JPH03148768A - Information retrieving device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically retrieve an arbitrary picture without causing an over run by calculating the average picture number per one case of a microfilm, and controlling the feeding speed based on the average picture number. CONSTITUTION:A light emitting element 41A and a light receiving element 42A function as a frame mark detecting means, a light emitting element 41B and a light receiving element 42B function as a case mark detecting means, and an average picture number calculating means calculates the average picture number per one case of the microfilm from the counted results of counted case mark and frame mark. A controlling means controls the feeding speed of the microfilm to a desired picture based on the calculated average picture number. Thus, how many picture exist from the present picture to the first picture of the desired case where the desired picture exists can be recognized, so the feeding speed of the microfilm can be lowered from a prescribed number of pictures before the desired picture, and the retrieving can be executed in a stable state and quickly.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention is useful for searching microfilm on which a large number of images are arranged and imprinted into related information groups. The present invention relates to an information retrieval device that automatically retrieves images while reducing the occurrence of overruns.

Conventional technology Microfilm, which can record high-density images, is readable and has semi-permanent storage properties.
Because it has unique characteristics that are different from the digital information recording media that have been used in recent years, it is used as a still image file in various fields that can take advantage of these characteristics.

When recording information on such microfilm, a group of information that is mutually related and recognized as one group or one item is used as a unit, and each image within this information group is arranged in page order, etc. They are recorded on microfilm in a predetermined order. For example, when a patent publication is recorded on a roll-shaped microfilm, one patent publication, which usually has multiple pages, is recorded sequentially from the first page to the last page as one image information group.

In addition, the above-mentioned microfilm has a search mark, also known as prep or document mark, which is attached to the above-mentioned image and also to the first image of a subject or group consisting of mutually related images. is attached.

In order to search for a desired image from a microfilm to which a large number of images and search marks are attached, an information retrieval device is used for the search. The above-mentioned microfilm search using this information retrieval device is carried out based on the technique disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 15690/1983.

That is, when searching for a target image from the microfilm, the user manually inputs the number of the target image from the beginning using a numeric keypad or the like, and then presses a key that outputs a search command. This will start the search operation, and first,
The microfilm is transported at high speed to the destination containing the destination image. Then, when the object mark other than the target image is detected, the system suddenly brakes, and then searches for the target image at low speed and positions it at the projection position.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in such conventional information retrieval devices, as described above, the brakes are applied suddenly when the first image of the target item is retrieved, so the inertia of the feeding system is reduced. This causes the target image to pass past the projection position. An overrun will occur. When such an overrun occurs, it is necessary to rewind the microfilm at a low speed in order to retrieve the target image, which not only puts a burden on the feeding system, but also makes it impossible to quickly retrieve the target image. Furthermore, since the microfilm has to move back and forth, the operator who is looking at the screen on which the image being searched is enlarged and projected feels tired.

One object of the present invention is to provide an information retrieval device that reduces the occurrence of overruns when searching for a target image.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method of using a plurality of images and an item mark attached corresponding to the first image of a group of images constituting one information group with related information contents. An information retrieval device for searching for an arbitrary image from a microfilm on which are formed a frame mark corresponding to each of the images; a piece mark detection means for detecting, a feeding means for feeding the microfilm, a counting means for counting each of the piece marks detected by the piece mark detection means and the piece marks detected by the piece mark detection means; average image number calculation means for calculating the average number of images per item on the microfilm from the counting results of the subject marks and piece marks by the counting means; and the average image number calculation means when searching for microfilm. and a control means for controlling the feeding speed of the microfilm by the feeding means to the target image based on the average number of images calculated by The configured information retrieval device of the present invention operates as follows.

The average number of images calculating means calculates the average number of images per item on the microfilm from the counting results of the item marks and frame marks counted by the counting means. The control means are
The feeding speed of the microfilm to the target image is controlled based on the average number of images calculated by the average number of images calculation means.

Therefore, when searching for a target image on a certain microfilm, it is difficult to get a rough idea of how many images exist, from the current image to the first untargeted image where the target image exists. Therefore, the control means can reduce the feeding speed of the microfilm from a predetermined number of images before the target image, regardless of whether an untargeted mark is detected. Therefore, except in exceptional cases, the search for the target image is performed stably and quickly without overrun.

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail based on the illustrated examples of the present invention.

Figure kJ1 is a diagram showing a reader printer to which the information retrieval device of the present invention is applied. A screen (image receptor) 11 is provided on the front of the reader printer main body 1-0, and an image imprinted on a microfilm is displayed. This screen is 11
It is now projected on the screen. The microfilm is loaded into a carrier part 12 provided below the screen 11, and the image on the microfilm is projected onto the screen 11 to be read and searched, and the searched predetermined image is displayed. In order to copy images, a known electrophotographic printer unit (not shown) is incorporated in the reader printer main body 11. A search board 13, which is operated when operating this reader printer, is connected to the reader printer body 10, while a copy board 14, which is operated as necessary when copying a predetermined image, is connected to the front of the reader printer body 10. It is set in.

The internal structure of the carrier portion 12 shown in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the microfilm F is wound around a supply reel 20 in the form of a roll, and the supply reel 20 is detachably supported by a cartridge 21 and is rotatable. This cartridge 21 can be inserted through an opening (not shown) provided at the left end of the carrier part 12, and the microfilm F fed out from the supply reel 20 inside this cartridge 21 is inserted into the carrier part 12. It is adapted to be wound up on a take-up reel 22 provided inside.

The supply reel 20 can be rotated forward and backward in the direction of feeding out the microfilm F and the direction of winding it up by a drive shaft 23 driven by a supply reel drive motor MR, and the cartridge 21 is inserted into the carrier from the insertion opening. 1
When the microfilm F is loaded into the cartridge 21, the loading solenoid 79c is activated by a switch (not shown) activated by the cartridge 21, and the roller 25 is brought into pressure contact with the microfilm F wound around the cartridge 21. Further, the take-up reel 22 is rotated by a drive shaft 24 connected to a take-up reel driving motor MF.

The carrier portion 12 further includes a feed roller 25 driven by a loading motor ML to convey the leading end of the microfilm F fed out from the cartridge 21 toward the take-up reel 22. Guide 26 that guides the fed-out microfilm F
and an encoder 27 for counting the transport distance of the microfilm F in both forward and backward directions;
It has an auxiliary roller 28 that presses against this. Also,
A guide roller 29 is provided in the carrier part 12 and is located at the same level as the encoder 27 .

In order to guide the microfilm F fed out from the supply reel 20 in the cartridge 21 to the take-up reel 22, a plurality of guides 30 are provided between them. A conveyance path 31 is formed.

As shown in FIG. 2, light from a light source such as a lamp 35 is
After the light is focused by the condenser lens group 37 via the reflection mirror 36, it is irradiated onto the microfilm F located between the upper and lower pressure-bonded glasses 38 and 39, and the image imprinted on the microfilm F is transmitted through the projection lens. 40 and projected onto the screen 11. When searching for images projected on the screen 11, the operator operates the keys on the search board 13.
The lower pressure bonding glass 39 is vertically movable so that the lower pressure bonding plate 39 is pressure bonded to the upper pressure bonding glass 38 via the microfilm F when an image is projected.

On the upstream side of the microfilm F with respect to the glass 38, 39, a light emitting element 41A such as an LED and a photosensor are installed for reading the frame marks attached to the microfilm F in correspondence with the images imprinted on the microfilm F. The light receiving elements 42A, etc., are provided on the A channel side of the microfilm F, facing each other. A light-emitting element 41B and a light-receiving element 42B are provided for reading the mark attached corresponding to the image. The light-emitting element 41A and the light-receiving element 42A serve as piece mark detection means, and the light-emitting element 41B and the light-receiving element 4
2B functions as an item mark detection means.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the search board 13 shown in FIG. 1, and the key 45 labeled "REW" is the key operated when rewinding the microfilm F onto the supply reel 20.SET" The key 46 marked with is a key operated to set, change, or finely adjust the address.
Keys 47 and 48 marked with arrows are keys operated when microfilm F is moved by 21 g in each direction. The key 49 labeled "MEM" is a key operated when address data to be searched is temporarily stored in the buffer γ-, and the key 50 labeled "MEMR" is used to temporarily store address data for searching in the buffer γ-. This key is operated when reading out the data that has been stored. A key 51 labeled "CLR/STP" is operated when erasing manual input from the key, when canceling a command, and when performing an emergency stop of operation.

A numeric keypad 52 labeled with numbers 0 to 9 is provided next to each of the above-mentioned keys, and a key 53 labeled "SERCH" is a key operated when starting a search. The key 54 labeled `` is a key used when searching for images based on the major classification marks recorded on the microfilm F.
The key 55 labeled "CH" is a key used when searching for images based on the mark of the category recorded on the microfilm F, that is, the above-mentioned mark. The key 56 used for browsing and searching images is
A key 57 marked with is a key for manually inputting the number of copies when printing an image. The key 58 marked "+" and the key 59 marked "1" are keys operated when advancing one image of the microfilm F, respectively. The key 59 is used to move the microfilm F backward. The key 60 labeled “PRINT” is a key used to start copying,
When accompanied by an address manual, it becomes a command key for commanding search and printing.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the copy board 14 shown in FIG. 1, and by operating the exposure volume 61, the illuminance of the light source 35 is changed.

The number of copies to be made is displayed in two digits on the display section 62.

The copy board 14 is provided with the following buttons having the same functions as the copy-related operation buttons in the search board 13. A set button 63 marked "+" is used to increase the number of copies, and a set button 64 marked "1" is used to decrease the number of copies. The number of copies set using these set buttons 63 and 64 is displayed on the display section 6.
2. To reset the number of copies, the reset button 65 is operated. Furthermore, when starting copying, the print button 66 is operated. The reset button 65 is also operated when it is desired to stop the printing operation in the middle of printing a plurality of sheets.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control circuit for controlling the operation of the information retrieval device of the present invention, and is
Storage media such as a ROM 71, a RAM 72 that is constantly backed up by a backup power source (not shown), and a non-volatile RAM 73 are connected to the U 70, and the U 70 also has a configuration such as a developing motor of an electrophotographic printer built into the reader printer main body 10. A control signal is sent to a control member 74 that requires control, such as a member, via the turnout door 5a. The take-up reel drive motor Ml'' shown in FIG.
A control signal is sent from the CPU 70 via the encoder 7 directly connected to the motor Ml in order to feedback control the rotation of the motor Ml.
The pulse signal from 8a is output to the FOW motor driver 77a via the FV converter 79a. Similarly, a control signal is sent to the supply reel drive motor MR from the REV motor driver 77b, and the encoder 7 is directly connected to the motor MR.
The pulse signal from 8b is fed back to motor driver 77b via FV converter 79b. Also,
The motor ML used to pull out the leading edge of the film from the cartridge 21 when loading the microfilm F is connected to a loading motor driver 77C, and a control signal is sent from the CPU 70 to the loading motor driver 77C via the carrier motor controller 76. It will be done. This control signal controls the operation of the loading solenoid 79C and the motor ML.

Signals are sent from the CPU 70 to the displays 80 provided on the search board 13 and the copy board 14, via the turnout port 5c and the display driver 81. The display 80 used in the search board 13 in this embodiment is a 16-character character display in which each character is formed by 35 5×7 dots.

In addition, human input signals from the keys provided on these boards 13 and 14 are sent to the CPU 70 via the output port 5b.
It is now sent to An RS232C as a serial interface 82 is connected to this CPU 70 for communication with a host computer, etc., and a DIP switch 83 for setting the baud rate of this RS232C and search conditions is connected to the input/output port 5b.
It is connected to the CPU 70 via.

An example of the microfilm F loaded in the reader printer of the present invention is shown in FIG. 6, and this microfilm F has frame marks M attached corresponding to each image,
Among the images, a subject mark N is formed corresponding to the first image of a group of images constituting a group of information related to the information content, allowing for faster retrieval of verbal images. ing. As shown in FIG. 6, the sensor 43 shown in FIG. and a sensor 43b for detecting the subject mark N.

These are provided at a position a predetermined distance away from the projection optical path S on the upstream side in the forward direction of the microfilm F.

Piece mark signals and object mark signals as shown in FIG. 7 outputted from the respective sensors 43a143b described above are sent to the CPU 70.
The interrupt signal with the highest priority is output based on the detection signal of the sensor 43a, and the interrupt signal with the next highest priority is output based on the detection signal of the sensor 43b. Based on these interrupt signals, the CPU 70 changes the values of the piece mark counter and the piece mark counter as counting means.

In synchronization with the detection signals from these respective sensors 43a, 43b, the mark width for the A channel, that is, the mark width of the piece mark M, is determined by the signal from the encoder 27 shown in FIG. The counter 84a and the mark width counter 84b for the B channel, that is, the mark N, also calculate the distance between piece marks.
Inter-mark distance counters 84c are each connected to the CPU 70 via input/output ports 5d. The mark width counter 84a starts counting at the rising edge of the frame mark signal as shown in FIG. 7, and stops counting at the falling edge of the frame mark signal, that is, by the manual input of the frame mark interrupt signal.

Based on this count value, the CPU 70 determines whether or not what is detected by the sensor 43a is a mark. The mark width counter 84b similarly operates based on the mark signal and the mark interrupt signal, and determines whether or not what is detected by the sensor 43b is a mark. The inter-mark distance counter 84c counts the number of pulses output from the encoder 27 during the manual input of the piece mark interrupt signal, and detects the inter-piece mark distance by replacing it with the number of pulses.

The information retrieval device of the present invention configured as described above operates as follows according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 to 12.

FIG. 8 is a main flowchart of the information search device according to the present invention, and FIGS. 9 to 12 are subroutine flowcharts showing search processing in this main flowchart.

First, the cartridge 21 is inserted into the carrier part 12 from the insertion slot.
When loaded into the microfilm F, the microfilm F is wound onto the take-up reel 22 and loaded, and when the SERCH key 53 provided on the search board 13 is pressed, the microfilm F is imprinted. A cueing process is performed in which the first image is displayed on one screen.

That is, as described above, when the cartridge 21 is loaded into the carrier portion 12 from the insertion port, the switch that detects the loading is activated. Along with this, the loading solenoid 79c is activated and the feed roller 25 is pressed against the microfilm F wound around the cartridge 21, and the loading motor ML is rotated to move the microfilm F onto the guide 26. Auxiliary roller 28. It is sent toward the supply reel 22 via the guide roller 29 and the like.

This sent microfilm F is automatically wound onto the reel 22 which is already in a rotating state. When the loading operation as described above is completed, assuming that the SERCH key 53 is pressed, the microfilm F is fed at high speed in order to quickly search for the leading image. When the sensor 43a detects the frame mark M of the leading image while the image is being fed at high speed and a frame mark interrupt signal as shown in FIG. 7 is generated, the CPU 70 outputs a winding stop command and the winding stops. The supply of electricity to the take reel drive motor MP is stopped. However, since the ζ microfilm F overruns due to the inertia of the feeding system, after the microfilm has completely stopped, it is fed backwards at a low speed to return the leading image to the sensor 43a position, and then again at a low speed. The screen is moved forward to position the leading image at the screen position S shown in FIG. 6 (S1). When the address of the image to be searched is entered using the numeric keypad 52 of the search board 13, the entered address is read and stored in the RAM? 2. When searching for a target image based only on the piece mark, the human power of this address is to manually determine the number of the image from the first image, and search for the target image using both the subject mark and the piece mark. When performing this, it is necessary to manually enter which image it is (32 to 54). Next, manual processing is performed using keys other than the numeric keypad on the search board 13 (S5), and if the key manual processing is not related to searching and the CLR/STP key 51 is not operated, the key manual processing is performed using keys other than the numeric keypad (S5). Repeat this step (S6°37). On the other hand, CLR/STP
If the key 51 is operated, all the manual inputs set so far using the various keys on the search board 13 are canceled and the manual input waiting process for the address in step S2 is performed (S8). If the key input in step S5 is related to a search, the subroutine flowcharts shown in FIG. 9 and subsequent figures are executed (S9).

The search process in this embodiment operates as follows according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 to 12. The operation of this flowchart will be explained separately for the case where the target image manually inputted in step 82 of the main flowchart is based on both the subject mark and the piece mark, and the case where it is input based only on the piece mark. I will explain it.

First, when the address of the target image is number U and number of frames U, the remaining number counter counts the remaining number of images from the current image to the target image if! BX and the value IX of a remaining frame number counter that counts the number of remaining frames up to the target image other than the target image are set based on the manually entered address. When such manual operation is performed, the MBX of the remaining number counter is not 0, so the approximate distance to the approximate image is calculated based on the value of BX, and the distance is determined by the microfilm feeding speed. It is determined whether or not the distance is greater than the distance at which the medium speed must be set, that is, the medium speed setting distance l. To calculate this distance at the start of a search, the average number of frames (images) n° per image imprinted on the microfilm F and the distance a between each frame mark must be known in advance. , this average number of pieces n° is
The data stored in the RAM 72 and calculated based on the data collected in the process of searching for the microfilm searched immediately before this microfilm is used. Also, for the distance a between the frame marks, the optimum value for the loaded microfilm is selected using a dip switch etc. from among several values stored in the RAM 72 that match the microfilm to be searched. and use it.

In this way, the average number of microfilms searched immediately before is used as the average number of frames per item. This is because it is assumed that there are many types.

Then, the CPU 70 calculates the approximate distance to the contract image based on the average number of frames n° per item stored in the RAM 72 and the distance a between marks selected by a dip switch or the like. This distance is the medium speed setting distance l
(SIO, Sll).

As a result of this judgment, the distance to the target image is the medium speed setting distance l
If it is larger than , the microfilm F is fed at high speed (S12). While the microfilm F is being fed at high speed, the frame mark M is detected by the sensor 43a under the condition that the frame mark N is not detected by the sensor 43b.
is detected, the value nl of the mark counter that counts the number of passing marks is incremented by 1 (813~
81-5). On the other hand, when the sensor 43b detects the mark N, the value n of the mark counter is incremented by 1, and the mark counter Wi
nB is incremented by 1, and MBX, which is a remaining number counter that counts the number of items up to 0, is decremented by 1 (816-518). The average number of frames n° per item on the loaded microfilm F is calculated from the mark counter value nl and the item counter value nB counted up to this point. This is obtained by calculating nl/nB, and this calculation is performed every time a subject mark is detected, and the latest average number of pieces n'' is obtained (S
'19). As described above, the processing from step Sll to step 319 is performed until the target is reached (S20).

When the above process is repeated and the U internality is reached while the microfilm F is being fed at high speed,
The distance from the first piece in the quotation image to the quotation image is calculated,
This distance is compared with the medium speed setting distance l. In this comparison, when the distance to the piece is greater than the medium speed setting distance l, the microfilm F continues to be fed at high speed (
S21°822). On the other hand, when the distance to the quotation image is less than the medium speed setting distance l, the process proceeds to the process shown in FIG. 10, which will be described later. In the above comparison, when the medium speed setting separation is larger, the process of incrementing the mark counter value nl by 1 and decrementing the remaining frame number counter value IX by 1 every time a piece mark is detected by the sensor 43a. is performed (823-525). On the other hand, when the distance to the target image becomes equal to or less than medium speed setting distance 1 while the processes from SIX to S20 are being repeated, the flowchart of FIG. 10 is executed.

Next, in step Sll, if it is determined that the distance to the cutout image is less than or equal to the medium speed setting distance 1, the distance to the cutout image further increases the feeding speed of the microfilm F. A determination is made as to whether the distance is greater than the distance over which the speed must be reduced, that is, the low speed setting distance m (S3
0). As a result of this judgment, if the distance to the target image is greater than the low speed setting distance m, the microfilm F is fed at medium speed (S31). When the sensor 43a detects the frame mark M while the microfilm F is being fed at a medium speed and the sensor 43b does not detect the frame mark N, the number of passing marks is counted. The mark counter flint is incremented by 1 (832-534).

On the other hand, when the mark N is detected by the sensor 43b, the value nl of the mark counter is incremented by 1,
Wl n B of the item counter that counts the number of passed items is 1
and decrements the value BX of the remaining number counter, which counts the number of cases up to the target, by 1 (835 to 537).

Using the mark counter value nI and the item counter value nB counted up to this point, a new average number n of frames per item of the microfilm F up to now is calculated in the same manner as described above (338).

As described above, the processing of steps S30 to S38 is performed until the purpose is reached (S39).

If the above process is repeated and the microfilm F reaches the target while being fed at medium speed,
The distance from the first piece in the target object to the target image is calculated,
This distance is compared with the low speed setting distance m. In this comparison, when the distance to the target frame is greater than the low speed setting distance m, the microfilm F continues to be fed at the medium speed (
S 40°841). On the other hand, when the distance to the target image is less than or equal to the low speed setting distance m, the process proceeds to the process shown in FIG. 12, which will be described later. In the above comparison, when the low speed setting distance is larger, each time a piece mark is detected by the sensor 43a, the value nl of the mark counter is incremented by 1, and the value IX of the number of remaining pieces counter is decremented by 1. (842-544). On the other hand, when the distance to the target image becomes less than or equal to the low speed setting distance m while the processes from S30 to S39 are being repeatedly performed, the flowchart of FIG. 11 is executed. Note that the processing in steps 340 to 344 is also executed when it is determined in the processing in step S21 that the distance to the target image is less than or equal to the medium speed setting distance 1.

Since it is determined in step S30 that the distance to the U-like image is smaller than the low speed setting distance m, the microfilm F is fed at a low speed (850). While the microfilm F is being fed at low speed, the sensor 43b is not detecting the mark N.
When the piece mark M is detected by a, the value n1 of a mark counter that counts the number of passed marks is incremented by 1 (851 to 553). On the other hand, when the sensor 43b detects the item mark N, the value nl of the mark counter is incremented by 1, the value nB of the item counter for counting the number of passed items is incremented by 1, and the remaining number is counted up to the number of items that have passed. Number of cases counter value BX
is decremented by 1 (854-856). Then, based on the value n1 of the mark counter counted so far and the value nB of the case counter, the average number of frames n° per case of microfilm F is determined in the same way as above.
is calculated again (S57). Above, S51 to 857
The processing of the step is performed until the target is reached, and when the target is reached, the search within the target is started (358).
. When the value of the remaining number counter aBX becomes 0, the value n1 of the mark counter is incremented by 1 every time a piece mark M is detected by the sensor 43a, and the number of pieces up to the U piece in the target item is calculated. Decrement the value IX of the remaining pieces counter by 1 (859-5
61). When the above processing is repeated and the value IX of the remaining frame number counter becomes 0 and a U-shaped image is searched by the sensor 43a, a centering process is performed to position the U-shaped image at the center position of the screen S. (S
62. S63). When the U-shaped image search is performed in this manner, the process returns to step 82 in the main flowchart, and waits for an address input for the D-shaped image search.

In step S40, when it is determined that the distance to the target image is less than or equal to the low speed setting distance m, the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 is performed. The processing in this flowchart is performed when a target image is detected while the microfilm F is being fed at high or medium speed. In this way, microfilm F
This is because an overrun will occur in an exceptional case where a U-like image is suddenly detected without being sent at a low speed.

In step S40, when it is determined that the distance to the target image is less than or equal to the low speed setting distance m, the microfilm F is fed at a low speed, and each time a frame mark is detected by the sensor 43a, the mark counter (F ) @
n MI of the remaining pieces counter that increments I by 1 and counts the number of pieces up to the target piece in the target item.
Decrement X by 1 (870-573). When the value IX of the remaining frame number counter becomes 0 and a U-like image is searched, a stop command is output from the CPU 70 and a timer is started. This timer is provided to detect the number of overrun frames until the microfilm F overruns and stops. This is slightly longer than the time it would take to stop (874-576). If an overrun piece mark is detected by the sensor 43a until this timer times up, the value I of the overrun counter counts the number of overrun pieces. The value of is incremented by 1, and the overrun plug F is set to 1 (877 to 579). When the timer times up (S80), it is determined whether or not the overrun flag F is set to 1 (S81). If the overrun flag F is 1, an overrun has occurred, so the microfilm is The feeding speed of F is set to a low reverse speed (S82), and the value io of the overrun counter is decremented by 1 each time a piece mark is detected by the sensor 43a (383.S84). When the microfilm F is fed backward in this way and the value of the overrun counter becomes 0 and a U-like image is retrieved, the CPU-7
A stop command is output again from 0, and the overrun flag F
is set to 0 (884-586). Then, centering processing is performed to position the U-shaped image at the center of the screen S. This process is also performed when the overrun flag F is not 1 in step S81, that is, when a U-like image is retrieved without overrun (S87).

Although not shown in the flowchart below, the average number n' of images obtained in the above manner is stored in the RAM 72 backed up by a backup power source for the next search.

Next, a case where the target image manually created in step 82 of the main flowchart is created manually based only on the piece marks will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12.

When the address of the U-like image is based only on the piece mark, the number BX of out-of-target cases is 0, so the distance to the U-like image is calculated, and this distance is compared with the medium speed setting distance l. be done. In this comparison, when the distance to the zero target piece is greater than the medium speed setting distance l, the microfilm F
is fed at high speed (S21, S22). On the other hand, when the distance to the U-like image is less than the medium speed setting distance 1, the process proceeds to the process shown in FIG. 10, which will be described later. In the above comparison, when the medium speed setting distance is larger, each time a piece mark is detected by the sensor 43a, the mark counter Fnl is incremented by 1, and the remaining pieces counter value 1x is decremented by 1. (8
23-525).

While the above process is being repeated, if the distance to the target image becomes less than the medium speed setting distance, vl, the process advances to the flowchart in Figure 10, and the distance to the target image is The calculated distance is compared with the low-speed set distance m.If the distance to the target frame is greater than the low-speed set distance m in this comparison, the microfilm F is fed at a medium speed (S40.S41). ).On the other hand, when the distance to the U-like image is less than or equal to the low speed setting distance m, the process proceeds to the process shown in FIG. 43a, the value n of the mark counter
Increment 1 by 1 and set the remaining pieces counter value■
A process of decrementing x by 1 is performed (842
~544).

While the above processing is being performed, if the distance to the target image becomes less than the low speed setting distance m, the processing shown in Fig. 12 is performed and the U-shaped image is displayed on the screen 1.
However, since this process has been described above, its explanation will be omitted.

As described above, in this embodiment, when searching for a U-like image, the distance from the current position to the target image is calculated while always keeping track of the average number of frames per 5 images, and based on that distance, the microfilm is The feeding speed of F is set to high speed, medium speed, and low speed. By controlling the feeding speed in this manner, overruns that occur when searching for a target image can be minimized, and as a result, the search time can be shortened.

In addition, since the frequency of sudden movements such as sudden braking is reduced, not only can defects such as scratches on the microfilm be reduced, but the load on the feeding system is also reduced, which extends the lifespan of each component. will improve. Furthermore, since the reciprocating movement of the microfilm associated with the occurrence of overrun during searching is eliminated, operator fatigue can be reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, the value of the distance a between marks is selected by a dip switch etc. according to the type of microfilm loaded, but other than this, for example, After loading, when the top image cueing operation overruns, the passing counter counts the number of overrun frame marks, and at the same time, the inter-mark counter shown in Figure 5 calculates the distance between each of the overrun frame marks. may be measured from the count value of the mark distance counter 84c, the average distance between piece marks may be calculated from these values, and this value may be set as the inter-mark distance a. If the distance between marks is automatically calculated through such processing, there is no need for the operator to set the dip switch according to the microfilm to be loaded, thereby improving the usability of the information retrieval device.

Further, in this embodiment, only the case where the microfilm is searched in the forward direction is illustrated, but in actual searches, the search may be performed in the reverse direction. In such a backward search, the search may be performed based on data obtained during the forward search.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above explanation, in the present invention, when searching a microfilm on which a large number of images are arranged and imprinted in related information units, the Since the average number of images is calculated and the microfilm feeding speed is controlled based on this average number of images, overruns cannot occur for any image of any information group, except in exceptional cases. It can be searched automatically.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a reader printer to which the information retrieval device of the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of a part of the carrier shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the copying board shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control circuit for controlling the operation of the information retrieval device of the present invention, and FIG. The figure shows the situation when searching for upper and lower blip type microfilms. Figure 7 is a time chart showing the signals output from each sensor during the search process for the type of microfilm shown in Figure 6. FIG. 8 is a main flowchart showing the operation of the information retrieval apparatus of the present invention, and FIGS. 9 to 12 are subroutine flowcharts of the search process in the main flowchart of FIG. F... Microfilm, M... Piece mark, N... Item mark, MF... Take-up reel drive motor (feeding means) MR
...Supply reel drive motor (feeding means), 43a...
・Sensor (piece mark detection means), 43b...Sensor (
item mark detection means), 70...CPU (counting means,
average image number calculation means, control means).

Claims (1)

[Claims] A subject mark attached to a first image of a group of images constituting one information group in which a large number of images and information contents are related;
In an information retrieval device for searching for an arbitrary image from a microfilm on which frame marks are formed corresponding to each of the images, there is provided an object mark detection means for detecting the object mark, and an object mark detection means for detecting the object mark. a piece mark detection means, a feeding means for feeding the microfilm, a counting means for counting each of the piece marks detected by the piece mark detection means and the piece marks detected by the piece mark detection means; an average image number calculation means for calculating the average number of images per item on the microfilm from the counting results of the subject marks and piece marks by the means; and when searching for microfilm, the average image number calculation means calculates an information retrieval device comprising: control means for controlling the feeding speed of the microfilm by the feeding means to the target image based on the average number of images obtained.