JPH04350646A - Photographic film information reader and photographic film carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the size of the reader, to eliminate a mechanical operation mechanism and to securely read a bar code. CONSTITUTION:A CCD line sensor 264 is arranged in the width direction of a negative film 16 and its effective photodetection range is larger than a negative film conveyance path. Output data of respective scanning lines are from (A)th, (B)th, (C)th, and (D)th picture elements from one end of the effective photodetection range of the CCD line sensor 264. Photodetection quantities are obtained in order from the end part of the effective photodetection range of the CCD line sensor 264 and the position of a picture element when it is decided that there is the negative film is judged to be the end part of the negative film 16 and picture elements for reading the bar code are set on the basis of the position. Consequently, even when the negative film 16 snakes, the width- directional end of the negative film 16 is detected and the picture elements for bar code detection are set on the basis of the detected width-direction end, so the bar code is securely be detected.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographic film information reading device for reading information on photographic film and a photographic film carrier for sequentially positioning each image frame to a printing position.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art In a photographic printing apparatus, a negative carrier is installed at a printing position in order to sequentially position developed negative films at the printing position. The negative carrier is composed of a base and a lid that can be opened and closed with respect to the base, and the base is formed with a negative film guide path in which printing openings are provided corresponding to image frames. In the guide path, rollers that are rotationally driven by the driving force of a pulse motor are arranged near both ends of the negative film in the width direction. Further, an idle roller is attached to the lid body to form a pair with these rollers and to sandwich the negative film. Therefore, when the lid is closed and the negative film is inserted from the side of the negative carrier, the negative film can be held and conveyed along the guide path.

[0003] A detection device for detecting an image frame edge is provided on the upstream side of the printing opening in the guide path. This image frame edge detection device is
As shown in Publication No. 1329, a cold cathode tube or a halogen lamp is arranged on the back side of the guide path, and a slit hole is formed in the guide path, so that the light rays emitted from the cold cathode tube or halogen lamp are directed onto the guide path. Irradiating negative film.

[0004] Further, a light receiving sensor is provided on the lid body in correspondence with the slit hole, so that the transmitted light transmitted through the negative film is received. Based on the amount of light received by this light receiving sensor, the transmission density of the negative film is calculated. Generally, the base portion of a negative film has a high transmission density, and the transmission density within the image frame range is low. By comparing this transmission density difference with a predetermined transmission density, the boundary between the image frame and the base portion, that is, the image frame edge, is detected and positioned at the printing position.

[0005] As a result, even if the image frame pitch recorded on the negative film fluctuates due to feed error during photographing by the camera, it is possible to automatically and accurately position the image to the printing position, thereby eliminating errors caused by fixed feed. Can be done. Furthermore, since there is no need to detect the notch provided for each image frame, the configuration of the negative carrier itself becomes simple.

On the other hand, a negative film has an ID code and a frame number recorded in the form of a bar code at its widthwise end. The negative carrier is provided with a light projector and a barcode sensor for reading the barcode, separately from the image frame detection device.

[0007] In order to ensure that the barcode sensor can read the barcode, it is necessary to take into account meandering during conveyance of the negative film. For this reason, either the negative film transport path should be made as close as possible to the widthwise dimension of the negative film to prevent meandering, or the barcode sensor should be attached to a swingable frame member to follow the meandering of the negative film. It is necessary to position the barcode sensor at a predetermined distance inward from the widthwise end of the negative film. Normally, if the negative film transport path is narrowed, there is a risk that the negative film will jam, so the barcode sensor is usually made to follow the negative film.

[0008]

However, if the image frame detection device and the barcode sensor are provided separately, there are problems in that the number of parts is large and the device itself becomes large. In addition, since the mechanism for making the barcode sensor follow the meandering of the negative film is mechanical, if the movement becomes slow due to the intrusion of dust or dirt, the barcode may be read incorrectly.
It may not be possible to read it.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts, and provides a photographic film information reading device and a photographic film carrier that can be downsized, eliminate mechanical operating mechanisms, and reliably read barcodes. The purpose is to obtain.

0010

[Means for Solving the Problems] The invention as set forth in claim 1 includes a light projecting section and a light receiving section provided on both sides of a guide path for photographic film, and the light beam projected from the light projecting section is transmitted to the light receiving section. This is a photographic film information reading device that receives light and reads information on a photographic film based on the amount of received light, the light receiving section being a CCD line sensor in which pixels are arranged along the width direction of the photographic film. It is characterized in that data on the amount of light received passing through the photographic film and detection data on the barcode attached to the photographic film are obtained from the output value of this CCD line sensor.

[0011] The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the effective light receiving range of the CCD line sensor is larger than the width dimension of the guide path.

[0012] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the widthwise end of the photographic film is detected from the output value of the CCD line sensor, and the output value of the pixel inside the photographic film by a predetermined distance from the widthwise end is detected as data. It is characterized by being applied as

The invention as set forth in claim 4 is a photographic film carrier for transporting a photographic film on which image frames are continuously recorded, and for positioning each image frame sequentially to a printing position, wherein the printing position is provided with a beam of light. a base having a guide path provided with a passage opening and guiding the photographic film; an openable and closable lid body placed over the guide path of the base; A plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged along the width direction of the film and transmit the photographic film on the guide path through slit holes provided over the entire width direction of the guide path, and pixels on the lid body are arranged in the guide path. CCD line sensors arranged across the entire width direction and detecting light beams transmitted through the photographic film from the light emitting diodes; and detecting a bar code attached to the photographic film based on the output value of the CCD line sensor. and detection control means for detecting the amount of light transmitted through the photographic film.

[0014]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the CCD sensor is arranged along the width direction of the photographic film. Thereby, it is possible to obtain received light amount data not only over the range of the image frame but also over the entire width direction of the photographic film. Therefore, barcodes attached to the widthwise edges of photographic film can be read, and image frames and barcodes can be detected by a single CCD line sensor, reducing the number of parts. This allows the device itself to be made smaller.

According to the second aspect of the invention, by making the effective light receiving range of the CC line sensor equal to or larger than the width of the guide path, meandering of the photographic film can be prevented from deviating from the effective light receiving range of the CCD line sensor. do not have.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the received light amount data in the image frame range can be determined by selecting several specific locations that do not fall outside the image frame range and creating a transmission density distribution to detect the image frame edge. can do. On the other hand, the longitudinal dimension of the barcode attached to the width direction of photographic film (
Since the width of the photographic film (along the width direction) is smaller than the meandering width of the photographic film during transport, it cannot be limited to a specific location on the CCD line sensor. For this reason, first, the widthwise end of the photographic film is detected from the output data of the CCD line sensor. This can be reliably detected because there is a difference between the amount of light received when no photographic film is present and the amount of light received that passes through the photographic film base.

Next, a detected value from a pixel located a predetermined amount inside the detected end of the photographic film in the width direction is used as bar code detection data.

[0018] According to this, even if the photographic film meanderes, the widthwise end of the photographic film is detected at any time and is used as a reference, so that the bar code can be reliably read.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, a film carrier is disposed near the printing position for positioning image frames, and the photographic film is conveyed along a guide path provided on the film carrier. A printing opening is provided in the guide path, and image frames are successively positioned in this printing opening and fixed with a mask provided on the lid body, after which a printing process is performed.

A slit hole is provided on the upstream side of the printing opening of the guide path, and a plurality of light emitting diodes are provided on the back side of the guide path. For this reason, the light rays from the light emitting diode pass through the photographic film passing through the guide path.
It is detected by the D line sensor and the amount of received light can be obtained. Based on the amount of received light, it is possible to detect the barcode attached to the edge of the image frame and the widthwise end of the photographic film.

[0021] In this way, since the light emitting diode is used as a light source for the film carrier and the CCD line sensor can obtain the amount of light received over the entire width direction of the photographic film, it is possible to detect image frames and read bar codes. This can be done with a single CCD line sensor, and the device can be made compact.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 and 2 show a printer processor 10 as a photographic printer to which the present invention is applied. First, the overall configuration of this printer processor 10 will be explained.

The printer processor 10 is covered with a casing 12 on the outside. The printer processor 10 includes a work table 14 protruding from the casing 12 on the left side in FIG. A negative carrier 18 on which a negative film 16 is set is placed on the upper surface of the work table 14. The detailed configuration of the negative carrier 18 will be described later.

A light source section 36 is installed below the work table 14. The light source section 36 includes a light source 38. The light rays emitted from the light source 38 reach the negative film 16 set on the negative carrier 18 via the filter section 40 and the diffusion tube 42. The filter section 40 has three parts: C, M, and Y.
It is composed of two filters, each of which is movable on the optical axis of the light beam.

An optical system 46 is attached to an arm 44 that protrudes from the printer processor 10. Optical system 4
Reference numeral 6 includes a lens 48 and a shutter 50, and is arranged on the optical axis of the light beam. The light beam transmitted through the negative film 16 passes through a lens 48 and a shutter 50, and forms an image of the negative film 16 on a photographic paper 54 set in an exposure chamber 52.

The optical system 46 also includes a density measuring device 56, such as a CCD, for measuring the density of the negative film 16. This density measuring device 56 is connected to a controller 162, and an exposure correction value at the time of exposure is set based on data measured by the density measuring device 56 and data keyed in by the operator.

Here, the light source section 36, the optical system 46, and the exposure chamber 52 enable a printing process, and an exposure section 58 is formed.

A mounting portion 60 is provided above the arm 44. A paper magazine 64 that stores photographic paper 54 wound in layers on a reel 62 is attached to the mounting section 60 .

A roller 66 is disposed near the mounting section 60 and conveys the photographic paper 54 to the exposure chamber 52 while holding the photographic paper 54 therebetween. Further, rollers 68 are disposed near the exposure chamber 52, and the photographic paper 54 on which the image of the negative film 16 has been printed is held in the exposure chamber 52 and conveyed to a reservoir section 70 adjacent to the exposure chamber 52.

The reservoir section 70 stores photographic paper 54 that has been subjected to the printing process, and is connected to an exposure section 58 that performs the printing process, a developing section 54, and a developing section 58.
It absorbs the difference in processing time with the processor unit 72 that performs each process of fixing and washing.

Photographic paper 54 discharged from reservoir section 70
is transported to the color developing section 74 of the processor section 72 adjacent to the reservoir section 70 . The color developing section 74 is a photographic paper 54
is immersed in a developer to perform development processing. The developed photographic paper 54 is conveyed to a bleach-fixing section 76 adjacent to a color developing section 74 . The bleach-fixing section 76 performs a fixing process by immersing the photographic paper 54 in a fixing solution. The fixed photographic paper 54 is conveyed to a rinsing section 78 adjacent to a bleach-fixing section 76 . The rinsing section 78 performs a washing process by immersing the photographic paper 54 in washing water.

The photographic paper 54 that has been washed with water is sent to the rinsing section 78.
and is transported to the adjacent drying section 80. The drying section 80 wraps the photographic paper 54 around a roller and exposes it to high temperature air to dry it.

The photographic paper 54 is held between a pair of rollers 82A, and the photographic paper 54 that has been dried is discharged from the drying section 80 at a constant speed. A pair of rollers 82B are disposed above the rollers 82A, and are intermittently rotated in response to processing by a cutter section 84 disposed downstream of the drying section 80. As a result, the cutter section 84 cuts the photographic paper 54.
It is composed of a cut mark sensor 86 that detects a cut mark given to a cut mark, and a cutter 88 that cuts the photographic paper 54, cuts the photographic paper 54 image by frame, and discharges the photographic paper 54 to the outside of the casing 12 of the printer processor 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, each control is controlled by a controller 162. The controller 162 is
It is configured to include a microcomputer 164. The microcomputer 164 has a CPU 166 and a RAM 1.
68, ROM 170, input/output port 172, and buses 174 such as data buses and control buses that connect these
It is made up of.

The controller 162 is connected to a conveyance control section 176 that controls the conveyance system of the negative film 16 and photographic paper 54 in the printer processor 10, and also controls the lighting of the light source 38 in the exposure section 58 and the light path of the filter section 40. appearance, frame advance with negative carrier 18, shutter 50
An exposure control section 178 is connected to the exposure control section 178, which controls the exposure system such as opening/closing. In addition, the controller 162 also includes a drying section 80.
Detection of cut marks by the cut mark sensor 86 in the drying control section 182 that controls the drive of the fan and heater in the drying control section 182 and the cut mark sensor 86 in the cutter section 84 downstream thereof;
A cutter control unit 184 that controls cutting of the photographic paper 54 by
is connected.

FIG. 4 shows a negative carrier 18 according to this embodiment.
It is shown. This negative carrier 18 is constructed mainly of a pedestal 200 as a base and an open/close cover 202 as a lid.

A negative film transport path 204 is formed in the pedestal 200 as a guide path. A printing opening 206 is provided at the center in the longitudinal direction of the negative film transport path 204, and serves as an irradiation opening for light from a light source 38 provided in the printer processor 10.

The size of the printing opening 206 is the same as that of the full-size image frame 16A of the negative film 16. In the negative film transport path 204, transport rollers 208, 210, and 212 are provided on the upstream side (to the left in FIG. 4) and the downstream side (to the right in FIG. 4) of the printing opening 206, corresponding to the back surface (lower surface) of the negative film 16. It is arranged as follows. As shown in FIG. 5, each conveyance roller 208, 210, 21
2, 213 has a sprocket 214 attached to one axial end of its rotating shaft, and an endless timing belt 216.
It meshes with the teeth formed on the

The timing belt 216 is wound around a sprocket 214 attached to the most upstream conveyance roller 208 and a sprocket 214 attached to the rotating shaft of a pulse motor 218. The pulse motor 218 is connected to a control device 220 (see FIG. 10) via a driver 222, and is driven in steps according to a drive signal from the control device 220. Accordingly, when the pulse motor 218 rotates, each of the conveyance rollers 208, 210, 212, and 213 is driven in the same rotation direction and at the same rotation speed.

The opening/closing cover 202 has a housing-like cover main body 224 whose lower end is pivotally supported by a bar 226 fixed to the pedestal 200, and can be opened and closed with respect to the pedestal 200 around this bar 226. ing.

A through hole 228 corresponding to the burning opening 206 is provided at the bottom of the cover body 224. The cover body 224 also has an upper guide base 230 at a position corresponding to the negative film transport path 204 in the closed state.
is attached, and a negative film guide wall 232 is integrally formed so that a gap is created between the tip of the negative film guide wall 232 and the bottom surface of the negative film transport path 204. Further, this gap size is slightly larger than the wall thickness of the negative film 16 to ensure a conveyance path for the ends in the width direction of the negative film.

[0042] Also, between the guide walls 232, the conveyance rollers 208, 210, 212, and 21
3, idle rollers 234, 236, 238
and 239, and when the opening/closing cover 202 is closed, the idle rollers 234, 23
6, 238 and 239 and conveyance rollers 208, 210, 2
12 and 213 sandwich the negative film 16, so that conveyance force can be transmitted to the negative film 16.

An upper mask 240 is disposed at the center of the upper guide base 230 in the negative film transport direction, and is movable relative to the upper guide base 230 and has an opening at a position corresponding to the through hole 228. . Upper mask 240 is detachably attached to mask base 242. That is, the upper mask 240 includes one with a full-size aperture and another with a panoramic-size aperture, and these are based on the image frame size recorded on the negative film 16 (see FIG. 6) It can be exchanged accordingly.

As shown in FIG. 7, the mask base 242
Both ends in the width direction are bent so that the tip portions face each other and have a substantially U-shaped cross section, thereby forming a rail portion 244. The upper mask 24 is attached to this rail portion 244.
0, the upper mask 240 is supported by the mask base 242. Also, upper mask 24
A notch 246 is formed at the insertion tip of one type (for example, the full-size upper mask 240), and a limit switch 248 is attached to the back side of the rail portion 244 corresponding to this.

The signal line of limit switch 248 is connected to control device 220. Therefore, the contacts of the limit switch 248 are switched only when the panoramic size upper mask 240 is inserted, and the type of upper mask to be inserted can be determined by the on/off state of the limit switch 248.

[0046] The mask base 242 has a cover main body 224.
The solenoid main body 250 is supported via a shaft near the rotation center of the solenoid main body 250 when the cover main body 224 is closed. When the solenoid main body 250 is energized, the mask base 242 is attracted by magnetic force, and the upper mask 240 can be brought into close contact with the printing opening 206 of the negative film transport path 204, thereby sandwiching the negative film 16 positioned on the optical axis P. It is now possible to do so.

As shown in FIG. 8, a rectangular groove 252 is formed on the bottom surface of the negative film transport path 204 upstream of the printing opening 206, and a transparent glass plate 254 is fitted into the groove 252, which is connected to the surrounding guide surface. It is said to be the same. This groove 252
A slit hole 256 that penetrates to the back surface of the negative film transport path 204 is formed at the bottom of the negative film transport path 204 . Slit hole 25
The longitudinal direction of 6 is provided along the width direction of the negative film transport path 204. On the back side of the negative film transport path 204 corresponding to this slit hole 256, a light emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as an LED chip) 258 serving as a light projecting section is installed in the width direction of the negative film transport path 204, that is, in the width direction of the negative film 16. Multiple pieces are arranged along the

As shown in FIG. 9, this LED chip 2
58 is 2 that develops R (red) and Y (yellow) colors.
Colored LED chips 258 are arranged on the substrate 260, and the arrangement order is RYYRYYRYY...
The ratio is R:Y=1:2. This makes the luminous efficiency of each color the same.

Each LED chip 258 is connected to a common signal line 2.
62 (see FIG. 10), and a light beam emitted by a signal from the control device 220 passes through the negative film 16 that is transported along the negative film transport path 204.

The slit hole 256 corresponds to the screen detection sensor 264 provided on the upper guide base 230 of the cover body 224 when the cover body 224 is closed. Therefore, the amount of light transmitted through the negative film 16 is this C.
It is detected by the CD line sensor 264. As shown in FIG. 6, the screen detection sensor 264 detects the negative film 1.
6, and its effective light receiving range is larger than that of the negative film transport path 204. C.C.
D line sensor 264 is connected to control device 220. In the control device 220, this screen detection sensor 264
Obtain the photographic film transmission density distribution based on the output signals from four predetermined pixels within the image frame range (see the dashed line in FIG. 6), and detect the boundary between the image frame 16A and the base portion, that is, the image frame edge. do.

By the way, this CCD line sensor 264
As shown in FIG. 6, the image scanning line is within the vertical dimension (width direction of the negative film 16) of the full-size image frame 16A, and the two middle image frames are the panoramic image taken as a panoramic image. Size image frame 16B
The two images at both ends are outside the vertical dimension of the panoramic size image frame 16B. Therefore, if the detection values at the two scanning lines at both ends are detected as the base density of the negative film 16, it can be determined that the image frame 16B is of panoramic size.

[0052] This CCD line sensor 264 is capable of reading a bar code given to the negative film 16. That is, CCD line sensor 2
The barcode 265 is read by the pixel 64 corresponding to the widthwise end of the negative film 16.

By the way, since the negative film 16 may meander during transportation, it is not possible to specify the pixel at which the bar code 265 is read. Therefore, in this example,
The widthwise end of the negative film 16 is detected by the CCD line sensor 264, and the barcode is detected based on output data from pixels located a predetermined amount inside from the detected widthwise end.

The bottom surface of the negative film transport path 204 on the upstream side of the slit hole 256 is slightly deeper in the center so that it does not come into contact with the negative film 16 when the negative film 16 is transported. That is, since only both ends of the negative film 16 in the width direction are in contact with each other, the image surface is not damaged. In this deep bottom surface, two circular holes 266 and 268 are provided along the longitudinal direction at the center in the width direction of the negative film transport path 204, and the LED elements 27
0 and 272 are buried respectively. These LEDs
The elements 270 and 272 are each connected to the control device 220 and emit light in response to a signal from the control device 220.

LED element 270 near slit hole 256
is used to detect the splice tape used for joining when a plurality of negative films 16 are connected to form a roll, or the management tape affixed to each negative film 16, and is used to detect the negative film insertion in the negative film transport path 204. The LED element 272 on the opening side is used to detect the presence or absence of the negative film 16, and corresponds to a tape sensor 274 and a negative presence/absence sensor 276, respectively, which are attached to the upper guide base 230 side. The tape sensor 274 and the negative presence/absence sensor 276 are each connected to the control device 220. As shown in FIG. 11, the distance between each sensor is determined with one side of the burning opening 206 as a reference.

As shown in FIG. 10, the control device 220 includes a CPU 286, a RAM 288, a ROM 290, an input port 292, an output port 294, and a bus 296. The output port 294 is connected to the pulse motor 218 via the driver 222 and the solenoid body 250 via the driver 298, respectively.

[0057] In addition, each output port 294 has an L
The LED elements 270, 2 via the ED driver 300
72 , 280 and the substrate 260 of the LED chip 258 .

The tape sensor 27 is connected to the input port 292.
4 and a negative presence/absence sensor 276 are connected via a comparator 302 and an inversion circuit 304. The input port 292 also has two barcode sensors 282 and C
CD line sensors 264 are connected via sample and hold circuits 306 and A/D converters 308, respectively. Note that a clock signal is input to the sample hold circuit 306 and the A/D converter 308 to obtain the output timing of the detected data to the input port 292.

Furthermore, four key switches 310A, 310B, 310C, and 310D provided on the base 200 of the negative carrier 18 are connected to the input port 292. By operating this key, the stop position of the negative film 16 can be forwarded, reversed, and finely adjusted.

This control device 220 is connected to the controller 162 on the printer processor 10 side. Signals are exchanged with the controller 162 when the positioning of an image frame is completed, when the printing process is completed and the positioning of the next image frame is instructed, and when an abnormality occurs in the negative film transport system or screen detection in the negative carrier 18. There may be cases where Here, if an abnormality occurs, the printer processor 10
It is notified by an alarm (not shown) attached to the
Although the processing is stopped, the output of the abnormal signal is limited by controlling the negative carrier 18 manually, automatically, or fully automatically. It is now possible to do so.

[0061] In the case of manual operation, there is no need to notify abnormalities because the operator is near the equipment, and in the case of fully automatic operation, all abnormalities are notified and processing is stopped, which improves work efficiency. It's not appropriate from the point of view. In other words, if there is a super overexposed image, for example, automatic processing will not produce the optimal printing process, but rather than switching to manual processing each time, it is possible to It is more efficient to reheat. Therefore, in this embodiment, the control state (manual, automatic,
(fully automatic), the output form of the abnormal signal is changed accordingly.

Table 1 shows whether or not an abnormality signal is output in each control state with respect to abnormality contents. Note that a circle in the control status column indicates that an abnormal signal is output, and an x mark indicates that an abnormal signal is not output.

[0063]

[Table 1] The ROM 290 stores a program for correcting the mounting position of each sensor and the deviation of the detected value by each sensor, and is set as a correction coefficient when the negative carrier 18 is shipped. . In the installation position correction, the distance from one side of the burning opening 206 to each sensor is measured by the number of pulses of the pulse motor 218, and the error with the number of pulses stored in advance in design is corrected. In addition, the deviation in the detection value of each sensor is determined by the difference between each image detection sensor 264 so that the amount of light emitted from the LED chip 258 is detected as the same amount of light by the four screen detection sensors 264.
A correction coefficient is determined for each.

Furthermore, when the negative carrier 18 is shipped, an A/D converter 30 is installed to convert the values detected by the screen detection sensor 264 and the barcode sensor 282 into digital values.
The amount of light emitted by the corresponding LED element and LED chip is determined to match the 8 ranges.

The RAM 288 includes a screen detection sensor 264.
A map is stored that determines the transmission density of the negative film based on the data detected by. This results in
One conveyance by the pulse motor 218 (in this example,
It is possible to obtain the transmission density distribution during one transport from the center of the image frame 16A or 16B to the center of the adjacent image frame. The edges of the image frames are determined based on this transmission density distribution, and the edges of each image frame are stored in correspondence with the number of sending pulses of the pulse motor 218.

The operation of this embodiment will be explained below. first,
The normal printing process procedure will be explained.

[0067] When the process is started, the light source 38 is turned on,
The negative carrier 18 is driven to position the negative film 16. The L of the negative film 16 is determined by the density measuring device 56.
The ATD (average transmission density) is measured, an exposure correction value is set from this measurement data and data manually input by key, and the exposure amount (exposure time) is calculated to obtain optimal printing conditions.

Incidentally, the negative film 16 may contain a mixture of full-size image frames 16A and panoramic-size image frames 16B. These printing processes differ in the negative mask area, printing magnification, photographic paper mask area, and photographic paper transport amount, so pass one of them and print the same size first, then print the other size continuously. Chie-baking is more efficient. Therefore, in this embodiment, the respective baking conditions are set depending on the upper mask 240 currently loaded on the mask base 242. The type of upper mask 240 can be determined by checking the on/off state of the limit switch 248 by loading it onto the mask base 242. Therefore, control is performed so that only the type of image frame detected by the limit switch 248 is positioned, and other types of image frames are passed.

Here, of the four scanning lines of the negative carrier 18, two at both ends are panoramic size image frames 16.
Since the pixels corresponding to these two scanning lines detect the base density of the negative film 16, the , it can be determined that it is a panoramic size image frame 16B, and if the image density is detected, it can be determined that it is a full size image frame 16A. Therefore, for example, when the full-size upper mask 240 is loaded and the screen detection sensor 264 detects a panoramic-size image frame 16B, this is passed and the next full-size image frame 1 is detected.
Position 6A to the burning position. Thereby, the baking process can be performed under the same conditions, and the efficiency of the baking process is improved.

The output data of each scanning line is shown in FIG.
6, the A-th, B-th, C-th, and D-th pixels start from one end of the effective light receiving range of the CCD line sensor 264.

Next, the photographic paper 54 is transported to the exposure chamber 52 and positioned, and the shutter 50 is opened. This results in
The light beam emitted by the light source 38 passes through the filter unit 40 and the negative film 16 and reaches the exposure chamber 52, and the photographic paper 54 positioned in the exposure chamber 52 starts printing an image on the negative film 16 according to the exposure conditions. The C, M, and Y filters located on the optical axis of the light beam are moved. After the predetermined exposure time has elapsed, the shutter 50 is closed. With this, the printing process for one frame of the negative film 16 is completed. By repeating this, the printed portions of the photographic paper 54 are sequentially conveyed to the reservoir section 18.

The photographic paper 54 conveyed to the reservoir section 70 is conveyed to the color developing section 74, where it is immersed in a developer and subjected to development processing. The developed photographic paper 54 is transferred to a bleach-fixing section 76.
The image is transported to and subjected to fixing processing. Photographic paper 54 that has been fixed
is transported to the rinsing section 78 and washed with water. The photographic paper 54 that has been washed with water is conveyed to a drying section 80 and is dried.

The photographic paper 54 that has been dried is transferred to the cutter section 8.
A cut mark is detected in step 4, and each image is cut.

By the way, in the negative carrier 18, image frame positioning can be performed not only automatically but also manually.Furthermore, in the automatic mode, there is so-called automatic control in which an operator is nearby and the operator operates the printing start button. The timing of starting this printing is also determined by the control device 220 of the negative carrier 18.
There are so-called fully automatic control performed by exchanging signals with the controller 162 of the printer processor 10.
It is possible to switch between stages (manual, automatic, fully automatic).

Here, in this embodiment, depending on each control,
The output of the abnormality signal from the negative carrier 18 is restricted to prohibit unnecessary alarm notification even though the operator is nearby.

That is, as shown in Table 1, in the case of manual control, negative size abnormality (code No. 8), unexposed negative (code No. 10), fogging negative (code No.
．． 11), an abnormal signal is output only when there is a negative end abnormality (code No. 12).

In the case of fully automatic control, the abnormality in the finish is the only problem, except when the printing process can be controlled without any problems, such as poor frame spacing (Code No. 3) or frame length abnormality (Code No. 3).
o. 4), negative size abnormality (Code No. 8), leading edge abnormality (Code No. 9), unexposed negative (Code No.
．． 10) Outputs an abnormal signal when fogging negative (code No. 11) or negative end abnormality (code No. 12) occurs.

Furthermore, in the case of automatic control, an abnormality signal is output in case of any abnormality. In this way, by changing the output of the abnormality signal according to the control mode, it is possible to take advantage of the fully automatic feature without issuing unnecessary alarms even if the operator is nearby.

Furthermore, the printer processor itself stops its processing each time an unnecessary abnormality signal is output, thereby eliminating the work for error handling and improving work efficiency.

In this embodiment, the negative carrier 18 automatically positions each image frame 16A (16B) of the negative film 16 to the printing position (fully automatic).
The edge of each image frame is detected by the CCD line sensor 264, and conveyance control is performed by making the image frame edge correspond to the number of feed pulses of the pulse motor 218.

The image frame positioning procedure will be explained below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, step 400
At this point, the negative presence/absence sensor 276 determines whether or not the negative film 16 is inserted into the negative carrier 18. If the negative determination is negative, the process moves to step 402 and the LED chip 258 is turned off. If the determination is affirmative, the process moves to step 404 and the LED chip 25 is
Turn on 8. In this way, the light source is the LED chip 258
Since the light is used, it is easy to turn on and off, and the lifespan will not be shortened.

In the next step 406, the negative film 1
When it is determined that the conveyance for positioning the slit hole 2 to the printing position has started, the process moves to step 408 and the slit hole 2 is moved to the printing position.
56 and the amount of transmitted light transmitted through the negative film 16 is detected, and then A/D conversion is performed in step 410.
Each piece of data is stored in correspondence with the number of sending pulses (step 412).

This detection position is as shown in FIG.
A from one end of the effective light receiving range of the CCD line sensor 264
It is assumed that the output data is from each of the th, Bth, Cth, and Dth pixels. This position coincides with the scanning line shown in FIG.

[0084] The steps 408, 410, and 41 are repeated until it is determined in the next step 414 that the conveyance has been stopped.
2 is repeated, and when it is determined in step 414 that the conveyance has been stopped, the process proceeds to step 416, where a transmission density distribution for one conveyance is created based on the stored data. Next, in step 418, a maximum point (maximum density value) is selected from the created transmission density distribution, and the number of sending pulses PMAX corresponding to this maximum point is set. In the next step 420, the number of sending pulses PA' for the density value that is 92% of the maximum point is determined and set as a temporary edge.Next, in step 422, a predetermined number of pulses (12 pulses in this embodiment) is set from this temporary edge PA'. The minimum point (minimum density value) within the range is selected, and the number of sending pulses PMIN corresponding to this minimum point is set. In the next step 424, the position of 50% of the maximum point feed pulse PMAX and the minimum point feed pulse PMIN, that is, (PMAX
+PMIN)/2 is calculated and image frame 16A (16B
) is determined.

The image frame edge pulse PA determined in this manner applies not only to the normally exposed negative film 16 but also to the normal exposure negative film 16.
Even with respect to underexposed or overexposed negative film 16, the position is approximately constant, and detection errors can be suppressed within a range that does not impede positioning.

In the next step 426, it is determined whether or not there is a positioning instruction from the controller 262 of the printer processor 10, and if it is determined that there is an instruction,
The process moves to step 428 to read the current number of feed pulses PX, and then, in step 430, the feed amount PDRIVE is calculated from this current feed pulse PX and the number of image frame edge pulses PA (PDRIVE=PA).
-PX).

In the next step 432, the negative film is transported by the calculated transport amount PDRIVE. This conveyance is determined to be the conveyance in step 406. That is, during conveyance for positioning, the edge of the image frame 16A (16B) two frames before is detected on the upstream side.

When the predetermined image frame 16A (16B) is positioned at the printing position, a positioning completion signal is output to the controller 162 of the printer processor 10 in step 434, and in response, the printer processor 10 performs the above-mentioned process. A baking process is performed.

In the next step 436, it is determined whether or not there has been an instruction to end the burning process. If the determination is negative, the process continues and the process moves to step 400; if the determination is affirmative, the process moves to step 438. LED chip 258
Turn off the light and exit.

The above is the image frame positioning control, and in order to perform such positioning control, the detection accuracy of the CCD line sensor 264 and the mounting position accuracy from the printing position are required to be accurate. For this reason, in this embodiment, accuracy correction is performed when the negative carrier 18 is shipped. First, the procedure for adjusting the amount of light emitted by the LED chip 258 is shown in Figure 1.
The explanation will be given according to the flowchart of No. 3. LED chip 25
The amount of light emitted at step 8 is detected by the screen detection sensor 264 and A/D converted.
8, the convertible range is defined. For this reason,
In step 450, it is determined that there is no negative film 16, and in step 452, the LED chip 258 is removed.
is emitted and detected by each screen detection sensor 264 (step 454), and then in step 456,
The largest value of the maximum amount of detected light is selected.

The maximum value LMAX of the selected light amount is compared with the maximum range A/DMAX of the A/D converter 308 (step 458), and in step 460, L
The drive voltage by the LED driver 300 is controlled so that MAX = A/DMAX. As a result, the value detected by the screen detection sensor 264 is transferred to the A/D converter 30.
Data can be reliably read without departing from the dynamic range of 8. Also, LED as a light source
Since the chip 258 is used, the amount of light can be easily adjusted and the amount of light can be easily controlled.

Next, the CCD line sensor 264
Even if the same amount of light is detected in each of the two scanning lines, a slight error (deviation) will occur depending on the accuracy. If the same amount of light is detected, it is preferable that the output be the same, so it is necessary to correct this deviation. The sensor output deviation setting control procedure will be described below according to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step 500, it is determined that there is no negative film 16, and in step 502, the LED chip 258 is made to emit light and detected in each scanning line (step 504), and then in step 506, the detected Find the maximum value of each scan line. The control up to this point is the same as the LED chip light amount control, so it may be stored at the stage of selecting the maximum value.

In the next step 508, the deviations of the other three maximum output values are determined using one output maximum value as a reference, and in step 510, the deviations are stored as a correction coefficient α for each scanning line.

For example, if the pixels (sensors) corresponding to the scanning lines are SA, SB, SC, and SD, and the amount of light is expressed using the sensor SA as a reference, then (SA =
1.0), whereas the outputs of other sensors are S
Assuming that B = 0.9, SC = 0.8, and SD = 0.9, the correction coefficient for each sensor is αSA = 1.
00, αSB=1.11, αSC=1.25, αSD=
It becomes 1.11. That is, the correction coefficient α stored in step 510 is multiplied at the time when data is input from each screen detection sensor 264. According to this, A
At the time of /D conversion, an appropriate value can be applied, and a highly accurate transmission density distribution can be created.

Next, each sensor (CCD line sensor 26
4. The mounting positions of the tape sensor 274 and the negative presence/absence sensor 276) are determined based on the number of feed pulses of the pulse motor 218 and one side of the printing opening 206 at the printing position of the image frame. If there is a difference in steps, the number of sending pulses will be different from the predetermined number. Therefore, it is necessary to correct the number of sending pulses, which is predetermined in design, according to the mounting accuracy. Hereinafter, sensor attachment accuracy correction will be explained according to the flowchart of FIG. 15.

[0097] Since the position correction of each sensor is performed separately and in the same manner, here, the negative presence/absence sensor 276 is
This will be explained using an example. At step 550, it is determined whether the reference lith film 312 has been detected. This reference lithographic film 312 is a substitute for the negative film 16, and has a high density (almost transparent) part in the middle of a low density (almost transparent) part.
It is a type of photolithographic film with clear edges and opaque areas.

If it is determined that the transparent part is not detected, and if the border with the high density is detected, an affirmative determination is made in step 550,
In step 552, a predetermined amount of reference lith film 312 is conveyed. This predetermined amount burns a predetermined detection point into the opening 2.
This is the conveyance amount for positioning to the right end of 06.

When the predetermined amount of the film has been conveyed, the operator determines whether the high and low density edges match the right edge of the printing aperture, and if it is determined in step 554 that they match, the reference lith film is discharged. Operate the feed key. By operating this feed key, the process moves from step 554 to step 556, and the reference lith film 312 is
is discharged, and the process ends.

If the feed key is not operated in step 554, the process moves to step 558, where it is determined whether or not the fine adjustment key for fine adjustment has been operated.If the determination is negative, steps 554 and 558 are executed. repeat. here,
When the fine adjustment keys 310B and 310C are operated in step 558, the reference squirrel film 31 is adjusted in accordance with the key operation.
2 moves slightly, and the edge of high and low density is positioned to the right end of the printing opening 206.

In the next step 558, after fine adjustment (after one operation), the process moves to step 560, where the predetermined values after the adjustment at that time are newly updated and stored, and the process moves to step 554.

By repeating the above steps until the edge of high and low density is reliably positioned at the right end of the printing opening 206 by conveying a predetermined amount in step 552, the attachment position accuracy correction is completed.

[0103] The same processing procedure as described above can be performed for other sensors by selecting which sensor is used to perform the detection in step 550. As a result, the accurate position can be stored as the feed amount regardless of errors during sensor assembly, so the assembly work can be made rough and work efficiency is improved.

Furthermore, especially in the CCD line sensor 264, if the pixels of the four scanning lines are not parallel along the image frame edge, the image frame edge may shift significantly. However, by performing the above correction, since four pixels are apparently arranged in parallel along the image frame edge, reliable image frame edge detection is possible.

Next, the control for reading the bar code attached to the widthwise end of the negative film 16 by the CCD line sensor 264 will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step 600, a variable N is cleared, and in step 602, this variable N is incremented.

In the next step 604, the amount of light received at the Nth (initially, N=1, so this is one end) of the effective light receiving range of the CCD line sensor 264 is obtained, and the process proceeds to step 60.
In step 6, it is determined whether the amount of light received is greater than or equal to the amount of light received by the base portion of the negative film. Here, if a positive judgment is made,
Since it is determined that there is no negative, the process moves to step 602, where N is incremented one after another, and the process continues until a negative determination is made in step 606, that is, it is determined that there is a negative.

If it is determined in step 606 that there is a negative, the position of the pixel corresponding to N is at this time negative film 1.
6, and a predetermined amount (Fig. 16
The position where a and b) shown in are added (N+a and N+b)
The pixel corresponding to is set as the pixel for reading the barcode (step 608).

In the next step 610, a numerical value P corresponding to the pixel at the other end of the effective light receiving range is substituted into the variable N. That is, P is the number of pixels of the CCD line sensor.

[0110] In the next step 612, 1 is subtracted from the variable N, and the process moves to step 614, where the Nth effective light receiving range of the CCD line sensor 264 is determined (initially, since N=P, this is the other end). The amount of light received is obtained, and in step 616 it is determined whether the amount of light received is greater than or equal to the amount of light received at the base portion of the negative film. If an affirmative determination is made here, it is determined that there is no negative, so the process moves to step 612 and N
are sequentially subtracted, and a negative determination is made in step 616, that is,
Continue until it is determined that there is a negative.

If it is determined in step 616 that there is a negative, the position of the pixel corresponding to N is at this time negative film 1.
6, and a predetermined amount (Fig. 1
The position (N-a and N-b) obtained by subtracting a and b) shown in 6
) is set as the pixel for reading the barcode (step 618).

[0112] As a result, even if the negative film 16 has meandering, the widthwise end of the negative film 16 is detected, and pixels for barcode detection are set based on the detected widthwise end. Barcodes can be detected reliably.

In this embodiment, the pixels for detecting the image frame range are determined to be the A-th, B-th, C-th, and D-th pixels from one end of the effective light-receiving range of the CCD line sensor 264. It may also be the distance from the end. Further, although the data used is the output data from one pixel, the average value in the vicinity of the set pixel may be used.

[0114]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the photographic film information reading device and photographic film carrier according to the present invention can reduce the size of the device, eliminate mechanical operating mechanisms, and reliably read barcodes. It has the excellent effect of being able to

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a printer processor.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of a printer processor.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a controller of a printer processor.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the negative carrier.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a negative carrier conveyance system.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the size of image frames recorded on a negative film.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the mask base portion.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the guide path of the negative carrier.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an LED chip.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a negative carrier control device.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the burning opening and the sensor position.

FIG. 12 is an image frame positioning control flowchart.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of LED chip light emission adjustment control.

FIG. 14 is a sensor output deviation correction control flowchart.

FIG. 15 is a sensor mounting accuracy correction control flowchart.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the positions of pixels of a CCD line sensor applied as output data.

FIG. 17 is a control flowchart for barcode detection.

[Explanation of symbols]

16 Negative film 18 Negative carrier 206 Printing opening 218 Pulse motor 220 Control device 240 Upper mask 242 Mask base 246 Notch 248 Limit switch 254 Transparent glass plate 256 Slit hole 258 LED chip 264 CCD line sensor 270 LED element (for tape sensor) 272
LED element (for negative presence/absence sensor) 274
Tape sensor 276 Negative presence sensor

Claims (4)

[Claims] Claim 1: A light emitting part and a light receiving part are provided on both sides of a photographic film guide path, the light emitting part receives the light beam projected from the light emitting part, and the light beam is detected based on the amount of the received light. A photographic film information reading device for reading information on a photographic film, wherein the light receiving section is constituted by a CCD line sensor in which pixels are arranged along the width direction of the photographic film, and the output value of the CCD line sensor is used to read information on the photographic film. 1. A photographic film information reading device that obtains data on the amount of light received through the photographic film and detection data on a barcode attached to the photographic film. 2. The photographic film information reading device according to claim 1, wherein the effective light receiving range of the CCD line sensor is greater than or equal to the width of the guide path. 3. The present invention is characterized in that the width direction end of the photographic film is detected from the output value of the CCD line sensor, and the output value of the pixel inside the photographic film by a predetermined amount from the width direction end is applied as data. The photographic film information reading device according to claim 1 or 2. 4. A photographic film carrier for transporting a photographic film on which image frames are successively recorded and for sequentially positioning each image frame to a printing position, the photographic film carrier having a light beam passage opening provided at the printing position, a base provided with a guide path for guiding the film; an openable and closable lid that is placed over the guide path of the base; and a lid that is disposed upstream of the printing position of the guide path and extends along the width direction of the photographic film. A plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged and arranged to transmit photographic film on the guide path through slit holes provided over the entire width direction of the guide path, and pixels are arranged on the lid body and arranged over the entire width direction of the guide path. a CCD line sensor that detects the light beam transmitted through the photographic film from the light emitting diode; and a CCD line sensor that detects the bar code attached to the photographic film based on the output value of the CCD line sensor and detects the light transmitted through the photographic film. A photographic film carrier comprising a detection control means for detecting the amount of received light.