JP4004566B2 - DIGITAL PHOTO PRINTER, PHOTO PRINT METHOD, AND IMAGE RECORDING MEDIUM REPRODUCED BY THIS PRINTER - Google Patents

Description

以上の条件による上記焼増しプリントの工数は下記式により表される。
【００７６】

上記焼増しプリントの注文は、キーイン回数に換算して、オーダ番号20桁、コマ番号および枚数の指定用数字６桁／コマ、とする。またキーイン操作とプリント動作は並行して行われるものとする。
【００７７】
以上の条件による上記焼増しプリントの工数は下記式により表される。
【００７８】

以上より、本実施形態のデジタル写真プリンタは、従来の平均的なアナログ写真プリンタに比べて、２倍以上の効率化を実現することができ、プリントの生産性が向上できることが確認できた。
【００７９】
次に本実施形態のデジタル写真プリンタを用いて、一群の写真プリントに対して、同一の写真プリントに対する重複した注文を含む複数の注文に応じて焼増しプリントを行なう写真プリント方法について具体的に説明する。
【００８０】
例えば学校行事の運動会や遠足等では、生徒自信がカメラを持参してその行事に参加することは希であり、一般には専属のカメラマンが同行して生徒を万遍なく撮影し、後に所定の掲示板等に、プリントした写真プリントを図３に示すようにそれぞれ番号を付して一斉に掲示し、各生徒に焼増し希望の写真プリントの番号を図４に示すような注文票に記載させて、全生徒分の注文票に基づいて図５に示すような集計表を作成し、各コマの合計欄に集計されたコマごとの注文数をコマの順に上記カメラマン自身が、若しくは所定のプリント店が焼増しプリントを行なっていた。
【００８１】
このような従来の方法によれば、図５のコマ番号欄（１〜30）の順に No.１について２枚プリントし、次いで No.２について３枚プリントし、次に No.３について５枚プリントし、というようにプリント作業を行なうことになる。そして No.30までプリントが終了した後に、Ａさんの注文として No.５を４枚、 No.７を２枚、 No.９を１枚、というように各注文者ごとに写真プリントを仕分けする必要があった。
【００８２】
しかし上記実施形態のデジタル写真プリンタを用いて、各注文ごとに順次画像検索用情報を指定してキーボード73または78から入力することにより、各注文ごとに仕分けされた写真プリントがソーター67上に配列されることとなり、仕分けの手間や注文の集計の手間を極端に減らすことができる。
【００８３】
すなわち取扱い者は、Ａさんの注文として No.５を４枚、 No.７を２枚、 No.９を１枚、…というように、Ａさんの注文をキーボード73または78からまず入力してＡさんの注文に則した写真プリントを得、次いでＢさんの注文、Ｃさんの注文、…というように順次注文ごとに画像検索用情報を指定することにより、この指定された順で写真プリントがソーター67上に並ぶことになり、各注文ごとに仕分けされたことになる。
【００８４】
なお、注文ごとに画像検索用情報を入力する作業の回数は、コマの順にコマごとにプリントを行なう場合よりも増加するが、図４に示す注文票をＯＣＲ（光学的文字認識）装置等で読み取って自動入力する装置構成のデジタル写真プリンタを用いればそのような入力作業の手間も省力化することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】一実施形態のデジタル写真プリンタの構成を示すブロック図
【図２】図１に示したデジタル写真プリンタに使用される写真フイルムを示す図
【図３】番号を付して一斉に掲示された一連の写真プリントを示す図
【図４】注文票を示す図
【図５】図４に示した注文票を集計した集計表を示す図
【図６】写真プリント（印画紙）の裏面に印字されたフイルム番号およびコマ番号等の画像検索用情報の例を示す図
【符号の説明】
20 フイルム
21 撮影コマ
40・58・70・72・77 インターフェース
41 スキャナ
42 バーコードリーダ
43 モータ
44 スプロケット
51 ＣＣＤ
54・56 画像処理装置
55 フレームメモリ
57 変調機ドライバー
60 プリンタ
73・78 キーボード
74 ＣＰＵ
75 ハードディスク
76 通信ポート
100 印画紙[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital photographic printer that once converts an image recorded on a photographic film into digital image data and reproduces it as a photographic print, a photographic print method using the printer, and a photographic print reproduced by the printer. The present invention relates to an image recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a roll-shaped photographic film housed in a patrone is used for the camera, and the photographed film is brought into a photo shop (also referred to as a print shop in this specification) and developed and printed. (So-called simultaneous printing) is made and returned to the customer. The developed photographic film returned to the customer is not a roll-like film in consideration of storage convenience, but is generally cut into a film piece with 4 to 6 frames of the photographic frame as one piece. Had been returned to the customer.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Such a film piece is usually stored and stored in a film storage bag. However, if the film piece is divided into a plurality of pieces and each is stored in a bag, it is very difficult to put it in and out of the bag during printing. In conventional analog photographic printers, each piece of film is taken in and out of the bag each time an image recorded on the film frame is printed on an image recording medium such as photographic paper. The film handling for handling these films is a complicated operation. Therefore, normally, the reprinting and reprinting operations for printing from a film piece are significantly less productive than the so-called simultaneous printing operations performed immediately after film development.
[0004]
In addition, when searching for images to be ordered, such as reprints, from the film, it is necessary to look at the recorded images one by one by illuminating the film. Has become troublesome. In particular, there are several types of similar scenes in films where all the school students were filmed at school events such as athletic events, and based on the prints for display that were obtained at the same time, a reprint order was made by asking for print requests. For example, when reprinting is performed in accordance with the order, an extremely large number of orders for each student are added for each shot frame, and the number of sheets to be printed is tabulated. It is necessary to perform printing for the number of sheets that have been found and tabulated, and to sort the photo prints according to the order of each student after printing.
[0005]
On the other hand, this operation is the same not only when handling a film piece but also when handling a slide film in which the film is cut for each frame and accommodated in a mount one frame at a time.
[0006]
Furthermore, when reprinting the above-mentioned reprinted prints, photometry and calculation for exposure control are performed again. Therefore, the color order of the image is different between the first ordered print (usually simultaneous print) and the reprinted reprinted print. In many cases, it will be slightly different.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is a digital photo printer that simplifies the operation and handling of print work by reordering reprinted prints, thereby reducing the burden on the operator and improving print productivity. It is another object of the present invention to provide a photo printing method using the printer.
[0008]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital photographic printer in which the coloration state of an image does not differ each time printing is performed, and an image recording medium such as a photographic print reproduced and output by this printer.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The digital photographic printer of the present invention converts a plurality of images recorded on a plurality of photographic films into digital image data, respectively, and sets image search information for uniquely specifying the digital image data as the image data. Storage means for associating and storing in a storage medium;
Retrieval means for retrieving the digital image data associated with the designated image search information in response to the designation of the image search information;
And a printing unit for reproducing a visible image based on the image data searched by the searching unit on an image recording medium.
[0010]
Here, as the image search information,
(1) an address code indicating an address of the storage medium where the image data is stored;
(2) Information for uniquely specifying the photographic film and a frame number indicating a photographic frame in the photographic film;
Etc. can be used alone or in combination.
[0011]
Furthermore, as information that uniquely identifies the photographic film,
(A) The number of the check tape affixed to a part of the photographic film or a part of the storage body storing the photographic film,
(B) a film ID number for identifying the photographic film recorded in the magnetic recording area in a photographic film having a magnetic recording area capable of magnetically recording various information in part, and
(C) a cartridge ID number for identifying the film cartridge in the film cartridge containing the photographic film therein;
1 or a combination of two or more of them can be used.
[0012]
In addition, the photographic film having the film ID number shown in the above (B) and the film cartridge having the cartridge ID number shown in (C) are so-called APS (Advanced Photo System; 52 No.10 P118) means a new standard photographic film (including cartridge).
[0013]
Further, at least one of (a) lab code, (b) equipment code, (c) store code, and (d) customer code may be included in a part of the image search information.
[0014]
The storage medium is specifically a large-capacity storage medium such as a hard disk, which means a medium that can be input / output (accessed) at any time by a digital photo printer, and may be built in the printer. However, it may be provided separately from the printer. When provided separately from the printer, it is necessary to be connected to the digital photo printer via a communication line such as a telephone line. Therefore, the storage medium in the digital photographic printer of the present invention does not include a storage medium such as a portable CD-ROM that is returned to the orderer.
[0015]
Further, the storage means stores information related to the printing conditions at the time of printing of the image recorded on the photographic film in association with the image data, and stores the information on the storage medium, and the printing means prints the visible image. In this case, the visible image may be printed on the image recording medium based on information on the print condition associated with the image data of the image. Here, the information on the print condition stored in the storage medium may be updated based on the print condition at the time of the first printing (for example, simultaneous printing) with corrections necessary for each printing. Good.
[0016]
Also for the printing means, when the visible image based on the image data is printed on the image recording medium, the image search medium in which the visible image is recorded is used as the image search information associated with the image data. The image may be printed on a part of the image recording medium or a part of the storage body for storing the image recording medium. By doing so, it is convenient that the user can easily know the image search information of the image to be reprinted by looking at the recording medium or the storage body in which the recording medium is stored later. In addition to the recording medium and its storage body, it may be printed on a translucent bag or slide mount for storing the film, or printed on a negative sheet.
[0017]
Further, the image data for which a predetermined period has elapsed after being stored in the storage medium may be automatically deleted from the storage medium by the storage means. By erasing the image data every certain period in this way, it is possible to reduce the storage cost of the image data and prevent private information from being managed by others over a long period of time.
[0018]
More preferably, the storage means reads the image search information from the photographic film and automatically assigns the read image search information.
[0019]
Further, the storage medium may be connected by a communication line so as to be shared by a plurality of digital photo printers. That is, by allowing a plurality of digital photo printers to access a large-capacity storage medium almost simultaneously or sequentially, management of images stored in the storage medium can be unified. By centrally managing the image data in this way, it is possible to place an order for reprinting without a film, for example, to a print shop that first printed the film or a print shop other than the one that developed the film. It is very convenient for the person.
[0020]
Further, the photo print method of the present invention is a photo print method for performing reprinting according to a plurality of orders including a duplicate order for the same photo print for a group of photo prints.
The digital photo printer of the present invention is used to obtain photo prints sorted for each order by sequentially specifying image search information for each order.
[0021]
Here, a group of photographic prints means photographic prints corresponding to images recorded on a film developed in one order, such as a large number of photographic prints taken at school events such as the aforementioned sports day.
[0022]
Also, “sequential for each order” means that the number of sheets counted for each frame of the film is not printed in the order of the frames as in the prior art. This means that after the printing is completed, the order of student B is printed, and then the order of student C is printed.
[0023]
The image recording medium of the present invention is an image recording medium such as a photographic print in which an image recorded on a photographic film is converted into digital image data and a visible image corresponding to the image data is reproduced.
The reproduction from an image storage medium storing digital image data corresponding to each of a plurality of images recorded on a plurality of photographic films and image search information uniquely associated with each of the digital image data The image search information for searching for image data corresponding to an image to be provided for is provided in part. In addition, if the part where the information for image search is recorded is an area other than the area where the visible image of the image recording medium is reproduced, for example, the back side of the surface where the image is reproduced or the peripheral part where the image is not reproduced Any part may be used.
[0024]
【The invention's effect】
In the digital photographic printer of the present invention, the storage means converts the image recorded on the photographic film into digital image data, and stores the image data in association with image search information that uniquely identifies the image data. . For this storage medium, image search information associated with image data corresponding to the image to be reproduced is designated from the outside, so that a plurality of image data stored in the storage medium is designated. The image data associated with the image search information is searched by the search means. Then, the printing means reproduces the visible image on an image recording medium such as a photographic print based on the retrieved image data.
[0025]
As described above, according to the digital photographic printer of the present invention, each image recorded on the film is stored in a storage medium such as a large-capacity hard disk with a name (image search information) for identifying the image. Therefore, at the time of reprinting, the image data corresponding to the search information can be read out from the storage medium and reproduced simply by specifying the image search information corresponding to the image to be reproduced.
[0026]
Therefore, there is no need for the photographer's contractor or operator to search for the film frame corresponding to the ordered image, and it is not necessary to handle the film piece itself, etc. The printing operation can be simplified and the productivity of printing can be improved, and the burden on the operator can be reduced.
[0027]
On the other hand, since the orderer does not necessarily have to bring the film to the print shop, it is possible to place an order for reprinted prints etc. simply by telling the image search information corresponding to the image to be reproduced by telephone or facsimile. It is very convenient for the orderer.
[0028]
Further, information relating to print conditions (including image processing conditions) for reproducing an image is further associated with the image search information and stored in a storage medium, and the printing means follows the print conditions. In a digital photo printer configured to reproduce a visible image, a visible image is printed according to a certain printing condition stored in a storage medium, so that a printed image with a certain color development state is always obtained. Therefore, there is no variation in color every time printing is performed.
[0029]
Note that it is possible to update to the optimum printing conditions as necessary, and the storage unit may store information on the updated printing conditions in the storage medium. By doing so, it is possible to accurately correct and adjust the color, density, and other image quality without film handling in the re-working operation. Moreover, even if the print inspection work place where the printed photo work is inspected for its image quality and the like is located away from the printer, by connecting the print inspection work place and the printer with a communication cable or the like, It is possible to promptly instruct the printer from the print inspection work place to the contents of the correction of the print as necessary at the time of inspection, and the period until the corrected print is obtained can be greatly shortened.
[0030]
Further, in a digital photo printer having a configuration in which the printing means prints information for image retrieval corresponding to the image on a part of an image recording medium such as a photo print, an image to be printed later is recorded. By simply looking at the image search information attached to the image recording medium, the image search information corresponding to the image to be printed can be easily found. This is convenient because it is not necessary to perform troublesome work such as searching for a frame on which a desired image is recorded while comparing the reproduced image with a film.
[0031]
In addition, in a digital photo printer having a configuration in which the image search information is an address code of an image storage medium in which image data is stored, an address associated with desired image data to be read can be directly specified. Therefore, it is possible to quickly search for image data.
[0032]
On the other hand, in the configuration using the information for identifying the film itself and the information of the frame number indicating the shooting frame in the photo film as the image search information, for example, even if the photo print is lost for some reason, Since the image search information can be known from the film number written on the check tape and the frame number burned on the film, it is possible to print without film handling even in such a case. .
[0033]
In the laboratory service, image data is successively stored in the storage medium, so that it may be possible that the storage capacity of the storage medium will eventually be exceeded. However, according to a survey by the applicants of the present application, about 99% of orders for reordered prints are actually made within one month after development, so one month after development (after storing image data) Older image data exceeding the limit may be erased from the storage medium at regular intervals.
[0034]
When there is an order for printing the erased image data, the image may be read again from the film individually.
[0035]
In addition, according to the photo print method of the present invention, the digital photo printer of the present invention is used for printing a group of photo prints according to a plurality of orders including duplicate orders for the same photo print. By sequentially specifying the image search information for each order, you can obtain photo prints sorted for each order, counting the number of orders for each frame of the film as before, and then each frame It is possible to eliminate the troublesome work of printing the number of orders uniformly for each order, and finally sorting the photo prints for each order.
[0036]
Further, according to the image recording medium of the present invention, since the image search information corresponding to the image is reproduced on a part of the recording medium such as a photo print, the image is recorded when the image is to be printed later. By simply looking at the image search information reproduced on the recording medium, you can easily know the image search information of the image you want to print, and you can compare the photo print image with the film as you normally would. This is convenient because there is no need to perform a cumbersome operation such as searching for a frame in which the image is recorded.
[0037]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A specific embodiment of a digital photo printer of the present invention, a photo print as an image recording medium reproduced by this printer, and a photo print method using this digital photo printer will be described below with reference to the drawings. .
[0038]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a digital photographic printer of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a photographic film used in the digital photographic printer shown in FIG.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 2, a photographic film 20 used in the illustrated digital photographic printer 10 has a bar indicating the frame number of each photographic frame above each of the photographic frames 21a, 21b, 21c,. Each bar number is recorded with numbers 1, 2, 3,... On the side of the bar code so that the customer who sees the film can recognize the frame number. Yes. In addition, a DX code indicating film sensitivity or the like is recorded below each shooting frame.
[0040]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a check tape 24 on which a film number for specifying the film 20 itself is written is attached to the end of the film 20.
[0041]
The illustrated digital photo printer 10 includes a barcode reader 42 that reads a barcode 22 of a photographic film 20, a scanner 41 that reads a film number (numbers and symbols) written on a check tape 24 of the film 20, a perforation 23 of the film 20, and A signal that controls the motor 43 while transmitting the sprocket 44 that meshes and transports the film 20, the motor 43 that drives the sprocket 44, the film number read by the barcode reader 42 and the frame number read by the scanner 41 to the data bus. A light source unit 30 comprising a film scanner control interface (I / F) 40 for transmitting the image to the motor 43, a light source 31 for irradiating the photographing frame 21 of the film 20, a light control unit 32, a color separation unit 33 and a diffusion box 34. The image recorded on the photographing frame 21 irradiated with light from the light source unit 30 is transparent. An image is photoelectrically read through a lens 51 and output from a CCD 15, an A / D converter 53 that converts an image signal corresponding to the transmission image photoelectrically converted by the CCD 15 into digital image data, and an A / D converter 53. The first image processing device 54 that performs image processing on the digital image data to obtain a desired print quality and outputs the processed image to the frame memory 55, and the image processed digital image temporarily stored in the frame memory 55 A second image processing device 56 that performs image processing with changed image processing parameters as necessary, and digital image data that has undergone image processing with parameters changed by the second image processing device 56. A modulator driver 57 that outputs a modulated signal based on the signal, a printer 60 that reproduces a visible image based on the signal modulated by the modulator driver 57, and a printer Control I / F 58, hard disk 75 for storing digital image data stored in the frame memory 55 via a data bus, reproducing a visible image based on the digital image data as necessary, or displaying image processing conditions, etc. A CRT monitor 71 and a display I / F 70, a keyboard 73 and a keyboard I / F 72 for inputting image processing conditions, correction values for image processing conditions, information for image search, and the like, a barcode reader 42 and a scanner 41 via a data bus The image search information including the read film number and frame number, the image processing conditions input from the first image processing device 54 and the second image processing device 56, and the digital image data input from the frame memory 55 The information is stored in the hard disk 75 in association with the image search information input from the keyboard 73. One digital image data is retrieved from the hard disk 75 and controlled by a CPU 74 for controlling each device connected to the other data bus, a communication port 76 connected to another digital photo printer system via a communication line, and a printer 60. The configuration includes a keyboard 78 and a keyboard I / F 77 which are arranged at an inspection place for inspecting the reproduced photographic print and input a reprint instruction as necessary.
[0042]
Here, the hard disk 75 has a storage capacity of 25 GB (gigabytes) or more. Normally, the image data required to obtain a resolution corresponding to a photographic print of L size (about 9cm x 13cm) is calculated to be about 5MB / 1 image, and this image data is compressed to such an extent that the image quality does not deteriorate. The image data is about 1 MB / 1 image. At an average minilab store, the number of working days can be set at 25 days / month, the number of films to be brought in at 50 / day, and the number of shots per film can be set at 20 frames. If old image data that has passed one month since it was brought in is sequentially deleted, the storage capacity required for the hard disk 75 is about 25 GB as described above.
[0043]
More specifically, the printer 60 includes a printing unit, a development processing unit, and a drying unit. The printing unit is a hole for punching a reference hole for positioning in a roll-like long photographic paper 100 disposed in a magazine 62. Punch unit 63, sub-scanning drive system 64 that transports photographic paper 100 in the longitudinal direction (sub-scanning direction) with reference to the positioning reference hole, and light modulated based on a signal modulated by modulator driver 57 are mainly used. An exposure scanner 61 that irradiates the photographic paper 100 while scanning in the scanning direction, and a back printing unit 65 that prints image search information input via the printer control I / F 58 on the back surface of the photographic paper 100 are configured.
[0044]
The drying section also includes a cutter 66 for cutting the exposed photographic paper (photo prints) 100 that have been dried one by one, and a sorter 67 for arranging and arranging the photo prints 100 that have been cut one by one. ing.
[0045]
Next, the operation of the digital photo printer of this embodiment will be described.
[0046]
First, the CPU 74 drives the motor 43 via the film scanner control I / F 40, and the sprocket 44 connected to the motor 43 meshes with the perforation 23 of the film 20 to convey the film 20. While the film 20 is being conveyed, the barcode reader 42 reads the barcode 22 indicating the frame number provided for each photographing frame 21, and the read content is input to the CPU 74 via the film scanner control I / F 40. . Similarly, the film number described on the check tape 24 is read by the scanner 41 and input to the CPU 74. The barcode 22 is read by using a known technique such as JP-A-1-155330 and 1-2219730.
[0047]
Further, the reading of the film number by the scanner 41 may be performed by a known optical character recognition (OCR), or the film is accommodated in a cartridge instead of the cartridge, and the number unique to the film is stored in the cartridge. In the case of a photographic film of the new standard in the APS described above, a method of reading the number recorded on the cartridge can be adopted. Further, instead of these automatic readings, manual input from the keyboard 73 is also possible.
[0048]
On the other hand, light is emitted from the light source unit 30 to the photographing frame 21 from which the barcode 22 has been read, and the transmitted image is input to the CCD 52 via the lens 51 and converted into digital image data by the A / D converter 53. Input to the first image processing device 54. The first image processing device 54 performs inversion processing according to whether the input digital image data is a negative image or a positive image, and optimal density, gradation and color when reproduced as a visible image on a photographic print later. Then, the image data is subjected to image processing according to a preset image processing algorithm so as to achieve sharpness, and the processed image data is output to the frame memory 55.
[0049]
The image data input to the frame memory 55 is temporarily stored and also input to the CPU 74 through the data bus. In reading this image, the CPU 74 optimally adjusts the dynamic range of the CCD 52 based on the image data input to the CPU 74 via the data bus so that the read image has the optimum density and gradation, Alternatively, so-called pre-read processing (pre-scan / setup calculation) such as optimal adjustment of the amount of light emitted by the light source unit 30 may be performed.
[0050]
On the other hand, the image data stored in the frame memory 55 is input to the CRT 71 via the data bus, and the CRT 71 displays a visible image based on this image data. Here, the operator (or the contractor) observes the visible image displayed on the CRT 71 and corrects the image processing so that a visible image having a more optimal density, gradation, color, and sharpness is reproduced as necessary. The amount is entered from the keyboard 73. When correction is not necessary, a signal indicating that may be input from the keyboard 73, and when there is no input from the keyboard 73 for a certain period of time, the CPU 74 determines that correction is not necessary. May be.
[0051]
The correction amount input from the keyboard 73 is input to the second image processing device 56, and the second image processing device 56 performs image processing corresponding to the correction amount on the image data stored in the frame memory 55. Then, an image signal subjected to image processing is output to the modulator driver 57. If no correction is necessary, the second image processing device 56 outputs the image data stored in the frame memory 55 to the modulator driver 57 as it is.
[0052]
On the other hand, the CPU 74 associates the film number and frame number input from the scanner 41 and the barcode reader 42 with the image data input from the frame memory 55, and stores them in the hard disk 75. The storage of the image data in the hard disk 75 by the CPU 74 is performed in a format in which the corresponding image data can be uniquely searched by designating the film number and the frame number. Information about image processing conditions set by the first image processing device 54 and the second image processing device 56 is also stored in the hard disk 75 in association with the image data.
[0053]
The modulator driver 57 modulates the light emitted from the exposure scanner 61 of the printer 60 based on the input image data.
[0054]
On the other hand, the printer 60 is driven and controlled via the printer control I / F 58 under the control of the CPU 74. First, the sub-scanning drive system 64 transports the photographic printing paper 100 extending from the magazine 62 along a predetermined transport path in the sub-scanning direction. A hole punch unit 63 is provided on the conveyance path, and the hole punch unit 63 has a synchronization reference in the vicinity of the side edge of the photographic paper 100 for each length interval corresponding to the feed amount for one photographic print. Drill a reference hole. Inside the printer 60, the photographic paper 100 is transported using the reference hole as a reference for synchronization.
[0055]
The photographic paper 100 is sub-scanned in this manner, and is main-scanned with light modulated based on the image data from the exposure scanner 61. The photographic paper 100 is converted into image data by a combination of the main scan and the sub-scan. The based light modulation pattern is exposed. The feed speed in the sub-scanning direction is controlled by the CPU 74 to a speed necessary for reproducing a visible image in synchronization with the main scanning speed of exposure.
[0056]
The photographic paper 100 having the light modulation pattern exposed on the surface is conveyed along the conveyance path to the position of the back printing unit 65. The back printing unit 65 is image search information uniquely associated with the image data by the CPU 74. 6 is received from the CPU 74, and the image search information corresponding to the light modulation pattern on the back surface of the photographic paper 100 conveyed (the back surface of the surface on which the light modulation pattern is exposed), for example, as shown in FIG. Print film number and frame number.
[0057]
Note that the displacement of the arrangement position of the exposure scanner 61 that exposes the light modulation pattern and the back printing unit 65 is a soft sequence that uses the reference hole of the photographic paper 100 punched by the hole punch unit 63 (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 5- 193609), the position is absorbed while being synchronized. The image search information may be recorded not only on the back surface of the photographic paper 100 but also on a part of the exposed surface of the visible image. In this case, it is desirable to record in a region outside the exposed range of the visible image, for example, the peripheral portion.
[0058]
The exposed photographic paper 100 is transported from the printing unit to the development processing unit along the transport path, where it is subjected to predetermined development processing and water washing processing, and is sent to the drying unit. In the drying section, the photographic paper 100 that has been washed with water in the development processing section is dried, and the photographic paper 100 that has been dried corresponds to the size of one photographic print with the reference hole as a reference for synchronization by the cutter 66. It is cut into pieces. The photographic paper 100 that has been cut into photographic prints is collected in units of one film in the sorter 67, and returned to the orderer together with film pieces that have been separated and cut into six frames in another process.
[0059]
Note that the exposure (printing) operation on the photographic paper 100 is not necessarily performed together with the reading of the image from the film 20 and the storage of the image data in the hard disk 75. The exposure operation is performed as described above. In addition to the sequence of storing data, it may be performed at different times.
[0060]
The photo print may be inspected at a predetermined inspection location before being returned to the orderer. In this case, if the print quality is acceptable, the film piece is used as it is as described above. If the product is returned to the orderer and is a rejected product, the image search information printed on the back of the photo print and the required image processing correction amount from the keyboard 78 placed at the inspection location by the inspector. The CPU 74 that has received this instruction searches the image data associated with the image search information stored in the hard disk 75, and once fetches the obtained image data into the frame memory 55, The second image processing apparatus 56 stores the image data captured in the frame memory 55 in the hard disk 75 in association with the image data. The information on the image processing condition, performs image processing upon changing according to the input amount of correction.
[0061]
The processed image data output from the second image processing device 56 is input to the modulator driver 57 in the same manner as described above, and a visible image corresponding to the image data is exposed on the photographic paper 100 by the printer 60. A photographic print corrected for image processing is output. In the inspection of the output photographic print, if further correction is necessary, the above correction operation may be repeated. Information relating to the image processing conditions changed according to the image processing correction amount input from the keyboard 78 is associated with the image data and stored in the hard disk 75 again.
[0062]
In this way, if an orderer who has returned a photographic print with a film image exposed on the photographic paper 100 and a piece of film 20 later orders a reprint of the print, then he or she will reprint the photographic print to be reprinted. The image search information (film number, frame number, etc.) printed on the back side and the desired number of prints are entered on the order form, and the order form is delivered to the print shop or by telephone. Contact the number of prints and place a reprint order.
[0063]
In the print store, image search information and the number of prints are input from the keyboard 73 or 78 in accordance with the received order, and the image search stored in the hard disk 75 is controlled by the CPU 74 in response to the instruction. The image data associated with the information is searched, and the image data obtained by the search is temporarily captured in the frame memory 55, and the second image processing device 56 performs the processing on the image data captured in the frame memory 55. Then, image processing is performed in accordance with information relating to image processing conditions stored in the hard disk 75 in association with the image data.
[0064]
Here, for example, when an orderer requests image processing different from the previous photo print, the second amount is input by inputting the image processing correction amount corresponding to the request from the keyboard 73 or 78. The image processing device 56 performs image processing after changing the image processing conditions according to the correction amount.
[0065]
The processed image data output from the second image processing device 56 is input to the modulator driver 57 in the same manner as described above, and a visible image corresponding to the image data is applied to the photographic paper 100 by the printer 60 and the keyboard 73. Alternatively, exposure is performed for the number of sheets input from 78, and photographic prints for the number of sheets ordered are output.
[0066]
As described above, according to the digital photo printer of this embodiment, it is possible to obtain a photo print with only the image search information without the film, and the orderer does not need to search for a film corresponding to the photo print. It is not always necessary to bring the film to the print shop, and it is possible to place an order only by telephone, FAX, or personal computer communication without going to the print shop, which is very convenient for the orderer.
[0067]
On the other hand, the print shop can obtain an image print simply by inputting the image number and the number of prints, so that the complicated handling of the thin film pieces is not necessary and the printing operation is simplified. , Print productivity can be improved.
[0068]
Furthermore, since image search information such as an image number is recorded on the back side of the photo print, it is necessary to search the image number from the film by comparing the photo print with the film when ordering the reprint of the image later. This makes it easier to order additional prints.
[0069]
Also, by storing image processing conditions (printing conditions) in the hard disk 75 in correspondence with image data, image processing is performed under the same image processing conditions each time printing is performed. Can be obtained. Note that the image processing conditions can be easily changed by simply inputting the correction amount of the image processing conditions from the keyboard 73 or 78. Further, the hard disk 75 may always store only the latest image processing conditions, or all the updated image processing conditions may be stored side by side in the newest order. .
[0070]
In addition to recording the image search information on the photo print itself, for example, the image of all the shot frames recorded on the film is reduced, and all of the index prints of one or two minor leaves are recorded. The visible image may be exposed and displayed in correspondence with each image displayed on the index print. In addition, it is displayed on the part corresponding to each shooting frame of the negative sheet that is stored and returned to the orderer, or displayed on each slide mount if it is stored in the slide mount and returned for each shooting frame. May be.
[0071]
Further, the hard disk 75 may be shared with other digital photo printers. In this case, the hard disk 75 may be connected to one or more other digital photo printers via a communication line 76 via a network line. When the hard disk is shared in this way, as shown in FIG. 6B, the image search information printed on the photo print includes the lab number of the lab that read the image data, the device code of the read digital photographic printer, and other dates. Even if the printer that read the image and the printer that ordered the print are separate, the printer that read the image from the digital photo printer that ordered the print through the network line The desired photographic print can be obtained by reading an image from the hard disk.
[0072]
In this way, in order to read out the image stored in the hard disk of another printer via the network, in addition to the film number and frame number, the image number is read and stored in the image search information, and the printer number and hard disk are stored. It is possible to further associate information (device ID information and address number, etc.) specifying the device, such as a unique device code such as the number of the device, or a unique lab number (store code) of a print shop or lab having such devices. It is valid.
[0073]
Hereinafter, an experimental example of the labor-saving effect of the printing operation by the digital photo printer of this embodiment will be described.
[0074]
Reprinted print order examples are 6 frames and 10 sheets over 3 pieces of film pieces (6 shots per piece) (2 out of 6 frames, 2 for each other, 1 for the other 2 frames) One by one).
[0075]

The man-hour for the extra print under the above conditions is expressed by the following equation.
[0076]

The order of the extra print is converted into the number of key-ins, and the order number is 20 digits, the frame number and the number for specifying the number are 6 digits / frame. The key-in operation and the printing operation are performed in parallel.
[0077]
The man-hour for the extra print under the above conditions is expressed by the following equation.
[0078]

From the above, it was confirmed that the digital photographic printer of this embodiment can achieve more than twice the efficiency as compared with the conventional average analog photographic printer and can improve the productivity of printing.
[0079]
Next, a specific description will be given of a photo print method for performing reprinting according to a plurality of orders including a duplicate order for the same photo print for a group of photo prints using the digital photo printer of the present embodiment. .
[0080]
For example, at school athletic events and excursions, it is rare for students to bring their own camera and participate in the event. The printed photo prints are numbered as shown in FIG. 3 and posted at the same time, and the number of the desired photo print is printed on each order sheet as shown in FIG. Based on the student's order form, a summary table as shown in FIG. 5 is created, and the number of orders for each frame totaled in the total column for each frame is increased by the above photographer himself or a predetermined print shop. I was printing.
[0081]
According to such a conventional method, two sheets for No. 1 are printed in the order of the frame number columns (1 to 30) in FIG. 5, then three sheets for No. 2 are printed, and then five sheets for No. 3 Printing is performed. After printing to No.30, as the order of Mr. A, sort the photo prints for each orderer, such as No.5 4 sheets, No.7 2 sheets, No.9 1 sheet. There was a need.
[0082]
However, by using the digital photo printer of the above-described embodiment, the image print information sorted for each order is arranged on the sorter 67 by sequentially specifying the image search information for each order and inputting from the keyboard 73 or 78. As a result, it is possible to drastically reduce the labor of sorting and the counting of orders.
[0083]
In other words, the operator first inputs Mr. A's order from the keyboard 73 or 78, such as No. 5's order, No. 5's 2 sheets, No. 7's 2 sheets, No. 9's 1 sheet, etc. By obtaining photo prints according to Mr. A's order and then specifying image search information for each order, such as Mr. B's order, Mr. C's order, etc., the photo prints are in this specified order. It will be arranged on the sorter 67, and it will be sorted for each order.
[0084]
Note that the number of operations for inputting image search information for each order is greater than when printing for each frame in the order of frames, but the order form shown in FIG. 4 is obtained by an OCR (optical character recognition) device or the like. If a digital photographic printer having an apparatus configuration for reading and automatically inputting data is used, labor for such input work can be saved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital photo printer according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a photographic film used in the digital photographic printer shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a series of photo prints numbered and posted all at once.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an order form
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a tabulation table in which the order forms shown in FIG. 4 are tabulated.
FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of image search information such as a film number and a frame number printed on the back side of a photographic print (photographic paper).
[Explanation of symbols]
20 Film
21 Shooting frames
40/58/70/72/77 interface
41 Scanner
42 Bar code reader
43 Motor
44 Sprocket
51 CCD
54 ・ 56 Image processing equipment
55 frame memory
57 Modulator driver
60 Printer
73/78 keyboard
74 CPU
75 hard disk
76 Communication port
100 photographic paper

Claims (9)

A plurality of images recorded on a plurality of photographic films are converted into digital image data, respectively, and image search information for uniquely identifying each digital image data, and prints of images recorded on the photographic film in the past Storage means for storing information relating to print conditions including image processing conditions in association with the respective image data in a storage medium, and receiving the designation of the image retrieval information, to the designated image retrieval information. Retrieval means for retrieving the associated digital image data, and reproducing the image data as a visible image on an image recording medium based on information relating to the print condition associated with the image data retrieved by the retrieval means A digital photographic printer, comprising:  2. The digital photographic printer according to claim 1, wherein the image search information includes an address code indicating an address of the storage medium where the image data is stored. 3. The digital photographic printer according to claim 1, wherein the image search information includes information for uniquely specifying the photographic film and a frame number indicating a photographed frame in the photographic film. 4. The digital photograph according to claim 3, wherein the information for uniquely specifying the photographic film is one of the following (A) to (C), or a combination of two or more. Printer.
(A) In a photographic film having a magnetic recording area capable of magnetically recording various information on a part of a photographic film or a number (B) of a check tape affixed to a part of a housing housing the photographic film. A film ID number (C) for identifying the photographic film recorded in the magnetic recording area. A cartridge ID number for identifying the film cartridge in the film cartridge containing the photographic film. 5. The digital photo printer according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the following (a) to (d) is included in a part of the image search information.
(A) Lab code (b) Equipment code (c) Store code (d) Customer code  When the printing unit prints a visible image based on the image data on the image recording medium, the image recording medium on which the visible image is recorded is the image search information associated with the image data. The digital photographic printer according to claim 1, wherein the digital photographic printer prints on a part of the image recording medium or a part of a storage body that stores the image recording medium.  7. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is configured to delete the image data that has been stored for a period of time after being stored in the storage medium from the storage medium. The digital photo printer described.  8. The digital photographic printer according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit automatically assigns the image search information. 9. A digital photographic printer according to claim 1, wherein a group of photographic prints is reprinted according to a plurality of orders including duplicate orders for the same photographic print. A photographic printing method characterized in that the image search information is sequentially specified for each order and printing is performed in the order, thereby obtaining a photographic print sorted according to the order.

Images