JP3758619B2 - Setup method and photo processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a setup method and a photographic processing apparatus, and more particularly to a setup method and a photographic processing apparatus capable of performing the setup by forming a setup image on a photosensitive material in the photographic processing apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There are various coloring characteristics of photosensitive materials such as photographic paper sold by each manufacturer, and the state of the developing solution for processing the photosensitive material also varies. For this reason, the quality of the photographic processing apparatus is maintained by setting up when a variation factor occurs or periodically setting up so that an appropriate color print can be obtained when an image is exposed to the photosensitive material.
[0003]
For example, in the magazine registration setup for absorbing the difference in photosensitive material for each paper magazine, first, a paper magazine is selected, and a setup image 1 as shown in FIG. 6 is applied to the photosensitive material from the selected paper magazine. The exposed setup print 2 is created. The setup image 1 is a stepwise representation of an image corresponding to color data 0 to 255 (8-bit gray value). At this time, it waits for 5 minutes or more until the setup print 2 is output.
Then, the print density of the setup image 1 formed on the setup print 2 is measured. If the print density is within the allowable range, the process is terminated. After the exposure time and the light emission intensity are performed, the above-described processing is repeated until the print density is within the allowable range.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When such a setup is performed for one paper magazine, there is no problem in the above procedure. However, when setting up for a plurality of paper magazines, setting up for one paper magazine and then setting up for the next paper magazine after that is completed will waste printing waiting time. For example, it takes about 20 minutes to set up all three paper magazines (three kinds of photosensitive materials), but more than half of them are waiting time.
[0005]
It is conceivable that the print processing is sequentially advanced for other paper magazines to be set up before a setup print is output for a certain paper magazine. However, in this case, when the operator sets the print for setup on the colorimeter and inputs which paper magazine, the input may be wrong and the setup may be inaccurate. Therefore, such a process cannot be conventionally performed.
Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a setup method and a photographic processing apparatus that can be set up accurately and in a short time.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a setup method according to claim 1 is a setup method in a photographic processing apparatus, wherein a step of forming a setup image on a photosensitive material, and a type of a paper magazine storing the photosensitive material are set. Forming setup information for identification on the photosensitive material, measuring the print density of the setup image formed on the photosensitive material, reading the setup information formed on the photosensitive material, based on the read setup information And a step of associating the print density of the set-up image with a paper magazine of the type containing the photosensitive material from which the print density is obtained, and adjusting the photographic processing apparatus based on the measured print density.
[0007]
The setup method according to claim 2 is the setup method according to claim 1, wherein the setup information is formed by a barcode. The setup method according to claim 3 is the setup method according to claim 1, wherein the setup information is formed by color information.
[0008]
5. The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein means for forming a set-up image on the photosensitive material, means for forming setup information for identifying the type of paper magazine storing the photosensitive material on the photosensitive material, and formation on the photosensitive material. Means for measuring the print density of the set-up image, means for reading the setup information formed on the photosensitive material, and the photosensitive material from which the print density of the set-up image is obtained based on the read setup information Means for associating with a paper magazine of the type containing the paper and means for setting up based on the measured print density.
[0009]
According to the setup method of the first aspect, the print density and the corresponding photosensitive material can be accurately associated with each other based on the setup information formed on the photosensitive material. Therefore, the setup becomes accurate, and at the time of setup, while waiting for the output of the print for setup with respect to a certain paper magazine, the print processing can be sequentially advanced with respect to other paper magazines, so that the setup time can be shortened. The same applies to the photographic processing apparatus according to claim 4.
[0010]
In the setup method according to the second aspect, since the setup information is formed by a bar code, more information can be included in the setup information and the reading thereof is facilitated, so that setup can be performed more smoothly.
In the setup method according to the third aspect, by forming the setup information by the color information, the setup information can be easily formed and read, and the setup information can be set up more smoothly.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
Referring to FIG. 1, a photo processing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a scanner unit P1 and a print unit P2.
The scanner unit P1 includes a light source 14 that emits light toward a negative film 12 that is an example of a photographic film. The negative film 12 is conveyed by the conveying roller 16, and the frame image of the negative film 12 is positioned by the negative mask 18. The conveyance roller 16 and the negative mask 18 are integrally incorporated in a negative carrier 20 that is a conveyance unit. In the negative carrier 20, a bar code sensor 22 for reading the DX code of the negative film 12 and the bar code representing the frame number is provided.
[0012]
A mirror tunnel 24 for guiding the light emitted from the light source 14 to the negative film 12 is disposed between the light source 14 and the negative film 12. An image sensor 26 such as a line sensor is disposed on the optical path of the light emitted from the light source 14 and transmitted through the negative film 12. Between the negative film 12 and the image sensor 26, a lens 28 for causing the image sensor 26 to form an image of light transmitted through the negative film 12 is disposed.
[0013]
The light imaged on the image sensor 26 is output as image data that is digital data, and is input to a controller 30 that controls the scanner unit P1 and the print unit P2. Information on the barcode read by the barcode sensor 22 is also input to the controller 30, and the controller 30 controls the operation of the negative carrier 20 based on the information.
[0014]
In addition, the controller 30, the recording medium (memory, M O, CD-R, etc.) external input and output device 31 for reading image data recorded on is connected. A monitor 32 is connected to the controller 30, and an image based on the image data input to the controller 30 is displayed on the monitor 32. The image data input to the controller 30 is stored in a storage device 34 such as a hard disk. The storage device 34 further stores a program, a lookup table, and the like for operating the photo processing device 10. This look-up table is a conversion table between output data (for example, data for determining exposure time and light emission intensity) corresponding to a target density value and input color data. Further, the controller 30 measures the print density (coloring state) of the keyboard 36 for performing various instructions and settings by the operator and the setup image 40 (see FIG. 2) printed on the photographic paper 38. A colorimeter 42 is connected. A bar code reader 43 is connected to the controller 30 to read a bar code 60 (described later) printed on the photographic paper 38.
[0015]
The print unit P2 includes paper magazines 44a and 44b in which photographic paper 38, which is a photosensitive material, is stored. The photographic paper 38 stored in the paper magazines 44 a and 44 b is pulled out along a predetermined path, cut into an appropriate size by a cutter (not shown), and the cut photographic paper 38 is conveyed by the conveying roller 46. The conveying roller 46 is rotationally driven by a drive motor 48, and the drive motor 48 is controlled by the controller 30.
[0016]
A digital exposure head 50 is disposed on the transport path of the cut photographic paper 38. The digital exposure head 50 exposes the photographic paper 38 with an image based on the image data input from the controller 30 while moving in the arrow A direction along the conveyance path of the photographic paper 38. For the digital exposure head 50, for example, a head such as a fluorescent printer, a PLZT printer, or a CRT printer is used.
The photographic paper 38 exposed by the digital exposure head 50 is developed by the development processing unit 52 and dried by the drying unit 54.
[0017]
In such a photographic processing apparatus 10, setup is performed in order to measure and appropriately correct the print density of the setup image 40 actually printed on the photographic paper 38. At this time, the digital exposure head 50 performs setup. An image 40 is exposed on the photographic paper 38.
[0018]
FIG. 2 shows a setup print 56 produced in a setup to which the present invention is applied and used for measurement of print density. The setup print 56 is produced by printing the setup image 40 on the photographic paper 38.
[0019]
The setup image 40 represents an image corresponding to color data 0 to 255 (8-bit gray value) in order to detect the print density in a stepwise manner (in this embodiment, 18 steps). Printed according to
Further, setup information and date are printed on the setup print 56 at a position indicated by reference numeral 58, and further, the information is printed with a bar code 60. The setup information printed as the bar code 60 includes information indicating the type of setup and its process (for example, what number of prints is printed). For example, in the case of magazine registration setup, information such as the type of paper magazine. Is included. By reading these pieces of information, it is possible to recognize which process of which paper magazine the setup print 56 being measured is in (for example, what number).
[0020]
An example of the operation in the photographic processing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, a case where magazine registration setup is performed will be described as an example.
First, a paper magazine is selected (step S1). For example paper over the magazine 44a, is 44b or not shown other paper over the magazine is selected.
It is determined whether or not the selected paper magazine is set in the photo processing apparatus 10 (step S3). If the selected paper magazine is not set, a message “Please set paper magazine” is output from the monitor 32 or the like, and the operator sets the paper magazine accordingly, and proceeds to step S7. If the paper magazine selected in step S3 is set, the process proceeds directly to step S7.
[0021]
In step S7, printing is started only for the selected paper magazine. At this time, by the exposure by the digital exposure head 50, the setup image 40 is formed on the photographic paper 38, the setup information and date are formed at the position indicated by the reference numeral 58, and the information is formed by the barcode 60. The The photographic paper 38 thus exposed is developed by the development processing unit 52 and dried by the drying unit 54 to obtain a setup print 56. Incidentally, the number of prints in the processing of (number of printed sheets up one cycle) of step S7, is set according to the type of set-up, the magazine registration setup for this embodiment is one for each paper over the magazine.
[0022]
If there is another paper magazine to be set up (YES in step S9), the process returns to step S1, while if there is no other paper magazine to be set up (NO in step S9), the number P of paper magazines to be set up is set. (Step S11), the print density registered paper magazine number n = 0 is set (Step S13).
[0023]
Then, when the operator sets the setup print 56 on the colorimeter 42, the print density of the setup image 40 formed on the photographic paper 38, that is, the setup print 56 is measured (step S15). At this time, the barcode 60 representing the setup information is read by the barcode reader 43. Then, based on the setup information of the barcode 60, the controller 30 registers the measured print density in association with the paper magazine (printing paper 38) from which the print density is obtained (step S17).
[0024]
Thereafter, the print density registered paper magazine number n is incremented by 1 (step S19), and it is determined whether or not n ≧ P (step S21). If n ≧ P, it is determined that there is a paper magazine for which the print density is not yet registered, and the process returns to step S15 to perform print measurement for another paper magazine. On the other hand, if n ≧ P, the print density is measured for all the paper magazines to be set up, and it is determined that the print density is registered, and the process proceeds to step S23.
[0025]
In step S23, calculation processing for each paper chromatography magazine to be set up is performed, whether reprinting is necessary or not (step S25). In other words, the controller 30 determines whether or not the measured print density falls within an allowable range based on the target density value. If required fit reprinting print density is within the acceptable range for all paper over the magazine to be set up, after the correction, the setup is completed.
[0026]
On the other hand, if the print density does not fall within the allowable range and reprinting is necessary, the paper magazine is corrected (step S27). That is, by adjusting the data in the look-up table stored in the storage device 34 to expose the image by the digital exposure head 50, the print unit P2 is adjusted so that a desired print density can be obtained (for example, the exposure time). And the emission intensity are performed, and the process returns to step S1. Then, the setup print 56 is produced again using the rewritten look-up table, and the same processing is repeated. When the print density is within the allowable range for all the paper magazines, the setup is completed.
In this way, the printer is set up so that an appropriate color is printed based on the measured print density.
[0027]
According to the photographic processing apparatus 10, by reading the barcode 60, it is possible to recognize which paper magazine the setup print 56 being measured corresponds to. Therefore, for example, even if the measurement order by the colorimeter is wrong, the correspondence between the setup print 56 and the paper magazine can be recognized automatically and accurately, so that the setup can be performed accurately without re-measurement.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, a set-up print can be performed in parallel for a plurality of paper magazines, and the print measurement can also be performed continuously. Therefore, a plurality of paper magazines can be set up in parallel, and the setup time can be greatly reduced compared to the conventional case.
[0028]
In addition, since the setup information is formed by the barcode 60, more information can be included in the setup information and the reading thereof is facilitated, so that setup can be performed more smoothly.
[0029]
In the above-described embodiment, a barcode is used as identification information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and color information may be used.
For example, if a single color exposure is performed on a part of the setup print 56 and the single color is associated with a paper magazine, it is determined which color the single color is at the time of measurement. Can be determined. For example, if the color of the first paper magazine is yellow and the color of the second paper magazine is magenta, even if measured from the second paper magazine, it can be determined that a paper magazine, never mistaken the paper over magazine.
[0030]
Thus, even if color information is used as identification information, a plurality of paper magazines can be set up in parallel, and the same effect as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained.
Further, when color information is used as the identification information, when the print density of the setup image 40 is measured using the colorimeter 42, the color information can be read at the same time, and there is no device dedicated to barcode reading. It is more convenient because it can be read.
[0031]
In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the magazine registration setup has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. it can.
The initial setup is a setup performed at the time of installation in order to absorb the difference between the photographic processing apparatuses. The number of prints per one setup cycle of one photographic processing apparatus is about 6 to 8.
The paper specification registration setup is a setup for absorbing differences in photosensitive materials, and a plurality of photosensitive materials can be registered. The number of prints per one setup of one photosensitive material is about 3 to 5.
The daily setup is a daily setup to absorb daily aging, and the number of prints per setup cycle is usually one. The emulsion number change setup is performed to absorb the difference when the lot of photosensitive material is changed. The number of prints per one setup cycle of one photosensitive material is usually one.
The lamp replacement setup is a setup that is performed to absorb the difference in light quantity of the lamp in the photo processing apparatus using the lamp, and the number of prints per one setup cycle is usually one.
[0032]
In the above embodiment has described the case of forming a setup image 40 and bar code 60 on the photographic paper 38 at the same timing using the digital exposure head 50, setup images 40 and bar code 60, respectively by another means also in time but it may also be formed at different times. Further, in the above-described embodiment has described the case where reading of the measurement and the bar code 60 of the print density of the setup image 40 at the same timing, the line Tsu measurement of print density and the reading of the bar code 60 at different timings May be.
[0033]
The barcode reading means may be a reading device such as a CCD. If a flatbed scanner is used, both barcode and color information can be read.
The identification information may be OCR (optical character reader) characters. In this case, OCR may be used as the reading means. Further, the identification information may be formed by punch holes.
Further, the setup image 40 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 2, and other patterns may be adopted.
The photosensitive material to which the present invention is applied is not limited to photographic paper, and cloth, film, and other materials can be used as long as they can form an image.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the setup becomes accurate and the setup time can be shortened.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an illustrative view showing one example of a setup print used in the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an illustrative view showing timing of setup processing in the embodiment of the present invention and the prior art.
FIG. 6 is an illustrative view showing one example of a setup print used in the prior art.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Photo processing apparatus 14 Light source 30 Controller 34 Memory | storage device 36 Keyboard 38 Printing paper 40 Setup image 42 Colorimeter 43 Bar code reader 44a, 44b Paper magazine 50 Digital exposure head 52 Development processing part 54 Drying part 56 Setup print 60 Bar Code P1 Scanner part P2 Print part

Claims (4)

A setup method in a photographic processing apparatus,
Forming a set-up image on the photosensitive material;
Forming setup information on the photosensitive material for identifying the type of paper magazine storing the photosensitive material;
Measuring a print density of the set-up image formed on the photosensitive material;
Reading the setup information formed on the photosensitive material;
A step of associating a print density of the set-up image with a paper magazine of a type containing the photosensitive material from which the print density is obtained based on the read setup information, and the photograph based on the measured print density A setup method comprising the step of adjusting a processing device.   The setup method according to claim 1, wherein the setup information is formed by a barcode.   The setup method according to claim 1, wherein the setup information is formed by color information. Means for forming a set-up image on the photosensitive material;
Means for forming setup information on the photosensitive material for identifying the type of paper magazine storing the photosensitive material;
Means for measuring a print density of the set-up image formed on the photosensitive material;
Means for reading the setup information formed on the photosensitive material;
Based on the read setup information, the print density of the setup image is set up based on the measured print density and means for associating with the paper magazine of the type containing the photosensitive material from which the print density is obtained. A photographic processing apparatus comprising means.

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