JPH11174584A - Microfilm retrieving device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify and miniaturize a device, to easily increase the number of film density detecting positions and to enhance frame detecting accuracy by binarizing output from a photosensor and deciding the presence or absence of a frame based on a binarized signal so that the frame may be retrieved. SOLUTION: Density signals being output from the optical sensors 108A and 108B are separately inputted in a binarization part 110 and binarized. The binarized signals are respectively inputted in a decision part 112. The signal from a sensor selection part 114 is inputted in the decision part 112. The selection part 114 selects either a retrieving system by means of detecting the frame or a retrieving system by means of a blip. The decision part 112 selects the binarized signal based on either the sensor 108A or 108B selected by the selection part 114 and frame width is detected in synchronization with a sampling signal outputted by an encoder and the presence or absence of the frame is decided based on the frame width.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a microfilm search apparatus for determining the presence or absence of a frame from a change in density of a negative microfilm in the running direction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to search for microfilms,
A device is known in which a search mark (blip) is attached to each frame at a position that does not overlap the traveling locus width of the frame, and the blip is detected and searched.

On the other hand, it has been considered that a search is performed by detecting the presence or absence of a frame instead of the blip. That is, a density sensor is provided within the width of the traveling locus of a frame, and the presence or absence of a frame is determined from a change in film density detected by the density sensor.

[0004]

In order to detect the presence or absence of a frame, the end faces of a pair of optical fibers are opposed to each other with the film interposed therebetween, and light incident on one of the optical fibers is guided to the film and transmitted through the film. It is conceivable that light is received by the other optical fiber and the amount of the received light is detected by an optical sensor.

However, the frames include images (characters, figures, photographs, etc.) and blank portions, and the light transmittance changes in these portions. For example, in a negative microfilm, the outside of the frame (black frame portion) becomes transparent, the image in the frame becomes transparent or translucent, and the background in the frame becomes opaque (black). For this reason, when judging the presence or absence of a frame from the change in light transmittance, it is necessary to distinguish the outside of the frame (black frame) from the image or the plain portion in the frame.

Therefore, it is conceivable to detect the film density at a plurality of positions within the running locus width of the frame and determine the presence or absence of the frame by using the detection results. That is, a plurality of sets of optical fiber end faces are opposed to each other across the film, light is guided to one of the optical fibers of each set, and the amount of light transmitted through the film is detected by an optical sensor provided on the other optical fiber,
The presence or absence of a frame is determined using the outputs of these optical sensors. In this case, for example, the determination can be made by using a majority decision, an average value, a logical sum, a logical product, and the like of the outputs of the plurality of optical sensors.

[0008]

However, in this case, it is necessary to provide an optical sensor and a light source for each set of optical fibers, which increases the number of optical sensors and light sources. When the number of optical sensors increases, the number of binarization circuits for binarizing the output also increases, which causes a problem that the device becomes complicated and large.

It is desirable to increase the number of film density detection positions in order to increase the frame detection accuracy. However, in this case, as the number of long optical fibers for guiding light between the film and the light source or the optical sensor increases,
There is a problem that the number of optical sensors and binarization circuits also increases.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can reduce the number of optical sensors and binarizing circuits to simplify and reduce the size of a device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a microfilm search device capable of easily increasing the number of film density detection positions and increasing the frame detection accuracy without increasing the number of long optical fibers for guiding light between the film and the optical fiber.

[0011]

According to the present invention, it is an object of the present invention to provide a microfilm search apparatus for determining the presence or absence of a frame from a density change in the running direction of a negative microfilm, wherein the end faces of different optical fibers are located within the running locus width of the frame. An optical fiber group in which a plurality of optical fibers are sequentially continuous in opposition across a film, and a light source for guiding light to one end of the optical fiber group,
An optical sensor connected to the other end of the optical fiber group, a binarizing unit for binarizing the output of the optical sensor, and determining the presence or absence of a frame based on the binarized signal to search for a frame And a search unit that performs the search.

In this case, a plurality (for example, two groups) of optical fiber groups are arranged in the film width direction so that each optical fiber group separately detects a frame of a different channel for a film of a duplex system or a duo system. Can be configured. In this case, one of the optical sensor outputs of the plurality of optical fiber groups can be selected or a logical sum (OR) of them can be used according to the film photographing method. For example, for a simplex type or duo type film, the logical sum (OR) of the outputs of a plurality of optical sensors is used, and for a duplex type film, one of the channels corresponding to the A or B channel is used.
The outputs of the two optical sensors can be selected and used.

[0013]

[Principle] The principle of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
Reference numeral 200 denotes a negative microfilm on which a frame 202 is imprinted by a simplex method. The frame 202 has a transparent portion 204, and the transparent portion 204 is almost transparent like the outside 206 of the frame 202 (a portion that becomes a black frame when printed).

Reference numerals 208 and 210 denote optical fiber holding blocks. These blocks 208 and 210 are opposed to each other so as to sandwich the film 200 from both sides. These blocks 208 and 210 hold an optical fiber group 212. That is, the optical fiber group 212 is formed by a plurality of optical fibers 214 (214A to I), and the end faces of the optical fibers 214A to I are sequentially opposed to each other across the film 200 within the width of the traveling locus of the top 202 to be continuous. It is a thing. Optical fibers 214A, 21 at both ends
4I is connected to a light source 216 and an optical sensor 218, respectively.

Accordingly, when there is no film 200 between the two blocks 208 and 210, or when a transparent film is contained, light entering the optical fiber 214A from the light source 216 passes through the gap between the blocks 208 and 210 or The optical fibers 214B, 21 are sequentially passed through the transparent film.
Enter 4C, ... 214H. And the last optical fiber 21
The light entering 4I is guided to the optical sensor 218. Therefore, the output of the optical sensor 218 becomes a high level (H level).

When the black film 200, at least a part of which is light-blocking, enters between the blocks 208 and 210, the black portion blocks light between the opposing end faces of the optical fiber 214. Therefore, no light is guided to the optical sensor 218, and the output of the optical sensor 218 becomes low (L level). As a result, the presence or absence of the frame 202 can be determined from the change in the output level of the optical sensor 218.

At this time, there are nine optical fibers 214 and eight detection positions P1 to P8 which differ in the width direction of the film 200.
At P8, the film density is detected. Now film 200
If the optical fiber 214 travels to the left in FIG. 9, it is considered that the optical fiber 214 travels relatively to the right in the figure.

When the film position A of the film 200 without the frame 202 enters between the blocks 208 and 210,
The output of the optical sensor 214 becomes H level (logic "1"). The film position B on the top 202 is a block 208,
When entering between 210, it is shaded by the top 202,
The output of the optical sensor 214 becomes L level (logic “0”).

The film position C is determined by blocks 208 and 210
In the middle, the output of the optical sensor 214 remains at L level because there is another light-shielding portion of the frame 202 despite the presence of the transparent portion 204. As a result, the presence / absence of the frame 202 can be correctly determined without being affected by the blank portion 204 in the frame 202.

[0020]

FIG. 1 is a view showing a use state of an embodiment of a microfilm search apparatus to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of a scanner used here, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a line sensor driving unit, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a main part, and FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of an optical fiber group.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a computer main body, which incorporates a CPU and the like. Reference numeral 12 denotes a display means such as a CRT or a liquid crystal plate, and 14 denotes a keyboard, which are placed on a desk 16. Reference numeral 18 denotes a scanner housed under the desk 16, which incorporates the microfilm search device of the present invention. Reference numeral 20 denotes a printer placed beside the desk 16.

The scanner 18 has a cartridge insertion port 22 at the upper part of the front surface thereof, and a cartridge 24 (FIG.
3) is inserted and the image of the 16 mm-wide negative micro-roll film 26 contained in the cartridge 24 is read at a low density. The read image is the computer body 1
After the predetermined image processing is performed by the CPU or the like in 0,
It is displayed on the display means 12.

This image reading is performed while the line sensor 96 described below is stopped and only the film 26 is running.
In the meantime, the display means 12 of the CRT displays the read image while changing it continuously in synchronization with the running of the film 26. Therefore, the display on the display means 12 moves in synchronization with the running of the film 26, and an image substantially similar to that projected on the screen can be displayed on the display means 12.

At the time of a manual search, the operator looks at the image on the display means 12 and instructs output for an image that needs to be printed out. Based on this output instruction, the scanner 18 sets the position of the frame to a correct position and reads the entire image with high-density image quality. This high-density image is printed out to the printer 20, stored in a memory such as a magneto-optical disk, or transferred to an external processing device.

At the time of automatic search, the address of the target frame is input from the keyboard 14. In this automatic search, a target frame is searched by detecting frames and counting the number of frames. This frame search is performed by using the determination result of the determination unit 112 described later indicating the presence or absence of the frame, and
16 is performed.

Next, the configuration of the scanner 18 will be described. The scanner 18 has a vertically long housing 28, and a supply-side reel drive unit 30 is provided above a front portion of the housing 28, and a take-up reel drive unit 32 is provided below the front portion. The supply-side reel drive unit 30 inserts the cartridge 2 into the cartridge insertion slot 22.
When the cartridge 4 is inserted, the cartridge 24 is automatically moved to engage the reel 24A with the rotating shaft. Further, the leading end of the film 26 is pulled out, sent downward, and guided to the take-up reel 32A of the take-up reel drive unit 32.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the film 26 passes behind the gap between the reel drive units 30 and 32, that is, passes through the back side when viewed from the front of the housing 28. In FIG. 3, 34, 34,
36, 36 are guide rollers for the film 26. Accordingly, a space 38 is formed between the gap and the front panel 28A of the housing 28, and a light source unit 52 described later is accommodated therein.

The take-up reel drive unit 32 has a drive belt 40 that runs in contact with the reel 32A as shown in FIG. This drive belt 40 is a guide roller 4
2, 44, a drive roller 46, an encoder 48, and a tension roller 50, and are driven by the drive roller 46 to travel in the film winding direction (the direction of the arrow). The encoder 48 controls a constant feed amount of the film 26 (for example, 0.1 m
m) to output a sampling signal.

Numeral 52 denotes a light source section accommodated in the space 38 between the reel driving sections 30 and 32, and a lamp 54,
It includes a reflecting mirror 56, a condenser lens 58, an appropriate filter, and the like. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 60 denotes a power supply circuit, and 62 denotes a power control circuit such as a motor.

Next, the line sensor driving section 64 will be described.
The line sensor driving section 64 is integrated with the projection lens 66. That is, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the frame (rotating frame) 68 of the line sensor driving unit 64 is integrally formed with a cylindrical portion 70 for holding the projection lens 66.
The projection lens 66 held by the cylindrical portion 70 has a fixed focal point and a magnification of about twice. The cylindrical portion 70 is rotatably held by a frame (fixed frame) 72 fixed to the housing 28 so that the inclination of the image to be read can be corrected. Here, the cylinder 70 rotates about an optical axis 74 perpendicular to the film 26.

The cylindrical portion 70 of the rotating frame 68 and the pulley 76 of the servomotor 76 attached to the fixed frame 72
A belt 78 is wound around A. The rotation frame 68 is rotatable around the optical axis 74 by the rotation of the motor 76.

As shown in FIG. 4, a movable base 80 is attached to the rotating frame 68 on a surface opposite to the cylindrical portion 70. That is, the movable base 80 is provided with a pair of guide rods 82, 82.
Slidably held by the optical axis 74 near the opening of the cylindrical portion 70.
Can be reciprocated in a direction orthogonal to.

A belt 86 wound around pulleys 84, 84 is provided on the rotating frame 68 in parallel with the reciprocating direction of the movable table 80.
And one side of the movable table 80 is fixed to the belt 86. One pulley 84 has a servo motor 8
The rotation of 8 is transmitted via the belt 90. As a result, by rotating the servo motor 88 forward and backward, the movable table 8 is rotated.
0 can be reciprocated on a plane orthogonal to the optical axis 74.

The movable table 80 has guide rods 82, 82
A long window 92 is formed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the movable table 80, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the reciprocating direction of the movable table 80. This long window 92
Is located on the optical axis 74 in the longitudinal direction. A printed wiring board 94 is fixed to the rear surface of the movable base 80, that is, the surface opposite to the cylindrical portion 70 so as to be orthogonal to the optical axis 74.

A CCD line sensor 96 facing the long window 92 is fixed to the substrate 94 (FIG. 3). The substrate 94 is also provided with a preamplifier for amplifying the output of the line sensor 96. CCD line sensor 9
Of course, the light receiving surface of No. 6 coincides with the image forming surface of the projection image of the projection lens 66.

Next, an apparatus for detecting a frame, that is, a frame detecting section 98 will be described with reference to FIG. Microfilm 26
Upstream of the image reading position, that is, the position of the optical axis 74 (on the supply reel 24A side), a pair of optical fiber holding members that cross the film 26 in the width direction and oppose each other with a slight gap between both surfaces of the film 26. Blocks 100 and 102 are provided.

The blocks 100 and 102 hold an optical fiber group 104. Optical fiber group 104
Is formed of nine optical fibers 105 (105A to 105I), and each optical fiber 105 is continuous such that the end faces of these optical fibers 105 are vertically opposed sequentially across the film within the traveling locus width of the coma. These blocks 10
Reference numerals 0 and 102 denote a pair of optical fibers 106 (106A, 10A, 10B) for detecting a mark (blip) for searching the film 26.
6B) is held at one end. These end faces face each other with the blip running locus position of the film 26 interposed therebetween.

The optical fiber 1 at one end of the optical fiber group 104
05A and the optical fiber 106A are bundled and led to the vicinity of the lamp 54 of the light source unit 52. Therefore, the lamp 54
Light enters two optical fibers 105A and 106A from the optical fiber 105A, and this light is applied to one surface of the film 26 (block 100).
Side surface, see FIG. 5).

The optical fiber 1 at the other end of the optical fiber group 104
05I and optical fiber 106B are optical sensors 108, respectively.
A, 108B. These optical sensors 108A,
The density signal output from 108B is separately input to the binarization unit 110, where it is binarized in synchronization with the sampling signal output from the encoder 48.

Each of these binarized signals is supplied to a decision unit 11
2 is input. The signal of the sensor selection unit 114 is also input to the determination unit 112. This sensor selection unit 114
Selects either a search method based on frame detection or a search method based on blips. In the determination unit 112, the sensor 108A or 108
A binary signal based on one of B is selected to determine the presence or absence of a frame.

The end faces of the optical fibers 105 and 106 are shown in FIG.
As shown in (2), it is on a straight line perpendicular to the running direction of the film 26 and at different positions in the width direction of the film 26. In this embodiment, the optical fibers 105, 106
Are the detection positions of the film density, these detection positions are indicated as P1 to P8 and P9.

FIG. 6 shows the case of the simplex system. In the case of a film having no blip 118, a frame is detected by using the output of the optical sensor 108A based on the output of the sensor selection unit 114. For a film with a blip 118, the sensor selection unit 114 provides the optical sensor 108A,
08B is selected. At this time, the determination unit 112 determines the optical sensor 108A based on the selection of the sensor selection unit 114.
To detect the frame, or the other optical sensor 108B detects the blip 118.

Accordingly, the determination unit 112 determines the presence or absence of a frame by using one of the binary signals output from the two binarization units 110. The search unit 116 determines this determination unit 1
A target frame is searched by integrating the twelve output signals.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment.
In this embodiment, a film 26A photographed by a duplex method is used. In this method, the front and back of a document are simultaneously photographed on the upper and lower two channels (A channel and B channel), so that two sets of optical fiber groups 104A are used to separately detect the frames of each channel. , 104
B are separately provided in the film width direction.

That is, the optical fiber groups 104A and 104B
The end faces of five optical fibers are opposed to each other with a film 26A interposed therebetween so that frame detection is performed at four detection positions Q1 to Q4 and Q5 to Q8 different in the film width direction in each channel. And each optical fiber group 104
A and 104B are guided to the common light source 54A by one end, and the other end to another optical fiber 10A.
8C, 108D.

The outputs of the optical sensors 108C and 108D are binarized and sent to the determination unit 112 (see FIG. 5). In the determination unit 112, these two optical sensors 108C,
The logical sum (OR) of the binary signal of 108D is obtained to determine the presence or absence of a frame.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment.
In this embodiment, the film 26 photographed by the duo method is used.
B is used. In this method, the lower channel (A channel)
After the frames are sequentially printed from left to right on the upper side, the film feeding direction is reversed, and the frames are printed on the upper channel (the B channel in order from right to left. Therefore, in this case, FIG.
Two optical fiber groups 104A and 104B are provided in the same manner as in the duplex system of
7 in that one of the outputs of C and 108D is selected to detect a frame. That is, when searching for the lower channel, the output of the optical sensor 108D is used, and when searching for the upper channel, the frame is detected using the output of the optical sensor 108C.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, since the optical fiber 106 for blip detection is provided separately from the optical fiber group 104 for frame detection, a search using a blip can be selected for a film with a blip. Become. However, in the present invention, the latter optical fiber 106 may of course be omitted.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, two sets of optical fibers 104A and 104B are used to separately detect frames of two channels in the duplex and duo systems. However, these two optical fiber groups 1
The frames of the simplex film can also be detected by using the frames 04A and 104B. In this case, frame detection may be performed using only one of the determination results of the two optical fiber groups 104A and 104B. However, if the frame is detected using the logical sum (OR) of these two determination results, the detection can be performed. The accuracy is improved.

In the embodiment described above, each of the optical fibers 1 is used by using the lamps 54 and 54A of the light source 52 for photographing an image.
Since the light is guided to the light sources 05 and 106, there is an advantage that the light source can be simplified. However, the present invention may use another independent light source other than the lamps 54 and 54A, or may use a plurality of light sources to separately guide light to each of the optical fibers 105 and 106.

[0051]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical fiber group in which a plurality of optical fibers are successively arranged so that the end faces of different optical fibers face each other with a film interposed therebetween. An optical sensor detects the amount of light introduced from one end of the light source and guided to the other end, and the presence or absence of a frame is determined based on the change in the amount of light. Only one sensor is required for one optical fiber group, which is suitable for simplification and miniaturization of the device. Also, even if the number of frame detection positions is increased, the number of long optical fibers connected to the light source and the optical sensor does not increase, and the number of optical sensors and binarization circuits does not increase. Detection accuracy can be easily increased.

If a plurality of optical fiber groups are provided, it is possible to cope with a change in the film taking method, which is convenient (claim 2). If two sets of optical fiber groups can be used to separately detect frames of two different channels divided into two in the film width direction, it is possible to easily cope with a simplex, duplex or duo type film. Providing a determination unit for selecting a used one of a plurality of optical fiber groups or detecting a frame by using a logical sum (OR) of these outputs can easily cope with a change in a photographing method, which is convenient. (Claim 4).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a use state of an embodiment of a microfilm search device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of a scanner used here in a see-through manner;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the arrangement of the main part.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a line sensor driving unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a main part.

FIG. 6 illustrates a configuration example of an optical fiber group.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the optical fiber group.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the optical fiber group.

[Explanation of symbols]

26, 200 Microfilm 54, 54A Light source 98 Frame detection unit 104, 104A, 104B, 212 Optical fiber group 105, 214 Optical fiber 108, 108A, 108B, 108C, 108D Optical sensor 110 Binarization unit 112 Judgment unit 116 Search unit 202 frames

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] January 21, 1998

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0012

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

In this case, a plurality (for example, two groups) of optical fiber groups are arranged in the film width direction so that each optical fiber group separately detects a frame of a different channel for a film of a duplex system or a duo system. Can be configured. In this case, one of the optical sensor outputs of the plurality of optical fiber groups can be selected or a logical sum (OR) of them can be used according to the film photographing method. For example, simplex or du
For a plex-type film, the logical sum (OR) of the outputs of a plurality of optical sensors is used, and for a duo-type film, one of the A or B channels corresponding to
The outputs of the two optical sensors can be selected and used.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0039

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The optical fiber 1 at the other end of the optical fiber group 104
05I and optical fiber 106B are optical sensors 108, respectively.
A, 108B. These optical sensors 108A,
The density signal, which is the output of 108B, is separately input to the binarization unit 110, where it is binarized .

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0040

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Each of these binarized signals is supplied to a decision unit 11
2 is input. The signal of the sensor selection unit 114 is also input to the determination unit 112. This sensor selection unit 114
Selects either a search method based on frame detection or a search method based on blips. In the determination unit 112, the sensor 108A or 108
Select a binary signal based on one of B, the encoder
Frame width in synchronization with the sampling signal output from the
The frame width is detected, and the presence or absence of a frame is determined from the frame width .

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0043

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Accordingly, the determination unit 112 determines the presence or absence of a frame by using one of the binary signals output from the two binarization units 110. The search unit 116 determines this determination unit 1
The target frame is searched by counting the twelve output signals.

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0044

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment.
In this embodiment, a film 26A photographed by a duplex method is used. In this method, the front and back of a document are simultaneously photographed in two channels, upper and lower (A channel and B channel). Therefore , two sets of optical fiber groups 104A, 104A,
4B are provided separately in the film width direction.

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0047

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment.
In this embodiment, the film 26 photographed by the duo method is used.
B is used. In this method, the lower channel (A channel)
In this example, the frames are printed in order from left to right, and then the film is fed in the reverse direction and the images are printed in order from right to left on the upper channel (B channel ) . Therefore, in this case, FIG.
The two optical fiber groups 104A and 104B are provided as in the case of the duplex system of FIG.
One of the outputs of C and 108D is selected to detect the frame ,
The logical sum (OR) of the outputs of the optical sensors 108C and 108D
It differs from the case of FIG. 7 in that it is not used . That is, when searching for the lower channel, the output of the optical sensor 108D is used, and when searching for the upper channel, the frame is detected using the output of the optical sensor 108C.

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] February 5, 1998

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Brief description of drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a use state of an embodiment of a microfilm search device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of a scanner used here in a see-through manner;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the arrangement of the main part.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a line sensor driving unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a main part.

FIG. 6 illustrates a configuration example of an optical fiber group.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the optical fiber group.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the optical fiber group.

FIG. 9 illustrates the principle of the present invention.

[Description of Signs] 26, 200 Microfilm 54, 54A Light source 98 Frame detection unit 104, 104A, 104B, 212 Optical fiber group 105, 214 Optical fiber 108, 108A, 108B, 108C, 108D Optical sensor 110 Binarization unit 112 Judgment unit 116 Search unit 202 frames

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A microfilm search apparatus for determining the presence or absence of a frame from a change in density of a negative microfilm in a running direction, wherein a plurality of optical fibers have a plurality of end faces opposed to each other with the film interposed within the running locus width of the frame. An optical fiber group in which optical fibers are sequentially connected, a light source for guiding light to one end of the optical fiber group, an optical sensor connected to the other end of the optical fiber group, and binarization of the output of the optical sensor A microfilm search apparatus comprising: a binarization unit; and a search unit that determines the presence or absence of a frame based on the binary signal and searches for a frame. 2. The microfilm search device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of optical fiber groups, and a light source and an optical sensor provided for each optical fiber group. 3. The microfilm search device according to claim 2, further comprising two optical fiber groups, each optical fiber group detecting a frame in each channel divided into two in the film width direction. 4. A determination unit for selecting an output of each optical sensor corresponding to a plurality of optical fiber groups in accordance with a film photographing method, or determining the presence or absence of a frame using a logical sum of these outputs. 2 or 3 microfilm retrieval devices.