JPH04310939A - Method for producing print and photographic film - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make a processing operation at a laboratory simple and high efficient. CONSTITUTION:A detector 14 is irradiated with a light beam transmitted through a bar code B recorded on a film F and an electric signal corresponding to the light quantity of the incident light beam is outputted to a conversion control part 22. Since the detector 14 is irradiated with the bar code B moved in accordance with the movement of the film F at this time, the bar code B is read. By the control part 22, the read information is converted to the magnetic information. Then, the information is magnetically recorded on the film F by controlling a magnetic head 16 through a driver 20 and actuating the head 16 while the film F is carried. Since the information required for producing a print is optically and magnetically recorded in such a way, it is easily read.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a print making method and a photographic film, and more particularly to a print making method and a photographic film in which information recorded on the film is read by a camera or the like and information is recorded based on the read information. Regarding.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, shooting information (for example, presence or absence of a strobe, distance to the subject, focus, color temperature of the subject illumination light, date at the time of shooting, and user ID information) of images captured by a camera has been stored. A method of encoding and optically recording it on the base of a negative film and a camera equipped with this method have been proposed (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-250744, JP-A No. 61-246730, and JP-A-1
-246533). Barcodes are mainly used for the above encoded information, and generally when recording this barcode optically on negative film,
A bar code is imprinted on the base by pulsed light emission of the LED array in combination with an encoder linked to the LED array and film running. Thereby, during the printing process, the recorded barcode can be read and the printing process can be performed under optimal conditions.

In addition to the method of optically recording on the base of a negative film as described above, it is also possible to coat a photographic film, particularly a negative film, with a transparent magnetic material to record information identifying the negative film and the negative film. It has been proposed to magnetically record information that identifies images printed on (
As an example, International Publi
cation Number WO90/04205
). According to this, information can be stored corresponding to each image frame, and furthermore, in a laboratory, when printing onto photographic paper, it is also possible to record the exposure amount, etc. at the time of printing for each image frame.

[0004] To record information using this magnetic recording,
A magnetic head is mounted on the camera as a recording section, and a recording circuit is provided for operating the magnetic head to record magnetic signals. In addition, during magnetic recording, signals must be recorded uniformly as the film is transported, so in order to transport the film at a constant speed, the winding motor connected to the film winding shaft must be rotated unevenly. An electric circuit such as a rotation speed control circuit is provided to prevent this from occurring. Furthermore, in the mechanical system, a mechanism is required to optimize and stabilize the area and pressure of the contact area between the magnetic head and the magnetic layer, the azimuth of the magnetic head, etc. in order to obtain stable and high output of recording and reproducing signals. This can lead to increased costs and larger cameras.

[0005] For this reason, especially in low-priced cameras, optical recording methods are used because they have a small number of parts and are easy to adjust.

[0006]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, since films recorded using two types of recording methods, magnetic recording and optical recording, are brought into the laboratory depending on the type of camera, the films are sorted according to the recording method in the laboratory. In addition, it is necessary to prepare a processing section for each of the two types of reproducing sections, a magnetic reproducing section and an optical reproducing section. This makes the processing process confusing and complicated.

[0007] In consideration of the above facts, the present invention provides a print production method and method that can record information necessary for print production as information corresponding to the laboratory processing process, thereby simplifying and increasing the efficiency of the laboratory processing process. The purpose is to provide photographic film.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the invention as set forth in claim 1 optically records information related to a photographed image on a photographic film, and also prints out the information related to the photographed image. It is characterized by magnetically recording the information necessary for production, and producing prints using either optically recorded information or magnetically recorded information.

[0009] The invention described in claim 2 is a method for creating a print according to claim 1, in which information related to a photographed image optically recorded on a photographic film is read, and information necessary for creating a print out of the read information is read. It is characterized by recording information magnetically onto photographic film.

[0010] The invention described in claim 3 is the print making method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein information related to the photographed image and information necessary for making the print are recorded in correspondence with photographed image frames. It is characterized by

[0011] The photographic film of the invention described in claim 4 is characterized in that it includes optically recorded information related to a photographed image and magnetically recorded information necessary for making a print. .

0012

[Operation] According to the invention set forth in claim 1, information related to a photographed image is optically recorded on the photographic film, and information necessary for making a print out of the information related to the photographed image is magnetically recorded. recorded. Prints are created using either the optically recorded information or the magnetically recorded information. Thereby, when creating a print, information necessary for creating the print can be read from the photographic film using either optically recorded information or magnetically recorded information. Therefore, for processing photographic film, it is sufficient to provide either an optical reading section or a magnetic reproducing section.
Processing steps are simplified and not confusing.

According to the invention described in claim 2, in the print making method according to claim 1, reading information related to a photographed image optically recorded on a photographic film;
Of the information read, the information needed to make prints is magnetically recorded onto photographic film. In this way, the information necessary for making prints is recorded magnetically, so when making prints, the information necessary for making prints is read from the photographic film by combining the information recorded optically and the information recorded magnetically. This can be done using either information. Therefore, for processing photographic film, it is sufficient to provide either an optical reading section or a magnetic reproducing section, and the processing steps can be simplified and not confused.

According to the invention described in claim 3, in the print production method according to claim 1 or 2, information related to the photographed image and information necessary for print production are recorded in correspondence with the photographed image frame. It is said that it will. In this way, the information related to the photographed image and the information necessary for making prints are recorded on the photographic film in correspondence with the photographed image frames, so when creating prints, the corresponding information is read out and the prints are created. The information of the photographed image frame necessary for this is read out. Therefore, prints can be easily created according to the photographed image frames.

According to the invention described in claim 4, the photographic film records optically recorded information related to a photographed image and magnetically recorded information necessary for making a print. . Thereby, when creating a print, the information necessary for creating the print can be read using either optically recorded information or magnetically recorded information. Therefore, for processing photographic film, it is sufficient to provide either an optical reading section or a magnetic reproducing section, and the processing steps can be simplified.

[0016]

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show an information conversion device 10 and a photo printing device 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information conversion device 10 includes a film F on which an image photographed by a camera (not shown) and information related to the photographed image recorded as a bar code using a light beam are recorded. installed in place. The information conversion device 10 includes a laser 12,
The laser 12 is located at a position where the emitted light beam can irradiate the barcode recorded on the film F. The light beam emitted from the laser 12 passes through the film F and is irradiated onto the detector 14 . Note that this detector 14 may be a photoelectric conversion element such as a photodiode that outputs the amount of incident light as an electrical signal. The detector 14 is connected to a conversion controller 2 via a detection circuit 18.
2 are connected. The detection circuit 18 performs waveform shaping and amplification on the weak signal output from the detector 12, and outputs it as a signal that can be used in the conversion control section 22. As a result, as the film F is conveyed, as the barcode moves, a signal corresponding to the amount of light beam transmitted through the bars and blanks of the barcode is sent to the conversion control unit.
2 is input. Therefore, the conversion control unit 22 can read the barcode B. Note that the conversion control unit 22 includes a memory (not shown) that stores the read barcode B as information. In addition, the conversion control unit 22 includes:
A keyboard 28 for operation is connected.

The output end of the magnetic head 16 is connected to the conversion control section 22 via a driver 20. The driver 20 drives the magnetic head 16 in response to a signal from the conversion control section 22. The head tip of the magnetic head 16 is in contact with the film F, and as the film F is conveyed, information can be magnetically recorded. Further, the film F is held between a pair of conveyance rollers 30, and the conveyance rollers 30 are connected to the motor 24. Therefore, by rotating the motor 24, the conveying roller 30 is rotated and the film F is conveyed. It should be noted that an encoder 26 is disposed on the rotating shaft of the motor 24 so that the rotation of the motor 24 can be detected. At the output end of this encoder 26, an encoder 2
The conversion control section 22 controls a motor drive section (not shown) so that the motor 24 rotates at a constant speed. Thereby, the film F is transported at a constant speed.

When the film F is taken out from the information converting device 10, it is then transported to a predetermined position in the photo printing device 50.

In the photographic printing apparatus 20, a film carrier 68 is disposed on the optical axis of a light source 64 that is irradiated during printing. The film carrier 68 is provided with a drive roller (not shown) that rotates by the driving force of a drive unit 70 connected to a control device 72, so that the film F is conveyed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. It has become. The film carrier 68 is also provided with a solenoid 52, which can clamp and press the film F to the printing position in response to a signal from the control device 72.

CMY filters 54 are interposed between the light source 64 and the film carrier 68, and are inserted on the optical axis by the amount corresponding to the exposure amount of each color. Light from the light source 64 is irradiated onto the film F via the filter 54. The light beam transmitted through the film F is irradiated onto the photographic paper 58 through the lens 56, so that an image is printed onto the photographic paper 58. In addition, photographic paper 58 and lens 5
A shutter 60 is interposed between the shutter 60 and the shutter 60, and is configured to be retracted from the optical axis during exposure in response to a signal from a control device 72.

On the upstream side of the film carrier 68 on the transport path of the film F, there is a magnetic head 62 for reading.
is installed. The output end of the magnetic head 62 is connected to the control device 7 so that the reproduced signal is input to the control device 72.
Connected to 2. This makes it possible to read information recorded by the recording magnetic head 16 of the information conversion device 10 while transporting the film F.

Next, the film F used in this example will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown in FIG.
and information related to the photographed image are recorded as barcode B. That is, on the film F, an image is photographed by a camera (not shown), and information related to the photographed image is recorded as a barcode B.

This camera is equipped with a light source for recording barcode B and a control unit that turns on the light source and transports film F at a constant speed.The width of barcode B (in the length direction of film F) is It is possible to record with a constant width regardless of the transport speed of the film F.

Here, the optical information recording/reading area used in this embodiment uses the area (information recording part) at the position where one of the perforations P of the film F is omitted, and this perforation is present. A camera (not shown) encodes information such as information indicating whether a strobe is used, information indicating the photographing light amount value (LV value), and information at the time of photographing indicating the date and time the photograph was taken on a bar. It is printed onto film F as code B. The information indicating the use of a strobe has bit correspondence depending on whether or not the strobe is used, and the information indicating the LV value is based on the L value at the time of shooting.
The V value is encoded. Further, as the information at the time of photographing, the date of photographing (the year may be added) and the time of photographing are used, and this information at the time of photographing is encoded. Note that the recorded information is not limited to the above, and for example, information as shown in Table 1 can be recorded in the area. In addition to the above-mentioned information necessary for the laboratory processing process, the user ID and distributor ID used for process management, pseudo zoom information and trimming information used to control the movement of the zoom lens of the printing device, etc. are recorded. Ru.

[0026]

[Table 1] Note that the information is not limited to the position where information is recorded on the film, for example, an information recording section may be provided between the film image frames, without perforation, and this information recording section may be recorded. May be recorded. Alternatively, a conventional film F with perforations may be used.

As described above, barcode B is code information in which a plurality of pieces of information, characters, etc. are encoded. Since this barcode B is recorded in the information recording portion of the film F as information regarding each image frame, the information recording area of each image frame is recorded within the length of one image frame (36 mm).

This film F is provided with perforations P at the end in the width direction of the film F on the side opposite to the side where the bar code B is recorded corresponding to each image frame. This perforation P corresponds to the recording start position of the barcode B. In addition, the tip of the film F has a plurality of perforations P for hooking the film F onto the claws of a sprocket (not shown) and pulling it out.
is provided.

Next, the magnetic layer provided on the film F for magnetic recording and reproduction will be explained. Film F
As shown in FIG. 4, an emulsion layer 38 is provided on the upper surface of a transparent base 36, and images are recorded by exposure. A magnetic recording layer 40 in which a transparent magnetic material is coated over the entire surface of the film F is provided on the lower surface of the transparent base 36 in FIG. In this magnetic recording layer 40, the optical transmission density is reduced by reducing the filling rate of magnetic particles included in the magnetic layer.

Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the magnetic recording reading area used in this embodiment includes the tracks S1 and S2 in the portion where the image frame 34, which is the leading edge of the film F, is not recorded. Track T1 corresponding to image frame 34
, T2. The magnetic recording layer 40 may be formed by applying the magnetic recording layer 40 along the longitudinal direction of the film F outside the image frame 34 of the film F. One perforation P is provided at the leading end of the tracks S1 and S2 and at the leading end of each of the tracks T1 and T2, corresponding to the image frame 34, respectively. Tracks S1 and S2 are areas for recording necessary information for each film F, and tracks T1 and T2 are areas for recording necessary information for each image frame 34.

Each of the recording/reading areas of the magnetic recording layer 40 is an area inputted at the time of manufacturing the film F, an area inputted by a camera for photographing, an area inputted at a distributor, etc., and an area inputted at a laboratory. and an area where the user can freely input information. When inputting information to each track of the magnetic recording layer 16, as shown in FIG. This is code information, and corresponding codes are determined based on a predetermined table. Truck S
Clock signals are recorded at the leading and trailing ends of film F, and are used to check the conveyance status of the film F, especially the conveyance speed. Also, information about the agency where the user requests development of the photographed film F, etc., is recorded. In the track S2, an input area for inputting data in the laboratory is set. A camera input area and the like are set in the track T1. A lab input area, a user input area, etc. are set in the track T2. Various pieces of information are coded and recorded in each of the above areas. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the track T1 has a total length of 36 mm, which is the same as the longitudinal dimension of the image frame 34, and a clock area 72 where a clock signal is recorded;
It is said to be 74. Next to the clock region, an STX region 76, camera input regions 78, 80, ETX region 82, and ECC region 84 are set, and the clock region 7 at the end
4 consecutively.

[0032] Also, to track S2 of the film F,
In the unphotographed state, that is, at the manufacturing stage, for example, as shown in Table 2, lot No. are coded and input in advance, and in track T1, ISO sensitivity, negative/positive, number of copies, manufacturer, and frame number. is coded and input in advance.

[0033]

[Table 2] The operation of this example will be explained below. The user brings the photographed film F to a distributor. At the distributor, the film F, which has been requested to undergo development processing, etc., is transported to the laboratory. At the laboratory, film processing such as development of the requested film F is performed. In addition, at distributors or laboratories,
Information necessary for process management, such as a user ID necessary for the distributor and the distributor ID, is optically recorded before the development process.

The film F is conveyed to the information conversion device 10 after being developed. In the information conversion device 10, a light beam emitted by a laser 12 illuminates a barcode recorded on a film F. The light beam emitted from the laser 12 passes through the film F and is irradiated onto the detector 14 . The detector 14 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the input light beam, and this electrical signal is input to the conversion control section 22 via the detection circuit 18. Here, the conversion control unit 2
2, the motor 24 is controlled to rotate at a constant speed by detecting pulses output from the encoder 26. Therefore, the conveyance roller 30 connected to the motor 24 rotates at a constant speed, and the film F is conveyed at a constant speed. At this time, as the film F moves, the barcode B moves and the position of the barcode irradiated by the laser 12 changes, so the electrical signal corresponding to the light beam transmitted through the barcode bar and blank is converted and controlled. Part 2
2 is input. Therefore, in the conversion control section 22, the barcode B is read by the electric signal inputted from the detector 14 while the film F is being conveyed.

The conversion control unit 22 extracts, selects, and stores each piece of encoded record information (see Table 1 above) from the optically read barcode B. In order to record each piece of recorded information on the film F again as magnetic information, the conversion control unit 22 selects the information necessary for the magnetic recording area, rearranges the order of the information into a predetermined order, and converts the information. (for example, for T1 and T2 above).

The conversion control section 22 also controls the magnetic head 16 via the driver 20. The head tip of the magnetic head 16 comes into contact with the magnetic recording layer 40 of the film F, and the magnetic head 16 operates while transporting the film F, thereby magnetically recording information on the film F. Since the driver 20 operates the magnetic head 16 in response to a signal from the conversion control section 22, the converted information is recorded on the film F by the magnetic head 16 as magnetic information. At this time, the film F is transported at a constant speed because the motor 24 is rotated at a constant speed by detecting the pulses output from the encoder 26 as described above. Therefore, film F
Magnetic recording information can be recorded at a constant speed.

In this way, the optical information recorded on the film F is read by the conversion control unit 22, sorted into information necessary for the magnetic recording area, recombined in a predetermined order, and converted into a code corresponding to the magnetic information. and recorded on the film F again as magnetic information. Therefore, even in the case of a film F on which optical information is recorded or a film F recorded with an inexpensive camera that can only record optical information, the optically recorded information cannot be converted to magnetically recorded information. can be recorded on film F.

When the film F is taken out from the information converting device 10, it is conveyed to the photo printing device 50 and placed at a predetermined position. The arranged film F is transferred to the film carrier 6.
8, the information recorded on the magnetic recording layer 40 by the recording magnetic head 16 of the information conversion device 10 is read by the reading magnetic head 62 during this transportation. At this time, since the data to be read is also magnetically recorded information, the data can be easily read. In the laboratory (photography laboratory), printing conditions such as exposure amount are set based on the read information, and each image frame 34 is sequentially positioned at a printing position to perform optimal printing processing. The developed film F and the photographic paper 58 processed after printing are returned to the distributor corresponding to the distributor ID, and at the distributor, they are returned to the user based on the user ID.

[0039] In this way, in the information conversion device 10,
Since the optical information recorded on the film F is converted into magnetic information and recorded magnetically, the photographic printing apparatus 50 only needs to be able to read the information unified in the magnetic recording. For this reason, in the photo printing apparatus 50, since uniform information is read from the magnetic record, it is only necessary to read the magnetic information without having two types of reading sections, an optical information reading section and a magnetic information reading section. The information reading part can be simplified.

In the above embodiment, an example was explained in which the optical information of the barcode B is read while the film F is conveyed in the information conversion device 10. However, as another embodiment, it is possible to An example in which barcodes B recorded on film F are read all at once will be explained below. Since this embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the above embodiment, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed explanation will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 8, the optical information reading section of this embodiment includes an LED array 42 as a light source and a lens 44.
, SELFOC (product name) Lens Array (SLA) 46
, a line sensor 48. The LED array 42 emits surface light, and a lens 44 and a film F are arranged in this order on the exit side of the LED array 42. As a result, the light beam emitted from the LED array 42 is focused by the lens 44 and irradiated onto the film F. An SLA 46 and a line sensor 48 are arranged in this order on the transmission side of the film F. As a result, the light beam that has passed through the film F is focused by the refractive index gradient SLA 46 and irradiated onto the line sensor 48 . Therefore, the barcode B recorded on the film F is irradiated onto the line sensor 48.

The line sensor 48 is connected to a conversion control section (not shown) via a detection circuit (not shown),
The line sensor 48 outputs an electrical signal according to the position and exposure amount of the irradiated light beam. This electrical signal is input to the conversion control section via the detection circuit. The conversion control section recognizes barcode B based on this electrical signal, similar to the above embodiment.

In this way, in this embodiment, barcode B
Since the barcode B is read all at once when the film F is stopped or in a short period of time, there is no need to transport the film F at a constant speed, and the configuration thereof is also unnecessary. Furthermore, since barcode B is read all at once, film F
There is no need to consider the travel time of the barcode B, unlike when reading the barcode B by transporting the barcode B, and the barcode B can be read in a short time.

It is also possible to increase the detection resolution by disposing a lens between the detector and the film and providing a slit in front of the detector.

[0045] In the above embodiment, a case was explained in which magnetic information was recorded and reproduced by fixing the magnetic head and transporting the film, but the present invention is not limited to this. This may be done by stopping the film and moving the magnetic head, or a combination thereof may be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the information conversion device is provided upstream of the photo printing device has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.
A separate device may be prepared as the information conversion device to perform the conversion process, or it may be incorporated into the photo printing device.

[0047]

Effects of the Invention As explained above, even when the information necessary for print production is optically recorded, this information is magnetically recorded as magnetic information, so when the print is produced, an optical reader or magnetic It is only necessary to read the information by either one of the reproducing sections, which simplifies the apparatus.Furthermore, since it is only necessary to read the information from one of the reproduction sections, processing of the photographic film can be simplified.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an information conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an information conversion device and a photo printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the film.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of each track in the magnetic recording area of the film.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the contents in each track of the magnetic recording area.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the contents of track T1 in the magnetic recording area.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an optical information reading section of an information conversion device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

F Film B Barcode P Perforation 10 Information conversion device 12 Laser 14 Detector 16 Magnetic head 22 Conversion control section 36 Transparent base 38 Emulsion layer 40 Magnetic recording layer

Claims (4)

[Claims] Claim 1: Information related to a photographed image is optically recorded on a photographic film, and information necessary for making a print out of the information related to the photographed image is magnetically recorded, and the information recorded optically is combined with the optically recorded information. A print creation method in which prints are created using either one of magnetically recorded information. 2. Print production according to claim 1, wherein information related to a photographed image optically recorded on a photographic film is read, and information necessary for print production among the read information is magnetically recorded on the photographic film. Method. 3. The print production method according to claim 1, wherein information related to the photographed image and information necessary for print production are recorded in correspondence with each photographed image frame. 4. A photographic film comprising optically recorded information related to a photographed image and magnetically recorded information necessary for making a print.