JP2005051537A - Film image reader and film carrying device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a film image reader which doesn't stop reading an image unexpectedly when detecting carrying slip occurring between a photographic film and a carrying roll. <P>SOLUTION: In the film image reader, a developed photographic film is carried by the carrying roll and is scanned to read frame images formed on the photographic film. The film image reader is provided with; a slip detection means 51 for detecting carrying slip occurring between the photographic film and the carrying roll 24; a discrimination means 52 for discriminating whether the amount of slip detected by the slip detection means 51 exceeds a first level or a second level for which the amount of slip larger than that for the first level is set; a processing execution means 55 for prompting maintenance of the carrying roll 24, on a monitor 31 in the case of exceeding the first level, and for stopping carrying the photographic film in the case of exceeding the second level. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a film image reading apparatus for reading a frame image formed on a photographic film by conveying the developed photographic film with a conveying roller and scanning the photographic film, and other film conveying apparatuses.

  Such a film image reading apparatus is used to read a frame image formed on a developed negative film (photographic film) and convert it into digital data. This apparatus is provided with a plurality of transport rollers along the transport path and is driven by a drive motor. The photographic film is transported at a predetermined speed by transport rollers. A reading light source is arranged on one side of the conveying surface of the photographic film, and a CCD line sensor (reading sensor) is arranged on the other side. The film image reading apparatus is provided with a slit-like opening, and frame image data is acquired by scanning a photographic film with a line sensor. Here, in order to obtain an image of a photographic film with high accuracy, the conveyance by the conveyance roller must be performed stably. That is, the speed unevenness due to the transport roller must be minimized. However, if the photographic film is transported for a long period of time, the transport roller is contaminated, so that slip occurs between the transport roller and the photographic film. When the amount of slip increases, the image reading accuracy decreases, and maintenance such as cleaning of the transport roller must be performed.

As a prior art related to this, an abnormal conveyance detection device for a film scanner disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is known. This apparatus includes speed detecting means for detecting the rotational speed of a roller for transporting a photographic film, and an abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality in the film transport state based on the detected change in the rotational speed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-244411 (Claims, paragraph 0039)

  In the above prior art, when an abnormality is detected, the motor is automatically stopped. However, if the motor is suddenly stopped during scanning of photographic film, the photographic processing work performed by the operator cannot be performed as scheduled due to an unexpected interruption of image reading, which in turn increases the photographic processing efficiency. It may be reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the problem is that a film image that does not unexpectedly stop processing such as image reading when detecting a conveyance slip occurring between a photographic film and a conveyance roller. It is to provide a reading device and a film conveying device.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a film image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes:
A film image reader for reading a frame image formed on a photographic film by conveying the developed photographic film by a conveyance roller and scanning the photographic film,
Slip detecting means for detecting a conveyance slip generated between the photographic film and the conveyance roller;
A determination means for determining whether or not the slip amount detected by the slip detection means exceeds a first level or a second level at which the slip amount is set larger than the first level;
A process executing means for executing a first process when the first level is exceeded, and executing a second process different from the first process when the second level is exceeded; It is characterized by.

  The operations and effects of the film image reading apparatus having this configuration are as follows. The photographic film is conveyed by a conveyance roller, and includes slip detection means for detecting a conveyance slip generated between the conveyance roller and the photographic film. The determination means has a function of determining whether or not the slip amount detected by the slip detection means exceeds the first level, and whether or not the slip amount exceeds a second level set larger than the first level. . Then, the process execution means executes the first process when the slip amount exceeds the first level, and executes the second process when the slip amount exceeds the second level. For example, when the first level is exceeded, only a warning is given, and when the second level is exceeded, the film transport is stopped. Therefore, even when the first level slip amount is detected, it is not necessary to immediately stop the film, and the operator can be urged to perform maintenance. As a result, it is possible to provide a film image reading apparatus that does not stop the image reading unexpectedly when detecting the conveyance slip generated between the photographic film and the conveyance roller.

In order to solve the above problems, another film image reading apparatus according to the present invention is as follows.
A film image reader for reading a frame image formed on a photographic film by conveying the developed photographic film by a conveyance roller and scanning the photographic film,
Slip detecting means for detecting a conveyance slip generated between the photographic film and the conveyance roller;
Determination means for determining whether or not the slip amount detected by the slip detection means exceeds a predetermined level;
When the predetermined level is exceeded, a first process is executed, and when the number of times the predetermined level is exceeded exceeds a preset number, a second process different from the first process is executed. And a process execution means.

  The operations and effects of the film image reading apparatus having this configuration are as follows. The photographic film is conveyed by a conveyance roller, and includes slip detection means for detecting a conveyance slip generated between the conveyance roller and the photographic film. The determination unit has a function of determining whether or not the slip amount detected by the slip detection unit exceeds a predetermined level. Then, the process executing means executes the first process when the slip amount exceeds a predetermined level, and executes the second process when the number of times exceeding the predetermined level exceeds a preset number. For example, when a predetermined level is exceeded, only a warning is initially given, and when the number of times exceeding the predetermined level exceeds a preset number of times, the film conveyance is stopped. Therefore, even when a slip amount of a predetermined level is detected, there is no need to immediately stop the film, and the operator can be urged to perform maintenance. As a result, it is possible to provide a film image reading apparatus that does not stop the image reading unexpectedly when detecting the conveyance slip generated between the photographic film and the conveyance roller.

  As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first process is a warning display by a warning display means, and the second process is a conveyance stop of a photographic film.

  As already described as an example, as the first processing, it is preferable not to immediately stop the photographic film but to display a warning by a warning display means. For example, display on a monitor, visual display using an LED or the like, and auditory display using a sound, a buzzer, or the like can be given. As the second process, the photographic film can be stopped. Therefore, the first level is set so as to have a slip amount that does not hinder the accuracy of image reading.

  As another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the slip detection means detects the conveyance slip based on the number of perforations of a photographic film detected by a perforation detection sensor and the number of drive pulses of a drive motor that drives a conveyance roller. What to do.

  Since perforations (holes) are formed in the photographic film, the conveyance state (conveyance amount) of the photographic film can be detected by detecting this movement. If, for example, a pulse motor is used as the drive motor for driving the transport roller, the transport state (transport amount) of the transport roller can be detected from the number of drive pulses supplied to the pulse motor. Therefore, it is possible to detect the conveyance slip based on the number of perforations and the number of drive pulses.

In order to solve the above problems, a film transport apparatus according to the present invention is
A film transport device for transporting a photographic film by a transport roller,
Slip detecting means for detecting a conveyance slip generated between the photographic film and the conveyance roller;
A determination means for determining whether or not the slip amount detected by the slip detection means exceeds a first level or a second level at which the slip amount is set larger than the first level;
A process executing means for executing a first process when the first level is exceeded, and executing a second process different from the first process when the second level is exceeded; It is characterized by.

In order to solve the above problems, another film transport apparatus according to the present invention is as follows.
A film transport device for transporting a photographic film by a transport roller,
Slip detecting means for detecting a conveyance slip generated between the photographic film and the conveyance roller;
Determination means for determining whether or not the slip amount detected by the slip detection means exceeds a predetermined level;
When the predetermined level is exceeded, a first process is executed, and when the number of times the predetermined level is exceeded exceeds a preset number, a second process different from the first process is executed. And a process execution means.

  Although the operation and effect of the present invention have been described with respect to a film image reading apparatus that already reads a frame image, the present invention can also be applied to a film transport apparatus that requires accuracy of the photographic film feed amount. For example, an apparatus for positioning a developed negative film at a printing exposure position while frame-by-frame feeding is given as an example.

A preferred embodiment of a film image reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a photographic processing system in which a film image reading apparatus is used.
<Photo processing system configuration>
The photographic processing system includes a scanner A (which constitutes a film image reading apparatus) and a printer processor B. The scanner A has a function of reading a frame image formed on a developed negative film (photographic film) and converting it into digital data. Based on the image data read by the scanner A, the printer processor B prints and exposes an image on paper, which is a photographic photosensitive material, to create a photographic print.

  The negative film F that is an image reading target is set on a negative carrier 1 that is a film transport unit. The negative carrier 1 is provided with an opening for allowing irradiation light to pass therethrough. The negative carrier 1 is provided with a conveyance roller 24 along the conveyance path in order to convey the negative film F. Details of the negative carrier 1 will be described later.

  A halogen lamp 2 is provided as an image reading light source. The light control filter 3 adjusts the color balance of light emitted from the halogen lamp 2. The dimming filter 3 is provided below the halogen lamp 2. A diffusion plate 4 is provided below the light control filter 3 to make the irradiated light uniform. The diffusion plate 4 is in a state of being inserted into the optical path. The mirror tunnel 6 has a function of uniformly mixing light that has passed through the light control filter 3 and the diffusion plate 4.

  An imaging lens 7 is provided below the negative carrier 1 and has a function of forming a frame image of the negative film on the CCD element. The mirror 8 reflects visible light to the right side of FIG. The CCD line sensor 9 (image reading means) is provided for reading the transmission image data of the negative film by visible light. The acquired image data is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 11 via the image output unit 10.

  Next, the configuration of the printer processor B will be described. In the paper magazine 12, paper P which is a photographic photosensitive material is accommodated in the form of a roll. The paper cutter 13 cuts the paper P drawn from the paper magazine 12 into a print size. The exposure engine 14 prints and exposes an image on the emulsion surface of the paper P based on the image data sent from the image processing apparatus 11. Examples of the exposure engine 14 include a laser engine and a PLZT engine. A large number of transport rollers 15 are arranged along the transport path, and the paper P is transported by the transport rollers 15. The development processing unit 16 performs development processing on the paper P on which the image is printed and exposed. The paper P that has been subjected to the development process is subjected to a drying process, and a finished photographic print is discharged from the paper discharge unit 17.

  A controller 30 for controlling the entire photographic processing system is provided. The image data processed in the image processing apparatus 11 is transferred to the exposure engine 14 based on a command from the controller 30. A monitor 31 and a keyboard 32 are connected to the controller 30. An image read by the scanner A is displayed on the monitor screen on the monitor 31. The operator performs various operations necessary for processing while viewing this screen. Input of data necessary for photo processing and various commands are given by an input means such as a keyboard 32 or other mouse.

<Structure of negative carrier>
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the negative carrier 1. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view and a control block diagram along the conveyance path. The negative carrier 1 includes a lower case 20 and an upper case 21 and is configured to be openable and closable. The lower case 20 is formed with a lower conveyance path 22 for conveying the negative film, and the upper case is also formed with an upper conveyance path 23 for conveying the negative film. A transport mechanism for transporting the negative film is provided along the transport path, and includes a drive roller 24 disposed on the lower case side and a pressure roller 25 disposed on the upper case side. The film is conveyed while the negative film is sandwiched between the driving roller 24 and the pressure roller 25 (conveying roller pair). The drive roller 24 is driven by a drive motor 26 via a belt 27.

  In order to read an image of a negative film, slit-like openings 20a and 21a are formed in the lower case 20 and the upper case 21, respectively. Various sensors are provided along the transport path. On the most upstream side of the transport path, a film insertion opening is formed, and a developed negative film is inserted. A film leading edge detection sensor 40 is provided in the vicinity of the film insertion opening, detects insertion of the film, and drives the drive motor 26. The perforation detection sensor 41 detects perforations (holes) provided in the negative film.

  When reading a frame image formed on a negative film, the negative film is sandwiched between a conveyance roller 24 and a pressure roller 25 and conveyed at a constant speed, while the frame image is scanned by the CCD line sensor 9 and converted into digital data. . The line direction of the CCD line sensor 9 is the main scanning direction, and the negative film transport direction corresponds to the sub-scanning direction. In order to perform such scanning reading with high accuracy, it is necessary to prevent unevenness in the negative film conveyance speed. For this reason, when a negative film is transported by a pair of transport rollers, it is necessary to prevent slippage (slip) as much as possible between the negative film and the transport roller pair. However, since the surface of the rollers of the conveying roller pair is gradually contaminated while being used, slippage is likely to occur in the conveyance of the negative film due to the contamination. Accordingly, the conveyance slip generated between the negative film and the conveyance roller pair is detected, and when the slip amount becomes large, a warning is displayed or the drive motor 26 is stopped. A control mechanism for this purpose will be described.

  The motor drive unit 50 (motor drive circuit) has a function of driving the drive motor 26, and includes a drive pulse generation unit 50a for supplying drive pulses to the drive motor 26 that is a pulse motor. The slip detection means 51 detects the slip amount based on the perforation signal from the perforation detection sensor 41 and the drive pulse signal from the drive pulse generator 50a. Therefore, the counter 51a is provided and has a function of counting the number of perforations and the number of drive pulses corresponding to the number. Based on the slip amount detected by the slip detection means 51, the determination means 52 determines whether or not to execute the process. In the level setting unit 53, determination criteria for the determination by the determination unit 52 are set in advance. As a determination criterion, it is set in at least two stages of a first level and a second level. The level input unit 54 can input the contents of the level set in the level setting unit 53. In other words, the level can be set according to the convenience of the operator and the photo shop.

  The slip amount set as the first level is set to a level that does not hinder image reading. As the slip amount set as the second level, a slip amount larger than the slip amount set as the first level is set.

  The process execution unit 55 executes a process based on the determination result of the determination unit 52. More specifically, if the slip amount exceeds the first level but is less than the second level, the monitor 31 (corresponding to a warning display means) displays that the transport roller is dirty on the monitor 31 ( This corresponds to a warning display and informs the operator. This process corresponds to the first process. If it is determined that the slip amount has exceeded the second level, a command signal is issued to the motor drive unit 50 so as to stop the drive motor 26 (corresponding to the second process).

  The functions of the slip detection means 51, the determination means 52, and the process execution means 55 may be configured by either software or hardware. The level setting unit 53 can be configured by an appropriate storage device. The level input unit 54 can be configured by an input screen on the monitor 31, a keyboard 32, a device such as a mouse.

<Slip amount criteria>
Next, the contents of control by the control mechanism shown in FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 4 shows the shape of the negative film on which the frame image is formed. The negative film F shown here is a so-called 135 type, and perforations PF (holes) are formed at a predetermined pitch on both sides in the width direction of the negative film F. The frame images G are also formed at a predetermined pitch (every 8 perforations). FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the perforation signal and the drive pulse signal. As can be seen from this figure, the period of the drive pulse signal is shorter than that of the perforation signal. Using this relationship, the number of drive pulses when the negative film is conveyed by one perforation (PF) is calculated. The average value of the number of drive pulses is represented by AV. That is,
AV = (N ₁ + N ₂ + N ₃ +... + N _n ) / n
4 and 5, N ₁ is the number of drive pulses generated during one PF from a certain (first) perforation to the next (second) perforation. N ₂ is the number of drive pulses generated during 1 PF from the second to the third perforation. The same applies to the n-th perforation, and the total is divided by n. That is, the number of drive pulses generated between n PFs is divided by n, and AV is an average value of the number of drive pulses generated per PF.

Next, a reference (threshold value) for the determination by the determination unit 52 will be described. Represents a threshold at S, the first threshold level expressed in S _1, representing a second threshold level at S _2.

S ₁ = 8 × AV ₀ + (8 × AV ₀ × 0.02) = 8.16 × AV ₀
S ₂ = 8 × AV ₀ + (8 × AV ₀ × 0.05) = 8.40 × AV ₀
The reason why AV ₀ is multiplied by 8 is that the frame image is formed at an 8 PF pitch. That is, the conveyance slip up to 2% is allowed as the first level, and the conveyance slip up to 5% is allowed as the second level. If there is no slip, the perforation pitch L = 4.75 mm, and the drive pulse number AV ₀ corresponding to this distance is also uniquely determined. Therefore, two levels can be set in advance based on the above calculation formula. AV is the number of driving pulses per PF detected in actual negative film conveyance.
S ₁ <8.16 × AV ≦ S ₂
If so, a warning is displayed on the monitor 31 and a maintenance message is issued to the operator (first process). The operator can clean the drive roller 24 and the pressure roller 25 after the image reading of the negative film is completed. Note that, as the first processing, instead of the monitor 31, visual display using LEDs or auditory display using buzzers may be used. Moreover, you may combine suitably these displays and the display by a monitor.

Next, let AV be the number of drive pulses per PF detected in negative film transport,
S ₂ <8.40 × AV
If so, a command signal is output to the motor drive unit 50 to stop the conveyance of the negative film (second process). Thereby, the scanning of the negative film is interrupted. In addition to the stop of the drive motor 26, it is preferable to display a message on the monitor 31 and display a warning by an LED or a buzzer. In this case, it is preferable that the message displayed on the monitor 31 and the display form by the LED or buzzer be performed in a different manner from the case of the first process. As a result, the operator learns that the image reading of the negative film has been interrupted and cleans the drive motor 24 and the pressure roller 25. Since the two-stage processing is performed in this way, the slip amount exceeds the second level even if the maintenance prompt is issued as the first processing even though the maintenance prompt is issued. If this happens, scanning of the negative film is stopped, so that maintenance can be forcibly performed.

<Operation flowchart>
Next, a processing procedure when the slip amount of the negative film is monitored will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, a film is inserted into the negative carrier 1 (# 1). When the leading edge detection sensor 40 detects the leading edge of the film, the drive motor 26 is activated and the conveyance of the negative film is started (# 2). Next, based on the functions of the slip detection means 51 and the determination means 52, it is determined whether or not the slip amount has exceeded the first level (# 3). If it does not exceed the first level, there is no problem with the amount of slip, so the film conveyance and scanning are continued. If the first level is exceeded, it is determined whether the second level is also exceeded (# 4). If the second level is not exceeded, a warning is displayed on the monitor 31 (# 5). However, film transport and scanning can be continued. If the second level is exceeded, the film is stopped (# 6).

  Note that the timing for monitoring the slip amount can be appropriately determined. For example, it is possible to constantly monitor the negative film while it is being conveyed. Moreover, it can carry out for every predetermined time interval. Also, it can be performed immediately after starting the conveyance of the negative film or immediately after the end of scanning.

<Another embodiment 1>
Next, the configuration of the film image reading apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. In FIG. 3, the level setting unit 53 is set in two levels, the first level and the second level, but it may be one. The operation flowchart in that case will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 7, steps # 11 and # 12 are the same as before. In step # 13, it is determined whether or not a predetermined level is exceeded (# 13). The predetermined level is a threshold value for the slip amount set in the level setting unit 53. If the predetermined level is not exceeded, film conveyance can be continued. When the predetermined level is exceeded, it is determined whether or not the number of times exceeds the predetermined number (# 14). For example, five times can be set as the predetermined number of times, and this is set in the level setting unit. If the number of times exceeding the predetermined level is 5 or less, a warning is displayed on the monitor in step # 15. This is the same as FIG. If the number of times exceeding the predetermined level is 6, the film is stopped (# 16). This is because when it is detected that the slip amount frequently exceeds a predetermined level, it is considered that maintenance is preferable. The predetermined number of times can be set as appropriate. Further, the procedure shown in FIG. 6 and the procedure shown in FIG. 7 may be combined.

<Another embodiment 2>
(1) In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, two levels, the first level and the second level, are set, but a third level is further set, and warnings are displayed step by step according to the magnitude of the slip amount. May be performed.
(2) Although the 135 type negative film has been described in the present embodiment, the same can be applied to the APS negative film and other photographic films.
(3) In this embodiment, the slip amount is detected based on the number of perforations and the number of drive pulses. However, the slip amount is detected based on the number of output pulses from the encoder linked to the drive roller instead of the number of drive pulses. May be.
(4) In this embodiment, the scanner (film image reading device) has been described. However, a film conveying device for feeding a negative film frame-by-position and positioning it at a printing exposure position, and printing the frame image on a photographic photosensitive material, The configuration of the present invention can also be applied to a film transport apparatus that requires other feeding accuracy.

Schematic diagram showing the configuration of a photographic processing system in which a film image reader is used Perspective view showing internal structure of negative carrier Longitudinal section along the negative carrier transport path Diagram showing the shape of the negative film Diagram showing the relationship between perforation signal and drive pulse signal Operation flowchart (first embodiment) Operation flowchart (second embodiment)

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Negative carrier 24 Drive roller 25 Pressure roller 26 Drive motor 31 Monitor 41 Perforation detection sensor 50 Motor drive part 51 Slip detection means 52 Judgment means 53 Level setting part 54 Level input part 55 Process execution means

Claims (6)

A film image reader for reading a frame image formed on a photographic film by conveying the developed photographic film by a conveyance roller and scanning the photographic film,
Slip detecting means for detecting a conveyance slip generated between the photographic film and the conveyance roller;
A determination means for determining whether or not the slip amount detected by the slip detection means exceeds a first level or a second level at which the slip amount is set larger than the first level;
A process executing means for executing a first process when the first level is exceeded, and executing a second process different from the first process when the second level is exceeded; A film image reading apparatus. A film image reader for reading a frame image formed on a photographic film by conveying the developed photographic film by a conveyance roller and scanning the photographic film,
Slip detecting means for detecting a conveyance slip generated between the photographic film and the conveyance roller;
Determination means for determining whether or not the slip amount detected by the slip detection means exceeds a predetermined level;
When the predetermined level is exceeded, a first process is executed, and when the number of times the predetermined level is exceeded exceeds a preset number, a second process different from the first process is executed. A film image reading apparatus comprising: a process execution unit.   The film image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first process is a warning display by a warning display unit, and the second process is a conveyance stop of a photographic film.   The slip detection means detects the transport slip based on the number of perforations of a photographic film detected by a perforation detection sensor and the number of drive pulses of a drive motor that drives a transport roller. The film image reading apparatus according to any one of the above. A film transport device for transporting a photographic film by a transport roller,
Slip detecting means for detecting a conveyance slip generated between the photographic film and the conveyance roller;
A determination means for determining whether or not the slip amount detected by the slip detection means exceeds a first level or a second level at which the slip amount is set larger than the first level;
A process executing means for executing a first process when the first level is exceeded, and executing a second process different from the first process when the second level is exceeded; A film conveying apparatus characterized by the above. A film transport device for transporting a photographic film by a transport roller,
Slip detecting means for detecting a conveyance slip generated between the photographic film and the conveyance roller;
Determination means for determining whether or not the slip amount detected by the slip detection means exceeds a predetermined level;
When the predetermined level is exceeded, a first process is executed, and when the number of times the predetermined level is exceeded exceeds a preset number, a second process different from the first process is executed. A film conveying apparatus comprising: a process executing unit.

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