JPH01172826A - Information retrieval device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform retrieval in the shortest time corresponding to various information recording media which differ in mark interval by measuring intervals of marks at the start of the retrieval of an information recording medium and varying a carrying stop sequence according to the intervals of the marks. CONSTITUTION:A counter 42 counts up with a mark detection signal in an addition state and counts down in a subtraction state. A comparing circuit 43 which compares the contents A of the counter 42 with the contents B of a storage circuit 41 calculates A-B=C, outputs a signal indicating the feed direction of a film according to whether the subtraction value C is plus or minus, and sends out a signal to a conveyance control circuit 48 as a sequence varying means. Then when switching from a fast speed to an intermediate speed is performed and the value C reaches a determined value (a) (variable value), the signal is sent out to the conveyance control circuit 48 and when switching from the intermediate speed to a slow speed is performed and A-B=C=0 holds, a film stop signal is outputted. Consequently, each information recording medium can stops in the shortest time, so the retrieval time of each information recording medium can be shortened.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention is used, for example, in a microfilm reader, and can automatically read desired information on an information recording medium such as film by detecting marks on the recording medium. The present invention relates to an information retrieval device for searching.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, search devices built into film readers etc. use film with search marks arranged on the sides of each frame of the film, optically detect these marks,
By counting this, a desired frame in the film is automatically searched.

The above search device illuminates the mark on the film with a lamp,
A mark detector detects changes in the light blocked by the marks when the film is moved, the output signal of this mark detector is counted by a counter, and the counting contents of this counter and the input from the keyboard etc. The comparison circuit compares the frame number of the desired frame with the frame number, and when the two match, the comparison circuit issues a stop signal to the drive control circuit, which stops the drive system that transports the film and projects the desired frame onto the screen. It is designed to remain stationary at a predetermined position.

By the way, films used in projection devices such as film readers or film reader printers have a sixth grade.
As shown in the figure, there is a film 2 on which the image l is recorded in one row, and a film 4 on which the image 3 is recorded in two rows as shown in FIG. It is a search mark. Film 4 is called a duo film.
It is created by taking images sequentially from the leading edge of the film on one side of the film, then loading the film in reverse after shooting on one side, and shooting images sequentially from the trailing edge on the remaining side of the film, so to speak. It is made by the method. In Fig. 6, the left side is the leading edge of the film, and the right side is the trailing edge of the film, and this film 4 has a number attached to each image (actually, numbers are not recorded like this, but for convenience of explanation, each image is In order to search for images, a search mark m is recorded on the side of the film corresponding to each image frame. Incidentally, since Duo film generally has a high photographic reduction ratio, the intervals between the search marks are narrow, whereas the intervals between the marks of the general film shown in FIG. 6 are relatively wide.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the case of the prior art, as shown in FIG. is started, the speed is reduced to medium speed before frame B of the desired address, and then slowed down to low speed before frame A, and then stopped at the desired address B. The number of frames for this speed change is determined by the braking performance of the film transport device, but as mentioned above, there are various types of film mark intervals, and in the past, in order to prevent the stop position from overrunning, the shortest mark interval was used. In addition, since the film stop sequence is fixed, when using film with long mark intervals, the speed is changed far before the target frame, resulting in a slow search speed.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and its purpose is to be able to perform a search in the shortest possible time corresponding to various information recording media with different mark intervals. An object of the present invention is to provide an information retrieval device.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, an information recording medium is transported and a mark attached to the transported information recording medium is detected. In an information search device that searches for desired information in a recording medium, a sequence of measuring mark intervals on the information recording medium at the start of a search of the information recording medium and changing a transfer stop sequence of the information recording medium based on the measured value. It is characterized by comprising a changing means.

(Function) In the present invention having the above-described configuration, the interval between marks is measured at the time of starting a search for an information recording medium, and the transfer stop sequence is changed according to the interval between marks.

(Example) The present invention will be explained below based on the illustrated example. Second
3 and 3 show a microfilm league to which the information retrieval device of the present invention is applied.
12 and 13 are supply reels, 12 and 13 are guide rollers, 14 is a lamp that illuminates the microfilm 4 supplied from the supply reel 11, 15 is a condenser lens, and 16 and 17 are transparent glasses placed opposite each other across the film movement path. 18 is a capstan roller, 19 is a pinch roller, and 20 is a take-up auto-reel. Supply reel 11 and take-up auto reel 2
0 are respectively connected to a film tensioning and winding motor (not shown), and the capstan roller 18 is connected to a film feeding motor (which has a torque larger than that of the film tensioning and winding motor).

The microfilm 4 as an information recording medium is a duo film shown in FIG. 7, and is passed between the supply reel 11 and the take-up auto-reel 20, and is wound or supplied to the take-up reel by forward and reverse rotation of the capstan roller 18. rewound onto the reel.

Further, 21 and 22 are mark detectors, 23 are projection lenses, and 2
4 is a first reflecting mirror, 25 is a second reflecting mirror, and 26 is a screen. The projection lens 23, mirrors 24, 25 and screen 26 are arranged at fixed positions. The microfilm 4 is then illuminated by the lamp 14, and the light beam that has passed through the microfilm 4 passes through the lens 23.
The light is reflected by reflection mirrors 24 and 25 toward a screen 26, and the illuminated film image is enlarged and projected onto the screen 26. Further, 30 is a film holding stand, which includes the supply reel 11, guide rollers 12 and 13, and a glass plate 16.1.
7, it holds the capstan roller 18, the pinch roller 191, the winding auto-reel 20, the mark detectors 21, 22, etc.

On the other hand, 27 is the initial load capstan, and when the autoload switch is pressed for the first time, the initial motor (
(not shown) rotates to pull out the leading end of the film wound around the supply reel 11 and send it along the guide 28 to the capstan roller 18. Further, the capstan roller 18 is driven to advance the film, and the film is wound onto the take-up auto-reel 20.

The first mark detector 21 detects the mark m provided on the side of the image in the first row of the microfilm 4, and the second mark detector 22 detects the mark m provided on the side of the image in the second row of the microfilm 4. Detect mark m. Each mark detector 21, 22 has a photoelectric conversion element and outputs a high-level mark detection signal when receiving an optical signal from a mark, and is made of a known type.

FIG. 1 shows a search device applied to the reader, in which 40 is a keyboard for inputting the search number (frame number) of a desired image, 41 is a memory circuit for storing the search number entered on the keyboard, and 42 is a memory circuit for storing the search number input into the keyboard. 1 mark detector 21 and the second
This is an addition/subtraction counter serving as a counting means for adding or subtracting the mark detection signal output from the mark detector 22. The counter 42 adds and counts mark detection signals when it is in an addition state, and subtracts and counts mark detection signals when it is in a subtraction state. 43 is a comparison circuit that compares the content A of the counter 42 and the content B of the memory circuit 41, calculates A-B=C, and outputs a signal indicating the film feeding direction depending on the sign or negative of the subtracted value C; When the value of C matches the predetermined value b (variable value), a signal is sent to the transfer control circuit 48 as a sequence change means, the high speed is switched to the medium speed, and the value of C is changed to the predetermined value a ( variable value), a signal is sent to the transfer control circuit 48 to switch from medium speed to low speed, and when both contents match, that is, the count value A of the counter 42 and the memory circuit 4
When the search numbers B stored in 1 match (A-B=C=O), a film stop signal is output. Reference numeral 49 is a manually operated mode changeover switch, and the mode is set according to the type of mark on the film used.
When using the film 4 of FIG. 7, the mode A is set, and when the film 4 shown in FIG. 7 is used, the mode B is set. Mode A
When set to mode B, a low level signal is always output from the output terminal 54 of the comparator circuit 43, a high level signal is always output from the output terminal 53, and when mode B is set, the signal is selectively output from the output terminal 53 or 54. Outputs a high level signal to the

Reference numeral 45 denotes a trailing edge detector that detects that the rearmost images (image numbers r2000J and r2001J in FIG. 7) on the microfilm 4 have passed through the mark detection position and have been sent to the take-up reel 20.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the trailing edge detector 45, in which the intervals between the marks m attached to each frame of the microfilm 4 are constant, and the mark detection signal outputted when this mark is detected is constant. A timer 46 is provided which operates at a time interval longer than the time interval of the mark detection signal when the film is running at a predetermined speed, and the mark detector 21 or 22 is detected at a desired interval while the film is being fed.
While the mark detection signal is being output from the timer 46, the timer 46 is reset, and if the mark detection signal is not generated from the mark detector by the time set by the timer 46, the timer 46 outputs a high level trailing edge detection signal. . A known timer can be used. 44 is the or gate.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 61 denotes an auto-load switch. At the start of use, in order to take up the film from the supply reel 11 and tension it on the auto-reel 20, the initial motor drive circuit 62 is activated to rotate the initial load cab stand 27, and the film is loaded onto the capstan. When it reaches the roller 18, it is then wound onto the take-up auto-reel 22 by the capstan roller 18. The rotational speed V of the capstan roller is sent to the mark interval counting circuit 63;
Then, the film transport speed V, which can be calculated from the time interval t of the output signal from the counter 42 and the motor rotation speed V, is V.V.
Measure the mark interval with . Then, constants a and b for speed change in the comparator circuit 43 are set based on this result. The constants a and b are set small when the mark interval is relatively long, and set large when the mark interval is relatively short. In other words, the distance from the desired # position to the shift point may be kept approximately constant regardless of the mark interval.

The transfer control circuit 48 controls the film transfer motor that drives the capstan roller 18, and switches between high speed, high speed to medium speed, and medium speed to low speed according to the speed change signal sent from the output terminal 60 of the comparison circuit 43. , the motor is stopped when the film stop signal is input, and the transport direction conversion circuit 4
When a reverse rotation signal is input from 7, the motor is stopped and reversed, and the same speed change as in the forward direction is performed.

The film stop signal outputted from the comparison circuit 43 operates a brake device (not shown) to prevent the capstan roller 18 from rotating. A feeding direction changing circuit 47 outputs a reverse rotation signal when receiving a rear end detection signal from the rear end detector 45.

On the other hand, G l + G 2 . . . G6 is an AND gate, and OR+, OR2, and OR3 are OR gates.

G+*G2 is opened and closed according to the output signal of the output terminal 53, 54 of the comparator circuit 43, and selectively sends the output signal of one of the mark detectors 21, 22 to the counter 42.

Ant games) G3 to G6 output signals for controlling addition and subtraction of the counter 42.

A signal indicating the film feeding direction is input to the signal lines 51 and 52, and when the microfilm 4 is being fed in the direction in which it is wound onto the winding auto-reel 20 (hereinafter referred to as the forward direction), a signal is input to the signal line 51. If a high-level forward feed signal is sent and the microfilm 4 is being fed in the direction in which it is rewound onto the supply reel 11 (hereinafter referred to as the reverse direction), a high-level reverse feed signal is sent to the signal line 52. It will be done. The forward and reverse feed signals can be obtained, for example, by using a feed signal output from the comparator circuit 43 or by detecting the rotational direction of the motor that drives the capstan roller 18.

AND gate G4 opens and outputs an addition signal when a high level signal is input from the output terminal 53 of the comparison circuit 43 and a forward feed signal is input from the signal line 51. When a high level signal is input from the output terminal 53 and a reverse feed signal is input from the signal line 52, it opens and outputs a subtraction signal. Furthermore, the AND gate G5 outputs an addition signal when a high level signal is input from the output terminal 54 of the comparison circuit 43 and a backward feed signal is input, and the AND gate G6 outputs an addition signal from the output terminal 54 of the comparison circuit 43. When a high level signal is input and a forward feed signal is input, a subtraction signal is output. The counter 42 is switched to the addition state by the addition signal, and switched to the subtraction state by the subtraction signal. Counter 42
When searching for images in the first row of microfilm, if the microfilm is fed in the forward direction, it will be in an addition state; if it is fed in the reverse direction, it will be in a subtraction state; When searching for images in the second column, if the microfilm is being fed in the reverse direction, it will be in the addition state, and if it is being fed in the forward direction, it will be in the subtraction state.

Next, the operation of the above device will be explained. Now, when the film 2 shown in FIG. 6 is used, the mode changeover switch 49
is set to mode A.

Further, the output terminal 53 of the comparison circuit 43 becomes high level,
The output terminal 54 is at a low level. In this state,
Only the mark detection signal output from the first mark detector 21 is sent to the counter through the AND gate G+. When the autoload switch 61 is pressed here, the initial motor drive circuit 62 is activated and the initial motor (not shown) is activated.
rotates, the initial load capstan 27 rotates, the film 4 is unwound from the supply reel 11, and the guide 28 is rotated.
When the film fed along reaches the capstan roller 18, it is continuously fed at a constant speed by the capstan roller 18 and wound around the take-up autoreel 2. The initial motor stops when the film is gripped by the capstan roller 18. After the film is wound, it is fed at the same speed, and when the mark m on the film enters the counter 42 through the first mark detector 21, this signal is sent to the mark interval measuring circuit 63. When a signal indicating a predetermined number of frames N is input to the mark interval measuring circuit 63, each mark interval can be counted based on the speed information of the capstan roller 18 from the transfer control circuit and the mark detection time information. The average mark interval is calculated by arithmetic averaging of the mark intervals, and based on this value, the required number of shift frames a and b are set as a' and b', respectively. a if the mark interval value is relatively long.

The value of b is set small, and if the mark interval value is relatively short, the values of a and b are set large. This actual set value differs depending on the control method. In this film, it is set to a relatively small value. At the same time, the film stops and the memory circuit 4
1 is automatically set above 1, and then a reverse signal is generated,
The film advances to the first frame and then stops. Next, in the setting state of mode A, when the search number B (>1) of the desired image on the microfilm 2 is inputted into the keyboard 40, since 1-B=C<O, a forward feed signal is output from the comparison circuit 43. The film transport motor is driven via the transport control circuit 48, and the microfilm 4 is transported in the direction in which it is wound onto the take-up auto-reel 20. While the film is running, the AND gate G3 opens and the counter 42 enters the adding state, and the AND gate GI opens and the first mark detector 2
The mark detection signal output from 1 is added and counted by the counter 42, and when the difference between the count value of the counter 42 and the search number stored in the storage circuit 41 matches the set value b', the comparison circuit 43
A speed change signal is sent to the transfer control circuit 48, and the speed changes from high speed to medium speed. Subsequently, when the difference between the count value of the counter 42 and the search number stored in the storage circuit 41 matches the set value a', a speed change signal is similarly sent from the comparison circuit 43, and the speed changes from medium speed to low speed. . When the count value of the counter 42 and the search number stored in the storage circuit 41 match,
A film stop signal is sent from the comparator circuit 43. This stop signal causes the film transport motor to stop, the film to stop, a desired image to be placed at the photographing position, and this image to be projected onto the screen 26, thus completing the search operation.

Next, when the film 4 shown in FIG. 7 is used, the mode changeover switch 49 is set to mode B. Further, the output terminal 53 of the comparison circuit 43 is at a high level, and the output terminal 54 is at a low level.

Autoloading is performed by the same operation as in the previous embodiment, and the mark interval is measured. Since the calculation result in this case is that the mark interval is short, the set values a'' and b'' are set to relatively large values, and the first frame is similarly projected.

In the setting state of mode B, the search number B'(>
1), since l-B'=C<O, a forward feed signal is output from the comparison circuit 43, the film transfer motor is driven via the transfer control circuit 48, and the microfilm 4
is fed in the direction to be wound onto the winding autoreel 20. While the film is running, AND gate G3 opens and counter 4
2 enters the addition state, AND gate Gl is opened, and the mark detection signal output from the first mark detector 21 is added and counted by the counter 42.

When the rearmost image of the first row of film (image number "2000" in FIG. 7) passes the detection position of the mark detector 21, a trailing edge detection signal is output from the trailing edge detector 45. The film transport motor stops and the film stops. Next, a reversal signal is output from the transport direction changing circuit 47, and this reversal signal causes the film transport motor to reverse through the transport control circuit 48, and the microfilm 4
is fed in the reverse direction. At the same time, feeding direction i East circuit 47
The same signal is also sent to the comparison circuit 43 from the output terminal 53.
becomes a low level, and the output terminal 54 becomes a high level.

After that, while the film is running, the counter gate Gs is opened and the counter 42 enters the addition state, and the AND gate G2 is opened and the mark detection signal output from the second mark detector 22 is added and counted by the counter 42. Ru. During reverse movement, the difference between the count value of the counter 42 and the search number stored in the storage circuit 41 is b'
When the difference matches a', the speed is changed from high speed to medium speed as in the case of film 2, and similarly, when the difference matches a', the speed is changed from medium speed to low speed, and the count value of counter 42 is stored in memory circuit 41. When the search numbers match, a stop signal is output from the comparison circuit 43. This stop signal causes the film transport motor to stop, the film to stop, the desired image to be placed at the projection position, this image to be projected onto the screen 26, and the search operation is completed.

Next, from this state, input the search number of the desired image in the first column into the keyboard to start the search. After the microfilm is fed in the forward direction, when the trailing edge detector 45 detects the trailing edge. After a temporary stop, the microfilm is first fed in the reverse direction, and at the predetermined frame position it is fed at high speed, medium speed, and
When the first mark detector 21 detects the search mark corresponding to the desired image when the speed is changed to low speed, the comparison circuit 4
A stop signal is sent from 3, the film is stopped, and the desired image is retrieved.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which the same components as in the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. While the mark interval is measured from the capstan feed speed and mark measurement time, in this embodiment, a large number of square holes are formed at the rear end of the shaft 53 of the capstan roller 18 via the flange 50. By attaching a rotary encoder plate 51 having a rotary encoder plate 51a and using an encoder pulse signal generated each time a square hole 51a passes a photointerrupter 52, and counting the encoder pulse signals generated while detecting a mark, the time can be reduced. You can measure the frame interval without having to measure it. Also, at this time, even if the feed speed changes, the measured value is not affected.

Furthermore, in the method of using this encoder, it is not limited to the capstan, but may be attached to a guide roller in the middle of the film path.

Also, in this example, the measured values of the first N frames are used, but it is also possible to feed for a certain period of time initially and calculate the mark interval using the measured values such as the number of frames and film feeding speed during that time. good.

Yet again. In the above embodiment, three speeds are switched: high speed, medium speed, and low speed, but it goes without saying that the same application can be made in the case of switching to 2nd speed, 4th speed or more.

Note that the recording medium is not limited to film, and can be applied to various elongated objects having marks. Furthermore, the rear end detector is not limited to the above embodiments, and various known methods can be applied. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a special mark m' having a shape different from the search mark m is provided at the rear end of the microfilm 4, and the rear end of the film is detected by detecting this mark m' with a detector. Also, since the rearmost end of the microfilm is usually fixed to a glue core, this method can be used to detect The trailing edge may be detected by detecting changes in the tension of the film.

Further, in the above embodiment, the mark interval is automatically read, but the user may set the value of the mark interval.
Alternatively, the mark interval may be set internally by manually entering conditions such as reduction ratio, full size, half size, etc.

(Effect of the invention) The present invention consists of the above configuration and operation.

Since the stopping sequence of the information recording medium is changed according to the interval between marks, each information recording medium can be stopped in the shortest possible time, so the search time for each information recording medium can be shortened. This makes it possible to perform search tasks efficiently.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a circuit configuration diagram of a search device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a search device showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an application of the search device shown in FIG. 1. 4 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of a rear end detector, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an encoder used in a search device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a front view of the microfilm, and FIG. 8 is a film stop sequence diagram. Explanation of symbols 2.4... Microfilm (information recording medium) 21.
22... 1st. Second mark detector 42...counter (
Counting means) 63...Mark interval measuring circuit 48...Transfer control circuit (sequence changing means) 49.
...Mode change switch substitute 8 Valve "1 Back [1m t.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim] An information retrieval device that searches for desired information in an information recording medium by transporting an information recording medium and detecting a mark attached to the transported information recording medium, comprising: 1. An information retrieval device comprising: a sequence changing means for measuring mark intervals on an information recording medium at the start of a search, and changing a transfer stop sequence of the information recording medium based on the measured value.