JP2005065187A - Film scanning system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To rationally compose a scanning system which can output sheets of pictures obtained from a film by scanning in sequence of photographing. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of frame picture data Gd which are obtained from a frame picture G of a film F by scanning are stored as a file 52. After a frame number obtained in a frame number acquisition means 46 is given to a file name of each file 52, the file names are sorted by a sorting means 48, and the sorted result is stored as arrangement data 53. Afterwards, an output means 49 reads out the file 52 according to the arrangement data 53, and outputs them to a printer B, etc. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a film scanning system configured to capture a frame image of a developed photographic film by a photoelectric conversion unit and store it in a storage unit.

  There is a photographic printing apparatus shown below that is similar to the film scanning system configured as described above. This photographic printing apparatus is provided with a scanner unit that conveys a photographic film in a predetermined direction, converts an image frame (frame image of the present invention) of the photographic film into a digital signal, and stores it in a frame memory. In this technique, when piece film processing is performed, after six gray rectangular images are displayed on the display, the image frame to be printed and the number of prints are designated, and then the piece film is loaded into the scanner unit. Is inserted into the set direction, the image frames are taken in while feeding the photographic film, and the image frames are stored in the inserted arrangement order. After this processing, the forward mode and the reverse mode are set. Is selected, the order of arrangement of the frame images is changed, and printing on photographic paper is realized according to this arrangement order (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-249413 A (paragraph numbers [0027] to [0030])

  A conventional scanner that captures frame images of photographic film generates a file with a number in the order that follows the sequence in which the frame images were captured, and the scanning processing mode is set to save the frame image data in that file. ing. In the generated file, array information indicating the order of frame image capture is stored in the form of a file name or the like. For example, when performing print processing, a file is designated based on the array information. By performing the processing, the frame image data was output in the order of capture. For this reason, when printing is performed in the order desired by the operator as shown in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to send the photographic film so as to capture the frame images in the same order as the printing order at the time of scanning. there were. In the present invention, an image existing on a photographic film is referred to as a frame image, and a frame image converted into digital data is referred to as frame image data.

  When considering the form of scanning, a photographic printing device called a minilab is a model that captures frame images that enable print processing by sending a photographic film only once in a predetermined direction, or a photographic film in a predetermined direction. There is a model that captures a frame image that enables print processing by performing a main scan while feeding a photographic film in the reverse direction after a pre-scan that captures image information roughly while feeding. Also, in a model that performs pre-scan and main scan, print processing is performed based on the frame image data captured by the main scan.

  Considering the process of printing a frame image of a long photographic film immediately after the development process, with a model that scans once, a smaller frame number is inserted into the film carrier from the front side of the photographic film and scanning is performed. The images are sequentially saved from the frame images marked with, and printing is executed according to the order of the save. On models that perform pre-scanning and main scanning, printing is performed sequentially from the frame images with small frame numbers. In this case, it is necessary to perform scanning by inserting the film into the film carrier from the rear end side of the photographic film.

  In particular, in models that perform pre-scan and main scan, a small frame number is assigned when scanning and printing a frame image of a piece of photographic film that has been cut into a predetermined number of frames as in reprinting. In order to print sequentially from the frame images, it is necessary to always consider the insertion direction of the piece-shaped photographic film, which not only increases the burden on the operator during operation, but also tends to lead to incorrect operation, leaving room for improvement. It was.

  An object of the present invention is to rationally configure a scanning system that can output frame images captured by scanning photographic film in the order in which they were taken.

  A feature of the present invention is that in a film scanning system configured to capture a frame image of a developed photographic film by a photoelectric conversion unit and store it in a storage unit, frame image data is obtained based on a signal from the photoelectric conversion unit. A frame number acquisition unit that acquires a frame number of the frame image based on a signal from the photoelectric conversion unit or a signal from a frame number acquisition sensor. Identification information generating means for associating the identification information generated based on the frame number acquired in step 1 with the frame image data acquired by the frame image acquisition means, and each frame image based on the identification information associated with the frame image data. Generate array data for outputting data in a set order, or associated with the frame image data In that it includes a sorting means for storing in the storage means to set the order of the frame image data of each based on different information.

  Even if the scanning is performed only once or the scanning of the pre-scan and the main scanning is performed twice by this configuration, when the photographic film is scanned, the frame image acquisition means Acquires the frame image data, the frame number acquisition unit acquires the frame number, and the identification information generation unit generates and associates identification information corresponding to the frame number with the frame image data. Array data is generated based on the identification information, or each frame image data is set in order and stored in the storage means. Accordingly, it is possible to read the frame image data in the sorted order based on the array data, and to read the frame image data from the storage unit in the sorted order. As a result, even when frame images of a plurality of pieces of photographic film are captured, the captured frame image data can be arranged and output in an order based on the frame number without considering the insertion direction of the photographic film and the scanning order. A scanning system was constructed.

  The present invention is configured so that order information for managing a plurality of piece-shaped photographic films can be set, and when scanning a plurality of piece-shaped photographic films managed by this order information, each photograph The identification information generating unit associates the frame image data acquired by the frame image acquiring unit from the film with the identification information generated based on the frame number acquired by the frame number acquiring unit from each photographic film. Also good.

  With this configuration, when scanning multiple pieces of photographic film managed with common order information, the frame number acquired from each photographic film for the frame image data acquired from each photographic film It associates the identification information generated based on. As a result, frame image data based on frame images of a plurality of piece-shaped photographic films can be arranged and output in the required order based on the identification information.

  In the present invention, the frame image acquisition unit is configured to capture image information of the three primary colors of red, green, and blue as the frame image data in the photoelectric conversion unit, and when each frame image data is captured A file generation unit that generates a file with a file name including a numerical value indicating a frame image data capturing order, and stores the frame image data including the image information of the three primary colors for the file, The identification information generation means may be configured to add the generated identification information to the file name, or to add the generated identification information instead of the file name.

  With this configuration, when scanning is performed, image information of the three primary colors red, green, and blue that form a frame image of a photographic film is captured as frame image data, and the frame image data indicates the order of capture. Saved in a file with a file name that contains a number. Next, the identification information generated from the frame number is added to the file name by the identification information generation means, or instead of the file name. As a result, even frame image data stored in a state of being color-separated into three primary colors like a color film can be output in a state in which it is arranged in a required order by sorting by the sorting means.

  The present invention sequentially reads out the frame image data corresponding to the arrangement data from the storage means based on the order indicated in the arrangement data, or the order in which the frame image data saved in the sorted state is saved. It may be configured to include output means for sequentially reading out.

  With this configuration, it is possible to output the frame image data in the sorted order by designating and sequentially reading the frame image data based on the array data. By reading in the order, the frame image data can be output in the sorted order.

  In the present invention, the output unit may be configured to output frame image data to a printing apparatus, or to output frame image data to a media drive that stores digitized frame images on a storage medium. .

  With this configuration, by outputting a plurality of frame image data to the printing apparatus in the order based on the frame number, the frame image data can be printed in this order. Alternatively, by outputting a plurality of frame image data to the media drive in the order based on the frame number, the frame image data can be stored in a storage medium such as a CD-R in this order.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Overall Configuration] As shown in FIG. 1, a photographic processing apparatus having a film scanning system according to the present invention is configured. This photographic processing apparatus is called a digital minilab, and operates to perform processing for capturing a frame image of a developed photographic film F (hereinafter referred to as film F) as a digital signal and basic control of the entire apparatus. A printing section B which is provided with a portion A, and which performs exposure processing and development processing on a silver salt photographic paper P (hereinafter referred to as photographic paper P) as a photosensitive material, and which is sent out after drying processing It is prepared for.

  [Operating Section] The operating section A includes a film scanner S that captures the information of the frame image G of the film F (see FIG. 4) into the desk section 1 by converting it into a digital signal by photoelectric conversion, and a display for displaying various information. 2 and a processing device T formed of a general-purpose computer so as to realize image processing and various types of processing, and a keyboard 3 and a mouse 4 for inputting information on the upper surface of the desk unit 1 are provided. A disk drive such as a CD, MO, or FD, or a media drive 5 that acquires information from a semiconductor storage medium R is provided at an upper position of the processing device T, and a semiconductor type as a storage means for storing information therein. A memory 6 and a hard disk 7 are provided.

  In the film scanner S, as shown in FIG. 3, a light source 10 having a light emitting diode, a halogen lamp, or the like is disposed in the lower portion, a zoom lens 11 is disposed in the middle portion, and image information from the zoom lens 11 is disposed in the upper portion. A line CCD type photoelectric conversion unit 12 that separates and captures the three primary colors R (red), G (green), and B (blue) is arranged, and a film carrier 13 is arranged between the light source 10 and the zoom lens 11. It is configured. The film carrier 13 includes a plurality of pressure rollers 14 that convey the film F by pressure bonding, and a conveyance motor 15 that drives the pressure rollers. In the film scanner S, the controller 16 controls the light source 10 and the conveyance motor 15 and takes in the frame image data Gd (see FIG. 6) from the photoelectric conversion unit 12 and outputs it to the processing device T. I have.

  When scanning the film F, the film scanner S carries the film F in the sub-scanning direction (longitudinal direction) by mounting the film carrier 13 suitable for the size of the film F and starting scanning. In synchronization with the operation, the photoelectric conversion unit 12 captures the image information of the film F by separating the line-shaped region along the main scanning direction into R (red), G (green), and B (blue) three primary colors. The digital signal processing is performed, and the frame image data Gd captured in this way is transmitted to the processing device T and stored in the memory 6 and the hard disk 7 by processing described later. The film scanner S captures the frame image data Gd from the frame image G by transporting the film F only once. However, the film image data is transported twice by pre-scanning and main scanning. Gd may be taken in.

  The processing device T includes an operating system that realizes various processes by operating the keyboard 3 and the mouse 4 according to information displayed on the display 2, and further acquires image information captured by the film scanner S as described above. Software for performing correction processing in a state displayed on the display 2, and software for realizing print processing in the print unit B by transmitting image information to the print unit B together with processing information such as print size and number of prints Is installed.

  [Printing Section] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printing section B includes an exposure block Ex, a development block De, and a drying block Dr housed in a housing 20 and is arranged outside the housing 20. Is provided with a belt conveyance mechanism 21 that conveys the photographic paper P sent out from the upper part of the housing 20 in the horizontal direction after processing, and sorts and accumulates the photographic paper P sent from the belt conveyance mechanism 21 in order units. A sorter 23 having a plurality of trays 22 is provided, and a rack 24 for receiving a large size photographic paper P is provided below the belt conveying mechanism 21.

  The development block De includes a plurality of development processing tanks 26 each including a color development tank, a bleach-fixing tank, and a stabilization tank, and a transport mechanism that supplies the photographic paper P to each of the development processing tanks 26. Although the drying block Dr is not shown in the drawing, a transport mechanism for transporting the photographic paper P sent out from the development block De and air heated by a heater are supplied to the photographic paper P transported by the transport mechanism. Has a blower.

  The exposure block Ex cuts the roll-shaped photographic paper P stored in one of the two photographic paper magazines M, M into a print size by the supply unit U1 and conveys it upward, and the photographic paper P from the supply unit U1. In the exposure unit U2, the exposure is performed while the paper is transported upward, and the photographic paper P sent upward from the exposure unit U2 is sent in the front roller unit U3 by changing the transport direction to the horizontal direction. Then, the sheet is fed in the horizontal direction, and then transferred from the rear roller unit U5 to the developing block De.

  The supply unit U1 includes a pressure roller 31 that conveys the photographic paper P, a cutter 32 that cuts the photographic paper P into a print size, and a chucker 33 that sandwiches the photographic paper P that has been cut into a print size and sends it upward. ing. The exposure unit U2 includes a pressure roller 34 that conveys the photographic paper P, and a scanning type exposure engine 35 that exposes the photographic paper 34 based on the frame image data Gd. The front roller unit U3 includes a plurality of pressure rollers 36 for conveying photographic paper. The sorting unit U4 includes two chuckers 37 that sandwich the photographic paper P and send it to two rows of sorting paths. The rear roller unit U5 includes a plurality of pressure rollers 38 that convey the photographic paper P.

  The exposure engine 35 adjusts the amount of light from the laser light sources of the three primary colors R (red), G (green), and B (blue) housed in the casing by an acousto-optic modulation means, and then vertically A structure is used in which the light is reflected on the mirror surface of a polygon mirror that rotates about its axis and is sent to the exposure position in the form of scanning in the main scanning direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control system of the photographic printing apparatus is configured. That is, the processing device T includes a microprocessor that processes information, an interface that realizes access to information, and the like, and a processing unit 41 that is managed by an operating system. A drive 5, a semiconductor type memory 6, and a hard disk 7 are connected to each other, and a signal system that can access information from the display 2, the keyboard 3, and the mouse 4 is formed. A signal system for inputting information from the film scanner S to 41 is formed.

  As described above, the structure in which the frame image G of the film F is captured as the frame image data Gd converted into a digital signal by scanning and transmitted from the processing device T to the printing unit B for printing by the film scanner S is basically the same as the conventional structure. In the present invention, the frame image data Gd captured by the film scanner S is arranged in accordance with the sequence of frame numbers given in advance to the film F regardless of the capture sequence. This is characterized in that it has a function of giving a file name to be saved in the hard disk 7 and outputting it in accordance with this arrangement, the details of which will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the processing unit 41 includes a folder generation unit 43, a frame image acquisition unit 44, a file generation unit 45, a frame number acquisition unit 46, an identification information generation unit 47, and a sort unit 48. And an output means 49 in the form of software. These means can also be configured by hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software. The scanning system of the present invention is configured by the film scanner S, the processing unit 41 of the processing device T, and the program described above. For example, the film scanner S is provided with the function of the processing device T. The scanning system of the present invention can be configured only by the film scanner S.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, in the developed photographic film F of 135 size, a numerical value indicating the frame number Gn of the frame image G and barcode data are formed on the outer side of the perforation Fp formed on the photographic film F. Has been.

  When the film scanner S captures the frame image G of the film F cut into pieces as digital image frame image data Gd and outputs the captured frame image data Gd, the flowchart of FIG. 5 and FIG. The process shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. That is, before scanning, order information of a plurality of pieces of film F is set (step # 01). More specifically, the order information is arbitrarily set with respect to the processing device T using the keyboard 3 or the like. When this order information is set, the folder generation means 43 orders the order information. Is added to the storage area of the memory 6 or the storage area of the hard disk 7.

  Next, after the operation of designating the frame image G to be captured, the specified frame image G is captured by setting the film F on the film carrier 13, and a file name including a numerical value indicating the order of the capture is obtained. The frame image data Gd is stored in the attached file 52, and at the same time, the frame number Gn recorded on the film F is acquired in a relationship corresponding to the frame image G, and this process is managed by the order information. The scanning is repeated until scanning of the plurality of films F is completed, and at the end, scanning is completed by performing a predetermined operation from a predetermined keyboard 3 or mouse 4 (steps # 02 to # 05). More specifically, when the frame image G is scanned in this manner, the frame image acquisition unit 44 performs R (red), G (green), B, based on information from the photoelectric conversion unit 12. (Blue) frame image data Gd of the three primary colors is generated, and the frame image data Gd is stored in a file 52 with a file name including a continuous numerical value indicating the order of capture. This file 52 is stored in the folder 51. Saved. Further, when designating a frame image to be captured, if print on the photographic paper P is selected as an output target of the frame image G, order information indicating the print size and the number of prints is filed and the file is stored. Saved in the folder 51.

  Next, when the scanning is completed, a process (an example of association) is performed to add the identification information generated by the frame number Gn to the file name, and thereafter, the frame number is decreased based on the file name (identification information). Arrangement data 53 having a structure in which file names are arranged is generated in order of arrangement from the largest to the largest (step # 06). More specifically, the frame number acquisition unit 46 acquires the frame number Gn based on a numerical value or barcode data indicating the frame number Gn of the frame image G from the photoelectric conversion unit 12 at the time of scanning. Based on the frame number Gn, the identification information generating means 47 assigns the frame number Gn as a file name instead of the file name already assigned at the time of file generation. After this, the sorting means 48 performs processing for obtaining an array from the smallest numerical value to the larger numerical value based on the designated file name, and the processing result is stored in the hard disk 7 as the array data 53. The array data 53 may be as simple as a text data format in which identification information (numerical values) are sequentially arranged from the top of the file. Since a general camera using a 135 size film is used for shooting from the leading edge of the film F, it is appropriate to perform sorting in which the frame image data Gd having the smaller frame number Gn is positioned first. However, if the camera has a structure in which a film is drawn in advance from the film magazine inside the camera and the film is wound into the magazine every time shooting is performed, the frame number Gn is large. The sort in which the frame image data Gd is positioned first is performed.

  Incidentally, in a state where scanning is continued, it is possible to adopt a processing mode in which the folder 51 and the file 52 are stored in the memory 6 of the processing unit 41. However, after the sorting processing by the sorting means 48, It is reasonable to set the processing mode so that the folder 51 and the file 52 are stored in the hard disk 7. Moreover, although numerical values are used as identification information, it is possible to use alphabet or Japanese text information. In this case, since the sorting is performed based on the character codes, a process for associating the identification information according to the order of the character codes is required.

  The frame number acquisition unit 46 acquires the frame number of the frame image G of the film F captured by the photoelectric conversion unit 12 as described above. The frame number acquisition unit 46 is formed on the film F. It is possible to configure with a dedicated optical sensor that optically reads the frame number and barcode, and software that identifies the frame number based on information from the sensor. When the memory 6 is used as the storage means, the sorting order of the files 52 saved in the memory 6 may be matched with the sorted order as a form in which the sorting means 48 performs the sorting process. By setting the processing form in this way, the sequentially read frame data from the top address of the memory 6 allows the sorted frame image data Gd to be read in the sorted order.

  When printing is performed by the printing unit B, the file 52 is transmitted to the printing unit B in the order shown in the array data 53 along with the transmission of the processing information. The set number of prints are executed on the photographic paper P having the set size in the order of transmission. When the frame images are stored in the storage medium R by the media drive 5, the files are transmitted to the media drive 5 in the order shown in the array data 53 and are stored in the respective files 52. The thumbnail data having a structure in which the number of pixels of the frame image data Gd is reduced is transmitted. The media drive 5 stores the frame images in the frame image area in the order of transmission, and the thumbnail data area stores thumbnails. A process of saving data is executed (step # 07).

  Specific processing in steps # 02 to # 06 described above can also be schematically represented as shown in FIG. In other words, for example, five frame images G having frame numbers “15”, “18”, “10”, “5”, and “6” are designated from the piece-like three films F, and scanning is performed in this order. Is executed, the frame image data Gd corresponding to each image frame G is stored in five files 52 (the folder 51 is not shown in the drawing). The file name of each file 52 is given a file name including a numerical value indicating the order in which the files are generated (the order in which the frame image data Gd is acquired). In the figure, only the numerical values indicating the order in which the files are generated are shown, but this file name includes order information, the cumulative number of frame images acquired by the film scanner, the cumulative number of films subjected to scanning, and the like. It is a waste.

  Next, when scanning is completed, the same numerical value as the frame number Gn is generated as identification information based on the frame number Gn acquired by the frame number acquisition means 46 for each file 52, and the corresponding file 52 Instead of the file name already assigned to the file name.

  After the frame number Gn is assigned as the file name as described above, the sorting means 48 sorts all the file names in the holder 51, so that the file 52 to which the smallest frame number Gn is given is used as the head. As the frame number Gn becomes larger, array data 53 having a data structure arranged later is generated, and the array data 53 is stored in the hard disk 7 in association with the order information.

  As described above, in the present invention, even when scanning of the film F cut into pieces by the film scanner S is performed without considering the order, the frame image data Gd captured from the frame image G by this scanning is displayed. When a file name corresponding to the number Gn is assigned and sorting is performed based on the file name, the frame image data Gd can be output in the order of shooting on the film F. When printing on the photographic paper P However, even when outputting to a medium such as a CD-R, the operator does not have to consider the order of scanning of the photographic film F, thereby realizing easy work. In particular, when the frame image data Gd is saved in the file format and the result of sorting based on the file name is saved as the array data 53, the structure of the data saved in the memory 6 or the hard disk 7 needs to be changed. The processing form becomes simple.

[Another embodiment]
The present invention can also be configured as follows (in this different embodiment, the same functions and the same reference numerals as those in the embodiment are given to those having the same functions as those in the above embodiment). .

  As a processing mode for associating the frame number Gn of the frame image G with the file 52, the file name and the identification information generated by the identification information generating means (for example, without changing the file name given when the file 52 is generated) , A numerical value corresponding to the frame number), for example, by using a reference table and sorting, the identification information stored in the reference table is sorted by sorting the identification information in the reference table. It is also possible to change and use this reference table as array data. With this configuration, the process of changing the file name is not necessary, and for example, it is not necessary to change the storage form of the image information stored in the hard disk 7 at all.

  As another different embodiment, it is also possible to perform processing for attaching order information to a file name. Specifically, it is possible to configure so that the order can be discriminated by generating a file name combining the identification information and the order information and assigning it to the file as the file name. When the configuration is such that the order information can be determined from the file name, the folder shown in the embodiment need not be generated.

Perspective view of photo processing equipment Vertical section of the print section Block circuit diagram of photo processing equipment Diagram showing frame image of developed photographic film Flow chart of import / output routine Schematic diagram showing the flow of processing from scanning to output Schematic diagram showing the processing form from file processing to output of image information

Explanation of symbols

5 Media Drives 6 and 7 Storage Unit 12 Photoelectric Conversion Unit 44 Frame Image Acquisition Unit 46 Frame Number Acquisition Unit 47 Identification Information Generation Unit 48 Sorting Unit 49 Output Unit 52 File 53 Array Data B Printing Device F Photo Film G Frame Image Gd Frame Image Data Gn Frame number R Storage media

Claims (5)

A film scanning system configured to capture a frame image of a developed photographic film with a photoelectric conversion unit and save it in a storage means,
A frame image acquisition means for acquiring frame image data based on a signal from the photoelectric conversion unit, and a frame number of the frame image based on a signal from the photoelectric conversion unit or a signal from a frame number acquisition sensor. An identification information generation unit that associates the identification information generated based on the frame number acquired by the frame number acquisition unit with the frame image data acquired by the frame image acquisition unit;
Generation of array data for outputting the respective frame image data in a set order based on the identification information associated with the frame image data, or based on the identification information associated with the frame image data, respectively. A film scanning system comprising sorting means for setting the order of the frame image data and storing them in the storage means.   Order information for managing a plurality of piece-shaped photographic films is configured to be settable. When a plurality of piece-shaped photographic films managed by this order information are scanned, the frames are read from each photographic film. 2. The identification information generation unit is configured to associate the frame image data acquired by the image acquisition unit with the identification information generated based on the frame number acquired by the frame number acquisition unit from each photographic film. The described film scanning system.   The frame image acquisition means is configured to capture image information of the three primary colors red, green, and blue of the frame image as the frame image data in the photoelectric conversion unit, and when each frame image data is captured, the frame image data A file generation unit that generates a file with a file name including a numerical value indicating an import order of the image, and stores frame image data including the image information of the three primary colors for the file, the identification information generation unit The film scanning system according to claim 1, wherein the generated identification information is added to the file name, or the generated identification information is assigned instead of the file name.   Based on the order shown in the array data, the frame image data corresponding to the array data is sequentially read from the storage means, or the frame image data stored in the sorted state is sequentially read in the stored order. The film scanning system according to claim 1, comprising means.   5. The output unit according to claim 4, wherein the output means is configured to output frame image data to a printing apparatus or to output a frame image to a media drive that stores digitized frame image data on a storage medium. Film scanning system.

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