is used for each group of photos corresponding to one photo film. The photographic image reading method according to claim 10.

Images