JPH0561626B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Application of the Invention] The present invention relates to a color printer system having a light control device in which light is controlled by controlling the movement of a filter piece.

[Background Art] In this type of system, the exposure time is changed depending on the amount of transparent light of the negative film. However, in order to improve the processing capacity of a printer system, for example, if the light intensity of the light source is increased,
Although the exposure time of each negative is shorter overall, it is greatly affected by the temporal error in the operation of optical systems such as shutters, and negatives with an extremely large amount of transmitted light (over-negative) or extremely low amount of transmitted light are There was a problem with the negative print results being inconsistent.

[Object of the Invention] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a color printer that can obtain good print results for negatives with extremely large amounts of transmitted light and negatives with very little transmitted light even if the light intensity of the light source is increased. The purpose is to provide a system.

[Structure of the Invention] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides filter pieces for each component color that adjust light by moving forward and backward with respect to an exposure optical path, and a measuring means for measuring the transmission density of a negative film. , calculate the target position of each filter piece based on the target exposure amount determined by the transmission density of the negative film and a predetermined target exposure time, and calculate the target position of each filter piece. When any of the filter pieces deviates from the movable range, the exposure target time is changed according to the amount of deviation from the movable range, and the target position of each filter piece is moved based on the changed target exposure time and the target amount of path light. The present invention is characterized by comprising a calculation means for newly calculating .

[Function] In the present invention, the movement target position of each filter piece is calculated based on the target exposure amount determined by the transmission density of the negative film and a predetermined exposure target time, and the movement target position of each filter piece is calculated. When any of the moving target positions deviates from the movable range of the filter piece, the exposure target time is changed in accordance with the movable range deviation amount.

For negatives with an extremely large amount of transmitted light, the target exposure amount will be small, but with the above configuration, for such negatives, the movement target position is calculated so that the amount of insertion of the filter piece into the exposure optical path is large, and Exposure is performed at the set exposure target time. Therefore,
Even if the light intensity of the light source is increased for the purpose of improving the printer's performance, the target exposure time is not set to be extremely short, and the amount of transmitted light is extremely high due to the influence of temporal errors in the operation of the optical system. Negative print results do not vary greatly.

In addition, for negatives with an extremely small amount of transmitted light, the target exposure amount will be large, and the target position of the filter piece calculated based on the predetermined exposure target time may deviate from the movable range of the filter piece. In this case, since the target exposure time is changed according to the amount of deviation from the movable range, good printing results can be obtained even for negatives with an extremely small amount of transmitted light.

[Embodiments of the Invention] Hereinafter, embodiments of a color printer system according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

In FIG. 1, photographic paper 12 from the scroll 10
The photographic paper 12 that has been exposed to light is exposed to light by this color printer system, and the exposed photographic paper 12 is supplied to a developing device 14 for development processing.

This color printer system includes an exposure lamp 16 for exposing the photographic paper 12, and the exposure lamp 16 is mounted within a lamp reflector 18.

The exposure lamp 16 is lit by a lighting current 100 supplied from a main circuit 20 of an exposure power supply, and this main circuit 20 is a semiconductor current control element that converts an alternating current 102 supplied from a commercial power supply 22 into a lighting current 100. It has a thyristor. Note that a large power transistor can also be used in place of the thyristor.

The thyristor has a switching signal 10 for its switching (here, commutation).
4 (commutation signal) is the switching signal generation circuit 24
The switching signal generating circuit 24 is supplied with a switching control signal 106 from the processing circuit 26 (the arithmetic means). Note that this processing circuit 26 can function as a photometric value calculation circuit that calculates the measured value of the light source light.

Further, a phase detector 28 is provided to detect the phase of the alternating current 102 in order to detect the phase of the lighting current 100, and its phase detection signal 108 is supplied to the processing circuit 26.

In this embodiment, a level detector is constructed using an inverting operational amplifier 30 as shown in FIG. 2, or a level detector is constructed using an inverting operational amplifier 32 as shown in FIG. A zero-crossing detector is used as this phase detector 28.

Further, in FIG. 1, a light receiver 34 whose field of view is only the exposure lamp 16 is provided, and its light reception signal 110 is supplied to the processing circuit 26. This processing circuit 26 can also function as a lighting current control circuit that controls the lighting current 100 according to the light reception signal 110.

A detection window 36 is formed in the lamp reflector 18 to limit the field of view of the light receiver 34, and the filament of the exposure lamp 16 is imaged on the light receiving surface of the light receiver 34 by an optical system 38 through the detection window 36. has been done.

In this embodiment, the lamp reflector 18 is constructed by forming a light reflecting layer on the inner surface of a transparent body formed in a substantially bowl shape with a parabolic inner surface, and the detection window 36 is formed by forming a light reflecting layer on the inner surface of the transparent body. The light reflector is formed by pasting a tape before forming the light reflector and removing it after forming the light reflector, or by removing a part of the formed light reflector.

Further, in FIG. 1, this is done by a CC filter (color correction filter) 40 as a dimming device that adjusts the amount and color of the light source obtained by the exposure lamp 16 and lamp reflector 18.
This CC filter 40 includes component color filter pieces 42A (cyan), 42 that are moved forward and backward with respect to the exposure optical path.
B (magenta) and 42C (yellow).

And these component color filter pieces 42A, 42
B and 42C are moved by a filter drive device, which in the figure is composed of step motors 44A, 44B, and 44C that drive component color filter pieces 42A, 42B, and 42C, respectively.

These step motors 44A, 44B, 44C
A drive current is supplied from a drive power supply 46 to the drive current, and its control is performed by the processing circuit 26.

Furthermore, the light source light adjusted by the CC filter 40 passes through a mirror box 48 to a negative film 50.
The negative film 50 is set on a film moving table 52.

A reference negative film 54 is also set on this film moving table 52.
When the film moving stage 52 is driven by the solenoid 56, it can be moved onto the exposure optical path in place of the negative film 50.

Note that a drive current is supplied to the solenoid 56 from the drive power source 46.

Further, the negative image on the negative film 50 is transferred to the exposure lens 5.
8 forms an image on the photographic paper 12 via a shutter 60, which is driven by a solenoid 62. Note that a drive current is supplied to the solenoid 62 from a drive power source 46.

The frame-by-frame feeding of the photographic paper 12 is driven by a roller 64.
The servo motor 66 serving as the drive source is driven by the drive power source 46.

Further, the transmitted light of the negative film 50 or the reference negative film 54 is transmitted to light receiving units 68A, 68B, 68C, 6 included in the negative film transmitted light measuring device.
8D, 68E, and 68F, which are arranged around a perpendicular line passing through the center 0 of the negative film 50, and are located at the center 0 of the negative film 50 as shown in FIG.
They are each oriented to

In FIG. 5, these light receiving units 68A, 68
The arrangement positions of B, 68C, 68D, 68E, and 68F are shown, and the light receiving units 68A, 68B,
68C and light receiving units 68D, 68E, and 68F are arranged on both sides of the negative film 50 (reference negative film 54), respectively.

And the light receiving unit 68A and the light receiving unit 68
F, light receiving unit 68B and light receiving unit 68E,
The light receiving unit 68C and the light receiving unit 68D are each paired and arranged symmetrically with respect to the center 0 of the negative film 50.

In addition, the light receiving unit 68A and the light receiving unit 68F
The component color receiver 70B detects only the component color blue and the component color receiver 70G detects only the component color green, and the light receiving unit 68B and the light receiving unit 68E detect only the component color light red. From the component color receiver 70R, the light receiving unit 68C
The light receiving unit 68D consists of a component color receiver 70B and a component color receiver 70G.

Furthermore, the light receiving unit 68A and the light receiving unit 68
F, light receiving unit 68B and light receiving unit 68E,
The component color receivers 70 in the light receiving unit 68C and the light receiving unit 68D are also arranged symmetrically.

A negative film transmitted light measuring device can be configured as shown in FIG. 6, and in this device, light receiving units 68A, 68B, 68C, 68D, 68
E, 68F are component color receivers 70R, 70G, respectively.
70B, and each pair of light receiving units 68 and their component color light receivers 70 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center 0.

Further, each light receiver 70 is provided with a dedicated optical system that forms a negative image on the light receiving surface.

In FIG. 1, a keyboard 72 is connected to the processing circuit 26, and a drive power source 4
6 is connected to a display 74 which can also function as an alarm.

The present embodiment has the above configuration, and its operation will be explained below.

First, the power is turned on. However, when installing the system or performing maintenance management, a so-called setup is performed afterwards.

After the power is turned on, the AC current 1 of the AC power supply 22 is
02 is directly supplied to the main circuit 20 without going through a transformer or the like.

Furthermore, if setup is not performed, light source control, light source management, photometry, light control, exposure,
Development management is performed appropriately.

Figures 7, 8, and 9 show the processing procedure for light source control, Figures 10, 11, and 12 show the processing procedure for light source management, and Figure 13 shows the processing procedure for light source control. The processing procedure for signal sampling is shown in FIG. 14, the processing procedure for photometry is shown in FIG. 15, the processing procedure is shown in FIG. 16 for light adjustment, and FIGS. 17 and 18 show processing procedures for development management, and light source control, light source management, photometry, light adjustment, exposure, and development management will be explained below in this order.

First, regarding light source control, first see Figures 7 and 8.
9 and 9, the operation will be summarized and explained.

When the power is turned on, the light source starting routine shown in FIG. 7 is started, and in the first step 200, it is determined whether or not the timer is to be started.

If it is determined in step 200 that the timer has not been started, step 202 is performed.
This timer is started, and when a positive determination is made at step 200 and when the timer is started at step 202, the process proceeds to step 204, where it is determined whether or not the timer has timed up.

If it is determined in step 204 that the timer has not timed up, the step
At step 206, it is determined whether or not the initial firing angle has been set, and if the initial firing angle has not been set, the step
The setting is performed at 208.

Then, in step 210, the ignition flag is set, and when this process is completed, the above-mentioned step 204 is started.
Return to

If it is determined in step 204 that the timer has timed up, the routine advances to step 212, where the timer flag is set, and this routine is ended.

FIG. 8 shows a routine for controlling the light source, in which the ignition flag is first read in step 214.

Then, in the next step 216, it is determined whether or not this ignition flag is set. When it is determined in step 216 that the ignition flag is set, the process proceeds to step 218, where the ignition flag is set. is set.

Further, in step 220, it is determined whether or not the timer flag is set. If it is determined in step 220 that the timer flag is set, the process proceeds to step 222, where the light reception timing flag is set. is loaded.

Also, in step 224, it is determined whether or not this light reception timing flag is set.
This light reception timing flag is the phase detection signal
It is set and reset in synchronization with 108.

When it is determined in step 224 that the light reception timing flag is set, the step
Light reception signal 1 detected by the light receiver 34 at 226
10 are sampled.

In this way, the sampling of the light reception signal 110 is performed in synchronization with the lighting current 100 that periodically fluctuates, that is, the light source fluctuation, and is always performed at a constant timing, so that the sampling value is always accurate despite this fluctuation. is obtained.

Then, in step 228, this sampling value is subtracted from the reference value obtained in advance, and the step
At 230, it is determined whether the deviation is within a preset tolerance range.

If the deviation is within the allowable range in step 230, steps 222, 224, 226, and 228 are simply repeated, but if it is determined that the deviation is outside the allowable range, a new target firing angle is set in step 230. 232
It is calculated by

Further, in step 234, the keyboard 72
The presence or absence of a lights-off command input through the operation is monitored, and if it is determined in step 234 that a lights-off command has not been input, the process returns to step 222, but it is determined that a lights-off command has been input. When the determination has been made, the process advances to step 236, where the lights-out flag is set, and this routine is ended.

FIG. 9 shows a routine for changing the target firing angle and controlling the turning on and off of the light source.In the first step 238, the presence or absence of a lighting start command is monitored.

If it is determined in step 238 that the lighting start command has not been input, step 238 is performed.
At step 240, the target firing angle is set to 0, and the exposure lamp 16 is driven to turn on at the target firing angle.

Therefore, in this case, the lighting current 100 is not supplied from the main circuit 20 to the exposure lamp 16, and therefore the exposure lamp 16 is not turned on.

Further, if it is determined in step 238 that a lighting start command has been input, step 238 is performed.
Proceeding to step 244, it is determined whether or not the calculated firing angle calculated in step 232 is present.

If it is determined in step 244 that there is no calculated firing angle, the process proceeds to step 246, where the initial target firing angle is set as the target value, and the exposure lamp is set at the lighting current of 100 at that firing angle. 16 is illuminated in step 242.

Therefore, in this case, the exposure lamp 16 is lit at the initial target firing angle.

Furthermore, if it is determined in step 244 that there is a calculated firing angle, this calculated firing angle is set as a target value and learned (step 248), and the exposure lamp is set at that firing angle. 16 is illuminated in step 242.

Thereafter, in step 250, the presence or absence of a lights-out command is monitored. If the lights-out command has not been input, the process returns to step 244, and when the lights-out command has been input, this routine is ended.

The operations related to the above light source control will be summarized and explained below.

First, after the power is turned on by operating the keyboard 72, if a lighting start command has not yet been issued, the firing angle is set to 0 (step 240), and the exposure lamp 16 is placed in a lighting ready state.

At the same time as the power is turned on, a timer is started (step 202), the ignition angle is set (step 208), and a lighting start command is issued.

Upon generation of this lighting start command, an initial target firing angle is set as a target value (step 246), and the exposure lamp 16 is lit at that firing angle (step 242).

Thereafter, when the lighting state of the exposure lamp 16 becomes stable and the timer times up (step 204),
The signal 110 is sampled at a timing synchronized with the power supply (step 226), and by comparing the accurate sampling value with a reference value (step 228), the light amount of the exposure lamp 16 is moved in a direction that matches the reference value. The target firing angle is corrected (steps 230, 232, 248).

When the exposure lamp 16 reaches a stable lighting state after lighting as described above, the light amount of the exposure lamp 16 is monitored by the light receiver 34, and the lighting of the exposure lamp 16 is controlled so that the amount of light becomes the target light amount. It can be done.

It should be noted that the lighting current 100 in this embodiment is controlled like a ramp function at the time of lighting, and therefore the initial target firing angle is increased during that time according to its functional characteristics.

During the above light source control operation, the exposure lamp 16
When it is confirmed that the lamp has entered a stable lighting state by setting the timer flag in step 252 of FIG. 10, various initial data are set in step 252, and a light source management flag is set in step 256. .

By setting this light source management flag, the following light source management is started, and this light source management causes each light receiving unit 68A, 68B, 68C, 68D, 68
The CC filter 40 adjusts the incident light amount of E and 68F so that it falls within the linear detection operation range regardless of differences in base density depending on the type of negative film 50, dust adhesion, etc.

Therefore, each light receiving unit 68A, 68B, 6
8C, 68D, 68E, and 68F are not saturated due to an excessive amount of incident light, and their signal-to-noise ratios are not degraded, ensuring good detection operations.

For this reason, this light source management is performed each time channel data is set, such as when the negative film 50 is replaced, and is not performed for each frame.

The above light source management is performed by driving the CC filter 40 in the following manner.

Here, after explaining FIGS. 11 and 12, the operation thereof will be summarized.

In FIG. 11, when it is confirmed in step 258 that the light source management flag is set, the process proceeds to step 260 and the component color filter pieces 42A, 42 are checked.
B, 42C positions and light receiving units 68A, 68
It is determined whether or not a reference characteristic as shown by a characteristic 500 in FIG. 19 showing the relationship between the amount of light received by B, 68C, 68D, 68E, and 68F is given in advance.

This reference characteristic is used to make the light source light from the exposure lamp 16 have a predetermined color and amount, and as explained below, the light receiving unit 68A,
Detection signals 68B, 68C, 68D, 68E, and 68F drive the component color filter pieces 42A, 42B, and 42C to the positions obtained from the reference characteristics, and the light source light from the exposure lamp 16 is adjusted to the predetermined color and the linear detection described above. It is adjusted to a predetermined amount that falls within the operating range.

In this way, the above-mentioned reference characteristics are required for this light source management, and if it is determined in step 260 that this reference characteristic does not exist, then in step 262, the reference characteristics measured up to that point are determined. The presence or absence is determined.

If it is determined in this step 262 that there is a reference characteristic that has been measured up to that point, that reference characteristic is used, but if it is determined that there is no reference characteristic that has been measured, the step A reference characteristic is measured at 264.

When the previously prepared or measured reference characteristics are obtained in this manner, the film moving table 52 is driven by the solenoid 56 in step 266, and the reference negative film 54 is set on the exposure optical path.

Then, in the next step 268, the component color filter pieces 42A, 42B, 42C are each driven to predetermined target positions, and in step 270, the light receiving units 68A, 68B, 68C, 68D, 68E, 6
The light reception signal of 8F is sampled and photometry is performed.

This photometry is performed according to the routine shown in FIG. 13, in which the photometry timing flag is first read in step 272, and in step 274 it is determined whether or not the photometry timing flag is set. When the photometry timing flag is set at 276, the light receiving units 68A, 68
Each light reception signal of B, 68C, 68D, 68E, and 68F is sampled to obtain a photometric value.

Here, the photometry timing flag is the phase detection signal 108 similar to the light reception timing flag described above.
The sampled values are set and reset in synchronization with the actual value, so that accurate sampling values are always obtained regardless of the periodically fluctuating light source.

When photometry is performed in step 270 in this manner, it is determined in steps 278 and 280 of FIG. 11 whether the photometry value is within a predetermined tolerance range.

If it is determined in these steps 278 and 280 that the measured value is outside the allowable range, the step
The process proceeds to step 282, where the deviation of the photometric value from the center value of the tolerance range is calculated.

Then, in step 284, the corrected movement amount of the component color filter pieces 42A, 42B, and 42C is calculated from the deviation, and in step 286, the drive target position of the CC filter 40 is changed based on this corrected movement amount, and its learning is performed.

When the process of step 286 is completed, the process returns to step 268, and if it is determined in steps 278 and 280 that the photometric value is within the allowable range, the photometric value at that time is set in step 288, and the photometric value is set in step 288. A reference characteristic is learned that is translated into a characteristic that includes the measured value and the target position. As a result, this reference characteristic that has been translated in parallel will be used thereafter.

Thereafter, in step 290, the light source management flag is reset and the photometry flag is set, and the routine of FIG. 11 is completed.

Next, the procedure of the characteristic measurement process carried out in step 264 will be explained with reference to FIG.

First, in step 292, the reference negative film 54 is set on the exposure optical path by driving the film moving table 52, and the component color filter piece 42 to be driven first is set as the component color filter piece 42A (step 294). .

Incidentally, this may be performed in an empty state with the reference negative film 54 being pulled out.

In step 296, the component color filter pieces 42A, 42B, and 42C are all fully opened, and in step 298, only the component color filter piece 42A is closed by a predetermined amount.

Then, in step 300, photometry is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG. 13, and in step 302, the photometry value is stored.

Further, in step 304, it is determined whether or not the component color filter piece 42 being driven is fully open. If it is determined that the component color filter piece 42 is not fully closed, the process returns to step 298, and the component color filter piece 42 is opened. The driving, photometry, and storage of photometry values are repeated until the photometry value is fully opened.

If it is determined in step 304 that the component color filter piece 42 that is being driven is fully open, the process proceeds to step 306 where it is determined whether the component color filter piece 42C is closed.

When the component color filter piece 42A is first driven in the closing direction, the component color filter piece 42C is opened in step 296, so a negative determination is made in step 306, and the process advances to step 308.

In step 308, the component color filter piece 42
It is determined whether or not A is in a closed state, and when the component color filter piece 42A is first driven in the closing direction, the component color filter piece 42A
is closed, so a positive determination is made. Then, in step 310, the component color filter piece 42B is changed to the next driven component color filter piece 42B.
, and the process returns to step 296.

As a result, the component color filter piece 42B is driven from the fully open position to the fully closed position, during which photometry is performed and these photometric values are sequentially stored.

Thereafter, when the component color filter piece 42B is fully opened, a negative determination is made in step 308 (at this time, only the component color filter piece 42B is closed), and the process proceeds to step 312.

In this step 312, the component color filter piece 42 driven last is the component color filter piece 42C.
After that, the process returns to step 296 and the same process is repeated.

As a result, the component color filter piece 42C is driven from the fully open position to the fully open position, during which photometry is performed and these photometric values are sequentially stored.

When the component color filter piece 42C is fully closed and an affirmative determination is made in step 306, this routine ends.

In this way, component color filter pieces 42A, 42B, 4
The relationship between the position of 2C and the photometric value is stored, and the positional received light amount reference characteristic is formed by these.

By processing steps 318, 320, 322, and 324 above,
The CC filter 40 is controlled to a position where each light receiving unit 68 is within a region where linear operation is possible, so that each light receiving unit 68 is not saturated by excessive light input and its signal-to-noise ratio is reduced. Nor.

For this reason, in this color printer system, the CC filter 40 is used to manage the light source.

The above operations can be summarized as follows. That is, first, the reference characteristics for the negative film 50 to be set are prepared.

Next, place the CC filter 4 in the position that provides the best light source light.
0 is moved. Then, it is determined whether the light source light at that time is optimal.

At this time, if it is determined that the light source light is not optimal due to dust adhesion, lamp deterioration, etc., the optimal position of the CC filter 40 is determined and learned, and the CC filter 40 is moved to that optimal position. Filter 40 is moved.

In this color printer system, the light source is automatically self-managed so that the optimum light source light is always obtained regardless of the type of negative film.

Next, photometry will be explained. Note that this photometry is performed for each frame because the optical properties of the negative film 40 change due to the heat of the light source.

In step 314 in FIG. 14, the component color filter pieces 42A, 42B, 42C of the CC filter 40 are
are each driven to the specified target position, and the step
At 316, photometry is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG. 13 above. At this time, the negative film 52 is set on the exposure light path.

Then, in step 318, it is determined whether the photometric value is greater than the maximum value of the allowable range.
If it is determined that the photometric value is larger than the maximum allowable range, then in step 320 the component color filter pieces 42A, 42B, and 42C are driven in the closing direction.

If it is determined in step 318 that the photometric value is not greater than the maximum value of the allowable range, the process proceeds to step 322, where it is determined whether the photometric value is smaller than the minimum value of the allowable range.

When it is determined in this step 322 that the photometric value is smaller than the minimum allowable range value, in step 324 the component color filter pieces 42A, 42B,
42C is driven in the opening direction.

When the processes in steps 320 and 324 are completed, and a negative determination is made in step 322, and it is determined that the photometric value is within the allowable range, the process advances to step 326, again as shown in FIG. Photometry is performed according to the procedure, and this routine ends.

As mentioned above, CC filter 4 is also used for this photometry.
0 is used, and the photometry is performed by controlling the position of the component color filter pieces 42A, 42B, and 42C to preset target positions (previously stored in the memory or taught).

Next, the light adjustment performed subsequent to this photometry will be explained.

This light adjustment is performed using the CC filter 4 based on the exposure conditions given in advance and the measured value obtained by the photometry.
Find the target position of 0 and apply CC filter 4 to this position.
By controlling the position of 0, the amount and color of the light source used for exposure are adjusted.

In this color printer system, this dimming is performed as follows.

FIG. 15 shows the processing procedure, and in the first step 328, it is determined whether the photometric value obtained by the processing in step 326 is abnormal.

In step 328, if it is determined that the photometric value is abnormal, the process proceeds to step 330, where the display 74 displays a message to that effect, and this routine ends.

The causes of abnormal photometry values include a defective receiver,
Examples include a burnt out lamp.

Further, when it is determined in step 328 that the photometric value is not abnormal, step 332
334, 336, 338, 340, and 342 perform exposure calculation processing (described later) consisting of color correction processing, color key processing, density correction processing, density key processing, slope processing, and other processing, respectively. Based on the exposure amount determined by the processing and the exposure time given in advance, the component color filter pieces 42A, 4 are used in step 344.
The respective target positions of 2B and 42C, that is, the amount and color of the exposure light source light are determined.

In this embodiment, standard data (for example,
RGB balance) is given as fixed data in advance, and color correction processing (step
332), color key processing (step 334), density correction processing (step 336), and density key processing (step 338), the above-mentioned exposure calculation processing is performed in accordance with data previously taught from the keyboard 72 for each frame.

The negative film 50 still has photosensitive characteristics as shown in FIG. 20, but since these characteristics differ depending on the type, slope processing (step 340) is performed.
This is done in order to obtain the optimum light source light for exposure according to this characteristic.

Therefore, this process is performed every time a different type of negative film 50 is set.

In order to perform this process, in this color printer system, a curved slope characteristic 502 as shown in FIG. 21 is given in advance as fixed data.
This slope characteristic 502 is read out at 340A.

Then, in step 340B, the photometric value is set, and in step 340C, the exposure amount is determined from the slope characteristic 502 based on the photometric value. Furthermore, the target position of the CC filter 40 is calculated in step 344 based on the exposure amount and the exposure time.

Note that in this embodiment, a plurality of photometric values and exposure amounts are stored in advance as fixed data on a table in correspondence with each other at predetermined intervals, so that the measured values and the measured values in the table form do not match. In some cases, the exposure amount is determined by performing interpolation processing.

In the next step 346, the component color filter pieces 42A, 42 are moved to the position determined in the above manner.
It is determined whether all of B and 42C are capable of movement and their movement target positions are within the movable range.

If it is determined in step 346 that all of the component color filter pieces 42A, 42B, and 42C can be moved to those positions, step 348 is performed.
Proceed to component color filter pieces 42A, 42B, 42
C are actually driven to their respective target positions.

Then, in step 350, the light receiving units 68A, 68B, 68 are connected according to the procedure shown in FIG.
Photometry is performed by C, 68D, 68E, and 68F.

Furthermore, when it is confirmed in step 352 that the exposure condition is satisfied based on the photometric value, this routine is ended.

Further, if it is determined in step 346 that any one of the component color filters 42A, 42B, and 42C cannot be moved to the target position,
The following exposure time changing process is performed.

If it is determined in step 346 that at least one of the movement target positions for each of the component color filter pieces 42A, 42B, and 42C has deviated from the movable range, the process proceeds to step 354 to determine the movement target position. A movable range deviation amount x is calculated.

Then, in step 356, the formula for calculating the exposure target time is
The movement target position calculation formula is read out.

Note that both of the above equations can be expressed as the following equations (1) and (2), respectively, and in these equations, Dmx
is the maximum deviation density amount of the three colors, T is the standard exposure time, D is the filter density value of the first exposure calculation result, D' is the filter density value of the calculation result, i is C,
This represents the case of M and Y.

t=T×10 ^Dmx Equation (1) Di′=Di+Dmx Equation (2) Furthermore, in step 358, the exposure target time is calculated using the above exposure target time calculation formula.

Further, in step 360, the movement target position is calculated using the above movement target position calculation formula.

Then, in step 362, these exposure target times,
The movement target position is changed from the previous one, and then the process returns to step 348.

Next, the above steps 346, 354, 356, 358, 360,
An example of operation according to 362 will be explained using FIG. 23.

In the figure, when the filter movement target positions P _Y , P _M , and P _C of the component color filter pieces 42A, 42B, and 42C are determined according to the characteristics Co, Mo, and Yo, the target position P _Y is within the movable range in the fully open direction. When there is a deviation from the (fully open position to fully open position) by an amount x, this deviation amount x is first determined (step 354).

Next, the exposure target time _t1 is determined from the calculation formula indicated by characteristic 540 in the figure (step 358).
Note that the target exposure time up to that point is represented by the value t ₀ .

In addition, a new movement target position is determined from the position calculation formula.
Q _M and Q _C are determined (step 360).

Furthermore, the above exposure target time t ₁ , movement target position Q _C ,
Q _M and Q _Y (this is the fully open position) are set (step 362).

As described above, the movement target position R1 of a certain component color filter piece 42 is changed by the amount x due to the so-called overnegative.
When the deviation is toward the open side by the amount x, the exposure target time is continuously extended according to the amount x, and the time t ₁
, and along with this, another component color filter piece 42
The movement target positions P _M , P _C up to that point are changed to positions Q _M , Q _C in the closing direction.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 352 that the exposure conditions are not satisfied based on the photometric value measured in step 350, this may be due to mechanical errors in the color printer system or due to the system itself. The photometric value does not match the target light intensity due to machine differences.

In this case, the process advances to step 364 and the following filter position change process is started.

Here, this filter position changing process will be explained using FIG. 19.

In the figure, a photometric value D1 (step 350) is obtained at position P0 (steps 344, 362).

First, the photometric value D2 at that time is predicted from the characteristic 500 (step 364).

The difference between the values D1 and D2 is then determined and the difference is added to the expected value D2, thereby determining the added value D3 (step 368).

Further, the filter position P1 is determined from the characteristic 500 using this added value D3, and this position P1 is set as a new filter target position in place of the previous position P0 (step 372). Note that the target light amount for this target position P1 is shown as a value D4 in the figure.

In this way, in this example, it is assumed that there is a new operating point P1, D4) on the characteristic 550 that includes the position (P0, D1) and is translated by the characteristic 500 by the difference between the above values D1 and D2. This filter position changing process is shown below.

By performing this filter position change processing, the light source light is automatically self-managed to the target amount and color despite mechanical errors, machine differences, etc.

As described above, this dimming is also performed by controlling the movement of the CC filter 40.

Next, the exposure performed subsequent to this light adjustment will be explained.

At step 354 in FIG. 16, the shutter 60 is first driven open.

Then, in the next step 356, a timer for controlling the exposure time is immediately started, and the step 356 is started.
358 monitors the time up of that timer.

Furthermore, when it is determined in step 358 that the timer has timed out, the step
Proceeding to 360, the shutter 60 is immediately driven to close.

Then, in step 362, driving of the photographic paper 12 is started for exposure of the next frame to increase the speed, and in step 364, the end of the paper feeding is monitored.

Furthermore, when it is determined in this step 364 that the paper feeding has been completed, the step
366, the component color filter pieces 42A, 42B, and 42C of the CC filter 40 are moved to predetermined target positions, and preparations are made for the next frame exposure.

When the photographic paper 12 is exposed to light as described above, the exposed photographic paper 12 is fed to the developing machine 14 and developed.
On the 14 side, the developing conditions change due to fatigue of the developer.

This variation in development conditions is absorbed in the present color printer system by the following development management, and the development results of the developing device 14 are made constant.

Two types of development management processing are prepared to absorb the fluctuations in the development conditions described above, and one of these is selected. Next, the development management will be explained one by one.

First, when one development management is selected, the operation start command is supplied to the processing circuit 26 by operating the keyboard 72, and the routine shown in FIG. 17 is started.

In the first step 374, the presence or absence of reference data, which will be described later, is determined.
If it is determined in step 374 that there is reference data, that data is set in step 376.

Then, in step 378, the lighting of the exposure lamp 16 is controlled, and in step 380, the CC filter 40 is controlled.
Adjustments are made to the light emitted by the exposure lamp 16 under drive control, and the light source light is adjusted to achieve the target amount and color.

Thereafter, a sample print is set on the filter moving table 52 and moved onto the exposure light path.

This sample print is prepared in advance as follows.

In FIG. 18, at step 382, the component color filter pieces 42A, 42B, and 42C are driven to predetermined target positions.

At this time, no negative film is set on the exposure light path, and the filter moving stage 52 is in an empty state. Alternatively, a photographic negative or ND film (with a constant level of transmitted light regardless of changes in input wavelength) is set on the filter moving table 52 and moved onto the exposure optical path.

The position of the CC filter 40 is such that when the filter moving table 52 is empty, the exposure light is a predetermined amount of light and becomes gray, and when a photographic negative or ND filter is used. It is said to be in the fully open position.

When the component color filter pieces 42A, 42B, and 42C of the CC filter 40 are driven to their respective predetermined positions in this manner, in step 384 of FIG.
D, 68E, and 68F measure light source adjustment light or transmitted light. Note that this photometry is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG. 13 above.

Then, in the next step 386, it is determined whether the measured value obtained in the above step 384 matches the target value, and if it is determined in this step that the two do not match, the process proceeds to step 388. Proceed to.

In this step 388, the deviation of the photometric value with respect to the target value is calculated, and in the next step 390, the correction amount for the drive target position of the CC filter 40 is calculated based on the deviation, and in the step 382
Return to

When it is confirmed in step 386 that the light applied to the photographic paper 12 has been adjusted to the target quantity and quality in this manner, the same exposure as described above is performed in step 392, and the present routine is completed.

Thereafter, the exposed photographic paper 12 is supplied to the developing machine 14 for development processing, thereby obtaining the sample print.

Incidentally, when the sample print is set on the filter moving table 52, the sample print is cut in advance according to its size.

When the sample print described above is set on the exposure optical path, the photometry shown in FIG. 13 is performed in step 394 of FIG.
C, 68D, 68E, 68F.

In the next step 396, the transmission density of the sample print measured in step 394 is compared with the reference data set in step 376.

This reference data is the transmission density of a print with a standard development finish, and is prepared in advance as circuit data, or the measurement results are taught.

Furthermore, in step 398, the above step 396
Based on the comparison result, that is, the difference between the two transmission densities, it is determined whether or not the exposure conditions can be corrected.

If it is determined in step 398 that the correction is possible, step 400 is performed.
Then, the exposure conditions are corrected according to the difference.

If it is determined in step 398 that correction is not possible, the process proceeds to step 402, where a warning is displayed on the display 74.

In this embodiment, the exposure conditions are corrected by correcting the exposure light source light, so that the development conditions of the developing device 14 are absorbed in the present color printing system.

Next, a case where the other development management is selected will be explained.

In this case, a standard exposed photographic paper 12 is prepared in advance, and is developed in the developing machine 14 in advance. Note that this photographic paper 12 is supplied in advance from a print manufacturer or the like.

After this photographic paper 12 is set on the filter moving table 52 and moved onto the exposure optical path, the processes from step 394 onward in FIG. 17 are performed.
Note that if the reference data is not prepared at that time, the standard developed print is set on the filter moving table 52 and moved onto the exposure optical path, and then step 408 is performed to prepare the reference data. be measured.

By performing any of the above development management, fluctuations in the development conditions of the developing device 14 are absorbed in the present printer system in the form of a change in the exposure light source light.

In this type of development management, since exposure is performed, variations in exposure conditions are absorbed in addition to variations in development conditions, and the final development finish is kept constant.

Further, according to the latter development management, only the fluctuations in the developing conditions on the developing machine 14 side can be extracted, and therefore it can be confirmed that the alarm issued in step 402 is caused only by the fluctuations in the developing conditions.

As explained above, according to this embodiment, since the sampling of the light reception signal is performed in synchronization with the lighting current which changes at a predetermined period, stable measurement values can always be obtained despite periodic changes in the lighting current. Is possible.

As a result, it is possible to always obtain constant exposure results even with the same negative film.

In addition, the exposure power supply is provided with a main circuit that converts alternating current into lighting current using a switching signal generation circuit, and the exposure lamp is lit by this main circuit without using a transformer, so the exposure power supply can be constructed at low cost. is possible.

Furthermore, since the phase detector can be configured with a simple comparator and zero-cross detector, the cost required for manufacturing the system does not increase.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the light reception signal of the light receiver whose field of view is only the exposure lamp is used as a feedback signal to control the lighting of the exposure lamp, so it is possible to always control the light source light to a constant target light intensity. .

Furthermore, since the receiver's field of view is only the exposure lamp, the reflected light (several percent of the light source light) that is reflected by the CC filter and changes as it moves does not enter the receiver; Even if the lens is moved, the above-mentioned light amount control can be performed accurately.

Furthermore, since it is possible to move the light receiver away from the exposure lamp, a semiconductor device capable of highly sensitive and accurate detection can be used for this light receiver, which makes it possible to further improve the precision of the light amount control described above. becomes.

Note that the optical system 38 in FIG. 1 is similar to that in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 26, it is also possible to use a glass fiber 90, a cylindrical body 92 whose inner peripheral surface is colored black, and a mirror 94. Furthermore, it is preferable to provide half-attenuation means such as a filter or a slit in front of the light-receiving surface of the light receiver in order to ensure the linearity of the light reception.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a plurality of color light receiving units are oriented toward the center of the negative film and are arranged symmetrically around the perpendicular line passing through the center, so that the negative film has color directionality (the negative film rotates). It is possible to obtain the same exposure result even if there is a difference in the amount of color light received when

Further, since the component color light receivers provided in each color light receiving unit are also arranged symmetrically, it is possible to obtain a more constant exposure result.

In addition, when only an optical system common to each component color receiver is provided in front of the light receiving surface of each color light receiving unit, and when an image is partially formed on the light receiving surface of each component color receiver, each condenser lens It is preferable to provide a light mixer on the color light receiving unit side of the color light receiving unit so that uniform light is incident on each component color light receiving unit.

According to this embodiment, light source management, photometry, and light control are performed only by controlling the movement of the CC filter, so cut filters and scanner photometers are not used, and therefore the system can be constructed at low cost. It becomes possible.

Furthermore, in light source management, it is possible to always obtain light source light having a reference amount and color by controlling according to the reference characteristics.

Furthermore, since the reference characteristics are automatically generated, there is no need to prepare them in advance, and therefore it is possible to obtain the optimal reference characteristics depending on the system state at that time.

Note that since the optimum reference characteristics are learned (step 288), it is possible to always obtain good light source light.

If extremely good exposure results are required, it is official to generate the reference characteristics using the reference negative film, and if the reference characteristics are generated without using this (step 264). There is no need to prepare a reference negative film for each type of negative film, and the reference characteristics can be applied to all types of negative films.

Furthermore, in photometry, since the CC filter is controlled to move to a predetermined position and photometry is performed, stable photometry values can be obtained.

By setting multiple photometric positions of the CC filter, it is possible to obtain even more stable photometric results.

Note that since this photometry is performed in synchronization with fluctuations in the light source, accurate photometry values can be obtained, and this also applies to light source control and light source management, so that constant light source light can always be obtained.

In light adjustment, it is possible to obtain exposure light source light of any color, and it is also possible to improve the image quality, and furthermore, the speed can be improved.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, if the CC filter exceeds its dimming range during dimming, the exposure time is automatically changed continuously, and the filter movement target position is also automatically changed along with this. Therefore, it is possible to perform a good exposure operation easily and in a short time without requiring any skill.

Although an example has been described here in which the movement of the filter piece is controlled onto the same exposure optical path, for example, a plurality of exposure light sources are provided and the movement of the filter piece is controlled onto each of the exposure optical paths. The present invention can also be applied to objects.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even if the developing conditions change on the developing machine side due to liquid fatigue, this change is absorbed by the printer system, so no experience is required to manage the developing machine in response to such changes. This makes it easier to handle.

It is preferable to issue an alarm as in the present embodiment when the printer system cannot absorb the variation of the developing strip on the developing machine side.

According to this embodiment, the standard exposure time is
Since setup conditions such as RGB balance and slope characteristics are given as fixed data, the system can be put into operation immediately when the user's system is installed, and setup can be easily performed without any experience required.

Furthermore, slope processing can be performed using a curved slope characteristic 502 as shown in FIG.
By matching this characteristic 502 with the photosensitive characteristic shown in FIG. 20, it becomes possible to obtain an accurate exposure amount.

In addition, this system automatically manages light sources, prevents changes in characteristics and performance over time, and is a complete collection, so the same operating state as the initial one can always be obtained.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, when the amount of light transmitted through the negative film is extremely large or small and it is impossible to adjust the light as it is, the exposure time is automatically and continuously changed. Therefore, no matter how overexposed the negative film is, it can be exposed well, and even if the light intensity of the light source is increased, good printing effects can be obtained for negatives with an extremely large amount of transmitted light or negatives with very little transmitted light. This effect can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is an illustration of the overall configuration of the color printer system, Figures 2 and 3 are circuit configuration diagrams of the phase detector, Figure 4 is an illustration of the orientation direction of the light receiving unit, and Figures 5 and 6 are Explanatory diagram of the arrangement position of the light receiving unit and component color receiver, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 1
Figure 0, Figure 11, Figure 12, Figure 13, Figure 14
15, 16, 17, and 18 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the color printer system in Figure 1, Figure 19 is a graph of standard characteristics, and Figure 20 is a graph of the negative film. Photosensitive characteristic diagram, 2nd
1 is a slope characteristic diagram, FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining slope processing, FIG. 23 is a graph for explaining the exposure target time and filter target position changing action, and FIGS. 24, 25, and 26 are FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of an optical system that limits the field of view of a light receiver. 26...Processing circuit, 40...CC filter, 4
4A, 44B, 44C...Step motor, 46
...Drive power supply, 50...Negative film, 68A,
68B, 68C, 68D, 68E, 68F... Light receiving unit.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A filter piece for each component color that performs light control by being moved forward and backward with respect to an exposure optical path, a measuring means for measuring the transmission density of a negative film, and a filter piece for measuring the transmission density of the negative film. The movement target position of each filter piece is calculated based on the target exposure amount and the predetermined exposure target time, and any one of the movement target positions of each filter piece is within the movable range of the filter piece. calculation means for changing the target exposure time in accordance with the amount of deviation from the movable range when the target exposure time deviates from the movable range, and calculating a new target position for each filter piece based on the changed target exposure time and the target exposure amount; A color printer system characterized by: