Method for expanding memory capacity for photo film and a film player

The memory capacity for photo film can be expanded with an external memory medium. In addition, lab service can be changed and/or added. A memory card 120 is arranged in the film player, and a small amount of information indicating the memory area of the memory card 120 which corresponds to each frame is recorded magnetically in a record track which corresponds to each frame of the photo film. A large amount of information related to each frame is recorded in the memory card 120. With this arrangement, the memory capacity for the photo film can be expanded. In addition, the memory card 120, in which the lab service program is recorded, can be used, and the lab service program can be loaded from the memory card 120 to the EEPROM 123 through the interface 124 by the film player. Therefore, although the service to the lab may be changed and/or added, a new lab service program can be entered and can give the order application to the lab with the new lab service.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a method for expanding memory capacity for 
a photo film and to a film player. More particularly, it relates to a 
method for expanding memory capacity for a photographic film and to a film 
player wherein the memory capacity for the photo film is expanded with an 
external memory medium such as an IC memory card or a service at a lab 
(processing laboratory), which can be changed and added with the external 
memory medium. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
Conventionally, in a film player wherein a developed film for a still 
camera is focused by an image sensor such as a CCD, and wherein an image 
of the film is transferred into image signals, the image signals are 
output to the TV monitor and the image of the film as displayed, is 
disclosed in WO90/04301, Japan Patent Application Laid-Open No.5-56345 and 
the like. WO90/04301 discloses a camera and film player which use a photo 
film provided with a magnetic recording track. 
Now, as shown in FIG. 6, though the camera and film player which can store 
magnetic information in the magnetic track of the film have a lot of 
information to be stored for every frame, the length of the record track 
10 for every frame is limited. Therefore, there is a problem in that the 
record track 10 can store only a little information related to a frame. 
Further, WO90/04301 shows that many record tracks are provided on the film 
overall. However, in this case, there is another problem that the magnetic 
head damages the emulsion surface in which the film image is taken. 
Additionally, there is no film player with an order function to a lab. If 
the order function to the lab is employed in the film player, and further 
when the services are changed and/or added at the lab, it becomes a 
further problem that no service is given to users of former film players. 
Further, when the services are changed and/or added, it becomes necessary 
for makers and dealers to revise devices. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention has been developed to eliminate the above-described 
and other problems and provides a method of expanding memory capacity for 
a photo film and a film player, wherein the memory capacity for the photo 
film can be expanded with an external memory medium and services can be 
changed and/or added at a lab. 
To achieve the above-described and other objects, the method of expansion 
of memory capacity for a photo film comprises the steps of: employing in a 
still camera, a magnetic record layer in which magnetic information can be 
recorded; recording information related to each frame of said photo film 
during recording of each frame, in a record area corresponding to each 
frame in an external memory medium, and recording information indicating 
the record area recorded in the magnetic record layer; and, reading the 
information indicating the record area of said external memory medium from 
the magnetic record layer corresponding to each frame of said photo film, 
during reproduction of each frame, and reading out information related to 
the frame from said external memory medium based on the information which 
is read. 
Further, to achieve the above-described object, a film player in which an 
image of a developed still photo film is focused on an image sensor 
through a taking lens and image signals which are converted 
photo-electrically by said image sensor are output to a TV monitor, 
whereby a film image is reproduced on the TV monitor, said film player 
comprising: an interface part for inputting a lab (processing laboratory) 
service program from an external memory medium; memory means for keeping 
memory contents which can be written and eliminated without backing up; 
means for loading the lab service program from said external memory medium 
to said memory means through said interface part; an operation part for an 
order application to a lab; and, process means for performing said lab 
service program recorded in said memory means based on an operation by 
said operation part and for processing said order application to said lab. 
According to this invention, information (such as a record address) 
indicating which record area corresponds to each frame of the external 
memory medium such as a IC card, is recorded in the magnetic record layer 
which corresponds to each frame of the still photo film, and various other 
information including an environment condition, a film number, a print 
format, a photographing date/time and an order application information to 
a lab is also recorded. When reproducing, the information indicating the 
record area of the external memory memory medium is read from the magnetic 
record layer corresponding to each frame of the film, and information 
related to the frame is read from the external memory medium based on the 
information which is read. With this arrangement, only a little 
information showing the record area corresponding to each frame of the 
external memory medium needs to be recorded in the record track 
corresponding to each frame of the photo film, and a lot of information 
related to each frame can be stored in the external memory medium. 
Further, in the film player in which an image of a developed still photo 
film is focused on an image sensor through a taking lens and image signals 
which are converted photo-electrically by said image sensor are output to 
a TV monitor, whereby a film image is reproduced on the TV monitor, a 
memory (such as an EEPROM) is included for keeping the memory contents 
which can be written and eliminated without backing up, and the lab 
service program is loaded from the external memory medium to said memory 
through the interface part. Further, the lab service program recorded in 
said memory is performed, whereby the order application to the lab is 
processed. Therefore, although the service for the lab may be changed or 
added, there is no need to change the hardware of the film player. 
These and other objects of the present application will become more readily 
apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it 
should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, 
while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way 
of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the 
spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in 
the art from this detailed description.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
A detailed description will hereafter be given of the preferred embodiment 
of a method of expanding memory capacity for a photo film and a film 
player according to the present invention with reference to the 
accompanying drawings. 
FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view showing one embodiment of a film 
player according to this invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a film player 100 
is shaped in a rectangular parallelepiped, and a film cartridge storing 
part 102 and a memory card storing part 104 are provided at the front 
thereof. In the film cartridge storing part 102, the film cartridge 110 is 
taken in and out, and in the memory card storing part 104, the memory card 
120 is taken in and out at the same time of the film cartridge 110. 
The film player 100 is connected with an operation part 125 (see FIG. 2) 
and a TV monitor, and various operation signals are output from the 
operation part 125 to the film player 100 to control the film player 100. 
Further, image signals are output from the film player 100 to the TV 
monitor. 
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the internal structure 
of the film image input system 100. 
The film image input system 100 comprises a light source 130 for lighting, 
a taking lens 136, a CCD circuit unit 140 including a CCD line sensor 140, 
a first signal processing circuit 151, a second signal processing circuit 
152, a third signal processing circuit 153, a memory control circuit 154, 
a CCD buffer M1, a display buffer M2, a central processing unit (CPU) 160, 
a film driving mechanism 170, an optical data reading system 180, a 
magnetic record reproducing system 182 and the like. Further, the film 
cartridge 110 applied to the film player 100 includes a single spool 112, 
and a photo film 114 is wound around the spool 112. As shown in FIG. 3, 
perforation 114A indicating a position of each frame is opened, and a 
magnetic record layer 114B is formed overall the film or at the edge 
portion of the film. Information related to each frame can be stored in 
the respective magnetic record layer 114B. And, the developed film 114 is 
wound with the film cartridge 110 to thereby be stored. 
The light source 130 consists of, for example, a fluorescent light in a 
longitudinal direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the film 
114, and illuminates the film 114 through an infrared light cutting filter 
132. The image light which permeates through the film 114 is focused on 
the light receiving surface of the CCD line sensor 142 through the taking 
lens with a focal point. 
The CCD line sensor 142 is placed in the direction perpendicular to the 
film feeding direction. The image light focused on the light receiving 
surface of the CCD line sensor 142 is charged and stored at each sensor 
which has an R, G or B filter for a predetermined time, and converted to a 
signal charges of R, G or B in accordance with the intensity of the light. 
The stored signal charges are read to a sift resistor with a lead gate 
pulse having a predetermined cycle from the CCD driving circuit 144, and 
is read by the resistor transmitting pulse, sequentially. 
With this arrangement, the signal charges which are read from the CCD line 
sensor 142 are clamped with a CCD clamp, and input to an analog processing 
circuit 146 as the R, G, B signals and the gain and the like of the R, G, 
B signals are controlled. The R, G, B signals output from the analog 
processing circuit 146 are point-sequenced by a multiplexer 148 and 
converted to digital signals by an A/D converter 150, thereafter, output 
to the first signal processing circuit 151 and the CPU 160. 
The first processing circuit 151 includes a white balance adjustment 
circuit, a negative-positive changing circuit, a .gamma.-correcting 
circuit, an RGB synchronizing circuit and the like, and processes the 
point sequenced R, G, B signals, which are input sequentially, in the 
respective circuits, and then outputs the synchronized R, G, B signals to 
the second signal processing circuit 152. The second signal processing 
circuit 152 has a matrix circuit, and produces a luminance signal Y and a 
chromatic signal Cr/b and outputs them to a memory control circuit 154. 
The memory control circuit 154 controls the luminance signal Y and the 
chromatic signal Cr/b which are written/read to the CCD buffer M1 and the 
luminance signal Y and the chromatic signal Cr/b, which are memorized in 
the buffer M1, are written/read to the display buffer M2. The luminance 
signal Y and the chromatic signal Cr/b, which are read from the display 
buffer by the memory control circuit 151, are output to the third signal 
processing circuit 153. In the third signal processing circuit, color 
combined image signals of a mode such as NTSC mode are produced based on 
the luminance signal Y and the chromatic signal Cr/b, and then are output 
to a video output terminal 158 through the D/A converter 156. 
Moreover, synchronized signals having predetermined cycles are output from 
a synchronized signal producing circuit 159 to the memory control circuit 
154, the third signal processing circuit 156 and the D/A converter 156, 
respectively, whereby the respective circuits can be synchronized and 
image signals including required synchronizing signals can be chosen. 
Further, timing signals, which are controlled by the CPU 160, are output 
to the CCD circuit unit 140, the A/D converter 150, the first signal 
processing circuit 151, the second signal processing circuit 152 and the 
memory control circuit 154 from a timing signal producing circuit 162, 
respectively, whereby the respective circuits are synchronized. 
The film driving mechanism 170 is fixed to the spool 112 in the film 
cartridge 110 and is positioned in a film feeding portion which drives the 
spool 112 clockwise/counterclockwise, a film winding portion which winds 
the film 114 from the feeding portion and a film conveying path, and 
further is composed of a device in that the film 114 is fed at a constant 
speed which can be held by a capstan and a pinch-roller. Further, the film 
feeding portion drives the spool 112 in the film cartridge 110 clockwise 
in FIG. 2 to thereby feed the film 114 from the film cartridge 110 until 
the film top is wound by the film winding portion. 
The optical data reading system 180 is composed of a first optical sensor 
180A for optically detecting the perforation 114A of the film 114 and a 
second optical sensor 180B for optically detecting optical data such as a 
bar code written at the edge of the film, and then it processes the 
optical data which are detected by the optical sensors 180A and 180B and 
then outputs it to the CPU 160. 
The magnetic record reproducing system 182 includes a magnetic head 182A. 
The magnetic data stored on the magnetic recording layer 114B of the film 
114 are read through the magnetic head 182A, and then are processed and 
output to the CPU 160. Further, the data input from the CPU 160 are 
converted to signals to be available for magnetic recording, and then are 
output to the magnetic head 182A and stored in the magnetic recording 
layer 114B of the film 114. 
The CPU 160 Is connected with a random access memory (RAM) 121, a read only 
memory (ROM) 122, an electrically eliminatable and programmable read only 
memory (EEPROM) 123 and a card interface 124, in addition to the operation 
part 125. 
The ROM 122 stores previously a film player control program and a load 
program for loading the contents in the memory card 120. With the programs 
memorized in the ROM 122, the CPU 160 processes instructions of a user 
from the operation part 125 and controls the film player 100. Further, 
with the programs in the ROM 122, the memorized contents of the memory 
card 120 are loaded through the card interface 124 to the EEPROM 123 and 
the contents stored on the RAM 121 and/or the EEPROM 123 are written in 
the memory card 120 through the card interface 124. 
Now, when the film cartridge 110 is loaded, the CPU 160 makes the film 114 
feed at a high speed to pre-scan the film 114. At this time, the R, G, B 
signals of all frames are taken respectively, the gain adjustment value 
for every color signal is calculated to adjust the offset value and of the 
white balance for every color signal, and the offset data showing the 
offset value and the AWB data showing the gain adjustment value for every 
color signal are stored in the RAM 121 every frame. Further, the AE data 
showing the brightness of every frame is calculated from the R, G, B 
signals of every frame, and then stored in the RAM 121. The information 
stored in the magnetic record layer 114B of the film 114 with the magnetic 
head built in the camera are read with the magnetic record reproducing 
system 182 and stored in the RAM 121. Incidentally, the information 
recorded by the camera are a frame number, a print format showing one of a 
high vision image, panoramic image and a normal image, data showing a film 
winding direction which indicates normal-wind or pre-wind during 
photographing with a camera and the like, and various data can be recorded 
based on a camera. 
After detecting the photographing environment and the like for every frame 
by the pre-scanning, the film 114 is fed at a low speed to scan, actually. 
At this time, image signals are taken in accordance with the photographing 
environment for every frame recorded in the RAM 121. Further, zooming, 
title input, print input and the like can be achieved by monitoring a film 
image displayed on the TV monitor based on the image signals. In addition 
this information can be stored in the RAM 121. 
When the film cartridge 110 is taken out, the photographing environment, 
the editing details, the print information to a processing laboratory and 
the like for every frame, which are recorded in the RAM 121, are read out. 
These types of information are written in the record area for every frame 
of the memory card 120 through the card interface 124 and the memory 
address showing the record area of every frame is recorded magnetically in 
the magnetic record layer (see FIG. 3). Then, when each frame of the film 
cartridge 110 is reproduced, the information recorded in the memory card 
120 can be used. Thus, only a little information showing the record area 
which corresponds to every frame of the memory card 120 may be recorded in 
the record track which corresponds to each frame of the memory card 120, 
whereby a lot of information concerning each frame can be recorded in the 
memory card 120. 
Further, the memory capacity concerning each frame is expanded so that code 
information which is peculiar to a maker and/or a camera, letter 
information for every frame and the like can all be included. In addition, 
a code table which is peculiar to each camera is recorded in an external 
memory medium, whereby special information such as that memorized by an 
advanced camera can be employed. 
Moreover, identification information of the film cartridge 110 is recorded 
in the memory card 120, and then it is distinguished whether or not said 
identification information in the memory card 120 corresponds to that of 
the film cartridge 110 before reproducing. Only when the identification 
information are the same, the film is made to be reproduced, so that a 
mistaken combination can be prevented. Further, as another external memory 
medium, the cartridge 116 in which the film cartridge 110 can be stored 
and which has an expansion memory inside can be used instead of the memory 
card 120, as shown in FIG. 4, and the cartridge 116 may be applied to the 
film player 101. 
In this embodiment, the description has been given with regard to the 
method of memory capacity expansion of the photographing film being 
applied to the film player. However, this invention should not be so 
limited and can be applied to a camera. That is, in the camera in which a 
memory card and the like can be taken in and out, various information such 
as an environment condition is recorded, and information showing the 
record area of the memory card is recorded in the magnetic record layer of 
each frame of the film. 
Next, another embodiment of the memory card 120 will be explained. 
In FIG. 2, a lab service program is recorded in the memory card 120. The 
lab service program recorded in the memory card 120 is loaded by a load 
program stored in the ROM 120 to the EEPROM 123 through the card interface 
124. 
The film player 100 is provided with an order function. A user can give a 
desirous order application to the lab with the operation part 125. That 
is, when the order application of the user is given to the lab, the CPU 
processes the order with the lab service program stored in the EEPROM 123. 
For example, when a post card with a photograph is ordered, the order 
information includes a name, an address, a telephone number, a kind of the 
card, a negative number, a free sentence, type of information showing 
various kinds in which a regular sentence and an illustration are 
included, a number of the order and the like. The order information can be 
input in dialogue with the operation part 125, for example. When the order 
application is finished at the film player 110, the order information is 
written in the magnetic record layer 114B of the memory card 120 or the 
film 114B. 
Now, there is a case in that the service at the lab is changed and/or 
added, for example, a case in that a number of letters in the free 
sentence is changed from 150 to 200, a case in that a changeable type is 
added (that is, the type of 60 kinds is added to the type of 100 kinds), 
and a case in that a range designating function of the trimming is added 
since a trimming service support is started. In this case, a new lab 
service program is supplied from the memory card 120, and then, is loaded 
from the memory card 120 to the EEPROM 123 through the card interface 124. 
Thus, the order application can be given with the new lab service program 
in the EEPROM 123. 
In addition, a data showing the version of the service may be arranged in 
the lab service program, and a version check function may be provided 
while loading. Further, a parameter related to the specifics of the film 
is written and supplied to the user, whereby the film player can deal with 
a new film. Moreover, the order contents can be confirmed at a store with 
the memory card or the film cartridge in which the order information to 
the lab is written. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the film cartridge 110 
and/or the memory card 120 are set in an instrument at a order reception 
desk, and when the order information is printed out with the instrument at 
at the order reception desk, the user can get a print copy. The copy is 
sent to the lab to thereby check the order information at the lab. 
As described above, according to this invention, although only a little 
information showing the record area which corresponds to each frame of the 
external memory medium such as a memory card is recorded in the record 
track which corresponds to each frame of the photographing film, much 
information related to each frame can be recorded in the external memory 
medium. Thereby, the memory capacity for the photographing film can be 
expanded substantially. Further, when the service at the lab is changed 
and/or added, the user can be served without changing the hardware at the 
film player. 
It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the 
invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the 
invention is to cover all modifications, alternate constructions and 
equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as 
expressed in the appended claims.