JPH11142983A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the changing work of a relative position between read systems corresponding to the respective films by providing carrying paths respectively corresponding to the plural types of films whose film width are different with a common path at an image read position. SOLUTION: An APS film strip is guided to the carrying path 316 of a film carrier 38M and the carrying path 300 of an APS film drawn out from a cartridge 308 is made to join the path 316. The 135-sized photographic film is inserted in a slit hole 416. An almost central part between a pair of carrying rollers 342 and 346 is a scanning position. Then, the photographic film is carried to an identical supporting member 344 to the APS film through the different carrying path and made to join. When a scanning action is executed by carrying the 135-sized photographic film, switching guide forks 434 and 436 are made to face downward and brought into contact with the deflection remedy plate 344A of the supporting member 344.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus for reading an image recorded on a film.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a frame image recorded on a photographic film is photoelectrically read by a reading sensor such as a CCD, and image processing such as enlargement / reduction and various corrections is performed on digital image data obtained by the reading. In addition, a technique is known in which an image is formed on a recording material using a laser beam modulated based on digital image data that has been subjected to image processing.

As described above, in the technique of digitally reading a frame image using a reading sensor such as a CCD, the frame image is preliminarily read (so-called pre-scan) and the density of the frame image is read in order to realize accurate image reading. Reading conditions (for example, the amount of light applied to a frame image and CC
D, etc.) and the frame image is read again under the determined reading conditions (so-called fine scan).

[0004] In this case, since the pre-scan requires a relatively rough reading accuracy, there is a relatively large permissible range in the transport speed unevenness. On the other hand, fine scanning requires extremely severe reading accuracy, so that the allowable range of the transport speed unevenness is extremely narrow.

[0005]

However, since a 135-size film which has conventionally existed and a photographic film (hereinafter referred to as an APS film) provided with a magnetic recording layer in recent years have different width dimensions, the above-described film size is different. It is necessary to separately provide a film carrier having a transport path for accurately transporting the film at a constant speed during scanning (prescan, fine scan).

[0006] In addition, in the APS film, in addition to reading an image, a task of reading and writing magnetic information is added. For this reason, the components provided on the transport path for processing the magnetic information are completely different, and it is difficult to achieve commonality only by changing the film width alone. Furthermore, even if a plurality of transport paths are formed in the film carrier, the relative position between each film and the reading optical system is different, so that it is necessary to perform a change operation each time.

In view of the above facts, the present invention has a suitable transport path for different types of films, and has a common position for each film at the time of scanning, so that a reading system corresponding to each film is provided. It is an object of the present invention to obtain an image reading apparatus which can omit an operation of changing a relative position with respect to the image reading apparatus.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus for reading an image recorded on a film, comprising: a light source for irradiating light over a width direction of the image recorded on the film; A scanner unit having a reading unit that reads an image by light transmitted from the light source that passes through the film, and a transport path corresponding to each of a plurality of types of films having different film widths, wherein the transport path is at least the scanner unit. And a transport unit for transporting each film so as to pass through the common path at the image reading position.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the plurality of types of films have different width dimensions, the transport paths are different. The plurality of transport paths are provided side by side, and a transport path for passing the scanner unit in each transport path is a common path. This eliminates the need to provide a scanner unit for each film transported on each transport path,
Further, since different films can be placed at the same position, optical control becomes easy.

Therefore, when prescanning and fine scanning are performed by the reading control means, it is not necessary to adjust the reading optical system of the scanner unit each time films having different widths are conveyed one after another. Thus, the processing can be continuously performed as in the case of the same film.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the plurality of transport paths are arranged side by side so that the transport path surfaces correspond to the vertical direction.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the plurality of transport paths are arranged in a stacked state, the transport trajectories of the films on the respective transport paths match in plan view. For this reason, in order to provide the common path, the film may be bent in the thickness direction, and no excessive force (twist or the like) is applied to the film.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the common path of the transport path includes a curved surface for bending the film in a thickness direction, and the curved surface extends along the curved surface. The paper is bent and conveyed so that an image reading surface across the width direction of the film is made the same plane.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the common path is curved along the transport direction. By transporting the film so as to be wound around the curved surface, it is possible to correct the curvature along the width direction. That is,
Since the same plane can be formed in the width direction, the reading accuracy is improved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the loading path for detecting that the film is being transported is transported to the transport path corresponding to each film. A sensor is provided, and when a film transport is detected in one transport path, feeding to the other transport path is prevented.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since each of the plurality of films has a transport path, when a film is supplied from the plurality of transport paths at the same time, jamming occurs on a common path. Become. In order to prevent this, loading sensors are provided on each transport path, and the appropriateness of transport is determined based on the detection state of the loading sensors.Therefore, it is possible to prevent the feeding of duplicate films onto the transport path. Can be.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, a digital lab system according to the present embodiment will be described.

(Schematic Configuration of Entire System) FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a digital laboratory system 10 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows an appearance of the digital laboratory system 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the lab system 10 includes a line CCD scanner 14, an image processing unit 1
6, a laser printer unit 18 and a processor unit 20. The line CCD scanner 14 and the image processing unit 16 are integrated as an input unit 26 shown in FIG. Part 20
Are integrated as an output unit 28 shown in FIG.

The line CCD scanner 14 is for reading a frame image recorded on a photographic film such as a negative film or a reversal film.
5 size photographic film, 110 size photographic film, and photographic film with a transparent magnetic layer (24
0 size photographic film: so-called APS film), 12
Frame images of photographic film of size 0 and size 220 (Brownie size) can be read. The line CCD scanner 14 reads the frame image to be read by the line CCD, and outputs image data.

In this embodiment, a digital lab system 10 equipped with a film carrier 38M (to be described later) capable of carrying both 135-size and 240-size photographic films will be described. Film carrier 38 that can cope with the presence of
m, and is not limited to 135 size and 240 size.

The image processing section 16 stores image data (scanned image data) output from the line CCD scanner 14.
Is input, image data obtained by photographing with a digital camera, image data obtained by reading an original (for example, a reflective original, etc.) with a scanner, image data generated by a computer, etc. File image data) from outside (for example,
It is also configured to be able to input through a storage medium such as a memory card or input from another information processing device via a communication line.

The image processing section 16 performs image processing such as various corrections on the input image data and outputs the image data to the laser printer section 18 as recording image data. Also,
The image processing unit 16 outputs image data on which image processing has been performed to an external device as an image file (for example, outputs the image data to a storage medium such as a memory card, or transmits the image data to another information processing device via a communication line). It is also possible.

The laser printer section 18 is provided with R, G, and B laser light sources, and irradiates a photographic paper with laser light modulated in accordance with recording image data input from the image processing section 16 to perform scanning exposure. To record an image on photographic paper. Further, the processor unit 20 performs each process of color development, bleach-fix, washing, and drying on the photographic paper on which the image is recorded by the scanning exposure by the laser printer unit 18. Thus, an image is formed on the printing paper.

(Configuration of Line CCD Scanner) Next, the configuration of the line CCD scanner 14 will be described. FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of an optical system of the line CCD scanner 14. This optical system is composed of a halogen lamp, a metal halide lamp, or the like, and is composed of a photographic film 22 (in the present embodiment, 135- and 240-size films).
Although the type is applied, it is hereinafter referred to as a photographic film 22 when collectively referred to. ) Is provided with a light source 30 for irradiating the light, and a light diffusion box 36 for diffusing the light irradiating the photographic film 22 is arranged on the light emission side of the light source 30 in order.

The photographic film 22 includes a light diffusion box 36.
The frame image is conveyed by a film carrier 38 (see FIG. 5 and not shown in FIG. 3) arranged on the light emission side of the frame so that the screen of the frame image is perpendicular to the optical axis.

Between the light source 30 and the light diffusion box 36, C (cyan), M (magenta) and Y (yellow) dimming filters 114C, 114M and 114Y are arranged along the optical axis of the emitted light. A lens unit 40 that is provided in order and forms an image of light transmitted through the frame image along the optical axis on a side opposite to the light source 30 across the photographic film 22.
Line CCDs 116 are arranged in order. Although FIG. 3 shows only a single lens as the lens unit 40, the lens unit 40 is actually a zoom lens composed of a plurality of lenses.

The line CCDs 116 are arranged in a line along the width direction of the photographic film 22 conveyed by a plurality of CCD cells, and three sensing units provided with an electronic shutter mechanism are provided in parallel with each other at intervals. Each of the R, G, and B color separation filters is attached to the light incident side of each sensing unit (a so-called three-line color CCD). The line CCD 116 is arranged so that the light receiving surface of each sensing unit matches the image forming point position of the lens unit 40.

In the vicinity of each sensing section, a transfer section is provided corresponding to each sensing section, and electric charges accumulated in each CCD cell of each sensing section are sequentially transferred via the corresponding transfer section. Will be transferred. Although not shown, a shutter is provided between the line CCD 116 and the lens unit 40.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of an electric system of the line CCD scanner 14. Line CCD scanner 1
4 includes a microprocessor 46 for controlling the entire line CCD scanner 14. The microprocessor 46 has a RAM 64 (for example, SRA
M), ROM 66 (for example, RO whose storage contents can be rewritten)
M), a motor driver 48 is connected, and a filter drive motor 54 is connected to the motor driver 48. The filter drive motor 54 can slide the dimming filters 114C, 114M, and 114Y independently of each other.

The microprocessor 46 turns on and off the light source 30 in conjunction with turning on and off a power switch (not shown). The microprocessor 46 includes a line CCD 1
When the frame image is read (photometric) by the filter driving motor 54, the dimming filter 114C,
114M and 114Y are independently slid, and the amount of light incident on the line CCD 116 is adjusted for each component color light.

The motor driver 48 includes a zoom drive motor 70 for changing the zoom magnification of the lens unit 40 by relatively moving the positions of a plurality of lenses of the lens unit 40, and moving the entire lens unit 40. Is connected to a lens drive motor 106 for moving the image forming point position of the lens unit 40 along the optical axis. The microprocessor 46 controls the zoom drive motor 7 according to the size of the frame image and whether or not to perform trimming.
By 0, the zoom magnification of the lens unit 40 is changed to a desired magnification.

On the other hand, a timing generator 74 is connected to the line CCD 116. The timing generator 74 generates various timing signals (clock signals) for operating the line CCD 116, an A / D converter 82 described later, and the like. The signal output terminal of the line CCD 116 is connected to an A / D converter 82 via an amplifier 76. The signal output from the line CCD 116 is amplified by the amplifier 76 and converted to digital data by the A / D converter 82. Is done.

The output terminal of the A / D converter 82 is connected to an interface (I / F) circuit 90 via a correlated double sampling circuit (CDS) 88. The CDS 88 samples the feedthrough data indicating the level of the feedthrough signal and the pixel data indicating the level of the pixel signal, and subtracts the feedthrough data from the pixel data for each pixel. Then, the calculation result (pixel data accurately corresponding to the amount of charge stored in each CCD cell) is expressed by I /
The data is sequentially output to the image processing unit 16 as scan image data via the F circuit 90.

The line CCD 116 outputs R, G,
Since the photometric signals of B are output in parallel, the amplifier 76, A
Three signal processing systems including a / D converter 82 and a CDS 88 are also provided, and the I / F circuit 90 outputs R, G, and B image data as scan image data in parallel.

The motor driver 48 is connected to a shutter drive motor 92 for opening and closing the shutter.
The dark output of the line CCD 116 is corrected by the image processing unit 16 at the subsequent stage, but the dark output level is set by the microprocessor 4 when the frame image is not read.
6 can be obtained by closing the shutter.

(Configuration of Image Processing Unit) Next, the image processing unit 16
Will be described with reference to FIG. Image processing unit 1
Reference numeral 6 is provided with a line scanner correction unit 122 corresponding to the line CCD scanner 14. The line scanner correction unit 122 includes a dark correction circuit 124, a defective pixel correction unit 128, and a light correction circuit 13 corresponding to R, G, and B image data output in parallel from the line CCD scanner 14.
There are provided three signal processing systems composed of 0s.

The dark correction circuit 124 includes a line CCD 116
In the state where the light incident side is shielded from light by the shutter, data input from the line CCD scanner 14 (data representing the dark output level of each cell of the sensing unit of the line CCD 116) is stored for each cell, and CCD
From the scanned image data input from the scanner 14,
The correction is performed by reducing the dark output level of the cell corresponding to each pixel.

Also, the photoelectric conversion characteristics of the line CCD 116 vary from cell to cell. Defective pixel correction unit 12
In the bright correction circuit 130 at the subsequent stage of 8, the line CCD 116 reads the adjustment frame image with the line CCD 116 in a state where the frame image for adjustment with a constant density is set on the line CCD scanner 14. The gain is determined for each cell based on the image data of the adjustment frame image input from 14 (the density variation of each pixel represented by this image data is caused by the variation of the photoelectric conversion characteristics of each cell). Every line CCD scanner 14
The image data of the frame image to be read which is input from is corrected for each pixel according to the gain determined for each cell.

On the other hand, if the density of a specific pixel is significantly different from the density of other pixels in the image data of the frame image for adjustment, the cell corresponding to the specific pixel in the line CCD 116 has some abnormalities. The specific pixel can be determined as a defective pixel. The defective pixel correction unit 128 stores the address of the defective pixel based on the image data of the adjustment frame image, and stores the defective pixel data in the image data of the frame image to be read input from the line CCD scanner 14. Generates new data by interpolating from the data of surrounding pixels.

Since three lines (CCD cell rows) are arranged in the line CCD 116 at predetermined intervals along the direction in which the photographic film 22 is conveyed, the line CCD scanner 14 outputs R, G, and B lines. There is a time difference in the timing at which the output of the image data of each component color is started.
The line scanner correction unit 122 delays the output timing of the image data with a different delay time for each component color so that the R, G, and B image data of the same pixel is simultaneously output on the frame image.

The output terminal of the line scanner correction unit 122 is connected to the input terminal of the selector 132.
Are output to the selector 132. The input terminal of the selector 132 is also connected to the data output terminal of the input / output controller 134. From the input / output controller 134, externally input file image data is input to the selector 132. Selector 1
The output terminals of the 32 are connected to the input / output controller 134 and the data input terminals of the image processor units 136A and 136B, respectively. The selector 132 can selectively output the input image data to each of the input / output controller 134 and the image processors 136A and 136B.

The image processor section 136A includes a memory controller 138, an image processor 140, and three frame memories 142A, 142B, 142C. Frame memories 142A, 142B, 142C
Has a capacity capable of storing image data of one frame image of one frame, and the image data input from the selector 132 is stored in any of the three frame memories 142. The memory controller 138 The address at which the image data is stored in the frame memory 142 is controlled so that the data of each pixel of the input image data is stored in the storage area of the frame memory 142 in a fixed order.

The image processor 140 takes in the image data stored in the frame memory 142, performs gradation conversion, color conversion, hypertone processing for compressing the gradation of an ultra-low frequency luminance component of the image, and sharpness while suppressing graininess. Various image processing such as hyper sharpness processing for emphasizing is performed. Note that the processing conditions of the above image processing are automatically calculated by an auto setup engine 144 (described later), and the image processing is performed according to the calculated processing conditions. The image processor 140 is connected to the input / output controller 134, and the image data subjected to the image processing is temporarily stored in the frame memory 142 and then output to the input / output controller 134 at a predetermined timing. Note that the image processor unit 136B has the same configuration as the above-described image processor unit 136A, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, each frame image is read twice by the line CCD scanner 14 at different resolutions. In the first reading at a relatively low resolution (hereinafter, referred to as pre-scan), even when the density of the frame image is extremely low (for example, a negative image overexposed on a negative film), the saturation of the accumulated charge in the line CCD 116 is not caused. The frame image is read under the reading conditions determined so as not to occur (light amounts of the light irradiating the photographic film in each of the R, G, and B wavelength ranges, and the charge storage time of the CCD). The image data (pre-scan image data) obtained by the pre-scan is input from the selector 132 to the input / output controller 134, and further output to the auto setup engine 144 connected to the input / output controller 134.

The auto set-up engine 144 uses C
PU 146, RAM 148 (for example, DRAM), ROM
150 (for example, a rewritable ROM) and an input / output port 152, which are connected to each other via a bus 154.

The auto setup engine 144 generates a line C based on pre-scan image data of a plurality of frame images input from the input / output controller 134.
Image processing conditions for image data (fine scan image data) obtained by the second relatively high resolution reading by the CD scanner 14 (hereinafter referred to as fine scan) are calculated, and the calculated processing conditions are stored in an image processor. Image processor 140 of unit 136
Output to In the calculation of the processing conditions of this image processing, it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of frame images of similar scenes based on the exposure amount at the time of shooting, the type of light source for shooting, and other feature amounts. Are determined, the processing conditions for the image processing on the fine scan image data of these frame images are the same or similar.

The optimum processing conditions for image processing also vary depending on whether the image data after image processing is used for recording an image on photographic paper in the laser printer unit 18 or output to the outside. Since the image processing unit 16 is provided with two image processor units 136A and 136B, for example, when the image data is used for recording an image on photographic paper and is output to the outside, the auto setup engine 144 is used. Calculates the optimal processing conditions for each application, and calculates the image processor units 136A and 136A.
Output to B. Thereby, the image processor unit 13
6A and 136B, the same fine scan image data is subjected to image processing under different processing conditions.

Further, the auto setup engine 144
Calculates an image recording parameter that defines a gray balance and the like when recording an image on photographic paper by the laser printer unit 18 based on the pre-scan image data of the frame image input from the input / output controller 134, The image data is output simultaneously when the image data for recording (described later) is output to the printer unit 18. Auto setup engine 1
Reference numeral 44 also calculates the image processing conditions for file image data input from the outside in the same manner as described above.

The input / output controller 134 is an I / F circuit 1
It is connected to the laser printer section 18 via 56.
When the image data after image processing is used for recording an image on photographic paper, the image data processed by the image processor 136 is transferred from the input / output controller 134 via the I / F circuit 156 to the recording image. The data is output to the laser printer unit 18 as data. The auto setup engine 144 is connected to a personal computer 158. When the image data after the image processing is output to the outside as an image file, the image data processed by the image processor unit 136 is sent from the input / output controller 134 to the auto setup engine 144.
Is output to the personal computer 158 via the.

The personal computer 158 has a CPU
160, memory 162, display 164 and keyboard 166 (see also FIG. 2), hard disk 168, C
It includes a D-ROM driver 170, a transport control unit 172, an expansion slot 174, and an image compression / decompression unit 176.
These are connected to each other via a bus 178. The transport controller 172 is connected to the film carrier 38M and controls the transport of the photographic film 22 by the film carrier 38M. When the APS film 22S is set on the film carrier 38, information (for example, image recording size) read by the film carrier 38 from the magnetic recording layer of the APS film is input.

A driver (not shown) for reading / writing data from / to a storage medium such as a memory card.
A communication control device for communicating with another information processing device is connected to the personal computer 158 via the expansion slot 174. When image data for output to the outside is input from the input / output controller 134, the image data is output to the outside (the driver, the communication control device, or the like) as an image file via the expansion slot 174. When file image data is input from outside via the expansion slot 174, the input file image data
4 to the input / output controller 134. In this case, the input / output controller 134 outputs the input file image data to the selector 132.

The image processing section 16 outputs prescanned image data and the like to the personal computer 158,
A frame image read by the line CCD scanner 14 is displayed on the display 164, an image obtained by recording on a photographic paper is estimated and displayed on the display 164, and the operator can correct the image via the keyboard 166. When instructed, this can be reflected in the processing conditions of image processing.

(Structure of Film Carrier) FIGS. 6 to 8
3 shows a schematic diagram of a transport system of a multi-type film carrier 38M.

The film carrier 38M shown in FIG.
135 size photographic film 22N and 240 size photographic film (hereinafter referred to as APS film) 22S
And two loading units 300 and 302. The loading section 300 on the side of the APS film 22S is further divided into an APS film strip loading port 304 and a cartridge loading port 306. It will be described later. Transport system structure of 240 size photographic film (APS film) In the case of the APS film 22S, the APS film is loaded into the film carrier 38M in the state of the APS film strips 22P, or the APS film loaded with the cartridge 308 and automatically stored. 22S may be pulled out, and the loading ports 304 and 306 are separately provided.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, a pedestal 310 is provided in the loading section 300 of the film carrier 38M, and an upper portion thereof is provided with an APS film strip loading port 30.
It is 4. That is, the upper surface of the pedestal 310 is APS
It is a conveyance path for the film strips 22P, and a holding member 312 is provided with a slight gap. The holding member 312 is made of APS film strips 22P.
APS in a state where one end in the width direction is inserted between the holding member 312 and the conveyance path surface.
The film strips 22P are pushed in.

A guide 314 is provided on the pushing side of the APS film strips 22P. This guide 3
14 is opposed to the upper surface side of both ends in the width direction of the APS film strips 22P. Thus, the APS film strips 22P is configured to be guided to the transport path 316 provided between the base as the housing of the film carrier 38M and the cover.

The most upstream side of the transport path 316, that is, APS
A loading sensor 318 is provided near the loading port 304 for the film strips 22P.
The tip of the S film strip 22P is detected.

On the other hand, on the side surface of the pedestal 310, a housing 320 having an open top for housing the cartridge 308 is provided.

The cartridge 320 is loaded from the upper opening of the housing 320. A pair of guide rods 322 extending to a hollow portion 310A formed in the lower portion of the pedestal 310 is provided in the opening, and a cartridge holder 324 is slidably attached to the guide rods 322. I have.

The cartridge holder 324 is substantially U-shaped when viewed from the side, and the lower portion of the cartridge 308 can be tightly accommodated. The cartridge holder 324
A pressing plate 326 is rotatably attached to the upper end of the cartridge 308 so that the loaded cartridge 308 can be pressed and held from above.

A lateral slit-shaped through hole is provided on the side surface of the housing 320, and a lever 328 integrally formed with the cartridge holder 324 protrudes from a part of the through hole. Therefore, when the lever 328 is slid in the direction of the pedestal 310 along the longitudinal direction (lateral direction) of the through hole, the cartridge holder 324 can be fed into the lower cavity 310A of the pedestal 310 (loading position). Can be returned into the housing 320 (housing position). That is, the cartridge 30
8 is loaded in the cartridge holder 324, and the lever 328 is slid in the direction of the pedestal 310 while being held down by the holding plate 326, whereby the cartridge 308 can be arranged corresponding to the transport path 330 of the film carrier 38M.

At a position (loading position) corresponding to the transport path of the film carrier 38M, a mechanism for pulling out and winding the APS film 22A from the cartridge 308 and a detacher for removing the rear end of the film from a spool in the cartridge 308. An APS film 22S can be pulled out of the cartridge 308 to the film transport path and wound up from the film transport path by the mechanism and the attacher mechanism that engages the rear end of the film with the spool. Note that the film withdrawal from the cartridge 308 is started in conjunction with the sliding operation of the lever 328.

At this loading position, an ejector (not shown) is provided, and when a series of operations (a reciprocating operation of film drawing and winding described later) is completed, the ejector is automatically operated. Then, the cartridge 308 is
It moves to the housing 320 position along the guide rod 422 together with the cartridge holder 324.

The transport path 330 for the APS film 22S drawn from the cartridge 208 joins the transport path 316.
The transport path is selectively determined according to the 17 switching states.

Downstream of the junction, a pair of transport rollers 3
32, a pair of dust removing rollers 334 (corresponding to both ends in the width direction of the APS film 22S and the APS film strips 22P) for removing dust from the surfaces of the magnetic recording layers 26A and 26B of the APS film 22S (or the APS film strips 22P). And a magnetic head 336R for reading magnetic information from the magnetic recording layers 26A and 26B and a magnetic head 3 for writing magnetic information to a magnetic track.
A perforation sensor 33 for detecting the perforations 28 of the APS film 22S and the APS film strips 22P, each having a magnetic information read / write unit 336 (a pair corresponding to both ends in the film width direction) provided with 36W.
8. Dust removal roller pair 3 for removing dust from the image surface
40, transport roller pair 342, AP at scanning position of frame image
A film support member 344 for holding a relative position of the S film 22S and the APS film strips 22P with respect to another optical system on the optical axis, a pair of transport rollers 346, and a temporary winding unit 348 are provided in this order.

Among them, the conveying roller pairs 332, 342, 3
Reference numeral 46 designates a lower roller as a driving side, and a driving force of a driving source (motor) (not shown) is driven via a driving force transmission system such as a belt or a pulley.

By the way, a scanning position is located substantially at the center between the pair of conveying rollers 342 and 346, and a slit-like hole for scanning light is provided immediately above and immediately below the scanning position in the housing of the film carrier 38M. Is provided. That is,
FIG. 3 shows the APS film 22S and the APS film strips 22P conveyed in the film carrier 38M.
The scanning light is irradiated from below at the scanning position, and the transmitted light reaches the line CCD 116 disposed above the film carrier 38M as shown in FIG.

The drive control of the drive source of the transport roller pair, the magnetic information read / write timing of the magnetic information read / write unit 336, and the like are controlled by the transport control unit 172 in FIG. The transport control unit 172 executes transport control for reading magnetic information and prescanning when the film is pulled out, and transport control for writing magnetic information and performing fine scanning when winding the film.

The support member 344 has a pair of transparent plate members bent in an arc shape, and has a convex surface facing each other. An APS film 22S, an APS film strip 22, and a 135-size photographic film 22N to be described later are provided between the lower supporting member 344A that is convex upward and the upper supporting member 344B that is convex downward. A gap that can pass is formed.

Here, the APS film 22S and the AP
The S film strips 22P is a lower support member 34.
The sheet is conveyed while being bent by an arc surface (curved surface) of 4A, and the bending in the width direction is corrected during the conveyance. Transport System Structure for 135-Size Photographic Film The loading section 302 of the 135-size photographic film 22N of the film carrier 38M includes the loading section 300 for the APS.
And a guide block 414 protrudes from the side surface of the film carrier 38M.

At the base side of the guide block 414, a horizontally long slit hole 416 is provided, and the upper surface of the guide block 414 extends up and downstream of the slit hole 416.
It is 18.

After the 135-size photographic film 22N is placed on the guide portion 418, it is pushed into the slit hole 416 to complete the loading.

A loading sensor 420 is provided at the exit of the slit hole 416 to detect the leading end of the photographic film 22N.

Downstream of the loading sensor 420, a pair of conveying rollers 422, a pair of dust removing rollers 424 for removing dust from the surface of the photographic film 22N, a perforation sensor 426 for detecting the perforations 28 of the photographic film 22N, and a conveying roller The pairs 428 are arranged in order, and the film support member 344 is arranged downstream thereof. That is, this photographic film 22N
Is the same support member 344 as the APS film 22S.
Up to this point, they are transported by another transport path and merged.

On the downstream side of the support member 344, a pair of transport rollers 430 and a temporary winding section 432 of the photographic film 22N are sequentially installed.

Among them, the conveying roller pairs 422, 428, 4
Reference numeral 30 denotes a driving roller having a lower roller, and a driving force of a driving source (motor) (not shown) is driven via a driving force transmission system such as a belt or a pulley.

Switching guide forks 434 and 436 are disposed upstream and downstream of the support member 344, respectively. One end of each of the switching guide forks 434 and 436 is attached to a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is reciprocally rotatable at a predetermined angle by the driving force of a driving unit (not shown) and can be stopped at both ends of the rotating range. (Solid line position and imaginary line position in FIG. 7).

Here, 135-size photographic film 22
In the case where N is transported to perform prescanning and fine scanning, the respective switching guide forks 43
4 and 436 are directed downward (solid line positions in FIG. 7), and are brought into contact with the deflection correcting plate 344A of the support member 344. As a result, the 135-size photographic film 22N can be transported along the regular transport path.

On the other hand, when the APS film 22S (including the APS film strips 22P) is conveyed and prescanning and fine scanning are performed, the respective switching guide forks 434 and 436 are turned upward (in the imaginary line position in FIG. 7). The deflection correcting plate 344 of the support member 344
Contact B. Thereby, the APS film 22S
(240-size photographic film) can be transported on a regular transport path.

The operation of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the following description, the reading of magnetic information indicates, for example, magnetic information indicating the presence or absence of a flash at the time of shooting, a shooting date, a shutter speed, an exposure amount, and the like. Preliminary scanning to read the image with rough reading accuracy and determine the set value at the time of fine scan thereafter.Image verification is image processing for image data of each frame image based on magnetic information and prescan. Indicates confirmation and determination of conditions, and fine scan indicates high-precision image reading to be finally recorded,
The writing of the magnetic information indicates, for example, writing of magnetic information indicating image processing conditions and the like for each frame image determined by the test.

In the present embodiment, the operator has three types of work for reading an image. The first is a 135-size photographic film 22N. In the case of the photographic film 22N, one film may be continuous, or may be a piece film cut every six frames, for example. In any case, the leading end of the photographic film 22N is placed on the guide section 418 of the loading section 302 and inserted (pressed) into the slit hole 416.

The second is APS Film Strips 22P
In this case, the cartridge has already been detached from the cartridge 308. This APS film strips 22
In the case of P, the distal end portion is attached to the base 310 and the holding member 31
2 and inserted into the gap between the pedestal 310 and the guide 314.

The third case is a case where the cartridge 308 contains the APS film 22S. In the APS, the developed APS film 22S is housed in the cartridge 308 and returned to the customer. Therefore, in the case of reordering, this mode is often used. In the case of the cartridge 308,
Cartridge holder 32 provided in housing 320
4, the cartridge 308 is placed on the
The lever 328 is slid while being held by 6. Thus, the cartridge holder 324 slides along the guide rod 322, and can send the cartridge 308 to a loading position, which is a space below the pedestal 310. In this loading position, the rotation axis coaxial with the spool of the cartridge 308 and the rotation axis of the opening / closing lid are
It is connected to the rotation shaft of the drive system. Here, the cartridge 3
08 open and close the lid and rotate the spool, APS
The films 22S are sequentially pulled out. In addition,
When the entire APS film 22S is pulled out, the rear end of the film is detached from the spool by the detacher mechanism, so that the film can be transported to the vicinity of the rear end of the film to the image reading position.

When the APS film 22S is stored in the cartridge 308 again, the rear end of the film is engaged with the spool by the attacher mechanism, and the spool is rotated.
Can be wound and stored in layers.

Based on the above, step 50 in FIG.
At 0, the position of the lever 328 is checked first. When the position of the lever 328 is the loading position, it is determined that the cartridge 308 is at the loading position, and the process proceeds to step 502 to perform the scanning control of the APS film 22S with the cartridge. In this case, the switching guide forks 434 and 436 are turned upward as an initial operation.

If the position of the lever 328 is on the housing side in step 500, it is determined that the cartridge 308 is not loaded, and the flow shifts to step 504.

In step 504, it is determined whether or not the loading sensor 318 has detected the APS film strip 22P. If it is determined that the detection has been performed (affirmative determination), the process proceeds to step 506, where the APS film strip 22P is detected. Is performed. In this case, the switching guide forks 434 and 436 are turned upward as an initial operation.

If a negative determination is made in step 504, the process proceeds to step 508 and the loading sensor 4
In step 20, it is determined whether or not the 135-size photographic film 22N has been detected. If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 510, in which the switching guidance factor 434436 is turned downward.
Next, in step 512, driving of the pair of 135-size film transport rollers is started, and a scanning operation described later is started. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 508, the process returns to step 500, and thereafter, step 500,
At steps 504 and 508, the process is repeated until either the loading of the cartridge, the detection of the APS film strip 22P, or the detection of the 135-size photographic film 22N is affirmed. That is, at the start of the work, it is possible to specify the film from which the reading operation is to be started, so that two or more types of films are not simultaneously sent out onto the transport path, and the reading position (optical axis Even if (the vicinity) is common between the transport paths, there is no problem such as jamming.

Steps 512 and subsequent steps show the scanning control when the 135-size photographic film 22N is detected. The procedure will be described below.

At step 512, the pair of transport rollers 422, 4
28, 430, the conveyance roller pair 42
2, the 135-size photographic film 22N sandwiched between
It is transported at a constant speed on the transport path (forward transport). If the perforation is detected by the perforation sensor 326 during this conveyance (step 514), it is determined that the image frame reading position has been approached, and in step 516, execution of pre-scan is instructed. In response to the instruction to execute the pre-scan, the line CCD 116 starts reading and first detects a frame edge. The frame edge can be determined by the difference between a transparent portion and an image portion in the case of a negative film, and by the difference between an opaque portion and an image portion in the case of a positive film. Although there is a case where the difference is not so large, the area of the image frame may be accurately determined at the time of analyzing the pre-scan data described later.

At this reading position, the 135-size photographic film 22N is bent along an arcuate surface (curved surface) that is convex below the support member 344, so that the positional deviation in the thickness direction is eliminated. , Can be read at a predetermined position.
Further, since the switching guide forks 434 and 436 on the upstream and downstream sides of the support member 344 are both downward,
The 5-size photographic film 22N does not deviate from the original transport path.

In step 518, it is determined whether or not the pre-scan has been completed for all the frames. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 520, where the pair of transport rollers 422, 42
8, The driving of 430 is stopped. In this state, the 135-size photographic film 22N is in a state in which the final image frame has passed through the reading position (support member 344) and is sandwiched by the pair of transport rollers 430 downstream of the support member 344.

In the next step 522, conditions for the next fine scanning (transport speed, resolution,
Dynamic range). At this time, as described above, in order to reliably recognize the area of the image frame based on the image data obtained by the prescanning, for example,
Data such as LATD (integrated transmission density) is not affected by the missing portion or the like.

When the conditions for fine scanning are set in step 522, the flow proceeds to step 524 to start the transport (reverse transport) of the transport roller pairs 422, 428, and 430 (return transport). In this case, the switching guide fork 43
Since the photographic films 22 and 4 are directed downward, the 135-size photographic film 22N can be reliably returned to the transport path that has been transported forward.

Next, in step 526, execution of fine scan is instructed. In this fine scanning, the scanning is performed at a higher resolution than in the prescanning, so that the feed speed is basically reduced.

In step 528, when it is confirmed that the fine scanning of all frames has been completed (affirmative determination), the flow shifts to step 530, and after a lapse of a predetermined time, step 53 is performed.
At 2, the transport (reverse feed) of the transport roller pairs 422, 434, and 436 is stopped. By the elapse of this predetermined time, 135
The leading end of the photographic film 22N of the size is in a state where the leading end comes out of the inserted slit hole 416 and is supported by the guide portion 418, and the trailing end passes through the transport roller pair 422 on the most upstream side. The operator pulls out the photographic film 2 of 135 size.
The 2N process is completed.

Next, the scanning control of the APS film with cartridge 22S in step 502 will be described.

When the cartridge 308 is sent to the loading position,
First, the open / close lid is opened, the spool is rotated, and the contained APS film 22S is pulled out (already performed so far in conjunction with the loading of the cartridge 308).

Next, the conveying roller pairs 332, 342, 3
46 is started, and the perforation sensor 338 is started.
Wait for perforation detection by. Where AP
The S film 22S is first transported to the dust removing roller 33 during transport.
4 removes dust on the magnetic recording layer, and then reads magnetic information. Then, the APS film 22
In S, dust on the image surface is removed by another dust removal roller 340.

Although the image frame corresponding to the magnetic information and the image frame from which the image is read are shifted by several frames,
Since the deviation is recognized in advance (for example, for two frames),
It is easy to collate the image data with the magnetic information.

When perforation is detected, execution of pre-scan is instructed after a predetermined time has elapsed. Thus, each image frame pre-scan is started. At this time, since the APS film 22S is bent along the deflection correction plate 344B having an arc surface (curved surface) that is convex above the support member 344, the displacement in the thickness direction is eliminated, and the predetermined position is eliminated. Can be read. The support member 3
Since the switching guide forks 434 and 436 on the upstream and downstream sides of 44 are both directed upward, the APS film 22S
There is no deviation from the original transport path.

If the image frame has been recorded to the vicinity of the rear end, the APS film 22S is
08. Therefore, once the image reading of the predetermined frame is completed, the driving of the transport roller pair is stopped once, and the APS film 22S is driven by the detacher mechanism.
Remove the rear end from the spool. Thereafter, by driving the transport roller pairs 332, 342, 346 again, the image up to the last frame can be read.

When the reading of the image of the last frame is completed, the conditions for fine scanning are set based on the data obtained by prescanning, and the conveying roller pairs 332 and 34 are set.
2, 346 are driven to reversely feed the APS film 22S.

During this transport (reverse feed), the APS film 2
When the leading end of the 2S reaches the cartridge 308, the attacher mechanism is activated, and the APS film 22S is attached to the spool.
Are engaged and are sequentially wound up.

Thereafter, the perforation sensor 338
When the perforation on the leading side of the APS film 22S is detected and the spool drive is stopped and the opening / closing lid is closed after a predetermined time has elapsed, the ejector mechanism operates and the cartridge holder 324 is automatically moved to the guide rod 322. The cartridge 308 to the position of the housing 320, and the process ends.

Next, scanning control in the APS film strips 22P (step 506) will be described.
In this regard, first, APS Film Strips 22
When P is pushed between the pedestal 310 and the guide 314, the driving of the transport roller pairs 332, 342, and 346 is started when the leading end is detected by the loading sensor 318 (or the first perforation may be performed). , Except that attachment is unnecessary, and the same as the above-described APS film with cartridge 22S, and since the transport path is also common, detailed description is omitted.

According to the present embodiment, a plurality of transport paths are provided in one film carrier, and any one of 135-size photographic film 22N and APS film 22S (APS film strips 22P) can be used. Also, by providing the support member 344 as a common path, an image can be read by a single optical reading system.

Further, since the road surfaces of the respective conveying paths are stacked in the vertical direction, when guiding each film to the common path, it is only necessary to bend the film in the thickness direction and to apply an excessive force such as twisting the film. No need to give.

The loading sensors 318 and 320 are provided near the entrance of each transport path, and the loading information of the cartridge 308 is checked at the position of the lever 328 to prevent the transport of a plurality of films with the same magnetism. Jamming on the road can be prevented.

[0110]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, each of different types of films has a suitable conveyance path and has a common position for each film at the time of scanning. There is an excellent effect that the work of changing the relative position with respect to the reading system corresponding to the film can be omitted.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in a plan view, the transport trajectories of the films on the respective transport paths coincide with each other, and the common path may be provided by bending the film in the thickness direction. No force (torsion, etc.) is applied.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the same plane can be formed in the width direction, the reading accuracy is improved.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, whether or not the conveyance is appropriate is determined based on the detection state of the loading sensor. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the overlapping film from being fed onto the conveyance path.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a digital laboratory system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a digital laboratory system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical system of the line CCD scanner.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electric system of the line CCD scanner.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image processing unit.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a film carrier for an APS film.

FIG. 7 is a view of the film carrier of FIG. 6 as viewed from a lateral direction perpendicular to the film transport direction.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the film carrier of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a control flowchart in the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 digital lab system 14 line CCD scanner (corresponding to scanning position) 22N photographic film 22S APS film 22P APS film strip 300 loading section (for APS) 302 loading section (for 135) 308 cartridge 316 transport path (for APS film with cartridge) ) 318 Loading sensor 330 Conveyance path (for APS film strip) 344 Support member 344A, 344B Deflection correction plate 420 Loading sensor 434, 436 Switching guide fork

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image reading apparatus for reading an image recorded on a film, comprising: a light source that irradiates light in a width direction of the image recorded on the film; A scanner unit having reading means for reading a plurality of types of films having different film widths, each of which has a common path at least at an image reading position of the scanner unit; Conveying means for conveying each film so as to pass through,
An image reading device having: 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of transport paths are arranged side by side so that the transport path surfaces correspond to a vertical direction. 3. A common path of the transport path includes a curved surface that bends the film in a thickness direction, and the film is transported while being bent along the curved surface so that an image reading surface across the width direction of the film is flush with the same plane. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the image reading device performs the operation. 4. A transport sensor corresponding to each film is provided with a loading sensor for detecting that the film is being transported, and when a film transport is detected on one transport route, the film is fed onto the other transport route. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus prevents the image reading.