JPH01238270A - Retrieving and reading device for microfilm - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten access time necessary for reading target image only by moving a carrier up and down by executing said moving of a carrier in front of a container shelf in which cartridges are piled vertically, and carrying a cartridge that includes the target image to a scanner by means of the carrier. CONSTITUTION:In the case 10 of a title device, container shelves 12 long in vertical length in which many cartridges 14 in vertical piles are contained is disposed, and in front of the shelves 12, a carrier 28 movable up and down is disposed. Also, in a position where the scanner 28 frequency passes through, the scanner 30 is disposed. In the scanner 30, a microfilm-running driver 49 and an image reader are provided. The position of the cartridge 14 contained in the shelf 12 is stored in a memory 112, and toward said position where a target image exists, the carrier 28 is moved under the control of a control means 100. The cartridge 14 exhausted from the shelf 12 is carried toward the scanner 30 by the carrier 28, and thus the target image is read.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Application Field) The present invention searches for a target image from a storage shelf storing a large number of microfilm cartridges, reads the image using an image sensor, and outputs it as an image signal. The present invention relates to a microfilm retrieval/reading device.

(Technical Background of the Invention) One cartridge is selected from a large number of microfilm cartridges stored in a storage shelf, a target image contained therein is read out by an image sensor, and this image signal is output as a digital signal. A device is being considered. For example, it has been considered to use this image signal to output an image to a CRT, printer, or facsimile, or to output a desired form or document by printing it in combination with the output of another data processing device. In other words, by converting microfilm images into digital signals, it becomes possible to collaborate with other digital image processing devices using a data communication network, increasing the usefulness of microfilm. As a conventional device, a rotating shelf type device is known. In this method, a large number of cartridges are stored in multiple stages in a rotating drum so that they can be attached and detached from the outer circumferential surface of the drum, and a take-out device that only moves up and down at a fixed position takes out the desired cartridge and transfers it to an image reader equipped with an image sensor. It is used to read images.

However, in this case, since the heavy rotating drum rotates to take out the target cartridge, there are problems in that the time required to search for the target image (access time) becomes longer and the installation area becomes larger.

In addition, a large number of cartridges are stored in a bookshelf-like fixed shelf, and a carrier running in the
It is also known to locate one cartridge, transport it to an image reader fixed at a predetermined position, and read the image there.

However, in this case, since the carrier moves in the X-Y direction, the moving distance becomes long, which also causes the problem that the access time becomes long.

There is also the problem that the scale of the system has increased, making it impossible to respond to cases where a small-scale system is required.

(Objective of the Invention) The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to shorten access time, have a small installation area,
The purpose of this invention is to provide a microfilm search/reading device that can easily respond to changes in system scale.

(Structure of the Invention) According to the present invention, this purpose is to select a cartridge containing a target image from a storage shelf storing a large number of microfilm cartridges, read the target image from this cartridge by an image sensor, and output an image signal. A microfilm retrieval/reading device consists of a vertical storage shelf that stores a large number of cartridges stacked vertically, a scanner containing a microfilm travel drive and an image reader, and a scanner that moves up and down in opposition to the storage shelf. a carrier for selecting and transporting a cartridge containing a target image to a scanner; a memory means for storing a storage position of the cartridge;
This is achieved by a microfilm retrieval/reading device characterized by comprising a control means for controlling the carrier and the scanner.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a system using an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the storage shelf and the carrier, Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the cartridge storage state in the storage shelf and the carrier facing it, and Fig. 4 shows the state in which the cartridge is loaded from the carrier to the scanner. 5 is a conceptual diagram of a system using this device, and FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of a case where this is developed into a large-scale system.

1.5, 6. In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a prismatic case, and a cartridge storage shelf 12 is assembled in the case 10 closer to one side. This storage shelf stores a large number of cartridges 14 in a vertically stacked manner.

The cartridge 14 houses a reel 15 on which a microfilm 16 (see FIG. 4) is wound.

Each shelf board 12A of the storage shelf 12 has a built-in mechanism for ejecting the cartridge 14, as shown in FIG. 2.3. That is, on each shelf board 12A are a large number of guide rollers 18, a belt 20 wound around these guide rollers 18, and take-up pulleys 22, 24 around which both ends of the belt 20 are wound and which apply tension to the belt 20. and is provided. Therefore, the cartridge 14 pushed in from the right side in FIG. 3 enters the position surrounded by the guide rollers 18 as shown by the solid line in FIG. 3 while pushing the belt 20, and is stopped by the stopper 26. This stopper 26 is scanned by a carrier 28 to be described later, and when this carrier 28 releases the cartridge 14 from the stopper 26, the cartridge 14 is automatically ejected toward the carrier 28 by the tension of the belt 20. . As shown in Fig. 2.3.4, the carrier 28 has almost the same structure as the above-mentioned ejection mechanism provided on each shelf board 12A of the storage shelf 12, so corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals and their explanation will be omitted. do. This carrier 28 receives the cartridge 14 on the shelf board 12A, holds it with a stopper 29 (FIG. 3), and transports it to a scanner 30, which will be described later. That is, this carrier 28 is connected to guide rails 32, 32 as shown in FIG.
It is held movable up and down by a pair of wires 34°34
is moved up and down by The wire 34 is wound between upper and lower pulleys 36 and 38 (FIG. 1), and both ends thereof are fixed to the carrier 28.

One pulley 38 is rotated by a servo motor 40,
As a result, the carrier 28 is moved up and down. A counterweight 42 is fixed to the wire 34 at a position symmetrical to the carrier 28 to reduce the load on the motor 40. As a result, when the carrier 28 comes in front of the target cartridge 14, the stopper 26 is released, the cartridge 14 is ejected from the shelf board 12A, taken into the carrier 28, and locked by the stopper 29. and scanner 30
carry it to

The scanner 30 is disposed at a position where the carrier 28 passes most frequently, that is, near the center of the storage shelf 12 as shown in FIG. 1, and its structure is as shown in FIG. 4. That is, when the carrier 28 comes to the opposing position,
A take-in space 44 that faces the cartridge 14 on the carrier 28 side and takes in the cartridge 14, and a take-up reel 46.
and an image reader 48 if arranged between these two,
A film running drive device 49 (see FIG. 1) that drives the reel 15, 46 to run the film 16 is provided. In this embodiment, the case 10 including the movement space for the storage shelf 12 and the carrier 28 has a substantially square shape in plan view with one side of about 30 to 45 cm.

The image reader 48 includes a closed reader unit 50 and an EL plate 52 as a light source. The EL plate 52 can be pressed against and separated from the film 16, and is controlled by an electromagnetic plunger (not shown) or the like. The reader unit 50 includes a glass 54 facing the EL plate 52 with the film 16 in between, and a projection lens 56 and an image sensor 58 housed in a sealed case. Lens 56 here
is moved in the optical axis direction by a motor, piezoelectric element, etc. to enable focusing.

The scanner 30 therefore detects the stop 2 of the carrier 28 when the carrier 28 carries the target cartridge 14 in front of it.
9 is released, the cartridge 14 is ejected into the intake space 44 by the tension of the belt 20, and the cartridge 14 is ejected into the intake space 44.
Incorporate into. Then, the reel 1 is moved by the film running device 29.
5. Rotate the 46 to run the film 16. At this time, the EL plate 52 is separated from the film 16.

When the target image arrives, the EL plate 52 presses the film 16 against the glass plate 54. The EL plate 52 serves as a surface light source,
The projected image of the film 16 is guided to an image sensor 58 through a glass plate 54 and a lens 56. The image sensor 58 scans the image and outputs a time-series image signal a (see FIG. 1).

This signal a is binarized by the image processing circuit 60, converted into a digital signal, and inputted to the control means 100. Here, the image sensor 58 is preferably a two-dimensional area sensor, but an image may be read by moving a -dimensional line sensor in a direction perpendicular to its length direction (sub-scanning direction).

The control means lOO is formed of a small computer, and as shown in FIG.
108, and a RAM 110 for storing data during control, for example, data when performing autofocus. Reference numeral 112 denotes a memory means, which is composed of a storage medium such as an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, or a semiconductor memory, and stores data such as the storage address of the cartridge 14 in the storage shelf 12. These control means 100 and memory means 112 are housed in a cabinet 114 in FIG.

Data such as the contents and storage address of each cartridge 14 are inputted to the CPU 102 from the keyboard 116 and stored in the memory means 112. When searching for the target image,
For example, the code of the target image is input from the keyboard 116. The CPU 102 searches the memory means 112 for the cartridge 14 containing this target image and activates the motor 40 to move the carrier 28 in front of this cartridge 14. Then, the stopper 26 (FIG. 3) on the side of the storage shelf 12 is released to eject the cartridge 14, and the carrier 2
8 and stop with the stopper 29. The CPU 102 operates the motor 40 again to transfer the carrier 28 to the scanner 3.
0, and transfers the cartridge 14 to the take-in space 44 in this scanner 30. Next, the CPU 102 rotates the reel 15, 46 by the traveling drive device 49 in this scanner 30, so that the target image is on the EL plate and the glass. It is controlled so that it enters between the plates 54. To check this target image,
This is possible by reading a blip mark (not shown) recorded in advance on the microfilm 16 using another optical sensor (not shown).

When the target image comes in front of the glass plate 54, the CPU 102 presses the EL plate 52 against the film 16 to cause it to emit light. The projected image of the target image is guided to the image sensor 58. The image signal a of the image sensor 58 is subjected to various types of processing such as correction of variations in characteristics of each light receiving element, shooding correction, waveform shaping, etc. in a signal processing circuit 60, and then further binarized.
It is input to the CPU 102. Further, when performing an autofocus operation, this circuit 60 selects a predetermined spatial frequency component of the image signal a using a band pass filter, and obtains a contrast signal by integrating the absolute value of this component. The CPU 102 controls the lens 56 to a position where this contrast signal is maximized. Note that it is of course possible to separately prepare another element exclusively for autofocus, such as an element using a phase difference detection method, to perform autofocus.

When the image is read in this way, the CPU 102 outputs this data to various types of image processing devices. For example, output this image to CRTllB or printer 120,
The information may be stored in other external memory means such as the optical disk device 122. It is also possible to output the data to a remote facsimile 126 (see FIG. 5), CRT, etc. using a data communication network 124 such as a LAN (local O-area network). Note that the CPU 102 uses this data communication network 124 to read data from an external image processing device, and the use of image data from the outside within this system also constitutes circulation.

After reading out the target image, the CPU 102 reads the film 1.
6 is rewound into the cartridge 14, the cartridge 14 is returned to the carrier 28, and the cartridge 14 is returned to its original position on the storage shelf 12.

The smallest scale of this system is completed by combining one case 10 with a workstation as shown in FIG. That is, the keyboard 116 and the CR
TllB, a printer 120, and a cabinet 114 that houses a control means 100 and a memory means 112 (see FIG. 1).

In the above embodiment, the control in case 10 was explained as being performed by the control means lOO. However, other control means such as a microcomputer is provided in the case 10, and the case 10 is controlled by this other control means.
It is also possible to control the motor 40, scanner 30, etc., or perform image signal processing independently for each case. That is, the control means 100 determines the location of the target cartridge 14 and the target image (film number, image address, etc.) from the data in the memory means 112, and sends this information (address information) to other control means within the case 10. The other control means on this case side moves the scanner 30 up and down based on this address information, selects the target cartridge 14, searches for the target image from this cartridge 14, reads the image, and further processes the image and secondly processes the image. It is converted into a value and sent to the control means 100.

In this way, if another control means is provided on each case 10 side to independently control each case and each case 10 is operated independently, the scale can be increased by adding more cases 10. Easy to deal with when needed.

When increasing the scale of this system, for example, as shown in FIG. Just connect it to your workstation.

In this way, this device can be easily scaled up by collecting a large number of cases 10 as one unit, and in this case, if each case 10 is controlled simultaneously and in parallel, the access time can be further reduced. For example, in a certain case 10, the scanner 30 is 1
In other cases 10, access time can be reduced by moving the scanner 30 up and down to locate and prepare for reading the target image while reading an image from one cartridge.

Further, by connecting the cases 10 that are distributed at different locations to each other via the data communication network 124, the microfilms can be used freely with each other, and the microfilms can be used jointly.

In the above embodiment, the movement space for the storage shelf 12 and the carrier 28 is configured to be approximately square in plan view as shown in FIG. The space near the canopy can also be used effectively.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing the arrangement of the case loa of another embodiment, FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the storage shelf 12a and the carrier 28a, and FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the carrier 28a and the scanner 30a. The storage shelf 12a connects both ends of a belt 20a wound around a guide roller 18a to pulleys 22a, 24.
(a) to apply tension to the bell) 20a and eject the cartridge 14a into the carrier 28a. The scanner 30a is disposed at the bottom of the case loa, and when the carrier 28a is lowered to the lowest position, the cartridge 14a is now aligned on the same plane as the take-up reel 46a.

The film 16a is moved between the two wheels 15a and 46a by a film drive device 49a. 48a is an image reader, which includes a reader unit 50a and an EL board 52a.
This is the same as in the previous embodiment.

According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the area occupied by the case 10a becomes extremely small.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, in the present invention, a carrier is moved up and down in front of a storage shelf in which cartridges are stacked vertically, and this carrier carries a cartridge containing a target image to a scanner. Since the carrier only moves up and down, the access time required to read out the target image can be shortened. Furthermore, since the unit of one case can be made smaller than that of conventional devices, the installation area is reduced, and furthermore, by appropriately increasing or decreasing the number of cases, changes in system scale can be easily accommodated.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a system using an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the storage shelf and scanner, and FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the storage shelf with film cartridges stored.
Figure 4 is a plan view showing the state in which the cartridge is loaded into the scanner, Figure 5 is a conceptual diagram of a system using this device, Figure 6 is a conceptual diagram of the system developed into a large-scale system, and Figure 6 is a conceptual diagram of a system using this device. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing another embodiment, FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a storage shelf and a carrier, and FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a carrier and a scanner. 10.10a...Case, 12.12a...Storage shelf, 14.14a...Cartridge. 28.28a...Carrier, 30.30a...Scanner, 50.50a...Image reader, 100...Control means, 112...Memory means. Patent applicant Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Agent Patent attorney Yama 1) Text Eloquent burial ground Yama 1) Hiroshi Engraving of drawings (no changes in content) Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Senito Uri Shichi B official book (spontaneous method) April 1, 1986 Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office Kunio Ogawa Relationship with Tonoshige Patent applicant address 210 Nakanuma, Minamiashigara City, Kanagawa Prefecture Name ( 520
) Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Representative: Minoru Ohnishi 4, Agent address: 1-6-21 Nishi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo Voluntary 6, Number of inventions increased by the amendment: 07, Drawings subject to the amendment: 8, Contents of the amendment Print the drawing. There are no amendments to the content.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a microfilm search/reading device that selects a cartridge containing a target image from a storage shelf storing a large number of microfilm cartridges, reads the target image from the cartridge using an image sensor, and outputs an image signal. , a vertical storage shelf that stores a large number of cartridges stacked vertically, a scanner containing a microfilm travel drive device and an image reader, and a scanner that moves up and down in opposition to this storage shelf to select the cartridge containing the target image. 1. A microfilm retrieval/reading device comprising: a carrier for transporting the cartridge to a scanner; a memory means for storing the storage position of the cartridge; and a control means for controlling the carrier and the scanner.