Photocopying – Projection printing and copying cameras – Identifying – composing – or selecting
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-20
2001-10-02
Rutledge, D. (Department: 2851)
Photocopying
Projection printing and copying cameras
Identifying, composing, or selecting
C396S567000, C355S077000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06297874
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a film image reading device and a storage medium. The storage medium stores control procedures for controlling the film image reading device.
2. Description of Related Art
A film image reading device which reads an image captured on film by a camera is known as a film scanner. Film scanners are used to read images recorded on a film, and to supply data representing the read images to a host apparatus such as a personal computer.
Two known types of film scanners are a transmission type film scanner and a reflection type film scanner. In a transmission type film scanner, light is transmitted through a film original on which images are recorded, and then received by a line sensor. In a reflection type film scanner, light is reflected from the film original and then received by a line sensor.
In both types of film scanner, the film original moves relative to the line sensor.
The line sensor is typically formed of an image accumulation unit, which is a plurality of photo-electric conversion units arranged in a row. The line sensor further includes a transfer unit to transfer accumulated electric charges from the image accumulation unit. The electric charge accumulated in each photo-electric conversion unit of the image accumulation unit is sequentially transferred to an external apparatus via the transfer unit. In this way, accumulated electric charges are sequentially scanned into the external apparatus from one end of the row of photo-electric conversion units to the other end. This image reading process is defined as main scanning, and the direction along the row of photo-electric conversion units is defined as a main scanning direction.
An image formed in an image region of a film original is read by moving the film original relative to the line sensor in a subscanning direction that is generally perpendicular to the main scanning direction.
Thus, the film scanner can read the images recorded on the film. When the film scanner is used with a host apparatus such as a personal computer, thumbnail images can be generated based on the read images and displayed on a display monitor in an image index.
Accordingly, when an operator desires duplicate print copies of an image on a frame of the roll film, the display monitor displays an image index to help the operator select image frames for duplicate printing. The operator notes the frame for which duplicate print copies are desired on a memo paper. However, this note-taking process is prone to error and making notes on memo paper is troublesome and time consuming.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the invention resolve these problems by providing a film image reading device that a user can use to easily and accurately designate frames of film for duplicate printing.
A new type of film is also proposed. The new film is a long strip of film (hereafter “roll film”) which can be handled without being completely removed from a film cartridge housing, even after the roll film has been developed. Magnetic information can also be recorded on the roll film. The roll film has a magnetic memory region and a bar code in a lead part of the roll film. Film information regarding the roll film and regarding images recorded on the roll film can be stored in the magnetic memory region. In addition, the bar code can also represent film information. The film information can include, for example, a type and model of the roll film, frame number(s), total number of frames and other information regarding characteristics, properties, intended use and manufacturing history of the roll film. The type of the roll film indicates, for example, whether the roll film is color film or black and white film, and whether the roll film is positive or negative.
Accordingly, it is possible for a film image reading device to generate image index display data. The index display data can be sent from the film image reading device to the host apparatus, thus enabling the host apparatus to display thumbnails of the images recorded on the roll film on a display monitor.
Thus, a user can use the film image reading device and a host apparatus to view thumbnails of images recorded on a film roll and to verify, create, or adjust information regarding a) the film roll, b) images on the film roll, c) parameters for reading or scanning and printing the images and d) other options selected by the user that affect operation of the film image reading device and host computer. The information can be recorded on the film roll.
For example, information is recorded on the roll film to indicate duplicate printing that is desired for designated frames of the roll film.
A recording medium in also provided for storing control procedures for the film image reading device. The control procedures include functions to adjust and set scanning exposure conditions appropriately for a roll film based on film information stored on a lead part of the roll film.
According to embodiments of the invention, an illumination device (a light source) is also provided to illuminate a roll film original. An image sensor is also provided to receive light that has passed through image regions of the roll film original, and output corresponding image signals. A moving device moves at least one of the roll film original and the image sensor in the subscanning direction, which is generally perpendicular to the main scanning direction. Thus, the roll film original moves relative to the image sensor in the subscanning direction.
A magnetic information reader reads magnetic information stored in a magnetic memory region on the roll film, and a magnetic information writer writes magnetic information on the magnetic memory region. A memory is also provided to store data for display in an index display setting window on a display of a host apparatus.
An index display window data generator receives data from the image sensor and the magnetic information reader, and also receives settings information input by the user from the host apparatus. With this information, the index display window data generator generates index display window data including the duplicate printing information for display on the display of the host apparatus. A magnetic information writer receives duplicate printing data specified by the user from the host apparatus, and writes the duplicate printing data onto the lead part of the roll film original, or onto a magnetic memory region of a frame of the roll film original.
The data concerning duplicate printing which are input from the host apparatus can indicate a) the number of duplicate prints to be made, b) whether duplicate printing is to be performed for all the frames, or only for designated frames, c) a print size, and d) picture size.
The film image reading device generates index display window data, including duplicate printing information, in accordance with settings information received from the host apparatus. The film image reading device then sends the generated index display window data to the host apparatus for display on a display.
Moreover, the film image reading device writes the duplicate printing data on the magnetic memory region of the lead part or the corresponding frame of the roll film.
Accordingly, a user can easily use the index window displayed on the display to designate film roll frames for duplicate printing.
Moreover, the user can obtain duplicate prints by simply taking the film on which the duplicate printing designation information is recorded to a film developer.
As detailed above, the index display setting window data are sent to the host apparatus and the index display setting window is displayed on the display. If the user selects a high reading speed, the high reading speed designation is displayed in the index display setting window and the diaphragm value and the gamma characteristics for the image sensor are set to predetermined values.
Moreover, if the film information stored in the magnetic memory region and a bar code on a lead part of the roll film is recognized as usable
Ikeda Takahiro
Maeda Eisaku
Ohta Tadashi
Shirahata Takuya
Nikon Corporation
Oliff & Berridg,e PLC
Rutledge D.
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