Patent Application
20060067681
The present invention relates to a photo film processing system that processes a strip of exposed photo film and ejects it in a condition to be handed back to a customer who ordered development and/or printing of the exposed photo filmstrip. More particularly, the present invention relates to a photo film processing system that can sort out individual strips of exposed photo film according to their types, such that negative filmstrips are fed to a negative film cutter-inserter, while other types are fed to a film accumulator or film catcher.
As disclosed for example in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2002-128340, a photo film processing system is comprised of an auto film loader, an image reading apparatus and a negative film cutter-inserter. The negative film cutter-inserter automatically cuts a negative filmstrip into several pieces and inserts the pieces in sleeves of a plastic sleeve sheet, after the image reading apparatus reads images as recorded on the negative filmstrip.
The auto film loader of this prior art is constituted of a film holder holding a pile of filmstrips, a feed roller for feeding the filmstrips one by one from the pile to a film path, and conveyer rollers for conveying the filmstrip through the film path into the image reading apparatus. The image reading apparatus of the prior art is constituted of a scanner section consisting of a linear CCD sensor and a light source, a film conveyer mechanism for conveying the filmstrip from the auto film loader through the scanner section, an image processor for processing image data picked up through the scanner section, and a display section for displaying images based on the image data.
The film holder can hold both negative and reversal filmstrips insofar as they are 35 mm wide, so the auto film loader can feed both types of filmstrips into the image reading apparatus. Also the image reading apparatus can pick up image data from either type by adjusting operational conditions of the scanner section to the film type.
However, after the image reading, the filmstrips should be processed or treated differently depending upon the film type. For example, a negative filmstrip is cut into pieces and inserted into a sleeve sheet. On the other hand, a reversal filmstrip is received in a film catcher or film accumulator as disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 5-224312, and thereafter cut into individual picture frames, which are inserted into slide carriers for slide projection.
Since most of the photo filmstrips to be processed in photo-labs are negative ones, the photo film processing systems installed in the photo-labs are constituted of an auto film loader, an image reading apparatus and a negative film cutter-inserter. Such a photo film processing system cannot process the reversal film unless it is modified. In order to process the reversal film with the conventional photo film processing system, an operator of the photo-lab must sort out reversal filmstrips from negative filmstrips, put only the reversal filmstrips in the film holder, and, after completing image-reading from negative filmstrips that presently exist in the photo film processing system, remove the negative film cutter-inserter and mount the film catcher instead.
The manual sorting between reversal and negative filmstrips, and the replacement of the negative film cutter-inserter with the film catcher consume certain labor and time, lowering the processing efficiency badly.
In view of the foregoing, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a photo film processing system that can process different types of photo filmstrips at a high processing efficiency, without the need for manual sorting of the individual photo filmstrips, or replacing some component of the system.
To achieve the above and other objects, a photo film processing system of the present invention comprises an auto film loader for supplying a photo filmstrip automatically in a sequential fashion; a film working device for reading image data or making photo prints from picture frames of the photo filmstrips; a film type discrimination device for discriminating the photo filmstrips between a negative type and other types; and a sorting device disposed in a position downstream of the film working device, for sorting the photo filmstrips according to film types discriminated by the film type discrimination device.
According to a preferred embodiment, the photo film processing system further comprises a device for recording data on the filmstrips for allowing to discriminate the film type with reference to the data, and a sensor disposed in the film type discrimination device, for reading the data from the filmstrips.
According to another preferred embodiment, the film type discrimination device is an image processor that can discriminates the film type based on the image data read by the film wording device.
The sorting device preferably comprises a lid that forms a guide surface of a film path for guiding the photo filmstrips after being fed out from the film working device, a driving device for driving the lid to open and close, and a control device for controlling the driving device of the lid in accordance with the film type discriminated by the film type discrimination device, such that the lid is closed for the negative type filmstrips and is opened for other types of filmstrips, to distribute the photo filmstrips into two directions.
A negative film cutter-inserter is disposed in a position downstream of the sorting device, to cut the photo filmstrips into pieces and insert the pieces into preservation bags, wherein the sorting device feeds the photo filmstrip to the negative film cutter-inserter when the film type discrimination device discriminates the photo filmstrip as the negative type.
The above and other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments when read in connection with the accompanied drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
As shown in
As shown in
The controller 17 searches for the order data in the computer 92 based on the print order reception number and, based on the order data, retrieves the film type data of the photo film that is fed from the film setting portion 31 to the reserver 32. Based on the retrieved film type data, the controller 17 sends a command to the image scanner 11 to change a scanning condition according to the film type of the next photo film which is to be fed to the image reading apparatus 10, and also a command to the film sorter 15 according to the film type.
When a demand signal for feeding out the photo film is received from the controller 17 of the image reading apparatus 10 onto the auto film loader controller 34, it controls the auto film loader 33 to feed the photo filmstrip to the image reading apparatus 10. Conveyer rollers (unshown in the drawings) in the image scanner 11 receive the photo filmstrip. A film detector D4 of the image reading apparatus 10 is to detect leading and trailing ends of the photo filmstrip fed out from the film transmitter 33. A signal of the film detector D4 changes from a low level to a high level when detecting the leading end of the photo filmstrip, and from the high level to the low level when detecting the trailing end.
The image scanner 11, which reads film images recorded on the photo filmstrips including negative and reversal filmstrips, consists of a CCD sensor 16 and a light source 19. The CCD sensor 16 has an imaging optical system, an area CCD and a pixel shift mechanism. The light source 19 consists of red, green, blue and infrared light sources, each consisting of a plural number of LEDs (light emitting diodes) that emit red, green, blue and infrared light respectively. Time-sharing illumination of four-color LED light sources allows reading the image on the photo filmstrip in a color separation method, and the respective image data of the separated colors are output to an image processor 18. The infrared light is used for compensating damages.
The image processor 18 executes image processing on the image data read by the image reading apparatus 10 and outputs it as image recording data to a laser printer 20. The image processor 18 also outputs the processed image data as an image file to outside for example outputting to a storage medium such as a memory card and an external memory device such as HDD, or sending to other data processing devices 21 via communication lines.
The laser printer 20 is provided with laser light sources emitting respectively red, green and blue laser beams, illuminates photographic paper with the laser beams after modulating them according to the image recording data input from the image processor 18, to form a latent image on the photographic paper by scanning exposure. A paper processor 22 carries out such processes as chromogenic development, bleaching-fixing, washing and drying onto the photographic paper exposed in the laser printer 20. These processes develops the latent image into a visible image on the photographic paper.
A base of the negative film is covered with an orange mask, which distinguishes the negative film from the reversal film. Because of this difference, a lighting period and lighting current of the respective color lights of LED are controlled. Concretely, for reading the reversal film, percentages of the blue and green lights are reduced while maintaining the red light unchanged.
As shown in
The driving mechanism 152 is controlled by the controller 17. In the case where the next film to be sent to the image reading apparatus 10 is the negative film F1, the controller 17 orders the driving mechanism 152 to close the lid 151. So the negative filmstrip F1 is fed forward to the negative film cutter-inserter section 60. On the other hand, in the case where the next film to be sent to the image reading apparatus 10 is the reversal film F2, the controller 17 orders the driving mechanism 152 to open the lid 151. So the reversal film F2 is taken in the film catcher 12 under the guidance of the lid 151.
As shown in
A preservation sheet 72 with a series of sheathes 71 made of plastic film is wound into convolutions around a pair of drums 70 in the inserter section 64. The pair of drums 70 are driven so as to position the sheath 71 successively on an extended line to the film path 46 of the negative film piece P from the cutter section 62, thereby letting the negative film pieces P be inserted one after another into the sheathes 71. The preservation sheet 72 is cut into a length corresponding to one photo filmstrip.
Now a sequence of sorting film according to the film type will be explained while referring to
Responding to the error signal of the alarm 13, the operator observes with naked eyes whether the photo filmstrip causing the error signal is the negative film or not. When it is not the negative film as the result of the naked-eye observation, an operation for releasing the error is carried out by an inputting means unshown in the drawings, to release only the error signal. On the other hand, when the photo filmstrip causing the error signal is the negative film as the result of the naked-eye observation, the film path is switched from the presently selected second film path to the first film path and then the operation for releasing the error is also carried out by the inputting means unshown in the drawings.
Next, a control sequence for the first film path will be explained while referring to
Next, a control sequence for the second film path will be explained while referring to
Now a timing for the film path switching will be explained. When it is confirmed that the film as being read in the image reading apparatus 10, hereinafter referred to as a first film, is completely ejected from the image scanner 11, the film transmitter 33 starts sending the next film, hereinafter referred to as a second film, to the image reading apparatus 10. When the second film reaches the image scanner 11, the film path switching signal is output.
In other words, as shown in
Now an overall sequence of switching the film paths according to the film type will be explained. For example, the film reception terminal 90 accepts two orders for printing a negative filmstrip and a reversal filmstrip. With the orders, an order data list as shown in
As being accepted by the film reception terminal 90, the photo filmstrip is applied at its leading end with the check tape 93 which is printed with the order number. Next the photo filmstrip is put through the film developer 80. After the development, the filmstrip is set in the film setting portion 31 of the auto film loader 30. When the controller 17 sends the demand signal to the auto film loader controller 34 for sending out the photo filmstrip, the auto film loader controller 34 sends the photo filmstrip to the image reading apparatus 10. In the present example, the film setting portion 31 has two photo filmstrips whose order numbers are “2364” and “2365” set in succession, and the photo filmstrip which is being read, the first filmstrip, has the order number “2364” and the next photo filmstrip. The second filmstrip whose order number is “2365” is stopped in the auto film loader 30 after being detected by the film detector D3.
Because the first filmstrip is the negative film F1, the control sequence for the first path is selected to close the lid 151. After the image reading, the leading end of the first filmstrip is fed to the negative film cutter-inserter section 60. The negative film cutter-inserter section 60 detects the images of the negative film, cuts the photo filmstrip between the picture frames into the negative film pieces P by a negative film cutter and inserts them in the sheaths 71 of the preservation sheet 72.
The negative film is divided into the negative film pieces P as follows. A first piece is from the leading end of the photo filmstrip to a leading edge of a first photographed picture frame. Accordingly, the first piece does not include any picture frames. The next negative film piece is cut to have the first to sixth picture frames. Therefore, the photo filmstrip for twenty-seven exposures becomes four negative film pieces each containing six picture frames and the last one negative film piece with extra three picture frames and the rest trailing end portion. When the last negative piece is inserted in the preservation sheet 72, the completion signal is fed from the cutter-inserter controller 61 of the negative film cutter-inserter section 60 to the controller 17 of the image reading apparatus 10.
The second filmstrip is the reversal film and the control sequence for the second path is selected. When the film detector D4 detects the trailing end of the first film, the controller 17 sends the auto film loader 36 the demand signal for feeding the second filmstrip to the image reading apparatus 10. The auto film loader 36 sends the reversal film whose order number is “2365” and which stops at the bar code reader D2 to the image reading apparatus 10. When the film detector D4 detects the leading end of the second film, the image reading apparatus 10 sends the film sorter 15 the film path switching signal to switch the film paths for the reversal film. The film sorter 15 controls the driving mechanism 152 to open the lid 151 in order to feed the reversal film to the film catcher 12.
Because it is usual that the number of negative filmstrips that are brought in the photo-lab is more than the number of reversal filmstrips, the total time of opening the lid 151 will be shorter than the total time of closing the lid 151. The shorter the driving mechanism 152 for driving the lid 151 is on, the longer the driving mechanism 152 lasts. For this reason, it is preferable to design so that the lid 151 opens by the ON signal of the driving mechanism 152.
In recognizing the reversal film, the image reading apparatus 10 changes the current values of the blue and green lights among respective current values of LED light sources emitting the red, blue and green lights from the light source 19 of the image scanner 11. A not-shown film transport device of the image reading apparatus 10 conveys the reversal film and stops the picture frame at an image reading position after detecting the screen position of the photo filmstrip. By emitting the red, blue and green lights of LED light sources separately, the CCD sensor 16 reads the image recorded on the stopping filmstrip. The image data read by the respective single-color lights is stored in the memory. Moreover the CCD sensor 16 reads infrared image data by illuminating the infrared light and stores it in the memory as well.
After finishing reading the image of one picture frame, the film transport device stops the next picture frame at the image reading position after detecting the next frame position of the photo filmstrip, and thus repeats the image reading. The leading end of the second filmstrip is fed gradually forward and reaches the film sorter 15. In the film sorter, the lid 151 which forms the guide surface of the film path is in the opened state. The reached leading end of the second filmstrip is guided by the opened lid 151 to be taken in the film catcher 12. Although the above described embodiment uses an area CCD sensor that reads the image while stopping the photo filmstrip at an image reading area, it is possible to apply a line CCD sensor that reads the image while moving the image reading area finely in the film lengthwise direction relative to the line CCD sensor.
Even though the negative and reversal films are set in a mix in the auto film loader 30, and are fed to the image reading apparatus 10 to read the images of the negative and reversal films, the negative filmstrips are automatically ejected to the negative film cutter-inserter section 60, and the reversal filmstrips to the film catcher 12 by the above described operations. It is possible to sort between the negative and reversal filmstrips efficiently according to the film type when they are ejected from the image reading apparatus 10, which largely improves the processing amount of the photo filmstrip per unit time.
When the bar code reader D2 cannot read the bar code, the bar code reading is carried out again. In other words, when the auto film loader controller 34 orders the bar code reader D2 to start scanning but the scanning completion signal does not return after a given time, the auto film loader controller 34 judges it as an error of reading and retries the reading. The auto film loader controller 34 orders the conveyer motor M1 to convey the film backward once until the film detector D1 detects the photo filmstrip. Then, by conveying the film forward and letting the film detector D1 detect the photo filmstrip, the auto film loader controller 34 orders the bar code reader D2 to start scanning. When the bar code 95 cannot be read even by the rereading, the auto film loader controller 34 sends an alarm signal to the alarm 35 in order to let the operator know the trouble.
When the alarm 35 goes off, the operator reads the four-digit number 94 on the check tape 93 placed at the end of the photo filmstrip in trouble of reading the bar code 95, and inputs the number 94 through the not-shown inputting device or read the bar code 95 by use of a hand-held bar code reader.
Although the data of the print order reception number is transmitted by use of the bar code and the bar code reader, it is possible to use a two dimensional bar code and a two dimensional bar code reader, or a tape embedded with a semiconductor chip and a non-contact reader, which allows recording all of the order data on a tape that is put on the individual filmstrip. Then, it becomes unnecessary to refer to the personal computer 92.
According to another embodiment shown in
Although the illustrated photo film processing system reads digital image data from the photo filmstrips and prints images based on the image data, the present invention is applicable to such a photo film processing system that uses a photo printer printing an image by projecting light through each picture frame of the filmstrip onto photographic paper. Therefore, the image reading apparatus and the photo printer are comprehensively called as film working devices.
Furthermore, although the photo film processing system of the above-described embodiment sorts reversal filmstrips out from negative filmstrips, the photo film processing system of the present invention may sort any kinds of filmstrips according to their film types.
Thus, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments but, on the contrary, various modifications will be possible without departing from the scope of claims appended hereto.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-280248 | Sep 2004 | JP | national |
