JPH0227704B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a search device that automatically searches for desired information on an information recording medium such as a film or tape by counting marks on the recording medium.

Conventionally, films used in search devices built into microfilm readers and the like are provided with counting marks on the side edges of each frame of the film. It is now possible to automatically search for frames.

The above-mentioned search device illuminates the mark on the film with a lamp, and when the film is moved, the light flux from the mark is detected by a mark detector having a photoelectric conversion element.
The output signal of the mark detector is counted by a counter, and the count of this counter is compared with the desired frame number input from the input device (keyboard) by a comparator circuit. When the two match, the drive control is performed from the comparator circuit. A stop signal is issued to the circuit to stop the drive system for transporting the film and bring it to rest at a predetermined position for projecting the desired frame information onto the screen.

The types of films used in such search devices include films with one type of mark of the same size for each piece of information, and films with a large amount of information on the film classified into several items. There are films with different mark sizes or mark recording positions. When searching for desired information on a film having a plurality of classified marks, this information can be searched by inputting the search number (address number) of the classification item of the desired information. For example, when searching using a film in which a small mark is provided for information classified as a small item, and a medium mark is provided, which is larger than the small mark, for information classified as a medium item. By inputting the search number of the medium item and the search number of the small item of the desired information, it is possible to search for information classified into the desired medium item and small item. Note that by inputting only the search number of the middle item, it is possible to search for information classified into the desired middle item.

As mentioned above, there are various types of films used in search devices that have different types of search marks and recording modes, that is, different types of films with different mark sizes and mark recording positions depending on the information content. . Previously, when searching using these films, the mark detection device had to be replaced depending on the film type.
It is expensive because it has many mark detection devices,
Further, there were problems such as selecting the wrong mark detection device or damaging the device when replacing the mark detection device.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an information retrieval device that can search for information on desired classification items using various types of recording media without replacing the mark detection device. The purpose is to

The present invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of the film used in the present invention.
Film F ₁ has information recorded on the side of frame f,
Each frame has one type of frame mark m ₁ whose density differs from the surrounding area, and this frame mark m ₁ is used to search for information classified into small items for each frame. Film F ₂ has a frame mark m ₂₁ for each frame on one side of frame f, and a frame mark m ₂₂ for each selected frame on the other side of frame f.
The frame mark m ₂₁ is used to search for information classified into small items, and the subject mark m ₂₂ is used to search for information classified into medium items. For example, when recording automobile parts drawings on film, the structure of the automobile is classified into several units, and a subject mark m ₂₂ indicating the middle item is recorded on the side of the frame in which the exploded view of each unit is recorded. Record the component parts diagram, part number, price, etc. of this unit in the frame next to the frame in which the exploded view of the unit is recorded, and frame marks indicating small items on the side of each frame in which this parts diagram etc. are recorded.
m ₂₁ is recorded and this film is used, if the frame mark m ₂₂ is detected, the frame in which the exploded view of the desired unit is recorded can be searched, and if the frame mark m ₂₁ is detected, the frame in which the desired unit is You can search for a frame that records the desired parts diagram, part number, price, etc. In addition, in film F ₂ ,
Although the frame mark m ₂₁ is also provided on the frame provided with the subject mark m ₂₂ , the frame mark m ₂₁ does not need to be provided on the frame provided with the subject mark m ₂₂ . film
F ₃ has information recorded in two rows in the longitudinal direction of the film, with a frame cork M ₃ recorded on the bottom of each frame in the first row and above the frame for each frame in the second row. ing. Film F ₄ has a frame mark M ₄₁ and a frame mark M ₄₂ on one side edge of the frame. Item mark m ₄₂ is placed on the side of the frame that records information classified into medium items.
m ₄₁ is placed on the side of the panel that records information classified into small categories. The frame mark _M42 has a different shape from the frame mark _M41 , and is longer in the longitudinal direction of the film than the frame mark _M41 . In this embodiment, the subject mark is recorded on the side of the first frame in a series of frames constituting one unit of information related to the information content, and this first frame contains information classified as medium items. This means that the information classified into small items is recorded in the remaining frames.

FIG. 2 shows a microfilm reader equipped with a retrieval device to which the present invention is applied. In the figure, 1 is a supply reel with microfilm wound in a roll, 2 and 3 are guide rollers, 4 is a lamp that illuminates the microfilm, 5 is a condensing lens, and 6 and 7 are sandwiching the film movement path. The opposed glass plates include a capstan roller 8, a pinch roller 9, and a take-up reel 10. The supply reel 1 and the take-up reel 10 are connected to a motor for tensioning and winding the film, and the capstan roller 8 is connected to a forward/reverse motor for feeding the film. Microfilm F ₁ has supply reel 1 and take-up reel 1
0, and is wound onto a take-up reel or rewound onto a supply reel by driving the capstan roller 8.

11 is a mark detection device, 12 is a projection lens, 1
3 is a screen. The microfilm is illuminated by the lamp 4 between the glass plates 6 and 7, and the image of the illuminated film is projected onto the projection lens 12.
An image is formed on the screen 13 by.

FIG. 3 shows a mark detection device, and the mark detection device 11 includes a plurality of photo sensors 25, 2.
It consists of 6, 27, 28, 29, and the first
The group photo sensors 25, 26, and 27 are arranged at positions that detect marks provided in the first row (lower part) of the film, and the second group photo sensors 28,
Reference numeral 29 is arranged at a position to detect marks provided in the second row (upper part) of the film.

The photo sensors 25, 26, and 27 are arranged in a line at a predetermined distance in the direction of film movement, and output a mark detection signal when the light from the lamp 4 is blocked by the first row of opaque marks on the film. do. The photo sensors 28 and 29 are arranged at a predetermined distance in the direction of film movement, and output a mark detection signal when the light from the lamp 4 is blocked by the second row of opaque marks on the film.

The first group of photo sensors 25, 26, 27 are mounted on a block 3 provided on a substrate 30 having an opening 29'.
1, and the second group of photo sensors 28, 2
9 is held by a block 32 provided on a substrate 30. Each block 31, 32 is swingably provided on the substrate 30, and by moving the blocks 31, 32, the position of the photo sensor can be adjusted. Each photo sensor is connected to a search control circuit, which will be described later, by an electrical cord.

A photo sensor consists of a phototransistor, a photodiode, etc., and outputs an electrical pulse signal by intermittent incident light.

In the above embodiment, the light beam from the mark is directly received by the photo sensor, but the light beam from the mark may be received by the photo sensor via optical means such as an optical fiber.

Figure 4 shows the four types of films shown in Figure _1.
~ This shows the arrangement status of each photo sensor when searching using F _4. Photo sensor 25
The distance between and 27 is wider than the length in the film movement direction of the mark m ₁ on the film F ₁ , the mark m ₂₁ on the film F ₂ , the mark m ₃ on the film F ₃ and the mark m ₄₁ on the film F ₄ . The interval is narrower than the length of mark m ₄₂ of film F ₄ in the direction of film movement.

FIG. 5 shows the search control circuit, 101-
105 is an amplifier, 106 to 110 are inverters,
111 to 114 are AND gates, 115 is an OR gate, and 120 is a mode selection switch. The mode selection switch 120 is switched to one of the contacts a to d depending on the film being used. When using the film _F1 , the switch is set to the contact a (position shown in the figure), and when using the film _F2 , the switch is set to the contact b. , film
When using F ₃ , it is connected to contact c, and when using film F ₄ , it is connected to contact d, and selection switch 1 is connected.
By switching 20, a search mode corresponding to the film is set.

The photo sensor is configured to output a high level signal from an amplifier connected to the photo sensor when light incident on the photo sensor is blocked by the mark. For example, in FIG. 4A, when the photo sensor 26 and the mark _m1 overlap, the light incident on the photo sensor 26 is blocked and the amplifier 102
A high level signal is output from the At this time, since the photo sensors 26 and 27 do not overlap with the mark _m1 , light enters them, and low level signals are output from the amplifiers 101 and 103.

Next, the operation of the above device will be explained. first,
When searching for information using Film F ₁ ,
Connect the selection switch 120 to contact a. After inputting the frame number of the desired information to be searched and instructing to start the search, when the film F ₁ is fed, the frame mark m ₁ on the film F ₁ and the photo sensor 25,
When the relative positional relationship with 26 and 27 becomes the state shown in FIG. 4A, that is, when only the photo sensor 26 detects the frame mark _m1 , the AND gate 11
1 opens, and the AND gate 111 outputs the first frame mark count signal classified into small items. This frame mark count signal is counted by a first frame mark counter (not shown). The content of the first frame mark counter is compared with the input frame number, and when the two match, the film is stopped and the desired information is retrieved. When film _F1 is used, AND gates 112 to 114 do not open.

Next, when using the film _F2 , connect the selection switch 120 to contact b. After inputting the frame number or case number of the desired information to be searched, commanding the start of the search and feeding the film F ₂ causes the frame mark m ₂₁ on the film F ₂ and the photo sensor 2 to be detected.
When the relative positional relationship with 5, 26, and 27 becomes the state shown in FIG. 4B, and only the photo sensor 26 detects the frame mark 26, the AND gate 111 opens and the first frame mark count signal is classified into small items. outputs. At the same time, the relative positional relationship between the mark m ₂₁ on the film F ₂ and the photo sensors 28 and 29 is
When the state shown in Figure B is reached, that is, when only the photo sensor 26 detects the frame mark m ₂₁ and only the photo sensor 29 detects the subject mark m ₂₂ , the AND gate 113 opens and the AND gate 11
3 to output mark count signals classified into medium items. The first frame mark count signal is counted by the first frame mark counter, and the subject mark count signal is counted by the subject mark counter. Since the subsequent search operation is well known, the explanation will be omitted.

Next, when using film _F3 , connect selection switch 120 to contact c. After entering the frame number of the desired information and instructing the start of the search and feeding the film _F3 , the relative positional relationship between the frame mark _m3 in the first row on the film _F3 and the photo sensors 25, 26, 27 and When the relative positional relationship between the second column frame mark _m3 and the photo sensors 28 and 29 simultaneously becomes the state shown in FIG. 4C, the AND gate 111,
114 is opened, and the AND gate 111 outputs a first frame mark count signal classified into small items, and the AND gate 114 outputs a second frame mark count signal classified into small items. The first frame mark count signal is counted by the first frame mark counter, and the second frame mark count signal is counted by the first frame mark counter.
The frame mark count signal is counted by a second frame mark counter.

Further, when using the film _F4 , the selection switch 120 is connected to the contact point d. After inputting the frame number or case number of the desired information, command to start the search,
When the film F ₄ is fed and the relative positional relationship between the frame mark m ₄₁ on the film F ₄ and the photo sensors 25, 26, 27 becomes the state shown in FIG. 4D,
In other words, only the photo sensor 26 has a frame mark.
When m ₄₁ is detected, AND gate 111 opens,
A first frame mark count signal is output. Further, when the relative positional relationship between the subject mark 42 and the photo sensors 28, 29 becomes the state shown in FIG. 4D, that is, when the photo sensors 26, 27 simultaneously detect the subject mark _m42 , the AND gate 112 opens Item mark counting signals classified into medium items are output from 112, and each signal is counted by a counter for each classification. Therefore, it is possible to obtain classified counting signals by combining the output signals of multiple photo sensors, and by counting these classified counting signals with a counter for each classification, the classified information can be automatically obtained. You can search for

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the search control circuit, in which various controls are performed by a microcomputer. In the figure, 200 is a microcomputer, 201 to 205 are I/O ports, and 2
10 is an input key for inputting a search number of desired information, etc.; 211 is a self-recovery changeover switch for selecting the type of film; 212 is a display drive circuit; D1 to D;
4 is a display, and S ₁ to S ₄ are initial mode setting switches. The changeover switch 211 corresponds to the selection switch 120 in FIG. 5, and by selecting the number of times it is pressed depending on the type of film used, the search mode corresponding to the type of film used is set.
Now, when I turn on the power switch, the film F ₁
When the search mode is set to use film F 3, pressing the selector switch 211 once will set the search mode to use film F ₂ , and pressing it once again will set the search mode to use film F ₃ . If the switch 211 is pressed once, the search mode using film F ₄ is set, and if the switch 211 is pressed once more, the search mode is set to use film F _1. By repeatedly pressing the switch 211, the search mode is sequentially changed to four types of search modes.

Initial mode setting switches S ₁ to _{S 4} are switches for determining which search mode should be set initially when the power switch is turned on _.
When closed, the computer 200 is set to a search mode using film _F1 when the power is turned on.
Search mode uses film F ₂ when switch S ₂ is closed, search mode uses film F ₃ when switch S ₃ is closed, and film F ₄ is used when switch S ₄ is closed. The search mode is initially set to . By presetting the search mode for the most frequently used film using the initial mode setting switches S ₁ to _{S 4} , the operator can set the search mode for the most frequently used film when the power is turned on. It is possible to eliminate the work of operating the changeover switch 211 after turning on the power.
Therefore, it is only necessary to operate the changeover switch 211 when using another film.

Now, the operation when the initial mode setting switch _S1 is closed will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the power switch is turned on, the computer 200 sets the search mode using the film _F1 since the initial mode setting switch _S1 is closed, and lights only the first display D1 via the display drive circuit 212. , from the signal line _l1 of the I/O port 204, outputs a film _F1 gate signal similar to that when the selection switch 120 in FIG. 5 is connected to contact a. That is, a signal is outputted from the signal line _l1 so that the outputs of the inverters 108, 109, and 110 shown in FIG. 5 are at a low level. The illumination of the first display D1 clearly indicates to the operator that the film _F1 can be used for searching. Thereafter, the computer 200 checks the operating states of the changeover switch 211 and the input key 210, and if the changeover switch 211 is off and the input key 210 is being operated, the computer 200 enters a search program, sends the film, and performs a predetermined search. Move on to action. During film feeding, a first frame mark count signal is input to the computer 200 from the signal line _L1 of the I/O port 202, and this count signal is counted by the counting section of the computer 200. After the power is turned on, when the selector switch 211 is turned on (closed) once, the computer 2
00 is set to the search mode using film F ₂ , only the second display D2 is lit, and the selection switch ₁ shown in FIG.
The same film as when connecting 20 to contact b
Output _F2 gate signal. That is, a signal is output in which the output of inverter 108 in FIG. 5 becomes high level, and the output of inverters 109 and 110 becomes low level. Hereafter, as mentioned above, after turning on the power,
If the changeover switch 211 is turned on twice, the third
The display _D3 lights up and a signal similar to that when the selection switch 120 in FIG. The switch D4 lights up, and the selection switch 120 in FIG. 5 is connected from the signal line _L4 to the contact D.
Outputs the same signal as when connected to. When the search mode is set to use film _F2 or film _F3 , a mark count signal is input to computer 200 from signal line _L2 of I/O port 202 based on a combination of output signals from each photo sensor. When the search mode is set to use the film _F4 , a second frame mark count signal is input to the computer 200 from the signal line _L3 based on a combination of the output signals of each photo sensor.

Note that the method of displaying the search mode is not limited to the above embodiment, and the search mode may be displayed in code using a display that displays a search number.

As described above, according to the present invention, the mark detection device Since the count signal corresponding to the classified mark can be obtained without exchanging the marks, it is possible to easily and accurately search for information on a desired classification item. Furthermore, when searching for the desired image on each image recording medium, each mark can be stopped at a fixed position regardless of the size of the mark, so that the desired image can be accurately projected at the specified position when the image recording medium is stopped. Can be done.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a front view showing an example of a film to which the present invention is applied, Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram of a film reader to which the invention is applied, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a mark detection device, and Figs. 4 A to D. 5 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the photo sensor and the mark, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a search control circuit, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the search control circuit, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flowchart. It is. 25, 26, 27, 28, 29...Photo sensor, 120...Film selection switch.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 The purpose is to count the marks attached to each image on an image recording medium in which one type of mark or two types of marks with different lengths corresponding to the classification of the image are provided on the same column of the image recording medium. A device for searching images, comprising: a transport means for transporting an image recording medium; at least three mark detection means disposed apart from each other in a transport direction of the image recording medium; and a mark detection means corresponding to the types of marks on the image recording medium. mode switching means for switching to a mode, first signal generation means for generating a first signal when the second mark detection means detects a mark while the first mark detection means does not detect a mark; a second signal generating means for generating a second signal based on a signal output from the mark detecting means and the first signal generating means and a mode signal output from the mode switching means; a first counting means for counting the first signal; An information retrieval device comprising a second counting means for counting two signals.