JPH0572571B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a film retrieval method for retrieving a target image by counting the marks provided on each image of the film.

Conventionally, search devices built into film readers and the like use film with search marks on the sides of each frame, and automatically locate the desired frame on the film by counting the marks. I'm trying to search.

The above search device illuminates the mark on the film with a lamp, uses a mark detector to detect changes in the light blocked by the mark as the film is moved, and counts the output signal of this mark detector with a counter. A comparator circuit compares the count of this counter with a desired frame number input from an input device such as a keyboard, and when the two match, a stop signal is issued from the comparator circuit to the drive control circuit, and the film is transferred. The drive system is stopped and the desired frame is stopped at a predetermined position to be projected onto the screen.

By the way, when recording a large number of originals on film, one film wound around a reel is generally 100 feet long, so it is not possible to record all the originals on one film. , will be recorded on multiple films. Therefore, when many manuscripts are recorded on multiple films in a predetermined order, the address number of the first information frame recorded on the first film is set to "1", and the address number of the last information frame is set to "1". If "X" is specified, the address number of the first information frame recorded on the second film will be "X+1", and the address number of the first information frame of the second and subsequent films will start from the middle of the serial number. . For example, if patent publications are recorded on film in the order of advertisement numbers, if the first film is recorded from advertisement number ``1'' (address number) to advertisement number ``X'', then the second film is recorded with advertisement number ``X+''.
They will be recorded in order starting from the publication No. 1.

When searching with the above-mentioned search device using such films, there is no problem when using the first film, but when using other films, the first information frame of the film is searched. The address number of the desired information to be searched must be searched for using an index, and the address number for searching the first information and the address number (search number) of the desired information to be searched must be entered into an input device such as a keyboard, which makes the search process difficult. It was very troublesome.

Also, if you start a search by entering the address number of information that does not exist on the film you are using into the input device as information to be searched, you will have to worry about performing the incorrect search operation until the entire film is fed out from the reel. This is a time consuming process and has problems such as cutting the film if the end of the film is fixed to the reel.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when each image is recorded over multiple films, it is possible to automatically select the desired image without the user having to input the address of the first image on the film. This provides a search method that allows searching.

The details of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a film reader to which the present invention is applied. In the drawing, 1 is a cartridge containing a reel of microfilm wound into a roll, 2 is a guide roller, 3 is a film guide plate, 4 is a lamp for illuminating the microfilm,
5 is a condensing lens, 6 and 7 are glass plates arranged opposite each other across the film transport path, 8 is a capstan roller, 9 is a pinch roller, 10 is a take-up reel, and 11
is a film feed roller that feeds out the leading edge of the film from the cartridge 1. Cartridge 1
The take-up reel 10 is connected to a film tensioning and winding motor, and the capstan roller 8 and delivery roller 11 are connected to a film transport motor. The microfilm F in the cartridge is sent out by a delivery roller 11, passes between a guide plate 3, passes between a pair of glass plates 6 and 7, and is sent to a take-up reel 10, where it is wound up on the take-up reel. After being wound onto the take-up reel, the film is wound onto the take-up reel or rewound onto the cartridge 1 by a capstan roller 8 while being stretched between the cartridge 1 and the take-up reel 10.
15 is a film detector consisting of a micro switch, 51 and 52 are mark detectors, 17 is a projection lens, and 18 is a screen.

Figure 2 shows the microfilm.
In the figure, the leading edge of the film is on the right side, and the film is sent to the take-up reel 10 from this leading edge.
Reference numeral 20 indicates a frame in which information is recorded, 21 indicates a search item mark, and 22 indicates a search frame mark, each of which is first position information for searching for a desired item or frame. By counting the number of frames, the relative position of each frame on the film can be determined. The subject mark 21 is recorded on one side of the first frame of a plurality of consecutive frames related to information contents, and the frame mark 22 is recorded on the other side of each frame. For example, if one patent publication consists of several pages and each patent publication is recorded in page order in each frame, an issue mark will be placed in the first column on the side of the frame where the first page of each publication is recorded. 21 is recorded, and a frame mark 22 is recorded in the second row on the side of the frame for each frame in which each page is recorded. Therefore, the issue mark 21 is recorded on each side of the frame of the first page of each publication recorded on the film. The subject mark and the frame mark are configured to have the same size or different sizes, and have a density different from that of the surrounding area. For example, the marks 21 and 22 are opaque when the film base is transparent, and transparent when the film base is opaque. Reference numeral 23 denotes second position information consisting of a code mark that encodes an address number for searching for information at the beginning of the film and an address number for searching for information at the end of the film. Between the leading edge of film F and the first frame on the film,
It is recorded in the same column as the frame mark 22.

24 is a timing mark, 16 of which are recorded at regular intervals in the same column as the event mark 21. The code mark 23 and the timing mark 24 are configured to have approximately the same size as the subject mark 22 or the frame mark 23, and have the same density as the frame mark and the frame mark. In other embodiments of the film to be described later, it is not necessary to provide the timing mark on the film, but in this case, a code mark can be provided on the first row of the film. code mark 23
is the center line C of the film extending in the longitudinal direction of the film
The timing mark 24 is selectively provided at a position facing the timing mark 24 with the timing mark 24 in between. When the code mark 23 is located at a position in the second column opposite to the timing mark 24 in the first column with the center line C in between, it indicates a logic "1", and when there is no code mark 23, it indicates a logic "0". In this embodiment, the code is represented by a combination of whether or not there is a code mark in the second row of positions on the film opposite to the first to eighth timing marks closest to the leading edge of the film. The information is the address number of the leading information of the film, and the code information represented by the combination of whether or not there is a code mark in the second column on the film opposite each timing mark from the 9th to the 16th timing mark. It was set as the address number for the last information of the film. That is, this film has item number B.
Information on a large number of items from item number C to item number C are recorded in order from the leading edge of the film, and the address number for the first information on the film is "B" and the address number for the last information is "C". The number is code-converted into a binary code represented by the presence or absence of the code mark 23 and recorded on the film. In the above embodiment, the case number is code-converted and recorded on the film as the address number, but the frame numbers of the first and last pieces of information may be similarly code-converted and recorded on the film.

FIG. 4 shows detectors 51 and 52 for detecting marks on the film.
The timing mark 24 is arranged along the passing position of the first row of marks on the film F, and is arranged at intervals shorter than the length of the marks.
It consists of two light receiving elements, and when both light receiving elements detect an optical signal from a mark, they output a high level signal (hereinafter referred to as H). The second detector 52 detects the frame marks 22 and code marks 23 recorded on the second row of the microfilm F, and is arranged along the passing position of the marks on the second row of the film F. It consists of two light-receiving elements arranged at an interval shorter than the length, and outputs an H signal when both light-receiving elements detect an optical signal from the mark. Note that each detector is composed of at least one light receiving element.

FIG. 5 shows a search control circuit, where 53 is an input device for inputting the address number of desired information to be searched, that is, case number A, 55 is an arithmetic circuit, and 56
57 is a flip-flop circuit, and 58 is a film transport motor control circuit. H1,H
2 is a comparison circuit; M1, M2, M3, and M4 are memories; the first memory M1 records the address number B of the leading information on the film, and the second memory M2 records the address number C of the trailing information on the film. Remember.
The third memory M3 stores the case number A input into the input device 53, and the fourth memory M4 stores the case number of the information currently being searched. A and A2 are AND gates, and OR1 and OR2 are OR gates. C
1 and C2 are counters, and the first counter C1 is a subtraction counter. When the flip-flop circuit 57 is set, "16" is set, and when an H signal is sent from the first detector 51, this is subtracted and counted. Each time the H signal is input, the contents of the counter are decremented by 1. When the content of the counter C1 becomes "0", an H signal is output from its output terminal C1', and this signal causes the first and second memories C1 and C
The contents of 2 are transferred to comparison circuits H1 and H2 and arithmetic circuit 55, and flip-flop circuit 57 is reset. The second counter C2 consists of a subtraction counter. The first comparison circuit H1 is connected to the second memory M
The content C of the second memory M3 is compared with the content A of the third memory M3, and when A>C, a film stop signal is output from the output terminal H1'. The second comparison circuit H2 compares the contents B of the first memory M1 and the contents A of the third memory M3, and outputs a film stop signal from the output terminal H2' when A<B. The calculation circuit 55 calculates the difference between the content A of the third memory M3 and the value "B-1" which is smaller by "1" than the content B of the first memory M1,
The calculated value D (D=A-(B-1)) is set in the second counter C2. The display 56 displays the content A of the third memory M3, and the fourth memory M4 displays the content A of the third memory M3 when the search for desired information is completed.
remember.

When the search start signal is input to the input terminal 58', the motor control circuit 58 drives the film moving motor and the take-up reel driving motor to rotate the capstan roller 8, the film feed roller 11, and the take-up reel 10. , the film starts to be transferred, and when a film stop signal is input to the input terminal 58'', the motor is stopped and the film is stopped being transferred. The retrieval device may be controlled by a microcomputer.

6 and 7 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the above-mentioned search device. This flowchart only shows the operation of reading the code mark and controlling the search, and the operation of reading the subject mark or the frame mark to obtain the desired result. The flow of operations up to searching for information is omitted.

Next, the operation of the above device will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. When the case number A of the desired information to be searched is inputted to the input device 53 and a search start is commanded, a search start signal is inputted from the input terminal 58' to the motor control circuit 58, and the film transfer signal is inputted via the motor control circuit 58. The motor and the take-up reel drive motor are driven, which causes the capstan roller 8,
Film feed roller 11 and take-up reel 10
rotates, the leading end of the film F is fed out from the cartridge 1, and the film is transferred toward the take-up reel 10.

The film detector 15 is activated when the film starts to be transferred.
When the camera detects that the film has been fed to a predetermined position in the path, the flip-flop circuit 57 is set by the H signal output from the film detector 15, and "16" is set in the first counter C1 at step 1 in FIG. Then, in step 2, memory M1,
M2 is cleared. Next, after the leading edge of the film passes the detection positions of mark detectors 51 and 52,
The timing mark 24 reaches the detection position. In step 3, the first detector 51 detects the first timing mark 24, and at the same time, in step 4, the second timing mark 24 is detected.
When the detector 52 detects the code mark 23, the AND gate A1 opens and the first memory M is opened in step 5.
"1" is stored in the first address of "1". When the first detector 51 detects the first timing mark 24 and the second detector 52 does not detect the code mark 23, the AND gate A1 does not open and the first address of the first memory M1 is set to "0". is memorized. On the other hand, in step 6, the first detector 51
When the second timing mark 24 is detected, the first timing mark 24 is detected.
The H signal output from the detector 51 is subtracted and counted by the first counter C1, and the content of the first counter C1 becomes "15". 1st counter C in step 7
The content of 1 is subtracted, and if the value is not "8", the second address of the first memory M1 is selected and the process returns to step 3 again. Next, when the first detector 51 detects the second timing mark 24, the second timing mark 24 is detected.
Depending on whether the detector 52 detects the code mark 23 or not, "1" or "0" is stored in the second address of the first memory M1. Thereafter, the same operation as described above is repeated until the eighth timing mark 24 is detected, and information "1" or "0" is stored from the first address to the eighth address of the first memory M1. 8th timing mark 24
When the detector 51 detects the timing mark, the content of the first counter C1 becomes "8", and the address number B of the head information is stored in the first memory M1 until the eighth timing mark is detected. Note that no information is stored in the second memory C2 until the content of the counter C1 reaches "8".

FIG. 8 shows the output signal waveform a of the first detector 51 and the output signal waveform b of the second detector ₅₂ .
The signal output from the detector 51 is shown as a pulse signal.
b ₁ indicates a signal output from the second detector 52 when the code mark 23 is detected. This pulse signal b ₁
represents logic "1", and when the pulse signal a ₁ is output, the signal b ₂ of the low level portion of the second detector 52
represents a logic "0". “1” of the eight signals b _{1 and} b ₂ output from the second detector 52 until the first detector 51 outputs the first pulse signal a ₁ to the eighth pulse signal _a 1 , "0", the address number of the head information is stored in the first memory M1 using a binary coded binary code consisting of a combination of "0".

When the content of the first counter C1 becomes "8", the flow shifts to the flow shown in FIG.
The information is not stored in the second memory M2, but the information is stored in the second memory M2. In step 8 of Figure 7,
When the detector 51 detects the ninth timing mark 24, the second detector 52 detects the code mark 2.
3 is detected or not, "1" or "0" is written to the first address of the second memory M2 in step 10.
is memorized. On the other hand, when the first detector 51 detects the ninth timing mark 24, the step
11, the H signal output from the first detector 51 is subtracted and counted by the first counter C1.
The content of 1 becomes "7". If the content of the first counter C1 is not "0" in step 12, then the first counter C1 is
When the detector 51 detects the tenth timing mark 24, the second detector 52 detects the code mark 23.
"1" or "0" is stored in the second address of the second memory M2 depending on whether or not the first
The content of counter C1 becomes "6". From now on, the
The same operation as described above is performed until the 16th timing mark is detected, and when the first detector 51 detects the 16th timing mark 24, the address number C of the last information is stored in the second memory M2. The content of the first counter C1 becomes "0" as well as being stored.
As a result, reading of the code mark is completed, and H is output from the output terminal C1' of the first counter C1.
A signal appears. By the H signal output from the output terminal C1', a value "B-1" which is smaller by "1" than the address number B stored in the first memory M1 is transferred to the arithmetic circuit 55 and stored in the second memory M2. Address number C is transferred to the first comparison circuit H1, and address number B is stored in the first memory M1.
is transferred to the second comparison circuit H2. Also, the terminal
The flip-flop circuit 57 is reset by the H signal output from C', and the second counter C2 becomes ready for counting. The arithmetic circuit 55 A-(B-
1) Calculate =D and transfer the calculated value D to the second counter C2. On the other hand, the first comparison circuit H1 compares the magnitude relationship between the address number C transferred from the second memory M2 and the address number A transferred from the third memory M3, and if A>C, the output terminal H1'
A film stop signal is output from the motor control circuit 58, and the motor is stopped via the motor control circuit 58, thereby immediately stopping the film transport. When the film stops, the operator can know that he or she entered the wrong number.
Redo the search operation correctly. Also, the second comparison circuit H
2 compares the magnitude relationship between the address number B transferred from the first memory M1 and the address number A transferred from the third memory M3, and for numbers where A<B, outputs a film stop signal from the output terminal H2'; Similarly to the above, the motor is stopped via the motor control circuit 58 to immediately stop the film transport. Therefore, if an operator makes a mistake by entering a case number for information that does not exist on the film being used, the operator can stop the film and know that the mistake has been made within a short time after the film transfer starts. This prevents the film from being fed out from the cartridge 1 all the way to the rear end, preventing the film from being cut.
It can prevent wasting time. Incidentally, the film may be rewound into the cartridge 1 by rotating the motor in the reverse direction based on the signals output from the comparison circuits H1 and H2. In the case of A≦C, A≧B, the film continues to be transferred and the search continues, and when the first detector 51 detects the subject mark 21, the first detector 51
The H signal generated from is sent to the second counter C2 and subtracted and counted, and the content of the second counter C2 becomes "D-1". Thereafter, every time the first detector 51 detects the subject mark 22, the content of the second counter C2 is subtracted, and when the content of the second counter C2 becomes "0", a search end signal of H is output from the output terminal C2'. Then, in response to this search end signal, the motor is stopped via the motor control circuit 58, the transport of the film is stopped, and the desired information is placed at a predetermined position within the optical path of the projection lens 17. On the other hand, the AND gate A2 is opened by the search end signal, and the address number A stored in the third memory M3 is transferred to the fourth memory M4.
is transferred to and stored. The search operation is thus completed, the desired information is searched, and the information of the first frame of the desired item is projected onto the screen 18. After observing this information, if you want to search for other information in this film, input the item number E of the desired information to be searched next into the input device and command to start the search, and it will be stored in the third memory M3. Case No. E and No. 4
The case number A stored in the memory M4 is the calculation circuit 55.
is transferred to the arithmetic circuit 55, where E-A is computed.
The calculated value is set in the second counter C2, and the search operation can be performed in the same manner as described above.
In the above embodiment, the address number of the leading information of the film is code-converted and recorded on the film, but the number "B-1" which is "1" smaller than the address number of the leading information is code-converted and recorded on the film. May be recorded. In this case, the first memory M1
"B-1" is stored in the first memory M1, and the content "B-1" of the first memory M1 is transferred to the arithmetic circuit.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the film, in which an event mark 21 and a frame mark 22 are recorded in the same column of the film F', and the sizes of the marks are different. A subject mark 21 is provided for each frame at the beginning of one piece of information, and a frame mark 22 is provided for the remaining frames.
Also, between the first frame of film F' and the leading edge of the film, there is a code mark 23 and a start mark 2.
5 is recorded, and the code mark 23 and start mark 25 are provided in the same column as the issue mark 22 and the frame mark 23.

FIG. 9 shows a pulse generator that obtains a pulse signal instead of the pulse signal output when the first detector 51 detects the timing mark 24 on the film F shown in FIG. is a disc 81 that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the pinch roller 9.
and a photocoupler 83 that detects slits 82 provided at regular intervals on the circumferential surface of a disc 81. The photocoupler 83 is composed of a light source and a light receiving element. When the pinch roller 9 rotates as the film is transferred, the disc 81 rotates, and the rotation of the disc interrupts the light rays incident on the light receiving element from the light source. Generates a pulse signal from. The pulse generator 83 is configured to generate a pulse signal every time the film F' is transferred by the distance l between the code marks 23. The pulse signal generated from the pulse generator 80 is used instead of the signal obtained from the timing mark 24 of the film F shown in FIG. to read the code mark information. The start mark 25 controls the start of reading the code mark. The code mark 23 has the same shape as the frame mark 22. In addition,
The code mark 23 may have the same shape as the issue mark 21. The detector that detects each mark is composed of multiple light-receiving elements, and the size of the mark is determined by appropriately setting the spacing between each light-receiving element.
A detection signal corresponding to the size of the mark can be obtained. The details of the retrieval device using this film F' are well known and will not be described here. It is also possible to use a film that does not have a subject mark but has a frame mark. In this case, the code mark has the same shape as the frame mark.

In the above embodiment, a film is used in which the address numbers of the beginning information and the end information are recorded as code information, but the search is performed using a film in which only the address numbers of the beginning information are recorded as code information. You can also do that.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically search for a target image on a plurality of films without searching the address of the first image of the film using an index or inputting it, thereby improving operability. You can measure your improvement. Furthermore, since the address of the first image is automatically preset by using a detection means that detects marks provided on each image, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the device.Moreover, by sharing the detection means, it is possible to preset the address of the first image automatically. The number of parts is reduced, and the reliability of the device can be improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of a film reader showing one embodiment of the present invention, Figs. 2 and 3 are front views of the film, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the detector, and Fig. 5 shows a search control circuit. 6 and 7 are flowcharts of the search operation, FIG. 8 is a diagram of the output waveform of the detector, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the pulse generator. F...Film, 21...mark, 22...
Frame mark, 23... code mark.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. First position information provided on the side of each image on the film, and information located on the same column as the first position information, provided between the first image of the film and the leading edge of the film, and related to the first image. The second one showing the search information
The first and second position information are detected by a common detection means while the film having the position information is being transferred, the second position information detected by the detection means is stored in a memory, and the first position information detected by the detection means is stored in a memory. The position information is counted by a counting means, and the information obtained from the second position information stored in the memory and the first information counted by the counting means is compared with the search information corresponding to the desired image to be searched. A film retrieval method characterized in that transport of the film is stopped by the following steps.