JPH10104760A - Photographic film processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten the total processing time from the reception of printing to the production of a printed photograph. SOLUTION: This photographic film processor is provided with an exposure condition setting part, to read the image data of each frame of a photographic film, during development processing. This image data and magnetic data read by a magnetic head 25 are transmitted to an exposure calculating part 23. This exposure calculating part 23 calculates an exposure for printing at the time of printing the frame by a photographic printer, from the image data and the magnetic data. The exposure for printing is recorded on a track 24b for a processing laboratory by a magnetic head 28, as the magnetic data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographic film processor, and more particularly to a photographic film processor that calculates exposure conditions used in photographic printing during or after development processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A photographic print system includes a photographic film processor for developing an exposed photographic film, a photographic printer for printing and exposing each frame of the developed photographic film on paper, and a developing process for the exposed paper. It consists of a paper processor that separates each frame into a print photo. In the minilab system, a photo printer processor in which a paper processor is built in a photo printer is used. Unless it is necessary to distinguish between them, a photographic printer includes a photographic printer processor.

In a photographic printer, exposure conditions are calculated by measuring the number of frames to be printed, and the amount of exposure to printing on paper is controlled in accordance with the exposure conditions so that the density and color balance of a printed photograph can be excellent. ing. In the most common LATD control method, a printing exposure amount is obtained by adding an exposure correction amount determined according to the situation of a frame to a basic exposure amount obtained from an average density of the frame. Each of the basic exposure amount, the exposure correction amount, and the printing exposure amount corresponds to an exposure condition. In the case of the IX240 type photographic film, film information common to one film, such as film type and film sensitivity, and individual information for each frame, such as exposure correction amount at the time of photographing and information on whether or not a strobe is used, are read. Exposure conditions are calculated in consideration of these information.

In a photographic print system currently in operation,
Reading image data of each frame with a photo printer,
Since the exposure conditions are calculated, it takes a long time to print, and in the end, the total processing time required from receiving a print request to creating a print photograph is long.

In order to shorten the total processing time by effectively utilizing the development processing time, an image data reading section is provided in the photographic film processor so that the image of a frame is read during the development processing, for example, after bleach-fixing or after drying processing. A known photographic film processor is known (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-100).
321 and JP-A-6-169401). The image data output from this photo film processor is
Sent to a digital printer online. As this digital printer, a laser printer or a CRT printer is used, and an image is recorded on color paper.
A print photograph is created for each frame, and an index print photograph in which a plurality of frames are arranged in a matrix is created.

A photographic film processor which sends image data to a monitor is also known (US Pat. No. 5,102,286). This monitor device displays a plurality of frames in a matrix on a monitor screen. The user observes the monitor screen and specifies a frame to be printed. In this photo film processor,
Although the total processing time cannot be shortened, since only designated frames are printed and exposed by the photographic printer, there is an advantage that unnecessary print photographs can be avoided and the burden on the user can be reduced.

[0007]

In the case where a photo film processor and a printer are connected on-line and a film development process and a print process are performed in parallel, a digital printer is used, so that a high quality print photograph is created. Is difficult to do.

Accordingly, it is desired to reduce the total processing time by using a photographic printer that prints by optical projection, as in the conventional photographic printing system.

The present invention uses a photographic printer,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a photographic film processor capable of reducing the total processing time.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, in a photographic film processor according to the present invention, the photographic film is scanned during or after the development of the photographic film, and image data of the photographic film is converted. It is characterized by comprising image data reading means for reading and exposure condition calculating means for calculating exposure conditions for printing a photographic film based on the image data.

The photographic film processor according to the present invention is characterized in that the photographic film processor further comprises an exposure condition recording means for recording exposure conditions in a magnetic recording section of the photographic film.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographic film processor having an exposure condition transmitting means for transmitting the calculated exposure condition to a printer.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the photographic film processor further comprising image data transmitting means for transmitting the image data to the printer.

In the photographic film processor according to the present invention, the printer includes a simulating means for creating a simulated image simulating the print image based on the image data and the exposure conditions, and a simulated image transmission for transmitting the simulated image. Means, and the photographic film processor is characterized by having simulated image receiving means for receiving a simulated image from a printer and image display means for displaying the simulated image.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the photographic film processor, there is further provided a means for inputting exposure correction data based on the simulated image.

In the photographic film processor according to the present invention, the position of the image data reading means is set to be after the bleaching step.

The photographic film processor according to the present invention is characterized in that the position of the image data reading means is during the washing step, after the washing step, before the drying step, during the drying step or after the drying step.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographic film processor having an interface section for outputting data of the calculated exposure conditions.

In the photographic film processor according to the present invention, the exposure condition is a balance value obtained from image data of one frame, and the balance value is a common exposure correction for each frame of one case. It is characterized by giving.

[0020]

The image data of each frame is read during or after the development processing of the exposed photographic film, and the exposure condition is calculated based on the image data. The photographic printer controls exposure based on this exposure condition. In the photo printer, the calculation of the exposure condition is not necessary, so that the total processing time is reduced and a high-quality print photograph is created.

[0021]

1, an intermediate cartridge 11 is set in a photographic film processor 10. In FIG.
An exposed photographic film 12 drawn from an IX240 type photographic film cassette is rolled into the intermediate cartridge 11. The photo film 12 has a transparent magnetic layer formed thereon, and two adjacent perforations are formed at a predetermined pitch in order to position a frame in the camera.

The exposed photographic film 12 is pulled out of the intermediate cassette 11 and then sent to the developing section 14. The developing section 14 includes a color developing tank, a bleaching tank, a bleach-fixing tank, a washing tank, and a stabilizing tank, and passes through the processing tanks sequentially to perform a photographic developing process. A drying unit 15 is disposed after the development processing unit 14, and performs a drying process by blowing hot air. The dried photographic film 12 is sent to an exposure condition determination unit 16 where printing conditions for each frame are determined. Thereafter, the photo film 12 is stored in the stacking unit 17. The intermediate cassette 11 includes a photographic film 12.
The rear end of the is coming out. The developed photo film 12 is returned to the original cassette provided by the user.

The exposure condition determining section 16 calculates exposure conditions at the time of printing exposure, and the exposure conditions include the above-described basic exposure amount, exposure correction amount, or printing exposure amount. In this embodiment, the printing exposure amount is calculated by adding the exposure correction amount to the basic exposure amount. The exposure condition determining unit 16 may be arranged between the developing unit 14 and the drying unit 15 or in the developing unit 14. Development processing unit 1
In the case where it is arranged in the image forming unit 4, it is arranged after the image is visualized, for example, after the bleach-fixing tank. Specifically, the washing tank is 2
In the case of the tank type, it is arranged between the two washing tanks, between the washing tank and the drying section 15 and in the drying section 15.

In FIG. 2 showing the exposure condition determining unit 16,
A light source 20 and a scanner 21 are arranged at the photometry position. The image area sensor 21 is used as the scanner 21, and captures an image of the frame 12 a being illuminated by the light source 20. This imaging may be performed while the photo film 12 is moving, or may be performed after stopping at the photometry position. When imaging is performed while the frame 12a is stopped, the exposure condition determination unit 1
The photo film 12 is intermittently moved in the area 6. When taking an image while the photographic film 12 is moving, it is preferable to use an image line sensor to reduce the cost.

The output signal of the scanner 21 is sent to an A / D converter 22. The A / D converter 22 converts the output signal of the scanner 21 into a digital signal, and sends the obtained image data of each pixel to the exposure calculation unit 23. This scanner 2
1 and the A / D converter 22 constitute image data reading means.

The IX240 type photo film 12 is
A transparent magnetic layer is formed on the back surface, and one side of the photographic film 12 is used as a user track 24a, and another side is used as a developer track 24b. Film information such as film type, film sensitivity, and manufacturer name is recorded as magnetic data in the film reader portion of the user track 24a. In the user track 24a, a portion beside each frame is
Individual information on this frame, for example, user information such as print size, number of prints, exposure correction data with a camera, and whether or not a strobe is used is recorded as magnetic data. The magnetic head 25 reads magnetic data from the user track 24a while the photo film 12 moves to the photometry position. The decoder 26 converts the read magnetic data into film information and user information of each frame, and then sends the film information and the exposure amount calculation unit 23.

The exposure calculator 23 comprises a memory for storing each image data and a calculator. The arithmetic unit reads out each image data from the memory and calculates an average transmission density (LATD) from the average value. From the average transmission density, a known basic exposure amount is calculated. In addition, the top is divided into a plurality of areas, for example, the center, the periphery, the upper half,
It is divided into lower half, etc., and average density, maximum density,
An image feature amount such as a minimum density is obtained from the image data. From these image feature amounts, an exposure correction amount for correcting the basic exposure amount is calculated. The printing exposure amount is calculated by adding the exposure correction amount to the basic exposure amount. The basic exposure amount, exposure correction amount, and printing exposure amount are obtained for three colors of red, green, and blue, respectively.

In calculating the basic exposure amount and the exposure correction amount, the film information from the decoder 26 and the user information of each frame are considered. For example, the basic exposure amount is corrected based on the film type and the film sensitivity. Further, the exposure correction amount is determined by increasing or decreasing the exposure amount according to the print size, determining the range of image data used for the exposure amount calculation, or estimating the state of the subject from the exposure correction data.

The exposure calculation unit 23 calculates the printing exposure by adding the exposure correction to the basic exposure, and calculates the printing exposure.
Send to The driver 27 drives the magnetic head 28 while the photographic film 12 is moving, and
Above, the magnetic data indicating the printing exposure amount is written in the horizontal portion of each frame.

The cassette 29 containing the developed photographic film 12 is set in the photographic printer shown in FIG.
A printing light source 30, a yellow filter 31, a magenta filter 32, and a cyan filter 33 are arranged below the photographic printer. These color filters 31-33
Is driven by a filter drive unit 35, and the insertion amount into the printing optical path 34 is adjusted according to the printing exposure amount. The light transmitted through the color filters 31 to 33 is diffused in the diffusion box 36, and is converted into printing light with uniform intensity and color balance.

The photographic film 12 is mounted on the cassette 29-1.
Each frame is pulled out and sent to the print position. At this printing position, a lower mask 38 and an upper mask 39 are arranged to hold the frame to be printed flat. The frame set at this print position is the diffusion box 3
Illuminated by the printing light from 6. This frame is shutter 4
While 0 is open, the image is projected onto the color paper 42 by the printing lens 41. This color paper 42
The exposure range is regulated by the paper mask 43.

While the frame is moving to the printing position, the magnetic head 45 reads magnetic data representing the printing exposure amount of each color recorded by the photographic film processor 10 from the track for the development laboratory. The magnetic data is decoded by the decoder 46 and then sent to the controller 47. The controller 47 adjusts the insertion amounts of the three-color filters 31 to 33 according to the printing exposure amounts. Controller 4
Reference numeral 7 controls opening and closing of the shutter 40 via the shutter driving unit 48, and also performs sequence control of each unit.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. The exposed photo film 12 is taken out of the cassette 29 from the photo film cassette that has received the print request, and is transferred to the intermediate cassette 11. The intermediate cassette 11 is set in the photo film processor 10.

The exposed photographic film 12 pulled out of the intermediate cassette 11 is subjected to photographic development processing in a development processing section 14 and then dried in a drying section 15. After this drying, it is sent to the exposure condition determination unit 16.

In the exposure condition determining section 16, while the frame 12a moves toward the photometric position, the user track 24
The magnetic data recorded in a is read by the magnetic head 25. This magnetic data is converted by the decoder 26 into film information or user information,
It is sent to the exposure calculator 23.

At the photometry position, the light source 20 causes the frame 12
a is illuminated. The frame 12a being illuminated is scanned by the scanner 21, and the obtained read signal is sent to the A / D converter 22, where it is converted into image data of each pixel. The exposure amount calculator 23 calculates a basic exposure amount and an exposure correction amount for each color from the image data, the user information and the film information. These exposure amounts are added to obtain a printing exposure amount. The printing exposure amounts of the three colors are written on the track 24b for the development place by the magnetic head 28 via the driver 27.

The photographic film 12 that has passed through the exposure condition determination unit 16 is stored in a storage unit 17. The developed photographic film 12 is rewound into the original cassette 29.

Next, the cassette 29 is set in the photo printer. The developed photo film 12 in the cassette 29 is pulled out one frame at a time, and is conveyed toward the print position. During this transport, the magnetic head 45 reads the magnetic data of the frame to be printed recorded on the track 24b for the laboratory. The magnetic data is converted by the decoder 46 into three color printing exposure amounts, and then sent to the controller 47.

The controller 47 drives the filter driving unit 35 in accordance with the printing exposure amount of each color, and
33 to the printing optical path 34 is adjusted. When the frame to be printed is set at the print position, the controller 47 controls the shutter 40 via the shutter driving unit 48.
Open for a certain period of time. While the shutter 40 is open, the frame to be printed is enlarged and projected on the color paper 42 via the printing lens 41.

After a predetermined printing exposure time has elapsed, the shutter 40 blocks the printing optical path 34. Immediately thereafter, the color paper 42 is transported by one frame, and the developed photographic film 12 is pulled out from the cassette 29 by one frame.
According to the above-described procedure, the next frame is printed and exposed on the color paper 42.

When printing of all the frames of the photo film 12 is completed, the spool of the cassette 29 is rotated in the reverse direction,
The entire photo film 12 is wound into the cassette 29.
The exposed color paper is sent to a paper processor unit (not shown) and subjected to photographic development processing.
It is cut off one by one. The obtained print photograph and the cassette 29 are given to the user.

The photographic film processor 10 may determine only the exposure correction amount, and the photographic printer may determine the basic exposure amount. In the calculation of the exposure correction amount, it takes a long time to calculate since a characteristic value such as a maximum density value is extracted using image data. Therefore, even when only the exposure correction amount is obtained by the photographic film processor 10, the total processing time can be reduced.

FIG. 4 shows a photographic printer for measuring the basic exposure amount, and the same parts as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The exposure correction amount calculated by the exposure condition determination unit of the photographic film processor is written in each track of the photographic film developing station. When the frame of the photo film is set at the print position, the photometry is averaged by the sensor 51 via the lens 50. This sensor 5
The output of 1 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 52 and sent to the arithmetic unit 53. As is well known, the calculation unit 53 calculates the basic exposure amount from the average density of the entire frame measured by the sensor 51. The printing exposure amount is calculated from the basic exposure amount and the exposure correction amount from the decoder 46.
The printing exposure amount is sent to the controller 47, and the insertion positions of the three-color filters 31 to 33 are adjusted.

The present invention can be applied to a 135 type photographic film 55. This photo film 5
In No. 5, the magnetic recording layer is not formed as is well known.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, no magnetic head is provided in the exposure condition verification section. The exposure calculator 56 calculates an exposure correction amount or a printing exposure amount as exposure conditions from the image data read by the scanner 21. The exposure condition is transmitted from the transmission unit 57 to the photographic printer by wire or wirelessly. An output unit may be provided to record the exposure conditions on a memory card (such as an LSI card) or on a paper table and output them.

The 135 type photographic printer is provided with a receiving section for receiving exposure conditions transmitted from a photographic film processor, instead of the magnetic head 45 shown in FIGS.
And a memory for storing exposure conditions for each frame. Other configurations are the same as those of the photographic printer of FIGS. When printing a photograph, the printing exposure amount is read from the memory, and the corresponding frame is printed according to the printing exposure amount.

As the exposure condition, a balance value may be used in addition to the exposure correction amount and the printing exposure amount. This balance value is a correction amount commonly used for each frame in order to eliminate variations in density and color for each frame in one photo film 12. For example, one photo film 12
Is determined to have been photographed under a fluorescent light, a predetermined value of the green exposure amount becomes the balance value. This balance value is subtracted from the printing exposure amount of each frame.

In FIG. 6, the balance value calculation unit 60
One image data is taken into the memory. A histogram of each color is created from the image data for one case, and a color bias is checked to determine a light source color. A balance value is obtained from the light source color and sent to the photographic printer via the transmission unit 61.
In addition to the histogram, the balance value may be determined by calculating the average density, the maximum density, and the minimum density. This balance value may be magnetically recorded in an area for recording film information.

When displaying frames on a monitor, the scanner is required to have a high resolution. However, in reading the image data for calculating the exposure condition, there is almost no problem even if the resolution is considerably low. Therefore, image data may be roughly read using an inexpensive scanner with a small number of pixels.

FIG. 7 shows a photographic film processor capable of displaying an image simulated by a photographic printer on a monitor, and the same parts as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, the image data output from the A / D converter 22 is written to the image memory 65 in addition to being sent to the exposure calculator 23.

The printing exposure calculated by the exposure calculator 23 and the image data in the image memory 65 are sent to the printer 67 via the transmitter 66. The printer 67 includes a receiving unit 68, a simulating unit 69, a printing unit 70, a transmitting unit 71, and a printing exposure unit (not shown). The simulating unit 69 corrects each image data according to the printing exposure amount, and creates a simulated image. The image data of the simulated image is transmitted to the photo film processor via the transmission unit 71. The printing unit 70 prints a simulated image as needed. The printing exposure unit is an optical printing unit shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in which a developed photographic film is set and prints corresponding frames in accordance with the printing exposure amount.

The photographic film processor displays a simulated image on the display unit 74 based on the image data received by the receiving unit 73. The operator observes the display unit 74 and determines a manual exposure correction amount as necessary for a frame whose finish is insufficient. This manual exposure correction amount is input from the exposure correction data input unit 75 to the exposure amount calculation unit 23. The exposure calculator 23 adds a manual exposure correction amount to the calculated printing exposure amount to calculate a corrected printing exposure amount. The corrected printing exposure amount is transmitted to the transmitting unit 66.
And is stored in the memory in place of the original printing exposure amount before correction sent before.

The interface 76 is for sending the printing exposure amount and image data to an external device other than the printer. For example, by connecting a digital printer such as a laser type, a CRT type, or a thermal recording type to the interface 76, each frame can be printed or an index print in which each frame is arranged in a matrix can be created.

[0053]

According to the present invention having the above construction, the image data of a frame is read during or after the development of the photographic film and the exposure conditions used for the exposure control in the photographic printer are calculated. It becomes unnecessary to calculate exposure conditions. Therefore, the total processing time in the photographic print system including the photographic film processor and the photographic printer can be reduced. Further, since a photographic printer that projects and prints an image is used, a high-quality print photograph can be created.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a photographic film processor of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exposure condition determining unit.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a photographic printer.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a photographic printer having a sensor for calculating a basic exposure amount.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an exposure condition determining unit used for a 135 type photographic film.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an exposure condition determining unit that calculates a balance value.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an exposure condition determining unit capable of simulating and displaying a frame.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 photo film processor 12 photo film 16 exposure condition determination unit 21 scanner 25, 28 magnetic head 41 printing lens 42 color paper 67 printer

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] October 16, 1996

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0006

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0006] (a 5,10 1, 286 Patent US patent) that as the photographic film processor over also known sends the image data to the monitor apparatus. This monitor device displays a plurality of frames in a matrix on a monitor screen. The user observes the monitor screen and specifies a frame to be printed. In this photo film processor,
Although the total processing time cannot be shortened, since only designated frames are printed and exposed by the photographic printer, there is an advantage that unnecessary print photographs can be avoided and the burden on the user can be reduced.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0021

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0021]

1, an intermediate cassette 11 is set in a photographic film processor 10. In FIG. The intermediate cassette 11 includes an exposed photographic film 12 drawn from an IX240 type photographic film cassette.
Is involved. The photo film 12 has a transparent magnetic layer formed thereon, and two adjacent perforations are formed at a predetermined pitch in order to position a frame in the camera.

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A photographic film processor for developing a photographic film, comprising: image data reading means for scanning the photographic film during or after developing the photographic film to read image data of the photographic film; An exposure condition calculating means for calculating exposure conditions for printing the photographic film based on the data. 2. The photographic film processor according to claim 1, further comprising an exposure condition recording means for recording the exposure conditions in a magnetic recording section of the photographic film. 3. An exposure condition transmitting means for transmitting the calculated exposure condition to a printer.
The described photo film processor. 4. An image data transmitting means for transmitting image data to a printer.
The described photo film processor. 5. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising: a simulating unit configured to generate a simulated image obtained by simulating the print image based on the image data and the exposure correction condition; and a simulated image transmitting unit configured to transmit the simulated image. 5. The photographic film processor according to claim 4, further comprising a simulated image receiving means for receiving a simulated image from a printer, and an image display means for displaying the simulated image. 6. A photographic film processor according to claim 5, further comprising means for inputting exposure correction data based on said simulated image. 7. The photographic film processor according to claim 1, wherein the position of said image data reading means is set after the bleaching step. 8. The photographic film processor according to claim 7, wherein the position of the image data reading means is set during the washing process, after the washing process, before the drying process, during the drying process or after the drying process. 9. The photographic film processor according to claim 1, further comprising an interface section for outputting the calculated exposure condition as data. 10. The exposure condition is a balance value obtained from image data of one frame, and the balance value applies a common exposure correction to each frame of one case. A photographic film processor according to any one of claims 1 to 9.