JPH0854687A - Photograph printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To print and expose an index image at the time of printing a photograph, to prevent the processing speed of printing the photograph from getting low, to obtain a print photograph and an index photograph for every order and to simplify collating. CONSTITUTION:The image of a frame being a printed object is picked up by a scanner for an index 55. Based on the image data of the frame being the printed object, the index image is formed by an index image formation part 60. In a photograph printing part 35, an index print area is provided by idle feeding after printing and exposing the respective frames of every order. The index image is printed and exposed in the index area by an index printing part 36.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographic printer, and more particularly to a photographic printer which automatically creates index photographs for each case.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Index photographs are known in which each frame is arranged in a matrix and reduced and printed so that it is possible to easily know what kind of photograph is contained in one negative film (for example, JP-A-61-12
2639). When creating this index photograph, arrange the film pieces made by dividing one negative film on the stage in the same arrangement as that inserted in the film sheath, hold it with a mask,
Illumination is applied from the back of the film piece so that it is printed on the photographic paper through a reduction lens system.

Further, the applicant of the present invention has proposed a photographic printer capable of performing an ordinary enlarged print of each frame and an index print on the same photographic printer without using a device for printing index photographs separately from the photographic printer. It is proposed in JP-A-64-80940.
In this photo printer, the first mirror is inserted between the film deck and the printing lens, the image of each frame of the photo film is taken by the TV camera, and the images are fitted and combined to create an index image. The image is displayed on the CRT and printed on the photosensitive material through the second mirror.

By the way, in a large-scale development laboratory, about 50 to 100 photographic films are connected and lengthened in order to efficiently perform photographic processing. This long film is loaded into a film processor, processed for development, and then set in a notcher / puncher for film verification. This notcher / puncher automatically detects frames and sequentially sets each frame to the verification position. The frame set at this verification position is observed and it is determined whether or not a photograph should be printed. When it is determined that the photograph should be printed, a semicircular notch is formed on the side edge of the film passing through the center line of the frame.

Next, a long film is loaded into a film analyzer (also called a scanner), and each frame is sequentially set at a photometric position. An image sensor is arranged at this photometric position and measures the transmission density at each point of the frame. Using the transmission densities at these points, the minimum density, the maximum density, the average transmission density of the screen center, the average transmission density of the peripheral area of the screen, the average transmission density of the upper half of the screen, the average transmission density of the lower half of the screen, etc. The scenes are classified into scenes by using the characteristic value of. The exposure correction amount is calculated according to this scene classification. This exposure correction amount is used for paper tape, magnetic tape, LS
It is written in a storage medium such as an I card.

A long film that has passed through the film analyzer and a storage medium are loaded into an automatic printer. In this auto printer, each frame of a long film is automatically set at a print position, and then the average transmission density (hereinafter referred to as LATD) of the entire screen is measured. LA obtained
The printing exposure time is calculated from the TD and the exposure correction amount read from the storage medium. At this printing exposure time, the frame is printed and exposed on the photographic paper. When all the frames of the long film have been printed, the photo paper
It is processed by a processor and then cut into prints one by one with a cutter. Since a long photographic film is formed by connecting a large number of negative films in this manner, each photographic film can be printed at high speed and efficiently.

[0007]

However, when an index photograph is created by such an auto printer, printing is performed by a CRT or a laser scanner, and therefore, it takes longer than the printing time of each other frame. Further, when the same exposure stage is used, it is necessary to switch the mirrors, which takes time. Therefore, there is a problem that the high-speed processing performance of the above-mentioned automatic printer is deteriorated. Further, also in the case of a printer processor for a small-scale developing place, there is a problem that the processing capacity is similarly reduced.

An object of the present invention is to provide a photographic printer capable of producing index photographs without deteriorating the high-speed processing performance of photographic prints. Another object of the present invention is to provide a photographic printer in which a print photograph and an index photograph of the print photograph are formed in the same case so that collation can be easily performed.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an index image creating section for reading an image of each frame recorded on a photographic film and creating an index image for each case, and a photosensitive element. Provided between the photosensitive material conveying section for providing an index print area between print images for each material, an index print section for printing and exposing the index image on the index print area, and a photographic print section and an index print section. And a photosensitive material buffer section for storing a belt-shaped photosensitive material.

The photographic printer described in claim 2 is the photographic printer according to claim 1
The index image creation unit is provided with a format for displaying in frames and a format for displaying one case in multiple frames, and these formats are selected by the format selecting means. Further, the photographic printer according to claim 3 is the photographic printer according to claim 1,
Instead of selecting the format by the format selecting means, these formats are selected according to the number of recording frames for one case. A photographic printer according to claim 4 is the photographic printer according to claim 1,
The length of the index image is adjusted according to the number of recorded frames for one case. Further, in the photographic printer according to the fifth aspect, images of each frame are grouped in film piece units to form an index image, which makes it easy to specify an additional print frame when performing additional printing. .

[0011]

The image data of each frame is taken in at the time of exposure of the image of each frame of the photographic film, and an index image is created based on this. An index print area is provided on the photosensitive material at each section of the photographic film, and the index print area is fed by the photographic print section. In the index print section, the index image is printed and exposed in the index print area. The processing speed in the index printing section is slower than that in the photographic printing section, and the photosensitive material buffer section temporarily stores the photosensitive material in a loop shape so as to absorb this processing speed difference. Since the index printing is performed during the printing time of a normal photo film, the processing capacity of the photo printer is not deteriorated.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a white color reduction type automatic printer embodying the present invention. In this auto printer 10, a long negative film 11 is pulled out from a supply reel 12 and each frame is set at a print position 13.
A film carrier 14 is arranged at the print position 13, and a film mask 15 and a film pressure plate 16 of the film carrier 14 drive the film pressure plate 16 by a solenoid at the time of main photometry and at the time of photo printing to surround the frame to be photo printed. Is pressed against the film mask 15.

As is well known, the negative film 11 is developed by a film processor and then subjected to a film check by a Notcher / Puncher. In this film test,
The determination as to whether or not the photograph should be printed and the formation of the notch are performed. This notch indicates that the photograph should be printed and also indicates the center line of the frame. The exposure correction amount of the negative film 11 for which the film verification has been performed is automatically calculated by the film analyzer. As is well known, the film analyzer automatically sets a frame having a notch at a pre-photometric position to measure the frame to be printed. Then, the scenes are classified based on the characteristic values obtained from the photometric data, and L is calculated by using an arithmetic expression prepared for each scene.
The exposure correction amount for the ATD is calculated for each color. These exposure correction amounts are written in the LSI card 18 by the LSI card writer. This LSI card 18 is an LSI
It is set in the card reader 19.

The color paper 20 is set in the form of a roll on a winding shaft 21, and is sent to an exposure stage 24 for photographic printing and an exposure stage 25 for index printing by a pair of conveying rollers 22 and 23. As is well known, the exposure stages 24 and 25 are provided with paper pressure plates 24a and 25a and easel masks 24b and 25b.

A puncher 26 is provided on the paper exit side of the photographic print exposure stage 24. As shown in FIG. 2, the puncher 26 forms cut marks 28 and sort marks 29, which are small holes, in the margins between the frames 27 of the color paper 20. The cut mark 28 is formed between the frames 27, and the mark 28 is detected by the auto paper cutter, and the color paper 20 is cut on the basis of this mark 28 and cut into each print photograph. The sort mark 29 is formed for separating each case on the side opposite to the side where the cut mark 28 is formed, and the printed photographs are sorted by one order on the basis of this.

As shown in FIG. 1, a sort mark sensor 30 is provided on the upstream side of the index printing exposure stage 25, and the color paper 20 is fed in a fixed amount with reference to this. As shown in, the index print area IPA is positioned on the index print exposure stage 25.

A paper buffer 31 is provided between the exposure stages 24 and 25 to absorb the difference in printing exposure processing speed between the exposure stages 24 and 25. The paper buffer 31 is used for each exposure stage 2.
The free loop 32 is formed due to the difference in the paper feed speed between 4, 25. In this embodiment, the photo print unit 35
The print cycle for the index print unit 36 is 3 msec.
c. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the normal print frame 27 is printed for 10 frames while the index frame 37 is printed for one frame. A free loop 31 is formed in the paper buffer 31.

A cut filter unit 42 and a mixing box 43 are arranged in a printing optical path 41 connecting the white light source 40 of the photographic print section 35 and the print position 13. The cut filter unit 42 includes a blue cut filter 42a for blocking transmission of blue light, a green cut filter 42b for blocking transmission of green light, and a red cut filter 42c for blocking transmission of red light. , The printing optical path 41 when the exposure of the corresponding color is finished.
Is inserted into.

For the frame set at the print position, the LATD is measured for each color by the photometric section 45 including the lens 45a and the photometric sensor 45b, and the LATD is sent to the arithmetic section 46. The calculation unit 46 is configured to detect the LATD of each color and the LSI card 18
The exposure time of each color is calculated using the following equation, based on the exposure correction amount of each color read from

[0020]

[Equation 1] Ti = TNi × 10 ^(Di-DNi) × 10 ^DAi

Here, each symbol is as follows. i: represents one of blue, green, and red Ti: exposure time of printing of a frame to be photoprinted TNi: exposure time of printing of a normal control negative Di: LATD DNi of frame to be photoprinted: transmission of a normal control negative Density DAi: Exposure correction amount

The frame set at the print position is printed on the color paper 20 through the printing lens 48 under the calculated exposure time Ti for each color. After the baking exposure, the color paper 20 is fed by one frame. Below the printing lens 48, a black shutter 49 for starting exposure is arranged.

The controller 50 includes a photo print section 35.
In addition to controlling each unit of the above, the index printing unit 36 is controlled. Further, the controller 50 reads the exposure correction amount and the number of print frames for each case from the LSI card 18 by the LSI card reader 19.

An index scanner 55 is provided on the upstream side of the film of the film carrier 14.
The index scanner 55 includes a light source 56 and a light source 56.
Line sensor 57 that reads the image of each frame illuminated by
It consists of and. The line sensor 57 includes R, G,
Three colors B are provided, and the image data of each line of the frame to be printed is separated into three colors and read out in synchronization with the film feeding, and this is sent to the index image forming unit 60.

The index image creating section 60 creates an index image from the three-color image data of each frame based on a prestored format. 3 and 4 are examples of various formats of index images. FIG.
(A) is a 12-film film format F1,
(B) is a format F2 for 24 film film,
(C) shows a format F3 for a 36-sheet film. These formats F1 to F3 are basic formats that are determined so that a large subframe can be obtained. FIG. 3D shows a format F4 for 16 frames, which is used for 1 frame in the case of a 12-frame film, 2 frames for 24 frames, and 3 frames for 36 frames. Minutes used. FIG. 4 (E) shows a format F5 for taking 12 images, in which index images are grouped in film piece units. Similarly, FIG.
(F) shows a 24-sheet shooting format F6 displayed in film piece units, and FIG. 4 (G) shows a 36-sheet shooting format F7 displayed in film piece units. A title image 59 is inserted in the formats F5 to F7. In addition, these formats F1 to F7
Is an example, and the number of subframes, the reduction ratio thereof, the arrangement, and the like can be appropriately changed. In addition to the title image 59, exposure correction data and the like may be recorded. These various formats are stored in the memory 61 (see FIG. 5). The print size of the index image may be a normal size, for example, a panoramic size such as 2L size in addition to the L size.

As shown in FIG. 5, various formats F1
~ F7 are selected by the format selection unit 62.
The format selection unit 62 receives a format designation signal from the keyboard 51 connected to the controller 50 and L
The formats F1 to F7 are selected based on the print frame number data for each case from the SI card reader 19. First, the basic format F1 to F3, the unified format F4, and the title-containing formats F5 to F7 are designated from the keyboard 51 by the format designation signal. The application of the format according to the film length is automatically selected according to the print frame number data for each case from the LSI card 18. Instead of such a format selection method, a format number for each case may be input at the time of film certification and stored in the LSI card 18. When one index photograph is recorded in a plurality of frames by using the format F4 shown in FIG. 3D, a space corresponding to this is fed by the photograph print section 31 in an idling manner, and the index print area IPA is It is formed.

The image processing unit 63 performs image processing such as color correction, gradation correction, size conversion, etc. on the image data of each frame based on the selected format to create an index image, which is tricolored. Frame memory 64a,
Write to 64b and 64c. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the frame number 67 is also combined on the right shoulder of the sub-frame 66 of the index image based on the frame number data of each frame. The index image data is the D / A converter 6
It is converted to analog in 8 and sent to the driver 69. As is well known, the frame number data is the negative film 11
It is input by reading the frame number bar code formed on the side edge of the.

The driver 69 drives the color CRT 70 to display an index image on the color CRT 70.
This display image is formed on the color paper 20 of the index printing exposure stage 25 via the printing lens 71, and the index image is printed and exposed. These index image creation unit 60, driver 69, color CRT 7
0, the printing lens 71, and the like form the index print unit 36. Reference numeral 72 is a black shutter, 73 is a paper splicer for joining color papers, 74 is a cutter, and 75 is a winding shaft.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings based on the flow charts shown in FIGS. Negative film 11 and LSI card 18 after development processing
Is pre-photometered by a film analyzer, and the exposure correction amount DAi is calculated from various characteristic values based on the photometric value.
In addition, the number of frames to be printed is calculated for each case. The exposure correction amount and the print frame number data are written in the LSI card.

The negative film 11 and the LSI card 19 for which pre-photometry by the film analyzer has been completed are set in the auto printer 10. This long film 11
Each frame is pulled out and set at the print position 13. Further, the print frame number data and the exposure correction amount for each frame are read out from the LSI card 18 and sent to the controller 50. The controller 50 is
The index image format suitable for the number of print frames is automatically selected based on the number of print frames for each case. For example, in the case of a 12-photo film, the image shown in FIG.
When the format F1 of (A) is a 24 shot film, the format F2 of FIG. 3 (B) is selected, and when the format F1 of 36 shot is a film F3, the format F3 of FIG. 3 (C) is selected. An index image is created for each case based on the format.

Each image of the frame to be printed is taken in by the line sensor 55 in synchronism with the film feed, and this is sent to the index image forming section 60, where the image is combined at the corresponding frame number position based on the above format. Similarly, image data is fetched for each of the other frames, and on the basis of this, the image is combined at the corresponding frame number position. At the time of film certification, "graduation ceremony", "travel"
When a title character such as "Mt. Fuji" or "wedding" is input, the title image 59 is fitted when the index images are combined as shown in FIGS. 4 (E) to 4 (G).
This title image 59 is not only ordered when the film is received, but also when the information is taken with a magnetic recording camera using a magnetic recording type photo film, or when a normal photo film is used, the shooting information is recorded on the LSI card for the camera. Etc. are recorded, these are read at the time of film certification or by a film analyzer, and the LSI card 1 together with the exposure correction amount.
8 is stored.

If a format in which the sub-frames of the index picture are always the same size is selected regardless of the number of film shots, an index image is created based on the format F4 of FIG. 3D. In this case, when the sub-frame of the first index picture is full, the image of each frame is combined with the sub-frame of the next second index picture. When creating a plurality of index photos, the number of index photos is calculated in advance based on the print frame number data for each case, and the photo print unit 35 prints each frame for each case based on this number data. After the exposure, the index print areas IPA are formed between each case by performing the idling of the number of index pictures.

When the frame to be printed is set at the printing position, the film pressure plate 16 and the paper pressure plate 24b press the negative film 11 and the color paper 20 against the printing surface and the exposure surface, respectively, and then the photometric unit 45 is used. Main photometry is started and red, green and blue LATDs are calculated. Using the three-color LATD and the three-color exposure correction amounts, the three-color printing exposure time Ti is calculated from the above-described formula.

After calculating the printing exposure time, the controller 5
When 0, the black shutter 49 is retracted from the printing optical path 41, and the frame set at the print position is projected on the color paper 20. Then, for example, when the blue exposure time elapses, the controller 50 causes the blue cut filter 42a to
Is inserted into the printing optical path 41 to end the exposure of the blue light. In this way, three types of cut filters 42a-
When all 42c are inserted into the printing optical path 41, the black shutter 49 is closed.

When the black shutter 49 is closed, the cut filter unit 42 is activated and the cut filter 42 is operated.
a to 42c are retracted from the printing optical path 41. The negative film 11 and the color paper 20 are conveyed again, and the photographic printing of the next frame is started. This color paper 2
After the frame feed of 0, a cut mark 28 (see FIG. 2) is formed by the puncher 26 in the margin between the frames. When the printing exposure of each frame 27 for one case is completed, the cut mark 28 is formed, and then the color paper 20 for the index photograph is fed in the air. This blank feed is one frame when the index photo is made the same size as other print photos. Also, when creating index photos in panorama size, only two frames are fed in the air. Further, when the index photograph is divided into a plurality of sheets and printed by exposure, the required number of sheets are fed in the air. After the blank feeding, the sort mark 29 indicating the division for each case is formed by the puncher 26. Thereafter, in the same manner, the photographic printing section 35 prints and exposes the next matter.

In the index print section 36, the index print area IPA is positioned on the index print exposure stage 25 by quantitatively feeding the color paper 20 after detecting the sort mark by the sort mark sensor 30. After this, color CRT70
When the index image is displayed on, the image is formed on the photosensitive emulsion surface of the color paper 20 through the printing lens 71, and the index photograph is printed and exposed.
After the printing exposure of the index photograph, the color paper 20 after the printing exposure is wound around the winding shaft 75.

The color paper 20 which has been printed and exposed is taken out from the auto printer 10, developed by a paper processor, cut by an auto paper cutter into each frame, and accumulated in each case. Further, the photographic film subjected to printing exposure is cut into film pieces every 6 frames by a cutting inserter and inserted into the film sheath for each case. After that, the film piece inserted into the film sheath is collated with the print photograph containing the index photograph, the print is verified, and the film is packed in the DP bag.

Next, an embodiment will be described in which the auto printer 10 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a pre-photometry unit instead of pre-photometry with the film analyzer. FIG. 8 shows the pre-photometry unit 80. The same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. Negative film 11
Each frame is illuminated by a light source unit 82 including a light source 82a and a mixing box 82b at a pre-photometry position 81, and the transmitted light is measured by a pre-photometry unit 83 including a lens 83a and an image area sensor 83b, and a calculation unit 84 The exposure correction amount is determined. This exposure correction amount is the photo print unit 3
5 to the controller 50 (see FIG. 1).

During the pre-photometry, the image of the frame to be printed is picked up by the image pickup section 85 including the lens 85a and the image area sensor 85b, and this is sent to the index image forming section 60. In the same manner as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the photo print unit 35 calculates the photometry of LATD and the printing exposure time, and then opens the black shutter to print the image of each frame on the color paper 20. And at the end of each case, the index print area IP
The sort mark is recorded by the puncher 26 after the blank feed is performed for A minutes. The index image created by the index image creating unit 60 is printed and exposed by the index printing unit 36. At this time, the sort mark is detected by the sort mark sensor 30, and the index print area IPA is set on the index printing exposure stage 25 based on the detection signal of the sort mark. A paper buffer 31 is provided between the printing units 35 and 36, and a free loop 32 is formed due to the difference in processing speed between the printing units 35 and 36.

In the above embodiment, the pre-photometry unit 8
3 and the image pickup unit 85 are provided separately, but one image area sensor may be used in common. Further, after the optical path is branched by a beam splitter or the like, the pre-photometry unit 83 and the image pickup unit 85 may perform the pre-photometry and the image pickup.

Further, in the index image creating unit 60, when the image data of each image is combined into a sub-frame, color correction and density correction are performed by using the exposure correction amount from the film analyzer or the pre-photometry unit. The image of the sub-frame can be printed by exposure with an appropriate exposure amount, and the print quality of the index photograph can be improved.

Further, when creating an index photograph, the same cutting position determination as the film cutting process in the film cutting inserter is performed, the cutting position of the negative film is determined, and based on this, the image of each frame is taken in film piece units. You may group and create an index photograph. In this case, it is possible to easily specify the print target frame at the time of additional printing. Then, by recording the cutting position on the LSI card and setting it on the cutting inserter, it is possible to cut into each film piece at the same position as the index photograph. Further, in the case of the film cutting inserter using the same film cut position determination program, the writing of the cutting position on the LSI card can be omitted.

In the above embodiment, the index image is displayed on the color CRT and the color paper is printed and exposed.
The index image may be exposed by printing using a monochrome CRT and a three-color color filter to sequentially expose the three color planes. Further, the index image may be printed and exposed by scanning the width direction of the color paper with laser light and sending the color paper in synchronization with this. In addition, the liquid crystal panel may be used for three-color sequential exposure, and the line type liquid crystal display may be used for scanning exposure.

In the above embodiment, the index photograph is recorded after printing exposure of each frame in the same case, but in addition to this, the beginning of each frame in the same case is recorded at a proper position. Good.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the automatic printer for a large-scale developing place, but the present invention may be applied to a minilab type printer processor for a small-scale developing place. In this case, as shown in FIG.
The first paper buffer 92 and the index print unit 9 are provided between the photo print unit 90 and the paper processor unit 91.
3 and a second paper buffer 94 are provided.

The photo print section 90 uses a light control type light source section 95, and illuminates a frame to be printed of the negative film 97 set on the film carrier 96. The light quality control unit 98 includes cyan, magenta, and yellow color filters 98a, 98b, and 98c. By changing the setting positions of these color filters 98a to 98c in the printing optical path, the light quality of the white light source 99 is changed. And changing the light intensity. Lighting box with controlled light quality is mixing box 1
At 00, it is sufficiently diffused. The image of the frame to be printed on the negative film 97 illuminated by the light source unit 95 is measured and imaged by the scanner 101 and the imaging unit 102. The characteristic value calculation unit 103 extracts various characteristic values based on the photometric value from the scanner 101 and sends them to the exposure amount calculation unit 104. The exposure amount calculation unit 104 calculates the printing exposure amounts of the three colors by a known exposure amount calculation formula. The controller 105 is composed of a microcomputer. In addition to performing sequence control of each unit, the controller 105 calculates the set positions of the filters 98a to 98c of the respective colors from the exposure amounts of the three colors, and sends them to the light quality adjusting unit 98. The controller 11 has a keyboard 11
0 is connected, whereby various commands, format numbers, etc. are input. Also, display 11
In 1 is displayed various input commands and the like.

The image of the frame to be printed illuminated by the printing light with the adjusted light quality is formed on the color paper 115 by the printing lens 114 while the shutter 113 is opened by the shutter drive unit 112. Also, after printing and exposing one frame of the negative film 97 to be printed,
The index print area is fed by the amount of IPA. Then, the sort mark indicating the division of each case is recorded by the puncher 120.

The image data of the frame to be printed from the image pickup section 102 is sent to the index creating section 60. The index creating unit 60 creates an index image based on the image data. By driving the color CRT 70 via the driver 69, this index image is printed on the index print area of the color paper 115 by the printing lens 71. Sort mark sensor 12
1 detects a sort mark, and the index print area is positioned on the exposure stage based on this.

The image data after the exposure correction can be easily taken in by capturing an image of the print target frame illuminated by the printing light that is adjusted based on the exposure correction amount. Therefore, the finish of the image of each sub-frame can be unified when the index photograph is created, and the quality of the index photograph can be improved.

Next, an embodiment in which the length of the index image is adjusted according to the number of recording frames for one case will be described.
In this case, the format shown in FIG. 10 is used. FIG. 10H shows the format F8 for taking 12 images, and FIG. 10J shows the format F9 for taking 24 images. Since each sub-frame 66 has the same size even if the number of recorded frames is different, as the number of recorded frames increases, the length of the index picture is almost 24 frames compared to 12 frames. Although it is not shown in the drawing, the length is doubled, and the number of shots for 36 shots is almost tripled. It should be noted that the formats F8 and F9 shown in FIG.
The layout of 6 can be changed as appropriate. Also, in the formats F8 and F9 shown in this figure, each sub-frame may be grouped in film piece units, and in this case, each frame can be easily specified at the time of a reprint order.

When the formats F8 and F9 shown in FIG. 10 are used, the idle feed amount in the photographic print section 35 shown in FIG. 1 is set to a length corresponding to the number of recording frames. And
The index printing unit 36 adjusts the opening amount of the paper mask 25a according to the length of the index image. By scanning the width direction of the color paper with laser light and sending the color paper in the sub-scanning direction in synchronization with this, the index image is printed and exposed, and scanning is performed using the line type liquid crystal display. By exposing, it is possible to easily create index photographs having such different lengths, and in this case, there is no need to change the paper mask opening as described above.

[0052]

According to the present invention, an index image creating section for creating an index image for each case, a photosensitive material conveying section for providing an index print area between print images for each case of a photosensitive material, and an index Since the index print section for printing and exposing the index image in the print area and the photosensitive material buffer section for storing the photosensitive material are provided between the photographic print section and the index print section, the printing processing capability of the photographic print section is reduced. Index photos can be printed and exposed between each case without.

Further, since the index print area is provided between the print images of each case of the photosensitive material and the index image is printed and exposed in this area, the index print can be prepared for each case, and these are Since it is continuous in the same case, collation work becomes easy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an automatic printer embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example in which an image of each frame and an index image are printed on color paper.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of each format of an index photograph.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of each format of an index photograph.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an index image creation unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the photo print unit.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the index printing unit.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a pre-photometry unit of an auto printer according to another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a printer processor for a minilab in which the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing another example of the format of index photographs.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Auto Printer 11 Long Film 13 Printing Position 14 Film Carrier 20 Color Paper 24 Photographic Exposure Stage 25 Index Printing Exposure Stage 27 Frames 31, 92, 94 Paper Buffer 35, 90 Photographic Printing Section 36, 93 Index Printing Section 37 Index frame 55 Index scanner 60 Index image creation unit 85 Imaging unit

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A photographic printer in which an image of each frame recorded on a photographic film is sequentially printed and exposed on a belt-shaped photosensitive material by a photographic print section, and the image of each frame recorded on the photographic film is read, and for each case. An index image creating unit that creates an index image, a photosensitive material transport unit that provides an index print area between print images for each photosensitive material, and an index print unit that prints and exposes the index image in the index print area, A photographic printer, comprising: a photosensitive material buffer section which is provided between the photographic print section and the index print section and stores a belt-shaped photosensitive material. 2. The photographic printer according to claim 1, wherein
The index image creation unit has a format for displaying one case in one frame and a format for displaying one case in a plurality of frames, and is characterized in that these formats can be selected by the format selecting means. Photo printer. 3. The photographic printer according to claim 1,
The index image creation unit has a format for displaying one case in one frame and a format for displaying one case in multiple frames. Select one of these formats according to the number of recorded frames for one case. Photo printer characterized by. 4. The photographic printer according to claim 1, wherein
The photographic printer is characterized in that the index image creating section has a format for displaying one image in one frame, and adjusts the length of the index image according to the number of recording frames for one image. 5. The photographic printer according to claim 1, wherein the format of the index image is formed by grouping the images of each frame in film piece units.