JPH09166833A - Device for reading optical code of moving photograph film and for detecting end notch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a device adjustable for dealing with films different in width, thickness and hardness by providing a first frame having an end surface guide, a second frame having a film deflector and a means arranging both frames opposed to each other. SOLUTION: The first fame 84 is provided with first and second film end surface guides 148 and 148 which are opposed to each other in parallel, and respective film end surface guides 148 has contact surfaces 160 engaged with the end surface of a film web moved in between. Each contact surface 160 has a curved center part and both opposed sides of the center part which are made into curved surfaces where strength in a horizontal direction is given to the film web crossing the contact surfaces 160 and moving. The second frame 70 has first and second film deflectors. The means deciding the opposed positions of the first and second frames 84 and 70 with the film deflector is provided so as to engage the frames with the film web on the opposite side of the center part.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to apparatus for restraining moving photographic film in order to facilitate operations such as reading optical codes, detecting end notches, and making photographic prints. In particular, the invention relates to a precisely adjustable device adapted to films having various combinations of thickness, hardness and width. The invention also relates to improved optical code readers and notch detectors for use in such devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a high-capacity photographic printer, a structure in which a processed strip-shaped film is spread flat for easy printing is well known. For example, commonly assigned US Pat. No. 5,055,874 discloses a film unfolding device of the type shown herein in FIG.
Such known apparatus 10 is particularly convenient for use in photofinishing equipment. In photofinishing equipment, film enters and exits along a path that is essentially coplanar with the exposure aperture. An example of such a photofinishing device is the high speed printer currently sold by Eastman Kodak Company under the name Kodak Class 35II Color Printer.

Apparatus 10 is used with processed and developed photographic film 12. This photographic film has both end surfaces 1
It has a narrow seam 14 provided with 6 and 18, an image frame 20, a perforation hole 22 formed at a constant pitch, and an end notch 24. Notches are, as is well known, sensed to indicate the position of the seam relative to the exposed opening and, depending on the type of processing equipment, the position on either side of the seam. The device 10 includes a film 12 as the film passes through the device.
It includes a base 26 having an essentially flat surface 28 for contacting. The exposed opening is provided in surface 28.
Adjacent to the flat surface 28 is a pair of cylindrical sections 30, 32 with curved curved contact surfaces 34, 36. The curvature of the curved contact surfaces 34, 36 is such that, when the film passes through, the film that comes into contact with the curved surface is flat against the surface 28, and the film has sufficient columnar strength in the lateral direction. To be selected. The film code reader was located on a similar curved surface adjacent.

The opposing surfaces 34, 36 are provided with film deforming members 38, 40 having curved surfaces 42, 44 for engaging both ends of the film. Each deformable member is in the shape of an elongated bar. In order to prevent the image surface of the image frame 20 from being damaged, the deformable members 38 and 40 are provided with reliefs 46 and 48. Contact curved surface 34,
A pair of cylindrical elements 50, 52 are provided on the outer side of the deforming members 38, 40 along the path of movement of the film, spaced apart from each other upstream and downstream of 36, and the elements 50, 52 are
Is further connected to the valley, and the deformation members 38, 4 are formed in the valley.
0 can move. Thus, when the deformable member moves to the position shown, the film will deform.
Below, above curved surface 34, above surface 28, above surface 36,
Further, under the deformable member 40, it is deformed along the curved path of the cylindrical curved surface 50 on the cylindrical curved surface 52. US Patent No. 5,
No. 055,874, the lateral cylinder strength imparted by wrapping around several curved surfaces causes the film to spread flat along flat surface 28 for printing. It

[0005]

Although the device shown in FIG. 1 has been quite successful, it has encountered some problems. Photographic films are sold under various standards having different properties such as film thickness, hardness and width. The apparatus of Figure 1 is configured to handle films having a fixed width. This means that in order to process films of various widths, it is necessary to prepare several equipments. Therefore, there is a need for an apparatus that can handle films having various widths.

The apparatus of FIG. 1 is also constructed so that it can be used only when the thickness and hardness of the film do not change so much. The thickness and hardness of the film is such that the surface 34, which is necessary to ensure the flatness of the film on the flat surface 28,
It has a great influence on the degree of close contact with 36, the engagement depth of the deformable members 38 and 40, and the like. Therefore, there is a further need for a device that can accommodate films of varying widths.

Commonly assigned US Pat. No. 5,317,
No. 139 discloses an optical code reader for photographic film that reads a bar code at the end just outside the perforations in the film. The read head used in such a reader also needs a structure in which the position of the read head can be accurately adjusted in accordance with the end portion of the strip-shaped film passing therethrough.

US Pat. No. 5,055,874 also discloses an adjustable notch detector for alignment with the notch 24 in the lateral direction of the film. But,
This adjustment range is intended to be applicable only to films having a fixed width. Therefore, there is a need for a device that can be adjusted to accommodate films with different widths.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The main object of the present invention is to provide:
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved device for reading an optical code on a moving strip of photographic film, the device being adjustable for films of different width, thickness and hardness.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus having an adjustable optical code reader for precise alignment with the optical code at the edge of the film.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device having an adjustable end notch detector as well as an optical reader.

Only these objects of the invention are shown in the illustrated example. Therefore, other advantages of the present invention or hidden advantages of the present invention disclosed will be gradually apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description. However, the scope of the invention is limited to the scope of the claims.

The apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention is advantageous for constraining movement of a web of photographic film. That is, the apparatus includes a first frame and first and second film end face guides supported by the first frame and facing each other in parallel, and each film end face guide moves between the two guide faces. There are contact surfaces for engaging the end faces of the film web, each contact surface having a curved central portion and opposite sides of the central portion further across the contact surface between the end face guides. It is a curved surface for imparting lateral strength to the moving film web.

The apparatus also includes a second frame, first and second film deflectors supported by the second frame, and the film deflector for engaging the film web opposite the center. And a means for determining the relative position of the second frame, whereby the film web is traversed through the center and along a curved path extending along one curved section and further along the other curved section. Transform it. This relative alignment means
This method allows the web of photographic film having various characteristics to be constrained on the end guides because the deformation state of the film web can be varied and adjusted.

The relative position adjusting means may be provided with a third frame. The position adjusting means includes a substantially linear first guide supported by a third frame, a first frame installed on the first guide for movement, and a substantially linear first guide supported by the third frame. Two guides, a second frame installed on the second guide for movement, a cam rotatably supported by the third frame, and a first rotatably supported by the third frame and engaged with the cam. And a second lifting lever, each lifting lever being pivotally coupled to the first and second frames to move the first and second frames along the first and second guides. It is configured to be able to.

The cam may be a plate having cam grooves at positions facing each other, and the first and second elevating levers engage with the cam grooves on opposite sides. The cam plate is driven by a gear-driven rotating means. The device can be provided with means for detecting the rotation of the cam relative to the position of the film web of various characteristics. Each of the first and second film deflectors may include a roller having a protruding end for engaging the outside of the image area of the web of photographic film.

The first embodiment of the present invention has the following advantages. For thicker films, the depth of engagement or film deformation can be controlled to less than that required for thin films to provide the required strength in the cross direction of the film web. For a film of a given thickness and hardness, increasing lateral width of the film can be accommodated by a deeper engagement depth. That is, the device of the present application can handle films of various standards. The engagement depth can also be used to control the tension of the moving film.

The apparatus of the second embodiment of the invention is particularly suitable for reading the optical code of a moving photographic film web. That is, the device has a first frame,
A substantially linear moving path supported by the first frame, first and second conveying members installed so as to be movable along the moving path, and mutually supported by corresponding one conveying member. It is composed of first and second end face guides facing each other and transverse to the path of movement and each having the aforementioned contact surface.

In order to accommodate film webs of various widths, along the track to change the distance between the end face guides,
A moving means for moving the first and second conveying members back and forth is also included in the device. The moving means includes a first bending portion that elastically engages the moving means with the first transport member when the guides move toward each other, and a second bending portion that moves the moving means to the second bend direction when the guides move toward each other. A second bending portion that elastically engages with the transport portion. Therefore, the edges of the film are elastically loaded. The device of the second embodiment may further include all of the previously mentioned elements such as a second frame, first and second film deflectors, and means for adjusting the relative position of the first and second frames. Good.

The apparatus of the second embodiment further comprises a first and a second which have a slot through which the ends of the film web are conveyed and which are supported by first and second conveying members respectively. A housing, a light source on one side of the slot in each housing, a code reader installed in the respective housing on the opposite side of each slot, and each reader on the edge of the film web. Means for moving each housing relative to the respective transport member for adjusting the position may be provided. Further, the housing may be provided only on one of the transport members.

The moving means of the conveying member of the apparatus of the second embodiment includes a first lead screw rotatably supported on the first frame and a rotatably supported first frame, and is threaded in the opposite direction. Second lead screw, a first moving nut on the first lead screw, and a second moving nut on the second lead screw,
An elastic body that elastically engages the first nut with the first conveying member when the guides move toward each other, and a second nut that moves the second nut when the guides move toward each other. It is composed of an elastic body that elastically engages with the member and a rotation means of a lead screw. Rather than using a set of lead screws, it is desirable to mount the oppositely threaded screws on a single shaft.

The apparatus of the second embodiment includes a detecting means for detecting the movement of the end face guide and transmitting a signal for aligning the film web at a position corresponding to a preselected width.
In response to the transmitted signal, the guide is moved to a position where the first and second elastic bodies are compressed, and the end face guide is elastically pressed against the end of the film web, so that the moving means of the conveying member is started. And a control means for controlling. Each end guide has a lateral contact surface for engaging the strip film and a curved surface for guiding the strip film to the contact surface while the end guides move towards each other.

The moving means of the housing of the second embodiment is
The worm gear includes a shaft that is rotatably provided in the housing and has an end portion that is screwed to the conveying member, a pinion fixed on the shaft, and a worm gear that is rotatably mounted in the housing. Rotation causes the pinion, the shaft, and the end of the shaft to rotate, moving the housing relative to the carrier member. The light source consists of a light emitting diode and a plano-convex lens. The code reader may be fitted with a glass window coated with infrared filter material.

The device of the second embodiment of the present invention has additional advantages. This device can use films of various widths, and can follow the change of the width of the film because the end guides are elastically pressed against the film. Since it is pressed down elastically, it can be adjusted according to various films. This device moves with the film rather than following it,
It does not overly constrain the path of travel of the film. The head of each optical reader is precisely aligned with the alignment reference to the fixed reference point of the associated end guide, which simplifies equipment setup. Since the light source and reader were installed in a simple housing, position adjustment for alignment was easy.

This method of the present invention is suitable for adjusting the position of the end guides of a moving photographic film web. This method comprises the steps of providing a frame having a substantially linear track supported by the frame, providing first and second conveying members for moving along the track, and first and second facing each other. The method includes the steps of supporting the end surface guides having the two surfaces on one corresponding conveying member, and arranging the respective end surface guides at positions traversing the track. Further, each end face guide has an end face that engages a respective end of the film web that travels between the end face guides, the end faces resiliently engaging the film web and varying widths of the film web. In order to change the distance between the end guides, there is the step of moving said first and second conveying members along a track. In this method, since the end face guide is installed at a position corresponding to a predetermined web width, the movement of the end face guide is detected, and the end of the film web is elastically moved by the end face guide at the position where the guide is moved. Pressing the first and second elastic bodies to press against.

The third embodiment of the present invention is particularly useful for reading the optical code at the edges of photographic film. That is, the device has a housing with slotted holes through which the film web is conveyed,
The light source is located in one of the slots in the housing and the optical code reader is located in the housing opposite the slot. Further, the apparatus has a first frame supporting the housing and means for moving the housing to corresponding positions within the first frame to adjust the position of the reader to corresponding positions at the edges of the film web. . The moving means includes a shaft that rotates in the housing and has an end portion that is threadably engaged with the first frame, and a worm gear that is rotatably provided in the housing and that is engaged with the pinion. , With this configuration, the pinion rotates the shaft by the rotation of the worm gear,
One end of the shaft moves the housing to a corresponding position on the first frame. The light source includes a light emitting diode and a plano-convex lens. The code reader has a glass window coated with an infrared filter material.

The third embodiment has the following advantages. That is, each read head can be accurately aligned with the fixed reference point of the corresponding end guide, which simplifies the setup of the device. Providing the light source and the reader in a single housing can further improve the accuracy of the alignment and simplify alignment adjustments.

The apparatus of the fourth embodiment of the present invention is particularly suitable for detecting notches, side perforations or similar openings at the edges of photographic film. That is, the device has a first frame and an end face guide supported by the first frame, the end face guide engaging with an end face of a film web moving past the end face guide, It comprises an in-plane opening, a guide track supported by the first frame and extending laterally of the end face guide, and an optical sensor guided by the guide track. The sensor is a detector that extends through the opening to a point near the surface for detecting the aperture of the film and a means for moving the sensor along a guide track to align the detector for accurate detection. It consists of The moving means includes a housing supported by the first frame, a shaft having one end screwed to the sensor and rotatably provided in the housing, and rotatably provided in the housing and engaging with the pinion. A worm gear that is present, and the rotation of the worm gear causes the pinion to rotate the shaft, and the sensor at the end of the shaft moves along the guide path.

The fourth embodiment has the following advantages. That is, each notch detector is adjusted and aligned to a precise position by the fixed reference point of the corresponding end face guide. Therefore, the setup of the apparatus is greatly simplified, and reliable notch detection can be performed. Adjustments can be made as the film moves.

[0030]

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the description of the embodiments of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. A brief description of the drawings is given below.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional apparatus for flattening a photographic film. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an apparatus for reading an optical code of a photographic film according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the outline of the controller of the apparatus of FIG. 2 with the mechanism support plate removed.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the plane of the apparatus of FIG. 3 with the film web deforming roller support plate removed. FIG. 5 is a side elevational view showing a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view showing the plane of the bottom surface of the apparatus of FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view showing a cross section of the device of FIG. 4 taken along line 7-7. FIG. 8 shows the device of FIG.
ー End face guide 1 which is a cut surface cut along line 8
It is a sectional view showing the state where 58 and its related parts are omitted.

FIG. 9 is a development view showing a developed state of the horizontal position adjusting mechanism of the end face guide, the film code reading head, and the notch detecting head. FIG. 10 is a rear elevation view showing the rear elevation viewed from the right side of the apparatus of FIG. FIG. 11 is a front perspective view showing the front surface of the main part of the vertical alignment mechanism for the end face guide and the deforming roller.
12 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the device of FIG. 5 taken along line 12-12.

FIG. 13 is a development view showing a vertical alignment mechanism for the end face guide and the deflection roller. FIG.
4 is an enlarged development view showing the film code reader shown in FIG. 7 in an expanded manner. FIG. 15 is a cutaway view of the notch detector taken along line 15-15 of the notch detector of FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are attached to each drawing so that the configuration of the present device can be identified.

Reference is made to FIGS. 2-9 to understand the various features of the present invention. A film code 60 such as a bar code for identifying the product type and the frame number as described in US Pat. No. 5,317,139 is attached to one end or both ends of the band-shaped film 12. Has been done. Such strips of film are provided across a pedestal or deck 62 having openings 64, 66 for installation in associated equipment such as photographic printers. A shallow image save groove 68 is provided across the deck board so as not to damage the image in the image frame 20. Hole 7 through which the support plate 70 of the film deflector penetrates the deck plate
It is located directly above 2. For some uses,
The support plate 70 can be lowered to close the hole 72 and passed without passing the code reader of the present invention. Therefore, the image saving groove 68a is configured to be aligned with the slot 68. The frame 72 is provided below the deck plate 62.

As best shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 9, frame 74 includes vertically extending sliding surfaces 76, 78.
And these sliding surfaces engage a pair of flanges 80, 82 on the cantilevered transport frame 84. A pair of holding plates 86 and 88 support the flange on the sliding surface. A pair of guide rollers 90, 92 are mounted on the flange 82 and extend into a pair of vertically extending slots 94, 96 formed through the sliding surface. Therefore, the transport frame 84 can move vertically with respect to the frame 74. The mechanism for moving the transport frame 84 will be described later.

The frame 84 has a vertical back wall 98 from which a pair of parallel cantilever arms 100, 102 extend, the front wall 104 being coupled to the tips of the pair of cantilever arms. ing. The motor 106 is mounted on the back wall 98, and the rotating shaft 108 of the motor extends through the back wall 98. A drive gear 110 that rotates with the shaft is attached to the shaft 108. As seen in FIGS. 6, 7, and 9, a pair of bearings 112, 114 are mounted on the walls 98, 104, respectively, which rotatably support the lead screw 116. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lead screw 1
Half of 16 is a screw part in the upward right direction, and the other half is a screw part in the upward left direction. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, a coaxial lead screw with opposite threads can be used in place of a unidirectional lead screw.

A moving nut 118 is incorporated in the screw portion in one direction, and a moving feed nut 120 is provided in the screw portion in the other direction. Therefore, when the lead screw rotates, the two moving nuts move toward or away from each other. Coil springs 122, 12
A pair of elastic bodies such as 4 are used for the sliding collars 126 and 128.
It is also installed between the moving nuts around the lead screw. The driven gear 130 is installed at a position where it meshes with the driving gear 110 at the end of the lead screw near the rear wall 98. Therefore, the rotation of the motor 106 causes the movable nut to move back and forth on the lead screw.

On the upper surfaces of the cantilever arms 100 and 102,
There is a pair of parallel guide tracks 132,134 separated by a central slot hole 136. A pair of transport members 138 and 140 are installed inside the slot hole 136. Each transport member has a
One of nuts 118 and 120, springs 122 and 12
4 and one of the collars 126, 128 has a pocket or support 142. As shown in FIG. 9, each transport block has a pair of laterally extending flanges 144, 146, the lower surfaces of which engage tracks 132, 134, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, a pair of holding plates 145 and 147 for restraining vertical movement are fixed to the side surface of the conveying member at the lower part of the track. Therefore, the moving nut 1
By the movement of 18, 120, the conveying member is moved by the track 132,
They move on top of each other in a direction toward or away from each other.

Attached to the front vertical surface of each transport block is a vertical end guide member 148 having spaced vertical segment walls 150, 152, 154 for engaging the ends of the strip of film itself. .
A pair of identical horizontal end face guide members 156, 158 are provided with one of the front faces of each vertical end face guide member. As clearly shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, each guide member has a generally curved horizontal shape having a generally curved shape similar to that described in US Pat. No. 5,055,874. A contact surface 160 is provided. The contact surface 160 engages the lower surface of the strip film immediately adjacent one of the film edges 16, 18. As shown in FIG. 8, the contact surface 160 includes a curved portion 162 located at the center,
Further, curved portions 164 and 166 curved downward on both sides thereof.
Are formed, and when the strip-shaped films come into contact with the curved portions thereof as described above, the strip-shaped films provide strength in the lateral direction. The central portion 162 is preferably curved,
It may be basically flat without departing from the object of the present invention.

On both sides adjacent to the curved surfaces 164 and 166, there are a pair of troughs 168 and 170. In any of these,
As will be described later, the film deformation roller descends. The outer side of the valley portion has a pair of upward curved surface portions 172, 174.
Are formed. The upwardly curved portion 176 causes the strip film to contact the contact surface 160 and the wall segment 150,
It is formed to guide engagement with 152, 154. The pair of set screws 178 fix the guide member 148 and the horizontal guide members 156 and 158 to the respective conveying members.

The operation of the adjustable end face guide will now be described. The strip of film is inserted between guides 156 and 158, which are originally spaced wider than the width of the film. Then, the motor 106 is operated to rotate the lead screw 116, and the moving nuts 118 and 120 are moved toward each other. As the nut moves, the nut compresses the springs 122,124, which results in the collars 126,128 being pushed and a force being exerted on the carrier members 138,140.
Is transmitted to The movement of the transport member is continued until the distance between the guide members 148 becomes substantially equal to the width of the film. As the end guides move into engagement with the film, the film will move to the curved surface 1 on the curved support surface 160.
Take the 76. Here, the end surface of the film contacts the vertical guide member 148.

Corresponding positions of the transport members are detected by one or more sensors 179 on one or both of the lower surfaces of the cantilever levers 100, 102, as seen in FIGS. The sensor 179 is the holding unit 1.
Magnet 1 attached to the lateral flange of 45, 147
A sensor similar to a conventional sensor that responds to the presence of 79 may be used.
The sensor 179 can detect a large number of separated positions of the transport member corresponding to various film widths. It is also possible to use a sensor for the respective film width and a sensor for the reference position when the end guides are furthest apart. The signal from the sensor is sent to the controller of the device, as described below, to stop the motor after a preset number of additional revolutions. This additional rotation causes the spring 122,
Since 124 is contracted more, both ends 16 and 18 of the film
Apply a precise elastic load to. As a result, the present device can handle films of various widths, and can cope with any film width by the elastic load on the film end portion of the end face guide. The end guides do not over-constrain the film as they move with the film rather than following it.

Other features of the apparatus can be understood with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 13, the sliding support portion 180 includes a pair of rotation blocks 18
A pair of shafts 181, 183 supported by 2, 184
And a set screw 185, which are fixed to the back of the frame 74 at a distance from each other. On the back surface of the support plate 180, a vertical sliding portion 186 is installed at a position that supports the support plate 70 so as to be rotatable. A pair of guide rollers 18
8 and 190 are installed in front of the sliding portion 186 through the support plate 180 so as to engage with the slots 192 and 194. A pair of guide tracks 196, 198 ensure vertical movement of the sliding portion, and these tracks are attached to the support plate 180 by setscrews 200, 202. Therefore, it is possible to freely move vertically within the range limited by the slot holes 192 and 194.

A mechanism for vertically moving the carrying frame 84 and the sliding portion 186 is installed between the support plate 180 and the back portion of the frame 74. As best seen in FIGS. 10 and 13, this mechanism includes a pair of cam followers or lift levers 20 mounted on pivot blocks 182, 184.
4, 206. Between the lifting levers, the frame 74
A double cam plate 208 is rotatably provided on a shaft 206 supported by a cantilever. Cam plate 20
8 have cam slots 210 on their respective opposite sides, the opposite slots being 180 degrees out of phase. A shaft 212 supports a cam follower 214 engaged with the slot hole 210, approximately in the middle of each lift lever, as shown in FIG. A motor 216 is installed on the front surface of the frame 74 to rotate the cam plate 208. The motor has a cam output shaft 218 that extends through a hole in the frame. The drive pinion gear 220 is attached to the shaft 218 and engages a large gear fixedly mounted with the small gear on the common shaft. This small gear is a gear 226 on the periphery of the cam plate.
Is engaged with. Therefore, when the motor is driven, the cam plate rotates, causing the lifting link to rotate to the opposite side.

As best seen in FIG. 13, the slotted hole 228 at the free end of the lift link 204 extends through the slotted hole 232 in the frame 74 and engages the rotary connector 230 with the carrier frame 84. Is engaged with. Similarly, as shown in the upper portion of FIG. 13, a slot hole 234 in the elevator link 206 engages a rotary connector 236, which passes through a slot hole 238 in the support plate 180 and slides 186 and Are connected. Therefore, the elevator links 204, 206
Moves as described above, the transport frame 84, the entire sliding portion 1
86 and the support plate 70 are moved toward each other or away from each other. Movement of the carrier frame and slides is monitored by a disc 240 resiliently attached to shaft 209. A plurality of magnetic material inserters 242 on the disk affect the magnetic sensor 244 attached to the support plate 180. Then the sensor 244
Sends a signal indicating the vertical position of the carrier frame and the slide to the controller of the device for the purpose described later. Spring 246 separates disc 249 from the cam plate.

A horizontally extending mounting bracket 248 is provided on top of the sliding portion 186. A shaft 150 and a pair of springs 252 secure the film deflector plate 70 to the bracket 248. Although not shown, the captive screw that moves with the external knob 253 is shown in FIGS.
Used to hold the support plate 70 in a horizontal position along the bracket 248, as shown in FIG. When unscrewed from the bracket 248, the support plate 70 can be lifted and swiveled to gain access to the interior of the device for cleaning or adjustment. The movement of the support plate is limited by a set of stops 254,256. 12 and 13
As best shown in FIG. 1, the support plate 70 has two sets of downwardly extending projections 258, 260 on its lower surface, which projections are mounted on the shafts 266, 268 as a set of film deflectors. The rollers 262 and 264 are rotatably supported. Each roller has a pair of protruding ends 270, 272 for contacting the opposite end of the film with the outer frame 20 to prevent damage to the photographic film.
Having.

In the operation of the apparatus described above with reference to FIGS. 10 and 13, the motor 216 is activated, the transport frame 84 is moved upward, and the support plate 70 is moved downward. Deflector rollers 262, 264 engage the film.
The end guides are then moved into position as described above. As a result of these movements, the film is constrained in a curved path along surface 160 to impart lateral columnar strength to the film as described above, forcing the film against a central bend. Valley 1 of the rollers 262, 264
The depth of travel to 68, 170 determines the final curved path of the film. When the film is thick, the required lateral cylinder strength is obtained without the rollers needing to be as deep as required for thin films. For harder films, the engagement depth will be smaller. For films of a given thickness and hardness, increasing the width of the film requires deeper engagement. In that case, the sensor 244 is used,
The carrier frame and support plate 70 signal the control of the device when a predetermined position is reached, according to a given film type.

FIGS. 9 and 14 show a pair of optical code reader heads 274, 276 used to read the optical code on the film as the film clears the central bend 162. Read head
In the illustrated embodiment, a single optical code reader is installed at both ends of the film, but when the optical code is only at one end of the film, it is installed only on one of the corresponding conveying members. Is used. Each of the transport members 138, 140 includes a pair of parallel guide tracks 278, 280 that act as a frame for supporting a lateral sliding flange 282 of the readhead housing or body 284.
Only one of the flanges 282 is visible in FIG. FIG.
As seen at, the body 284 has horizontal slotted holes 286 through which the ends of the strip of film pass therethrough during use of the device.

The vertical hole of the main body 284 is a light emitting diode 29.
0, the light beam of the light emitting diode passes through the plano-convex lens 292 and through the vertically extending hole 293 provided in the central portion 162 of each end face guide, and is irradiated upward. Opposite the slotted hole 286, a code reading chip 294 of the type described in US Pat. No. 5,317,139 is provided on the carrier 296 behind the glass window 298. To block infrared light and reduce noise entering the output of the reading chip,
It is desirable to coat the window 298 with a normal infrared filter material. The cover plate 300 protects the chip from damage. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 9, a pair of retaining plates 312 support the read heads located on respective guide tracks 278, 280. As the strip of film moves past the device, the light from the diode 290 is projected through the processed transparent end so that the reading chip 294 reads and decodes the bar code and the resulting information on the device. Send to control unit.

A mechanism is provided for precisely aligning each read head with its corresponding segment wall 152. Shaft 302 is block 284
It is rotatably housed inside. The threaded end 304 of the shaft 302 is screwed to a frame member 306 fixed to the conveying member 140. In the block,
A 14-tooth pinion gear 308 is engaged with a rotatable worm gear 310 on the shaft 302. Therefore,
Rotating the worm gear from the outer block 284 causes the pinion 308 to rotate the shaft 302, causing the threaded end 304 to rotate from the inside to the outside of the frame member 306. The block 284 is therefore moved back and forth on the guide tracks 278, 280 to align the read tip 294 with respect to a fixed reference point formed on the vertical surface of the wall segment 152. For example, if the threaded end 304 has 8 to 36 threads and the worm gear is 1/4 to 20 threads, one revolution of the worm gear causes the read head to move 0.002 inches on the guide track. Will move. Thus, although the end guides are movable as described above, each read head is precisely aligned and guaranteed in position relative to the wall segment 152. Therefore, the setup of the device is simplified.

Please refer to FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 8 and FIG. It will be appreciated that the edge notch detector according to the present invention. An "edge notch" is a notch that is near or at the edge of a film, such as notch 24, which notch includes the edge of the film or a perforation hole formed inside the film. Means 24. The notch detector of the present invention can be applied to any of the above-mentioned notch or machine hole. For each of the transport members 138 and 140,
Support block 314 for notch or hole detection,
316 is integrally formed. Each support block has a worm gear 318 coupled to a pinion and threaded shaft 320, not shown, and is of the type described in the preceding paragraph. The pair of apertures 319 of the support plate 70 allows the worm gear 318 to rotate without lifting the support plate. The shaft 320 is threaded with an upwardly extending tab 322 on a support block 324 of the sensor. FIG.
5, a guide pin or track 325 is housed within the support block 324 and extends into an unillustrated hole in the corresponding support block 314 to constrain the horizontal movement of the block 324. . The slotted holes or guide tracks 327 under the end guides 156, 158 shown in FIG. 8 further constrain the horizontal movement of the block 324. An L-shaped suspension block 326 extending downward is provided on one side of the block 324 and supports an optical coaxial optical fiber sensor 328 having an optical fiber detecting portion 330 extending upward. As best seen in FIG. 8, an essentially vertical hole through the block 324 houses a sensing portion 330 that extends into a slot 334 formed in the contact surface 160 at the apex of the curved portion 162. Since the detectors are attached to both end surface guides 156, 158, the present apparatus can detect notches at both ends of the film web. The notch detection signal is sent to the controller 338 as schematically illustrated in FIG.
The electrical coupling part 336 for sending to can be installed under the deck board 62.

During the notch or aperture detection operation, the photographic film moves through slotted holes 334. Unless there are perforations or notches in slot 334,
Light is reflected from the bottom of the film and sensor 328 signals that there is no notch. However, when a notch or opening appears on the slot 334, there is no light reflection or the amount of reflected light decreases, and the sensor emits a signal indicating that there is a notch or opening. The signal from the sensor is sent to the controller 338 which causes the signal when there is a notch in the downstream to tell the photographic film printer that the frame downstream of the film is
It informs that it is in a position to scan and project an image on photographic paper in the usual way.

The controller 338 is shown only schematically as devices of this type are well known to those skilled in the art.
In the most general sense, the controller actuates the motor to move the transport 84 upwards and the slide 186 downwards to engage the rollers 262, 264 with the film.
The controller then receives from the sensor 244 a signal indicating that the required engagement depth has been reached for the type of film used. Next, the controller actuates the motor 108 to move the end face guides 156, 158 toward each other to engage both ends of the strip film. afterwards,
The controller receives a signal from the sensor 179 that the roller has reached the required separation distance. The controller then additionally rotates the motor 108 to hold it with some excess elastic force as previously described.

The signal indicative of the width and physical properties of the film transmitted through the device depends on which side of the film the bar code is on, depending on the reader 274,
276. As mentioned above, the width and physical properties of the film determine the required separation of the end guides and the depth of engagement in the curved path. Then, when running a different type of film, the controller actuates the motor to open the end guides and disengage the rollers until a new film is inserted.

The present invention has been shown with reference to the embodiments of the present invention. Modifications in the construction or details can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope or spirit of the present invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional apparatus for developing a photographic film.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an apparatus for reading an optical code of a photographic film according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an outline of a controller of the apparatus of FIG. 2 with a mechanism supporting plate removed.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the plane of the apparatus of FIG. 3 with the deflection roller support plate removed.

5 is a side elevational view showing a side view of the device of FIG. 4. FIG.

6 is a bottom plan view showing the plane of the bottom surface of the device of FIG. 5;

7 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the device of FIG. 4 taken along line 7-7.

8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the end face guide 158 and its related components are omitted from a cross section of the device of FIG. 4 taken along line 8-8. .

FIG. 9 is a development view showing a developed state of the horizontal position adjusting mechanism of the end face guide, the film code reading head, and the notch detection head.

10 is a rear elevational view showing the rear elevational view from the right side of the apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view showing a front surface of a main part of a vertical alignment mechanism for an end face guide and a deflection roller.

12 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the device of FIG. 5 taken along line 12-12.

FIG. 13 is a development view showing a vertical alignment mechanism for an end face guide and a deflection roller.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged development view showing the film code reader shown in FIG. 7 in an expanded manner.

FIG. 15 shows the notch detector of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a cutaway view of a notch detector taken along line 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 film developing device 12 strip-shaped photographic film 14 web 60 film code 70 second frame 84 first frame 90 guide roller 92 guide roller 122 elastic body 124 elastic body 132 track 134 track 138 transfer member 140 transfer member 148 end surface guide 156 end surface guide 158 End face guide 160 Curved contact surface 162 Center contact surface 164 Downward curved portion 166 Downward curved portion 168 Valley portion 170 Valley portion 179 Sensor 186 Second frame 248 Second frame 262 Deflector 264 Deflector 274 Optical code read head 276 Optical code read head 284 Housing 290 Light emitting diode (light source) 294 Code reading chip 328 Sensor 330 Optical fiber probe

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (31) Priority claim number 005, 629 (32) Priority date October 19, 1995 (33) Priority claim country United States (US) (31) Priority claim number 005, 693 ( 32) Priority date October 19, 1995 (33) Priority claim United States (US) (31) Priority claim number 610,447 (32) Priority date March 4, 1996 (33) Priority claim United States (US) (31) Priority claim number 610,642 (32) Priority date March 4, 1996 (33) Priority claim country United States (US) (31) Priority claim number 610,445 (32) Priority date March 4, 1996 (33) Priority claiming United States (US) (31) Priority claiming number 608,024 (32) Priority date March 4, 1996 (33) Priority claiming United States (US) ( 31) Priority claim number 610,019 (32) Priority date 1996 March 4 (33) United States (US) (72) Inventor Dean G. Wells United States New York 14428 Rochester Bromley Road 495 (72) Inventor John Lester Sudowski United States New York 14616Rochester Foster Road63

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A first frame and a central portion that engages an end face of a film web moving within the end face guides to impart lateral strength to the web moving across the contact surface between the end face guides. An end surface guide of basically parallel first and second films, each of which has a contact surface formed of a curved portion on both sides of the central portion, is supported by the first frame, and is opposed to each other, and a second frame, Arrangement means for arranging the first and second frames facing each other together with the first and second film deflectors supported by the second frame, and the film deflectors engaging with the web on both sides of the central portion. And deforming the web in a curved path having a curved portion on the opposite side beyond the central portion from one curved portion, and selectively adjusting the deformation of the web in the curved path,
An apparatus for restraining a web of moving photographic film, which is capable of restraining a web of photographic film having various characteristics. 2. A first frame, a substantially linear track supported by the first frame, first and second transfer members installed so as to move on the track, Two end face guides arranged across the track, which engage with both end faces of a web moving between the end face guides, and impart lateral strength to a film moving between the end face guides. In order to do so, first and second end face guides having contact surfaces composed of a central portion and curved portions on both sides of the central portion and having mutually opposing surfaces supported by one of the transport members, respectively, A means for moving the first and second conveying members back and forth in order to change the distance between the both end surface guides in order to correspond to a web of width; Elastic to the moving means that moves with one transport member A first elastic body that engages with the second elastic body that elastically engages a moving unit that moves together with the second transport member when the guides move in a direction approaching each other; and a second frame A first deflector and a second deflector supported by the second frame; and deforming the film into a curved path extending along the central portion and curved portions that are further curved on both sides of the central portion. The relative position adjusting means is capable of selectively adjusting the deformation of the film within the curved path thereof, thereby restraining the film having various characteristics. A locating means for arranging the first and second frames together with a deflector, and a hauge having a slot supported by either one of the first and second transport members and through which an end of the web is transported. A light source installed in one of the slots in the housing, a code reader installed in the housing opposite the slot, and for adjusting the position of the reader with respect to the film web. A device for reading an optical code on a moving photographic film web, comprising means for moving the housing with respect to the conveying member. 3. A frame, an essentially linear track supported by the frame, first and second transport members installed to move on the track, and arranged across the track. And a first and a second end face guides facing each other supported on one side of the conveying member and having a face engaging with the end faces of the webs moving between the end face guides, and corresponding to webs of various widths Means for moving the first and second conveying members back and forth along the track to change the distance between the guides, and the first conveying member when the guides move toward each other. A first elastic body engaged with a moving means that moves together with the second elastic body engaged with a moving means that moves together with the second conveying member when the guides move in a direction approaching each other. A photo characterized by having A device that adjusts the position of the end guides relative to the moving web of film. 4. A frame having an essentially linear track supported by the frame is provided, and first and second transfer members installed so as to be movable along the track are provided so as to traverse the track. And one of the first and second end face guides having mutually facing surfaces for engaging the ends of the moving web are supported on one of the conveying members, respectively, to support webs of various widths. To move the web of photographic film, comprising the steps of elastically engaging and moving the first and second conveying members along the track to change the distance between the end face guides. A method for adjusting the position of the end guides. 5. A housing having a slot through which the end of the web passes, a light source provided on one side of the slot in the housing, and a code reader provided on the other side of the slot in the housing. A first frame for supporting the housing, and means for moving the housing to a corresponding position in the first frame for adjusting the relative position of the reader to the end of the web. A device for reading the optical code on the edge of the web of photographic film. 6. A first frame, said end face guide supported by said frame having an engaging surface for engaging an end portion of a web that moves past its inner surface, An opening, a guide track that is supported by the frame and extends across the end face guide, and that is provided on the guide track and passes through the opening at a point near the surface to detect a notch in the end. A device for detecting an edge opening in a web of photographic film, comprising a sensor having an extended detection probe.