JP3038248B2 - Photographic film processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographic film processing apparatus having a function of reading or writing magnetic information on a photographic film having a magnetic recording layer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been proposed a photographic film in which a transparent magnetic recording layer is provided on the entire surface or a part of a photographic film (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as a film). In this process, information is written to the magnetic recording layer in each process of processing photographic film, and the information is read out and used at any time in the subsequent processes to improve the efficiency of photographic processing and improve the quality of photographic prints. Is what you do.

The process of processing the photographic film includes, for example, a developing process, a notch process, a pre-lead process, a printing process, a film cutting process, and a reprinting process. Normally, photographic film that has been exposed by the user is collected in a lab (developer) through a photo shop, etc. First, the film is developed by a developing device. Is performed by the pre-reader in accordance with the condition (1), the printing on the printing paper is performed by the printing device. The baked film is cut into a predetermined length, stored in a film storage sheet, and returned to the user together with the baked print.

[0004] The above is a general photographic film processing mode. When a film having a magnetic recording layer is used, a magnetic head is mounted on each of the above devices, and information written by one device is converted into another. The data can be read out by the device and used for processing in each device. Various types of information can be considered as information to be written to the magnetic recording layer. For example, consider the case of a pre-reader and a printing device.

[0005] The pre-reader is a device that verifies each image frame of a film before printing on a photographic paper. In order to properly print each image frame of the film on a photographic paper, the pre-reader measures the density and color balance of the image frames. It has a function to modify the exposure conditions accordingly. The exposure conditions corrected by the pre-reader are used for printing on photographic paper by a printing apparatus. Until now, the transmission of exposure conditions between these devices was performed using a recording medium separate from the photographic film, such as a paper tape, a magnetic tape, or a magnetic disk, but these exposure conditions must be recorded on a magnetic recording layer on the film. If this is the case, it is not necessary to separately prepare an intermediary means other than the film such as the paper tape and the magnetic tape.

In the case of a reprint order accepting machine and a printing apparatus, the number of ordered pieces of each image frame is recorded as information, and printing is performed by the printing apparatus based on the information. Similarly, other media other than the film are not required, and the efficiency of reprinting can be improved.

If printing information used for printing an image frame, which is also a printing apparatus itself, is recorded, the previous printing information is read out and printed at the time of reprinting work when there is a problem with the printed print. The reworking operation can be performed more easily by adding the correction to the process.

[0008]

However, in any of the above, when information is transmitted between devices for processing photographic film or between the same devices, the information recorded on the magnetic recording layer of the film is Is desirably recorded corresponding to each image frame. This is because the information required for each image frame, such as the exposure conditions and the number of prints, is the largest during the processing of the film. In this case, a certain relationship is required between each image frame on the film and the position where the magnetic information corresponding to the image frame exists. Most preferably, magnetic information corresponding to the image frame exists at the position of the image frame on the film. However, in the case of the current 135 type film, it is not fixed where the image frame is located on the film. For this reason, it is difficult to make the information about each image frame correspond to the image frame on the film, and there has been a problem that a synchronization shift between each image frame and the information about the image frame easily occurs.

[0009] With 135 type film, it is possible to take pictures with different screen sizes such as full size and half size, and cameras for taking pictures in each size are currently on the market. As described above, when the frame sizes on the film are different from each other, there is a problem that the synchronism between each image frame and the information of the image frame is more likely to occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a photographic film processing apparatus capable of preventing an out-of-synchronization between each image frame of a film and information relating to the image frame and capable of processing accurately and at high speed. The purpose is to provide.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image frame detecting means upstream of an image printing position.
Is provided downstream of the image frame detecting means and the image is printed.
Only one magnetic information reading means is installed upstream from the position.
Downstream of the image printing position,
Writes magnetic information under transport conditions
Magnetic information writing means is provided, and the image printing position and
Information on the distance from the position of the magnetic information reading means / writing means
Information, from the image frame tip position information from the frame position information processing unit,
The top of the image frame of the frame reaches the magnetic information writing unit
When a predetermined time corresponding to the distance has elapsed, the magnetic information
Means for transporting the film under magnetic conditions
Start writing information or check the frame position information processing section
From the image frame tip position information, the tip of the image
Distance to film information writing means and film transport amount
Is recognized as the tip position when they match, and the magnetic information
By the writing means, under the transport state of the film
The magnetic information writing is started.

[0012]

According to the present invention, the photographic film is conveyed by the conveying means, and the image frame detecting means detects, for example, a notch cut at a side edge of the photographic film, thereby detecting the image frame on the photographic film. The position is detected. At this time, the control means obtains the distance from the detected image frame position to the position of the magnetic head, and at the time when the distance is conveyed, the reading and / or writing operation for the magnetic recording layer of the film or one of the operations is performed. By instructing the magnetic head to start, each image frame is controlled so as to be synchronized with information on the image frame.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As an embodiment of the present invention, correction information of printing conditions between a pre-lead notcher and a printing apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a pre-lead notcher 1 as a first device of the embodiment. The present device is obtained by adding a function of a pre-reader to a notcher, and is configured to perform verification of an image frame simultaneously with punching of a notch. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a film original winding portion, 12 denotes a film transporting portion (negative carrier), 13 denotes a film viewer, 14 denotes a film driving portion, and 15 denotes a film winding portion. Photo Film F
The film roll connected by splicing a plurality of pieces is set in the film original winding section 11, and the pulled-out film is taken up by the film winding section 15 via the film transport section 12 and the film viewer 13. In the meantime, it passes through a film detection block section 16, an image frame verification / notch perforation section 17, and a magnetic head (not shown) for writing to the film magnetic recording layer. Reference numeral 18 denotes a keyboard for determining the density, color balance, and the like of the image frame and inputting the printing conditions.

FIG. 2 shows that the film F
In this embodiment, the film 14 moves in the direction of the arrow when the motor 14a is driven and controlled by the film driving unit 14. A splice detector 19 and an image frame detector 20 are provided on the upstream side in the transport direction of the film F. These are the film detection block 1
It is stored in 6.

On the other hand, an image frame verification / notch perforated portion 17 and a magnetic head H are provided at a position behind the image frame verification window W on the downstream side in the transport direction of the film F. Also,
The image frame verification / notch piercing section 17 is composed of an image frame verification window W and a notch piercing blade 25a.
It has a frame corresponding to the size of the upper one image frame, and the image frame conveyed in this window is to be verified. The notch piercing blade 25a is installed at the center of the image piece verification window W.
The magnetic head H is installed downstream of the image frame verification window W. As described above, the notch perforation section and the image piece verification section have an integral configuration.

The film F is moved in the direction of the arrow by the control of the motor drive unit 14, and the splice is detected by the splice detector 19. Then, the image frame detector 20 is moved.
To detect an image frame. The image frame detector 20 includes a light emitter for irradiating the film F with light and a light receiving sensor for receiving light transmitted through the film F. The output from the image frame detector 20 is supplied to an A / D converter 22 through an amplifier 21 for A / D conversion.
/ D conversion, and based on this output, the image frame detection processing unit 2
3, the position of the image frame is detected.

The image frame position detection by the image frame detection processing section 23 is performed by detecting a density difference between an image portion on a film and a non-image portion (that is, corresponding to a film base), and a leading end portion and a rear portion of the image frame are detected. The edges can be easily detected.

After detecting the leading edge of the image frame, the amount of film F transported until the trailing edge of the image frame is detected is checked to recognize the size of the image frame and determine the center position of the image frame. This center position is useful for cutting the notch at the center of the image frame. The transport amount of the film F is obtained by counting the number of drive pulses of the pulse motor 14a sent from the motor drive unit 14 in the film transport control unit 24. This film transport amount information is sent to the image frame detection processing unit 23.

It is to be noted that the image frame size is not recognized by the image frame detection processing section 23, but is separately input in advance as image frame size information, and the center position of the image frame is obtained based on the size information. Good. In this case, it is not necessary to detect the rear end of the image frame.

The position information of the leading end of the image frame and the center of the image frame detected by the image frame detection processing unit 23 is sent to the film transport control unit 24.

The notch piercing blade 2, which is driven and controlled by the notch piercing drive 25, at the center of the image frame.
It has two control functions: transport control for transporting to the position 5a, that is, the notch driving position, and transport control for transporting the leading end of the image frame to the position of the magnetic head H.

The transport control to the notch driving position at the center of the image frame is performed by obtaining the transport amount necessary for the center of the image frame to reach the notch driving position from the image frame center position information from the image frame detection processing unit 23. This is performed by comparing the transport amount of the film F by the motor drive unit 14. The transport amount of the film F can be obtained by counting the number of drive pulses of the pulse motor 14a sent from the motor drive unit 14.

The transport control of the leading end of the image frame to the position of the magnetic head H is necessary for the leading end of the image frame to reach the position of the magnetic head H based on the position information of the leading end of the image frame from the image frame detection processing section 23. The transport amount is calculated, and the motor drive unit 14
This is performed by comparing the transport amount of the film F with the above. The transport amount of the film F can be obtained by counting the number of drive pulses of the pulse motor 14a sent from the motor drive unit 14 as described above.

When the center of the image frame reaches the notch driving position, the film transport control unit 24 instructs the motor drive unit 14 to stop the transport of the film F, and at the same time, the image frame is transmitted to the image frame verification processing unit 26 by the verification window W. Inform that you are located within. Then, the image frame verification processing unit 26 prompts the operator to verify the image frame. When the operator inputs the burn-in condition correction value from the keyboard 18, the press information of the keyboard 18 is transmitted from the image frame verification processing unit to the notch punching drive unit 2.
5 and perforates a notch at the center of the image frame. On the other hand, the input printing condition correction value is sent to the magnetic head controller 27.

When the leading end of the image frame reaches the magnetic head H, the film transport controller 24 controls the magnetic head controller 27.
That the top of the image frame is on the magnetic head H,
The magnetic head control unit 27 starts writing the printing condition correction value input from the keyboard 18 to the magnetic recording layer of the film. Writing to the film magnetic recording layer is performed with the conveyance by the motor drive unit 14.

According to the above operation, the leading end of the image frame of the film F and the head position where the magnetic information is written are at the same position, and the notch is perforated at the center position of the image frame. The relationship between the written head positions is also clear.

Preferably, the positions of the notch piercing blade 25a and the magnetic head H have a positional relationship as shown in FIG.
In this case, when the center of the image frame reaches the notch driving position of the film F by the notch punching blade 25a,
At the same time, the leading end of the image frame comes to the position of the magnetic head H, so that the film transport controller 24 can be simplified. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a photographic printing apparatus 2 which is a second apparatus of the present embodiment. A film roll FR on which printing condition correction value information is magnetically recorded by the above-described notchr 1 with a pre-read function is set in the film main winding portion 51. The pulled out film F is sent to a film carrier 53 via an accumulation 52. The accumulator 52 absorbs the difference between the rotation speed (the clockwise rotation in the figure) of the film roll 51 for feeding the film F and the feed speed of the film transport means for feeding the film F to the exposure stage. The amount of the film F is converted into the position of the accumulator 54 that moves up and down, and read by an optical sensor (not shown), and the transport of both negatives is controlled based on the position. In the film carrier 53, the image frame of the film F is set at the exposure position, and the photographic paper P is exposed. The exposed film F is the second
The film is wound around the film winding unit 56 through the accumulation 55. The second accumulator 55 is similar to the accumulator 52, and the feed speed of the film conveying means and the film winding unit 56
It absorbs the difference in rotation speed.

The printing paper P is set in a paper magazine 57 by being wound in a roll shape, and is drawn toward the exposure unit 58 in a predetermined print size unit. When the photographic paper P is pulled out to the exposure unit 58 in the print size unit, the drawing is temporarily stopped, the exposure unit 58 prints a negative image on the film F, and then the drawing is restarted to wind up the paper. It is wound up in the magazine 59.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the film carrier 53. The film F is transported between a film transport path 62 provided on a film transport base 61 and a film pressure bonding guide 63 from a film introduction unit 60 (shown by a broken line).
Both sides of the film transport path 62 serve as guide walls for guiding the transport of the film F. The film pressure bonding guide 63 can be opened and closed via a hinge member 64.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are detailed views of the film transport path 62 and the film pressing guide 63. FIG. In the film transport path 62 and the film pressure bonding guide 63,
A splice detector 65 and two notch detectors 66 are provided. The upper notch detector 66 is for detecting when a notch is perforated on the left end side (upper side in the figure) of the film, and the lower notch detector 66 is similarly located on the right end side (lower side in the figure) of the film. This is for detecting when a notch is pierced. A first magnetic head RH for reading a film magnetic recording layer is provided downstream of the notch detector 66. Further, a pressing roller 67 is disposed directly above the first magnetic head RH for securely bringing the film F into contact with the magnetic head. Subsequent to the first magnetic head RH, there is a printing exposure unit 68 for printing on photographic paper P. The printing exposure unit 68 has a negative mask 6 according to the film type.
9 is attached. A second magnetic head WH for writing to the film magnetic recording layer is provided downstream of the printing exposure unit 68. As with the first magnetic head RH, a pressing roller 67 is disposed immediately above the second magnetic head WH.

The film transport path 62 has a transport roller 70 for transporting the film, which is driven by a pulse motor 71.

The film F is conveyed along a film conveying path 62 by a pulse motor 71 and a splice detector 65
Performs splice detection, and then the notch detector 66 detects a notch. The notch is formed at the center position of each image frame on the film F by the notch 1 having the pre-read function.
The notch detector 66 includes a light-emitting LED and a light-receiving sensor that detect a difference in reflectance between the film portion and the non-film portion where the notch is perforated.

The output from the notch detector 66 is supplied to the amplifier 7
After passing through No. 2, it is sent to the notch detection processing section 73. The notch detection processing unit 73 detects the notch position based on the output difference of the light receiving sensor due to the difference in the reflectance between the film portion and the non-film portion where the notch is perforated. Since the notch position is at the center of the image frame, the leading end of the image frame can be detected according to the film size. The obtained image frame tip position information is sent to the film transport control unit 74.

The film transport control section 74 performs transport control for transporting the leading end of the image frame to the position of the first magnetic head RH and transport control for transporting the leading end of the image frame to the position of the second magnetic head WH.

The amount of transport required for the leading edge of the image frame to reach the position of the first magnetic head RH is determined from the position information of the leading edge of the image frame from the notch detection processing unit 73, and the amount of transport of the film F by the motor drive unit 75 is determined. Check against.
The transport amount of the film F can be obtained by counting the number of drive pulses of the pulse motor 71 sent from the motor drive unit 75.

When the leading end of the image frame reaches the first magnetic head RH, the film transport controller 74
Notifying the first magnetic head controller 76 that controls the magnetic head RH that the leading end of the image frame is on the magnetic head RH,
The first magnetic head controller 76 starts reading the magnetic recording layer of the film F. The reading of the film magnetic recording layer is performed along with the transport by the motor drive unit 75.

The information to be read is burn-in condition correction value information previously written by the notchr 1 having a pre-read function. The burn-in condition correction value information is sent from the first magnetic head control unit 76 to the exposure control unit 77. Used as correction data for exposure calculation of the main image frame. When the image frame is conveyed to the printing exposure unit 68, the correction data is used for printing.

Further, the film transport control section 74 obtains a transport amount necessary for the leading edge of the image frame to reach the position of the second magnetic head WH from the information on the leading edge position of the image frame from the notch detection processing section 73, A check is made by comparing the transport amount of the film F by the drive unit 75. The transport amount of the film F can be obtained by counting the number of drive pulses of the pulse motor 71 sent from the motor drive unit 75 in the same manner as described above.

When the leading end of the image frame reaches the second magnetic head WH, the film transport controller 74
Notifying the second magnetic head control unit 78 that controls the magnetic head WH that the leading end of the image frame is on the magnetic head WH,
The second magnetic head control unit 78 starts writing on the magnetic recording layer of the film F.

The information to be written at this time may be, for example, the total printing conditions at the time of printing in the previous printing exposure section 68. Many of the current photo printing apparatuses are provided with a photometric function (not shown) for photometric negatives.
Automatic printing control is performed using a TD (total area average transmission density) method or the like. However, it is difficult to perform the best printing control for all of various types of films and photographing scenes used and photographed by the user. For this reason, by using the above-mentioned pre-reader or the like, by adding correction data according to the scene to the printing conditions in the automatic printing control, production of photographic prints with higher yield is performed. The above-mentioned total printing condition refers to substantial printing information in consideration of automatic printing control and a printing correction condition by a pre-reader.

This printing information is very effective when reprinting defective prints or reprinting prints. In the case of reprinting a defective print, the printing information or the correction information by the pre-reader at the time of first printing is read, and the correction is performed again based on the information, whereby accurate correction can be easily performed. Further, in the case of the reprint, the information printed before is read and the printing is performed under the same conditions, so that it is possible to produce a print having no quality difference between the original print and the reprint.

The second magnetic head WH records effective printing data and the like in the subsequent processing as described above.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the photographic film is conveyed at a constant speed by appropriately arranging the magnetic head and the notch detector. The time required for the leading end of the relevant image frame to reach the position of the magnetic head may be made constant, and reading / writing by the magnetic head may be started at the time when a certain time has elapsed after notch detection.

[0045]

According to the photographic film processing apparatus of the present invention, the timing of starting the reading or writing of the information on the magnetic recording layer of the film is controlled based on the detection signal of the image frame of the film. Synchronization between the frame and the information on the image frame can be prevented, and the writing or reading position of the information can be uniquely and easily recognized, so that high-speed film processing can be performed.

Even if the image size on the film (for example, full size, half size, etc.) changes, the image frame and the information are in a pair state, and accurate processing can be performed without causing a synchronization shift of the information.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pre-reader notch which is a component of a photographic film processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a film passes through a film transport unit in FIG. 1 and various processing units.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a preferred positional relationship between the notch punching blade shown in FIG. 2 and a magnetic head.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a photographic printing apparatus which is a component of the photographic film processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the film carrier shown in FIG.

6A is a plan view of the film transport path shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 6B is a front view of the film transport path shown in FIG. 4, and a view showing various processing units.

[Explanation of symbols]

 14 Film drive unit 23 Image frame detection processing unit 24 Film transport control unit 27 Magnetic head control unit 73 Notch detection processing unit 74 Film transport control unit 75 Film drive unit 76 First magnetic head control unit 77 Second magnetic head control unit H Magnetic Head RH Magnetic head WH Magnetic head F Film

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-48-98821 (JP, A) JP-A-4-159601 (JP, A) JP-A-4-247443 (JP, A) 133033 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03B 27/32 G03B 27/46

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] (1)Image frame detection means upstream of the image printing position
Is provided downstream of the image frame detecting means and the image is printed.
Only one magnetic information reading means is installed upstream from the position.
Downstream of the image printing position,
Writes magnetic information under transport conditions
Magnetic information writing means is provided, Image printing position and magnetic information reading / writing means
Distance information with the location of the From the image frame tip position information from the frame position information processing unit,
Distance from the top of the frame to the magnetic information writing means
When a predetermined time corresponding to
By means of magnetic information under the transport condition of said film
Start writing, Or From the image frame tip position information from the frame position information processing unit,
Distance from the top of the frame to the magnetic information writing means
And the film feed distance, and when they match, the leading edge position
Is recognized by the magnetic information writing means.
Starts writing magnetic information under transport condition That
Characteristic photographic film processing equipment. 2. The photographic film processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image frame detecting means comprises means for detecting a notch cut in a side edge of said photographic film. 3. The photographic film processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image frame detecting means uses a density difference between an image frame portion and a non-image frame portion on said photographic film. .