Film carrier and film handling device using same

Details Film carrier and film handling device using same Film carrier and film handling device using same

2001-05-03

2003-10-07

Adams, Russell (Department: 2851)

Photography

With data recording

Data for control of subsequent processing of film

C396S512000, C355S040000, C355S074000, C355S075000, C358S506000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06631244

ABSTRACT:

This application is based on Patent Application No. 2000-137000 filed in Japan, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a film handling device such as a film scanner used in mini labs and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to a general-purpose film negative carrier for various sizes of film, and a film handling device provided with this film carrier.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1
is a brief perspective view of a film scanner
1
used in a mini lab, and
FIG. 2
is a perspective view of film negative carrier
25
used in the film scanner
1
of FIG.
1
.
Light from an illumination lamp
21
passes through an optical path within an illumination unit
20
, through an opening
26
formed in the top surface of the film negative carrier
25
, and passes through the film
27
. An opening (not illustrated) is formed in the in the top surface of the device body
30
, such that the light passing through the film
27
also passes through the opening and enters the device body
30
. A linear CCD (not illustrated) is fixedly mounted within the device body
30
, such that the image recorded on the film
27
is captured by the formation of the image on the linear CCD.
The scanning method used for image capture may be a mirror scanning method wherein the film is fixed and a reflective mirror is moved, or a film scanning method wherein the mirror is fixed and the film is moved.
In the example of the conventional art shown in the drawing, the negative carrier
25
is used specifically for a particular size film such as, for example, 135 mm film, 240 mm film and the like, and the film transport width of the negative carrier
25
cannot be changed. Accordingly, when scanning a film of a different size, the negative carrier must be replaced by another negative carrier. Since this replacement operation is complex, and requires many negative carriers, the system itself becomes disadvantageously expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a film handling device capable of capturing image data of film of a plurality of sizes without carrier replacement.
The carrier of the present invention is provided with a film size sensor disposed near the film entrance opening; a transport path capable of changing the transport width while maintaining a constant center position; a mask provided with opening opposite the film and designed for use with various sizes of film; and a controller for changing the transport path width and selecting the mask opening in accordance with the film size detected by the film size sensor.
The carrier of this construction can be used for general purpose with films of a plurality of sizes since the transport path width and mask opening are selected in accordance with the film size detected by the film size sensor. Since the width of the transport path is modified while maintaining a constant center position, enlargement of the device can be prevented as much as possible.
The specific structure of the transport path desirably provides two guide bars positioned in parallel. In this instance, each guide bar is arranged in contact with a force applying means relative to a cam positioned on the outside of the transport path and connected by a link mechanism at equal spacing. In the transport path the width of the transport path is controllable by controlling the cam rotation position.
In the carrier of the present invention the exit opening of the light transmitted through the carrier has a multilateral shape to include all openings having a mask.
The present invention provides a film scanner integratedly provided with the aforesaid carrier.
This film scanner can capture general-purpose image data on film of a plurality of sizes without exchanging the carrier. Furthermore, since a plurality of carriers for film of a plurality of sizes are not required, the total cost of the device can be reduced, and the complexity and space requirements for storage of the multiple carriers can be eliminated.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate specific embodiments of the invention.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4992812 (1991-02-01), Smart
patent: 5444514 (1995-08-01), Negoro et al.
patent: 5870173 (1999-02-01), Oberhardt et al.
patent: 07-181600 (1995-07-01), None
patent: 08-029880 (1996-02-01), None
patent: 08-179441 (1996-07-01), None
patent: 11-142983 (1999-05-01), None

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