Photosensitive material feeding apparatus used in a copying machine

An apparatus for feeding a photosensitive material to an exposure station of a copying machine which makes copies on the photosensitive material from various originals. The apparatus includes at least two magazines, each of which is detachably mounted on the copying machine; at least two photosensitive materials having different sensitivities contained in the magazines, respectively; and a magazine selector for selecting one of the magazines according to the type of original. The magazine selector includes an automatic classifying device for classifying various originals into at least two types.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a photosensitive material feeding 
apparatus for use in a silver salt type copying machine. More 
particularly, the invention relates to a photosensitive material feeding 
apparatus for selectively feeding different types of photosensitive 
materials contained in respective magazines mounted on the copying machine 
according to the type of original. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Generally, an original from which copies are to be made by a silver salt 
type copying machine is classified into two groups. The first group 
contains printed originals and photographic originals, and the original is 
classified into this group by determining the materials contained on the 
original. The second group contains high contrast originals and half tone 
originals, and the original is classified into this group by determining 
the image quality of the original. Regarding the first group of originals, 
because of the use of inks contained in the printed originals and of dyes 
contained in the photographic originals, the printed and photographic 
originals have different spectral reflection densities. Regarding the 
second group of originals, the high contrast originals often include 
letters and line drawings in which contrast is considered to be important. 
In the half tone originals, gradation is considered to be important. 
Although originals have different image characteristics, the silver salt 
type of copying apparatus conventionally uses the same type of 
photosensitive material for copying all of the different types of 
originals. As a result, poor quality copies result for various types of 
originals. 
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a 
photosensitive material feeding apparatus for use in a silver salt type 
copying apparatus in which a suitable photosensitive material is selected 
according to the type of original. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention accomplishes this and other objects by providing a 
photosensitive material feeding apparatus, comprising: at least two 
different types of photosensitive material, each of which is contained in 
a magazine mounted on a copying apparatus; means for classifying originals 
from which copies are to be made into at least two groups; and means for 
selectively withdrawing one of the different types of photosensitive 
materials from the magazines according to the classified original. 
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, different 
types of photosensitive materials having different spectral 
photosensitivities are contained in respective magazines of the copying 
apparatus. The original from which a copy is to be made is first examined 
either automatically, or visually, and then classified into either a color 
printed original, or a photographic original. According to the result of 
the classification, an appropriate one of the magazines is selected, and 
then withdrawing means is activated to withdraw the photosensitive 
material contained within the selected magazine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
FIG. 1 shows a silver salt type color copying machine 10 embodying the 
present invention. In FIG. 1, the color copying machine 10 includes a 
housing, wherein an exposure section 10a and a processing section 106 are 
formed. A transparent table 11, located on the top of the processing 
section 106, serves as a support for a color original 12. A cover 13, 
located over the transparent table 11, contains an inner white surface for 
covering the color original. 
A movable illumination light unit 15, located under the transparent table 
11, contains an illumination lamp 16, a reflector 17, and a mirror 18. The 
illumination light unit 15 serves to scan the original 12 by moving back 
and forth in a parallel direction to the transparent table, thereby 
illuminating the color original 12 with a light beam or a line of 
illumination. A mirror unit 20 contains a pair of mirrors 21 and 22 which 
are arranged to face each other at a right angle. The mirror unit 20 is 
synchronized with the illumination light unit 15 such that the mirror unit 
20 moves back and forth at one-half (1/2) of the illumination light unit 
speed, thereby reflecting light from the color original 12. More 
particularly, reflected light from the color original 12 is applied to 
mirror 22 through mirror 18 and mirror 21. 
The light applied to mirror 22 is then reflected through a lens 24 to a 
pivotable mirror shutter 25 which pivots about a pivot shaft 26. The pivot 
shaft 26 pivots to either a first position (indicated by solid lines) or 
to a second position (indicated by dotted lines), and serves to direct the 
reflected light to either a light measuring means 27, or to an exposure 
stage 41, respectively. 
The exposure chamber 10a, includes at least two magazines 32 and 33, each 
of which are removably mounted thereon. The magazines 32 and 33 contain 
photosensitive material sheets 30 and 31, respectively. Since the 
magazines 32 and 33 contain photosensitive material, each magazine is 
"light-proof", i.e., the magazines are designed such that no ambient light 
can impinge upon the photosensitive material contained therein. Each of 
the photosensitive materials contains a different gamma value. For 
example, the magazine 32 contains a rolled sheet of photosensitive 
material 30 suitable for copies of color photographic originals, whereas 
the magazine 33 contains a rolled sheet of photosensitive material 31 
suitable for copies of color printed originals. Located in front of each 
of the magazines "light-proof", and 33 is a pair of withdrawing rollers 34 
and 35, respectively. These pairs of rollers 34 and 35 are selectively 
actuated to withdraw the respective photosensitive material out of either 
magazine 32 or 33. In front of each of the withdrawing rollers 34 and 35 
is located a cutter 36 and 37, respectively, each of which serves to cut 
the respective photosensitive material 30, 31 to a predetermined length of 
the photosensitive material sheet. 
After one of the photosensitive material 30, 31 is withdrawn from the 
magazine 32, 33, it is cut, and then the cut sheet is transported upwardly 
along a looped guide member (not shown) by a pair of feed rollers 38 to a 
pair of conveyor rollers 39. Located below the conveyor rollers 39 is 
another pair of conveyor rollers 40. Located between the pairs of conveyor 
rollers 39 and 40, is an exposure station 41. When making a color copy of 
the original, the selected photosensitive material sheet is transported 
downwardly through the exposure station 41 at a constant speed by the 
pairs of conveyor rollers 39 and 40. 
A pick up member 43, located below the exposure station 41, is movable 
between a first and a second position shown by solid and dotted lines, 
respectively. When the pick up member 43 is placed in the second position, 
it serves to pick up the leading end of the selected photosensitive 
material sheet 30, or 31, and to introduce the sheet into a processing 
chamber 44. In the processing chamber 44, the photosensitive material 
sheet is first processed in a well known manner, and then ejected onto a 
tray 46. 
Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which shows the respective spectral 
reflection density distributions of color photographic originals and of 
color printed originals, both of which have ordinary color balances. In 
FIG. 2, the spectral reflection density distribution of color photographic 
originals is shown by a distribution curve 50, and the spectral reflection 
density distribution of color printed originals is shown by a distribution 
curve 51. 
Color photographic originals contain magneta dye and cyan dye, whereas 
color printed originals contain magneta ink and cyan ink. The color 
photographic original curve 50 shows the magenta dye having a peak 
reflection density at a wavelength between 530 and 560 nm, which 
corresponds to green light, whereas curve 50 shows the cyan dye having a 
peak reflection density at a wavelength of approximately 650 nm, which 
corresponds to red light. As shown in FIG. 2, both of these dyes show a 
rapid decrease of reflection density above and below their respective peak 
wavelengths. 
On the other hand, magenta inks used in color printed originals have a peak 
reflection density at a wavelength of approximately 570 nm, which 
corresponds to green light, and cyan inks have a spectral reflection 
density distribution which is relatively constant or flat over a 
wavelength range between 600 and 700 nm. In addition, the relative 
sensitivity of cyan ink used in color printed originals changes more 
rapidly than the relative sensitivity of cyan dye used in color 
photographic originals for wavelengths longer than 700 nm. 
As described above, color photographic and color printed originals exhibit 
different peak reflection densities at different wavelengths. On the basis 
of this fact, various color originals can be classified into two different 
types, namely color photographic originals, and color printed originals. 
More particularly, the classification can be accomplished by using two 
light sensors, each having sensitivity peaks at different wavelengths 
within the same wavelength range. The color originals may be classified by 
detecting either the original's spectral reflection densities or spectral 
light intensities. 
For detecting reflection densities of color originals, two sets of light 
sensors, each set having first and second light sensors, are used to 
detect green and red lights, respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, green light 
is detected by the first and second light sensors 27a and 27b (FIG. 4) 
having relative peak sensitivities shown by curves g1 and g2 at 
wavelengths of 540.+-.15 nm and 50.+-.15 nm, respectively. On the other 
hand, red light is detected by the first and second light sensors 27c and 
27d (FIG. 4) having relative peak sensitivities shown by curves r1 and r2 
at wavelengths of 630.+-.40 nm and 680.+-.40 nm, respectively. If the 
first light sensor for red has its peak sensitivity at a wavelength of 
650.+-.20 nm or of 610.+-.20 nm, it is desirable to make the second light 
sensor for red have a peak sensitivity at a wavelength of 700.+-.20 nm or 
660.+-.20 nm, respectively. 
FIG. 4 shows a circuit for automatically classifying originals based on 
their green and red reflection densities. In FIG. 4, the color original is 
repeatedly scanned by the light measurement means 27 which contains the 
four light sensors 27a-27d. The light sensors 27a-27d serve to detect 
reflection densities for two colors, namely green and red. The density 
signals from the respective light sensors 27a to 27d are supplied to an 
amplifier 53 which amplifies the density signals. The amplified density 
signals are then converted into digital signals by an A/D converter 54. 
These four digital density signals are then sent to a RAM 56 through a 
data processing section 55. After the scanning of the original is 
completed, the data processing section 55 reads out and compares two 
density signals for each color. According to the result of the 
comparisons, the color original classification section 57 classifies the 
color original 12 into either a color printed original, or a photographic 
original. Based on the result of the classification, one of the two 
electric clutches 59, 60 is selectively energized, thereby coupling a 
motor 61 to one of the two pairs of withdrawing rollers 34 and 35. 
Connected to the color original classification section 57 is a manual 
classification key 58 by which the color original 12 is designated to be a 
color printed original or a photographic original based on the 
above-described inspection of the original. 
In determining the classification of a color original, the difference 
between two densities for one color, for example green, are compared. More 
specifically, green densities G1.sub.i and G2.sub.i are detected by the 
respective light sensors 27a and 27b for each division (i) of the color 
original 12. The graph of FIG. 5 shows the density difference between G1 
and G2 (i.e. G1-G2) for color printed originals and color photographic 
originals. According to the density difference between G1 and G2, the 
color original is determined to be either a color printed original, or a 
color photographic original. 
FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a sequential process for classifying color 
originals by using four color densities. In FIG. 6, the color original 12 
is first scanned to detect four reflection densities for each division (i) 
of the color original. The detected reflection densities G1.sub.i, 
G2.sub.i, R1.sub.i and R2.sub.i are then memorized in RAM 56 (FIG. 4). 
After scanning all of the divisions of the color original 12, green 
densities G1.sub.i and G2.sub.i are read out and compared using the 
following condition (1): 
G1.sub.i -G2.sub.i &lt;-0.10 (1) 
If the number of divisions satisfying the above condition (1) is greater 
than a predetermined number K, then the color original is classified as 
being a color photographic original. The predetermined number K is a 
consant, and may, for example, be equal to 20% of the total number of 
divisions into which the color original is divided. 
If, on the other hand, the number of divisions satisfying the condition (1) 
is less than K, then the color original is further examined by using the 
following condition (2): 
G1.sub.i -G2.sub.i &gt;0.1 (2) 
If the number of divisions satisfying the above condition (2) is greater 
than K, then the color original is classified as being a color 
photographic original. 
If the number of divisions satisfying condition (2) is less than K, then 
the color original is an again examined, this time by using the following 
condition (3): 
R1.sub.i -R2.sub.i &gt;0.1 (3) 
If the number of divisions satisfying condition (3) is greater than K, then 
the color original is classified as being a color printed original. If the 
number of divisions satisfying condition (3) is less than K, then the 
original is classified as being a color photographic original. 
A detailed explanation of the operation of the color copying apparatus 10 
of FIG. 1 will now be described. After placing the color original 12 on 
the transparent table 11, the copying key (not shown) is operated to start 
the scanning of the color original 12. More particularly, the illumination 
light unit 15 is activated to move simultaneously with the mirror unit 20. 
The slit line of light emanating from the lamp 16 is reflected by the 
color original 12, and directed to the mirror shutter 25 through the 
mirrors 18, 21 and 22 and the lens 24. The mirror shutter 25 reflects the 
slit line of light to the light measurement means 27. The light 
measurement means 27 includes the light sensors 27a-27d (FIG. 4), and 
provides four respective density outputs. As discussed in connection with 
FIG. 4, these outputs are stored or memorized in RAM 56 after being 
subjected to amplification, digital conversion and logarithmic 
transformation. As a result, RAM 56 contains two green density signals, 
and two red density signals for each division of the color original 12. 
After the scanning is completed, the illumination light unit 15 and the 
mirror unit 20 are returned to their initial positions shown in FIG. 1. 
Simultaneously, the data processing section 57 (FIG. 4) reads out four 
density signals for each division of the original from RAM 56 to classify 
the color original 12 according to the sequential process shown in FIG. 6. 
When the color original 12 is determined to be a color photographic 
original, the electric clutch 59 (FIG. 4) is energized. On the other hand, 
when the color original 12 is determined to be a color printed original, 
the electric clutch 60 is energized. After one of the electric clutches 59 
and 60 is energized, the motor 61 withdraws a photosensitive material 
suitable for the classified color original 12. For example, if the color 
original 12 is a color photographic original, the withdrawing rollers 34 
(FIG. 1) is rotated to withdraw the photosensitive material 30 from the 
magazine 32 by a predetermined length. The cutter 36 is then actuated to 
cut off the photosensitive material 30 after a predetermined length has 
passed through, thereby providing a photosensitive material sheet for 
copying the photographic original. On the other hand, if the color 
original is classified as being a color printed original, the 
photosensitive material 31 is withdrawn by the rollers 35 from the 
magazine 33, and cut off by the cutter 36. 
In either case, the photosensitive material sheet is transported by the 
feed rollers 38 and is bit or nipped by the upper conveyor rollers 39. As 
soon as the photosensitive material sheet is bit by the conveyor rollers 
39, the illumination light unit 15 and the mirror unit 20 starts to scan 
the color original 12. When a predetermined amount of time after the start 
of scanning has elapsed, the mirror shutter 25 is removed from the optical 
path to allow the reflected light from the original to impinge upon the 
selected photosensitive material sheet, thereby exposing the selected 
photosensitive material with a slit line of light from the color original 
12. During the exposure, the selected photosensitive material sheet is bit 
by the conveyor rollers 39 and 40 such that the photosensitive material is 
maintained flat over the exposure station 41. 
During exposure, a latent image of the color original 12 is created on the 
photosensitive material sheet. In order for one scanned line of the 
original to correspond to a respective line of the photosensitive 
material, the photosensitive material is transported at the same speed as 
the illumination light unit 15. In order to prevent the photosensitive 
material sheet from slipping between the conveyor rollers 39 and 40 due to 
a change of load exerted on the photosensitive material sheet, the 
photosensitive material sheet is transported downwardly so as to receive a 
constant load. 
When it is detected that the illumination unit has reached a predetermined 
position, the mirror shutter 25 is moved into the optical path between 
lens 24 and exposure station 41 to finish exposure. Thereafter, the 
illumination light unit 15 and the mirror unit 20 are returned to their 
initial positions shown in FIG. 1. Simultaneously, the direction of 
rotation of the conveyor rollers 39 and 40 are reversed such that the 
exposed photosensitive material sheet moves upwards until the trailing end 
of the photosensitive material sheet reaches the conveyor rollers 40. The 
pick up member 43 then moves to a position shown by the dotted lines in 
FIG. 1, and the direction of rotation of the conveyor rollers 39 and 40 
are again reversed such that they rotate in their normal direction, 
thereby transporting the photosensitive material sheet downwards. 
Consequently, the pick up member 43, which is now in the position shown by 
dotted lines, introduces the leading end of the photosensitive material 
sheet into the processing section 44. In the processing section 44, the 
photosensitive material sheet is processed and then ejected into the tray 
46. 
As is well known, copies of letters and/or line drawings are required to 
have a high contrast, whereas half tone copies are required to have a 
sharp gradation. In making these copies, two magazines including 
photosensitive materials having different gamma values are loaded on the 
copying apparatus. These different photosensitive materials may be 
selected either by using the manual selection key as a result of visual 
examination or by using the automatic classification means based on an 
image characteristic value obtained by the scanning of the color original. 
Although in the above-described embodiment two different photosensitive 
materials were used, it should be understood that more than two different 
photosensitive materials may be used, thereby allowing a greater selection 
of photosensitive materials for a classified original. It is also possible 
to use diffusion transfer photographic materials such as negative and 
positive photosensitive materials or thermal transfer photosensitive 
materials in place of the direct positive photosensitive materials. In 
these cases, a plurality of negative photosensitive materials are 
selectively used to create a latent image therein and superimposed on one 
type of positive photosensitive materials to form the positive image 
thereon. 
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and 
modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of 
the invention. It should be understood that the invention is limited only 
by the scope of the following claims.