Television – Special applications – Film – disc or card scanning
Reexamination Certificate
1997-10-30
2001-06-26
Kelley, Chris (Department: 2613)
Television
Special applications
Film, disc or card scanning
Reexamination Certificate
active
06252625
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is based upon and claims priority of a Japanese Patent Application No. 08-288646 filed Oct. 30, 1996, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a film image reading apparatus and method that reads images on developed film in which multiple images have been recorded, and, more particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for reading images on film using image condition values associated with the first image for the reading of all subsequent images in a series.
2. Description of the Related Art
Film image display devices are known in the art for displaying images on a monitor by reading images from developed film contained in a cartridge (e.g., Laid-open Patent Publication No. 5-75922). This type of film image display apparatus consists of a reading device that reads images from specified frames of the developed film and converts them into image signals. The image display apparatus contains a film advancing device that advances the film contained in the cartridge. As the developed film is advanced by this film advancing device, the images of a desired frame are read by a reading device. During this reading process the exposure value, white balance value and focus are adjusted, and the image is converted into an image signal for display on a monitor.
Also known in the art is a thumbnail image display apparatus that reads the images of multiple frames of film in order to display these images on a monitor. Another term used to identify these thumbnail images is “index images.” In this thumbnail image display apparatus, the images of multiple frames are read to obtain the thumbnail image data. This thumbnail image data is stored in memory and retrieved on an as needed basis for display.
A problem encountered in the known art is the amount of time needed to display a complete set of thumbnail images from a film cartridge. Since every frame image on the film cartridge must be read, adjusted for exposure, white balance and focus, a large amount of time is required to accomplish this process for a series of images on an entire film cartridge.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a film image reading apparatus that can read multiple images recorded on film for display as thumbnail images in a short period of time.
Objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in accordance with embodiments by a film image reading apparatus having an exposure value detection unit and an imaging unit. The exposure value detection unit, using an imaging circuit, detects the exposure values of the images that have been recorded on film. The imaging unit, employing a charged coupled display (“CCD”) and processor, captures each image on film in which multiple images have been recorded. The imaging unit captures the first image and subsequent images on a film based upon the exposure value supplied by the exposure value detection unit for the first image. Therefore, using this apparatus and method it is not necessary to detect the exposure values for subsequent images, other than the first image, and the time required to read multiple images recorded on the film is significantly reduced.
This savings in reading time of images is made possible by the nature and purpose of thumbnail images. When a user desires the display of thumbnail images, only the outlines of the images need be identified and high resolution, or highly accurate color adjustment is not required. The present invention takes this aspect of thumbnail images into consideration in the reading of images from film so as to increase the reading speed of that film. By setting either exposure value, white balance value and focus only once, thumbnail images of adequate resolution and color accuracy may be generated, while increasing the reading speed of the film.
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the imaging unit captures images based upon an exposure value, white balance value and focus adjustment for an image throughout a series of images obtained through a series of photographic operations. Here, the images obtained through a series of photographic operations refers to a series of multiple images that are interrelated in some manner. Interrelated images are photographs taken of the same subject under the same photographic conditions. An example of interrelated images is the rapid and continuous shooting of photographs for a single golf swing.
Further objects of the present invention are achieved by a film image reading apparatus having a white balance value detection unit and an imaging unit. The white balance value detection unit, using an imaging circuit, detects the white balance values of the images that have been recorded on film. The imaging unit, employing a CCD and processor, captures each image on film in which multiple images have been recorded. The imaging unit captures the first image and subsequent images on the film based upon the white balance value supplied by the white balance detection value detection unit for the first image. Therefore, using this apparatus and method, it is not necessary to detect the white balance values for the other images and the time required to read multiple images recorded on the film is significantly reduced.
Still further objects of the present invention are achieved by a film image reading apparatus having a focus adjustment unit and an imaging unit. The focus adjustment unit, using an AF/zooming control circuit, executes the focus adjustment for the imaging unit. The imaging unit, employing a CCD and processor, captures each image on film in which multiple images have been recorded. The imaging unit captures the first image and subsequent images on the film based upon the focus adjustment performed by the focus adjustment unit for the first image. Therefore, using this apparatus and method, it is not necessary to refocus for each image on a film and the time required to read multiple images recorded on the film is significantly reduced.
Even further objects of the present invention are achieved by a film image reading apparatus having an imaging condition detection unit and an imaging unit. The imaging condition detection unit, employing an imaging circuit and AF\zooming control circuit, detects imaging condition values. These imaging condition values include any combination of two or more of the exposure value, the white balance values, and adjusting the focus of the images. The imaging unit, employing a CCD and processor, captures each image on film in which multiple images have been recorded. The imaging unit captures the first image and subsequent images on the film based upon the imaging condition values supplied by the imaging condition detection unit for the first image. Therefore, using this apparatus and method, it is not necessary to detect these imaging condition values for the other images and the time required to read multiple images recorded on the film is significantly reduced.
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patent: 5467168 (1995-11-01), Kinjo et al.
patent: 5631696 (1997-05-01), Tanaka et al.
patent: 5633733 (1997-05-01), Myiazawa
patent: 5638115 (1997-06-01), Imai
patent: 5706457 (1998-01-01), Dwyer et al.
patent: 5729284 (1998-03-01), Ishii et al.
patent: 5745214 (1998-04-01), Yoknuma et al.
patent: 5751343 (1998-05-01), Hibino et al.
patent: 5-75922 (1993-03-01), None
Hibino Hideo
Kazami Kazuyuki
Okutsu Hisashi
Yokonuma Norikazu
Kelley Chris
Nikon Corporation
Vo Tung
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