JPH03287160A - Method for handling photographic film - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily automatize a film acceptance and to manage a customers by providing an information recording part on the film or a cartridge housing the film and recording the user identification information. CONSTITUTION:On the surface of the cartridge 11 housing a nega film 10 the information recording part 13 to record the user identification information is provided and the information recording part 13 is constituted of a magnetic coating layer capable of performing a magnetic record. The user identification information is recorded on the information recording part 13 when a photographing is performed and at a development halding shope or a developing laboratory the name of a user and his address are registered based on the user identication information and while identifying the film with user identifica tion information the customer management is performed. Thus the film accep tance or the customer management at the development handling shop or the development laboratory can easily be performed.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a photographic film handling method, and particularly to a photographic film handling method that facilitates the handling of photographic film at the time of DP reception and printing. It is.

[Conventional technology]

When the photographic film that has been photographed is delivered to the DP agency, the DP agency writes the customer's name and other information on a DP bag, inserts the film into the bag, and sends it to the processing laboratory.

At the processing laboratory, a check tape with the same identification code is attached to the negative film and the DP bag, and after printing, the negative film and the print are compared, and the check tape with the same code as the check tape attached to the negative film is checked. Insert these into the attached DP bag. The finished printed photos are delivered to the customer along with a DP bag via a DP agent.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in the past, the film was sometimes attached to the DP.
There is a problem in that it is necessary to write the customer's name on the bag, and it takes time and effort to put it on at the reception desk.

Further, when trying to manage customers at a DP agency, a photo lab, etc., it is difficult to manage the customers because it requires a lot of manpower to determine the names of the customers and the number of requests.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a photographic film handling method that facilitates film reception and customer management at DP distributors and photofinishing facilities.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a photographic film or a cartridge storing the same with an information recording section,
When shooting, record the user identification information in the information recording section, and
The name and address of the user are registered at the P distributor or photofinishing laboratory based on the user identification information, and the film is identified and customer management is performed using this user identification information.

In another invention, an information recording section is provided in a photographic film or a cartridge storing the same, and user identification information is recorded in the information recording section at the time of photographing or receiving a print, and the user identification information is recorded at a DP agency or a photo processing facility. Then, the user's name, address, etc. are registered based on the user identification information, and when the photographic film is accepted for DP, the user identification information is read, and the user information such as the user's name is printed on the DP bag based on this. Photographic film is handled using printed DP bags.

[Effect]

When photographing, a user identification code is recorded by the camera on the information recording section of the film or the cartridge containing the film. When the DP receiver is attached, this user identification code is read, and based on this, the user's name and the like are written on the DP bag using, for example, a printer. Additionally, customer management is performed using the read user identification information.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing each process of the method of the present invention, which can be roughly divided into the photographing process, the reception process, and the D
It consists of a P treatment step.

In the photographing process, the camera shown in FIG. 2 photographs and records user identification information, and the photographed film is taken out of the camera and submitted to a DP agent. In FIG. 2, a cartridge 1 for storing a negative film 10 is shown.
1 is provided with an information recording section 13 for recording user identification information. This information recording section 13 is
It is formed of a magnetic coating layer that allows magnetic recording.

When you operate the camera release button 15 when shooting,
A shutter 17 is opened via a controller 16, and an image of the main subject is recorded on a negative film 10 via a photographic lens 18. At this time, as is well known, the AE mechanism 20 operates to determine the aperture value and shutter speed of the diaphragm 21 so as to provide the optimum exposure amount according to the brightness of the subject, and sends these to the controller 16. The controller 16 adjusts the aperture 21 and shutter 17 based on this. Further, as is well known, the AF mechanism 22 is operated to adjust the focus of the photographic lens 18.

When a predetermined number of frames have been photographed, the photographed negative film 10 is wound up and stored in the cartridge 11. When the film is wound and stored, user identification information is recorded in the information recording section 13 of the cartridge 11. As the user identification information, an ID code consisting of a number using alphanumeric characters is used.

This user identification information is input using the input key 23 and stored in the ID memory 25, and is read from the ID memory 25 when writing user information. For user identification information, instead of using an ID code, the user's name is written in hiragana.

You can also use katakana, kanji, or even romaji. It is also possible to update user identification information.
23.

The signal generator 26 reads user identification information from the ID memory 25, converts it into a magnetic recording signal, and sends this to the magnetic recording mechanism 27. The magnetic recording mechanism 27 scans the magnetic recording head 27A over the information recording section 13 in two-dimensional directions to record data of the user identification code.

In addition, the signal generator 26 receives a luminance signal from the AE mechanism 20 and a main subject distance signal from the AF mechanism 22 as photographing information via the controller 16, and records this in the information recording section 13. This record may be recorded all at once after the shooting is completed in the same way as user information, or
It may also be recorded every time each frame is photographed. Further, when recording each frame, instead of the information recording section 13 provided on the cartridge 11, the information may be recorded optically or magnetically on information recording sections provided on both side edges of the film.

In addition to signals from the AE mechanism 20 and AF mechanism 22,
Other photographic information can also be recorded using the input key 23. Photography information includes, for example, zoom magnification,
There are settings such as the aspect ratio and the size of the main subject. Methods for inputting these various types of photographic information, recording methods on photographic film, etc., and methods for using the information in the printing process are explained in the following publications. For example, when taking a picture, there are devices that record data such as the date, time, shutter speed, aperture value, etc.
214923, JP 63-188644, JP 64-6933, JP 63-201645, JP 49-
No. 74019, No. 55-101932, No. 54-21
There are No. 15 etc. In addition, as a device for recording information on illumination light at the time of photographing, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 51417632 and 52
-1333, No. 52-30429, etc., and JP-A No. 63-298 for recording trimming information.
There are No. 233, No. 64-21432, etc.

Furthermore, for imprinting characters such as the photographer and the type of subject, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Nos. 50-30517 and 55-1019
No. 32, No. 54-2115, etc. Furthermore, regarding manual methods of photographing information other than the above, methods of recording it on photographic film, etc., and methods of using it in the printing process, please refer to Japanese Patent Application No. 1-173571, filed by the applicant.
-176415, 1-191765, 1-20
No. 8837, No. 1-208837, No. 1-22859
0, No. 1243150, No. 1-268523, etc., and will be briefly explained here.

First, when using zoom magnification information, the camera side takes a picture by changing only the zoom magnification of the finder without changing the photographing magnification of the photographing lens, and records the zoom magnification information at this time. Then, when creating a print, the trimming magnification is determined from this information. At this time, the zoom magnification may be continuously variable or may be switched in several stages. Furthermore, when using aspect ratio information, the camera side takes a picture by changing only the aspect ratio of the finder frame without changing the photographing range, and records the aspect ratio information at this time. Then, when printing, the trigging range is determined from this information. Further, when using the size information of the main subject, the camera side specifies the size of the main subject such as a person so that it will be a certain size on the print.

Then, when creating a print, the trimming magnification is determined from this information. Note that when shooting multiple frames in succession, specify the size above for only the first frame, and add corresponding information to the other frames.
A series of prints can all have the main subject, such as a person, of the same size.

In the reception processing step, the cartridge 11 containing the photographed film 10 is received, set in the information reader/writer 30 shown in FIG.
The user identification information is read out by the magnetic recording/reproducing head 31. The magnetic recording/reproducing head 31 includes a head scanning section 3
2 scans the information recording section 13 of the cartridge 11 in a two-dimensional direction. The weak signal from the three magnetic recording/reproducing heads is amplified by an amplifier in the signal converter 33 and then converted into user identification information data.

These head scanning section 32 and signal converter 33 are controlled by a controller 34. The user identification information data from the signal converter 33 is transmitted to this information reader/writer 3.
The information is sent to a customer management computer 35 connected to 0. In the memory 36 of this computer 35, the user's address 9, name, telephone number, etc. are recorded in advance for each user identification code, and the computer 35 stores the data that needs to be written in the DP bag 37 according to the user identification code. For example, the user searches for the name and telephone number, sends these data to the printer 38, and prints the name, telephone number, etc. in a predetermined field on the 02 bag 37. In addition, after reading this user information, the customer management computer 35
records agency identification information in the information recording section 13 of the cartridge 11. This agent identification information can be found on the keyboard 39.
is stored in advance in the memory 36 by the operation. After reading the user identification information, the information is additionally recorded in the information recording section 13 by the recording/reproducing head 31 via the signal converter 40. This agency identification information is used for customer management of the agency at the photo lab. Further, the customer management computer 35 records the request date, print type, number of prints, etc. in the corresponding area of the memory 36 based on the user identification information, and performs customer management such as print processing management based on this. For example, the number of print requests and their contents are totaled on a daily basis, and the results are displayed on the display device 41 or printed on the printer 38 for customer management.

The DP processing step is performed in a photo lab. At the photo lab, 02
Take out the negative film 10 from the bag 37, and at this time,
Check tape is attached to the two bags 37 and the negative film 10. As is well known, the check tape has ID codes of consecutive numbers printed on it, and in the case of this example,
Two sets of check tapes with the same reference numerals are used.

Then, one of the two check tapes is attached to the negative film 10 side, and the other is attached to the 02 bag 37. The negative film 10 with the check tape pasted thereon is then subjected to DP processing in the same manner as in the prior art, and the finished print and the negative film 10 are compared with each other with reference to the screen. The printed negative film 10 is cut into negative pieces every six frames and inserted into a negative sheet. Then, the negative film 10 and the 02 bag 37 are checked using the check tape attached, and the negative film 10 and the print are inserted into the corresponding DP bag. The negative film 10 and printed photographs after DP processing are delivered to the customer via the DP agent.

Next, instead of the above embodiment in which a printed negative film is inserted into a negative sheet, another embodiment will be described in which the negative film is housed in a cartridge as shown in FIG. Note that in this embodiment, the photographing process and the reception processing process are the same as those in the above embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted, and only the DP processing process will be described.

First, the cartridge is removed from the DP bag, set in a well-known autopress splicer (a preprocessing machine for film splicing), and only the leading edge of the photographed negative film is pulled out from the cartridge.

After this, the negative film pulled out and the car 1
- Attach the check tape to the ridge and the DP bag. In this case, the check tape used is 3-luck because it needs to be attached to the above three items. After that, the negative film 10
and cartridge 11, and negative film 10.
After being completely pulled out from the cartridge 11, the negative films 10 are cut, and the cut negative films 10 are connected to each other to form a long negative film, which is then wound into a roll.

Next, empty cartridge 1 after the negative film bonding process.
1 is an information reader/writer 3 used at the DP agency.
It is set in a device with the same configuration as 0 and reads user identification information and photographing information. Then, the read user identification information and the ID code number of the check tape attached to the cartridge are associated and recorded in the memory of the customer management computer. This computer has user identification information and the corresponding customer name in advance.

Address, phone number, etc. are registered. In the same way,
Distributor identification information, name, address, telephone number, etc. are registered. The customer management computer stores user identification information in the same way as the customer management computer 35 at the DP agency described above.

Customer management is performed based on various data such as agent identification information and the number of prints in the printing process.

Further, the photographing information is sent online or via an LSI card to a negative verification machine or an auto printer, and is used to set printing exposure conditions at the time of printing.

When recording photographic information on an LSI card, an LSI card writer is connected to the customer management computer.

The roll-shaped negative film made into a long length through the splicing process is subjected to DP processing using a well-known cine-type film developing machine, a negative verification machine, and a cine-type printer to be described later.

FIG. 5 shows a cine printer. In this Figure 5,
Long photographed negative film wound into a roll 5
0, the reel is fixed to the shaft 51, and the feed roller pair 52
The film is then sent to the film carrier 54. During this film transport, for example, the leading edge of each frame of the negative film 50 is detected by the edge sensor 55, and each frame is set at a print position based on this detection signal.

The white light emitted from the light source 56 is filtered through a cyan filter 57.
．． After passing through a magenta filter and a yellow filter 59, it enters a kissing box 60. The amount of insertion of these color correction filters 57 to 59 into the optical path 62 is adjusted by a filter adjustment section 61, thereby adjusting the trichromatic light components of the printing light and their intensity. The double kissing box 60 is a rectangular cylinder whose inner surface is a mirror surface, with diffuser plates attached to both ends. ξKishifugu box 60
The transmitted light illuminates the frames of the negative film 50 in the film carrier 54.

Further, a printing lens 65 consisting of a zoom lens is arranged above the printing position, and forms an image of each frame of the negative film 50 on a color paper 66. The printing magnification of the printing lens 65 is changed by a lens driving section 67. In addition, the code|symbol 6B shows a paper mask. A shank 70 is provided between the printed lens 65 and the color paper 66.
is arranged, and is configured to be evacuated from the reprinting optical path 62 for a predetermined period of time by the shutter drive section 71.

Also, diagonally above the printing position, a scanner 76 consisting of a lens 74 and an image area sensor 75 is provided.
is placed at the printing position, and the transmitted light at each point of the frame set at the printing position is measured.

The signal from the scanner 76 is sent to a signal processing circuit 77, where it is subjected to logarithmic conversion and digital conversion, and then the density signal at each point is sent to an exposure calculation section 78. The exposure calculation unit 78 calculates the optimum exposure using an exposure calculation formula based on the density signal of each point, the photographing information, the negative verification data, etc., and sends it to the controller 80.

The controller 80 is constituted by a well-known microcomputer. Connected to this controller 80 are a keyboard 81 for setting various control modes, inputting various data, and control, and a display 82 for displaying these data and modes. Then, the controller 80 temporarily stores the photographing information and user identification information manually entered online in the memory 83, and stores the photographing information and negative verification data corresponding to the negative film 50 set in the film carrier 54 based on the user identification information. , and sent to the exposure amount calculation unit 78. Further, the controller 80 calculates the exposure amount from the exposure amount calculation section 78 and the color filters 57 to 59.
Find the filter set position from the relationship with the set position of
This set position signal is output to the filter adjustment section 61,
The light quality is adjusted and the shutter 70 is controlled via the shutter drive section 71. Further, the controller 80 changes the magnification of the printing lens 65 via the lens driving section 67 when photographing information data such as the trimming magnification is input manually. As a result, each frame of the negative film 50 is displayed on the color paper 6 based on the negative verification data and the photographing information data.
6 is sequentially printed and exposed. The printed and exposed color paper 66 is wound onto a reel. Also, on the back side of the color paper 66, each frame has a
The frame number and user identification information are printed by the print printer 84. By printing this user identification information, when comparing a printed photograph and a negative film, it is possible to compare them based on the printed user identification information without referring to each screen. As for the user identification information to be printed, the ID number may be printed as is, or the code of the check tape, the user's name, etc. may be printed in addition to the ID number.

7 8 The controller 80 also writes print information into the memory 83 using the user identification information as address data. Print information includes print date and printer ID.
Negative verification machine ID used for code and other print etiquette
There are codes, printing conditions, etc. Printing conditions include exposure time for each frame, film set position, print magnification, and the like. In this way, the written print information is stored in the memory 36 of the customer management computer 35.
The information is stored based on the user identification information and used to determine conditions for reprinting.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the cartridge 87 that winds up and stores the printed film 86 will be described. This cartridge 87 is different from conventional cartridges in that a negative film 88 is attached to the outer periphery of the spool 88.
6, a guide plate 91 for guiding the leading edge of the negative film 86 from the film opening 90 of the cartridge 87 to the portion where the locking pawl 89 is formed; and The photographic information recording section 92 is provided on the circumferential surface of the main body 87A.

The guide plate 91 is made of a synthetic resin or a metal piece, and the leading end of the film is pressed against the spool 88 by means of biasing means based on their spring properties. As a result, the perforation 86A is reliably locked to the locking pawl 89, and thereafter is wound onto the spool 88 by rotation of the spool 88. Note that the tip of the guide plate 91 is formed to have a narrow width so as to press only the perforation forming portion of the negative film 86, so as not to damage the image recording portion of the film. Further, the biasing means may be composed of a coil spring, a plate spring, or the like, in addition to the springiness of the guide plate 91 itself.

Further, a telescope 93 for protecting the film is attached to the film entrance/exit 90. Further, reference numerals 87B and 87C in the figure indicate lids that are fitted into openings at both ends of the cartridge main body 87A. Note that instead of forming the cartridge 87 in a cylindrical shape, it may be formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape or a polygonal cylinder shape.Furthermore, a half box member in which the cartridge body and the lid are integrally molded from synthetic resin is provided, and these can be assembled. They may be joined to form a cartridge.

The printed negative film 86 is transferred to the cartridge 8.
7, the spool 88 is rotated by the winding device 94, and in this state, the leading end of the film is held between the guide members 95 and the film is rolled up and stored in the guide member 95.
Insert into the film entrance/exit port 90. After inserting the guide member 95, the film grip of the guide member 95 is loosened and the negative film 86 is inserted into the cartridge 87. This film insertion is performed by meshing a film feeding sprocket 96 within the perforation 86A and rotating this sprocket 96.

When the leading edge of the film reaches the circumferential surface of the spool 88 by the guide plate 91, the locking claw 89 locks on the perforation 86A, so that the negative film 86 is thereafter wound into the cartridge 87 by rotation of the spool 88.

The winding device 94 includes a motor 97 and a locking claw portion 99 attached to the shaft of the motor 97 via a friction clutch 98. The locking claw portion 99 locks into a locking piece 88A formed at the shaft end of the spool 88 to rotate the spool 88.

Then, one order of negative film 86 is placed on spool 8.
8, the splice tape connecting portion is detected, and based on this, the negative film 86 is cut off for each order and stored in the cartridge 87. At this time, winding is completed with the end of the negative film 86 slightly protruding from the cartridge 87.

In the case of the cartridge 87, the end of the negative film 86 is simply locked in the locking claw 89 and wound around the spool 88, so if you simply pull it out for reprinting, the end of the film will be removed from the cartridge 87. The film cartridge 8 has been removed and the film has been reprinted.
7 becomes impossible to store. For this purpose, an end mark consisting of a hole or the like representing the end is formed near the end of the film, and this is detected by an optical sensor placed on the printer side, and this detection signal stops the removal of the film from the cartridge 87. do. Furthermore, a locking notch is formed on the side edge near the end of the film, and when the end of the film is reached, a locking piece provided at the film entrance of the cartridge is locked with this notch, allowing the film to be pulled out. may be stopped.

Identification information of the user, the DPP shop 2, and the photofinishing laboratory are recorded in the information recording section 92 of the cartridge 87 containing the printed film. Furthermore, if the information recording section 92 has sufficient storage capacity, photographing information, print information, etc. may be recorded. In this way, by recording each identification information on the cartridge, it is possible to easily search for the owner of the negative film, printing conditions, etc., even if only the cartridge is received or handed over. can be easily done. Note that if the capacity of the information recording section 92 is low and it is not possible to record shooting information or print information, the memory of the customer management computer can be searched based on the user identification information to record the shooting information for the corresponding film. Information and print information can be obtained.

The user identification information is recorded in the information recording section 92 using the same device as the information reader/writer 30.

Alternatively, a dedicated writer may be used for recording.

In the above embodiment, the printed negative film 86
Although the case has been described in which the negative film is stored in a new dedicated cartridge 87, instead of this, the negative film may be stored in the original cartridge. In this case,
The film re-insertable cartridge 87 may be used when providing unshot film.

Furthermore, instead of using a re-insertable cartridge, it is also possible to use a cartridge 102 in which one end of a film 101 is fixed to a spool 100, as shown in FIG. In this case, as a matter of course, the information recording section 103 is provided on the surface of the cartridge 102. Then, in the DP processing section, the film 101 is pulled out from the cartridge 102 using the tip extraction fitting 104 while one end of the film is fixed to the cartridge 102 side, and the negative film 101 with the cartridge is developed using a hanging type developing machine. Similarly, printing may be performed with one end attached to the cartridge 102, and after printing, the negative film 101 may be wound up into the original cartridge 102 by the winding machine 105. In the case of this embodiment, there is no need to separate the negative film from the cartridge, so there is an advantage that there is no need to use the check tape.

In addition, in the above embodiment, when requesting simultaneous printing, it is done through the distributor, but in addition to this, when providing the film, an envelope for mailing or shipping the film after shooting is included in the film package. It is also possible to enclose the film and send the film directly to the processing laboratory using this envelope after photographing is completed. In this case, as shown in Figure 9,
By registering user identification information in advance at the photo lab,
It is sufficient to simply put the film in an envelope and send it, and by reading the user identification information in the information recording section of the cartridge, the person requesting the DP processing of the film can be identified, which simplifies the DP request. Then, based on the user identification information, the client's address, name, etc. are automatically printed on a delivery envelope, the finished print and negative film are placed in the envelope, and the envelope is returned to the client.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, films and the like may be collected and delivered using a film reception machine and a delivery machine, without using mailing or delivery means. In this case, the DPP machine has a keyboard for inputting the details of the request, and a receiver for reading the user identification information of the received cartridge and for recording the date and time of reception, reception machine number, etc. in the information recording section. An information reader/writer and a ticket issuing machine for issuing reception tickets are provided. Then, the reception ticket is printed with the reception number, reception date and time, reception machine number, type of requested processing, etc., and data indicating the printed contents is magnetically recorded on the magnetic recording section on the back of the reception ticket. Furthermore, by recording the magnetically recorded data on the reception ticket in the information recording section, 5 6 times can be read simultaneously when reading the user information, making the handling easier.

In addition, instead of recording the reception data in the information recording section, the LS
It may also be recorded on other recording media such as an I-card.

After receiving the DP, the client is identified at the photofinishing laboratory based on the user identification information in the information recording section. Thereafter, the film is subjected to DP processing, and the negative film and print are inserted into a DP bag, which is then set on a transfer machine. Additionally, customer management is performed using user identification information.

The delivery machine reads the reception information from the reception field inserted through the ticket insertion slot, and based on this reads the DP bag containing the corresponding negative film and prints to the discharge slot. In this case, the charge receiver is provided with a collecting device, and the DP bag is discharged when the designated charge is paid. Moreover, instead of paying the fee in cash, a prepaid card can also be used.

In addition to receiving the item using a delivery machine, the item may be sent directly to the customer by mail or by delivery means, or may be delivered via an agency near the customer.

Further, when an ID code is used as the user identification information, the ID code may be used as a password when receiving finished printed photographs and the like.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the user identification information is recorded in the information recording section, but in addition to this, the film identification code can also be recorded in the information recording section at the time of film manufacture. Further, by using the film identification code together with the user identification information to identify the negative film, more reliable film identification becomes possible.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, in the present invention, the film or the cartridge storing the film is provided with an information recording section, and user identification information is recorded therein, thereby facilitating automation of film reception and customer management. It is easy to carry out.Furthermore, it becomes easy to handle the film after it is received, and efficient DP processing can be performed.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing each step of the film handling method of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a camera used in the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the information reader/writer. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating another method of handling film. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an autoprinter used in the autoprint process shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which a negative film is inserted into the cartridge. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the same. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing another film handling method. Figures 9 and 10 are flowcharts illustrating another method of handling film. 10.50, 86.101... Negative film 11.8
7,102...Cartridge 13.92,103...
・Information recording department. 9 Figure Figure P reception machine

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) An information recording section is provided on the photographic film or the cartridge that stores it, and user identification information is recorded in the information recording section at the time of shooting, and the user's name and name are recorded at the DP agency or photofinishing laboratory based on the user identification information. A photographic film handling method characterized by registering an address, etc., identifying the film using this user identification information, and performing customer management. (2) An information recording section is provided on the photographic film or the cartridge that stores it, and user identification information is recorded in the information recording section at the time of shooting or receiving prints, and the user identification information is recorded at the DP agency or photofinishing laboratory. The user's name, address, etc. are registered based on the information, and when the photographic film is accepted for DP, the user identification information is read, and based on this, the user information such as the user's name is printed on the DP bag, and the printed DP bag is A photographic film handling method characterized by handling photographic film using.