JPH08248520A - Microfilm reader and its retrieval method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To make it possible to automatically set the images of frames in an adequate range within a reading range even if the relative positions of blips with frames change by adopting constitution capable of correcting the stop position of the frame by detecting a black frame and blip by an image sensor, detecting the relative mispositioning rate of the target frame and the blip and correcting the set stop position of the blip. CONSTITUTION: A black frame detecting means 120 detects the black frame and a blip detecting means 122 detects the position of the blip from the black frame. A relative position detecting means 124 determines the relative mispositioning rate a from the left edge of the frame to the blip. A stop position setting means 112 calculates the sum L0 of the relative mispositioning rate (a) and a specified value (b) and determines the sum L0 as the blip stop position based on the left edge of the reading range. A feed control means 108 feeds and stops the film 26 until the present position L of the blip is aligned to this blip position L0 . Consequently, the image of the frame is eventually stopped at the adequate position apart by the distance (b) from the left edge of the reading range.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention detects a blip from a microfilm having a blip, stops the blip at a set position, reads an image of a target frame with an image sensor, and outputs it to a CRT or a printer. The present invention relates to a microfilm reader and its search method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A microfilm scanner has been proposed in which a target frame is searched from a microfilm and the image is read using an image sensor such as a line sensor. This micro film scanner is a CRT
A microfilm reader combined with an output device such as a printer or a printer has also been proposed.

By reading an image with an image sensor in this way, it is possible to perform image processing as a digital image signal, display it on a CRT or a liquid crystal display plate, and easily output it to a printer, as well as a magneto-optical disk. It becomes easy to store it in a memory or transfer it to another image processing apparatus. Therefore, the range of use of the read image is significantly expanded.

A blip method (document mark method) is known as a microfilm searching method.
In this method, a blip (rectangular mark) is imprinted on each frame of microfilm, the address of the frame is determined by reading this blip with a blip reader and counting, and the target frame is searched. is there.

In this case, the image position of the frame is determined by stopping the position of the read blip at a predetermined set position. That is, the target frame is stopped at an appropriate position within the reading range by feeding a certain amount of film after the blip is detected by the blip reader.

[0006]

However, the relative position of the blip with respect to the top is not constant. For example, the blip is aligned with one edge of the top, and the blip is spaced a certain distance from the one edge of the top. Further, depending on the film, the blip position may deviate from the set position.

In such a case, the image is conventionally displayed on a CRT.
Or on the screen, the position of the frame is confirmed on this display screen, and if the frame position is inappropriate, the frame position is manually moved to set this position as a new setting position. However, in this case, it is necessary to output an image on the display screen or manually move the frame position, which is troublesome.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and enables an image of a frame to be automatically set to an appropriate position within a reading range even if the relative position of the blip to the frame changes. It is an object of the present invention to provide a search method for a microfilm reader that is easy to operate. It is another object to provide a microfilm reader that is used directly to carry out this method.

[0009]

According to the present invention, an object of the present invention is to detect a blip of a microfilm with a blip sensor, perform a search, stop the blip at a set stop position, and read and output an image of a target frame with an image sensor. In the search method of the microfilm reader, the black frame and the blip included in the image of the microfilm are detected by the image sensor, the relative positional deviation amount between the target frame and the blip is detected, and the relative positional deviation amount is a constant value. A method for searching a microfilm reader characterized in that the stop position of the frame can be corrected by adding or subtracting
Is achieved by

Instead of correcting the film position so that the frame image is in the proper position of the reading range, the reading range of the image sensor may be corrected. That is, the relative positional deviation amount between the frame and the blip is detected, and the reading range (scanning range of the image sensor) is corrected with the blip position as a reference.

Another object is to detect a blip of a microfilm and perform a search, and in a microfilm reader for reading and outputting an image of a target frame with an image sensor, the blip sensor for detecting the blip and the detected blip are A feed amount detecting means for detecting a film feed amount based on a reference, a black frame / blip detecting means for detecting a black frame and a blip of an image by using the output of the image sensor, and a relative positional deviation amount between the detected black frame and the blip are obtained. Relative position detection means, stop position setting means for obtaining a blip stop position by adding / subtracting a fixed number to / from the obtained relative position shift amount, and correction means for correcting the fixed number.
And a feed control means for stopping the film by matching the film feed amount with the blip stop position.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a microfilm reader used for carrying out the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of a scanner used therein, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a simplified control system, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an image reading area, and FIG. 5 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of black frame detection, which illustrates the thinning principle of pixels on the line sensor. FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the black frame detection operation.

[0013]

[Outline of Apparatus] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 is a computer main body, which has a built-in CPU and the like. Reference numeral 12 is a display means such as a CRT or liquid crystal plate, and 14 is a keyboard, which are mounted on a desk 16. Reference numeral 18 is a scanner housed under the desk 16, and 20 is a printer placed beside the desk 16.

The scanner 18 has a cartridge insertion port 22 on the upper front surface thereof, and the cartridge 2 inserted therein.
4 (see FIGS. 2 and 3)
Read the image. The read image is the computer body 10
After the predetermined image processing is performed by the CPU in the inside and the image of the blip or the black frame is erased, it is displayed on the display device 12, printed out to the printer 20, stored in a magneto-optical disk or the like, or externally. It is transferred to the processing device.

The scanner 18 has a vertically long casing 28, and a supply reel driving unit 30 is provided above the front portion of the casing 28.
A take-up reel drive unit 32 is arranged below the front portion. The supply-side reel drive unit 30 has a cartridge insertion port 2
When the cartridge 24 is inserted into the cartridge 2,
4 is automatically moved to engage the reel with the rotating shaft.
Further, the leading end of the film 26 is pulled out and sent downward, and is guided to the take-up reel 34 of the take-up side reel drive unit 32.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the film 26 passes through the rear side of the gap between the reel driving sections 30, 32, that is, the rear side as viewed from the front of the housing 28. Therefore, a space is formed between this gap and the front panel of the housing 28, and the light source lamp 36, the condenser lens 38, and the reflection plate 40 are housed therein.

The take-up reel drive section 32 has a drive belt 40 that travels in contact with the reel 32A as shown in FIG. This drive belt 40 is a guide roller 4
2, 44, the drive roller 46, the encoder 48, and the tension roller 50, and the drive roller 46 drives the film in the film winding direction (arrow direction). The drive roller 46 is driven by the motor 52.

Next, the line sensor driving section 54 will be described.
The line sensor driving unit 54 is integrated with the projection lens 56. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, a cylindrical portion 58 that holds the projection lens 56 is integrally formed in the frame of the line sensor driving portion 54. The projection lens 56 held by the tubular portion 58 has a fixed focus and a magnification of about 2 times.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a movable base 60 is attached to the frame on the surface opposite to the cylindrical portion 58. That is, the movable table 60 is slidably held by the pair of guide rods and can reciprocate near the opening of the tubular portion 58 in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis 62. A belt 68 wound around pulleys 64 and 66 is provided on the frame in parallel with the reciprocating direction of the movable base 60.
Is provided, and one side of the movable base 60 is fixed to the belt 68. Further, the servo motor 7 is attached to one pulley 66.
Zero rotations are transmitted via belt 72 (FIG. 2). As a result, by rotating the servo motor 70 forward and backward,
The movable table 60 can be reciprocated on a plane orthogonal to the optical axis 62.

A CCD line sensor 74 is fixed to the movable table 60 in a direction orthogonal to the guide rod, that is, in a direction orthogonal to the reciprocating direction of the movable table 60. CCD
Of course, the light receiving surface of the line sensor 74 is made to coincide with the image forming surface of the projection image of the projection lens 56.

CPU built in the computer body 10
Reference numeral 100 is a control means for controlling the whole, and has various functions as shown in FIG. Although these functions are formed by software, they are shown as blocks for convenience in FIG.

The microfilm 26 used here includes
As shown in FIG. 4, a blip 76 is imprinted under each frame. The blips 76 may be provided on both the upper and lower sides.
In FIG. 4, the area 78 for the film 26 is the image reading area of the line sensor 74. The film 26 is a negative film, and when output as a positive image, the shaded area 82 other than the frame 80 and the blip 76 becomes a black frame.

The search control means 102 (FIG. 3) detects a target frame by using a search blip 76 (FIG. 4) previously attached to the film 26. That is, the light emitting element 104a is provided on one side of the film 26 across the travel path of the blip,
Further, a blip sensor 104b composed of a light receiving element is arranged on the other side, and the output of the blip sensor 104b is counted by the address detecting means 106. On the other hand, the motor 52 of the take-up reel drive unit 32 and the motor (not shown) of the supply-side reel drive unit 30 are controlled by the feed control means 108 to obtain a target frame.

The search control means 102 includes a film feed amount detection means 110, and here, based on the blip position detected by the address detection means 10 and the film feed amount detected by the rotary encoder 48, the film based on the blip 76 is used. The feed amount L (indicating the current position) is obtained. The feed control means 108 stops feeding the film 26 so that the film feed amount L matches the blip stop position L ₀ set by the stop position setting means 112.

The blip stop position L ₀ is determined as described below. The method is summarized as follows.
The image is read by the line sensor 74, the black frame 82 and the blip 76 are detected, and the distance a from the left edge of the top 80 to the blip 76 (the relative positional deviation amount between the blip 76 and the top 80) is calculated as shown in FIG. The stop position L ₀ (= a + b) is obtained by adding a fixed number b to this a.

Here, the fixed number b is the distance between the left edge of the top 80 and the reading range 78 so that the top 80 becomes the optimum position. The fixed number b is preset as a constant, but by changing the constant b from the keyboard 14, the stop position of the blip 76 can be changed, and thus the stop position of the top 80 can be changed.

Reference numeral 114 denotes a scan control means, which activates the line sensor drive section 54 when the target frame enters a predetermined position in the projection range including the optical axis 62. That is, the motor 70
Is operated and the line sensor 62 is moved in parallel on the image forming plane to read the projected image. The lamp 36 of the light source is turned on during this scan.

Reference numeral 116 denotes a changeover switch, which is connected to the side A in FIG. 3 at the time of a scan for detecting the black frame 82 and the blip 76 for one frame (hereinafter referred to as a preliminary scan) to read an output image. It is switched to the B side during the main scan. 118 is a black frame / blip detection means,
It has a black frame detecting means 120 and a blip detecting means 122.

The black frame detecting means 120 has a changeover switch 116.
Is connected to the A side, the image signal obtained by scanning the line sensor 74 is read to detect the black frame 82. The blip detection means 122 detects the position of the blip 76 from the obtained black frame 82. In this embodiment, the black frame 82
And the blip 76 are erased and an image is output.

[0030]

[Detection of Black Frame] Here, the method of detecting the black frame will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, during this preliminary scan, data is thinned out to increase the processing speed. First, the line sensor 74 is introduced into the reading area 78 and the first main scanning is performed (FIG. 6, step 200). Line sensor 7
4 has a pixel density of 5000 dots in a length of 30 cm, and in this case, about 400 dpi (do
It has a pixel density corresponding to t / inch).

The density of each pixel obtained by one main scan is read in, for example, 256 gradations and is once stored in the memory. The black frame detecting means 120 obtains a binarization threshold value using this density histogram (step 202). The density data previously read is binarized using this threshold value (step 204). This binarized data, that is, the data showing black and white, is thinned out as shown in FIG. 5 (step 206).

In FIG. 5, 74A indicates each pixel of the line sensor 74, black pixels are indicated by black circles, and white pixels are indicated by white circles. In this thinning-out process, all the pixels 74A are divided into groups 74G of four consecutive pixels 74A, and if two or more pixels are black in each group 74G, the group 74G is black, and if two or more pixels are white, the group 74G is selected. White.

Next, a continuous constant number N (for example, 160) of these groups 74G is set as one class 74C, and it is judged whether a constant n (preferably in the range of 30 to 70) in this class 74C is black or white. . The above determination is performed by shifting each group by 74G, the position where the result changes from white to black or from black to white is obtained, and the center of this class 74C is determined to be the edge of the black frame 82 (step 2).
08). The result is stored (step 210).

Since the image of the frame 80 is also traversed during one main scan of the line sensor 74, when the black frame is detected by the above method, the edge of the black frame can be detected a plurality of times. So by storing only the first and last detected edge,
Such inconvenience can be avoided.

If the line sensor 74 is not at the end of the reading range 78 (step 212), the line sensor 74 is skipped by a plurality of scanning lines (thinned out) and the next main scanning is performed (step 214). For example, main scanning is performed at a position separated by 16 scanning lines in the sub-scanning direction. By thus thinning out not only the main scanning direction but also the sub scanning direction, the processing speed can be further increased. Reading range 7
By repeating the process for all eight, a black frame can be stored in the memory.

When the black frame is detected as described above, the blip detecting means 122 detects the blip 76 using the result. Various detection algorithms can be considered.

[0037]

[Blip Detection 1] One method is shown in FIGS. FIG. 7 shows the result obtained by the black frame detecting means 120.
Since only the edges detected first and last on the line sensor 74 are valid here, the images of the blip 76 and the frame 80 cannot be distinguished, and are detected as a continuous region. FIG. 8 is an operation flow chart of this method.

First, the result shown in FIG. 7 is obtained by the first black frame detection operation (step 250). The thick line 70 in FIG.
Reference characters a, 70b, 70c, and 70d denote the edges of the detected black frame. Among the thick lines, that is, the edges 70a to 70d, the short one 70b is determined to correspond to the blip 76, and the position of the blip 76 is detected (step 252).

It is assumed that the width of the blip 76 is known and that data has been input in advance. Therefore, by combining this data with the position of the edge 70b, the blip 7
Area 6 is required. The area of the blip 76 is converted into the same color (same density) as the black frame 82A (step 25).
4) The second black frame detection is performed (step 256).

Therefore, the blip 76 is not detected in the second black frame detection, and only the area of the frame 80 can be accurately detected (step 258). In other words, the mask area including the black frame 82A and the blip 76 can be obtained. This mask area is stored in the memory. Thereafter, image reading (main scanning) is performed while masking using this result (step 260), and the image processing means 1 is executed.
The image is processed in step 26 (step 262) and then output to a CRT, a printer or the like (step 26).
4) and this point will be described later.

[0041]

[Setting of Blip Stop Position] When the black frame 82 and the blip 76 are detected as described above, the relative position detecting means 124
Calculates the distance (relative distance, that is, the amount of relative displacement) a from the left edge of the top 80 to the blip 76 as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the distance (constant value) b between the left edge of the reading range 78 and the left edge of the image of the frame 80 is preset.
The stop position setting means 112 calculates the sum L ₀ (= a + b) of the relative position shift amount a and the constant value b, and sets this sum as the blip stop position with the left edge of the reading range 78 as a reference. The feeding control means 108 stops feeding the film 26 so that the current position L of the blip 76 coincides with the blip position L ₀ .

As a result, the image of the frame 80 is read in the reading range 78.
Will stop at an appropriate position a distance b from the left edge of the. That is, even if the relative displacement amount a between the top 80 and the blip 76 is changed by the film 26, the top 80
The image of (4) always stops at a position separated from the left edge of the reading range 78 by a constant distance b. A certain distance b
By changing with the keyboard 14, the position of the image of the frame 80, that is, the distance from the left edge of the reading range 78 to the image can be changed.

[0044]

[Inclination Correction] When the black frame is detected as described above, the inclination of the image can be easily detected. Therefore, it is desirable to correct the inclination of the image before the blip detection or before reading the image output to the CRT or the printer.

For example, after detecting the black frame by the operation of FIG. 6 (the blip 66 is not yet separated in this state), the inclination of the image is obtained, and the image is rotated or the line sensor 74 is rotated, The inclination can be corrected so that one side of the edge of the black frame is parallel to the length direction of the film.

[0046]

[Image reading] As described above, the blip 76 is stopped at a predetermined position within the reading range 78, and the blip 76 is stopped.
When a mask for masking the black frame 82 is obtained, the changeover switch 116 is connected to the B side to perform the main scan. There are two types of this main scan: reading with low density image quality for CRT display and reading with high density image quality for printer output.

First, reading is performed at low density, and the image processing means 126 (FIG. 3) performs predetermined image processing. And CR
The image is displayed on the T display means 12. In this image processing,
The mask obtained as described above is used to perform masking processing for eliminating black frames and blips, image enhancement, image inversion, image enlargement / reduction, spatial filtering processing, trimming, and the like.

The operator looks at the screen of the CRT display means 12 and, if the image requires output, instructs the output from the keyboard 14. Then, the line sensor 62 moves at a low speed to read an image with high density. The image is subjected to predetermined image processing and output to the printer 20. It is also stored in an optical disc or the like, or output to another external device.

When the image displayed on the CRT display means 12 is viewed and the image position of the frame 80 needs to be changed, the constant value b is input from the keyboard 14. Then, the feed control means 108 moves the position (current position) L of the blip 76 to the new blip stop position L ₀ .

[0050]

[Operation] Next, the flow of the entire operation will be described with reference to FIG. First, enter the address of the frame to be searched using the keyboard 14 or another device (FIG. 10, step 30).
0). Then, the feed control means 108 feeds the film 26, and the address detection means 106 counts the blips 76 during that time.

When the target frame corresponding to the address is searched (step 302), the image of the frame is stopped at an appropriate position by stopping the blip 76 at the preset blip stop position L ₀ . Then, the image is read as a low density image by the line sensor 74 and displayed on the CRT display means 12 (step 304).

When the operator does not need to change the position of the frame image by looking at this screen (step 306) and he / she wants to print (step 308), he / she inputs a print instruction from the keyboard 14 to print (step 310). ). No need to print out (step 30
8) If there is another item to search (step 312),
The address of a new frame is input (step 300) and the above operation is repeated.

When the image displayed on the CRT display means 304 is viewed and the position of the image of the frame is not desirable and needs to be changed (step 306), the blip stop position L ₀
Change the setting of. In this case, the black frame 82 of the display image is detected (step 314), the blip 76 is detected (step 316), and the relative positional deviation amount a between the blip 76 and the top 80 is obtained (step 318).

Then, a constant value b, that is, the distance b between the left edge of the reading range 78 and the image of the frame 80 is newly set from the keyboard 14 (step 320), and a new blip stop position L ₀ = a + b is obtained (step 322). . Then, the feed control means 108 moves the film 26 again, and stops the blip 76 of the film 26 at this new blip stop position L ₀ (step 302).

In the embodiment described above, the blip stop position L ₀ is based on the left edge of the reading range 78, so a + b is set to this position L ₀ . However, when the blip stop position L ₀ is based on the right edge of the reading range 78,
When the constant value b is the distance from the right edge of the reading range 78 to the frame, the method of determining the reference can be changed, such as. Therefore, the blip stop position L ₀ of the present invention is L ₀ =
It is not limited to a + b.

In the above embodiment, the relative positional deviation amount a between the frame and the blip is detected, and the film stop position is corrected so that the image of the frame comes to the proper position within the reading range. Therefore, when it is applied to a microfilm reader that projects a magnified image of a film onto a screen, the image of a frame can always be displayed at an appropriate position on the screen, which is particularly effective.

However, in the case of displaying on the CRT display means 12 as in the above embodiment, it is possible to correct the image reading range by the line sensor 74 instead of correcting the film position. That is, the image readable range of the line sensor is set to be sufficiently wide, the scan range of the line sensor is corrected according to the image position of the frame, and the image of the frame comes to an appropriate position within this scan range. It is a thing. By doing so, it is not necessary to correct the film stop position, and the control becomes faster.

In the case of microfilm, the light source unit 5 is usually used.
Since the arrangement of 2 and the projection lens 66 is the reverse of that of this embodiment, when the microfilm used in such a conventional apparatus is used in this embodiment, the projected image is turned over. In this case, it suffices to electrically convert into a correct image by image processing, and such processing is easy.

In the above embodiments, the projection lens 44 of the scanner has a fixed focus, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it goes without saying that an automatic focusing mechanism (autofocus mechanism) may be provided. In this case, this automatic focusing process can be included in the preliminary process.

[0060]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the black border and the blip are detected by the image sensor, the relative positional deviation amount between the target frame and the blip is detected, and the set stop position of the blip is corrected. Since the stop position of the frame can be corrected, the image of the frame can be placed at an appropriate position within the reading range even if the relative positional shift amount between the blip and the frame changes. Therefore, it is not necessary to manually change the image position, which simplifies the operation.

Instead of modifying the stop position of the film, the range read by the image sensor may be modified (claim 2). That is, the reading range is determined based on the relative positional deviation amount so that the image of the frame enters the proper position. Further, according to the invention of claim 2, a microfilm reader directly used for carrying out this method can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a usage state of a microfilm reader for carrying out the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a scanner used here.

[Fig. 3] Similarly, a block diagram of a control system

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an image reading area.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of black frame detection.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of black frame detection operation

FIG. 7 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of an example of a blip detection method.

[Fig. 8] Flow chart of its operation

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a blip stop position L ₀ .

FIG. 10 is an operation flow chart of the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 computer main body 12 CRT 14 as an example of display means 14 keyboard as correction means 18 scanner 20 printer 24 cartridge 26 microfilm 54 line sensor driver 56 projection lens 70 stepping motor for line sensor feed 74 CCD line sensor 100 CPU 102 Search control means 104b Blip sensor 108 Feed control means 110 Feed amount detection means 112 Blip stop position setting means 114 Scan control means 118 Black frame / blip detection means 120 Black frame detection means 122 Blip detection means 124 Relative position detection means 126 Image processing means a Relative Position shift amount b Constant value L ₀ Blip setting stop position L Blip position (current position)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A search method for a microfilm reader, wherein a blip of a microfilm is detected by a blip sensor to perform a search, the blip is stopped at a set stop position, and an image of a target frame is read and output by an image sensor. The black frame and the blip included in the image of the microfilm are detected by the image sensor, the relative positional deviation amount between the target frame and the blip is detected, and the blip is performed by adding or subtracting a constant value to the relative positional deviation amount. A method for searching a microfilm reader characterized in that the stop position of the target frame can be corrected by correcting the set stop position of. 2. A microfilm reader search method in which a blip of a microfilm is detected by a blip sensor to perform a search, the blip is stopped at a set stop position, and an image of a target frame is read and output by an image sensor. The black frame and the blip included in the image of the microfilm are detected by the image sensor, the relative positional deviation amount between the target frame and the blip is detected, and the image of the target frame enters an appropriate position within the image reading range by the image sensor. A method of searching a microfilm reader, wherein the image reading range can be corrected based on the relative positional deviation amount. 3. A microfilm reader that detects a blip of a microfilm and performs a search to read and output an image of a target frame with an image sensor, and a blip sensor that detects the blip, and a film based on the detected blip. A feed amount detecting means for detecting the feed amount,
A black frame / blip detecting means for detecting a black frame and a blip of an image using the output of the image sensor, a relative position detecting means for obtaining a relative positional deviation amount between the detected black frame and the blip, and a fixed number of the obtained relative positional deviation amount. Stop position setting means for obtaining a blip stop position by adding / subtracting, correction means for correcting the fixed number, and feed control means for stopping the film by matching the film feed amount with the blip stop position. A microfilm reader characterized by being provided.