JPH10239763A - Photographing camera and viewer system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the cost by improving a viewer system constituted so that the image of a developed photographic film is displayed on a CRT monitor. SOLUTION: The viewer system is constituted of the photographing camera 2 and an image pickup unit 3. The camera 2 is provided with an image pickup function as a single body. When the viewer system is constituted, the camera 2 is attached between the front wall 3a of the unit 3 and an illumination device 45 by being turned upside down. The developed photographic film 30 is positioned between the rear surface of an exposure frame 28 and a transparent plate for regulating a film position 32. Besides, a light shielding cover 20 and a shielding plate 43 are opened and an illumination lamp 53 is turned on. Then, the image of the film 30 is picked up by an image sensor 52 through an image forming optical system 50.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a viewer system capable of easily observing an image recorded on a photographic film. More specifically, a photographic camera used for photographing is also used as a component of the viewer system. It relates to a photo camera and a viewer system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A photographic camera using a IX-240 type photographic film cartridge has been commercialized since April 1996. Photo system using this type of photo film cartridge (APS: Advanced Photo System)
Then, the developed photo film is stored in the original film cartridge in the form of a roll and returned to the customer.Therefore, to observe the image recorded on the film, remove the film from the cartridge. It is supposed to be pulled out and observed, or a special viewer device is purchased and observed with this device.

[0003] Viewer devices used for this purpose include:
What is necessary is just to load the film cartridge containing the developed photographic film as it is. Thereafter, the photographic image of an appropriate frame can be observed while the frame is fed by the film feeding mechanism built in the viewer. In addition, since the developed photographic film can be wound around and stored in the film cartridge even after use, it can be stored in a 135 point.
This is more advantageous than a conventional system using a film.

[0004]

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-5875 discloses a photographic camera with a viewer function which enables image observation of a developed photographic film without the need for such a viewer device. I have. However, since this photo camera has a configuration in which an image opening provided on the back of the camera body is opened to perform image observation, images that can be normally observed are limited to photographic images photographed on a positive film. There's a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and has as its object to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and to provide a viewer system capable of remarkably reducing the cost as compared with a conventional viewer device. Aim. A major feature of the viewer system of the present invention is that a photographic camera is included in the system configuration, and thus a photographic camera is also an object of the present invention as a component of the viewer system.

When the photographic camera of the present invention is used in a viewer system, a developed photographic film is loaded, whereas when used for photography, an unexposed photographic film is loaded. Therefore, it is also an object of the present invention to enable a user to operate a photographic camera or a viewer system without error in any case.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention focuses on the fact that a film feeding mechanism provided as a basic configuration of a photographic camera can be used in a viewer system. A light-transmitting window is formed on the rear surface of the camera body, and an image of the developed photographic film can be easily captured by the image pickup unit mounted on the rear surface of the camera body through the light-transmitting window. The light-transmitting window can be freely opened and closed by a shielding member, and when used as a photographic camera, the light-transmitting window is closed light-tight. The photographic camera is provided with a mode switching means and a connection terminal for making an electrical connection with the imaging unit, the shielding member is opened only when the mode is set to the viewer mode, and the developed position is determined at the shooting position. An image of the film frame of the photographic film is captured by the imaging unit through the light transmitting window.

When the light-transmitting window on the back of the camera body is opened, light cannot be blocked inside the camera body. Therefore, an undeveloped photographic film is erroneously loaded as it is, or the photographic film is loaded after such a photographic film is loaded. Opening the light window wastes unused photo film or already taken photo film. For this reason, the photographic camera of the present invention is provided with means for identifying whether or not the loaded photographic film has been developed. When the undeveloped film is loaded, the opening of the shielding member is prohibited. A safety mechanism is provided to prohibit loading of undeveloped photographic film when the member is opened.

A viewer system according to the present invention is constructed by combining an image pickup unit with a photographic camera having a light-transmitting window on the back of the camera body. The imaging unit has an imaging window on a front wall facing the back of the camera body, and incorporates an imaging optical system and an image sensor behind the imaging window. The imaging unit includes an illumination device. When the photographic camera is mounted on the imaging unit, the illumination device is located on the front side of the camera body. The illumination light from the illumination device illuminates the film frame at the shooting position from the front side of the camera body through the exposure frame, and the image is formed on the image sensor through the light transmission window, the imaging window, and the imaging optical system, and the image is captured. You. The video signal thus obtained is output to the outside of the imaging unit, and the image can be observed on a CRT monitor or the like.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. 1, a viewer system of the present invention basically comprises a photographic camera 2 and an imaging unit 3.
, And can be operated by the remote control transmitter 4 when using the viewer system. The photographic camera 2 has a photographic lens 6 on a front surface of a camera body 5 and a projection / reception window 7 for distance measurement, similarly to a normal photographic camera.
a, 7b and a finder objective window 8 are provided.

A shutter button 9 is provided on the upper surface of the camera body.
a, an input operation unit 9 including a mode input unit 9b, and an LCD display unit 10 using a liquid crystal display panel.
When the photographic camera 2 is used in the camera mode for photographing, the LCD display unit 10 displays, in addition to the setting information for the camera mode, the number of frames to be photographed and various setting information necessary for photographing. Is displayed, and when the photo camera 2 is used in the viewer mode by operating the mode input section 9b, setting information for the viewer mode is displayed to inform whether or not the mode switching operation has been properly performed. After the display confirmation, the mounting operation of the imaging unit described later is performed. Further, a strobe light emitting unit 11 is foldably incorporated on the upper surface of the camera body.

A loading lid 12 for a photographic film cartridge is provided on the bottom of the camera body. As shown in FIG. 4, an IX-240 type photographic film cartridge 13 is used in the photographic camera 2. When the photographic film cartridge 13 is loaded and unloaded, the photographic film is completely inserted into the film cartridge up to its tip. You are involved.

As shown in FIG. 2, the viewfinder eyepiece window 15 and the zoom operation knob 1 are provided on the back of the camera body as in the prior art.
6 are provided. Further, in this photographic camera 2, a light-transmitting window 18 is formed substantially at the center of the back of the camera body.
In the illustrated state, it is closed by a pair of light shielding covers 20. These light-shielding covers 20 serve as light-shielding members for keeping the inside of the camera body 5 light-tight when the photo camera 2 is used in the camera mode, and slide up and down when the photo camera 2 is used in the viewer mode. The light window 18 is opened.

A connection terminal 22 is further provided on the back of the camera body.
Is incorporated. The connection terminal 22 is connected to the connection terminal 23 (see FIG. 1) of the imaging unit 3 when using the photographic camera 2 in the viewer mode, and is not used when using the camera mode. Therefore, it is preferable to provide it in the concave portion as shown in the figure so as not to interfere with the photographing operation. Reference numeral 24 indicates a loading lid for a power supply battery.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the internal structure of the photographic camera 2. The taking lens 6 has a zoom lens configuration, and a shutter 25 is incorporated therein. Shutter 2
A well-known program shutter 5 is used for performing exposure control by a combination of an exposure time and an aperture diameter corresponding to the subject luminance. The shutter 25 can be kept open when the photographic camera 2 is used in the viewer mode. A real image type is used for the finder optical system, and the objective lens 26a and the eyepiece 2 are used.
An erecting prism 26c is arranged between the erecting prism 26c.

An exposure frame 28 is provided at the back of the exposure chamber. The photographic film 30 is in contact with the back of the exposure frame 28 at the photographing position, and the exposure range is determined by the opening of the exposure frame 28. Behind the exposure frame 28, a film position regulating plate 32 is provided so as to support the rear surface of the photographic film 30. The film position regulating plate 32 is transparent, for example, glass or hard plastic is used. Then, the photographic film 30 sent to the photographing position is positioned in the optical axis direction by a tunnel passage formed by the back surface of the exposure frame 28 and the front surface of the film position regulating plate 32.

A translucent window 18 formed on the back of the camera body
The pair of light-shielding covers 20, 20 described above are incorporated between the light-shielding cover 32 and the film position regulating plate 32. Racks are formed on the front side of each light-shielding cover 20 so as to extend in the vertical direction, and gears 34 and 34 are engaged with each rack. When the upper and lower gears 34, 34 rotate clockwise and counterclockwise, respectively, the light shielding covers 20, 20 slide up and down, respectively, to open the light transmitting window 18.
When the upper light-shielding cover 20 moves to the open position, it enters between the pair of eyepieces 26b and cuts off the finder optical path. When the motor 36 is driven, the gears 34, 34 are rotated in an opening direction and a closing direction of the light-shielding covers 20, 20 via an appropriate gear train (not shown).
The other motor 37 shown in the figure is a motor for zooming, and is used for extending the lens barrel of the photographing lens 6.

FIG. 4 shows the appearance when the photographic camera 2 is mounted on the image pickup unit 3 to form a viewer system.
When the photographic camera 2 is used in the viewer mode, the photographic camera 2 is mounted on the imaging unit 3 with the camera body bottom face up.
The loading lid 12 provided on the bottom of the camera body
By pushing in 9, it is unlocked from the closed position and can be opened as shown. When the loading lid 12 is pushed in the closing direction against the urging of the spring in the opening direction, the loading lid 12 is locked at the closed position. When the photographic camera 2 is set to the viewer mode, the remote control sensor 40 projects from one side of the camera body as shown in the figure. This remote control sensor 40 is stored in the camera body when used in the camera mode.

As shown in FIG. 1, an imaging window 42 is formed in the front wall 3a of the imaging unit 3 and can be closed by a pair of shielding plates 43 provided inside when not in use. A composite output terminal 44 is provided on a side surface of the imaging unit 3 so that a video signal can be output to an external device.
a and an S output terminal 44b. In addition, an RGB output terminal or the like may be provided as an external output terminal so that image data can be directly output to a personal computer, for example. The power supply of this imaging unit 3 is 100 volts AC so that it can be easily used in ordinary households.

The image pickup unit 3 is provided with a lighting device 45 so as to face the front wall 3a. The illuminating device 45 is connected to the main body of the imaging unit 3 via the bridge 46, and the distance between the two can be changed by adjusting the length of the bridge 46. Further, wiring for electrically connecting the illumination device 45 and the imaging unit main body is incorporated in the bridge portion 46, and the illumination device 45 can be controlled by a signal from the main body. It has become.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main part in a state where the viewer system is configured. The internal structure of the image pickup unit 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The pair of shield plates 43, 43 are opened and closed by the rotation of a pair of gears 48, which mesh with a rack formed on the back surface, similarly to the light shielding covers 20, 20 of the photographic camera 2. An imaging optical system 50 and an area-type image sensor 52 are incorporated behind the shielding plates 43 and 43. Reference numeral 51 indicates a circuit unit built in the imaging unit body.

The image forming optical system 50 reduces the image of the photographic film 30 on the photoelectric surface of the image sensor 52 and forms an image when the photographic camera 2 is set and the light shielding covers 20 and 20 are opened as shown in the figure. . Since the photographic camera 2 is always mounted at a fixed position with respect to the imaging unit 3, the imaging optical system 50 does not necessarily require a focusing function. If the imaging optical system 50 is provided with a zoom function, a partial enlarged observation of a photographic image becomes possible.

The illuminating device 45 includes an illuminating lamp 53, a condenser lens 54, and a diffusing plate 55. Exposure frame 28 on photo film 30 in position
Give illumination light through. Therefore, when using the photographic camera 2 in the viewer mode, the lens barrel of the photographing lens 6 is housed in the camera body, and the lens system in the lens barrel is photographed without loss of illumination light from the illumination device 45. It is desirable to automatically set the photographic film 30 at a position where the photographic film 30 is irradiated. In addition, it is also possible to make the photographing lens 6 detachable, and to provide illumination light through the mount opening after the detachment.

FIG. 7 shows a functional block diagram of the entire viewer system. The connection terminal 22 provided on the back of the photographic camera 2 and the connection terminal 23 provided below the front wall 3a of the imaging unit 3 constitute a connector 58. With this connector 58, the imaging CPU 60 built in the main body of the imaging unit 3 together with the interface circuit 59.
And the camera-side CPU 62 built in the camera body 5 are connected.

The imaging CPU 60 is provided with the image sensor 5
2. It controls the driving of the A / D converter 64, the signal processing circuit 65, the buffer memory 66, and the video signal output circuit 67. The imaging signal from the image sensor 52 is digitally converted by an A / D converter 64 and input to a signal processing circuit 65. The signal processing circuit 65 amplifies the digitized image signal to an appropriate level by an auto gain controller or the like, performs R, G, and B color separation, and further controls signals such as white balance adjustment, γ correction, and matrix operation. Processing is performed to output image data for one screen.

The image data for one screen thus obtained is written to the buffer memory 66, and thereafter the image data written to the buffer memory 66 is transferred to the video signal output circuit 6.
7, the image data for one screen is converted to N
It can be output to an external device as a composite video signal conforming to the TSC system or as an S-video signal. Therefore, image observation is possible by inputting these video signals to a CRT monitor or a home television receiver.

The imaging CPU 60 controls the driving of the shield plate driver 68 and the illumination lamp driver 69 in addition to the above-described image signal processing. The shielding plate 43 is opened and closed via the gears 48 and 48 by the driving of the shielding plate driver 68. In addition, the lighting lamp 53 is driven to turn on / off the lighting lamp 53. A sequence program for operating the imaging unit 3 is stored in a ROM area of the memory 70, and a RAM area is used for temporarily storing and reading out flags and control data obtained when the sequence program is executed.

The camera-side CPU 62 reads the RO
According to the shooting sequence program stored in the M area, the operation of each mechanism is monitored and controlled when the photo camera 2 is used in the camera mode. A viewer sequence program for using the photo camera 2 in the viewer mode is also stored in the ROM area of the memory 72, and is called by the camera CPU 62 in the viewer mode. When the viewer sequence program is executed, communication of control signals is performed between the imaging CPU 60 and the camera CPU 62. The RAM area of the memory 72 is used for temporary storage and reading of flags, control data, and the like obtained when each sequence program is executed.

With the execution of the photographing sequence program,
Driven or monitored by the camera-side CPU 62,
A typical controlled mechanism is shown as a functional block in FIG. The zoom mechanism and the autofocus mechanism are not shown in the figure because a known mechanism can be applied as it is. Disk code sensor 7 shown
4. The loading lid locking mechanism 75, the light shielding lid opening / closing mechanism 76, the film feeding mechanism 77, the PF detection sensor 78, and the magnetic recording / reproducing device 79 are each unique to a camera using the IX-240 type photographic film cartridge 13. However, prior to the description of the function, first, a known photographic film cartridge 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
3 will be schematically described.

The photographic film cartridge 13 includes a plastic cartridge main body 80 and a photographic film 30, and a spool 81 and a light shielding cover 82 are rotatably incorporated in the cartridge main body 80, respectively. The rear end of the photo film 30 is locked to the spool 81, and the photo film 30 is normally moved to the front end in the cartridge body 8 in the normal state.
It is caught in 0. Also, the film doorway 83
Is closed by a light shielding cover 82. Keys are provided on the end faces of the spool 81 and the light-shielding lid 82, respectively, and are exposed from the end faces of the cartridge body 80.

A window 80a is provided on the insertion end of the cartridge body 80 so as not to hinder the light shielding inside the cartridge body 80, and the data disk 85 integrally connected to the spool 81 is partially exposed. A bar code is radially provided on the upper surface of the data disk 85, and the type of the photographic film 30 stored therein by the bar code (negative / positive, color / monochrome, number of recordable images, IS
O sensitivity). Data disk 8
5, a sector-shaped notch 85a is formed in a certain angle range,
The data disk 85 and the spool 81 are integrated so that the notch 85a is at a fixed angle position with respect to the direction of the key formed on the end face of the spool 81.

The rotation phase of the spool 81 is determined according to the usage of the photo film cartridge 13. For this reason, the shape of the key formed on the end face of the spool 81 for engagement with the spool drive shaft on the camera side is not subject to rotation, and the direction of the key is such that the photographic film cartridge 13 is not used. It is determined according to whether it is used (photographed) or developed. As described above, since the notch 85a of the data disk 85 is at a fixed angular position with respect to the direction of the key of the spool 81, the photo film pattern is similarly determined depending on the angular position at which the notch 85a is stopped. The usage status of the tone 13 can be represented.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the photo film cartridge 13 is inserted into the loading chamber 2a of the photo camera 2 by a predetermined amount in the axial direction, the key formed on the end face of the light shielding cover 82 corresponds to the light shielding cover on the camera side. The open / close shaft engages. Further, the spool drive shaft on the camera side is pressed against the end surface of the spool 81 by urging the spring. When the loading lid 12 is closed, the loading lid lock mechanism 75 operates. For example, an electromagnet is used in combination with the loading lid lock mechanism 75, and the loading operation locks the loading lid 12 to the closed position against the urging of the spring in the opening direction, and the loading chamber 2a enters a light-shielding state.

When the proper locking operation of the loading lid lock mechanism 75 is confirmed by the camera CPU 62, the initial drive of the film feed mechanism 77 drives the spool drive shaft in the film winding direction. Then, when the direction of the engagement piece provided at the tip of the spool drive shaft matches the direction of the key on the end surface of the spool, they are engaged to drive the spool 81. When the locking operation of the loading lid lock mechanism 75 is confirmed, the disc code sensor 74 is activated.
Becomes active.

As the disk code sensor 74, a reflection type photo sensor is used, and a bar code is optically read from the data disk 85 through the window 80a. When the barcode reading is started, the disk code sensor 74 is started.
A pulse signal corresponding to the bar code arrangement is obtained from the data disk 85. While the notch 85a passes through the detection area of the disk code sensor 74, the signal becomes a no-signal state with a time width corresponding to the rotation speed of the data disk 85. Therefore, the passage of the notch 85a is identified while rotating the data disk 85 several times,
Based on this, the barcode array is read, and the type information of the photo film 30 can be obtained. When the type information is read in this manner, the spool drive shaft is stopped.

Further, immediately after the start of the above-described barcode reading, the notch 85a is formed before the data disk 85 is rotated based on the phase difference between the pulse signal obtained from the disk code sensor 74 and the no-signal state. It is possible to confirm whether or not it was at an appropriate angular position. This confirmation information is used as the usage status of the photo film cartridge 13. Then, when it is confirmed that the photo film cartridge 13 is not used, the light shielding cover opening / closing mechanism 76 is driven to open the light shielding cover 82.

When the light shielding cover 82 is opened by the light shielding cover opening / closing mechanism 76, the film feeding mechanism 77 is driven again, and the spool 81 is rotated in the film feeding direction (clockwise in FIG. 5). As a result, the leading end of the photographic film 30 is sent out from the film entrance 83, and the photographic film 30 is sent into the film winding chamber in the camera body through the tunnel passage between the exposure frame 28 and the film position regulating plate 32.

After the leading end of the photographic film 30 is wound on the winding shaft rotating in the film winding chamber,
The photo film 30 is fed by the winding shaft. Then, when the first frame is sent to the shooting position behind the exposure frame 28, the film feeding mechanism 77 is stopped, and the first frame is ready for shooting.

Whether or not the first frame has been sent to the photographing position is detected by a perforation detection sensor (PF detection sensor) 78 provided at a predetermined position on the camera body. The PF detection sensor 78 is formed of, for example, a photo interrupter, and photoelectrically detects the passage of a perforation 30 a provided on the photographic film 30. As shown in FIG. 5, two perforations 30a are provided for each frame corresponding to the left and right ends of the photographing frame 30b. Therefore, after driving the film feeding mechanism 77 after photographing the first frame. By stopping the film feeding when two perforations 30a have passed, the film can be fed one frame at a time.

On the other hand, when the used photographic film cartridge 13 is inserted into the loading chamber 2a and the loading lid 12 is closed, the camera-side CPU 62 performs the following processing. The loading lid 12 is once locked in the closed position by the loading lid lock mechanism 75. Subsequently, the film feeding mechanism 77 starts the initial drive as described above, and the spool 81 is driven in the film winding direction. During this time, the disk code sensor 7
4 based on the signal from the photographic film cartridge 13
Is used, and it is identified that the used one is loaded at this time.

In this case, the drive of the light-shielding cover opening / closing mechanism 76 is prohibited, and the camera-side CPU 62 performs a discharging process of the loaded cartridge. First, the stop position of the spool drive shaft is determined by drive control of the film feeding mechanism 77 so that the spool 81 returns to the angular position at the time of loading. Subsequently, the loading lid lock mechanism 75 is unlocked. Thus, the loading lid 12 is opened by the bias of the spring, and the loaded photographic film cartridge 13 is ejected from the loading chamber 2a.

The above-described discharging process of the loaded cartridge is performed in the same manner even when the developed photographic film cartridge 13 is loaded as long as the photographic camera 2 is used in the camera mode. However, when used in the viewer mode, as described later, the loaded cartridge is ejected differently from that in the camera mode.

The magnetic recording / reproducing device 79 is driven at the time of feeding one frame of a film after photographing, and stores date information, exposure information and the like in the recording area 30 set at the lower part outside the screen of the photographed frame.
Magnetic recording is performed on c. When the photographic camera 2 has a function of designating a trimming range at the time of photo printing, the trimming information is also recorded. Therefore, a transparent magnetic recording layer is applied to the back of the photographic film 30. The information magnetically recorded in this way can be read out by the magnetic recording / reproducing device 79 when the photographic film 30 is loaded into the photographic camera 2 again after the development processing, and can also be used when reading out by the photographic printer and performing the printing processing. You can also.

The photometric circuit 88 and shutter drive circuit 89 have the same functions as a conventional photographic camera. Photometric circuit 88
Measures the subject brightness through the photometry window 88a (FIG. 1), A / D converts the measurement information, and inputs it to the camera CPU 62. The camera-side CPU 62 calculates an exposure time according to a specified exposure program and inputs the calculated exposure time to the shutter drive circuit 89. The shutter drive circuit 89 includes a shutter button 9a.
, The shutter 25 is controlled to open and close based on the input exposure time. When the photographic camera 2 is used in the viewer mode, a full open command is appropriately issued from the camera CPU 62 to the shutter drive circuit 89, in which case the shutter 25 is fully opened.

The cover driver 90 is a CPU 62 on the camera side.
The motor 36 is driven by a command from the
Open and close 0,20. When the light-shielding cover 20 moves to the open position or the closed position, the cover sensor 91 detects this at each position, and inputs an open position signal and a closed position signal to the camera-side CPU 62. As such a cover sensor 91, a micro switch or a photo sensor can be used.

Hereinafter, the operation of the viewer system having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. When the photo camera 2 is used alone in the camera mode, it is first checked whether or not the camera mode has been set by the mode display on the LCD display unit 10. If the camera mode is still the viewer mode, the mode input unit 9b is operated. To switch to camera mode. This mode switching operation is effectively accepted only when the photo film cartridge 13 is not loaded in the loading chamber 2a. When the camera mode is set, the camera CPU 62
Checks whether a closing signal is input from the cover sensor 91, and when the opening signal is input, activates the cover driver 90 to move the light shielding covers 20, 20 to the closed position.

When the close signal from the cover sensor 91 is confirmed, the camera CPU 62 locks the cover driver 90. Therefore, even if the photographing sequence program hangs up thereafter, no drive signal is input to the cover driver 90, and the light-shielding cover 20 is not opened.

The loading cover 12 is opened by operating the button 39 on the bottom of the camera body, and the photographic film cartridge 13 is loaded in the loading chamber 2a. When the loading lid 12 is closed, the loading lid lock mechanism 75 operates to lock the loading lid 12 at the closed position. Subsequently, a process of identifying the use state of the loaded photo film cartridge 13 is performed. If the photo film cartridge 13 is not used, the light shielding cover 82 is opened, the first frame is fed to the photographing position, and the photographing standby state is set. . When the loaded photo film cartridge 13 is used or developed, the loading lid lock mechanism 75 is unlocked, and the loading lid 1 is released.
2 is opened, and the photographic film cartridge 13 is discharged.

After an unused photographic film cartridge 13 is loaded and the first frame is fed to the photographing position, the sequence shifts to a normal photographing sequence. Each time the shutter button 9a is operated, the shutter 25 is opened and closed, and the film is opened. One frame is fed, and the photograph can be sequentially taken on the photographic film 30. The photographic film 30 has the exposure frame 2 at the shooting position.
Positioning in the optical axis direction is performed between the back surface of the film 8 and the film position regulating plate 32.

When the photographing up to the last frame is completed, the film rewinding process is automatically performed, and the photographic film 30 is wound into the cartridge body 80 up to the leading end thereof, and the angular position of the spool 81 is set at a position corresponding to the used position. The stop position of the spool drive shaft is determined so as to stop. During the one-frame feeding period after photographing, information recording is performed for each frame position photographed by the magnetic recording / reproducing device 79.

Therefore, even if a photograph is taken halfway through the photographic film 30 and rewinded, when the photographic film cartridge 13 is reloaded, it is possible to determine to which frame position the magnetic recording has been performed by the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus. If you identify with 79, you can know the position of the frame that has been taken,
It is also possible to continue shooting from a new frame position. Of course, in this case, when rewinding is performed halfway, the spool 81 is stopped at the angular position corresponding to the state where the halfway photographing has been completed. This means that the photographic film cartridge 13 on the way has been loaded.

Used photo film cartridge 13
At the DPE store, the developed photo film 30 is returned in a state of being stored in the same cartridge body 80 again. Therefore, when reproducing a photographic image from the developed photographic film 30 and observing it with, for example, a home television receiver, the photographic camera 2 is switched to the viewer mode and used in combination with the imaging unit 3. In addition,
The switching operation from the camera mode to the viewer mode is also prohibited when the photo film cartridge 13 is still loaded in the loading chamber 2a.

When the photographic camera 2 is mounted on the image pickup unit 3, the photographic camera 2 is set with the bottom thereof facing upward as shown in FIGS. Front wall 3 of imaging unit 3
The back of the camera body 5 is aligned with a, and the length of the bridge portion 46 is adjusted to position the photographic camera 2 between the front wall 3a of the imaging unit 3 and the lighting device 45. By this mounting operation, the respective connection terminals 22 and 23 are connected. Signals are exchanged between the imaging CPU 60 and the camera CPU 62, and it is confirmed that both are properly connected. When the photographic camera 2 is mounted on the imaging unit 3, power is supplied to the photographic camera 2 from the imaging unit 3 side, and the built-in battery of the photographic camera is not used.

As shown in FIG. 9, after the electrical connection between the photographic camera 2 and the imaging unit 3 has been confirmed, the photographic film cartridge 13 enters a standby state for loading. Button 39
Is operated to open the loading lid 12, and the photographic film cartridge 13 in which the developed photographic film 30 is wound is loaded into the loading chamber 2a. When the loading lid lock mechanism 75 is operated and the loading lid 12 is locked at the closed position, a process of confirming whether or not the loaded photographic film cartridge 13 has been developed is executed. When the photographic camera 2 is used in the viewer mode, the mounting operation of the imaging unit 3 is indispensable. Therefore, whether or not the imaging unit 3 is properly mounted is confirmed by the connection state between the connection terminals 22 and 23. The confirmation signal can be used as a final switching signal to the viewer mode, and the photographic camera 2 can be set to the viewer mode.

Based on the initial position of the data disk 85,
When it is confirmed that the loaded photo film cartridge 13 has been developed, the light-shielding cover 20 incorporated in the back of the camera body moves to the open position, and the light-transmitting window 1 is opened.
8 is opened, and the shielding plate 43 on the imaging unit 3 side also moves to the open position, and the imaging window 42 is opened. The light shielding cover 82 of the photographic film cartridge 13 is opened by the operation of the light shielding cover opening / closing mechanism 76, and the first frame is fed to the photographing position between the back surface of the exposure frame 28 and the film position regulating plate 32 to enter a standby state. Become.

Further, the remote control sensor 40 protrudes from the side of the photographic camera 2 to be in a standby state for receiving a remote control signal. The loaded photo film cartridge 13
Is an undeveloped one (unused, partially photographed, photographed and developed), the loading lid lock mechanism 75 is unlocked, the loading lid 12 is opened, and the photographic film cartridge 13 is discharged. Will be

The fact that the first frame has been sent to the shooting position is as follows.
The signal is detected by the PF detection sensor 78 as in the case of the camera, but the detection signal is transmitted through the connector 58 to the imaging side C.
It is input to PU60. In response to this signal, the imaging-side CPU 60 reads out a display pattern corresponding to the first frame from among the display patterns of the frame numbers prepared in the memory 70 in advance, and externally outputs the same through the video signal output circuit 67.
Therefore, when a television receiver is connected to the imaging unit 3, the frame number “1” is displayed on the display screen.
Is displayed only.

To observe the image of the first frame, the user operates the remote control transmitter 4 to input an image display. The image display signal is transmitted from the remote control sensor 40, the connector 5
8 is input to the imaging CPU 60. Upon receiving this image display signal, the image-capturing-side CPU 60
Is operated to turn on the illumination lamp 53. Further, the camera CPU 62 outputs a fully open signal to the shutter drive circuit 89, whereby the shutter 25 is fully opened.

Subsequently, the imaging process is started. The first frame set at the photographing position is illuminated by the illuminating device 45, and the image is transmitted to the transparent film position regulating plate 32, the translucent window 18,
The image is reduced and formed on the photoelectric surface of the image sensor 52 by the image forming optical system 50 through the imaging window 42. The image pickup signal obtained from the image sensor 50 is subjected to appropriate signal processing, and
The image data for the screen is stored in the buffer memory 66. Thereafter, the shutter 25 is closed, the illumination lamp 53 is turned off, and the imaging process for one screen is completed. The image data thus stored in the buffer memory 66 is output from the external output terminals 44a and 44b by the video signal output circuit 67 as an NTSC compliant video signal. Therefore, the frame number “1” is assigned to the television receiver connected here.
Is displayed together with the image of the first frame.

When the frame feed input is performed by operating the remote control transmitter 4, the film feeding mechanism 77 of the photographic camera 2
Operates to feed the developed photographic film 30.
Even during this feeding, the PF detection sensor 78 detects the passage of the perforations 30b, and updates the frame number each time. Therefore, even if an image is displayed after an arbitrary frame advance, it is possible to grasp on the display screen what frame the image is.

When an image display signal is input after an arbitrary frame advance operation is performed, an image pickup process is performed according to the above procedure.
Image observation can be performed in the same manner. Of course, a liquid crystal display monitor for displaying a frame number may be attached to the image pickup unit 3, and a frame feed operation input unit provided in the image pickup unit 3 other than the remote control transmitter 4 can perform a frame feed operation. You may keep it.

When the end operation is performed, after the image data in the buffer memory 66 is cleared, the film rewinding process and the end process are performed. The film rewinding process is similar to the photographing end process in the camera mode.
2, the stop position of the spool 81 is determined so that the notch 85a of the data disk 85 stops at a position indicating that development has been completed.

Subsequently, the light shielding cover 20 of the photographic camera 2 and the shielding plate 43 of the imaging unit 3 are closed. The loading lid lock mechanism 75 is released and the loading lid 12 is opened, and a standby state for loading a new photo film cartridge 13 is entered. Therefore, the photographic image can be observed in the same manner by loading the developed photographic film cartridge 13 in the same manner.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the illustrated embodiments, the present invention may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the claims. For example, instead of using an area-type image sensor 52, a line-type image sensor is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the photo film 30, and image data for one screen is captured while feeding the photo film. It is also possible to do.
In this case, the light transmitting window 18 and the imaging window 42 may be formed in a slit shape along the line direction of the image sensor, and the light shielding cover 20 and the shielding plate 43 may be simplified including the moving mechanism. can do.

Various changes can be made to the image data reading process. For example, when a developed photo film is loaded into the viewer system, the image is coarsely captured while the photo film is sequentially sent from the first frame to the last frame, and the image data is stored in the memory to display an index image. It is also possible to use. The image data thus read is used when displaying the index images of all frames on the first display screen. Then, when the user designates a specific image on the display screen, the photographic film is fed, the designated frame is stopped at the imaging position, and the image of the frame is newly imaged with the image sensor. That image may be used as the final display image.

[0066]

As described above, the viewer system of the present invention includes a photographic camera as one component, and includes a film feed mechanism built in the photographic camera and a mechanism for positioning the photographic film at a photographing position as it is. It can be used in the inside. Therefore, as a result, the cost of the photographic viewer can be reduced compared with the conventional one, and the photographic image can be easily observed even in ordinary households in combination with the television receiver. Become.

Further, in the photographic camera of the present invention, the light-transmitting window on the back of the camera body is opened and closed according to the use condition, and the loaded photographic film is variously used, such as an unused photographic film and a developed photographic film. A photo film of the situation is loaded. Therefore, there is a concern that accidentally loading a film that is incompatible with the use condition of the photo camera, such as wasting the film or fogging the film taken with care, if it is loaded carelessly, A safety mechanism is provided to open and close the light-transmitting window by identifying the use condition of the loaded photo film, or to allow loading of the photo film in a specific use condition according to the open / close state of the light transmissive window. Therefore, the above problem can be surely prevented.

Also, when the photographic camera is used in either the camera mode or the viewer mode, it is necessary to correctly position the photographic film at the photographing position or the photographing position. The use of the plate is very convenient because the camera can be positioned accurately in the camera mode in the same manner as the conventional photographic camera, and the film position can be regulated as it is in the viewer mode.

Further, the viewer system of the present invention is configured by mounting the above-mentioned photographic camera on the imaging unit. When the photographic camera is mounted on the imaging unit, the viewer unit faces the translucent window on the back of the camera body. Since the image pickup window is provided and an illuminating device for providing illumination light from the front side of the photographic camera is provided, the photographic camera can be easily used simply by mounting it at a predetermined position. Then, when both are combined, the electrical connection between the photo camera and the imaging unit is also made, so that appropriate electrical control can be performed while monitoring the operation of each other.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a viewer system of the present invention in a separated state.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the photographic camera.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of the photographic camera.

FIG. 4 is an external view when a viewer system is used.

FIG. 5 is an external view schematically showing an IX-240 type photographic film cartridge.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part when the viewer system is used.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration of a viewer system.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a part of a process performed by the viewer system of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating another part of the processing performed by the viewer system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 2 photo camera 3 imaging unit 4 remote control transmitter 6 photographing lens 12 loading lid 13 photo film cartridge 18 translucent window 20 light shielding cover 28 exposure frame 30 photo film 32 film position regulating plate 43 shielding plate 45 lighting device 50 imaging optical system 52 Image sensor

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A photographic camera in which a photographic film positioned at a photographing position behind an exposure frame is photographed by a photographing light beam from a photographing lens provided on a front surface of a camera body. Mode switching means for switching the mode between the developed photographic film and a viewer mode for capturing an image, a light-transmitting window formed on the rear surface of the camera body, and a shielding member for covering the light-transmitting window in an openable and closable manner. And a connection terminal capable of being electrically connected to an imaging unit mounted on the back of the camera body, and by opening the shielding member when the viewer mode is set, the camera is moved to the shooting position. The image of the film frame of the developed photo film that has been sent can be picked up by the image pickup unit mounted on the back of the camera body through the translucent window. Photo camera, characterized in that was. 2. A photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a film identification unit for detecting whether or not the photo film loaded in the camera body has been developed, when the photographing mode is set, wherein the loading of the undeveloped photo film is detected. 2. The photographic camera according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the shielding member is prohibited when the shutter is opened. 3. The photographic camera according to claim 1, further comprising means for prohibiting loading of an undeveloped photographic film when setting the imaging mode. 4. The switching to a viewer mode is completed upon detecting that an electrical connection between a camera body and the imaging unit has been made via the connection terminal. 3. The photographic camera according to any one of 3. 5. A viewer system comprising the photographic camera according to claim 1 and an imaging unit to which the photographic camera is attached and used, wherein the imaging unit is provided on a front wall facing a back surface of a camera body. An imaging window provided corresponding to the light-transmitting window, an imaging optical system and an image sensor provided at the back of the imaging window, and illumination of a film frame at a shooting position from the front side of the camera body through the exposure frame. With an illuminating device that gives light, an image of the film frame at the shooting position is imaged by an image sensor through the translucent window and the imaging optical system under illumination by the illuminating device,
A viewer system for outputting an obtained video signal to the outside. 6. The image pickup unit has a connection terminal for transmitting and receiving an electric signal to and from a photographic camera, and is connected to the connection terminal on the camera body side by mounting the image pickup unit on the back of the camera body. Claim 5
The viewer system described. 7. The viewer system according to claim 5, wherein said video signal is input to a CRT monitor.