JPH02266338A - Picture information retrieving and copying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To precisely position a prescribed retrieving image in a prescribed position with high accuracy by providing a sensor which detects such a retrieval mark as a frame mark added to a microfilm on a position deviating from a projection optical part. CONSTITUTION:Each distance value between frame marks (e) constituting of target image frame groups 90 and 91 is stored in a memory means for a period after the sensor 43 detects a target item mark D before it detects a following item mark D. In this case, the position of the sensor 43 is shifted from that of an image projection part. To correct the deviation, each image frame is copied while a film F is fed backward from latest end frame up to its top frame in one-frame units after the latest image frame in the target image frame group 91 is positioned on the projection optical path part S. In the backward feeding, the film F is fed based on the stored distance values. Without depending on the frame mark, the film is fed based on the stored distance values between the images. Thereby, the prescribed image can be precisely positioned on the projection optical path part if recording is performed with the image frames displaced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image information retrieval and copying apparatus that searches for arbitrary information from a large amount of image information recorded on microfilm and copies it.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY Microfilm is used to reduce and record a large amount of information, and when information is recorded on microfilm, it is recognized as one group or group because of the mutual relationship. An information group is taken as one unit, and each image frame in this information group is recorded on microfilm in a predetermined order such as page order. For example, when recording a patent specification on a roll of microfilm, one patent specification, which usually has multiple pages, is recorded in order from the first page to the last page as one image information frame group. That's what I do.

Further, the microfilm is provided with search marks, also called blips or document marks, in accordance with the image frames.

In this way, based on the microfilm on which a large number of image information frames and search marks are recorded, the image information recorded on this is projected onto a screen to read and search the predetermined image information. Furthermore, image information retrieval copying devices such as reader printers are used to copy predetermined images. For example, when copying a container of patent specifications for one case constituting one information group using the reader printer, not only will the copy side of the container face upward after copying, but For convenience in handling the device, it is recommended that the copy paper containers be stacked in a predetermined order so that the first page is at the top and the last page is at the bottom. Desirable from this point of view. Normal copying machines that copy images recorded on documents are equipped with a collating machine such as a sorter so that the copy sheets can be aligned so that the first page is on the top, but they do not have a screen, etc. Attaching the sorter and the like to a reader printer is not practical because the size of the device must be increased.

For this reason, conventionally, as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-23338 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 60-24452,
A technique has been developed in which copying is started from the last page of one image frame and the microfilm is sequentially moved backwards toward the first page of image frames.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the apparatus disclosed in the above publication, the microfilm is advanced until the sensor detects a search mark attached to the beginning of the image frame group following the target image frame group. Then, while moving the microfilm backwards, the copying operation is performed from the image of the last frame of the target image frame group.

During the backward movement, the position of each image frame is set by detecting the position of a retrieval frame mark attached to the film in correspondence with each image frame.

However, in this device, since the sensor is provided at the position of the projection optical path, if the transport position of the film is detected based on the position of the mark, the image is placed at a predetermined position corresponding to the mark. Although it was possible to position the pieces, there was a limit to the accuracy of the search.

The reason for this is that if a sensor is installed in the projection optical path from the exposure light source to the screen, the exposure light source must also be used as the light source for this sensor, and the magnification of the projection lens will Since the illuminance changes, the sensitivity of the sensor must be adjusted in accordance with the magnification, otherwise the sensor may erroneously detect the mark. To this end, conventionally, the operator has to adjust the sensitivity of the sensor, but this not only requires an adjustment mechanism, but also poses problems such as difficulty in accurate adjustment and poor operability of the device. there were.

Furthermore, when searching for a target image frame, the film is suddenly stopped at the same time as the sensor detects the blip mark of the target image frame on the film. If the film is installed at This passing distance is significant when the speed is fast, so if you have to take measures against overrun or the distances between the blip marks are different, adjust the position by shifting the sensor in the conveying direction. It is necessary to be able to stop the image at a predetermined position.At this time, there is a problem in that it is necessary to repeatedly adjust the position of the sensor and check whether the target image actually stops correctly.

In order to eliminate false detections by the sensor and improve search accuracy, reader printers have been developed in which the sensor is shifted from the projection optical path. In this case, since the sensor has its own light source, the sensor is irradiated with light of a constant illuminance, regardless of the magnification of the projection lens, and search accuracy can be improved.

However, in a reader printer in which a sensor is provided at a position offset from the projection optical path, it is difficult to copy from the last page of one image frame group, so such a method has not been used. This is because in order to copy from the last page as described above using a reader printer with a sensor installed at a position offset from the projection optical path,
Simply considering the deviation between the center of the projection optical path and the sensor position would require moving the microfilm forward and backward during image retrieval and copying. This is because it was difficult to stop the vehicle at that position.

In other words, when the sensor position is shifted from the projection optical path as described above, what the sensor actually detects is not the blip mark of the image frame to be copied, but the blip mark of the image frame at a position shifted from that image frame. Therefore, if the distances between the blip marks of image frames are different, the image frame to be copied will not be accurately positioned in the projection optical path.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and improves the detection accuracy of the sensor by shifting the position of the sensor from the position of the projection optical path, while also changing the transport form of microfilm during image retrieval. It is an object of the present invention to make it possible to accurately position a predetermined search image at a predetermined position with high precision by improving the method.

Another object of the present invention is to enable accurate positioning of a search image at a predetermined position even when multiple copies of one image recorded on microfilm are made.

Means for Solving the Problems To achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a large number of image frames,
The information of the image frame on the microfilm on which the image frame mark corresponding to the tip of the image frame group constituting one information group and the frame mark corresponding to each image frame are formed is imaged by light from a light source. An image information retrieval copying apparatus configured to illuminate a body, the film transport path guiding the microfilm across the projection optical path section from the light source to the image receptor, and a film transport path that guides the microfilm from the projection optical path section in the transport direction. sensors arranged at shifted positions to detect the respective marks; a copying means for copying information of the image frame located in the projection optical path section; and an advancing means for advancing the microfilm along the transport path; Reversing means for reversing the microfilm along the transport path;
an input means for inputting positional information of a group of target image frames to be searched; and an input means for inputting positional information of a group of target image frames to be searched; and an input means for inputting positional information of a group of target image frames to be searched; and an input means for inputting position information of a group of target image frames to be searched; a storage means for storing the distance between each frame mark in the group; and after storing the distance between the frame marks, positioning the last image frame of the target image frame group at the center of the projection optical path section; The image information from the last image frame to the first frame of the target image frame group is transferred by repeating the backward movement of the microfilm by the backward movement means and the copying operation by the copying means. The present invention is an image information retrieval copying apparatus having a control means for sequentially copying image information from an image frame to a first image frame.

In addition to the above configuration, the present invention also provides a number input means for inputting the number of copies for each image frame constituting the target image frame group, and a number input means for inputting the number of copies for each image frame constituting the target image frame group; After the first image frame is shifted and conveyed to the position of the sensor, the microfilm is moved forward, and the target image frame is moved from when the sensor detects the target mark to when the next mark is detected. The image information retrieval apparatus includes an updating means for updating a distance value between each piece mark in a group and storing the updated value in the storage means.

Operation When the position information of the target image frame group to be searched among the plurality of image frame groups recorded on the microfilm is manually inputted, the position information of the image frame group to be searched for is manually inputted, and by moving the film forward, it is possible to locate the image frame group recorded on the image frame group by moving the film forward. The sensor detects the passage of the target mark.

From the time the sensor detects the target mark until the sensor detects the next mark, the value of the distance between each frame mark constituting the target image frame group is stored in the storage means.

Since the position of the sensor and the image projection section are misaligned, in order to correct this misalignment, the last image frame of the target image frame group is positioned on the projection optical path section, and then this last image is Each image frame is copied while transporting the film backwards one frame at a time from the first frame to the first frame. During this backward transport, the film is transported based on the stored distance value. In this way, when positioning and conveying each image to the projection optical path section for copying operations, the film is conveyed based on the stored distance value between the images, without depending on the frame marks. Therefore, even if the image frames are recorded in a mutually shifted state, a predetermined image can be accurately positioned on the projection optical path.

When the copying is completed, the respective copy sheets are stacked with the first page of one target image frame group positioned at the -Lmost stage. When making multiple copies of each image information, there are two methods: copying multiple copies for each image frame being projected and copying all image frame groups, and copying one copy of one image frame group in series and then There is a method of copying a second copy and making multiple copies, but in the latter method, after copying of one copy is completed, the microfilm is conveyed again and copying operations for the second and subsequent copies are performed. If the distance between the image frames is updated and memorized before each copying operation from the second copy onwards, the movement error caused when the film is repeatedly conveyed can be eliminated and high accuracy can be achieved. Image frames can be positioned.

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail based on the illustrated examples of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a reader printer to which the image information retrieval and copying apparatus of the present invention is applied. A screen (image receptor) 11 is provided on the front of the reader printer main body 10, and images recorded on microfilm are displayed on this reader printer. It is designed to be projected onto a screen 11. The microfilm is loaded into a carrier part 12 provided below the screen 11, and the image on the microfilm is projected onto the screen 11 to be read and searched, and the searched predetermined image is displayed. In order to copy the reader printer main body 11
A known electrophotographic printer section (not shown) is incorporated therein. This copying machine has a photosensitive drum as an image receptor. In order to operate this reader printer, a search board 13 is connected to the reader printer main body 11 and is operated mainly when feeding microfilm. A copy board 14 is provided on the front surface of the reader printer main body 11.

The internal groove structure of the carrier portion 12 shown in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2. As shown in the figure, the microfilm F is wound around a supply reel 20 in the form of a roll, and the supply reel 20 is detachably supported by a cartridge 21 and is rotatable. This cartridge 21 can be inserted through an opening (not shown) provided at the left end of the carrier part 12, and the microfilm F fed out from the supply reel 20 inside this cartridge 21 is inserted into the carrier part 12. It is adapted to be wound up on a take-up reel 22 provided inside.

The supply reel 20 can be rotated in forward and reverse directions in the feeding direction and the winding direction of the film F by a drive shaft 23 driven by a supply reel drive motor MR. When the cartridge 21 is loaded into the carrier portion 12, a solenoid is actuated by a switch (not shown) operated by the cartridge 21, and the supply reel 20 moves forward toward the core provided at the center of the supply reel 20. Further, the take-up reel 22 is rotated by a drive shaft 24 connected to a take-up reel driving motor ME.

In the carrier part 12, there is further provided a delivery roller 25 driven by a motor (not shown) and a delivery roller 25 driven by a motor (not shown) in order to transport the leading end of the microfilm F delivered from the cartridge 21 toward the take-up reel 22. It has a guide roller 26 that guides the fed film,
Furthermore, it has an encoder 27 for counting the transport distance of the microfilm F in both forward and backward directions, and an auxiliary roller 28 that comes into pressure contact with the encoder 27. Further, a guide roller 29 is provided within the carrier portion 12 and is positioned at the same level as the encoder 27 . In order to guide the microfilm F fed out from the supply reel 20 in the cartridge 21 to the take-up reel 22,
A plurality of guides 30 are provided between these,
A film transport path 31 is formed by these guides 30.

As shown in FIG. 2, light from a light source such as a lamp 35 is
After the light is focused by the condenser lens group 37 via the reflection mirror 36, it is irradiated onto the microfilm F located between the upper and lower pressure-bonded glasses 38, 39, and the image recorded on the microfilm F is thereby projected onto the projection lens 40. The image is enlarged and projected onto the screen 11. Therefore, the bonded glass portions 38 and 39 serve as a projection optical path section S for projecting image information from the light source 35 onto the screen 11, that is, the image receptor. When copying image information, the light passing through the projection optical path section S is irradiated onto a photosensitive drum, that is, an image receptor (not shown). When searching for images projected on the screen 11, the operator operates the keys on the search board 13.
The lower pressure bonding glass 39 is vertically movable so that the lower pressure bonding plate 39 is pressure bonded to the side pressure bonding glass 38 via the microfilm F when an image is projected.

On the upstream side of the microfilm F with respect to the glass 38 and 39, a light emitting element 41 such as an LED and a light receiving device such as a photosensor are provided for reading search information recorded corresponding to the image recorded on the film F. Elements 42 are provided facing each other, and these serve as a sensor 43 that detects a search mark.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the search board 13 shown in FIG. 1, and a key 45 labeled "REW" is a key operated when rewinding the microfilm onto the supply reel 20.

The key 46 labeled "SET" is used to set or finely adjust the address, and the keys 47 and 48 labeled with arrows are used to finely adjust the film in each direction. This is the key to be operated. “MEM
The key 49 labeled "" is a key operated when storing address data for searching in a temporary buffer, and the key 50 labeled "MEMR" is used to store data stored in the buffer. The key 51 labeled “CLR/STP” is a key operated when reading data.
This key is operated when erasing key input and when performing an emergency stop of operation.

A numeric keypad 52 marked with numbers 0 to 9 is provided next to each of the above-mentioned keys, and a key 53 marked "5ERCH" is a key operated when starting a search. Further, the key 54 labeled "BLOCK" is a key used when searching for images based on the major classification marks recorded on the microfilm, and is a key labeled 'BLOCK'.
The key 55 labeled "ATCH" is a key used when searching for images based on the intermediate classification marks recorded on microfilm. The key 56 labeled "BRO" The key 57 marked "MLT" is used when browsing and searching, and is used to input the number of copies when printing an image.The key marked "+" The key 58 marked with "-" and the key 59 marked with "-" are keys operated when advancing an image frame of the film, and the key 58 is used to advance the film, and the key 59 is used to move the film backward. Key 60 marked “PRINT”
is a key used to start copying, and when an address is input, it becomes a command key for instructing search and printing.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the copy board 14 shown in FIG. 1, and by operating the exposure volume 61, the illuminance of the light source 35 is changed.

The number of copies to be made is displayed in two digits on the display section 62.

The set button 63 marked with "10" is used to increase the number of copies, and the set button 64 marked with "-" is used to decrease the number of copies.These set buttons 63. The number of copies set by 64 is displayed on the display section 62. To reset the number of copies, the reset button 65 is operated. Also, to start copying, the printer button 66 is operated. Furthermore, the reset button 65 is also operated when it is desired to stop the printing operation in the middle of printing a plurality of sheets.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control circuit for controlling the operation of the image information retrieval and copying apparatus of the present invention. A microcomputer CPU 70 is connected to storage media such as a ROM 71, a RAM 72, and a non-volatile RAM 73. Control signals are sent to component parts such as a developing motor of an electrophotographic printer incorporated in the reader printer main body 10 and control members such as a film feed clutch through the input/output coupler door 5a. The take-up reel drive motor MF shown in FIG.
A control signal is sent from the CPU 70 via the encoder 7 directly connected to the motor MF in order to feedback control the rotation of the motor Ml'.
The pulse signal from 8a is sent to FOR motor driver 77a via FV converter 79a. Similarly, a control signal is sent to the supply reel drive motor MR from the REV motor driver 77b, and a pulse signal from the engine driver 78b directly connected to this motor is passed through the FV converter 79b to the motor driver 77b. will be given feedback.

A signal is sent from the CPU 70 to the display section 80 provided on the search board 13 and the copy board 14 described above through a display driver 81 for the input/output capo door 5c1. Further, human input signals from keys provided on these boards 13 and 14 are sent to the CPU 70 via the input/output capo door 5b. This C
The PU 70 has an R82 as a serial interface 82 for communicating with the host computer.
32C is connected, and a DIP switch 83 for setting the baud rate of this R3232C and search conditions is connected to the CPU 70 via the input/output coupler door 5b.

An example of the microfilm F loaded in the reader printer of the present invention is shown in FIG. 6, and the sensor 43 shown in FIG. 2 is attached to one side of the microfilm F as shown in FIG. A first sensor 43a for the A channel for detecting the recorded search mark, and a second sensor 43b for the B channel for detecting the search mark recorded on the other side of the microfilm F. Consisting of These are provided at a position a predetermined distance apart from the projection optical path section S on the upstream side in the forward direction of the microfilm F. However, FIG. 6 shows the film F with no retrieval mark recorded on the other side.

The signals from the respective sensors 43a and 43b described above are sent to the CPU 70 as shown in FIG. 5, and are sent to the CPU 70 as shown in FIG. Encoder 27 shown
In order to obtain the width of the search mark based on a signal from the CPU 70, a mark width counter 84a for the A channel and a mark width counter 84b for the B channel are each connected to the CPU 70 via the input/output coupler door 5d. There is.

The microfilm F used in the reader printer of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 6, which shows an example thereof.

On the microfilm F, for example, a large number of documents such as patent specifications and drawings are recorded at predetermined intervals.
Each member is one image piece.

Among the large number of image frames recorded in this way, all the image frames corresponding to one patent specification constitute one information group, and the leading edge of the microfilm F shown in the figure includes: 4 image frames, i.e. 90 (1) to 90 (4)
It is assumed that images are recorded as one information group, that is, an image frame group.

An issue mark D1 is recorded on the film F as a search mark corresponding to the first page of the first image frame group, that is, the leading image frame 90(1). Similarly,
The issue mark D2 is recorded at the tip of the second image frame group, that is, the image frame on the first page, and the code D200 is 2.
Indicates the image frame at the tip of the 00th image frame group, code D20
1 indicates the leading image frame of the 201st item 0 image frame group.

A frame mark e is recorded as a search mark on the film F in correspondence with the image frames on and after the second page of one image frame group. In FIG. 6, the symbol e2 indicates a frame mark corresponding to the second page of the first image frame group, and the symbol e4
indicates a frame mark corresponding to the image frame on the fourth page, which is the final page of the first image frame group.

These marks, both the subject mark and the frame mark, are provided at a position shifted by a distance W from the center of the projection optical path section S to the upstream side in the forward direction of the microfilm F.
Of the set of sensors? It is detected by the il sensor 43a. Whether the mark attached to each image frame is an issue mark or a frame mark is determined by the fifth mark, since the dimensions in the transport direction of the film F are different between the issue mark and the frame mark. It is identified by the signal from the mark counter 84a shown in the figure. Therefore, the subject mark corresponding to the leading image frame of one image frame group, for example, subject mark D1, also functions as a frame mark indicating the corresponding image frame. however,
A film may be used in which only the subject mark is attached at a position corresponding to the second sensor 43b, or a duo type film may be used in which image frames are recorded in two rows on the film. When this duo type film is used, marks corresponding to image frames in one row are detected by the first sensor 43a, and marks corresponding to image frames in the other row are detected by the second sensor 43b. That will happen.

In the present invention, among a plurality of image frames constituting one image frame group, the images of the first image frame are sequentially copied starting from the last image frame. The basics of the film conveyance mode will be explained with reference to FIG.

For example, assuming that each image frame from the first image frame group to the 200th image frame group among a large number of image frame groups recorded on the microfilm F is to be copied, by driving the take-up reel drive motor MF, The film F wound around the supply reel 20 is taken up from the leading end side of the reel 2.
Move it forward while winding it up with step 2. FIG. 7(A) shows that by advancing the film F in this way, the desired 2
This shows a state in which the target mark D200 attached to the first frame 91 (1) of the 00th image frame group is close to the sensor 43a. When this non-target mark D200 passes the sensor 43a and the trailing edge is detected, the motor M
A stop signal is sent to P, and the transport of the film is stopped.

The film is transported to this state at high speed in order to speed up the search operation, and even if the motor MP is suddenly stopped, the film cannot be stopped immediately at that position.
The film will overrun by a certain length.

FIG. 7(B) shows a state where the film actually stops after the motor MP stops and overruns. The time until this stop is experimentally determined, and the value is set in advance by the
It is stored in a storage medium such as OM71. This overrun distance is calculated by counting the number of pulses from the encoder 27.

Next, as shown in Fig. 7(C), reverse at medium speed,
When the unintended mark D200 passes, the film is stopped again, and then the film is advanced at low or medium speed.

As a result, the target mark D200 will pass the sensor again, but as shown in Figure 7 (D), the distance counter is turned on at the clear point where it passed and the pulses from the encoder 27 are counted. At the same time, the distance between the edge of the frame mark D200, which is also the frame mark of the first image frame, and the edge of the frame mark e2, which corresponds to the image frame 91(2) at the beginning of page 2, is stored in a storage means such as a RAM. do. This is sequentially counted and memorized, and the distance between the edge of the piece mark e2 corresponding to the image frame 91(2) and the edge of the piece mark e3 corresponding to the image frame 91(3) is counted and memorized. D
The film is advanced at medium speed until 201 passes the sensor. Figure 7 (E) shows the following mark D20
1 indicates that it has passed the sensor 43a, and the distance between the piece marks from the target mark D200 until the next mark D201 is detected is stored. The distance between the frame marks corresponds to the distance between the centers of image frames.

As shown in FIG. 7(E), at the position where the sensor 43a detects the next mark D201, the last position of the target image frame group, that is, the position of the n-th image frame 91(n), is on the projection optical path. Since the last image frame 91(n) is shifted from the position of the projection optical path section S, the film is continued to be advanced in order to align the last image frame 91(n) with the projection optical path section S, but the forward conveyance during this time is performed at a low speed.

In this way, as shown in FIG. 6, the last image frame 91(n) of the target image frame group is positioned at the projection optical path section S. From this state, the image information of the last image frame 91(n) is first copied by the copying machine 74, and then the film is moved backward at low speed to copy the image information of the image frame 91(n) adjacent to the last image frame 91(n). Copy the information of image frame n-1). In this way, by repeating the copying operation and the low-speed backward movement of the film, the image frame up to the first frame 90 (1) of the target image frame group is copied.

As described above, in the present invention, the target image frame group is located at the first frame of the next image frame group after being searched by detecting the subject mark located at the first frame. While advancing the film until the subject mark is detected, the distance between the frame marks attached corresponding to each image frame constituting the target image frame group is memorized. Since the position of the sensor and the projection optical path section is misaligned, after correcting the misalignment and positioning, or centering, the last image frame at the position of the projection optical path section, the film is moved backwards and the last image frame is The first image frame is copied sequentially from the last image frame. The pitch of backward movement during this backward movement is not based on the frame marks directly, but is based on the memorized distance count value between the frame marks, so the pitch between the image frames is different from each other. Even if an image frame is missing in between, the center of the image frame will be accurately positioned at the center of the projection light tread.

When copying the information of one target image frame group in multiple copies, do not copy one image frame consecutively for the set number of copies, but copy from the last image to the first image. Later, the copying operation is performed again by repeating copying from the last image to the first image a set number of times. This is to allow the copy sheets to be stacked one by one so that the operator can easily arrange the copies after copying is completed. The value of the distance between the frame marks that has been stored may be read out again to set the distance for backward transport of the film.

However, L7, if the film is repeatedly conveyed using the same distance data many times, there is a possibility that a shift will occur between the encoder roller 27 for determining the film conveyance distance and the film F.

If you update the distance value between each frame mark from the target mark to the next mark again after one copy operation is completed, even when copying multiple copies, each image frame It is possible to accurately position the image at a predetermined position in the projection destination section and copy an image without deviation.

To search for any image among the large number of images recorded on microfilm, press the numeric keypad 52 and key 55, then press the key 55, and the first frame of that group of image frames will be searched. , the image is projected onto the screen 11. Further, when copying the projected image, the button 66 on the copy board 4 is usually pressed. However, if you want to search for a predetermined group of image frames and also copy each image that makes up the group of image frames, if you press the key 60 on the search board 13 after inputting the position information, you can perform the search and copy operation. will be carried out.

Next, the details of the film conveyance mode of the present invention are shown in FIG.
) to (C).

Of course, the reader printer of the present invention can also be used normally, such as projecting the image recorded on the microfilm F onto the screen 11 to read and search any image. If so, it is possible to perform a copying operation of image information, which is usually a plurality of image frames forming one image frame group, sequentially from the last page to the first page.

Suppose that hundreds of image frame groups are recorded on one microfilm, and the arbitrary item number (medium classification number), that is, the position information, can be obtained by operating the keys 55 and numeric keypad 52 on the search board shown in Figure 3. If the key 60 is operated after this input, the beginning of the image frame with the set item number will be cued up, and each image frame constituting the image frame group of that item will be successively copied. Ru. For example, if it is assumed that the 200th frame group from the first frame group of microfilm F is to be retrieved, that numerical value will be input. The value of this key manual force is read in step 100 shown in FIG. 8(A), and by rotating the take-up reel 22, the film is conveyed in the forward direction at high speed as shown in step 101. During this conveyance process, as shown in step 102, each time the sensor 43a detects the mark,
In step 103, 1 is subtracted from the number BX of differences to the set non-target mark.

In step 104, BX=0, that is, the target mark D2
If it is determined that 00 has been detected, the motor MF is immediately stopped in step 105, and the timer is turned on in step 106. This timer is provided in the CPU 70 and starts counting the time determined through experiments from when the motor MF is stopped to when the film F actually stops. In experiments, this value is 0. It was 3 to 0.5 seconds.

Then, an overrun processing routine shown in steps 107 to 113 is executed 4. First, if it is determined in step 107 that the frame mark has passed from the time when the motor MP stops until the film actually stops, then in step 109 The number of passing frames is incremented by 1 in step 108 until the time is up. FIG. 7(B) shows a state in which the film F has stopped after counting two frame marks. next,
The motor MR is driven to move the film backward at a medium speed in step 110, and if the counted number of frames m becomes zero in step 113, it means that the overrun distance has been returned. FIG. 7(C) shows the state returned in this manner.

Subsequently, when the film F moves backward, the sensor 43a detects the passage of the target mark, that is, the mark D200 in the example described above, in step 114 shown in FIG. The state of step 115 is reached.
After stopping the motor MR at step 116, the motor MP is driven to transport the film F forward at low or medium speed.

Then, first in step 117, the unintended mark D200 is detected. This state corresponds to FIG. 7(D).

From this state, the distance counter is turned on in step 118. This distance counter counts the number of pulses from the encoder 27 to determine the transport distance of the film F. In step 119, the next mark, that is, the mark D201 after the purpose mark D200, is detected by the sensor 4.
from step 120 to step 1 until detected in step 3a.
23, the number of passages of each frame mark of the target image frame group,
The distance between each piece mark will be counted and stored.

That is, when a piece mark is detected in step 120, 1 is added to the number n of piece marks in step 121, and in step 122, the value Cn of the distance between the previous piece mark and the next piece mark is It is stored in the storage register LCN, and the distance counter is reset in step 123.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the first image frame 91 (1
) Next image frame 9 from the edge of mark D200 corresponding to
The distance C1 to the piece mark e2 corresponding to 1(2) is stored, and C2 and C3 are sequentially stored. And Figure 111Cn
The distance indicates the distance between the frame mark en corresponding to the last image frame 90 (n), which corresponds to the last page of the target image frame group, and the image frame mark e n-1 in front of it. The distance between the subject mark D201 attached corresponding to the first page of the group and the mark en is Cn+1.

When it is determined in step 119 that the next mark D201 has been detected, this corresponds to FIG. 7(E), and in step 124, the film F is switched from the medium-speed advance to the low-speed advance. By advancing the film at this speed,
If the distance count value Cm after detecting the next mark D201 is calculated and it is determined in step 126 that the sum of this value and the distance value Cn+1 is m, then in step 126 the motor MF is turned off. Stop. The value of m is the deviation dimension of the sensor 43a with respect to the projection optical path section S. When the motor MF stops in step 126, the film F immediately stops because it is transported at a low speed, and some of the target image frames are The last image frame 91(n) is positioned, that is, centered, on the projection optical path S, as shown in FIG. In this state, the last image frame 91 (
The image information of n) is projected onto the screen 11.

In step 127, C
The sum of m and Cnil is reset, and step 12
8 print subroutine is executed. In this step 128, the image of the projection optical path section S is irradiated not on the screen 11 but on a photosensitive drum (not shown) in the copying machine 74, and the image is copied. When copying one image is completed, it is determined in step 12 whether there are any other images to be copied.
It will be judged by 9. For example, if one image frame group consists of only one page of images, if the copying operation is completed in step 128, YES is determined in step 129, and one image frame group is is composed of a plurality of image frames with multi-page needles, when the copying of the last image frame is completed, the determination is No and step 130 is executed.

This step 130 is a step that starts by reading out the value of a distance counter between frame marks that has already been stored, and the film F is moved backward at a low speed by the distance of that value in step 131.

Step 132 indicates that the vehicle has been moved backward by the memorized distance.
If so, the number of pieces is subtracted by one in step 133, and the process returns to step 126.

As a result, the image adjacent to the already copied image is copied. That is, if image frame 91(n) has already been copied, image frame 91(n-1) is now copied. By repeating steps 126 to 133, all copies up to the first image frame 91(1) are made. When all copies are completed, the process advances to step 134.

There are cases where settings are made to make multiple copies of each image frame of the target image frame group. Even if multiple copies are set, in the present invention, the copying operation is performed by copying one image at a time from the last image frame to the first image frame, and then repeating the copy operation again.
I try to copy from the end. This is because if a set number of copies of one image frame are made to be continuously copied, the operator must rearrange the copies one by one after copying is completed.

Therefore, in step 134, after one set of copies is completed, 1 is subtracted from the set number of copies, that is, the number of multiple copies M. If the number of copies still remains, it is determined No in step 135, and in this case, step 13
6, a subroutine for preparing copies for the second and subsequent copies, that is, a subroutine for preparing for multiple copies is executed.

The details of this subroutine are shown in FIG. 8(C). First, in step 137, since the first image frame 91(1) is located in the projection optical path section S at the end of the previous copying operation, the last image frame 91(n) is placed in this position as the film advances. This is a step of calculating the distance required for setting again by feeding. As shown in FIG. 6, this distance is a value LCTI that is the sum of the values from C1 to Cn.

After calculating this value LCTI in step 137, the distance counter is turned on in step 138, and in step 139
Then, it is determined whether this value LCTI is larger than X or not.

This X is set to a distance value corresponding to the number of image frames, for example, 1 to 2, and if the distance to the last image frame is greater than this value X, the film is transported at medium speed. Time can be shortened. Therefore, if YES is determined in step 13, the film F is transferred to step 140.
Move forward at medium speed. In step 141, it is determined whether or not the result of subtracting the transport distance value LCR of the film F counted by the encoder from the value LCTI is the above-mentioned X. If it is determined that the result is the above-mentioned X, then the step 139 As in the case where it is determined No in step 14,
2 is executed, and the film F advances at a low speed. Then, if the result of subtracting the value LCR from the value LCT1 is zero, that is, the last image frame 91(n) is in the projection optical path section S, it is determined YES in step 143, and the film transport is stopped in step 144. will be stopped.

After step 144 is executed, the process returns to step 127 described above, and the second and subsequent copies are made. When making second and subsequent copies using the method described above, the values between each frame mark stored in steps 120 to 123 are repeatedly used for the set number of copies. However, if the value is repeatedly used many times, the encoder roller 27 and film F
Therefore, each time one copy is completed, the distance between the piece marks should be measured again and updated for the next copy. Then, the position of the image information relative to the projection optical path section S can be set more accurately.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a flowchart according to another specific example of the present invention embodying the above-mentioned method, and this flowchart is a flowchart for preparing copies for the second and subsequent copies of FIG. 8(C) in the above-mentioned embodiment. This corresponds to a subroutine.

At the time when step 135 shown in FIG. 8(B) is completed, copying of the first frame of one image frame group is completed, that is, in the above example, image frame 91 (1
) is located in the projection optical path section S. Therefore,
First, in step 145, the film is moved backward at a low speed, and the object mark D200 corresponding to the first frame 91 (1) is returned to the position of the sensor 43a. When it is returned to that position,
If YES is determined in step 146, the motor MR is stopped in step 147, and the film is switched back to advancing at a low or medium speed in step 148. This results in
The target mark D200 detected in step 149 is now detected when the film is in the advancing state, and is shown in FIG.
B) The indicated step 118 is performed. The process from this point on is the same as the case described above, and each time copying is completed, step 11 is performed.
Steps 9 to 123 are executed to newly store the distance between the piece marks.

Depending on the type of film loaded, etc., the distance 14 m between the sensor 43a and the image projection section S shown in FIG. 6 may change. For example, as shown in the figure, if a film is loaded that has a mark, for example, at the center of each image frame, rather than a film that has the above-mentioned mark that corresponds to the leading edge of each image frame, then the distance The value of m will change. In that case, the searched image position will be shifted from the position of the image projection unit S. In the present invention, it is possible to update the distance counter data corresponding to the deviation distance, that is, the pulse count value m of the encoder. The operating procedure will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

If the image set at the position of the image projection unit S and projected onto the screen 11 at that position is shifted to the left in FIG. If the key 47 is moved to the right, the film is moved backwards by operating the key 48 marked with an arrow indicating the backward direction.

Step 15 indicates that the operator has pressed the key 47.
If it is determined to be 0, it is determined in step 151 whether or not the fine adjustment flag is set in advance. This fine adjustment flag is key 47
．． This flag is set by the operation in step 48, and is the flag set in step 15.
If it is determined No in step 1, the stored distance m data is set to X in step 152, and a fine adjustment flag is set in step 153. In this case, the key 47 has been pressed, so in step 154 the motor MP is driven to advance the film at a low speed. Along with this forward movement, the number of pulses from the encoder is counted in steps 155 and 156. A maximum value is set for the distance data m, and transporting the film beyond the maximum value mmax
It is regulated in steps 157 and 158.

When the key 58 is operated, steps 159 to 167 are executed, and step 1
At 63, the film is moved backwards at low speed by motor MR,
In step 166, the distance data m is restricted to be less than or equal to the minimum value m5in.

If keys 47 and 48 are released, the motor will be stopped in step 168, but if any of these keys is not operated again and if these keys have been operated beforehand,
After determining YES in step 169 and determining in step 170 that the set key 46 shown in FIG. 3 has been operated, new data m is stored in step 171. In this case, the fine adjustment flag is turned off in step 172. If a key other than this key is operated without the set key 46 being operated, this is step 1.
The fine adjustment flag is turned off in steps 174 and 175, and the distance data becomes the changed value.

Furthermore, as other transport modes, the following methods can be mentioned among the basic concepts of the present invention.

In each of the embodiments described above, when determining the distance between each frame mark from one unintended mark to the next unintended mark, the film is advanced at a medium speed as shown in steps 116 to 123, and the image is The number of pieces is also counted at the same time. Therefore, from the time an unintended mark is detected until the next mark is detected, the film is transported at high speed to count only the number of frame marks, and then the film is returned to the position of the first frame. The distance between piece marks may be determined while controlling the transport speed according to the counted number of pieces.

In this case, the film can be transported at a low speed when there are fewer remaining image frames whose distances should be counted. The transport of the film, such as the operation during copying, is the same as described above.

In the above embodiment, the sensor 43 is provided on the upstream side of the projection optical path section S when the film F moves forward, but it may be provided on the downstream side. In addition, the edges of both the frame mark and the subject mark are made to match the edge of the leading edge of the film of each image frame,
The center of each mark in the film transport direction may be located at the center of each image frame. Furthermore, in addition to the frame mark and subject mark, the type of microfilm F also has a mark larger than the subject mark and indicating a major classification in order to indicate a plurality of image frames as one unit or group. It is possible to use a film.

Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, the sensor for detecting search marks such as subject marks and frame marks attached to the microfilm is provided at a position offset from the projection optical path. The sensitivity of the sensor does not change depending on the projection magnification, which not only eliminates the need to adjust the sensitivity of the sensor, but also prevents malfunction of the sensor and improves detection accuracy. Furthermore, since there is no need to position the sensor in the projection optical path, there is no need to take a special configuration that prevents the shadow of the sensor from being projected onto the image receptor.

In addition, when copying each image frame of a group of image frames constituting one information group, copying is performed sequentially from the smallest page part, that is, the last image frame, toward the first frame image. Therefore, after the copying is completed, the first page is stacked on top of the other, and the copying is completed. In order to perform such copying, the distance between each image frame is first memorized by counting the distance between the frame marks, and then the distance between each image frame is calculated based on the stored distance data. Since the film is conveyed at the same time, each image frame can be positioned in the projection optical path.
Not only can an image be projected at a predetermined position on the screen, but also an image can be accurately formed at a predetermined position on copy paper.

Furthermore, when copying a plurality of images for each image frame, all the copying operations can be completed by updating the distance data between the frame marks each time one copy is completed. It becomes possible to position the image frames with high precision over the entire process.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a reader printer embodying the image information retrieval/copying apparatus of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing a film carrier section incorporated in the reader printer of FIG. 1; 3 is a plan view showing essential parts of the search board shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a front view showing the copy board shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a control circuit in the reader printer of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a partially omitted plan view showing an example of a microfilm with the last image frame positioned in the projection optical path, and FIGS. 7(A) to 7(E) are Partially omitted plan views showing the microfilm transport procedure in the present invention, FIGS. 8(A) to 8(C)
9 is a flowchart showing the operating process of the apparatus when a copying operation is performed according to the present invention, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operating process according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a subroutine in the fine adjustment mode. It is a flowchart. rum, MP... take-up reel drive motor (advancing means), Mf? ... Supply reel drive motor (backward movement means).

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A large number of image frames, an item mark corresponding to the tip of a group of image frames constituting one information group, and a frame mark corresponding to each image frame are formed on the microfilm. An image information retrieval copying apparatus configured to irradiate information onto an image receptor with light from a light source, the film transport path guiding the microfilm across a projection optical path section from the light source to the image receptor; a sensor provided at a position offset from the projection optical path section in the transport direction to detect each of the marks; a copying means for copying information of the image frame located in the projection optical path section; an advancing means for advancing the microfilm along the transport path; a reversing means for moving the microfilm backward along the transport path; an input means for inputting position information of a group of target image frames to be searched; a storage means for storing the distance between each frame mark in the target image frame group from when the sensor detects the target mark to when the next target mark is detected; After storing, the last image frame of the target image frame group is positioned and moved to the center of the projection optical path section, and the image information from the last image frame to the first frame of the target image frame group is An image information retrieval copying apparatus comprising: a control means for sequentially copying image information from the last image frame to the first image frame by repeating the backward movement of the microfilm by the reversing means and the copying operation by the copying means. . (2) The image information retrieval device according to claim 1, further comprising: a number input means for inputting the number of copies for each image frame constituting the target image frame group; After the first image frame located in the optical path is shifted and conveyed to the position of the sensor, the microfilm is moved forward, so that the time from when the sensor detects the target mark to when it detects the next mark is determined. An image information retrieval device comprising: updating means for updating a distance value between each frame mark in the target image frame group and storing the updated value in the storage means.