JP2005134770A - Film cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a film cartridge capable of performing read/write of data through no contact and capable of attaining an increased memory capacity. <P>SOLUTION: In the film cartridge 10 comprising a long photographic film 20 and a cartridge body 16 with a freely rotatable spool 14 in which the photographic film 20 with one end fixed into the spool 14 is wound and housed, a plurality of IC chips 30 for a non-contact IC card are embedded in the photographic film 20 along the lengthwise direction of the film and antennas 40 for electric power supply to the respective IC chips 30 and for read/write of data are provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a film cartridge, and more particularly to a film cartridge capable of recording digital data.

  Conventionally, a film cartridge with an IC memory in which an IC memory is mounted on a film cartridge used for photographing with a camera has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

  In this film cartridge with an IC memory, an IC memory unit is embedded in the cartridge shell, and a plurality of contacts of the IC memory unit are exposed on the surface of the cartridge shell.

In recent years, attention has been focused on non-contact IC cards, which have a personal authentication function, a security function, and the like, and transmit and receive data by electromagnetic induction without using a contact.
JP 11-38559 A

  However, the film cartridge with an IC memory described in Patent Document 1 must access the IC memory through a plurality of contacts exposed on the surface of the cartridge shell, and the malfunction due to contact wear, moisture deterioration, and dirt. Or the terminal pins for reading and writing have to be positioned reliably at a plurality of contacts, and reading and writing are difficult. In addition, since it is necessary to expose a plurality of contacts on the surface of the cartridge shell, the degree of freedom in design is limited.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a film cartridge capable of reading and writing data without using a contact and realizing an increase in memory capacity. Objective.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is a film cartridge comprising a long film and a rotatable spool, and a cartridge main body for storing the film wound around the spool. A plurality of IC chips for contact IC cards are embedded in the film along the longitudinal direction of the film, and an antenna for supplying power to each IC chip and reading / writing data is provided.

  Since the film stored in the film cartridge is long and has a large area, many IC chips for non-contact IC cards can be embedded. As a result, the memory capacity can be increased. In addition, since an antenna for supplying power to each IC chip and an antenna for reading and writing data is provided and made noncontact, durability and simplification of data reading and writing can be achieved.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the film cartridge according to the first aspect, the antenna is embedded in the film.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the film cartridge according to the first aspect, the antenna is provided on a spool of the cartridge main body, and the film has a wiring connecting the antenna on the spool and the IC chip. It is characterized by being buried.

  That is, the antenna may be embedded in the film, or may be provided on the spool of the film cartridge to which the end of the film is connected. An antenna may be provided for each IC chip, or may be a common antenna for each IC chip.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the film cartridge according to the second aspect, the film is a photographic film in which a photosensitive material is formed on a support, and the IC chip and the antenna are arranged in a non-exposed region of the photographic film. It is characterized by being buried.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the film cartridge according to the third aspect, the film is a photographic film in which a photosensitive material is formed on a support, and the IC chip and the wiring are provided in a non-exposed region of the photographic film. It is characterized by being buried.

  That is, a digital image can be recorded on an IC chip, and a film image (analog image) can be recorded on a photographic film. Since the IC chip or the like is embedded in the non-exposed area of the photographic film, it does not obstruct exposure to the photographic film.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the film cartridge according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the IC chip has a non-volatile memory capable of recording image data.

  7. The film cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a radio tag for transmitting information related to the film and / or a plurality of IC chips is provided in the film or the cartridge main body. It is characterized by being.

  That is, the wireless tag includes various information on the film (film ID, number of frames that can be shot, ISO sensitivity, film type, etc.) and information on each IC chip (serial number of each IC chip, manufacturer information, memory capacity, etc.) ) Can be recorded in advance, and a device using this film cartridge can obtain necessary information from the wireless tag. Note that the same wireless tag as that of each IC chip or the like can be used.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, since the IC chip for the non-contact IC card is embedded in the long film stored in the film cartridge, a large number of IC chips can be embedded, and the memory capacity can be increased. Can be achieved. In addition, data can be read and written without contact via a contact, and durability and data read / write can be simplified.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a film cartridge according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a view showing an embodiment of a film cartridge according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a film cartridge 10 includes a cartridge main body 16 including a substantially cylindrical cartridge shell 12 having a light shielding structure, and a uniaxial spool 14 rotatably disposed in the cartridge shell 12. , One end is fixed to the spool 14, and the spool is rotated in the cartridge shell 12, whereby the entire length thereof is wound around the spool 14 and stored in the cartridge body 16, or pulled out from the cartridge body 16. And a photographic film 20.

  The photographic film 20 has a plurality of exposure areas 22 where a subject image is exposed, and perforations 24 are formed at positions before and after each exposure area 22 to use each exposure area 22 for positioning with a camera. Has been.

  Further, in the non-exposure area between the perforations 24 before and after each exposure area 22, an IC chip 30 for a non-contact IC card, and an antenna (antenna coil) for supplying power to the IC chip 30 and reading / writing data. 40 is buried.

  As a method for embedding the IC chip 30 in the photographic film 20, the thickness of the support for the photographic film (for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET)) and the thickness of the thinned IC chip are approximately the same. A method is conceivable in which a hole corresponding to the size (for example, 1 mm square) of the IC chip 30 is formed, and the IC chip 30 is embedded and bonded and fixed therein. Note that the IC chip 30 may be mounted on the support and sandwiched by a protective film or the like, but in this case, the portion where the IC chip 30 is embedded is thicker than the other portions. The antenna 40 can be formed on the support by etching or the like.

  The photographic film 20 is configured by forming a red-sensitive emulsion layer, a green-sensitive emulsion layer, a blue-sensitive emulsion layer, and a protective layer on the support on which the IC chip 30 and the antenna 40 are provided as described above. .

  A wireless tag 50 is provided at the leader portion of the photographic film 20. Since the structure of the wireless tag 50 is the same as that of the IC chip 30 and the antenna 40, the same IC chip 30 and the antenna 40 may be provided. However, various types of film information such as film ID, the number of frames that can be taken, ISO sensitivity, film type (negative / positive, color / monochrome), etc. are recorded in the wireless tag 50 in advance, and are mounted on the photographic film 20. IC chip information such as a serial number, manufacturer information, and memory capacity of each IC chip 30 is recorded. The information recorded in the wireless tag 50 is appropriately read as necessary as will be described later.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a structural example of the IC chip 30.

  As shown in the figure, an IC chip 30 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 31, a ROM (read only memory) 32, a RAM (anytime read / write memory) 33, an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory) 34, a power supply The circuit 35, an interface 36, and a coprocessor 37 are connected to an antenna 40 for supplying power and reading / writing data.

  The CPU 31 is a processing unit that performs overall control of each unit. The ROM 32 stores a control program necessary for the operation of the CPU 31, and the RAM 33 functions as a work area during temporary execution of data reading and writing. The EEPROM 34 is a non-volatile memory mainly used for storing data, and data can be rewritten or erased in byte units by electrical operation. A flash memory may be used instead of the EEPROM 34.

  The power supply circuit 35 smoothes the induced electromotive force from the antenna 40 to generate electric power, and supplies it to the circuits of the respective parts. The interface 36 performs communication control with the outside and exchanges data. The coprocessor 37 mainly performs cryptographic calculation processing and assists the CPU 31. A CPU with a coprocessor may be used.

  The IC chip 30 configured as described above can read and write data without contact with the reader / writer by bringing the antenna 40 close to the antenna of the reader / writer. The communication distance includes a close contact type with a communication distance of 3 mm or less and a proximity type using a short wave and a communication distance of 10 cm or less.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another embodiment of an antenna embedded in a photographic film.

  As shown in the figure, an antenna 42 is embedded in the photographic film 21 so as to surround the exposure region 22 of each frame. Note that although one IC chip 30 is connected to the antenna 42, a plurality of IC chips may be connected to increase the memory capacity.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing still another embodiment of an antenna installation example.

  In this embodiment, the antenna 44 is provided on the flange portion 15A of the spool 15 that is rotatably disposed in the cartridge shell. On the other hand, the photographic film 23 is provided with a wiring 46 electrically connected to the antenna 44 along the film edge portion, and an IC chip 30 connected to the wiring 46 is provided between the exposure regions 22 of each frame. (Between frames)

  Since one end of the photographic film 23 is fixed to the spool 15, the antenna 44 and the wiring 46 are connected at this fixed portion.

  FIG. 5 is a view showing another embodiment of a film in which an IC chip is embedded.

  A photosensitive material is not applied to the support of the film 25 in this embodiment, and the IC chip 30 is embedded on the entire surface of the film. The antenna 44 common to each IC chip 30 is provided in the flange portion 15A of the spool 15 in the same manner as shown in FIG. 4, and power supply to each IC chip 30 from the antenna 44 via the wiring 47 and It is configured so that data can be read and written.

  The IC chip 30 embedded in the film 25 is not limited to the same type, and a plurality of types may be mixed.

  Next, a camera that uses the film cartridge 10 configured as described above will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an internal configuration of a camera using the film cartridge 10.

  As shown in the figure, this camera 100 has a function as a so-called silver salt camera for exposing and recording an optical image on a photographic film 20 using the film cartridge 10 and an optical image using an image sensor (CCD). This is a camera in which a digital image is converted into a digital image and recorded on an IC chip 30 (EEPROM 34) embedded in the photographic film 20 in combination with a digital camera function.

  The photographing optical system of the camera 100 includes an optical unit 102 having a photographing lens, a diaphragm, and the like, and a half mirror 104. An optical image reflected by the half mirror 104 is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 106, The optical image transmitted through the half mirror 104 is formed on the exposure area of the photographic film 20 via the mechanical shutter 108. The optical path length from the optical unit 102 to the light receiving surface of the CCD 106 and the optical path length from the optical unit 102 to the light receiving surface of the photographic film 20 are arranged so as to coincide with each other. Optical images can be formed on both light receiving surfaces of the photographic film 20.

  The operation switch 110 includes a shutter button, a power switch, a shooting / playback mode selection switch, a menu / OK switch, a multifunction cross key, and the like.

  The main CPU 112 comprehensively controls each circuit in the camera 100 based on an input from the operation switch 110. The main CPU 112 exchanges necessary data with the SDRAM (synchronous dynamic RAM) 114, the ROM 116, and the EEPROM 118. The ROM 116 stores a camera control program and the like, and the EEPROM 118 stores various parameters and data relating to camera control such as defect information of the CCD 106.

  First, when the power switch in the operation switch 110 is operated, the CPU 112 detects this and turns on the camera power. When the shooting mode is selected by the shooting / playback mode selection switch, the shooting standby state is set.

  When the shutter button is pressed in the shooting standby state, the CPU 112 detects this and sends a command to the camera CPU 120. The camera CPU 120 performs focus control, photometry, and aperture control, and forms image light of the subject on the light receiving surface of the CCD 106 via the optical unit 102.

  The CCD 106 converts the image light imaged on the light receiving surface into a signal charge in an amount corresponding to the light amount. The signal charges accumulated in this manner are read to the shift register by the read gate pulse applied from the clock generation circuit 122, and sequentially read as a voltage signal corresponding to the signal charge by the register transfer pulse. The CCD 106 has a so-called electronic shutter function that can sweep out the accumulated signal charge by a shutter gate pulse and thereby control the charge accumulation time (shutter speed).

  When the shutter button is pressed, the focus control and aperture control are performed, and then the camera CPU 120 controls the mechanical shutter 108, and also controls exposure to the photographic film 20 at a required shutter speed.

  Next, processing until a digital image is recorded on the IC chip 30 will be described.

  The voltage signal output from the CCD 106 is subjected to analog processing such as correlated double sampling and amplification by the analog processing circuit 124, and then added to the A / D converter 126 as R, G, B signals for each pixel. It is done. The A / D converter 126 converts the R, G, and B signals sequentially added from the analog processing circuit 124 into digital R, G, and B signals, respectively. These R, G, and B signals are temporarily stored in the SDRAM 114.

  Note that the optical image reflected by the half mirror 104 and incident on the CCD 106 is inverted vertically or horizontally, but the non-inverted image can be obtained by reversing the storage order of the R, G, B signals in the SDRAM 114 vertically or horizontally. Can be.

  The image signal processing circuit 128 reads the digital R, G, B raw data stored in the SDRAM 114, applies a digital gain corresponding to the light source type to the raw data, and adjusts the white balance. Characteristic) processing and sharpness processing are performed, and the R, G and B signals are further processed as YC signals to generate luminance signals Y and chroma signals Cr and Cb (YC signals). The YC signals are stored in the SDRAM 114 again.

  The YC signal stored in the SDRAM 114 as described above is compressed to a predetermined format by the compression / decompression circuit 130 and then sent to the reader / writer 132.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the reader / writer 132 has an antenna 132 </ b> A embedded in a pressure plate 133 for obtaining flatness at the exposure position of the photographic film 20. The pressure plate 133 is made of a material (for example, plastic) that does not interfere with electromagnetic induction.

  The reader / writer 132 reads film information and IC chip information from the wireless tag 50 (see FIG. 1) in advance via the antenna 132A so that these information can be used during shooting and recording. For example, the ISO sensitivity of the film is read and notified to the main CPU 112 or the camera CPU 120 so that it can be used for exposure control to the photographic film 20.

  The camera 100 detects the number of frames currently being taken by counting the perforations 24 of the photographic film 20, while the reader / writer 132 preliminarily reads the IC chip from the wireless tag 50. Information (chip ID such as the serial number of the IC chip 30 for each frame) is read. This IC chip information is used to determine which IC chip 30 should record a digital image in accordance with the current shooting frame number.

  When the IC chip 30 on which a digital image is to be recorded is specified, the reader / writer 132 accesses the IC chip 30 in a contactless manner, and transmits the digital image compressed into a predetermined format from the antenna 132A. The IC chip 30 that has received this digital image via the antenna 40 records the digital image in the internal EEPROM 34.

  When the data amount of the digital image recorded by the camera 100 is larger than the memory capacity that can be recorded on the IC chip 30, it can be automatically recorded on the IC chip 30 by changing the image size and the compression rate. ing.

  On the other hand, when the playback mode is selected by the shooting / playback mode selection switch, the digital image of the last frame among the digital images recorded on each IC chip 30 is read via the reader / writer 132. The read digital image is expanded into an uncompressed YC signal via the compression / decompression circuit 130.

  The decompressed YC signal is applied to the video encoder 134 via the SDRAM 114, where it is converted into an NTSC color composite video signal and output to the liquid crystal monitor 136. As a result, the last frame image recorded on the IC chip 30 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 136.

  Thereafter, when the forward frame advance switch (right key of the cross key) is pressed, the frame is advanced in the forward direction, and when the reverse frame advance switch (left key of the cross key) is pressed, the frame is advanced in the reverse direction. Then, an image is read from the IC chip 30 corresponding to the frame position where the frame is advanced, and the frame image is reproduced on the liquid crystal monitor 136 in the same manner as described above.

  When the reader / writer 132 can access all the IC chips 30 in the camera regardless of the position of the antenna 40 of the IC chip 30, the film feeding control in the playback mode is not necessary. If only the IC chip 30 corresponding to the frame at the exposure position can be accessed, it is necessary to actually feed the photographic film 20 frame by frame at the time of frame feeding in the reproduction mode. The digital image read by the reader / writer 132 can also be output to an external device such as a personal computer via an interface (not shown).

  In the above-described embodiment, the camera 100 has been described with respect to shooting in the shooting mode in which both functions of the silver salt camera and the digital camera are used simultaneously. You can also shoot in the shooting mode that can only be used as a digital camera. These photographing modes may be switched as appropriate by the photographer, or the camera 100 may be switched automatically.

  For example, when information cannot be obtained from a wireless tag, the camera 100 determines that a normal film cartridge in which an IC chip or the like is not embedded in a photographic film is loaded. In this case, the camera 100 automatically switches to a shooting mode used only as a silver halide camera. When film information in which no photosensitive material is applied on the film support is obtained from the wireless tag, the mode is switched to a photographing mode used only as a digital camera.

  In this embodiment, the half mirror is used to branch the optical image from the optical unit 102 to the photographic film 20 and the CCD 106. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a prism may be used. A quick return mirror may be provided as described above, and the CCD 106 may capture an optical image immediately before the quick return mirror is flipped up. Furthermore, although the optical unit 102 when used as a silver salt camera and a digital camera is shared, separate optical systems may be provided.

  FIG. 8 is an external view showing another embodiment of a camera using the film cartridge according to the present invention.

  The camera 150 can be loaded with a normal film cartridge 160 and a film cartridge 170 according to the present invention, and a silver salt for exposing a subject image to a photographic film 162 stored in the normal film cartridge 160. It has a camera function and a digital camera function for recording a digital image in a non-contact manner on an IC chip embedded in the film in the film cartridge 170. The internal configuration of the silver salt camera and the digital camera is the same as that of the camera 100 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the film cartridge 170 according to the present invention is dedicated to a memory in which a large number of IC chips are embedded on the entire surface of the film. For example, the film cartridge 170 is a small cartridge about the size of an AA or AAA battery. . The camera 150 uses the film cartridge 170 only as a memory for recording a digital image. A reader / writer (not shown) in the camera 150 is provided with an antenna in the storage portion of the film cartridge 170, and supplies power to and reads / writes data from / to each IC chip on the film stored in the cartridge. Can be done. A controller for controlling reading / writing of data to / from each IC chip may be provided in the film cartridge 170.

  Next, the case where the film cartridge 10 photographed and recorded by the camera 100 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print reception apparatus installed in a brokerage store. This print reception apparatus includes a reader 200 and a print reception device 210 including a personal computer.

  The reader 200 has an antenna 202, can read data from the film cartridge 10 placed on the upper surface of the reader 200 in a non-contact manner, and can transmit the data to a print accepting device 210 connected by a communication cable 204 such as a USB cable. It is like that.

  The reader 200 can read the film ID from the wireless tag 50 (see FIG. 1) attached to the film cartridge 10 in order to identify the film cartridge 10. In addition, if user information (user name, address, telephone number, etc.) and print order information such as the number of prints are recorded on the wireless tag 50 by the camera 100 or the like, the user information and print order information can be read simultaneously. .

  The print accepting device 210 can accept a print order by associating the film ID input from the reader 200 with user information and print order information input from the reader 200 or with a keyboard or the like. it can.

  As a result, the reception process at the store can be quickly performed. Note that when a print order for the film cartridge 10 is first received, user information may be written in the wireless tag 50 at the agency or the development shop. In this case, the user information can be read at the second and subsequent print orders (reprint orders).

  Further, by reading a digital image from each IC chip 30 in the film cartridge 10 by the reader 200 and transmitting it to the print acceptance device 210, the image can be displayed on the monitor of the print acceptance device 210. According to this, before developing the photographic film 20 in the film cartridge 10, it is possible to select a frame for which a print order is to be made while viewing the image displayed on the monitor.

  Further, by using EDY (prepaid electronic money) applied to the technology of the non-contact IC card for the film cartridge 10, it is possible to collect the printing fee without cash.

  Furthermore, if a film ID, a photographing camera ID, a photographer ID, and a personal identification number are registered in the IC chip, authentication can be issued as a certificate, and encryption can be performed by using a PKI (public key infrastructure) encryption technique. Various security measures such as digital signature and authentication can be realized.

  In the photographic film 20 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, perforations 24 are formed before and after the exposure area 22 of each frame. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is shown in FIG. Thus, the present invention can be applied to a photographic film in which perforations are continuously formed on the film edge. Further, the film cartridge is not limited to a one-shaft spool as shown in FIG. 1, and the present invention can also be applied to a two-spool film cartridge as shown in FIG. Further, the IC chip may have no coprocessor for encrypting and writing data, and since the image data is large, it is preferable to have a large memory capacity.

  In this embodiment, the wireless tag is provided in the leader portion at the tip of the photographic film. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may be provided in the cartridge body.

The figure which shows embodiment of the film cartridge which concerns on this invention Block diagram showing an example of the structure of an IC chip The figure which shows other embodiment of the antenna embed | buried in a photographic film The figure which shows other embodiment of the installation example of an antenna The figure which shows other embodiment of the film by which IC chip was embed | buried The block diagram which shows embodiment of the internal structure of the camera which uses the film cartridge which concerns on this invention The figure which shows the installation example of the antenna of the reader / writer in a camera FIG. 6 is an external view showing another embodiment of a camera using the film cartridge according to the present invention. The figure which shows an example of the print acceptance apparatus installed in the agency store The figure which shows the form of other perforations of the photographic film to which this invention is applied The figure which shows the other form of the film cartridge to which this invention is applied

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,170 ... Film cartridge, 12 ... Cartridge shell, 14, 15 ... Spool, 15A ... Flange part, 16 ... Cartridge main body, 20, 21, 23 ... Photo film, 22 ... Exposure area, 24 ... Perforation, 25 ... Film, 30 ... IC chip, 40, 42, 44, 202 ... Antenna, 46, 47 ... Wiring, 100, 150 ... Camera, 200 ... Reader, 210 ... Print acceptance machine

Claims (7)

In a film cartridge comprising a long film and a rotatable spool, and a cartridge main body for storing the film wound around the spool,
A film cartridge comprising a plurality of IC chips for a non-contact IC card embedded in the film along a longitudinal direction of the film, and an antenna for supplying power to each IC chip and reading and writing data.   2. The film cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is embedded in the film.   2. The film cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is provided on a spool of the cartridge main body, and wiring for connecting the antenna on the spool and the IC chip is embedded in the film. .   3. The film cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the film is a photographic film in which a photosensitive material is formed on a support, and the IC chip and the antenna are embedded in a non-exposed area of the photographic film. .   4. The film cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the film is a photographic film in which a photosensitive material is formed on a support, and the IC chip and the wiring are embedded in a non-exposed area of the photographic film. .   6. The film cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the IC chip has a nonvolatile memory capable of recording image data.   7. The film cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a radio tag for transmitting information related to the film and / or a plurality of IC chips is provided on the film or the cartridge main body.

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