JPH09101614A - Photographic processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accomplish the accurate handling of a photographic film, etc., from the acceptance to the delivery through the laboratory processing, and also, to effectively use a magnetic recording layer. SOLUTION: When the processing is finished, each photographic material is arranged at a collating part 202. In an attacher 202, the negative film 10 is stored in the cartridge 22 where the negative film is stored at the beginning again. In this case, by collating an ID given to the negative film 10 with the ID given to the cartridge 22, the collation is facilitated. Since the ID is individually given to other photographic materials, the collation is facilitated. Next, based on an SC recorded on a DP package 34, the print unit price at the store is read out, then, the charges are calculated based on the number of printed sheets recorded on a recording medium 313A, then, the photographic material is delivered.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographic processing system for processing a photographic film in which an image is recorded and which is housed in a cartridge and is removable from the cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a lab system, a photographic film (hereinafter referred to as a negative film) requested by a customer is received, developed, printed on a photographic paper, developed on the photographic paper, and then collected in a DP bag. Are stored and returned.

At this time, for example, at the time of reception, a clerk who responds, such as selecting whether to perform simultaneous printing or reordering, instructing the number of prints, and specifying a special print such as trimming, is verbally performed. It is designed to be written in the entry field printed on the back side of the bag. Here, in a minilab mainly for small-quantity processing (including small-quantity processing in large laboratories), the operator is processing while looking at the handwritten memo, but there is a possibility that work error may occur if relying on human hands. .

In this conventional lab system, the developed negative film is cut into predetermined strips (for example, 6 strips) to form short strip negatives (hereinafter referred to as "piece negatives").
The piece negative is stored in a negative sheet and returned to the customer.

Therefore, the photographic materials returned to customers are negative sheets, photographic paper prints, and DP bags for containing them.

By the way, in recent years, a magnetic recording layer is provided on a negative film so that the information used as the handwritten memo can be recorded on the magnetic recording layer, and the information is transmitted using the magnetic recording layer. A lab system has been proposed (hereinafter, Advanced Photo System is abbreviated to AP
S).

In this APS, the negative film can be attached to and detached from the cartridge, and the developed negative film can be rewound into the cartridge and returned to the customer, which is recorded on one negative film. This is different from the conventional laboratory system in that an index print is formed by arranging the recorded images on a sheet of photographic paper print in a matrix and recording the images.

Therefore, the photographic material returned by this system is a cartridge, a photographic paper print, an index print, and a DP bag containing them.

[0009]

However, a lab system using a negative film provided with a magnetic recording layer may have a processing system and a photographic material to be returned that are different from the conventional ones, and a partial function (for example, (Device configuration for attaching and detaching negative film from the cartridge, effective use of magnetic information, etc.)
As a result, various proposals have been made, but the system as a whole has not been established.

In consideration of the above facts, the present invention provides a photographic processing system capable of accurately handling a photographic film or the like from the reception to the processing in the laboratory to the shipment and effectively utilizing the magnetic recording layer. The purpose is to obtain.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographic processing system for processing a photographic film in which an image is recorded, the photographic film being housed in and removable from the cartridge. An order acceptance unit that accepts a cartridge containing photographed and undeveloped or developed photographic film from a customer, records lab information necessary for lab processing on a recording medium, and takes out the photographic film from the cartridge to remove another Detach unit that winds up on the container, film processor unit that develops undeveloped photographic film, image frames are sequentially positioned at the printing position while conveying the developed photographic film, and the image recorded on the photographic film is read, and The printing conditions are determined using the lab information recorded on the recording medium, and the image for each image frame is printed on photographic paper. And a print processing unit that exposes an index image in which image frames for one film are arranged in a matrix, and a paper processing unit that develops the exposed photographic paper and sorts the photographic paper for each photographic film. A printer processor unit including processing information recording means for recording processing information in the print processing unit on the recording medium, and an attacher for accommodating the photographic film for which printing processing in the print processing unit is finished into a cartridge again, Photographic film contained in a cartridge,
Printing paper, index print and D to accommodate them
A collation unit that collates between photographic materials including P bags, and a bill issuing unit that issues a bill from the print unit price based on the shipping destination for each set of photographic materials that the collation unit matched and the processing information. , And a shipping unit for shipping to a predetermined shipping destination.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the order receiving unit receives the cartridge contained in the DP bag and records the lab information necessary for the lab processing on the recording medium.
Next, in the detaching unit, the photographic film in the cartridge is pulled out from the cartridge and separated, and wound on another container, and undeveloped and developed. If it has not been developed, it is developed by the film processor unit, and if it has been developed, it is directly transferred to the print processing section.

In the print processing section, while the photographic film is being conveyed, the image frames are sequentially positioned at the printing position, the image recorded on the photographic film is read, and the lab information recorded on the recording medium is used for printing. The conditions are determined, and an image for each image frame and an image frame for one film are arranged on the photographic paper in a matrix, and the photographic paper is exposed in a predetermined order.

The exposed photographic paper is developed and cut into individual images (hereinafter, the cut photographic paper unit is referred to as photographic paper print or index print).

The photographic paper print and the index print are sorted for each photographic film. At this time, processing information (number of prints, print size, etc.) for each photographic film in the print processing section is recorded in the recording medium.

The photographic film on which the print processing has been completed by the print processing section is sent to the shipping unit. At this time, the empty cartridge in the detach unit is also transferred to the shipping unit, and is housed in the cartridge again by the attacher (of course, the IDs of the cartridges are compared with each other). The DP bag received by the receiving unit is also transferred to the shipping unit.

As a result, the photographic materials including the photographic film, the photographic paper, the index print, and the DP bag that accommodates them are gathered in the shipping unit and collated between these photographic materials. Sort matched photographic materials as a set.

The shipping unit obtains a print unit price based on the shipping destination for each photographic material unit, and issues a bill from the processing information recorded on the recording medium. For the print unit price, for example, a database storing the print unit price for each store is created in the host computer, and the DP
It can be easily obtained by reading the ID (SC [Store Code]) recorded in the bag for each store and transmitting this to the host computer.

After the invoice has been issued, the invoice can be attached to, for example, a DP bag and shipped to carry out the laboratory processing in APS with accurate handling.

The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that the recording medium is at least one of a medium which can be handled independently and a magnetic recording layer provided on a photographic film.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, by using the magnetic recording layer provided on the photographic film as the recording medium, information can be transmitted more quickly and more reliably than when using the recording medium which is handled independently. It can be performed. A recording medium that can be handled independently of this magnetic recording layer may be used together.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 to 3 show a photographic material applied to this embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a negative film 10 provided with a magnetic recording layer 16, and a film ID is recorded on a bar code 12 on the negative film 10 provided with the magnetic recording layer 16 ( Prerecorded film ID).

A hole 20 is formed at the rear end of the negative film 10 shown in FIG. This hole 20 is for the cartridge 2
2 (see FIG. 2) for connection with.

Next, FIG. 2 shows a cartridge 22 in which a spool 26 for winding the negative film 10 into a layer and accommodating it is disposed in a casing 24. The spool 26 has a slit-shaped through hole 2 along the axial direction.
8 is formed, and the projection claw 30 is formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof. The hole 20 of the negative film 10 is attached to the protruding claw 30.
Is fitted, the rear end portion of the negative film 10 is connected to the spool 26 and wound in layers.
Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the cartridge 22, the cartridge I
D is recorded in advance by a barcode and characters (numerals) (pre-recording of cartridge ID).

The shaft end of the spool 26 is projected to the outside of the casing 24, and the negative film 10 can be taken in and out of the cartridge 22 by rotating the shaft end.

Next, FIG. 3A shows a DP bag 34, which is issued at the DPE store when the customer requests the DPE store for simultaneous printing, and the cartridge 22
(See Figure 2), enter the customer's name, phone number,
Required items such as the film maker's name and print size are filled in, transported to the laboratory, and a bill is affixed to the customer for return. The DP bag 34 has a DP bag ID of bar code 12 and characters (numbers) 14.
It is recorded by (pre-recording of DP bag ID). This ID is BC (Bag Cod) which is an individual number for each DP bag 34.
e) and SC (Store Code) which is a number for each store,
BC is used for collation with other photographic materials, and SC is used as a keyword for searching from the information recorded in a database of print unit prices for each store.

An index print 214 is shown in FIG. 3 (B). This index print 2
In No. 14, images recorded on one negative film 10 are arranged vertically and horizontally and recorded. In this recording, for example, the image on the negative film 10 is printed by the printer processor 21.
It is read by a scanner provided in No. 0, and is used for heat-sensitive recording, printing on photographic paper, and toner recording on plain paper. In this embodiment, the index print 214 is created by printing it on photographic paper.

The image recorded here has a resolution that is sufficient if the general scene of the image is known. Further, when the index print 214 is created, a frame number attached to the negative film 10 or a film ID recorded on the negative film 10 is recorded in each image. Furthermore, as for the size, DP bag 3
A degree of 4 is preferable.

The above-described materials including the photographic print 36 are the photographic materials applied to this embodiment.
Photographic processing is carried out in a laboratory system using such photographic material.

Next, the photo processing system in the minilab will be described. DPE the negative film 10 that the customer has already taken
If you bring it to the store, the DPE store will accept the order. The received order contents are written on an order slip and are sent to the lab system while being enclosed in the DP bag 34 or attached to the back side.

An outline of a photographic processing system in a minilab (including a small amount processing in a large lab) will be described below with reference to FIG.

The DP bag 34 and the cartridge 22 are set in the detacher 200.

As shown in FIG. 5, the detacher 200
In the container storage unit 150 and the sub-container storage unit 1
52 and 52 are arranged side by side, and the key unit 1
54 and a monitor 156 are provided. A bar code reader 160 is connected to the detacher 200 via a code 158 so that the bar code or the like recorded in the DP bag 34 can be read.

A container 300 shown in FIG. 4 is accommodated in the container accommodating portion 150, and the accommodating groove 302 is empty at the time of loading. On the other hand, the sub-container housing portion 152 is adapted to house the sub-container 310 shown in FIG. 4, and the housing groove is empty during loading.

Here, the cartridge 22 and the laboratory cartridge 32 are loaded into the cartridge loading section 162 and the laboratory cartridge loading section 164 provided in front of the container accommodation section 150 and the sub-container accommodation section 152, respectively. Negative film 10 is pulled out from the lab cartridge 3
It is supposed to be rewound to 2. The ID of the emptied cartridge 22 is read, and the cartridge 22 is accommodated in the accommodation groove 302 of the container 300 in the order of reception, and the ID, the identification number of the accommodated container 300, and the address of the accommodation groove 302 are stored as a set. . The stored data is stored in the recording medium 313A. An order slip is included in the DP bag 34 (or is attached to the back side), and the information recorded on the order slip is recorded on the recording medium 313A by key input.

The SC on the DP bag 34 and the DP bag 3
ID (BC) assigned to every 4 barcode reader 1
60 is used to write on the magnetic recording layer 16 of the negative film 10.

The writing position of this information on the negative film 10 is the front side or the rear side of the negative film 10, or both. This is because there is a machine that processes the negative film 10 from the front end / rear end in the post process, which leads to an increase in the processing capacity in the post process.

Further, the lab-dedicated cartridge 32 in which the negative film 10 is accommodated is adapted to be accommodated in the sub-container 310, and the film processor 2 to be described later.
The customs clearance has been made with 08.

When all the receiving grooves 302 of the container 300 are filled, the container 300 is attached to the storage medium 313A and the attacher 202 provided in the collating section 204 described later.
Sent to

Here, when it is necessary to mechanically read the ID from the DP bag 34 in a later step, the ID is read from the cartridge 22 and recorded on the DP bag 34 by a symbol such as a bar code. Conversely, BC may be read from the DP bag 34 and the ID of the cartridge 22 may be stored in association with each other.

Alternatively, when the operator visually confirms without relying on a machine, a character that is easy to read may be printed, or a bar code and a character may be written together. The DP bag 34 on which the ID (bar code or the like) is printed is sent to the collating unit 204.

The lab-dedicated cartridges 32 are set as a set of two, joined to the reader 206, and loaded into the film processor 208. This reader 206
It has a role of guiding the negative film 10 in the film processor 208.
Are sequentially drawn out from the laboratory-dedicated cartridge 32, and each processing such as developing, fixing, washing and drying is surely performed.

The empty laboratory cartridge 3
In No. 2, the operator returns it to the detacher 200.

The negative film 10 that has undergone the developing process is removed from the reader 206, and the printer processor 210 is removed.
Sent to

In the printer / processor 210, each image frame recorded on the negative film 10 is sequentially positioned at the printing position, and the image is printed on the photographic printing paper 36 (hereinafter, printing processing is performed to cut each image. The printed paper is referred to as a print paper print 36P).

In the printer / processor 210, the ID recorded on the negative film 10 is read,
The read ID is printed on the front side or the back side of the printing paper 36 for each printing process. Therefore, when the images recorded on the same negative film 10 are printed on the photographic paper 36, the same ID is printed.

Further, in the printer processor 210,
The image recorded on the negative film 10 is read by an image pickup device such as a CCD, and this image data is output to the index print unit 212. The index print unit 212 creates an index print 214 based on the sent data. The ID of the negative film 10 is output together with the image data, and this ID is printed on the created index print 214.

The printing paper 36 and the cartridge 22 which have been printed by the printer processor 210 are checked by the collating unit 2
04 to the attacher 202.

As shown in FIG. 6, this attacher 2
02 is provided with a container accommodating portion 218, in which a container 300 accommodating the cartridge 22 from which the negative film 10 has been pulled out by the detacher 200 is accommodated, and the container 300 is ready to stand by in its original position. In addition,
The attacher 202 automatically reads the ID of the cartridge 22 accommodated in the container 300 after setting the ID in the container accommodating portion 218. That is, a window portion through which the ID of the cartridge 22 is exposed is provided in the accommodation groove 302 of the container 300, a barcode reader is installed at a predetermined position, and the container 300 can be rotated to sequentially read the cartridge ID. It can be configured.

From the front of the container accommodating portion 218, as shown in FIG.
A negative film transport section 220 is provided to the right of
The cartridge 22 in which the negative film 10 is conveyed from the right side in FIG. 6 and is discharged from the container 300 to the front side in FIG.
It has a structure to be housed in. In addition, negative film 1
A plurality of 0s are bundled and loaded in a negative integrated feed device 222 provided in front of the negative film transport unit 220. A key input unit 224 and a monitor unit 226 are arranged in parallel behind the negative film transport unit 220.

The negative accumulating / feeding device 222 feeds the negative films 10 bundled into a plurality of films one by one, and the ID is read during the transportation.
The identification number of the container 300 and the address of the accommodating groove 302 are read from the storage medium 313A based on the above, and the identification number of the loaded container 300 is collated. Match with the address of 302. If the collation matches, it can be determined that the cartridge 22 accommodated in the cartridge 22 matches the ID of the negative film 10.
The cartridge 22 that has been rewound and is wound up is discharged to the discharge port 228.

When the processing order of the negative film 10 is changed in the lab, the attacher 202 has read the cartridge ID in advance, so the container 30
The corresponding cartridge 22 in 0 is searched and attached.

The collating section 204 comprises the following units.
It is not necessary to realize some of the functions manually and mechanize them all, but it is possible to improve efficiency by automating them with the machine and attaching fish to the attacher unit.

Negative film 10 and cartridge 22
Attacher 202 that matches the ID of the DP bag with a bar code reader that reads the ID (SC, BC) of the DP bag, the DP bag storage place, the table on which the photographic paper 36 and the index print 214 are placed, and the bar code reader of the index print 214 A recording medium reading device (or a communication unit having a unit price information for each store and capable of communicating with a database) having original information for billing. Should the customer bring in the damaged cartridge 22, the negative film 10 is again provided. Cannot be attached, so replace with a new cartridge and attach. SH corresponding to the negative film 10 inside, which is necessary in this case
A cartridge bar code / numerical printer for printing the ID on the outside of the cartridge 22 may be realized in the above-mentioned item, or in the attacher unit, or may be operated independently.

In the collating section 204, the ID recorded on each of the DP bag 34, the cartridge 22 (the negative film is stored in the attacher 202), the photographic paper 36 and the index print 214 is read and collated. 22, the photographic paper 36 and the index print 214 are put in the DP bag 34 and shipped.

As described above, in the minilab (including a small amount processing in a large lab), the negative film 10 and the printing paper 3 are used.
By collating the IDs given to the 6, DP bag 34 and the index print 214, the collation work by the operator while confirming the image can be reduced, and the collation work can be performed accurately and promptly. Next DP bag 3
4 SC is read, the unit price corresponding to the store is read from the unit price information stored in advance in the database, and the recording medium 313 is read.
The invoice is issued from the print information recorded in A.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below. When the DP bag 34 accommodating the cartridge 22 and the order slip is sent to the laboratory, first, the negative film in the cartridge 22 is pulled out and separated by the detacher 200, and rewound into the laboratory cartridge 32. At the same time as this processing, the operator inputs the order contents based on the order slip by key input, and the recording medium 313A
To record.

The empty cartridges 22 are successively accommodated in the accommodation groove 302 of the container 300.
When 2 is full, the container 300 is transferred to the attacher 202 of the collating unit 204 (see solid arrow A in FIG. 4).

On the other hand, the lab cartridge 32 in which the negative film 10 is accommodated is accommodated in the accommodating groove of another sub-container 310, and when it is full, it is transferred to the film processor arrangement position (solid line arrow B in FIG. 4). reference). At this time, the recording medium may be transferred together with the sub-container 310 accommodating the lab-specific cartridge 32, or may be transferred in advance to the printer processor 208.

The lab-dedicated cartridge 32 is installed in the sub-container 31 at the place where the film processor 208 is arranged.
The negative film 10 is taken out in the same order as the insertion order from 0, and the end of the negative film 10 is pulled out, and two readers 2 are paired.
It is mounted in parallel with 06.

In this state, the negative film 10 is inserted by inserting the reader 206 into the film processor 208.
Are developed two by two. At this time, the rear end of the negative film 10 is separated from the lab cartridge 32 and developed in a stripped state. The empty lab cartridge 32 and sub container 310 are
It is sent back to the detacher 200 (solid line arrow C in FIG. 4).
reference).

On the other hand, the negative film 1 which has been developed
0 indicates the printer processor 210 in the strip state.
(See the thick white arrow D1 in FIG. 4) and the printing process is sequentially performed. During the printing process, the recording medium 313A is loaded into the printer processor 210, and the number of prints and the like are recorded. Each image frame is a CCD
An image for one negative film read by a two-dimensional color image sensor or the like is set in a matrix format, and an index print 214 is created. The index print 214 is continuously printed on a normal printing image.

In the printer processor 210, the photographic printing paper 36 that has been subjected to the above-mentioned printing processing is developed and cut into individual images,
Sort by each film.

Here, the negative film 10 for which the printing process has been completed is conveyed to the attacher 202 of the collating unit 204 (see the thick white arrow D2 in FIG. 4). Further, the sorted printing paper prints 36 and index prints 214 are also conveyed to the collating unit 204 (see thick black arrow E and black thick arrow F in FIG. 4).

Further, the recording medium 313A, which is loaded in the printer / processor 210 and records the number of prints and the like for each negative film, is also loaded in a predetermined position of the collating unit 204. The recording medium 313A is a floppy disk,
IC memory cards, etc., and online (for example, LA
If each device is connected in N), the recording medium 313A becomes unnecessary.

As a result, in the collating unit 202, the cartridge 22, the negative film 10, the photographic paper print 36, the index print 214, the DP bag 34 and the recording medium 3 are provided.
13A will be ready.

First, the attacher 202 of the collating unit 204
Then, the negative film 10 is housed again in the cartridge 22 that was originally housed. In this case, the cartridge 22
I given to the negative film 10 from the ID given to
By collating with D, collation can be easily achieved. Since the cartridge 22 is loaded in the attacher 202 while being housed in the container 300, the order is not usually out of order.

On the other hand, since the negative film 10 is conveyed in a strip state, the order may be out of order when the negative film 10 is bundled and set by the attacher 202. However, the above ID
By collating the above, it is possible to reliably store the cartridge 22 in the initially stored cartridge 22.

The cartridge 22 accommodating the negative film 10 is ejected from the attacher 202, and the DP bag 3 together with the photographic paper print 36 and the index print 214.
4 Since IDs are also given to these photographic materials, it is possible to easily collate them.

Here, since the print unit price varies depending on the store that receives the request, it is not possible to uniquely determine the billing charge from the number of prints recorded on the recording medium 313A.

Therefore, the SC recorded in the DP bag 34 is read, and based on this SC, the shop print unit price, the development charge, etc. are read from the unit price information stored in the database,
The billing charge is calculated from the number of prints recorded on the recording medium 313A.

The calculated billing charge is printed on the back surface of the DP bag 34 (or printed out as a bill and affixed to the back surface of the DP bag 34) and shipped.

As described above, in the minilab (including a small amount processing in a large lab), the cartridge 22 (negative film 10), the photographic paper print 36, the index print 2
By collating the IDs assigned to 14 and the DP bag 34, it is possible to reduce the collation work while confirming the image by the operator, and to perform the collation work accurately and quickly.

At the time of collation by the collating unit 204, the negative film 10 is pulled out from the cartridge 22 and a viewer capable of confirming the image recorded on the negative film 10 visually reconfirms the consistency between the film image and the photographic paper image. You may.

Further, the index print information may be fetched into the collating unit 204 and an image corresponding to the cartridge ID being processed may be displayed on the CRT monitor as a positive image. It is not necessary to print the ID on the photographic paper 34 or the index print 214 by visually confirming the matching between the displayed image and the photographic paper image. Note that this display image may be all frames or some frames (first frame, last frame, etc.), and at the same time, display the number data and check the match with the count value of the number cut with the paper cutter. It may be used as information when creating a bill.

When the defective cartridge 22 is discarded, a film corresponding to the defective cartridge 22 must be accommodated in a new cartridge 22. In this case, a bar code or the like which is mechanically readable and which is pre-recorded in the new cartridge 22 in which the operator does not have an ID entry field such as a number visible to the operator is applied.

The ID recorded on the negative film 10 is written in a number in the blank column to associate the negative film 10 with the cartridge 22. As a result, the ID of the defective cartridge 22 is set to the new cartridge 22.
It will be recorded by numbers, and will be compatible with other photographic materials.

On the other hand, the ID recorded by the bar code
Is different from this numerical ID, but the ID recorded by this bar code is magnetically recorded on the negative film 10, for example. As a result, at the time of automatic verification, the machine-readable ID can be used for verification, and a human can understand the numbers only, so that the ID used up to now can be used.

In the embodiment of the invention described above, the case where the negative film 10, the cartridge 22 and the like have no abnormality and the processing is performed smoothly has been described. However, in each device, processing other than the procedure described above can be performed. There are cases. Also, in actual processing, various positioning processing and irregular processing may be performed. For example, there are special prints (special orders such as front prints), those in which the negative film 10 has stains from the beginning, those that are cut in the middle, those that do not reach the prescribed length, and the like. It is necessary to take such irregular processing into consideration, and hereinafter, the embodiments and abnormal (irregular) processing of each device will be described by classifying each device. (Detacher) The above-mentioned VEI is for reading the state optically to determine the exposure / development state.
Is for detecting a mechanically changed state. It is desirable to use these together, but it is also possible to apply only IPI.

In order to discriminate the abnormal film, it is desirable to provide a sensor for mechanically or optically detecting whether the negative film 10 is ejected from the cartridge 22 or not. For example, when the leading edge of the negative film 10 does not come out at the first time, the spool 26 of the cartridge 22 is rotated several times in the winding direction and then withdrawn again. Is not displayed,
Eliminate it as an abnormal film and process it in a separate process. As a result, it is possible to prevent interference with other smooth processing.

It is desirable to judge whether the negative film 10 has been pulled out to the final end. For example, the perforation indicating the final end provided on the negative film 10 is detected, or the number of perforations is counted from the beginning. If an abnormal torque is detected in the drawing of the negative film 10 before the detection is reached, it is desirable to stop the drawing and rewind the cartridge 22 to treat it as an abnormal film.

When the negative film 10 is broken during drawing, the drawn negative film 10 and the negative film 10 left in the cartridge 22 are taken out and subjected to another process such as hanging development.

Since the detacher 200 handles an undeveloped film, it is necessary to prevent static fog. Therefore, the negative film 10 is devised to release the electric charges so that static electricity is not accumulated, that is,
It is necessary to provide a conductive rubber roller, a conductive conveying path, or a spark killer for preventing sparks.

It is desirable that the negative film 10 is cleaned so that the magnetic recording layer 16 can be read and written smoothly.

The magnetic recording layer 16 before the first image frame of the negative film 10 and after the last image frame thereof.
Tries to record the information needed for the lab process.

In order to improve the image quality, a stable light source is regularly used to print a pattern of varying density,
We are inspecting the concentration. At this time, the light source needs to be stable, and the light amount is constantly monitored using a sensor.

As described above, after the negative film is developed and the print is produced, the negative film 10, the cartridge 22, the print, and the
It is necessary to collate the index print 214 and the DP bag 34 without fail and return them to the customer. In the above-described embodiment, this is done by managing the ID.

However, the negative film 10, the cartridge 22, the print, the index print 214, and the DP bag 34 do not always have a common ID, and there is a problem with the cartridge 22, and another new cartridge 22 is used. When the negative film 10 is accommodated, a different ID will be generated.

In such a case, for example, the ID read first is used as a reference, and the ID generated thereafter is stored in association with an LSI card, a hard disk, or the like, so that the IDs can be collated. it can.

For example, for one predetermined negative film 10, the cartridge ID is recorded in the LSI card, and the DP bag number (B) read from the DP bag at the same address.
C), lot number, sequential number in lot, etc. are recorded. In the case of the re-ordered negative film 10, since it has been developed, the film ID may be read and recorded.

This LSI card is transferred to the verification process,
A so-called back-up system can be established by using it to identify the ID at the time of matching. In addition,
When a hard disk is used, it may be transmitted to the collating unit online or inline. (Film processor) In the detacher process, when the negative film is wound around the cartridge 32 for exclusive use of the lab, these are joined as a set of two to the reader 206. In this case, the negative film was conventionally cut, In the system, it is joined without being cut. At this time, joining is facilitated by providing the leader 206 with a notch based on the tip shape of the negative film 10.

By setting the cartridges 22 and the like, which are set as a set of two, in the auto loading mechanism, it is possible for the operator to perform sequential processing automatically without having to set the cartridges one by one.

When processing an abnormal negative film, for example, the negative film 10 does not come out from the cartridge 22 at all, the negative film 10 comes out, but the rear end does not come off from the cartridge 22, the negative film 10 is cut off in the middle. When the situation is such that the remainder remains inside the cartridge 22, the cartridge 22 is disassembled in a light-shielded room, the negative film 10 is taken out so as not to damage it, and development processing is performed. (Printer Processor) Images are recorded on the negative film 10 at a constant aspect ratio, and information designating the print aspect ratio is recorded corresponding to each image frame. This recording may be either optical or magnetic. When different information is recorded on both, the magnetic information is prioritized. There are three types of sizes to be specified: conventional L size print (C size), powerful vision size print (H size), and panoramic size print (P size).

As for the printing order, there is a method of performing processing in order of frame numbers, and a method of collectively processing prints having the same aspect ratio in one. According to this method,
The number of times the lenses and masks are switched is reduced, which leads to a reduction in processing time, a longer device life, and higher reliability.

On the negative carrier, a write magnetic head and a read magnetic head are arranged side by side in the order in which the negative film 10 is transported. Negative film 1
When the reader unit of 0 comes to the position of the writing head, a certain predetermined signal is written. Since there is a read head after that, it is determined whether or not the signal as written can be read.

As a result of the judgment, if the reading is not performed correctly, it means that the magnetic head is abnormal or the control unit is abnormal.
I'm trying to give an alarm.

A detector for optical information is also arranged on the negative carrier, and the bar code recorded at the factory and the dot information recorded by the camera can be read. The ID of the negative film 10 is attached to the leader of the negative film 10.
And information indicating the lot of the negative film 10, and as the information on the camera, there is information indicating in which direction the cartridge was loaded by the camera.

The ID number of the negative film 10 is used for printing on the back print and for printing the number on the index print.

After reading the lot number, the information is utilized so as to improve the image quality of the print. For example, because it is a special lot, special exposure correction is performed, or it is recognized that the lot number has changed over time, and the exposure correction for the change over time is performed. Alternatively, the exposure correction can be performed by extracting the correction information of the stored lot from the lot number.

Information indicating in which direction the cartridge is loaded by the camera can be used as information for knowing the vertical direction of the image. The top-bottom information is used to match the top-bottom of the characters on the back print or front print with the image, or to match the image position of the index print with the direction of the characters.

The detector for detecting the presence / absence of an image is used to detect whether or not the printing for the laboratory is performed in this reader unit. Since the baking for the lab has a special pattern, it is distinguished from the light exposure.

After passing the leader portion of the negative film 10,
Each image frame becomes a recorded area, and magnetic information and optical information corresponding to each image frame are read. Further, in parallel with this, the image is also read.

The image frame number is detected from the optical information. Alternatively, the image frame number may be specified from the perforation count.

The leading end of the negative film 10 thus conveyed is held in a state of being wound by the winding section. That is, since the negative film 10 has a curl, the film is wound in accordance with this curl to prevent jamming.

The negative film 10 pulled out by the reading of the above-mentioned image is wound up on the cartridge 22 again,
During this winding, it is intermittently conveyed, positioned at the printing position of each image frame, and the printing process is performed on the printing paper.

At the time of winding, information is recorded on the magnetic recording layer 16. This printer processor 21
0 can be equipped with a back print function for printing magnetic information or optical information on the back surface of the print and a front print function for printing characters or pictures on the print surface. The back print function may be performed in a separate process. The back print is dot impact,
An inkjet method can be applied, and laser beam scanning, liquid crystal panel exposure, and CRT exposure method can be applied to front printing.

In the front print, when a character or a pattern is imprinted on an image, the front print can be made conspicuous by selecting the imprint position or color based on the image information read by the scanner. The front print area may be surrounded by, for example, a white edge having a width of 2 to 5 mm, or the entire front print area may not be exposed during the main exposure.

The front print can be applied to the production of postcards, greeting cards, business cards, etc. from the simple burning of the date.

The exposure stage of the index print is
It is set at a position different from the analog exposure projection unit, and various systems such as laser beam system, liquid crystal display, and CRT system can be adopted. It is desirable to provide a photographic paper buffer zone between the projection unit of the index print 214 and the projection unit of analog exposure.

In many cases, one index print is used for each negative film, which takes longer than the exposure time for one analog exposure, and after one analog exposure is completed, it is stored in the buffer zone. Make an index print on the last part of the case. At this time,
Since the time sequence is processed in parallel, there is no time loss even when index printing is performed.

[0112]

As described above, the photographic processing system according to the present invention aims at accurate handling of a photographic film or the like from reception to processing in a laboratory and shipment, and effective use of the magnetic recording layer. It has an excellent effect that

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the shape of a negative film with a magnetic recording layer.

FIG. 2 is a sectional perspective view of a cartridge containing a negative film.

3A is a perspective view of a DP bag, and FIG. 3B is a plan view of an index print.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a lab (minilab) system.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a detacher.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of an attacher.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 negative film (photographic film) 16 magnetic recording layer 22 cartridge 34 DP bag 36 photographic paper 200 detacher 202 attacher 210 printer processor 212 index print part 214 index print

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location G07F 17/40 G07F 17/40

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A photographic processing system for processing a photographic film, which is housed in a cartridge and can be attached to and detached from the cartridge, and on which an image has been recorded, the photograph being taken by a customer and undeveloped or developed. An order receiving unit that receives a cartridge containing film and records lab information necessary for lab processing on a recording medium, a detach unit that takes out photographic film from the cartridge and winds it into another container, and an undeveloped photographic film The film processor unit for developing the image processor and the image frames are sequentially positioned at the printing position while the developed photographic film is being conveyed, the image recorded on the photographic film is read, and the lab information recorded on the recording medium is used. Determine the print conditions and print the image for each image frame and the image frame for one film on the photographic paper. A print processing unit that exposes index images arranged in a lix form, a paper processing unit that develops the exposed photographic paper and sorts the photographic paper for each photographic film, and processing information in the print processing unit. A printer processor unit including processing information recording means for recording on the recording medium, an attacher for accommodating the photographic film, which has been subjected to the print processing in the print processing section, into a cartridge again, a photographic film accommodated in the cartridge, and an image print. Claim from the collation unit that collates between photographic materials including paper, index print and DP bag that accommodates them, and the print unit price and the processing information based on the shipping destination for each set of photographic materials matched by the collation unit A photo processing unit having a bill issuing unit for issuing a certificate, and a shipping unit for shipping to a predetermined shipping destination. System. 2. The photographic processing system according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is at least one of an independently handleable recording medium and a magnetic recording layer provided on a photographic film.