JPH03189636A - Photograph printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily input the frame number of a film by feeding the film in a forward direction until the frame number is determined when it is not determined and restoring the film so that recording may be performed after the frame number is determined. CONSTITUTION:The negative film is fed by a negative feeding path 31. A DX code is detected by a DX code detector 42a and a frame number bar code is detected by a frame number bar code detector 42b. Continuously, after the leading edge and the trailing edge of an image frame are detected by an image detector 43 and printing is performed to a photographic paper by a printing and exposing part 45, the frame number is recorded on the photographic paper. When the frame number is not determined by the read or the estimation of the frame number, the film is fed in the forward direction without performing recording until it is determined. After the frame number is determined, the film is reversely fed to that picture and recording is performed.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a photographic printing device that reads a bar code corresponding to a frame number on an original film and records the frame number on printed photographic paper or the like. It is.

[Background of the invention]

A DX code and frame number are attached to the side edge of the 135 film using a bar code. The frame number barcode is obtained by encoding the frame number for each frame number that has been made into a latent image on the film in advance, and FIG. 7 shows an example of a photographic film in which this barcode is made into a latent image. This photographic film 1 is a 135 film, and full-size image frames are printed in series at regular intervals. A large number of perforations 2.3 are formed at regular intervals on both end sides of the photographic film l. Between the side edge of the photographic film 1 and the par 7 rayon 3, a large number of DX codes are formed at regular intervals, in which the film type (manufacturer name, type, sensitivity, etc.) is encoded during film manufacture.

Main frame number 5 and sub-frame number 6 are alternately formed at the same position in the longitudinal direction of the film at the same pitch as the pinch where half-size image frames are formed between the outer part of photographic film l and perforation 2. has been done. Main frame number 5 on both sides of the photographic film l is the main frame number 5 on both sides of the photographic film l.
Integers starting from "00" are displayed sequentially from one side of the screen.

Sub-frame number 6 is displayed with rAJ attached to the left side in the width direction of the photographic film l.

Barcodes 8A and 8B corresponding to these main frame number 5 and sub-frame number 6 are formed at locations separated to the right of the main frame number 5 and sub-frame number 6 at the film manufacturing stage. These barcodes 8A, 8B
By reading the numbers, the numbers of main frame number 5 and sub frame number 6 can be detected.

To read such barcodes, the film is transported by a stepping motor, etc., and a light source such as a light emitting diode illuminates the barcode track on the film.The transmitted light is received by a photo sensor and converted into an electrical signal. This is done by converting.

As a method of reading barcodes on film in synchronization with a stepping motor, a method that can be considered for boat fishing is to convert the sampling data into multivalued data and distinguish between the code part and the blank part of the barcode. There is a method to find the bit pattern of a barcode.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, in actual film for which barcodes are to be read, the density of the film base may not match that of the film base due to uneven development, fogging, brown negatives, etc., including the barcode area. If the film base density is not uniform like this, the frame number code does not have the same value throughout one image film, but all codes have different values, so it is difficult to read a certain frame number code. If the method fails, the value becomes completely unknown and cannot be used in the post-processing process, which is a serious drawback.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, conventionally, if the FC of the target screen that is currently being exposed and printed on the back cannot be read, it is estimated from the FC of the screen immediately before the target screen.
The FC of the target screen was determined. (For convenience, this is referred to as front FC estimation.) Alternatively, if the FC of the target screen that is about to be exposed and printed on the back side cannot be read, the FC of the target screen is estimated from the FC of the screens that can be read after the target screen. I had decided on FC. (For convenience, this is called post-FC estimation.) In the post-FC estimation method, there is no way to estimate if there is no screen behind the screen to be read. (See Figure 8 (a)) Even with the previous FC estimation method, if the screen immediately before the unreadable screen is 12A or 24A (readable screen), the screen immediately after that is estimated to be 13.25. , it cannot be determined whether to estimate it as "E". (See Figure 8(b)) Here, “E
” is currently used on film to identify the number of sheets of film in use.

With either the conventional post-FC estimation method or the pre-FC estimation method, if the screen that cannot be read is the last screen of the film and the previous FC is 12A or 24A, the screen that cannot be read is There was a problem that FC could not be estimated.

The present invention was created in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to solve the problem when the frame number code of a film with abnormal film base density due to uneven development, fogging, browning, etc. cannot be detected. The frame number code that could not be detected is correctly estimated from the detected frame number codes before and after the frame number code, without being left unattended, and the estimated and determined frame number is recorded at a predetermined position on the photographic paper or on a storage medium. An object of the present invention is to provide a photo printing device that allows an operator to easily input a frame number code.

[Structure of the invention]

The above object includes a detection means for detecting a barcode corresponding to a frame number on the original film, a determining means for determining the position of an image frame formed on the original film, and a detection means for detecting the barcode information detected by the detection means. a calculating means for calculating and assigning a frame number according to a predetermined rule to an image frame at a position determined by the determining means; a recording means for recording the frame number determined by the calculating means; and a recording means for transporting the original film. In the photographic printing apparatus, the conveyance means has a forward conveyance means for conveying the original film in the forward direction until the frame number can be determined, and a photographic printing apparatus having a forward conveyance means for conveying the original film in the forward direction until the frame number can be determined, and a photographic printing apparatus having a forward conveyance means for conveying the original film in the forward direction until the frame number can be determined, and Sometimes this is achieved by a photographic printing apparatus characterized by comprising a reverse transport means for transporting the original film in the reverse direction and returning the image frames to the exposure processing position.

Preferably, in the photographic printing apparatus, the calculation means performs a predetermined calculation on barcode information before and after detected by the detection means to estimate the frame number of the image frame, and the calculation means estimates the frame number of the image frame. The means is a photographic printing apparatus characterized in that the frame number determined by the arithmetic means is recorded at a predetermined position on photographic paper or on a storage medium.

〔Example〕

(Photographic Printing Apparatus) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a photographic printing apparatus that performs screen printing of a film.

A roll of photographic paper pulled out from a paper magazine 11 is subjected to printing of a negative image in an exposure section 12.

Immediately after the photographic paper exposure section 12, there is a frame number printing device 13 on the photographic paper, and the frame number of the film to which the printed image corresponds is read and printed on the back side of the photographic paper. The illustrated frame number printing device 13 is a 7-pin head moving type dot printer. Of course, this printing is not limited to the back side of the photographic paper, but may also be on the front edge or on the image. Note that this frame number printing can also be performed by recording frame number data on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, and printing the frame number using the storage medium using a printing device provided elsewhere. The photographic paper that has passed through the frame number printing device 13 is wound into a paper winding magazine 14.

On the other hand, a negative roll in which a plurality of negative films NF (hereinafter simply referred to as negatives) are spliced and connected is set in the negative magazine 15, and the pulled-out negative NF is stored in the accumulator 1.
6 to the negative carrier 17. Accumulation 1
6 is for absorbing the difference in the rotational speed of the negative magazine 15 that sends out the negative film NF and the feeding speed of the negative conveyance means that sends the negative NF to the exposure stage, and moves the currently accumulated amount of negative NF up and down. The position of the accumulation controller 18 is read by an optical sensor (not shown), and the conveyance of both negative NFs is controlled based on the positional relationship.In the negative carrier 17, the image frame of the negative NF is placed at the exposure position. The photographic paper in the exposure section 12 is exposed to light.

The exposed negative NF is wound onto a negative winder 20 via a second accumulator 19. The accumulation 19 is similar to the above-mentioned accumulation 16, and serves to absorb the difference between the feeding speed of the negative carrier 17 and the winding rotation speed of the negative winding 20.

Note that in the above embodiment, printing is performed by connecting multiple negative NFs by splicing, but one film
It is also possible to sequentially introduce the film into the negative carrier section 17 and process it.

The magnetic tape reading device 21 is a magnetic tape reading device that records the results of the film verification work performed before the printing process by the photographic printing device 1, and performs the exposure work using the read data. It can also be used as a recording device for transmitting frame number data read as described above to another printing device. A keyboard 22 is used for operator input, and is provided with a numeric keypad and the like.

(Negative Carrier Section) Next, the printing operation in the negative carrier section 17 will be explained. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the external appearance of the negative carrier section 17, and Fig. 3 shows the negative transport path and the negative mask section. Fig. 3(a) is a plan view, and Fig. 3(b) is a side sectional view. show. The negative NF is conveyed from the negative film introduction section 23 between a negative conveyance path 31 provided on a negative conveyance base 30 and a negative pressure bonding guide 32. Both sides of the negative transport path 31 are guide walls 31a and 31b that guide the transport of the negative NF. The negative crimping guide 32 can be opened and closed using a hinge portion 34 as a support shaft.

The negative transport path 31 and the negative pressure bonding guide 32 are provided with first and second notch detection sensors 40a and 40b, a splice detection sensor (former), a DX code detector 4281, and a frame number barcode detector 42b.

Further, 43 is a screen detection element. The first notch detection sensor 40a is used for pre-judgment, and the second notch detection sensor 40b is used in the printing exposure section 45 for positioning the screen. All of this is done by detecting the notch portion of the film edge.

DX code detector 42a, frame number barcode detector 4
2b are both placed above or below the negative transport path 31. It doesn't matter which one is in the upper position. Each of them is composed of a light source section 42'l using an LED or the like, a glass fiber 422, and a light receiving sensor 423, and are coaxially opposed to each other with the film surface sandwiched from both sides. The light source unit 421 is made to emit light, and the transmitted light from the barcode portion of the film is guided to the light receiving sensor 423 via the glass fiber 422.
The output signal obtained by photoelectrically exchanging the transmitted light is input to the amplifier. D
Regarding the X code detector 42a, due to the nature of the code, the light receiving sensor 423 is divided into two parts, each detecting the transmitted light of the clock track and the data track and inputting them to separate amplifiers. DX code detector No. 42a1-37? The y/<- code detector 42b is not limited to a type that detects transmitted light as shown in the figure, but may also be configured to detect reflected light from the film surface.

At the center of the negative transport path 31 is a transparent plate 44 through which the negative image can be seen. Further, the negative transport path 31 includes drive rollers 46a and 46b for transporting negatives, which are driven by a stepping motor 47. stepping motor 47
The motor rotates per pulse according to the pulse signal sent from the motor drive unit, and transports the film by 0.25 mm. In this film transport system, the film is not only driven toward the winding side but also driven toward the unwinding side.

The screen detector 43 is used for screen detection. Screen detector 43 is used for screen detection. It is composed of an amplifier, an A/D converter, and a single-screen detection processing section, and reads the transmitted light of the image portion of the film transported by the stepping motor 47 to detect the start and end of the image frame.

Thereby, the image frame position is determined.

The frame position of the film is determined, the screen position is determined, the film is conveyed, and in the printing exposure section 45,
The pressure solenoid 45a is activated to fix the negative position and perform baking.

(Control System) FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the control system of the photographic printing apparatus 100 described above. The control section sends a clock signal having the same frequency and wavelength to the A/D converter and stepping motor drive section of the barcode information reading system, and synchronizes the film transport speed and the sampling frequency for barcode reading.

The control system exchanges data with the screen position determination system and barcode information detection system, and temporarily stores information indicating the position of each image frame, information indicating the frame number of each image frame, etc. on the built-in RAM. do. The core number is recorded by the frame number printing device 13 on the photographic paper when each frame is exposed by the recording means.

The photographic printing apparatus of the present invention is a printing apparatus that reads the frame number of the film using a frame number barcode detector and records the frame number on photographic paper, but it is not possible to determine the frame number by reading or estimating the frame number. In this case, the film is transported without recording until it is determined, and then it is returned and recorded.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of the present invention.

First, the first frame confirmation club is set to 0, initial settings are made, and checking is started from the first image frame from the beginning of the spliced film (S-1). The stepping motor rotates forward to transport the film (
S2), 7 (Sampling (reading) of the frame number barcode is performed in synchronization with the frame transport (S-3). The read data is converted into multi-value (for example, ternary) and accurately converted into a barcode. Detection processing is performed (S-4).

Image frame detection processing is also performed at the same time (S-5).

In parallel with reading the above frame number barcode, upstream frame number estimation (S-6) and downstream frame number estimation (S-7)
) will be done.

In the upstream frame number estimation (S-6), when the frame number cannot be read, it is estimated and registered according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6(a). That is, first, check whether the frame number barcode detector can read the frame number code (S
-61). When the barcode detector reads a frame number code, calculate the number of skipped frames (previously estimated possible number) without being able to read the frame number code before that (S-62
). Convert the frame number code position information read previously (S-61) to frame number character position information (S-63)
. Compare the frame number information with the registration code and check for abnormalities.

When the skipped frame number code is 0 (S-65), the frame number and frame number position information just detected are registered in the buffer (S-68).

Also, when there is a skipped frame number code (S-65
) estimates the frame number that could not be read based on the frame number and frame number position information just detected (S-66). ) is registered in the buffer (S-67), .The frame number and frame number position information just detected are registered in the buffer (S-68).

Downstream frame number estimation (S-7)' is also performed in parallel according to the flowchart of FIG. 6(b). That is, it is checked whether the frame number code read and registered has reached the upstream end of the management area (for example, 6 frames) stored in the buffer (S-71).

When the frame number code that has been read and registered has reached the upstream end (S-71), the number of frame number codes skipped at the rear side is calculated (S-72). When there is a skipped frame number code (S-73), post-estimation (s-74) is performed based on the frame number and frame number position information at the upstream end of the management area.
, estimated frame number, estimated frame number position information, estimated mark (
The frame number (which is only found when the frame number is estimated) is registered in the buffer (S-75).

Next, check whether the image frame position and the exposure position match (S-8)L, and if they match, stop the negative conveyance (
S-9) L, confirm the frame number (S-10).

The frame number confirmation (S-10) is made using the 70-chart in FIG. 6(c). First, it is determined whether the image frame size is full size or half size (
S-101). In the case of full size, the distance between the image frame center and the frame number position is calculated (S-102). Based on the calculation, it is determined whether to record the main frame number or the sub-frame number <S-103). Also, when it is determined that it is half size (S-101), the distance between the image frame center and the frame number position for the half size screen is calculated (
S-104).

Based on the calculation, it is determined whether the frame number should be displayed with one character or two characters (S-105).

Here, a check is made to see if the frame number has been successfully determined (s-11). If the frame number is not successfully confirmed, check whether the first frame confirmation flag is 0 (whether the initial setting conditions are maintained) (S-
12) If it is held, rotate the film transport stepping motor in the forward direction s-13) and perform a frame number sample pasting trial (S-14).

Next, the stepping motor is rotated in the reverse direction to transport the film in the reverse direction (S-15), and the frame number is determined (S-15).
-16). Here, it is checked again whether the frame number has been successfully determined (S-17), and if it is not determined, a warning is issued by a buzzer, etc., or the operation is stopped (S-17).
s-18). The operator manually inputs the unconfirmed frame number (s-19).

When the frame number is successfully confirmed (S-11, S-17
), set the first frame confirmation flag to 1 and confirm that the frame number is confirmed for that film piece.
20), output the frame number to the display S-21), perform exposure processing (S-22), and record the frame number on the exposed photographic paper (S23). This means that the printing process for the ordered negative piece has been completed (s-24).

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention transports the film in the forward direction without performing photo printing until the frame number is estimated and confirmed, and then transports the film in the reverse direction after determining the frame number.
Since it has a transport means to return to the screen where the frame number could not be read, even if there is a frame number that cannot be determined even if it has a frame number estimation means, the operator can easily calculate the frame number. A photo printing device that can input the following information is now available.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a photographic printing apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a negative carrier section, and FIG. 3(a)
, (b) show the negative conveyance path and the negative mask section, FIG. 3(a) shows a plan view, and FIG. 3(b) shows a side sectional view. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the control system of the photographic printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 5, 6 (a), (b), and (c) are flowcharts of the present invention. Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the 135 film, and Figures 8 (a) and (b) are the 135 film that was read.
An explanatory diagram of the film is shown. 40... Notch detector 41... Splice detector 42a... DX code detector 42b... Frame number code detector 43... Screen detector

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A detection means for detecting a barcode corresponding to a frame number on the original film, a determining means for determining the position of an image frame formed on the original film, and a calculation for the barcode information detected by the detection means. a calculating means for assigning a frame number according to a predetermined rule to an image frame at a position determined by the determining means; a recording means for recording the frame number determined by the calculating means; and a recording means for transporting the original film. In the photographic printing apparatus, the conveying means includes a normal conveying means for conveying the original film in the forward direction until a frame number can be determined, and a photographic printing apparatus having a normal conveying means for conveying the original film in the forward direction until a frame number can be determined, and a photographic printing apparatus having a normal conveying means for conveying the original film in the forward direction until the frame number can be determined; 1. A photographic printing apparatus comprising: a reverse transport means for transporting the original film in the reverse direction and returning the image frame to an exposure processing position. (2) The photo printing according to claim 1, wherein the calculation means performs a predetermined calculation on barcode information before and after the detection means to estimate the frame number of the image frame. Device. (3) The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording means records the frame number determined by the calculating means at a predetermined position on photographic paper. (4) The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording means records the frame number determined by the calculating means on a storage medium.