JPH11143019A - Film unit with lens - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a film unit with a lens capable of easily obtaining picture synthesizing service at low cost. SOLUTION: A bit mark 29 obtained by encoding the kind of the picture used to synthesize the picture at the time of printing is pre-exposed on a data recording part 28 provided on photographic film 18 loaded in the film unit with a lens. At the time of printing, the presence or absence of the bit mark 29 and the kind of the picture shown by the bit mark 29 are discriminated, and the taken picture and the picture for synthesis shown by the bit mark 29 are synthesized and printed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a film unit with a lens, and more particularly to a film unit with a lens capable of low-cost image synthesis.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A film unit with a lens which is loaded with a photographic film in advance and which incorporates a simple photographing mechanism is manufactured and sold by the present applicant. Some of such lens-fitted film units are capable of imprinting an image other than a photographed image, for example, a composite image such as an illustration or character, together with the photographed image on a print photograph.

As a method of performing image composition in a film unit with a lens, a transparent film on which a composite image such as a character or an illustration is printed is fitted to one side or a corner of an aperture of the film unit with a lens.
There is a type in which a character or illustration is double-exposed at a corresponding position of a photographing frame every time photographing is performed by a film unit with a lens. There is also a lens-fitted film unit in which a photographic film in which characters, illustrations, and the like are pre-exposed to a specific portion is loaded, and the pre-exposed portion and the photographed portion are combined.

Further, as a simple image synthesizing service other than the film unit with a lens, an image photographed by a digital camera or the like is synthesized with various frames, illustrations, and the like.
2. Related Art A sticker printing apparatus that prints on a sticker sheet on the spot is known.

[0005]

However, in a photographic film photographed by the above-described film unit with a lens having an image synthesizing function, since the synthesized image is exposed together with the photographed image, the characters and illustrations are synthesized. I couldn't get a print photo without an image if I needed it. This problem is the same for the seal printing device.
There is also a problem that the design of the background and the frame is limited and it is difficult to use. Also, some sticker printing devices require expensive cameras and dedicated media,
The printing cost is also expensive.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a film unit with a lens which can provide an image combining service simply and at low cost.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a film unit with a lens according to the present invention converts data in which the type of an image used for synthesizing an image at the time of print processing is coded into a photographic film. It is recorded magnetically or optically outside the photographing range or at a position that does not interfere with photographing.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIG. 2, the lens-fitted film unit 2 includes a unit main body 3 in which a film cartridge is previously loaded and various photographing mechanisms are incorporated, and a label 4 partially covering the unit main body 3.

On the upper surface of the unit main body 3, there are provided a shutter button 6, which is depressed at the time of photographing, and a counter window 7, which displays the number of remaining photographable images. On the front surface of the unit main body 3, a viewfinder 8, a photographing lens 9, a strobe light emitting unit 10 for irradiating a strobe light toward a subject, and a built-in unit unit 3 for causing the strobe light emitting unit 10 to emit strobe light. A strobe charging switch 11 and the like for causing the strobe unit to perform strobe charging are provided. On the back side of the unit body 3, a hoisting knob 12 that is rotated and operated every time one frame is shot is exposed.

The label 4 is affixed so as to be wound around the central portion of the unit body 3, and has an opening for exposing the photographing lens 9, the finder 8, the counter window 6, and the like to the outside. The label 4 includes, on the front side, sample images 13a and 13b of images to be combined at the time of printing together with the usage of the film unit 2 with a lens.
Are schematically printed.

The above-mentioned film unit with lens 2
Is sold in moisture-proof packaging bags,
A sample of an image to be synthesized is also printed on the surface of the packaging bag. Thus, when photographing is performed using the film unit 2 with the lens, it is possible to surely understand that a print photograph in which images are combined can be obtained. Further, by printing a sample of an image to be synthesized on the surface of the packaging bag, it becomes possible to easily select a film unit with a lens depending on the type of the image to be synthesized.

As shown in FIG. 1, the film cartridge 14 loaded in the lens-fitted film unit 2
Is a cartridge body 17 formed of plastic, a spool (not shown) rotatably housed in the cartridge body 17, and a photographic film housed in the cartridge body 17 wound around the spool. 18 When not in use, the entire photo film 18 is wound up into the cartridge main body 17 when not in use, and when used, the spool is rotated in the film feeding direction, so that the front end of the photo film 18 is exposed from the film entrance. A film delivery mechanism for delivering the film is incorporated.

The photographic film 18 includes the cartridge body 1
7, a photographing unit 18b for photographing, and a leading end 18c sent out from the film entrance of the cartridge body 17. Further, the photo film 18 is provided with a magnetic recording layer as a whole, so that various information can be magnetically recorded.

The photographing section 18b is provided with a prescribed number of photographing frames 20 to be photographed. Further, two types of perforations 21 and 22 having different sizes are alternately arranged at two types of intervals along one side edge. The perforations 21 and 22 are used to set the leading and trailing sides of each frame 20 in the film feeding direction.
Since the cartridge 8 is wound into the cartridge body 17, the large perforations 21 indicate the leading side in the film feeding direction, and the small perforations 22 indicate the rear side.

A photographic film 18 is provided between the perforations 21 on the wide side and the perforations 22.
The magnetic recording unit 24 in which various kinds of information are recorded is provided. Since a plurality of the magnetic recording units 24 are provided corresponding to the respective frames 20, in a camera or the like having a magnetic recording device, photographing information such as an aperture value and a shutter speed at the time of photographing is stored in the magnetic recording unit 24. It can also be recorded.

The perforations of a general photo film for a camera are all the same size as the small perforations 22. However, in the film unit 2 with a lens, one of the perforations is used in order to prevent re-use of the photo film. Is increasing. Also, a lab top 26 used during a development process at a developing station is provided at the end 18a and the end 18c of the photographic film 18.
a and 26b are provided.

The perforation 2 of the photo film 18
A data recording unit 28 for optically recording data in which the type of image used for image synthesis at the time of printing is coded is provided on the edge opposite to the side where 1, 2 and 22 are provided. ing. The data recorded in the data recording unit 28 uses, for example, a bit mark 29, and the type of the image for combination is indicated by the width of the bit mark 29 and the position in the data recording unit 28.

The recording of the bit mark 29 on the photographic film 18 is performed when the film cartridge 14 for the lens-fitted film unit 2 is manufactured. As shown in FIG. 3, the step of transporting the photo film 18 in the direction of the arrow in the figure and storing it in the cartridge main body 17 includes the photo film 1
8, a sensor 31 for detecting the transport state of the photographic film 18 and a pre-exposure device 32 for pre-exposing the bit mark 29 are arranged.

The sensor 31 is a photoelectric sensor using light, such as infrared light, that does not expose the photographic film 18, and detects the perforations 21 and 22 of the photographic film 18. In the production line of the film cartridge 14, the transport of the photographic film 18 is temporarily stopped in response to the detection signal of the sensor 31, and the pre-exposure device 32 is used at a predetermined position of each data recording unit 28 to convert the composite image. The bit mark 29 whose type is coded is pre-exposed. In the drawings, the bit mark 29 is drawn so as to be visible for the sake of explanation. However, since the bit mark 29 is recorded by pre-exposure, the bit mark 29 is actually viewed unless the photographic film 18 is developed. It is not possible.

As shown in FIG. 4, a photograph 34 is taken by the film unit 2 with the lens, and a print photograph 34 obtained by simultaneous printing or the like includes, in addition to the photographed image 35, a sample image 13a printed on the label 4. , 1
The images for combination 36a and 36b having the same contents as those of 3b are printed. At the time of image synthesis of the captured image 35 and the images for synthesis 36a and 36b, a part of the captured image 35 on which the images for synthesis 36a and 36b are copied is deleted, and thus the image 35 and the images for synthesis 36a and 36b are deleted. 36b is not overlapped with the printed photograph 34.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The user can purchase a film unit with a lens according to the content to be photographed. The contents of the image synthesized at the time of printing, along with the label of the film unit with lens,
Since it is also printed on the surface of the packaging bag for packaging the lens-fitted film unit, the user can select the required lens-fitted film unit without error. For example, when photographing at a wedding, the user purchases a film unit 2 with a lens on which a message or the like suitable for the wedding is synthesized at the time of printing.

In order to take a picture with the lens-fitted film unit 2, framing is performed using the viewfinder 8 with the front of the lens-fitted film unit 2 facing the subject, and when the framing is determined, the shutter button 5 is pressed.
Press. When the brightness of the subject is low, the flash charging switch 11 is operated to charge the flash unit with the flash. Completion of strobe charging can be confirmed by blinking a lamp or the like from a confirmation opening provided in the viewfinder 8 or on the back of the film unit 2 with the lens.

When the shutter button 5 is pressed, a strobe light is emitted from the strobe light emitting section 10 toward the subject,
A shutter release is performed by a shutter mechanism built in the unit body 3. The subject light transmitted through the photographing lens 9 is exposed to a photographing frame 20 of the photographic film 18. When the shooting of one frame is completed, the winding knob 12
Is rotated to wind up the photo film 18 by one frame. At this time, a shutter mechanism performs a shutter charge for the next photographing.

By repeating the above-described photographing operation, the film unit with lens 2 in which photographing of all the frames 20 of the photographic film 18 is completed is handed over to a developing dealer by a user, and a simultaneous printing is requested. At the developing dealer, the film unit 2 with the lens requested for the simultaneous printing is sent to the developing laboratory. In the lab, the unit body 3
Then, the film cartridge 14 is taken out from the cartridge 17 and the photographic film 18 pulled out from the cartridge body 17 is subjected to a developing process. The unit body 3 from which the film cartridge 14 has been taken out is collected by a manufacturer, reused and recycled.

The photographic film 18 after the development processing is
The printing process is performed by the printing device. In the printing apparatus, first, a photographed image recorded on a frame 20 of the photo film 18 is read by a scanner. The read captured image data is temporarily stored in a captured image memory.

Next, the printing device is a photo film 18.
It is confirmed whether or not there is a bit mark 29 in the data recording unit 28 of FIG. If there is no bit mark 29, the camera,
Alternatively, since the photographing is performed by a normal film unit with a lens, the printing process is immediately performed on the photosensitive paper using the photographed image stored in the memory.

If there is a bit mark 29 on the photographic film 18, the bit mark 29 is printed by the printing apparatus.
Is identified. A plurality of types of images for synthesis are stored in a memory, for example, and image data for synthesis suitable for the code is read from the memory into a working memory or the like. The printing apparatus combines photographed image data stored in the photographed image memory with composition image data stored in the work memory. At the time of this image synthesis, the photographed image data at the portion where the image data for synthesis overlaps is partially deleted.

The synthesized image data obtained by synthesizing the photographed image data and the synthesizing image data is exposed on a color photosensitive paper using a well-known digital printing method such as a CRT, a laser, a liquid crystal or the like. A print photograph 34 on which the photographed image 35 and the images for synthesis 36a and 36b are printed is completed. The printed photo film 18 is stored in the cartridge body 17 again, and the print photo 3 is printed.
4 and returned to the user.

When requesting simultaneous printing of the film unit 2 with the lens, or when developing the photographic film 18
When performing additional printing or the like by using a printer, if the developer handling store informs the user that there is no need for image synthesis, a print photograph of only the captured image can be obtained.

In the above embodiment, the photographic film 1 is used.
Although the synthesizing image corresponding to each of the eight frames 20 is the same, the synthesizing image corresponding to each of the frames 20 may be changed for each of the frames 20, or may be changed for every several frames. The code representing the image for synthesis may be magnetically recorded in the magnetic recording unit 24 of the photographic film 18 in addition to the optical recording. Further, since a magnetic layer is provided on the entire surface of the photographic film 18, magnetic recording may be performed at a place other than the magnetic recording section 24.

Further, in synthesizing the photographed image and the synthesizing image, both images are converted into digital data and synthesized. However, the photographed image is directly exposed from a photographic film 18 onto a color photosensitive paper, and only the synthesizing image is processed. May be digitally printed.

Further, the cancellation of the image synthesis is performed by making a declaration at the developing dealer, but the film unit with the lens may be provided with a function capable of selecting the execution or the cancellation of the image synthesis. Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in which the user can select between performing and canceling image synthesis. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

A film unit 4 with a lens shown in FIG.
Numeral 0 denotes a built-in synthesis selection device capable of selecting execution or cancellation of image synthesis. A selection switch 41 is provided below the rear of the lens-fitted film unit 40 to select whether to perform or cancel image synthesis. The selection switch 41 is slidable in the left and right directions. By sliding the selection switch 41 to the right ON position before performing film winding by the winding knob 12 after one frame shooting,
An instruction is given to perform image composition on the photographed frame. When no operation is performed, the selection switch 41 is turned off on the left side of the drawing.
It is urged by a spring (not shown) so as to be arranged at the F position.

As shown in FIG. 7, the photographic film 18 of the film cartridge 14 used in the film unit 40 with a lens has a data recording unit 28 for storing an image for composition in the same manner as the photographic film of the first embodiment. The bit mark 29 whose type is coded is pre-exposed.

The synthesizing and selecting device includes an opening 43 arranged facing the end of the data recording section 28, a light emitting element 44 arranged facing the opening 43, and a power supply for causing the light emitting element 44 to emit light. And the selection switch 41 described above. As the dry battery 45, a dry battery for the power supply of the strobe unit is commonly used. When the selection switch 41 is turned on, the light-emitting element 44 emits light, and the light passes through the opening 43 and the data recording section 2 of the photographic film 18.
8 is exposed. The portion 46 exposed by the light emitting element 44 becomes a mark for instructing execution of image synthesis, and image synthesis is performed only on a frame having the mark 46 at the time of print processing.

The film unit with a lens may be provided with a function of selecting an image to be used for image synthesis from a plurality of types. Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in which a composite image to be used can be selected from a plurality of types of composite images. The same parts as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description is omitted.

A film unit 5 with a lens shown in FIG.
0 has a built-in image selection device for selecting a compositing image to be used from a plurality of types of compositing images. An image selection unit 51 that is operated when selecting an image to be combined is provided below the rear surface of the film unit 50 with a lens. The image selection unit 51 includes a slit 52 provided on the back of the film unit 50 with a lens, and an operation knob 53 slidable in the slit 52 in the left-right direction. The operation knob 53 is click-stopped, for example, at the positions of the indices “1 to 5” described above.

On the rear side of the label 4 and above the image selection unit 50, a sample image 55 in which the synthesis image corresponding to the index of “1 to 5” of the image selection unit 50 is reduced is printed. The user checks the sample image 55 and selects the image for synthesis by adjusting the operation knob 53 to the position of the index.

As shown in FIG. 9, the data recording section 28 of the photographic film 18 used in the film unit 50 with a lens is not pre-exposed to a bit mark in which the type of image to be synthesized is coded.

The image selecting device includes the openings 57a to 57e arranged facing the data recording section 28, and the openings 5a to 57e.
A light emitting element 58 disposed facing the light emitting elements 7a to 57e, a dry battery 59 serving as a power supply for causing the light emitting element 58 to emit light,
And a light-emitting switch 60. Dry cell 59
Shares a dry battery for the power supply of the strobe unit as in the second embodiment. As the light emitting switch 60, a synchro switch used to obtain the light emitting timing of the strobe unit is used. This sync switch is
As is well known, the shutter is turned on by being pushed by a shutter blade that opens and closes the exposure opening when the shutter is released.

The light emitting element 58 is sandwiched and held by a forked portion 63 formed at the tip of an extension lever 62 provided integrally with the operation knob 53 of the image selecting section 50. Thus, when the operation knob 53 is slid and adjusted to one of the indices, the light emitting element 58 moves together and faces one of the openings 57a to 57e. For example, when the operation knob 53 is slid and adjusted to the index “3”, the light emitting element 58 held by the extension lever 62 faces the opening 57c. When the shutter button 5 is pressed in this state, the shutter is released by the shutter mechanism, and at that time, the light emitting switch 60, which is a synchro switch of the flash unit, is turned on by the shutter blades.

When the light-emitting switch 60 is turned on, the light-emitting element 58 emits light, and the light passes through the opening 57c to expose the data recording section 28 of the photographic film 18. The portion 65 exposed by the light-emitting element 58 becomes a bit mark indicating the type of the image for synthesis. By detecting the position of the bit mark 56 during the printing process, the image of the image is formed using the image for synthesis corresponding thereto. Synthesis is performed.

In the second and third embodiments, execution and cancellation of image composition and selection of a composition image to be used are performed by optical recording. However, magnetic recording may be used. Good. In each of the above embodiments, a lens-fitted film unit using a plastic film cartridge has been described as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to a lens-fitted film unit using a 135-type film cartridge. Further, the present invention can be applied to a camera using a film cartridge or a film cartridge.

[0044]

As described above, it is possible to obtain a print photograph in which images are combined simply and at low cost. Further, by changing the data recorded on the photo film, it is possible to use a wider variety of images for synthesis.

Further, since it is possible to select whether or not to perform the image synthesis, if there is no need for the synthesized image, it is possible to obtain a print photograph of only the photographed image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a film cartridge loaded in a film unit with a lens according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a film unit with a lens according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a method of recording a bit mark on a photographic film.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a print photograph obtained in the film unit with a lens according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a printing process.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a film unit with a lens according to a second embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear side.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a combination selection device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a film unit with a lens according to a third embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear side.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a combination selection device according to a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2, 40, 50 Film unit with lens 3 Unit body 4 Label 14 Film cartridge 18 Photo film 24 Magnetic recording unit 28 Data recording unit 29 Bit mark 34 Print photograph 41 Selection switch 51 Image selection unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] In a film unit with a lens loaded with a photographic film in advance and incorporating a simple photographing mechanism, data in which a type of an image used for image synthesis at the time of a printing process is coded, A film unit with a lens, which is magnetically or optically recorded outside a photographing range of a photographic film or at a position where photographing is not hindered. 2. In a film unit with a lens in which a photographic film is pre-loaded and a simple photographing mechanism is incorporated, data in which a type of an image used for image synthesis at the time of a printing process is coded, It is magnetically or optically recorded outside the photographing range of the photographic film or at a position that does not interfere with photographing, and it is provided with a selection means for selecting execution or cancellation of image synthesis using the data. Characteristic film unit with lens. 3. The lens-fitted photo film unit according to claim 1, wherein the photo film has the same data recorded for each frame. 4. The film unit with a lens according to claim 1, wherein the photo film has different data recorded for each frame. 5. The lens-fitted photo film unit according to claim 1, wherein the photo film has the same data recorded for each frame of the photo film for several frames. 6. In a film unit with a lens loaded with a photo film in advance and incorporating a simple photographing mechanism, data in which a type of an image to be used for image synthesis at the time of a printing process is coded, A film unit with a lens, characterized in that a recording means for recording magnetically or optically is provided outside the photographing range of the photographic film or at a position which does not hinder photographing.