JPH09179211A - Digital photographic printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify the reordering method of a photographic print. SOLUTION: Image retrieval information are classified into customer specifying information and frame specifying information for each customer, only the latter is recorded in the photographic print and the former is specified by a different ID means 80. The number of digits of the frame specifying information recorded on the photographic print is defined as <=8. At the time of recording the photographic print, the customer specifying information is mechanically inputted by the ID means 80 and an ordering person records only the frame specifying information and number of desired photographic prints on an order sheet. A successful bidder inputs only the frame specifying information and the number of the desired prints from a keyboard 73, similarly. A CPU 74 retrieves image data corresponding to the image retrieval information from a hard disk 75, with the inputted image data retrieval information and a printer 60 prints the retrieved image on a photographic printing paper.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital photographic printer system in which an image recorded on a photographic film is once converted into digital image data and then reproduced as a photographic print or the like.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventionally, a developed photographic film is not a roll film but is generally cut into film pieces each having 4 to 6 frames of photographed frames and returned to a customer. This is for the convenience of storing the film.

The photographic film described above is usually returned to the orderer with a simultaneous print. Thereafter, the orderer may wish to reprint the film. In order to reprint after receiving such a reprint order, in the conventional analog type photographic printer, the designated frame is selected from the film, the film normally contained in the film storage bag is taken out and set, and printing paper or the like is set. It takes a lot of work because the procedure to print it is required. Furthermore, when reprinting, the exposure control is performed again, so that the first ordered print (usually simultaneous printing) and the reprint print,
The coloring state of the image is slightly different.

In order to simplify the printing operation by reordering as described above and improve the productivity of printing, a film is not required for additional printing, and an image in the same or desired coloring state as in simultaneous printing is printed. A digital photo printer for is desired. Such a digital photographic printer has already been applied for by the present applicant in Japanese Patent Application No. 7-138154. In this digital photographic printer as prior art, a plurality of images recorded on a plurality of films are respectively converted into digital image data, and image search information for uniquely specifying each image data is provided for each image data. The image retrieval information is recorded in a part of the image recording medium (usually a photographic print) in association with the image recording medium, and the image data corresponding to the desired image is recorded based on the image retrieval information. It is supposed to search.

[0005]

The number of digits required for the image search information recorded on the photographic print for uniquely identifying the photographic film and the frames in the photographic film is shown in FIG. 3, for example. 2 for identifying the year
A total of 13 digits, including a digit number 1, a 9-digit number 2 that identifies the film (considering the number of films produced in Japan in a year), and a 2-digit number 3 indicating the frame number in the film ( A) or a five-digit number indicating the lab code
4, 6-digit number 5 indicating the date, 4-digit number 6 indicating the check tape number, and 2-digit number 3 indicating the frame number, totaling 17 digits (B), etc. The number recorded is 10 digits or more.

It is said that reordering is performed by transmitting the numbers recorded on the photographic prints to the print shop. However, since the number of digits of the search information is extremely large,
In order to further simplify the reordering method, it is desired to be able to place an order with a smaller number of digits.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital photographic printing system which enables orders to be reprinted with a smaller number of digits so that reprints can be reordered more easily.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A digital photographic print system of the present invention uniquely associates image data corresponding to images of a plurality of frames recorded on a plurality of photographic films with each of the image data. Based on the image data, a storage medium for recording the specified customer identification information and image search information composed of frame identification information for each customer, an ID means provided with the customer identification information among the image search information, A visible image is printed, and a photographic print in which part of the image identification information for each customer of the image search information corresponding to the image data is recorded, and a visible image based on the input image data are arbitrarily selected. A digital photographic printer for printing on the image recording medium, the customer identification information input by the ID means, and the customer recorded on the photographic print Image search information, which is composed of the frame specifying information, is input, the image data corresponding to the image search information is searched from the storage medium based on the image search information, and is output to the digital photo printer. It is characterized by comprising a search means for performing.

That is, the information for specifying a frame of a photograph, which conventionally requires a number of 10 digits or more, is divided into customer specifying (ID) information and frame specifying information for each customer, and only the latter is printed on the photographic print. The former is characterized in that the former is specified by an ID means different from the print to reduce the number of digits of the frame specifying information recorded on the print and used when reordering. Is.

The ID means inputs the ID information to the search means of the present system, and may be composed of a medium for recording the ID information and a means for reading and outputting the ID information from the medium, The ID information may be input by another method. For example, it is possible to use a magnetic card on which ID information is recorded and an ID reading device for reading the information magnetically recorded on the magnetic card, or an ID for personal computer communication. Therefore, in the digital photo printer system of the present invention, the customer identification information can be identified mechanically from the ID means or via a communication line. As the magnetic card, a commonly used credit card can be used in addition to the magnetic card issued by each new customer and stored by the customer.

The storage medium is specifically a large-capacity storage medium such as a hard disk, which means that it can be accessed at any time by a digital photographic printer, and may be one built in this printer. , May be provided separately. When provided separately from the printer, it must be connected to the printer via a communication line.

The frame specifying information for each customer may be composed of a number of 5 digits or less for specifying a photographic film and a number of 2 or 3 digits for specifying a frame to be photographed on the photographic film. Further, the number of 5 digits or less for identifying the photographic film may be a number of 2 digits for identifying the year and a number of 3 or less digits for identifying the photographic film in the year. Here, the “number” is not limited to the numbers 1 to 9, but includes letters such as alphabets and hiragana, and symbols such as + and −.

Further, the photographic print in the present invention is
A visible image based on the image data is printed, and the frame specifying information for each customer is partially recorded in the image search information corresponding to the image data. Note that the part in which the frame specifying information for each customer is recorded is an area other than the area in which the visible image of the photographic print is reproduced, for example, the back surface or the image on the surface on which the image is reproduced. It may be any part such as a peripheral part which is not reproduced. Further, it is not necessary to record only the frame specifying information, and the customer specifying information and the like may be recorded at the same time.

[0014]

In the digital photographic print system of the present invention, the image search information is divided into the customer identification information and the frame identification information for each customer, and the frame identification information for each customer of the image retrieval information is photoprinted. Since the customer identification information is recorded by using a separate ID means, when ordering a photographic print again, a digit of a number that the orderer and / or the orderer should fill in or type from the keyboard The number can be reduced and the orderer and / or
Alternatively, the burden on the contractor can be reduced, and a simpler reordering of the additional prints becomes possible.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a digital photographic print system of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the configuration of the digital photo print system according to the present embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the digital photographic printing system includes a light source unit 30 for illuminating the film 20, a reading unit 40 for reading an image illuminated by the light source unit 30, and a processing and system for an image read by the reading unit 40. And a printer 60 for reproducing a visible image based on the image signal processed by the system control unit.

The light source unit 30 is a photographing frame of the film 20.
It comprises a light source 31 for irradiating 21 with light, a light control unit 32, a color separation unit 33, and a diffusion box 34.

The reading unit 40 drives a screen detection sensor 41 for detecting the area of each photographing frame 21 in the film 20 by a density change, a sprocket 44 which meshes with the perforation of the film 20 and conveys the film 20, and a sprocket 44. A motor 52, a CCD 52 for photoelectrically reading a transmission image of an image recorded on a frame 21 irradiated with light from a light source unit 30 through a lens 51, and an image signal corresponding to the transmission image photoelectrically converted by the CCD 52. Is converted into digital image data.

The system control unit 50 is a reading unit control interface (I / F) 4 for controlling the reading unit 40.
5. Digital image data output from the A / D converter 53 of the reading unit 40 is subjected to image processing to obtain a desired print quality and output to the frame memory 55.
Image processing apparatus 54, second image processing apparatus 56, second image processing apparatus 56, which performs image processing with image processing parameters changed, if necessary, on the image-processed digital image data once stored in the frame memory 55. Modulator driver that outputs a modulation signal based on digital image data that has undergone image processing whose parameters have been changed by the image processing device 56 of
57, a printer control I / F 58 for controlling the printer 60, a hard disk 75 for storing the digital image data stored in the frame memory 55 via a data bus, and reproducing a visible image based on the digital image data as necessary, Alternatively, a CRT monitor 71 and a display I / F 70 for displaying image processing conditions, a keyboard 73 and a keyboard I / F 72 for inputting image processing conditions, correction values of the image processing conditions, frame identification information, and the like, and customer identification (ID) information are displayed. Have a magnetic card 80
a and an ID means 80 comprising an ID reader 80b for reading the ID information magnetically recorded on the magnetic card 80a and outputting it to a data bus, and a hard disk 75 based on the ID information inputted from the ID means 80 via the data bus. The order history is searched from, the new film number is set, the image identification information including the frame identification information including the new film number and the frame number read by the image detection sensor 41, and the image search information including the first information. The image processing conditions input from the image processing device 54 and the second image processing device 56 and the digital image data input from the frame memory 55 are stored in the hard disk 75 in association with each other, and the frames input from the keyboard 73 are stored. One piece of digital image data associated with the image search information consisting of the specific information and the ID input by the ID means 80 is stored in the hardware. Search control from disk 75, and controls the respective devices connected to the other data bus C
The PU 74, a keyboard 78 and a keyboard I / F 77, which are arranged at an inspection place for inspecting the photographic prints reproduced by the printer 60 and for inputting a reprint instruction as necessary, are provided.

The medium having the ID information is not limited to a magnetic card, and a credit card or the like in hand can be used, and an ID for personal computer communication or the like may be used.

When using personal computer communication, or when connecting to another digital photographic printing system 90, the system controller 50 may be provided with a communication port 76 and a modem 83. Further, in the above embodiment, the keyboard 73 for inputting the frame specifying information is
Although it is common with the keyboard that performs the correction and the like, a dedicated keyboard may be installed separately.

More specifically, the printer 60 is composed of a printing section, a developing section and a drying section. The printing section is a hole for forming a reference hole for positioning on a long roll-shaped printing paper 100 arranged in a magazine 62. Punch unit 63, photographic paper 100 in the longitudinal direction (sub-scanning direction) with reference to the positioning reference hole
An exposure scanner 6 that irradiates the photographic printing paper 100 while scanning in the main scanning direction the light modulated based on the signal modulated by the sub-scanning drive system 64 and the modulator driver 57.
1. A back side printing unit 65 for printing the frame specifying information input via the printer control I / F 58 on the back side of the photographic printing paper 100.

In the drying section, a cutter 66 which cuts the dried photographic printing paper (photographic prints) 100 one by one and a sorter 67 which aligns and arranges the photographic prints 100 cut one by one. It has and.

Next, the operation of the digital photographic print system of the present embodiment will be described separately for simultaneous photographic printing and additional printing.

First, the operation of the digital photographic print system during simultaneous printing will be described.

First, when the customer submits the negative film and the magnetic card 80a having the customer's ID information to the print shop,
At the print shop, the ID information is mechanically input to the data bus by the ID reader 80b. Under the control of the CPU 74, the order history of each customer stored in the hard disk 75 is searched based on the input ID information, a new film number is designated, and the new film number is sent to the data bus. Here, the new film number is a number that is not in the order history, and may be, for example, the cumulative total of the films handled by the customer, and may be added one by one for each film. In addition,
The new film number may be designated by recording the number of films handled by the customer on a magnetic card or another recording medium.

The motor 43 is driven by the film scanner control I / F 40, the transport sprocket 44 connected to the motor 43 rotates, and the left end of the film piece 20, which is a negative film having an image recorded on each frame 21, is transported. The film piece 20 is transferred by the transfer sprocket 44 by being inserted into the sprocket 44.

Further, the transport sprocket 44 is a film piece.
While the sheet 20 is being conveyed, the screen detection sensor 41 reads the density of the film piece 20 in order to search for the area where the image frame 21 exists, and the reading unit control I / F 40 determines the direction of the conveyance based on the read density information. The CPU 74 controls the operation of the motor 43 so that the first top 21 stops at a predetermined reading position. The image detection sensor 41 also reads a bar code representing a frame number printed on the peripheral portion of the film in addition to the density reading for prompting the area where the frame is present, and outputs the frame number corresponding to the frame to the CPU 74. .

When the image detection sensor 41 detects the first frame 21 and the first frame 21 is stopped at a predetermined reading position under the control of the CPU 74, light is emitted from the light source unit 30 toward the frame 21. The transmission image of the frame 21 irradiated with light is incident on the imaging optical system 51. The transmission image incident on the imaging optical system 51 forms a predetermined image on the image received by the CCD 52. C
The CD 52 photoelectrically converts the image into image data representing the image recorded on the frame 21. The converted image data is converted into a digital image signal by the A / D converter 53 and is input to the first image processing device 54, where the effects of shading and dark current are removed. The digital image data processed by the first image processing device 54 is temporarily stored in the frame memory 55.

The image data input to the frame memory 55 is temporarily stored and is also stored in the CPU via the data bus.
It is also input to 74. In reading this image, the CPU 74 optimally adjusts the dynamic range of the CCD 52, etc. based on the image data input to the CPU 74 via the data bus so that the read image has optimum density and gradation. Alternatively, so-called pre-reading processing (pre-scan / setup calculation) such as optimally adjusting the amount of light emitted by the light source unit 30 may be performed.

On the other hand, the image data stored in the frame memory 55 is input to the CRT 71 through the data bus and the CR
T71 displays a visible image based on this image data. Here, the operator (or the contractor) observes the visible image displayed on the CRT 71 and, if necessary, more optimal density, gradation,
A correction amount for image processing is input from the keyboard 73 so that a visible image of color and sharpness is reproduced. If correction is not necessary, a signal indicating that may be input from the keyboard 73. If there is no input from the keyboard 73 for a certain period of time, the CPU 74 determines that correction is unnecessary. May be.

The correction amount input from the keyboard 73 is the second
Image processing device 56, and the second image processing device 56 performs image processing on the image data stored in the frame memory 55 according to the correction amount, and the modulator driver 57
The image signal subjected to the image processing is output. If there is no need for correction, the second image processing device 56 uses the frame memory 55.
The image data stored in the modulator driver 57
Output to

On the other hand, the CPU 74 recognizes the ID input from the ID reading device 80b, the new film number set based on the order history retrieved from the ID, and the frame number input from the image detection sensor 41. The image data input from the frame memory 55 are associated with each other and stored in the hard disk 75. The image data is stored in the hard disk 75 by the CPU 74 in a format in which the corresponding image data can be uniquely searched by designating the frame identification information including the film number and the frame number and the ID. The first image processing device
Information relating to the image processing conditions set by the 54 and the second image processing device 56 is also stored in the hard disk 75 in association with the image data.

The modulator driver 57 modulates the light emitted from the exposure scanner 61 of the printer 60 based on the input image data.

On the other hand, the printer 60 is driven and controlled by the CPU 74 via the printer control I / F 58. First, the sub-scanning drive system 64 conveys the photographic printing paper 100 extending from the magazine 62 along a predetermined conveying path in the sub-scanning direction. A hole punching unit 63 is provided on the conveying path. The hole punching unit 63 is provided with a synchronization reference near the side edge of the photographic printing paper 100 at intervals of a length corresponding to, for example, the feeding amount for one photographic print. A reference hole is formed. Inside the printer 60, the photographic printing paper 100 is conveyed with the reference hole as a reference for synchronization.

While the photographic printing paper 100 is sub-scanned in this way,
The light modulated based on the image data from the exposure scanner 61 is main-scanned, and the photographic printing paper 100 is exposed with a visible image based on the image data by a combination of the main-scanning and the sub-scanning. The feeding speed in the sub-scanning direction is controlled by the CPU 74 to be a speed necessary for reproducing a visible image in synchronism with the main scanning speed for exposure.

The photographic printing paper 100 having the surface exposed with the visible image is conveyed to the position of the back printing unit 65 along the feeding path, and the back printing unit 65 is searched by the CPU 74 for the image retrieval uniquely associated with the image data. Information is received from the CPU 74, and on the back surface of the conveyed printing paper 100 (the back surface of the surface on which the visible image is exposed), the frame identification information of the image search information corresponding to the visible image, that is, the film number 8 and the frame number. Print the number 3 (Fig. 1). In the example of FIG. 1, the film number 8 is printed by dividing it into a two-digit number 1 for identifying the year and a three-digit number 7 for identifying the photographic film in that year. It should be noted that the frame number is used in addition to the two-digit number as in the example of FIG. 1 and is used when the frame screen is in the middle position of the two-digit frame number, for example, 3A such as 12A or 13A.
It can be a digit number. Exposure scanner 61 that exposes visible images
The positional deviation between the back printing unit 65 and the back printing unit 65 is determined by a soft sequence (for example, the sequence disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-193609) using the reference holes of the photographic printing paper 100 punched by the hole punch unit 63. Shall be absorbed in a synchronized manner. This frame identification information is
It may be recorded not only on the back surface of the printing paper 100 but also on a part of the exposed surface of the visible image. In this case, it is desirable to record in a region outside the exposed range of the visible image, for example, in the peripheral portion. The exposed photographic printing paper 100 is conveyed from the printing section to the development processing section along the conveyance path, where it is subjected to predetermined development processing and washing processing and then sent to the drying section. In the drying section, photographic paper that has been washed with water in the development processing section
After the 100 is dried, the dried printing paper 100 is cut by the cutter 66 into pieces corresponding to the size of one photographic print with the reference hole as a reference for synchronization. The photographic paper 100 cut into this photo print is a sorter.
At 67, the films are collected one by one and returned to the orderer together with the film pieces which are separated and cut into 6-piece pieces in another process. In this way, at the time of simultaneous printing, a photographic print is created on the back surface of which prints are printed with frame specifying information used for printing.

Next, the operation of the digital photographic print system during reprint printing will be described.

As described above, the orderer who has returned the photographic print 10 on which the image of the film has been exposed on the photographic paper 100 and the piece of the film 20 will be reprinted when he or she orders a reprint of the print later. The frame identification information printed on the back side of the photographic print 10 and the desired number of prints are written on the order sheet, and the order sheet and the magnetic card 80a
Should be submitted to the print shop.

In the print shop, the ID is identified by the ID reading device 80 from the magnetic card 80a according to the received order, and the frame specifying information and the number of prints are recorded on the keyboard 73.
Alternatively, the image data associated with the image search information stored in the hard disk 75 is searched by the control of the CPU 74 which receives the image search information input from 78 and the image data obtained by the search. Is temporarily stored in the frame memory 55, and the second image processing device 56 associates the image data captured in the frame memory 55 with the image processing conditions stored in the hard disk 75 in association with the image data. Image processing according to the above is performed.

Here, for example, when the orderer requests an image processing different from the previous photographic print, the correction amount of the image processing corresponding to the request is set on the keyboard 73 or.
By inputting from 78, the second image processing device 56 changes the image processing condition according to the correction amount and then performs the image processing.

The processed image data output from the second image processing device 56 is input to the modulator driver 57 in the same manner as the above-mentioned operation, and a visible image corresponding to the image data is printed on the photographic paper 100 by the printer 60. , Keyboard 73 or 78
The exposure is performed by the number of sheets input from, and the photographic prints of the ordered number are output.

As described above, according to the digital photographic print system of the present embodiment, when an additional order for the image is made later, the photographic print can be obtained only by the image search information without the film, The orderer does not need to find a film corresponding to the photo print, and since the frame identification information is recorded on the back side of the photo print, it is not necessary to compare the photo print with the film to search for the image number from the film, and the copy is reprinted. Easy to order prints. In addition, the ID information of the image search information
Since it is specified by means, the number of digits indicating the frame identification information printed on the back side of the photographic print 10 is 7 digits or less, and the number that the orderer and / or the orderer should enter or type from the keyboard The number of digits is reduced, and reordering is greatly simplified.

When the personal computer communication ID is used as the customer identification information, it is also possible to place an additional order by communication means. In this case, log in to the host computer or CPU 74 of the lab through the communication port 76 from the personal computer 82 via the modem 83 and the communication line in the same way as normal personal computer communication, and enter the desired photo print frame identification information and the number of sheets. do it. Further, in this case, the correspondence between the image data and the search information is shown in Table 1.
As shown in (1), in addition to the ID as the customer identification information, a password is required to ensure security, and it is necessary to enter this password when logging in. Table 1 is an example of contents in which image files and image search information are stored in the hard disk 75 in association with each other.

Table 1 ID password Year film No frame No image data ABCD1234 ZXY987 95 001 01 JPEG compressed image file 02 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ 002 01 ・ 02 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ABCD1235 ZZZ999 95 001 01 ・ ・Furthermore, the hard disk 75 may be shared with other digital photo printers, in which case it may be connected to one or more other digital photo printers via a network line through the communication port 76. Also, with such a network, a desired photographic print can be obtained by reading an image from a hard disk of another printing system that has read the image from a digital photographic printer that has ordered printing. In this case, in addition to the frame identification information and the ID in the image search information, unique device codes such as the printer number and the hard disk number that read and store the image data, or the print shop or the laboratory having those devices It is effective to further associate information for identifying the device, such as a unique store code, and add it to the image search information.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of photographic print backside printing of frame identification information in the present application.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a digital photographic print system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of backside printing of a photograph print of image search information in the prior art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 year identification number 3 film number 7 year film identification number 8 frame number 10 photo print 20 film 21 shooting frame 30 light source unit 40 reading unit 50 system control unit 60 printer 74 CPU 75 hard disk 76 communication port 80 ID means 82 personal computer 100 photographic paper

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. Image data corresponding to images of a plurality of frames recorded on a plurality of photo films, and customer identification information uniquely associated with each of the image data and frame identification information for each customer. A storage medium that stores image search information, and I that includes the customer identification information of the image search information.
D means, a visible image based on the image data, and a photographic print on which part of the image identification information for each customer of the image search information corresponding to the image data is recorded is input. And a digital photo printer for printing a visible image based on the image data on an arbitrary image recording medium, the customer specifying information output by the ID means, and the frame specifying information for each customer recorded in the photo print. Image search information to be input, and based on the image search information, the image data corresponding to the image search information is searched from the storage medium and output to the digital photo printer. A digital photo print system featuring. 2. The digital photographic print system according to claim 1, further comprising means for mechanically identifying the customer identification information by the ID means. 3. The search means is for inputting the search information to the storage medium and / or outputting image data based on the search information to a printer by a communication means. The digital photo print system according to claim 1. 4. The frame specifying information for each customer is composed of a number of 5 digits or less for specifying a photo film and a number of 3 digits or less for specifying a frame to be photographed on the photo film. The described digital photo print system. 5. The number of 5 digits or less for identifying the photographic film is composed of 2 digits for identifying the year and 3 or less digits for identifying the photographic film in the year. Item 4. The digital photographic print system according to Item 4. 6. A digital image according to claim 1, wherein a visible image based on the image data is printed, and part of the image specifying information corresponding to the image data is the frame specifying information for each customer. Photo prints used in photo print systems.