Facsimile and static presentation processing – Static presentation processing – Attribute control
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-02
2001-11-13
Nguyen, Madeleine (Department: 2622)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Static presentation processing
Attribute control
C358S506000, C358S529000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06317221
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image reading device and method. In particular, the present invention relates to an image input device that illuminates a transparent original image, photoelectrically converts the image light sensed by a one-dimensional CCD into image signals, converts the image signals into digital signals after executing various processes on the image signals, and outputs digital signals on a (personal) computer and output equipment.
2. Description of Related Art
Concerning film for use in a camera, film having a magnetic layer is proposed by Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Hei 5-75922.
As described in
FIG. 2
, such film, regardless of whether the film is unexposed or already developed, is stored in a film cartridge
51
as continuous film. Perforations
53
are provided along the top edge of the film
52
. An exposure section
55
, etc., is provided in the central section of the film
52
. A magnetic recording section
54
is provided along the bottom edge of the film
52
. An aperture unit
51
a
and a spool
51
b
are formed in the film cartridge
51
. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Hei 5-75922 proposes a video monitor retrieval unit to read the film image within the film cartridge
51
with a two-dimensional CCD sensor.
The image reading system is capable of outputting an image obtained by prescanning on a computer monitor. However, when images are read into a personal computer or the like using the above-described technology, it is impossible to see more than one frame at a time of the images, and only the magnetic recording information from one frame at a time can be viewed. Consequently, when a user wants to look up a plurality of information items, it is necessary to operate the device as many times as are frames in the spool of film, which is troublesome. Consequently, this is inconvenient when the aim is to compare a plurality of images and information because it is impossible to see the information on the magnetic recording medium simultaneously when there are a plurality of images.
In addition, it is not currently possible with prior art devices for the user to append an identification (ID) number to each film. Consequently, management of the film by the user was, heretofore, difficult.
Moreover, the video monitor retrieval unit disclosed by Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Hei 5-75922 only outputs film images as video signals. In other words, the image is displayed on the monitor (CRT) one frame at a time. Thus, in the case when shooting images equivalent to twelve frames are in the film cartridge
51
, the retrieval unit displays one frame at a time on the entire monitor screen. Therefore, if the operator of the camera desires to see a certain frame after verifying all twelve frames on the monitor, the operator has to remember the number of the desired frame from among the twelve frames.
The video monitor disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Hei 5-75922 uses a two-dimensional CCD sensor. Two-dimensional CCD sensors with a large number of pixels are expensive, and the distance between the photoelectric conversion elements which comprise the two-dimensional CCD sensor is uneven due to problems in construction and the like. Moreover, the sensors with a small number of pixels are relatively inexpensive, but they are only capable of reading originals coarsely, resulting in a deterioration of image quality (such as low resolution). Hence, inexpensive but highly precise reading of film images is urgently needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a device that can handle information from a plurality of images recorded on a magnetic recording layer. In addition, it is another object of the present invention to provide a device capable of recording ID numbers on the film.
Another object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an image input device capable of reading film with a magnetic recording layer using a one-dimensional CCD sensor.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an image reading system capable of displaying images of a plurality of frames on a monitor, thus enabling the operator to verify the desired frame in the case when the shooting images of a plurality of frames are in the film cartridge
51
.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a picture image reading device that can read film having a magnetic recording layer using a one-dimensional CCD sensor. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to increase the speed of pre-scan processes in this device.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided photoelectric conversion device that photoelectrically converts images photographed on film having a magnetic recording part that outputs an electrical image signal; a retrieval device that retrieves information recorded on the magnetic recording unit, and outputs a retrieval signal; a display; and a controller that outputs an image signal to the display causing a thumbnail display of a plurality of images on the display and outputs a retrieval signal to the display causing the display of display information relating to the retrieval signal.
In addition, the image reading device may comprise an image reading device capable of handling film with a magnetic recording part, the device having a recording device that records recognition information of film on the magnetic recording part.
The image reading device may further cause the controller to display the thumbnail display of a plurality of images on the display by outputting image signals to the display and causing the display of display information relating to the retrieval signal on the display by outputting retrieval signals to the display. Consequently, when images are read into a personal computer or the like, it is possible for the user to see simultaneously the thumbnail display and information about a plurality of images that are on the magnetic recording layer.
In addition, the image reading device may comprise a recording device that records recognition information of film on the magnetic recording part, and consequently, the user can easily manage the film.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a mounting unit to mount a cartridge; an extractor mechanism to remove the film from the cartridge mounted on the mounting unit; an illumination device to illuminate the film removed from the extractor mechanism; a condenser lens to gather the image of the film illuminated by the illumination device; a one-dimensional photoelectric converter to convert the image gathered by the condenser lens into electrical signals; a transport mechanism to transport the film removed from the extractor mechanism; and a transport controller to control the transport mechanism so that the film stops at each line of the photoelectric converter. This structure enables reading of film images even inside such a cartridge using a one-dimensional light source converter.
The image reading device may also enable reading of magnetic recording data if the film comprises a magnetic recording layer.
The image reading device may also obtain image signals with one path if the light emitting device comprises an RGB three color light emitting source, since RGB lights are emitted for each line.
The image reading device may also enable reading of an original since transporting of film is stopped at each line during transporting of film in the first direction, and unnecessary transport time during transporting of the film in the second direction is shortened since the film is transported with a uniform velocity.
The image reading device may also enable reading of magnetic data, especially during rewinding of the original because the magnetic data are read during transporting of the film in the second direction, which is the opposite direction from the first direction.
The image reading device may also shorten reading time because the original is transported in such a
Aikawa Toshiya
Araki Yoshitaka
Fujinawa Nobuhiro
Ito Nobukazu
Maeda Eisaku
Nguyen Madeleine
Nikon Corporation
Oliff & Berridg,e PLC
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