JPH0996897A - Method for inspecting magnetic head - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately inspect with simple constitution whether a reading head and a recording head are appropriately actuated. SOLUTION: When the data for inspection is decided in advance (step 100) and the negative film is started to be drawn out, DC voltage is impressed on the recording head (steps 102 and 104). When the leading edge of the negative film is detected, and then the negative film is carried by a fixed amount(steps 106 and 108), the data for inspection is recorded by the recording head(steps 110 and 112), and the recorded data is read by the reading head (step 114). Next, the read data is compared with the data for inspection (steps 116 and 118). When they do not coincide with each other, processing for an error is performed by judging that abnormality occurs on the recording head or the reading head (step 120).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic head inspection method for recording magnetic information on a magnetic material and reading the magnetic information recorded on the magnetic material. More specifically, the present invention relates to a magnetic head inspection method for recording and reading magnetic information on a strip-shaped magnetic material such as a photographic film provided with a magnetic recording layer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a magnetic recording layer has been provided at a predetermined position of a non-image portion of a photographic film (for example, a negative film),
In addition to the information on the negative film, information on the shooting of each frame image, information on printing each frame image on photographic paper, etc. is recorded, and when the image of each frame is printed on photographic paper, this magnetic A photographic system that utilizes information recorded in a recording layer has been proposed. In this photo system,
Negative film that has undergone development processing is processed in multiple frames (for example, 6
The information recorded in the magnetic recording layer is not damaged by rewinding the cartridge into a cartridge instead of cutting the piece negative into pieces.

In order to use the information recorded on such a negative film at the time of printing, it is necessary for the film carrier to have a function of recording and reading magnetic information. Various film carriers having a head have been proposed.

The magnetic information recorded on such a negative film is different for each negative film, and it is necessary to accurately record the magnetic information and read the recorded magnetic information for each negative film. There is.

In order to perform accurate recording and reading of magnetic information, the magnetism generated when the recording magnetic head (recording head) records the magnetic information is the magnetic field of the reading magnetic head (reading head). It should not affect the reading of information. At the same time, it is necessary to bring the recording head and the reading head into close contact with the magnetic recording layer of the negative film.

On the other hand, dust or dirt may adhere to the surface of the negative film, and when the negative film is brought into close contact with the recording head or the reading head, the dust or dirt is attached to the recording head or the reading head. The transfer may impair the adhesion between the magnetic recording layer of the negative film and the magnetic head or the read head, which may make it difficult to accurately record and read magnetic information.

It is not easy to visually confirm such stains on the magnetic head and stains on the surface of the negative film which may stain the magnetic head. Whether the recording head accurately recorded the information on the negative film or whether the reading head correctly read the magnetic information on the negative film,
If the confirmation is frequently performed, the work efficiency decreases as the number of parts increases.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts. For example, the reading and recording of magnetic information of a strip-shaped magnetic material such as a photographic film having a magnetic recording layer formed thereon can be performed. An object of the present invention is to propose a magnetic head inspection method capable of easily inspecting whether or not the magnetic heads of the read head and the recording head are in an appropriately operable state when performing.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a recording head for recording magnetic information on a belt-shaped magnetic material to be conveyed and a read head for reading magnetic information from the belt-shaped magnetic material are paired. A method of inspecting a magnetic head provided, wherein recording is performed at a predetermined position of a leading end portion of the magnetic recording material by the recording head in the conveying direction prior to the treatment of the magnetic recording material. The data recorded on the strip-shaped magnetic material is read by the read head arranged on the downstream side in the material conveying direction, and the read data is compared with the read data to properly operate the recording head and the read head. It is characterized by inspecting whether or not there is.

According to the first aspect of the invention, prior to the recording of magnetic information on the strip-shaped magnetic material or the reading of the magnetic information from the strip-shaped magnetic material, the recording head inspects the leading end of the strip-shaped magnetic material in the conveying direction. Data is recorded, and then the data in the area where the recording data is recorded by the recording head is read by the reading head. By comparing the inspection data with the read data, it is possible to determine whether the recording head and the reading head are operating properly.

If dirt or the like is adhered to either the recording head or the reading head and accurate data recording or the recorded data cannot be accurately read, the data read by the reading head and the inspection are performed. There is a difference between the work data. From this, it can be accurately determined whether both the recording head and the reading head are operating properly.

The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the inspection data recorded on the strip-shaped magnetic material by the magnetic head is changed at a predetermined timing. .

According to the second aspect of the invention, the inspection data is changed at a predetermined timing to prevent the same inspection data from being recorded on one strip-shaped magnetic material. For example, the recording head is not operating. In this state, when inspecting the strip-shaped magnetic material that was previously inspected, the inspection data recorded on this strip-shaped magnetic material was erroneously read as the current data, and the recording head failed (malfunction). ) Cannot be detected.

The inspection data may be changed every predetermined time. At this time, the predetermined time may be set at preset times such as one day, one hour, or several hours. When changing the inspection data every day, the date (year, month, day, etc.), the combination of the date and the random number, etc. can be used as the inspection data, and the inspection data can be obtained every hour or every few hours. When changing, a date and time (year, month and day, time, month and day and time, etc.), a combination of date and time and a random number can be used.

Further, the inspection data may be changed every predetermined number of times. In this case, a combination of time (hour / minute), date and time, time and random number, date and time and random number, etc. can be used as the inspection data.

Further, the inspection data may be changed every predetermined time and every predetermined number of times. Also in this case, data generated by a combination of date, time, random number, etc. can be used so that the inspection data will not be the same.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the magnetic head inspecting method according to the second aspect, wherein inspection data recorded on the strip-shaped magnetic material by the recording head is striped by the recording head. It is characterized in that it is changed every time it is written in the magnetic material.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the inspection data is changed at any time. As a result, even if one strip-shaped magnetic material is repeatedly inspected, it is possible to reliably prevent the inspection data recorded last time from being erroneously read as the current data.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the method for inspecting a magnetic head according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the magnetic data is written along the conveyance direction of the strip-shaped magnetic material. The length is shorter than the distance between the recording position by the recording head and the reading position by the reading head along the conveyance direction of the strip-shaped magnetic material.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the recording of the inspection data by the recording head is completed by the time the tip of the inspection data recorded on the strip-shaped magnetic material reaches the magnetic information reading position by the reading head. , Set the amount of inspection data. This prevents the recording head and the reading head from operating at the same time, so that even if the recording head and the reading head are arranged close to each other, the magnetism leaking from the recording head affects the operation of the reading head. There is no need for accurate data reading.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A film carrier 10 is shown in FIGS. This film carrier 10 is
It is attached to a photographic printer such as a printer section of a printer processor (not shown) and is used for printing an image recorded in each image frame of photographic film (hereinafter, referred to as "negative film 12") on photographic paper. . The printer processor performs a processing solution treatment and a drying treatment on the photographic printing paper on which the image of the negative film 12 is printed with a color developing solution, a bleach-fixing solution, a rinsing solution (washing water), and then the photographic printing paper is imaged. Cut into pieces and finish as photographic prints.

As shown in FIGS. 5 (A) and 5 (B), the negative film 12 mounted on the film carrier 10 is composed of a reader section 14, an image recording section 16 and a tail section 18, An image frame 16A in which an image is recorded by shooting or the like is formed in the recording unit 16. Further, in the negative film 12, the tail portion 18 is locked to the spool shaft 22 of the cartridge 20 and
It is wound into layers and accommodated in the cartridge 20.

In the image recording section 16 of the negative film 12,
Perforations 24 are formed at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction at one end in the width direction.
The position of each image frame 16A can be known from. In addition, the surround perforation 14 is provided on the image recording unit 16 side of the reader unit 14 and the tail unit 18.
A and 18A are provided respectively, and the tail portion 18 is further provided.
A detachable perforation 18B indicating the rear end position of the negative film 12 is formed on the front end of the negative film 12, and a notch 14B is formed on the front end of the leader portion 14.

The negative film 12 is a strip-shaped magnetic material in which a magnetic recording layer is formed by coating a substantially transparent magnetic material on the entire surface on one side, and the non-magnetic film applied from the reader portion 14 to the tail portion 16 is non-magnetic. Both ends in the width direction, which are image frame portions (portions other than the image frame 16A), are used as magnetic recording areas (hereinafter referred to as "magnetic tracks 26"). On the magnetic track 26, information about the negative film 12, information at the time of photographing the image of each image frame 16A, information at the time of printing each image on photographic paper, etc. are recorded.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, in the reader section 14 of the negative film 12, the magnetic track 2 similar to the image recording section 16 is provided on the image recording section 16 side.
6 is provided (the magnetic track 26 is also provided on the tail portion 18 side, but illustration and description thereof are omitted). Information about the negative film 12 is recorded on the magnetic track 26 of the reader unit 14.

On the other hand, in the negative film 12, the tip of the leader portion 14 and the rear end of the tail portion 18 are damaged, and the shape of the tip, the notch 14B, the detached perforation 14B, and the spool shaft 22 provided in the tail portion 18 are formed. When the engaging holes and the like are deformed or damaged, each of the front end and the rear end can be cut to a predetermined length. For example, as shown in FIG.
In the leader portion 14, by cutting within a predetermined length range from the tip and processing the remaining tip into the original shape including the notch 14B, the processing of the negative film 12 is not hindered. it can.

That is, the reader unit 1 of the negative film 12
4, the minimum dimension Y from the magnetic track 26B to the tip
₁ should be secured. As a result, for example, when the cutting dimension Y ₂ for one cut is set to 14 mm, the tip of the leader portion 14 can be cut and processed up to twice. The dimension Y ₃ shown in FIG.
The length from the end of the magnetic track 26 of No. 4 to the first tip (at the time of product shipment, before cutting) is set (Y ₃ = Y ₂ × 2).
+ Y ₁ ).

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the film carrier 10 on which the negative film 12 is mounted has a base 30, a cartridge loading section 32, and a film accommodating section 34.
And a cover 36 that covers the upper surface of the pedestal 30. Further, on the upper surface of this pedestal 30, the cartridge loading section 32
A transport path 38 is formed to connect the film storage section 34 and the film storage section 34. The transport path 38 is usually covered with the cover 36.

The cartridge 20 containing the developed negative film 12 is mounted in the cartridge loading portion 32, and the spool shaft 22 is rotated by the drive of the motor 40 (see FIG. 2) to remove the negative film 12 from the cartridge 20. Are sent to the transport path 38. Further, in the cartridge loading section 32, the negative film 12 is wound around the spool shaft 22 by the reverse drive of the motor 40 and accommodated in the cartridge 20. In the cartridge loading section 32, it is confirmed whether or not the negative film 12 accommodated in the cartridge 20 has been developed and conveyed so that the undeveloped negative film 12 is not exposed and exposed. I am sending it to the road 38.

Feed rollers 42A, 42B, 42C and 42D, which are provided as a pair on the pedestal 32 and the cover 36 and sandwich the negative film 12, are provided between the cartridge loading section 32 and the film accommodating section 34 in the conveying path 38. Are arranged in order. These feed rollers 42A to 42
D is rotated by the drive of the motor 44 (see FIG. 2),
The drawn negative film 12 is pulled out from the cartridge 20 (the direction of arrow A in the figure) and the cartridge 20
The sheet is conveyed in the pullback direction (the direction opposite to the arrow A direction).

As shown in FIG. 3, the film accommodating portion 3
4, a winding shaft 50, guides 46 and 48, and guide rollers 52 rotatably attached to the tips of the guides 46 and 48 are provided. In the film accommodating section 34, the negative film 12 fed through the conveying path 38 is guided by the guides 46 and 48 between the take-up shaft 50 and the guide roller 52 so as to be sandwiched therebetween.
Is wound around the winding shaft 50. As a result, the film accommodating portion 34 temporarily accommodates the negative film 12 pulled out from the cartridge 20 while preventing the negative film 12 from being entangled and damaged due to curl or the like.

The film carrier 10 has a conveying path 3
Feed roller 42B and feed roller 4 at the center of
An opening 54 for baking is formed between 2C. The opening 54 is irradiated with a light beam from a baking light source (not shown) disposed below the pedestal 30. Therefore, by arranging the image frame 16A of the negative film 12 in the opening 54, the light beam from the light source is transmitted according to the image of the image frame 16A of the negative film 12 to be imaged on the photographic paper, and the image is formed on the photographic paper. Is baked. In addition,
A negative pressure-bonding plate 56 is provided between the pedestal 30 and the cover 36, and the negative pressure-bonding plate 56 makes the periphery of the image of the negative film 12 positioned in the opening 54 uniform with the periphery of the opening 54. It is pressed so that the image printed on the photographic paper is not distorted.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the film carrier 10 is provided with a magnetic head portion 58 and a sensor portion 60. The magnetic head portion 58 is provided corresponding to each end portion in the width direction of the negative film 12, and a recording head 62 for recording magnetic information and a reading head 64 for reading magnetic information are provided on the cover 36. It is installed. The pedestal 30 is provided with a backup roller 66 for bringing the negative film 12 into close contact with each of the recording head 62 and the reading head 64.

Further, the sensor section 60 is provided with sensors 72 and 74 each having a light projecting section 68 and a light receiving section 70 provided in pairs.

As shown in FIG. 4, the film carrier 10 is provided with a controller 80 including a microcomputer (not shown) including a CPU, RAM, ROM and the like. The recording head 62 of the magnetic head unit 58, the reading head 64, and the sensor 7 of the sensor unit 60.
2, 74 are motors 40, 44 and operation switch 76
(See FIG. 1) and the like, and is connected to the controller 80 via the connector 78. The controller 80 controls the film carrier 10 when printing an image recorded on the negative film 12 onto photographic paper.

As shown in FIG. 6, the magnetic head portion 58.
Are arranged between the opening 54 of the transport path 38 and the cartridge loading section 32. The recording heads 62 of the magnetic head portions 58 are adjacent to each other on the cartridge loading portion 32 side of the opening 54 (on the left side of the paper surface of FIG. 6) when one of the image frames 16A of the negative film 12 is positioned in the opening 54. It is attached so that it is between the image frames 16A,
The read head 64 is attached to the opening 54 side of the recording head 62.

As a result, in the film carrier 10,
When the negative film 12 is conveyed at a constant speed without frame-by-frame feeding, the recording head 62 and the reading head 64 can record and read magnetic information on the magnetic track 26, and each image on the negative film 12 is opened. When the negative film 12 is frame-fed while sequentially positioning to 54, each magnetic track 26 moves at a constant speed while contacting the recording head 62, so that the recording head 62 can record magnetic information on the magnetic track 26. Has become.

In the film carrier 10, when the negative film 12 is pulled out from the cartridge 20 and is wound around the winding shaft 50 of the film accommodating section 34, the negative film 12 is conveyed at a constant speed so that the negative accommodating section 34 is ejected from the film accommodating section 34. When the negative film 12 is rewound to 20, the image is fed and fed so that the image recorded in each image frame 16A is printed on the photographic paper.

The sensors 72 and 74 of the sensor section 60 are arranged between the opening 54 and the magnetic head section 58. These sensors 72 and 74 are provided by the light projecting unit 68 or the light receiving unit 70.
One of them is provided on the cover 36, and the other is provided on the pedestal 30.
It is provided in.

The sensors 72 are arranged so as to face both ends of the conveyance path 38 in the width direction, and whether the light emitted from the light projecting section 68 has passed through the negative film 12 and reached the light receiving section 70. Perforations 24 and around perforations 14 formed on the negative film 12 from
A, 18A, notch 14B, detachment perforation 18B can detect the front and rear ends of the negative film 12, and optical information such as a bar coded DX code is recorded at the end of the negative film 12 in the width direction. Is used to read this optical information. The sensor 74 is arranged along the width direction of the transport path 38, and is for detecting an image of the negative film 12 passing through the transport path 38.

In the film carrier 10, the sensor 72,
The distance between the detection position of 74 and the head position P ₁ where the recording head 62 contacts the negative film 12 is defined as the interval dimension L ₂ . Further, in this film carrier 10, the distance between the head position P ₂ which is the contact position when the reading head 64 reads the magnetic information from the negative film 12 and the head position P ₁ of the recording head 62 is the head gap dimension L ₁ . . Further, in the film carrier 10, normally, the recording head 62 and the reading head 64 are brought close to each other by reading the magnetic information recorded on the negative film 12 and recording the magnetic information on the negative film 12 at different timings. The magnetic head 62 and the read head 64 are arranged so as to be separated from each other, and the film carrier 10 is prevented from becoming large in size. That is, the film carrier 10
In order to prevent the magnetism generated when the recording head 62 is operating from affecting the operation of the read head 64, the head gap dimension L ₁ is reduced to bring the recording head 62 and the read head 64 closer to each other. So that they can be placed. In the film carrier 10, as an example, the head gap dimension L ₁ is set to 13 mm.

In the film carrier 10, when the negative film 12 is pulled out from the cartridge 20, the optical information recorded on the negative film 12 and the negative film 12 are recorded.
The magnetic information recorded on the magnetic track 26 of the sensor 72 of the sensor unit 60 and the read head 6 of the magnetic head unit 58.
4 and outputs to a printer processor so that the exposure conditions, exposure size, etc. of each image can be set from these information.

By the way, the controller 80 of the film carrier 10 operates from the cartridge 20 to the negative film 12
Magnetic track 26 of negative film 12 when pulling out
Prior to reading the magnetic information recorded on the disk, it is inspected whether the recording head 62 and the reading head 64 are operating normally.

The inspection of the recording head 62 and the reading head 64 is performed by the negative film 1 pulled out from the cartridge 20.
When the front end of No. 2 is detected by the sensor 72, preset inspection data is recorded on the negative film 12. Next, when the area in which the inspection data is recorded faces the read head 64, the read head 64 causes the negative film 1 to move.
The data recorded in No. 2 is read, and the data read by the read head 64 is compared with the inspection data to determine whether both the recording head 62 and the read head 64 are operating normally. ing. That is, the film carrier 10 uses the predetermined position of the reader unit 14 as the inspection track 28, and the negative film 1
Prior to the processing of No. 2, the recording head 6 of the magnetic head unit 58 is
2 and the read head 64 are inspected for operating states.

The inspection track 28 does not impair the information recorded on the magnetic track 26 of the negative film 12, and the reader unit 14 which comes into contact with the recording head 62 and the read head 64 before the magnetic track 26 is contacted. I am trying to provide it. Further, the inspection track 28 starts from a position (a position having a distance L ₂ from the front end) in contact with the recording head 62 when the sensor 72 detects the front end of the negative film 12 (the front end of the reader portion 14). It is provided in an empty area 90 up to the tip of the magnetic track 26. In the empty area 90 shown in FIG. 7A, it is separated from the magnetic track 26 of the reader unit 14 by a distance X ₄ .

Further, the reader portion 14 of the negative film 12
May be cut and shortened.
Even when 4 is shortened, the inspection track 28 is prevented from overlapping the magnetic track 26 of the reader unit 14,
A track length X ₂ is set which depends on the write start position P ₄ of the inspection data and the data amount of the inspection data.

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
In the film carrier 10, pull it from the cartridge 20.
The sensor 72 measures the tip of the negative film 12 that has been ejected.
Length X after detection₁ Of the negative film 12
Distance from tip X_Three (X_Three = X ₁ + L₂ ) Position is recorded
Head position P of the head 62₁ The recording head
Start recording inspection data with the code 62 (start position
P_Four ).

The data amount of the inspection data, that is,
Track length X of inspection track 28 ₂ Is X₂ <L₁ ,
As the starting position P on the negative film 12_Four Read head
64 head positions P₂ Data for inspection before reaching
The test data by the recording head 62.
If the read head 64 is in the inspection track 28
To prevent the reading of data from
You.

These values are the minimum dimensions Y of the reader unit 14.
_{When 1} = 66.1 mm, the distance X ₄ = 6 mm, and the distance L ₂ between the sensor 72 and the recording head 62 is 38.8 mm, it is sufficient if the distance X ₃ from the leading edge of the negative film 12 is 45 mm. It is possible to record inspection data with a track length X ₂ of 13 mm or less (X ₂ <L ₁ ) with a margin.

An example of inspection data is shown in each of FIGS. 8A and 8B. The inspection data shown in FIG. 8A is set so that the signal configuration in which the inspection signal VS of 8 bits is arranged between the start signal SS and the end signal ES of 16 bits is repeated three times. The data amount of this inspection data is 120 bits,
The track length X ₂ required by this inspection data is 6 mm.

The inspection data shown in FIG. 8B is set so that the signal structure in which the inspection signal VS of 16 bits is arranged between the start signal SS and the end signal ES is repeated twice. The amount of data for this inspection is 9
It becomes 6 bits, and the track length X ₂ required by this data
Is 4.8 mm.

Since the track length X ₂ required by these inspection data is less than half the gap dimension L ₁ (13 mm) between the recording head 62 and the reading head 64, the track length X ₂ in the width direction of the negative film 12 is reduced. Recording heads 6 arranged on both sides
It is possible to record the inspection data twice with 2 or once with each recording head 62 alternately.

Further, the inspection signal VS is set by using date, time, serial number, random number and a combination thereof so that the same inspection signal VS will not be generated or the occurrence probability will be extremely low. Every day, every predetermined time,
Each time a predetermined number of inspections are performed, a predetermined timing set in advance is changed. In the following description, as an example, the magnetic head 58 is changed every time it is inspected, that is, each time the negative film 12 is processed by the film carrier 10.

In the inspection data shown in FIG. 8A, for example, the first and last inspection signals VS ₁ and VS _{3 are used.}
Is generated by setting a random number, and an intermediate inspection signal V
S ₂ may be set based on the date and time, and the inspection signals VS ₁ , VS ₂ , VS _{3 of the} respective inspection signals may be set.
Can be set separately, and various generation methods can be used.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the film carrier 10 is provided with a film insertion opening 86 in the cartridge loading section 32 and a film ejection opening 88 in the film accommodating section 34. Cartridge 20
So-called strip negative film 1 not housed in
Processing of 2 is also possible.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In the film carrier 10, when the cartridge 20 is loaded in the cartridge loading unit 32 and the start of the exposure operation of the negative film 12 is instructed, the motors 40 and 44 are driven,
The negative film 12 is pulled out from the cartridge 20 and fed into the film accommodating section 34 while being conveyed at a constant speed.
At this time, in the film carrier 10, the magnetic head unit 5
The read head 64 of No. 8 reads the magnetic information recorded on the magnetic track 26 of the negative film 12 and the optical information recorded on the negative film 12, and outputs it to the printer processor.

Next, in the film carrier 10, the motor 4
0 and 44 are reversely driven to pull out the negative film 12 from the film accommodating portion 34, and the negative film 12 is wound around the cartridge 20 while being fed by a frame. At this time, each image frame 16A of the negative film 12 is positioned in the opening 54, and the image is printed on the printing paper. Along with this, the controller 8
0 records magnetic information on the magnetic track 26 corresponding to the image which has been printed by the recording head 62.

By the way, in the film carrier 10, the operating states of the recording head 62 and the reading head 64 of the magnetic head portion 58 are inspected prior to the exposure of the image recorded on the negative film 12 onto the photographic paper. FIG. 9 shows an example of the inspection of the magnetic head portion 58 by the controller 80, which will be described below with reference to this flowchart. The inspection based on this flow chart
This is performed for each of the magnetic head portions 58 provided on both sides of the negative film 12 in the transport width direction.

This flowchart is executed when a new cartridge 20 is mounted on the film carrier 10. In the first step 100, a random number is generated to set the inspection signal VS and the inspection data is determined. In the next step 102, it is confirmed whether or not the motors 40 and 44 are driven to start the pulling out of the negative film 12 from the cartridge 20. Negative film 1 from cartridge 20
When it is detected that the pulling out of No. 2 is started (affirmative determination in step 102), the process proceeds to step 104, and a DC voltage for erasing the magnetism of the magnetic recording layer is applied to the recording head 62.

At the next step 106, it is judged whether or not the sensor 72 detects the leading end of the negative film 12 pulled out from the cartridge 20. The film carrier 1
In 0, if the negative film 12 is not detected by the sensor 72 even after a predetermined time elapses, it is determined that the negative film 12 is pulled out from the cartridge 20 and the process is interrupted.

When the leading edge of the negative film 12 is detected by the sensor 72 (affirmative determination in step 106), in the next step 108, the negative film 12 is conveyed by the length X _{1 and} the recording of the inspection data is started. Position P ₄
Confirms whether the head position P ₁ of the recording head 62 has been reached. Here, after the leading edge of the negative film 12 is detected, the negative film 12 is conveyed by the length X ₁ (step 1
If the position of the distance X ₃ from the leading edge of the negative film 12 faces the recording head 62, then in step 110, the recording head 62 causes the negative film 1 to move.
Recording of inspection data on the second magnetic recording layer is started. As a result, an inspection track 28 having inspection data recorded thereon is formed on the negative film 12. At this time,
The start position P ₄ on the negative film 12 is the read head 64.
Head position P ₂ has not been reached, the read head 26
The reading of magnetic information by has not started.

When the recording of the inspection data is completed, in step 112, the magnetic recording layer is again erased to a certain position of the reader portion 14 (for example, the end portion of the empty area 90 on the magnetic track 26 side). A DC voltage is applied to the recording head 62.

At the same time, in step 114, the read head 64 reads magnetic information (data) from the negative film 12. At this time, since the recording of the inspection data is completed in the recording head 62, the magnetism generated when the recording head 62 records the inspection data does not affect the data read by the read head 64, and the negative data is obtained. The data recorded on the inspection track 28 of the film 12 can be accurately read.

The read head 64 is used for the inspection track 28.
After reading the data from, the next step 1
In 16, the inspection data and the data read by the read head 64 are compared, and the inspection data and the read head 64 are compared.
It is determined whether or not the read data agree with each other (step 118), and if they agree (affirmative determination), this magnetic head inspection routine is ended.

In the film carrier 10, when the inspection of the magnetic head is completed, the reading head 64 starts reading the magnetic information from the magnetic track 26 of the negative film 12 which is being conveyed at a constant speed, and the negative film 12 is processed. To continue.

On the other hand, when the inspection data and the data read by the read head 64 do not match, a negative determination is made in step 118, and the process proceeds to step 120. In step 120, an alarm or the like is issued to notify that an abnormality has occurred in the operation of the magnetic head portion 58, and the processing of the negative film 12 is stopped.

In the film carrier 10, when the processing routine is decided to be stopped by the inspection routine of the magnetic head portion 58, the reading of the magnetic information from the magnetic track 26 of the negative film 12 is stopped and the motors 40 and 44 are reversed. The negative film 12 driven and pulled out from the cartridge 20 is rewound into the cartridge 20.

The negative film 12 is recorded by the recording head 62.
The inspection data recorded in the above and the data corresponding to the inspection data read from the negative film 12 by the reading head 64 are compared, and when they do not match,
It is conceivable that at least one of the recording head 62 and the reading head 64 is contaminated, the coil inside the head is broken, or the like, and the like. In any case, the negative film 1
It is difficult to accurately read magnetic information from the second magnetic track 26 or record magnetic information to the magnetic track 26 of the negative film 12. Not only this,
The dirt attached to the recording head 62 or the reading head 64 may damage the surface of the negative film 12, or the malfunction of the recording head 62 may damage the magnetic information recorded on the negative film 12.

Such a defect of the magnetic head portion 58 is
By inspecting the negative film 12 before processing it, it is possible to prevent the negative film 12 from being appropriately processed by the film carrier 10 and prevent the negative film 12 from being damaged.

Further, since the recording head 62 and the reading head 64 confirm whether or not they are operating properly, the recording head 62 reads the magnetic information recorded by the recording head 62 separately from the reading head 64, for example. It is not necessary to provide a read head for checking the operating state of the. At the same time, the track length X ₂ of the inspection track 28 on which the inspection data is recorded is set shorter than the head gap dimension L ₁ which is the distance between the recording head 62 and the reading head 64, and therefore the film carrier 10 can be downsized. There is no hindrance. That is, even when the gap between the recording head 62 and the reading head 64 of the film carrier 10 is narrowed to reduce the size, the data amount of the inspection data is set so that the track length X ₂ of the inspection track 28 is shorter than the head gap dimension L _1. By setting, it becomes possible to read data accurately without being affected by magnetism generated from the recording head 62 when the read head 64 reads data.

Furthermore, if the recording head 62 fails and data cannot be recorded and the inspection data previously formed on the negative film 12 remains, the previous inspection data is read by the read head 64. If the previous inspection data is the same as the present inspection data, it is determined that the magnetic head unit 58 is operating normally. On the other hand, in the film carrier 10, the inspection data is generated using a random number, or the random number and the date each time the negative film 12 is processed, and the inspection data different from the previous inspection data is used. In each case, it can be accurately determined whether the recording head 62 and the reading head 64 are operating properly.

The inspection data used for such inspection is
Not limited to the random numbers, it is possible to generate the inspection data by using the date, the date and the time, the time and the serial number when generating the inspection data, the combination of these and the random number, and the random number generated based on these combinations.

In the above description, the inspection data is generated each time the negative film 12 is processed, but the generation and change of the inspection data are not limited to this. That is, the recording film 62 and the reading head 64 have the negative film 12
The recording head 62 or the reading head 6 is adhered and gradually deposited by the above processing.
The malfunction and inoperability of 4 do not occur suddenly,
It is more likely to occur as the amount of attached dirt gradually increases. Considering this, it is not necessary to change the inspection data every inspection.

Therefore, the inspection data may be changed every predetermined number of times. In this case, the controller 80 may be provided with a counter function, the number of times the negative film 12 is processed (the number of times of inspection) is counted by the counter, and the inspection data may be changed when the count value reaches a preset value. . At this time, the inspection data includes date such as year, month and day, time (hour / minute or hour / minute and second), date and time, or combination of these with serial number or random number,
It is possible to use date, time, random numbers generated based on date and time, and the like.

The inspection data may be changed every predetermined time such as one day or a fixed time. For example, when changing every day, the inspection data may be generated prior to the start of the one-day processing of the film carrier 10. When changing the inspection data at regular intervals,
The elapsed time may be measured by the controller 80, and this measurement time may be performed each time a predetermined time elapses, such as 1 hour elapses or 2 hours elapses.

As described above, the inspection data when changing the inspection data at every predetermined time includes date, date and time, date and random number, date and time and random number and date, random number generated based on date, Random numbers generated based on date and time can be used.

Further, the timing for changing the inspection data may be changed according to the combination of the elapsed time and the processing amount. In this case, negative film 1
The number of processing times is counted and the elapsed time is measured, and the inspection data is changed when either one reaches a predetermined value (predetermined time). Thus, when a large amount of negative film 12 is processed by the film carrier 10 in a short time, the recording head 62 and the reading head 64 can be protected from being contaminated by the large amount of processing of the negative film 12. The film carrier 10 described above does not limit the application of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the negative film 1
2 has been described by using the film carrier 10 to which the negative film 12 is attached when printing the image recorded in 2 on photographic paper, but the invention is not limited to this, and the negative film verification work and
A scanner or analyzer for reading an image on the negative film 12 used in an index printer for creating an index print in which images recorded on one negative film are arranged in a matrix, and a display for displaying the image recorded on the negative film 12 When a recording head and a reading head for recording and reading magnetic information on the negative film 12 are provided in a television photo player or the like displayed on the display device, the recording head and the reading head can be used for inspection of the recording head and the reading head. Moreover, it is possible to easily inspect whether the recording head and the reading head can properly operate.

In this embodiment, the negative film 12 is applied as the strip magnetic material, but the strip magnetic material may be a video tape, a cassette tape, or the like.
On the other hand, the present invention can be applied to inspection of a recording head and a reading head provided for recording and reading magnetic information.

[0079]

As described above, according to the method of inspecting a magnetic head of the present invention, the magnetic head is used to read the magnetic information from the magnetic head before recording or reading the magnetic information on the magnetic material. Since the head is inspected, the magnetic information can be accurately recorded and the recorded magnetic information can be accurately read.

Further, in the present invention, since the inspection data is changed at a predetermined timing, it is possible to prevent the previously recorded inspection data from being mistakenly read as the inspection data of this time, and to operate the recording head and the reading head. Can be properly inspected.

Further, in the present invention, the recording head and the reading head are operated separately, so that it is possible to prevent the magnetism when the recording head records the inspection data from adversely affecting the operation of the reading head. Therefore, there is an excellent effect that it is possible to accurately inspect whether the recording head and the reading head are operating properly.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a film carrier to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a pedestal of a film carrier.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a film carrier cut along the transport direction of a negative film.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control unit of the film carrier.

5A is a schematic plan view showing a negative film applied as a strip-shaped magnetic material, and FIG. 5B is a schematic plan view of a cartridge containing the negative film.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing a positional relationship between an opening on a conveyance path, a sensor, and a magnetic head unit.

FIG. 7A is a plan view of relevant parts showing a leader part of a negative film, and FIG. 7B is a plan view of relevant parts showing a leader part whose tip is cut.

8A and 8B are frame configuration diagrams showing examples of inspection data to be written by the recording head.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a magnetic head inspection.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 film carrier 12 negative film (band-shaped magnetic material) 14 reader section 16 image recording section 26 magnetic track 28 inspection track 58 magnetic head section 62 recording head 64 read head 72 sensor 80 controller

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A method for inspecting a magnetic head, comprising a pair of a recording head for recording magnetic information on a belt-shaped magnetic material being conveyed and a read head for reading magnetic information from the belt-shaped magnetic material. Prior to the processing of the strip-shaped magnetic material, the recording head records data at a predetermined position on the front end portion in the transport direction of the strip-shaped magnetic material, and then the strip-shaped magnetic material is read by a reading head arranged downstream of the recording head in the transport direction of the strip-shaped magnetic material. Read the data recorded on the magnetic material,
A method of inspecting a magnetic head, which comprises inspecting whether the recording head and the reading head are operating properly by comparing the read data with the inspection data. 2. The method of inspecting a magnetic head according to claim 1, wherein the inspection data recorded on the strip-shaped magnetic material by the recording head is changed at a predetermined timing. 3. The magnetic head according to claim 2, wherein the inspection data recorded on the belt-shaped magnetic material by the recording head is changed every time the recording head writes the tape-shaped magnetic material. Inspection methods. 4. The length of the strip-shaped magnetic material in which the inspection data is written along the transport direction is determined by the recording position by the recording head and the reading position by the read head along the transport direction of the strip-shaped magnetic material. The magnetic head inspection method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the interval is shorter than the interval.