JPH03239236A - Film processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To accurately define all the frame numbers by using information on a bar code, information on the film passing direction of an original film and information on the length of film which shows the length of the original film in parallel and defining frame number information. CONSTITUTION:This processor is provided with an inspection means 17 for inspecting the output of a bar code read means 4 and examining whether read is normally performed or not and a storage means 13 for storing at least one of the outputs of the means 4. In the case of succeeding in reading one bar code 5, the frame number information is defined by using the information on the bar code, the information on the film passing direction of the original film 2 and the information on the length of the film which shows the length of the original film 2 in parallel. Thus, the frame number information is accurately defined over the entire film by accurately reading one frame number.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a film processing device, and more particularly to a film processing device that facilitates comparison between image frames on an original film and photographic paper on which the images are printed. .

[Conventional technology]

Traditionally, color prints are printed in the processing process.
Image frames recorded on an original film such as a developed negative film are printed onto photographic paper by an automatic photo printing device. In this case, the developed original film is loaded into the automatic photo printing device, the original film is conveyed and stopped at the image frame, and the printing is performed by positioning the film and photometrically measuring the image. Average transmitted density (J
Exposure control is performed using the LATD (JTD), and exposure is performed using the exposure amount obtained based on the LATD. However, it is generally known that there are scenes in which satisfactory prints cannot be obtained simply by exposing with the exposure amount obtained based on LATD, and there are some methods that can be used to produce image frames in such scenes. It is necessary to provide a correction amount for LATD.

In this regard, an operator can visually judge the image frame in advance using a negative film verification device and use the amount of correction recorded on a storage medium, such as a magnetic tape, or the operator can automatically print the image frame directly to the device. The input exposure correction amount for the image may be used, or the exposure amount or exposure correction amount determined by an automatic negative determination device (scanner) may be used. However, these determinations cannot always be made perfectly, and therefore some image frames may fail to be developed (for example, due to insufficient exposure, poor color balance, etc.). In such cases, it is necessary to reprint the film, but if similar image frames on the original film have been shot consecutively, the frames corresponding to the failed image frames can be reprinted from the original film. Finding it among the image frames of film is a very difficult task. Particularly when processing a large amount of original film by connecting a plurality of films with splice tape, reprinting each order is extremely inefficient.

On the other hand, when a customer orders a photographic film to be developed, they often also order prints for that film at the same time, and the customer is also given the original film and one print for each screen of the film. . If the customer wants to make more prints or enlarge them, the customer selects the desired screen from the above-mentioned print, compares the printed screen with the screen on the original film, and selects the desired screen using the frame number attached to the side of the screen on the original film. Specify the number and size of prints, provide the original film, and place an order for reprints.

Upon receiving this reprint order, Color Lab searches for the specified frame number among the frame numbers of the original film provided, and
The prints are made to match the number of prints and the size specified on the screen at that frame number position, and the resulting prints and the original film are delivered to the customer. You may be asked to compare the print screen with the original film screen to confirm the authenticity. Verifying the print screen with the original film screen, confirming the frame number of the original film, etc. on the customer side or color laboratory side is quite time-consuming and troublesome work.

Therefore, attempts have been made to read the frame numbers of the original film and display and record the corresponding images on printed prints. In other words, when printing the image frame onto photographic paper by reading the main number and sub-number displayed alternately at intervals of one half-size image frame on the original film and the barcode (frame number code) corresponding to these, the frame number is used.・This is realized by associating 1 with the printed photographic paper. However, the density of the unexposed portions of the original film after development may be affected by light leakage in a portion of the original film due to the precision of workmanship of the camera, cartridge, etc. or improper handling of the original film, resulting in a so-called fog condition. The code cannot be read. Since it is technically difficult to always reliably read barcode information in this way, there has been a need for a means to determine the frame number corresponding to a barcode that cannot be read.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In view of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a film processing device having means that can correctly determine all frame number information of an original film if at least one barcode of the original film can be read correctly. The purpose is

[Means to solve the problem]

The purpose is to provide a means for transporting the developed original film, a reference position detection means for detecting a certain reference position on the original film, a measuring means for measuring the transport distance from the reference position, and a means for transporting the original film. barcode reading means for reading a barcode representing information corresponding to the number; inspection means for inspecting the output of the barcode reading means to determine whether reading has been performed normally; and the barcode reading. In a film processing apparatus equipped with a storage means for storing at least one output of the means, when at least one barcode is successfully read for the original film, the barcode information and the storage means for storing the output of the original film are stored. This is achieved by a film processing apparatus characterized by comprising a frame number information determining means for determining frame number information using both film threading direction information and film length information indicating the length of the original film.

〔Example〕

In the present invention, when processing the original film, the film length information of the original film is determined in advance. To give one example of a preferred embodiment, a device upstream of the film processing process determines how many frames the original film has taken by measuring the transport distance from the leading edge of the original film to the trailing edge, and stores the film length information. The film processing apparatus according to the present invention stores the information on a cassette tape as a storage medium, and the film length information can be obtained by storing the cassette tape together with the original film and reading the film length information from the cassette tape. The film processing apparatus itself may perform the process. Furthermore, the film length may be determined by, for example, transporting the film while detecting its leading edge and trailing edge, and measuring the transport distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge. Further, the film length information may be in the form of physical length information, or may be information in the form of how many shots the film has taken.

When the leading edge of the original film being processed is detected by the film detection means, a stepping motor (pulse motor) is activated.
) or the output pulses of an encoder attached to a roller that rotates with the W image film to measure the transport distance from the beginning or a certain reference position corresponding to the beginning. Next, a 7- barcode recording information corresponding to the frame number is read by a barcode reading means.

Whether or not it has been read is checked by the inspection means, and the result determined to be correctly read is stored in the storage means in pairs with the transport distance from the reference position.

At this time, the film threading direction can be determined based on information such as the direction of the edge of the film where the barcode exists or the direction in which the start bit and stop bit, which are part of the elements constituting the barcode, are present. Alternatively, the process may be performed by limiting the film threading direction to only one direction in advance.

In this way, since the film length information and film threading direction are known, as the film is processed, when at least one frame number information is successfully read, the frame number position corresponding to the successfully read frame number information is determined. Based on the conveyance distance from the reference position and the film threading direction information, it is possible to determine the frame number information regarding the downstream side, which had previously failed to be read.

8- That is, there is a frame number that follows the frame number downstream by a barcode pitch from the frame number position, and the next frame number exists at a further l pitch downstream position. It can be assumed that In this way, the frame number information for the frame number can be determined using the pitch of the barcode.

If the film threading direction is the opposite direction, the last frame number will be E.
Therefore, based on the film length information of the film,
The number of frames taken on the film is determined, and the position where the final frame number E should appear is determined from the value of the successfully read frame number and its appearance position.

Through this operation, it is possible to estimate the frame number E, and it is possible to determine the frame number information toward the beginning of the film. Note that the frame number does not necessarily have to be determined immediately after the first frame number is successfully read, but may be done after successfully reading a plurality of predetermined frame numbers, or after the entire original film has been successfully read. This may be after the frame number has been read. Preferably, a plurality of pieces of frame number information are used, and reliable positions and frame numbers are used.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of a film processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the confirmation operation.

The original film 2 is transported, the leading edge of the original film is detected by the splice detector 21, and the control section 13 starts counting the transport distance and stores it in a storage device within the control section. At the same time or in advance, film length information stored in a storage medium (cassette recorder) is read out. Next, by detecting the notch 7 with the notch detector 1, the distance to the image frame 6 whose position has been specified is detected, and this data is stored in the storage device.

Next, the barcode information is read by the Nihar code reading sensor 4 and sent to the barcode arithmetic processing unit 17, where it is inspected and judged whether or not it has been read correctly. Therefore, the barcode calculation processing section 17 constitutes an inspection means. When it is determined that the barcode has been read correctly, the frame number indicated by the barcode is stored as a pair with the transport distance, and one of the following two operations is performed depending on the film threading direction. Be selective. That is (1)
In the case of the forward direction, frame number information from the first frame number (00) to the correctly read frame number is determined. (
2) In the case of reverse direction, from the transport distance from the leading edge of the film,
The number of frames taken on the film is determined by calculation, and frame number information from the correctly read frame number to the final frame number E is determined. Next, when the end of the film is detected, one of the following two operations is selectively performed depending on the film threading direction. That is, (1) in the case of the forward direction, the transport distance from the leading edge of the film is interpreted as approximately the entire length of the film, the number of frames taken on the film is calculated, and the number of frames after the last correctly read frame number is calculated. The frame number information up to E is determined.

(2) If it is in the opposite direction, refer to the film length information, find out how many frames were taken on the original film, and determine the frame number information from the frame number read correctly to the final frame number E. do. Next, when the end of the film is detected, one of the following two operations is selectively performed depending on the film threading direction. (1) In the case of the forward direction, find out how many frames have been taken on the film from the film length information, and determine the frame number information up to E after the last correctly read frame number. (2) In the case of reverse direction, the first frame (00
) to confirm the frame number information.

〔Effect of the invention〕

With this configuration, according to the present invention, at least one
If one frame number can be read correctly, it is possible to correctly determine the frame number information for the entire film.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of a film processing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a 70-chart of definite action. [...Notch detector 2...Original film 4...
Barcode reading sensor 5...Film barcode 6...Image frame

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A means for transporting the developed original film, a reference position detection means for detecting a certain reference position on the original film, a measuring means for measuring the transport distance from the reference position, and a frame number of the original film. barcode reading means for reading a barcode representing information corresponding to the barcode; inspection means for inspecting the output of the barcode reading means to determine whether reading has been performed normally; In a film processing device equipped with a storage means for storing at least one output, when at least one barcode is successfully read for the original film, the barcode information and the film of the original film are stored. A film processing apparatus comprising frame number information determining means for determining frame number information using both threading direction information and film length information indicating the length of the original film. (2) The film processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a memory reading means, wherein film length information of the original film stored in a storage medium in advance is read by the memory reading means and used as the film length information. . (3) The film processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information on the number of shots of the original film is used as the film length information.