Photographic printing method and apparatus therefor

Abstract: An original film is provided with main numbers and sub numbers which are alternately located at intervals equivalent to the length of one half-size frame image, as well as bar codes which represent the main numbers and the sub numbers. Since the frame images on the original film can be specified by reading with a reading means the main numbers and/or the sub numbers located at the sides of the frame images to be printed onto the printing paper, the main numbers and/or the sub numbers are provided on the printing paper so as to identify the frame images on the original film.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention: The present invention relates to a photographic printing method, and an apparatus therefor, which easily enable to identify which frame image on the photographic film corresponds to the frame image printed on a sheet of printing paper. Description of the Prior Art: In a case where the frame image carried on an original film is printed on a piece of printing paper, the piece of printing paper on which the frame image has been printed is developed, and is then handed over to a customer together with the original film. Further, when a large number of original films are to be processed, a plurality of original films are connected in series for printing purposes. Thereafter, a sheet of printing paper is unrolled, so that the frame images carried on these original films are sequentially printed thereon. The printing paper is then developed and out into frames. In the above-described cases, since the printing paper on which the images have been printed is not provided with means for collating it with the original film, an operator must collate the printing paper with the original film by visually checking the images. Further, when frame images which have been printed with an unsuitable printing density are printed again, the frame images carried on the printing paper must be visually checked so that the corresponding frame images on the original film can be found. Additionally, when a customer orders additional prints by referring to several already printed frames from the original film, the frame images on the original film which correspond to these on the printed frames must be visually searched for. A photographic printing method and an apparatus which enable to identify which frame image on the photographic film corresponds to the frame image printed on a sheet of printing paper are known from JP-A-61 25 49 42 and correspond to the preamble of claims 1 and 9. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-described problems of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a photographic printing method, and apparatus therefor, which enable the frame images of a photographic film which correspond to the frame images of a printing paper to be easily identified. To this end, the present invention provides, in one of its aspects, a photographic printing apparatus for printing a plurality of images carried on an original film on a sheet of printing paper according to the definition of claim 1. In the case of a photographic film which carries half-size frame images, the frame images correspond to the main numbers or the sub numbers, or the frames are located between the main numbers and the sub numbers. Therefore, the frame images on the original film which correspond to the frame images on the printing paper can be specified by providing the printing paper with these numbers. In the case of half-size frame images, since the frame images on the original film are identified by the main numbers and/or the sub numbers, they can be found by detecting the corresponding bar codes. The bar codes may be provided on the original film at the same positions in the longitudinal direction of the film as those of the main numbers and the sub numbers. Alternatively, they may be provided at positions spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the film. The main numbers or the sub numbers may be provided on the printing paper using characters, a plurality of dots or other special symbols, as well as the numerals which represent them. The main numbers or the sub numbers may be provided around the frames of the printing paper or at positions separated from the frames, as well as on the rear surface of the printing paper. The present invention provides, in another of its aspects, a photographic printing method of printing on a sheet of printing paper images carried on an original film according to the definition of claim 9. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a plan view of a photographic film which carries full-size frame images, and to which the present invention is adapted: Fig. 2 is a plan view of a negative film which carries half-size frame images, and to which the present invention is adopted: Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a puncher to which the present invention is adopted: Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a printer to which the present invention is adopted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figs. 1 and 2 show the intermediate portions of photographic films 10 and 12 of the type employed in the present invention. Each of the photographic films 10 is a film which has a size of 135, and which consists of full-size frame images 14 (14A, 14B, ...) disposed in series at predetermined intervals. A large number of perforations 16 and 18 which are to be engaged with sprockets (not shown) are provided at predetermined intervals along the two edge portions of each of the photographic films 10. A large number of bar codes 20 having the same shape are provided at predetermined intervals between the edge of each of the photographic films 10 and the perforations 18, the bar codes 20 being formed during the manufacture of the film. The individual bar codes 20 identify the manufacturer, the lot number and the type of photographic film 10. Main frame numbers 22 are respectively provided on each of the photographic films 10 between the bar codes 20 and between the other edge of the photographic film 10 and the perforations 16, the main frame numbers 22 being formed at predetermined intervals and at the same positions in the longitudinal direction of the film during manufacture thereof. The main frame numbers 22 formed at the two edges of each of the photographic films 10 are represented by integers starting from 1 on one side of the photographic film 10. The integers representing the main frame numbers 22 are provided at the same pitch at which the frame images 14 are formed. Sub frame numbers 24 are provided at the mid-points between the adjacent main frame numbers 22. i.e., at positions at which one-half pitch to the right as viewed in Fig. 1. The sub frame numbers 24 are represented by the integers which are located immediately at the left side of the main frame numbers 22 and to which the character "A" is appended. Bar codes 26 and 28 which respectively identify the main frame numbers 22 and 24 are provided among the adjacent main frame numbers 22 located along one edge of each of the films (at the upper edge as viewed in Fig. 1), the bar codes being formed during manufacture. The bar codes 26 and 28 are respectively located at positions which are spaced apart a predetermined distance in the nightward direction as viewed in Fig. 1 from the corresponding main frame numbers 22 and sub frame numbers 24. This enables the main frame numbers 22 and the sub frame numbers 24 to be detected by reading the corresponding bar codes 26 and 28. Figs. 1 (A) to (E) show the photographic films 10 which carry the frame images 14 in a state wherein they are sequentially shifted in the rightward direction at the different pitches. In the photographic film 10 shown in Fig. 1 (A), for example, the frame 14A is located between the main frame number 22 represented by "11" and the main frame number 22 represented by "12", i.e.. the sub frame number 24 is located at the mid-point of the frame 14A. Therefore, the frame 14A can be made to correspond to the corresponding image on a sheet of printing paper by providing the printing paper on which the frame 14A is printed with the sub frame number 24 which corresponds to the frame 14A and which is represented by "11A". In the photographic film 10 shown in Fig. 1 (B), since the frame images 14 are carried in a state wherein they are slightly shifted in the rightward direction from those carried on the film shown in Fig. 1 (A), they are identified by the main frame numbers 22 which are represented by "12" to "15". In the examples shown in Figs. 1 (C) to (E), the frame images 14 are shifted from the state shown in Fig. 1 (B) in the rightward direction by the distance of the different pitches, and the frames 14 are respectively made to correspond to the main frame numbers 22 located at the sides thereof. In consequence, the frame images 14 can be identified by providing the printing paper with the corresponding main frame numbers 22. The numeral in parenthesis indicated in each of the frames in Fig. 1 designates the numeral provided at the position of the sheet of printing paper at which that frame is to be printed. Fig. 2 shows photographic films 12 in which half-sized frame images 30 (30A to 30l) are successively formed. The frame images 30 have a longitudinal dimension which is one half of that of the frame images 14 shown in Fig. 1. In the photographic film shown in Fig. 2 (A), the frame images 30 correspond to neither the main frame numbers 22 nor the sub frame numbers 24, both of the main frame numbers 22 and the sub frame numbers 24 corresponding to the boundaries between the adjacent frame images 30. In consequence, each of the frame images 30 can be specified by providing the printing paper on which the frame image 30 is printed with both the main frame number 22 and the sub frame number 24 located at the forward and rear ends (at the right side and the left side) of the frame 30. For example. the frame 30A located at the left end of the photographic film shown in Fig. 2 (A) can be specified by providing the printing paper with both the main frame number 22 represented by "11" and the sub frame number 24 represented by "12". In the photographic films 12 shown in Figs. 2 (B) to (E), the frame images 30 are carried on the photograhic films 12 in a state wherein they are shifted in the rightward direction from those on the film shown in Fig. 2 (A) by the distance of the different pitches. In all of these cases. the frame images 30 correspond to the main frame numbers 22 or the sub frame numbers 24. Therefore, the frame images 30 can be specified by providing the main frame numbers 22 or the sub frame numbers 24 on the back of the sheet of printing paper. The numeral in parenthesis which is given to each of the frames in Fig. 2 designates the numeral provided at the position of the sheet of printing paper at which that frame is to be printed. Thus, in the case of photographic films carrying full-size frame images 14, the frame images 14 correspond to the main frame numbers 22 or the sub frame numbers. Therefore, the frame images 14 carried on the photographic film 10 can be identified by providing the sheet of printing paper with the main frame numbers 22 or the sub frame numbers 24. In the case of half-size frame images 30, the frame images 30 correspond to the main frame numbers 22 or the sub frame numbers 24, or the frame images 30 are located betweeen the main frame numbers 22 and the sub frame numbers 24. Therefore, the frames 30 carried on the photographic film 12 can be specified by providing the sheet of printing paper with the main frame numbers 22 and/or the sub frame numbers 24. Fig. 3 shows the essential parts of a puncher 40 to which the present invention is adopted. In the puncher 40, the developed photographic film 10 or 12 is fed in the direction indicated by the arrow A, by which the frame images 14 or 30 are sequentially disposed on an optical axis. Above the optical axis 42 are disposed a light source 44 and a light diffusing cylinder 46 so as to irradiate the frame images 14 or 30 disposed on the optical axis. Bar code readers 48 and 50 for reading the bar codes 20, 26, and 28 are provided at positions which correspond to the two edges of the photographic film 10 or 12, the output signals of the readers being sent to a control device 52. When the frames 14 or 30 are disposed on the optical axis 42, the information representing the photographic density or the like is detected by a sensor 54, and the output signals are sent to the control device 52 so as to enable a corrected exposure required for printing the frame images 14 or 30 to be determined. The information representing the corrected exposure may also be input from a keyboard 56 by an operator. The puncher 40 also includes a paper tape 58 which is fed in the direction indicated by the arrow B in such a manner that the feed thereof is synchronized with that of the photographic film 10 or 12. A punch head 60 for punching the paper tape 58 according to the signal from the control device 52 is located at a position which corresponds to the intermediate portion of the paper tape 58. The punch head 60 is adapted to record the main frame numbers 22 and the sub frame numbers 24 represented by the bar codes 26 and 28 which have been read by the bar code reader 48 at the positions which correspond to the frame images 14 or 30. At the same time. it also stores the corrected exposures of the frame images 14 or 30. Fig. 4 shows the essential parts of a printer 64. The printer 64 employs the photographic film 10 or 12 and the paper taper 58 onto which the information has been recorded by the puncher 40 shown In Fig. 3. so as to print the images on a sheet of printing paper 66. In the printer 64, the photograpnic film 10 or 12 is fed in the direction indicated by the arrow C, during which the frame images 14 or 30 are stopped at an optical axis 72 formed by a light source 68 and a light diffusing cylinder 70. Below the frame images 14 or 30 are provided an optical system 74 and a shutter 76 so as to print the images onto the sheet of printing paper 66. The information carried on the paper tape 58 fed in the direction indicated by the arrow D is read by a reading head 78, and the output signal of the head 78 is sent to a control device 80. Further, a bar code reader 82 is provided at a position which corresponds to the portion of the photographic film 10 or 12 located on the optical axis 72 so as to read the bar codes 26 and 28, the output signal of the bar code reader 82 being sent to the control device 80. A dot printer 84 is provided in such a manner as to face the rear surface of the sheet of printing paper 66, by which the frame numbers represented by the bar codes 26 and 28 are printed according to the signals from the control device 80 on the rear surface of the sheet of printing paper 66 in correspondence with the frame images. The operation of the present embodiment will be descirbed below. The developed photographic film 10 or 12 is fed to the puncher 40 shown in Fig. 3. In the puncher 40, the bar codes 26 and 28 are read by the bar code reader 50 so as to detect the main frame numbers 22 and the sub frame numbers while the photographic film 10 or 12 is fed in the direction indicated by the arrow A. When the frame images 14 on the photographic film 10 or 12 are full-sized, as shown in Fig. 1, the main frame numbers 22 or the sub frame numbers 24 are selected, and the selected numbers are recorded on the paper tape 58 together with the corrected printing information on the frame images. When the frame images 30 are half-sized, as shown in Fig. 2, the main frame numbers 22 and/or the sub numbers are selected, and the selected numbers are recorded on the paper tape 58 together with the corrected printing information on the frame images. To print the images on the original film to the printing paper, the photographic film 10 or 12 and the paper tape 58 are mounted on the printer 64 shown in Fig. 4. In the printer 64, the main frame numbers 22 and the sub frame numbers 24 of the frame images 14 or 30 which are read by the reading head 78 are made to correspond to the main frame numbers and the sub frame numbers 24 read by the bar code reader 82, and the shutter 76 is driven on the basis of the corrected printing information recorded on the paper tape 58 so as to print the images. Then, the image frame numbers on the photographic film 10 or 12 are printed by the dot printer 84 on the rear surface of the printing paper 66 on which the images have been printed. Thereafter, the printing paper 66 is developed by a developing device, and is then cut into printed frames. Since the rear surface of each of the thus-prepared printed frames is provided with a frame number which is represented by the bar code, the printed frames can be easily collated with the images on the photographic film 10 or 12. In consequence, when printing must be made again due to the printing failure, or when a customer orders additional prints, the required frame images on the photographic paper 10 or 12 can be easily selected by referring to the frame numbers provided on the rear surface of the printing paper 66. In the above-described embodiment, the frame numbers are recorded on the paper tape 58. However, a magnetic tape or a magnetic film may also be used to record them.

Claims: A photographic printing apparatus including a light source (68) and optical means (74) for printing frame images (14,30) carried on an original film (10) onto a sheet of photographic printing paper (66), said original film (10) having frame numbers in the form of main numbers (22) and sub numbers (24) alternately provided at intervals equivalent to the length of a half-size image frame, said apparatus further including writing means (84) for providing said printing paper (66) with numbering corresponding to the numbering of the frame images (14,30) printed thereon, reading means (50,82) for reading bar codes (26,28) additionally provided on said original film (10) along with the main numbers (22) and sub numbers (24), said bar codes (26,28) representing said main numbers (22) and sub numbers (24), and control means (52,80) for controlling said reading means (50,82) and said writing means (84) to provide each printed picture with the corresponding number , the numbers being obtained by reading on the original film (10) the bar code which corresponds to the printed frame image (14,30), wherein said writing means (84) provides each printed picture (66) with the corresponding main number (22) or sub number (24) when the image frames are full-size, characterized in that the control means is arranged such that, when the image frames are half-size , if the main (22) and sub (24) numbers are alongside the half-size frame images of the original film, said writing means (84) provides each printed picture (66) with its corresponding main frame number (22) or sub frame number (24), depending on which of said main (22) or sub (24) numbers is alongside the corresponding half-size frame image of the original film, and such that if the main numbers (22) and the sub numbers (24) are located between the half-size frame images of the original film said writing means (84) provides each printed picture (66) with both the main number (22) and the sub number (24) from either side of the corresponding half-size frame image of the original film. A photographic printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means (40) for recording the information read by said reading means (50,82) on a recording medium (58). A photographic printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the optical density of said images on said original film (10) is detected by a density sensor (54), and information for correcting the printing exposure of each frame image obtained on the basis of the detected density is recorded on said recording medium (58) together with the corresponding frame numbers (22,24). A photographic printing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: control means (52) for correcting the exposure condition of said printing paper (66) using the information recorded by said recording means (40). A photographic printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 4, wherein said frame numbers (22,24) are printed on the rear side of said printing paper or near the edge of the printed pictures. A photographic printing apparatus according to claim 2 or 4, wherein said recording means (40) is adapted to record said information by punching a tape (58). A photographic printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said reading means (48,50) includes two components respectively provided in such a manner as to face the two longitudinal sides of said original film (10). A photographic printing apparatus according to claim 4, further including means (56) to allow manual input of said information for correcting the printing exposure to said control means (52). A method of providing photographic printed pictures with the frame numbers which on the original film identify the images being printed, wherein said frame numbers are in the form of main numbers (22) and sub numbers (24) and are alternately provided on the original film (10) at intervals equivalent to the length of the half-size image frame, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing additional frame numbers on said original film in the form of bar codes (26,28), and (b) reading said bar code numbers (26,28) on said original film (10) by bar code reading means (50,82) and writing frame numbers on the paper of said printed pictures, whereby (c) each printed picture is provided with the corresponding main (22) or sub (24) frame number when full-size frame images are printed, characterized in that in case that half-size frame images are printed, if the main (22) and sub (24) numbers are alongside the half-size frame images of the original film, each printed picture is provided with the corresponding main (22) or sub (24) frame number, depending on which of the main frame number (22) or the sub frame number (24) is alongside the corresponding half-size frame image of the original film, and if the main frame number (22) and the sub frame number (24) are located between the half-size image frames of the original film, each printed picture is provided with the main (22) and sub (24) frame numbers from either side of the corresponding half-size image frame of the original film. A method according to claim 9, wherein the information represented by said bar codes (26,28) is temporarily recorded on a recording medium (58), and said information is retrieved from said recording medium (58) when said images are printed on said printing paper (66) so to enable them to be provided on said printing paper (66). A method according to claim 10, wherein information for correcting the printing exposure of the frame images (14,30) is also recorded on said recording medium (58) in accordance with said frame numbers (22,24).

Inventors: MATSUMOTO FUMIO, SAEKI YOSHIHIKO, SAKAMOTO KIICHIRO, TOKUDA KANJI, MATSUMOTO, FUMIO, SAEKI, YOSHIHIKO, SAKAMOTO, KIICHIRO, TOKUDA, KANJI, MATSUMOTO, FUMIO C/O FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD., SAEKI, YOSHIHIKO C/O FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD., SAKAMOTO, KIICHIRO C/O FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD., TOKUDA, KANJI C/O FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
Applicants: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO LTD, FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: G03B27
IPC codes: G03B27, G03D15