JPH05142661A - Method for positioning image frame - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To accurately position an image frame even by the feed of a fixed quantity even though the faulty positioning of the image frame whose edge is not detected by an image frame detecting device occurs. CONSTITUTION:When transmission density distribution is abnormal, the edge of the frame is not detected. Then, in order to position the image frame by the feed of the fixed quantity, the mean value of the length of the image frame is calculated by adding the length L1n of the respective image frames whose number is (n) from the first image frame which is automatically detected and dividing it by the number of the frames (n), and the mean value of the space between the image frames is calculated by adding the space L2n between the image frames which is automatically detected and dividing it by the number of the frames (n-1). Since the carrying quantity for the feed of the fixed quantity is set based on the sum of the mean value of the size L1 of the normal image frames 16A(OK) before the image frame 16A which can not be detected in a carrying direction and the mean value of the size L2 of the space between the normal image frames even in the case that the image frame is not detected, the accurate positioning is executed by fitting a tendency peculiar to a processed negative film 16 in comparison with the previously set carrying quantity on standard.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention detects an image frame edge on a photographic film based on the amount of light transmitted through a photographic film conveyed on a guide path, and positions the detected image frame edge at a predetermined position. An image frame positioning method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a photographic printing apparatus, a negative carrier is installed at the printing position in order to sequentially position the developed negative film 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 negative film guide path having a printing opening corresponding to an image frame is formed in the base. Rollers, which are driven to rotate by the driving force of a pulse motor, are arranged in the guide path in the vicinity of both ends in the width direction of the negative film. Further, an idle roller for sandwiching the negative film is attached to the lid body so as to be paired with these rollers. Therefore, when the lid is closed and the negative film is inserted from the side of the negative carrier, the negative film can be sandwiched and conveyed along the guide path.

A detection device for detecting an image frame edge is provided upstream of the printing opening in the guide path. This image frame edge detecting device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 11329, 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 beam emitted from the cold cathode tube or the halogen lamp is on the guide path. Irradiating the negative film.

Further, a light receiving sensor is provided in the lid body corresponding to the slit hole so that the transmitted light transmitted through the negative film is received. The transmission density of the negative film is calculated based on the amount of received light detected by this light receiving sensor. In general, the base film of a negative film has a low transmission density, and the transmission density is high within the image frame range.
By comparing the 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 the image frame is positioned at the printing position.

As a result, even if the image frame pitch recorded on the negative film fluctuates due to the feed error during photographing by the camera, the image frame pitch can be automatically and accurately positioned at the printing position, and the error due to the fixed amount feed can be eliminated. You can Furthermore, since it is not necessary to detect the notch provided for each image frame, the structure of the negative carrier itself becomes simple.

By the way, in this positioning control, when the front edge of an image frame is located at a normal position from the image frame one frame before, the front edge is usually used as a positioning reference. If it is not in the normal position, it is detected whether the rear edge of the image frame is in the normal position from the image frame one frame before, and if the rear edge is in the normal position, the rear edge is set. It is based. When it is determined that none of them is normal, the fixed amount feeding is performed from the positioning state one frame before.

[0007]

However, the relative positions of the image frame one frame before and the image frame to be positioned are not always correct when performing the fixed amount feeding. Therefore, positioning may not be performed correctly. Further, if the constant amount feeding continues, an error may be added, and the positioning position may be further misaligned.

In consideration of the above facts, the present invention can provide an image frame positioning method that can perform accurate positioning even if a fixed amount of defective image frames whose edges cannot be detected by the image frame detection apparatus is fed. Is the purpose.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image frame detecting device for detecting an image frame edge on a photographic film on the basis of an amount of light transmitted through a photographic film conveyed on a guide path. An image frame positioning method for positioning a detected image frame edge at a predetermined position, wherein when there is a defective image frame for which the image frame edge cannot be detected by the image frame detection device, an image is formed before the defective image frame. Positioning is performed by transporting a predetermined amount obtained based on the recording tendency of normal image frames detected by the frame detection device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the predetermined amount is the dimension in the transport direction of the normal image frame that can be detected before the defective image frame whose edge cannot be detected by the image frame detection device. The feature is that it is the sum of the average value and the average value of the dimensions between detected normal image frames.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the defective image frame whose edge cannot be detected by the image frame detecting device is the leading frame, the reference amount is set in advance.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the defective image frame is positioned by feeding the predetermined amount, the predetermined amount is determined according to the recording tendency of the normal image frame. That is, the image frames of the photographic film taken by the same camera often have a constant amount of deviation even if they deviate from the standard image frame pitch, and if this amount of deviation is known, accurate positioning can be performed. ..

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the predetermined amount is obtained, the average value of the conveyance direction dimensions of the normal image frames detected by the image frame detection device before the defective image frame and the normal value are detected. Since it is the sum of the average value of the dimensions between image frames, the tendency of the image frames recorded on the photographic film being processed can be grasped more accurately, so a more accurate predetermined amount can be obtained, and the predetermined amount can be obtained. Correct positioning can be performed even during transportation.

According to the third aspect of the invention, when the defective image frame whose edge cannot be detected by the image frame detecting device is the leading frame, the tendency of the photographic film cannot be grasped. Therefore, by setting a predetermined reference amount as a predetermined amount, an error does not occur and complexity of error processing is eliminated.

[0015]

1 and 2, there is shown a printer processor 10 as a photographic printer to which the present invention is applied. First, the overall configuration of the printer processor 10 will be described.

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 unit 36 is installed below the work table 14. The light source unit 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 unit 40 has three of C, M, and Y.
It is composed of a single filter, and each filter is capable of appearing and disappearing on the optical axis of the light beam.

An optical system 46 is attached to the arm 44 protruding 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 ray that has passed through the negative film 16 passes through the lens 48 and the shutter 50, and forms an image of the negative film 16 on the printing paper 54 set in the 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. The density measuring device 56 is connected to the controller 162, and an exposure correction value at the time of exposure is set based on the data measured by the density measuring device 56 and the 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 to form an exposure section 58.

A mounting portion 60 is provided above the arm 44. The mounting portion 60 is adapted to be mounted with a paper magazine 64 in which the photographic printing paper 54 is wound around the reel 62 in a layered manner and accommodated.

A roller 66 is arranged in the vicinity of the mounting portion 60, and the photographic printing paper 54 is nipped and conveyed to the exposure chamber 52.
Further, a roller 68 is arranged in the vicinity of the exposure chamber 52, and holds the photographic printing paper 54 on which the image of the negative film 16 is printed in the exposure chamber 52, and conveys the photographic paper 54 to the reservoir unit 70 adjacent to the exposure chamber 52.

In the reservoir section 70, the printing paper 54 which has been printed is stocked, and the exposure section 58 for carrying out the printing processing and the development are carried out.
It absorbs the difference in processing time with the processor unit 72 which performs each processing of fixing and washing.

The printing paper 54 discharged from the reservoir 70
Are conveyed to the color developing section 74 of the processor section 72 adjacent to the reservoir section 70. The color developing section 74 is provided with photographic paper 54.
Is immersed in a developing solution to perform development processing. The developed photographic printing paper 54 is conveyed to the bleach-fixing section 76 adjacent to the color developing section 74. The bleach-fixing section 76 performs a fixing process by immersing the printing paper 54 in a fixing solution. The fixing-processed photographic printing paper 54 is conveyed to the rinsing unit 78 adjacent to the bleach-fixing unit 76. The rinse section 78 dips the photographic printing paper 54 in cleaning water to perform a cleaning process.

The photographic printing paper 54 that has been washed with water has a rinse portion 78.
It is conveyed to the drying unit 80 adjacent to. The drying unit 80 winds the printing paper 54 around a roller and exposes it to high temperature air to dry it.

The photographic printing paper 54 is sandwiched by a pair of rollers 82A, and the photographic printing paper 54 that has been dried is discharged from the drying section 80 at a constant speed. A pair of rollers 82B is arranged above the rollers 82A, and is intermittently rotated corresponding to the processing of the cutter section 84 arranged on the downstream side of the drying section 80. The cutter unit 84 includes a cut mark sensor 86 that detects a cut mark provided on the photographic printing paper 54 and a cutter 88 that cuts the photographic printing paper 54.
Is cut for each image frame and discharged to the outside of the casing 12 of the printer processor 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, each control is controlled by the controller 162. The controller 162 is
It is configured to include a microcomputer 164.
The micro computer 164 includes a CPU 166, a RAM 1
68, ROM 170, input / output port 172, and bus 174 such as a data bus and a control bus that connect them.
It is composed by.

The controller 162 is connected to a transport controller 176 for controlling the transport system of the negative film 16 and the photographic paper 54 in the printer processor 10, the light source 38 is turned on in the exposure unit 58, and the optical path of the filter unit 40 is set. Haunting, frame feeding with negative carrier 18, shutter 50
An exposure control unit 178 is connected to control the exposure system such as opening and closing. Further, the controller 162 includes a drying unit 80.
Of the drying controller 182 for controlling the drive of the fan and the heater in the above, and the detection of the cut mark by the cut mark sensor 86 in the cutter portion 84 on the downstream side, the cutter 88.
A cutter control unit 184 that controls cutting of the photographic printing paper 54 by
Are connected.

FIG. 4 shows a negative carrier 18 according to this embodiment.
It is shown. The negative carrier 18 includes a base 200 as a base and an opening / closing cover 202 as a lid as main parts.

The pedestal 200 is formed with a negative film conveying path 204 as a guide path. A printing opening 206 is provided at the center of the negative film transport path 204 in the longitudinal direction, and serves as an irradiation port for light rays 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 conveying path 204, conveying rollers 208, 210, 212, 213 are provided on the upstream side (left side in FIG. 4) and the downstream side (right side in FIG. 4) of the printing opening 206 on the back surface (lower surface) of the negative film 16. It is arranged corresponding to. As shown in FIG. 5, the respective transport rollers 208, 21
The sprocket 214 is attached to one end of the rotary shafts 0, 212, and 213 in the axial direction, and meshes with the teeth formed on the endless timing belt 216.

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

The opening / closing cover 202 is pivotally supported by a bar 226 fixed to the pedestal 200 at the lower end of a casing-shaped cover body 224, and can be opened and closed with respect to the pedestal 200 around the bar 226. ing.

A through hole 228 corresponding to the printing opening 206 is provided at the bottom of the cover body 224.
In addition, the cover main body 224 is closed and the upper guide base 230 is provided at a position corresponding to the negative film transport path 204.
The negative film guide wall 232 is integrally formed, and a gap is formed between the tip of the negative film guide wall 232 and the bottom surface of the negative film transport path 204. Further, this gap dimension is slightly larger than the thickness dimension of the negative film 16, and secures the transport path at the end portion in the width direction of the negative film.

The conveying rollers 208, 210, 212 and 21 are provided between the guide walls 232.
Corresponding to 3, idle rollers 234, 236, 238
And 239 are bridged, and the opening / closing cover 202 is closed, so that the idle rollers 234, 23
6, 238 and 239 and conveying rollers 208, 210 and 2
The negative film 16 is sandwiched between 12 and 213, and the conveying force can be transmitted to the negative film 16.

An upper mask 240, which is movable relative to the upper guide base 230 and is provided with an opening at a position corresponding to the through hole 228, is arranged at the central portion of the upper guide base 230 in the negative film transport direction. .. The upper mask 240 is detachably attached to the mask base 242. That is, the upper mask 240 includes a full-size opening and a panoramic-size opening, which are different in image frame size (see FIG. 6) recorded on the negative film 16. Can be replaced accordingly.

As shown in FIG. 7, the mask base 242.
The both ends in the width direction of B are formed such that their tip portions are opposed to each other and are bent so as to have a substantially U-shaped cross section, and rail portions 244 are formed. The upper mask 24 is attached to the rail portion 244.
By inserting 0, the upper mask 240 is supported by the mask base 242. Also, the upper mask 24
A notch 246 is formed in one type (for example, the upper mask 240 for full size) at the insertion-side end of 0, and a limit switch 248 is attached to the rear side of the rail 244 correspondingly. ..

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

The mask base 242 is a cover body 224.
Is rotatably supported near the center of rotation via a shaft, and corresponds to the solenoid main body 250 provided on the pedestal 200 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, and the negative film 16 positioned on the optical axis P is sandwiched. You can do it.

As shown in FIG. 8, a rectangular groove 252 is formed on the bottom surface of the negative film transport path 204 on the upstream side of the printing opening 206, and a transparent glass plate 254 is fitted thereinto to form a peripheral guide surface. It is the same. This groove 252
A slit hole 256 penetrating to the back surface of the negative film transport path 204 is formed at the bottom of the. Slit hole 25
The longitudinal direction of 6 is provided along the width direction of the negative film transport path 204. On the back surface side of the negative film transport path 204 corresponding to the slit holes 256, a plurality of LED chips 258 serving as light projecting portions are arranged along the width direction of the negative film transport path 204, that is, the width direction of the negative film 16. Has been done.

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

Each LED chip 258 has a common signal line 2
The light beam emitted by the signal from the control device 220 is connected to the control device 220 via 62 (see FIG. 10) and passes through the negative film 16 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 detected by the screen detection sensor 264. As shown in FIG. 6, four screen detection sensors 264 are arranged along the width direction of the negative film 16 and are connected to the control device 220 by independent signal lines. The control device 220 obtains the photographic film transmission density distribution based on the output signal from the screen detection sensor 264, and detects the boundary between the image frame 16A and the base portion, that is, the image frame edge.

By the way, the screen detection sensor 264 is
As shown in FIG. 6, the arrangement is within the range of the vertical size of the full-size image frame 16A (width direction of the negative film 16), and the middle two are taken as panoramic images. It is within the range of the vertical dimension of the frame 16B, and the two images at both ends are panoramic image frames 16.
It is outside the range of the vertical dimension of B. Therefore, the two
The detection value of each screen detection sensor 264 is the negative film 1
When the base density of 6 is detected, it can be determined that the image frame 16B has a panoramic size.

As shown in FIG. 16, some negative films 16 are provided with a frame mark 265 slightly protruding from the edge portion of each image frame. Since the frame mark 265 is exposed at the time of shooting by the camera, it has a high density, and therefore has a low transmission density, and is easily judged as a part of the image. When one scanning line of the screen detection sensor 264 passes over the frame mark 265, the output value of each sensor becomes different. Further, the density distribution also varies in the image capturing state. Therefore, in this embodiment, the screen detection sensor 2649 (first sensor) located at the highest density position and the screen detection sensor 264 located at the lowest density position.
The output value of the (second sensor) is selected as a condition for determining whether or not the detected value is appropriate according to the difference between them.

Here, when it is determined that the detected value is not appropriate, the error is not generated, and a predetermined amount of conveyance is performed to perform positioning. By the way, as shown in FIG. 17, this positioning is performed by the defective image frame 16A (N
16A of the normal image frame closest to the position before G)
It is performed by carrying a predetermined amount (P _CONST ) from the front edge of (OK). The predetermined amount P _CONST is between the image frame length (conveyance direction length dimension) L _In of all normal image frames 16A (OK) before the defective image frame 16A (NG) to be positioned and between normal image frames. _Is determined based on the dimension L _2n of That is, by _obtaining the average value of these L _In , the tendency of the image frame size taken by the camera can be known, and by _obtaining the average value of L _2n , the tendency of the feed pitch in the camera can be found. By determining the predetermined amount P _CONST based on this tendency, the positioning can be performed with high accuracy.

When the defective image frame 16A (NG) is the first frame, a predetermined reference amount (the feed amount based on the standard) is set as a predetermined amount.

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

The LED element 270 near the slit hole 256
Is used to detect a splice tape applied for joining when a plurality of negative films 16 are connected to form a roll or a management tape attached to each negative film 16, and the negative film is inserted into the negative film transport path 204. The mouth side LED element 272 is for detecting the presence or absence of the negative film 16, and corresponds to the tape sensor 274 and the negative presence / absence sensor 276 mounted on the upper guide base 230 side, respectively. The tape sensor 274 and the negative presence / absence sensor 276 are each connected to the control device 220.

The LED element 270 and the LED element 272.
The LED elements 280 are embedded in both ends of the negative film transport path 204 in the width direction between and. This LE
The D element 280 is connected to the control device 220 and corresponds to the bar code sensors 282 provided at both ends of the upper guide base 230 in the width direction. Bar code sensor 282
Is connected to the control device 220. Negative film 1
The bar code given to No. 6 is transmitted by the LED element 280, detected by the bar code sensor 282, and decoded by the control device 220.

The bar code sensor 282 is attached to a top member 284 that can be swung with respect to the upper guide base 230, and can follow the meandering of the negative film 16 when it is conveyed. Therefore, it is possible to read the bar code applied to the narrow portion of the widthwise end portion of the negative film 16 regardless of the meandering of the negative film 16. As shown in FIG. 11, each sensor has a baking opening 206.
The distance is determined based on one side.

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

The output port 294 has L
Through the ED driver 300, the LED elements 270, 2
72, 280 and the substrate 260 of the LED chip 258.

The tape sensor 27 is connected to the input port 292.
4 and the negative presence / absence sensor 276 are connected via the comparator 302 and the inverting circuit 304. Further, the input port 292 has two bar code sensors 282 and 4
The screen detection sensors 264 are amplifiers 306 and A, respectively.
It is connected via the / D converter 308. Further, the input port 292 has four key switches 310A, 310B, 3 provided on the pedestal 200 of the negative carrier 18.
10C and 310D are connected. By this key operation, the stop position of the negative film 16 can be sequentially fed, reversely fed and finely adjusted.

The 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 ends and the positioning of the next image frame is instructed, and an abnormality occurs in the negative film transport system or screen detection of the negative carrier 18. There is a case. Here, when an abnormality occurs, the printer processor 1
Although an alarm (not shown) attached to 0 is used to notify and the processing is stopped, the output of the abnormal signal is limited by manual, automatic or fully automatic control of the negative carrier 18.

Here, in the case of manual operation, since the operator is near the apparatus, it is not necessary to notify the abnormality, and in the case of fully automatic operation, all the abnormalities are notified and the processing is stopped. It is not suitable from the aspect. That is, for example, when there is an image of super overexposure, the optimum printing process cannot be obtained by the automatic processing, but at the time when the series of operations is completed rather than switching to manual processing each time, Rebaking is more efficient. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control state (manual, automatic,
The output form of the abnormal signal is changed in accordance with (full automatic).

Table 1 shows the presence / absence of an abnormal signal output in each control state with respect to the abnormality content. The circles in the control status column indicate that an abnormal signal is output, and the cross indicates that an abnormal signal is not output.

[0058]

[Table 1]

The ROM 290 stores a program for correcting the mounting position of each sensor and correcting 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 mounting position correction, the distance to each sensor based on one side of the printing opening 206 is measured by the pulse number of the pulse motor 218, and the error with the pulse number stored in advance in design is corrected. In addition, the deviation of the detection value of each sensor is determined by a correction coefficient for each image detection sensor 264 so that the light amount of the light beam emitted from the LED chip 258 is detected by the four screen detection sensors 264 as the same light amount. Establish.

When the negative carrier 18 is shipped, the A / D converter 30 for converting the values detected by the screen detection sensor 264 and the bar code sensor 282 into digital values.
The light emission amount of the LED element and the LED chip corresponding to each range is determined so as to match the range of 8.

The RAM 288 has a screen detection sensor 264.
A map is stored that defines the transmission density of the negative film based on the data detected by. This allows
One-time conveyance by the pulse motor 218 (in this embodiment,
It is possible to obtain the transmission density distribution during one conveyance from the center of the image frame 16A or 16B to the center of the adjacent image frame. The edge of the image frame is determined based on this transmission density distribution, and the edge of each image frame is stored in correspondence with the number of feed pulses of the pulse motor 218.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below. First,
A normal printing process procedure will be described.

When the processing is started, the light source 38 is turned on,
The negative carrier 18 is driven to position the negative film 16. L of the negative film 16 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 a key, and an exposure amount (exposure time) is calculated to obtain optimum printing conditions.

By the way, the negative film 16 may have a mixture of full-size image frames 16A and panoramic-size image frames 16B. In these printing processes, the negative mask area, printing magnification, printing paper mask area, and printing paper conveyance amount are different, so after passing one of them and printing the same size first, the other size is continuously printed later. It is more efficient to burn it. For this reason, in the present embodiment, each printing condition is set according to the upper mask 240 currently loaded in the mask base 242. The type of upper mask 240 is a mask base 242.
It is possible to determine whether the limit switch 248 is on or off by loading the limit switch 248. Therefore, only the image frames of the type detected by the limit switch 248 are positioned, and the image frames of other types are controlled to pass.

Of the four screen detection sensors 264 of the negative carrier 18, two at both ends are outside the vertical size range of the panorama size image frame 16B and the vertical size of the full size image frame 16A. Since the two screen detection sensors 264 detect the base density of the negative film 16, they can be discriminated as the panorama-size image frame 16B because they are within the size range. The image frame 16A of the size can be identified. Therefore, for example, the upper size mask 240 for full size is loaded, and the panorama size image frame 16B is detected by the screen detection sensor 264.
Is detected, the next full-size image frame 16A is positioned at the printing position by passing this. Thereby, the baking process can be performed under the same conditions, and the baking process efficiency is improved.

Next, the photographic printing paper 54 is conveyed to the exposure chamber 52 for positioning, and the shutter 50 is opened. This allows
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. The printing paper 54 positioned in the exposure chamber 52 starts printing the image on the negative film 16 and follows the exposure conditions. The C, M, and Y filters located on the optical axis of the light beam are moved. After a predetermined exposure time has elapsed, the shutter 50 is closed. This completes the printing process for one frame of the negative film 16. By repeating this, the printing-processed portion of the printing paper 54 is sequentially transported to the reservoir unit 70.

The photographic printing paper 54 conveyed to the reservoir section 70 is conveyed to the color developing section 74 and immersed in a developing solution for development processing. The developed photographic printing paper 54 is bleach-fixing section 76.
And is subjected to fixing processing. Fixing-processed photographic paper 54
Is transferred to the rinse unit 78 and washed with water. The photographic printing paper 54 that has been washed with water is conveyed to the drying unit 80 and dried.

The photographic printing paper 54 that has been subjected to the drying processing is cut by the cutter unit 8.
In 4, the cut mark is detected and cut for each image.

By the way, in the negative carrier 18, the image frame positioning can be performed not only automatically but also manually. Further, in the automatic operation, so-called automatic control in which the operator is nearby and the printing start button is operated by the operator,
The controller 22 of the negative carrier 18 also controls the timing of the start of printing.
0 and so-called fully automatic control performed by exchanging signals between the controller 162 of the printer processor 10 and
It can be switched to 3 levels (manual, automatic, fully automatic).

Here, in this embodiment, according to each control,
The output of the abnormal signal from the negative carrier 18 is limited to prohibit the use of a waste alarm even when the operator is nearby.

Specifically, as shown in Table 1, in the case of manual control, negative size abnormality (code No. 8), unexposed negative (code No. 10), fog negative (code No. 11), negative end abnormality (code No. 11). An error signal is output only in the case of .12).

In the case of fully automatic control, a negative size abnormality (code No. 8) and a negative end abnormality (code No. 12) other than the case where the seizure control can be performed without trouble by only the finish abnormality
An abnormal signal is output when.

In the case of automatic control, an abnormal signal is output when all abnormalities occur. In this way, by changing the output of the abnormal signal according to the control mode, it is possible to take advantage of the fully automatic feature without giving an alarm by an unnecessary alarm even when the operator is nearby.

Further, the unnecessary abnormal signal output causes the processing of the printer processor itself to be stopped each time, and the work for error processing can be omitted, and the work efficiency is improved.

In this embodiment, the negative carrier 18 automatically positions each image frame 16A (16B) of the negative film 16 at the printing position (fully automatic), and the screen detection sensor 264 detects each image frame. Edge is detected, and this image frame edge is detected by the pulse motor 218.
The conveyance control is performed according to the number of feeding pulses.

The image frame positioning procedure will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, step 400
In step 401, the flag F is reset (0), and then in step 401, the negative presence / absence sensor 276 determines whether or not the negative film 16 is inserted in the negative carrier 18, and if negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 402. Then, the LED chip 258 is turned off. If a positive determination is made, the process proceeds to step 404 and the LED chip 2
Turn on 58. In this way, the light source is the LED chip 25.
Since No. 8 is used, it is easy to turn on and off, and the life is not reduced.

At the next step 406, the negative film 1
When it is determined that the conveyance for positioning 6 to the printing position has started, the process proceeds to step 408 and slit hole 2
The amount of light transmitted through the negative film 16 that has passed through 56 is detected, and then A / D converted at step 410,
Each data is stored in correspondence with the number of sending pulses (step 411).

Until it is judged at the next step 412 that the conveyance is stopped, the above steps 408, 410, 41 are carried out.
When it is determined that the transportation is stopped at step 412 by repeating step 1, the process proceeds to step 413, and the transmission density distribution of each of the four sensors in one transportation is created based on the stored data.

At the next step 414, it is judged whether or not the transmission density distribution is abnormal. That is, image frame 1
If 6A (16B) is half-fogged, has no void, or has superunder or superover, the transmission density distribution becomes abnormal. If it is abnormal, it is determined that the frame edge cannot be detected, the process proceeds to step 415 to set the flag F (1), and then the process proceeds to step 426 described later.

If it is determined in step 414 that the distribution is normal, it is determined that the frame edge can be detected, and the process proceeds to step 416.

In step 416, the maximum of the four sensors is
Is the maximum of the sensor (first sensor) in the high concentration position
Point D_MAXNumber of pulses P_MAX(H) and then
The top 417 is located at the position of the lowest concentration of the four sensors.
Maximum point D of the sensor (second sensor)_MINNumber of pulses P
_MAX(L) is selected. This is the next step 418
The number of feed pulses P with a density value that is 92% of the maximum point_A’
(H) and P_A’(L) is defined as a temporary edge, and then
In step 419, this temporary edge P_AFrom '
Select a minimum point within a pulse (12 pulses in this embodiment).
Separately, the number of feed pulses P corresponding to this minimum point
_MIN(H), P_MINSet (L). Next step 4
At 20, the maximum point feed pulse P_MAX(H) and minimum point
Feed pulse P_MIN50% position with (H), that is,
(P_MAX(H) + P_MIN(H)) / 2 is calculated and the image
Pulse P corresponding to the edge of the 16A (16B)
_ADetermine (H). Then, in step 421,
The maximum point feed pulse P_MAX(L) and minimum point feed pulse
P_MIN50% position with (L), that is, (P
_MAX(L) + P_MIN(L)) / 2 is calculated, and image frame 1
Pulse P corresponding to the edge of 6A (16B) _A(L)
Establish.

At the next step 422, the pulse P
_A(H) and P_ADifference from (L) ΔP_AAsk for. this is,
N frames (image frames that obtain edges) with the maximum point in the center
Can be obtained at two locations, the right edge and the left edge of N-1 frame
It Here, in step 423, the Nth of the previous detection
ΔP at the right end of the frame_AAnd the left side of the Nth frame detected this time
ΔP at the end_AThe difference between and_ASelect the one with less
424, 425), P of this _MAXEdge detection at (H)
Use the starting point as the reference point (if the same, select the right edge of N frames
)).

The image frame edge pulse P _A thus determined has a substantially constant position not only on the negative film 16 of normal exposure but also on the negative film 16 of underexposure or overexposure, and the detection error is positioned. It can be suppressed to a range that does not hinder the operation.

Further, even with the negative film 16 having a frame mark, the image frame edge can be surely detected.

At the next step 426, it is judged whether or not there is a positioning instruction from the controller 262 of the printer processor 10. If it is judged that there is an instruction,
The process proceeds to step 428 to read the current number of feed pulses P _X , and then, at step 429, it is determined whether or not the flag F is reset. Here, if the affirmative determination is made, positioning is performed with the detected edge as a reference, so the process proceeds to step 430, and the feed amount P is determined from the current feed pulse P _X and the image frame edge pulse number P _A.
DRIVE is calculated (P _DRIVE = P _A -P _X ) and step 4
Move to 32.

If a negative determination is made in step 429, the image frame is positioned by the fixed amount feed, and therefore, FIG.
Step 600, the number of frames n from the beginning of the image frames that can be automatically detected is read out, and then Step 602 is executed.
Then, the respective image frame lengths L _1n of the frame number n are added and divided by the frame number n to calculate the average value of the image frame lengths (see the equation (1)).

[0087]

[Equation 1]

At the next step 604, the image frame interval L _2n which can be automatically detected is added and divided by the frame number n-1.
The average value between image frames is calculated (see equation (2)).

[0089]

[Equation 2]

[0090] Substituting At the following step 606, by adding the average value of the average value and L _2n of said L _1n, a quantitative feed amount P _CONST, then at step 608 the quantitative feed amount P _CONST to P _{DR IVE} Then, the process proceeds to step 432 of FIG.

At the next step 432, the negative film is conveyed by the calculated feed amount P _DRIVE . This transfer is determined to be the transfer in step 406. That is, the edge of the image frame 16A (16B) two frames before is detected on the upstream side during the transportation for positioning.

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 thereto, the printer processor 10 operates as described above. The baking process is performed.

At the next step 436, it is judged whether or not there is an instruction to end the printing process. If the negative judgment is made, the process is continued. Therefore, if the affirmative judgment is made, the process proceeds to step 438. LED chip 258
Turn off and exit.

As described above, in the present embodiment, two image frames (Nth and (N-1) th) and two types of edges (front side of the Nth image frame) between the base portion between these frames. , N-1 image frame rear side) is detected, and the most suitable one is selected as a positioning reference. Therefore, even if the negative film 16 having the frame mark 265 as shown in FIG. The image frame edge can be detected, and the positioning can be performed accurately.

Further, even when the image frame cannot be detected, the average value of the dimension L _{1 in} the carrying direction of the normal image frame 16A (OK) before the image frame 16A which cannot be detected and the normal image frame interval L _Since the carry amount for the fixed amount feeding is determined by the sum of the average values of ₂ , compared with the carry amount according to a predetermined standard, it is suitable for the tendency peculiar to the negative film 16 being processed and the accurate positioning is performed. It can be performed.

In this embodiment, the equations (1) and (2) are used as the equations for calculating the average value of L ₁ and L ₂ , but the following equations (3) and (4) are used. You may calculate. According to this, an error may occur within a range that does not hinder the printing process, but the calculation speed can be shortened instead, so that the work efficiency is improved.

[0097]

[Equation 3]

[0098]

[Equation 4]

The above is the image frame positioning control. In order to perform such positioning control, the screen detection sensor 2
It is required that the detection accuracy of 64 and the mounting position accuracy from the printing position are accurate. Therefore, in this embodiment,
The accuracy is corrected at the time of shipping the negative carrier 18 and each time the power is turned on.

First, the procedure for adjusting the light emission amount of the LED chip 258 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. LED
The amount of light emitted by the chip 258 is determined by the screen detection sensor 26.
4 will be detected and A / D converted, but A / D
The converter 308 defines a convertible range.
Therefore, in step 450, the negative film 16
When it is determined that there is no light, the LED chip 258 is caused to emit light in step 452, and the respective screen detection sensors 26
4 (step 454), then step 456
In, the largest value of the maximum values of the detected light amount is selected.

The maximum value L of the selected light amount_MAXAnd A /
Maximum range A / D of D converter 308 _MAXCompare with (
At step 458) and step 460, L_MAX= A
/ D _MAXDrive by LED driver 300
Control the dynamic voltage. Accordingly, the screen detection sensor 264
The value detected in the dynamic range of the A / D converter 308
Make sure to read the data without deviating from the range.
You can Also, the LED chip 258 is suitable as a light source.
Since it is used, it is easy to adjust the light intensity and simplify the light intensity control.
You can simply do it.

Next, even if the four screen detection sensors 264 detect the same light amount, a slight error (deviation) occurs due to the accuracy and the influence of the temperature change. When the same amount of light is detected, it is preferable that the same output is obtained, so it is necessary to perform the deviation correction. The sensor output deviation setting control procedure will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step 500, when it is determined that the negative film 16 is not present, the LED chip 258 is caused to emit light in step 502, and each screen detection sensor 264 detects it (step 504). Then, in step 506, Each detected screen detection sensor 264
Find the maximum value of each. Since the control up to this point is the same as the LED chip light amount control, it may be stored at the stage of selecting the maximum value.

At the next step 508, the deviation of the other three output maximum values is obtained with reference to the one sensor output maximum value, and at step 510, each screen detection sensor 264.
It is stored as the correction coefficient α.

For example, when the screen detection sensor 264 is S _A , S _B , S _C , and S _D, and the light amount is expressed with the sensor S _A as a reference (S _A = 1.0), other sensors are used. Output is S _B = 0.9, S _C = 0.8, S _D =
Assuming 0.9, the correction factor for each sensor is α _SA =
1.00, α _SB = 1.11, α _SC = 1.25, α _SD = 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, an appropriate value can be applied at the time of A / D conversion, and an accurate transmission density distribution can be created.

Next, each sensor (screen detection sensor 264,
The attachment positions of the bar code sensor 282, the tape sensor 274, and the negative presence / absence sensor 276) are determined based on the side of the printing opening 206 at the printing position of the image frame as the number of feed pulses of the pulse motor 218. If there is a deviation at the assembly stage, the number of feed pulses will differ from the specified number. For this reason, it is necessary to correct the number of feed pulses predetermined in design according to the mounting accuracy. The sensor mounting accuracy correction will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Since the same processing is performed separately for the position correction of each sensor, here, the negative presence / absence sensor 276 is used.
Will be described as an example. At step 550, it is determined whether a reference lith film has been detected. This reference lith film is a substitute for the negative film 16, and is a type of photomechanical film in which a high density (opaque) portion exists in the middle of a low density (substantially transparent) portion and the edges are sharp.

When it is judged that the transparent portion is not detected and the boundary with the high density is detected, an affirmative judgment is made in Step 550,
In step 552, the reference lith film is conveyed by a predetermined amount.
This predetermined amount is a conveyance amount for positioning a predetermined detection point at the right end of the printing opening 206.

At the time when the predetermined amount has been conveyed, the operator judges whether the edge of high and low density coincides with the right end of the printing opening, and when it judges that they coincide with each other in step 554, the standard lith film is discharged. Operate the feed key of. By the operation of the feed key, the process shifts from step 554 to step 556, the reference lith film is discharged, and the process is completed.

If the feed key is not operated in step 554, it is determined in step 558 whether or not the fine adjustment key for fine adjustment has been operated. In the case of negative determination, steps 554 and 558 are skipped. repeat. here,
When the fine adjustment keys 310B and 310C are operated in step 558, the reference lith film is finely moved according to the operation of the keys, and the edge of high and low density is positioned at the right end of the printing opening 206.

In the next step 558, after the fine adjustment (after one operation), the process proceeds to step 560, the predetermined amount after the adjustment at that time is newly updated and stored, and the process proceeds to step 554.

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

With other sensors, the same processing procedure as described above can be performed 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 irrespective of the error in assembling the sensor, so that the assembling work can be made rough and the workability is improved.

Further, especially in the screen detection sensor 264, when the four screen detection sensors 264 are not parallel along the image frame edge, the image frame edge may be largely displaced. However, since the four screen detection sensors 264 are arranged in parallel along the apparent image frame edge by performing the above correction, reliable image frame edge detection can be performed.

[0115]

As described above, according to the image frame positioning method of the present invention, even if a defective image frame whose edge cannot be detected by the image frame detecting device is quantitatively fed, the image frame can be correctly positioned. Has excellent effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

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

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

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

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a transfer system of a negative carrier.

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

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

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of a guide path of a 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 a positional relationship between a printing opening and a sensor position.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of image frame positioning control.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of LED chip light emission amount adjustment control.

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

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

FIG. 16 is a characteristic diagram showing an image frame having a frame mark and a transmission density distribution of the image frame.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a negative film showing a length dimension for recognizing a shooting tendency.

FIG. 18 is a control flowchart for setting a fixed amount of the negative film branched at step 429 in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 16 negative film 18 negative carrier 206 baking 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 screen detection sensor 270 LED element (for tape sensor) 272 LED Element (for negative / presence sensor) 274 Tape sensor 276 Negative / presence sensor 280 LED element (for bar code sensor) 282 Bar code sensor

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image frame detecting device for detecting an image frame edge on a photographic film based on an amount of transmitted light transmitted through a photographic film conveyed on a guide path, and for positioning the detected image frame edge at a predetermined position. In the image frame positioning method, when there is a defective image frame whose image frame edge cannot be detected by the image frame detection device, a recording tendency of a normal image frame detected by the image frame detection device before this defective image frame. The image frame positioning method is characterized in that positioning is performed by carrying a predetermined amount obtained based on the above. 2. The predetermined amount is an average value of the conveyance direction dimensions of normal image frames that can be detected before a defective image frame whose edge cannot be detected by the image frame detection device, and a normal image that can be detected. The image frame positioning method according to claim 1, wherein the sum is a sum of the average size of the frames. 3. The image frame positioning method according to claim 1, wherein when a defective image frame whose edge cannot be detected by the image frame detection device is a leading frame, a predetermined reference amount is used.