Photographic printer

Abstract: A magnetic head (15) and line sensor (23) are mounted along the transport passage of a color negative film (10). The magnetic head reads trimming information recorded on a magnetic recording layer of the negative film, and sends the trimming information to an image processing unit (17). The line sensor scans an original frame of the negative film synchronously with the transportation of the film and reads the image data of the frame one line after another. In accordance with the trimming information, the image processing unit generates image data for a trimmed image as enlarged to use the color paper fully regarding its width, and sends the image data to a line printer unit (25). The line printer unit scans a light beam synchronously with the transportation of the color paper, to record the trimmed image one line after another on a color paper (26). According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least two layers among cyan, magenta, and yellow coloring layers are made of photosensitive material sensitive to electromagnetic waves such as infrared light.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographic printer according to the preamble of claim 1. 2. Description of the Prior Art A photographic printer according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from WO 90/04 302. With conventional photographic printer, an original frame formed on a photographic film such as a color negative film is set to the print station of a film carrier, to print the original frame on a photosensitive material such as color paper. For example, in performing trimming printing, the film carrier is moved in two-dimensionally, an unnecessary image portion of an original frame is covered by a variable size mask, and the desired trimmed image is printed on a color paper at a predetermined print magnification of a printing lens. With such a conventional photographic printer, it is necessary to provide a shifting mechanism for moving a film carrier two-dimensionally and a variable size mask for covering an unnecessary image portion. The structure of the printer therefore becomes complicated, resulting in a large and high cost printer. Furthermore, a conventional photographic printer performs frame exposure for exposing a color paper with light passed through a negative film, and the photographic process for a color paper is a continuous processing of transporting the color paper to various processing baths. Accordingly, in a mini-lab type printer processor, a loop forming unit for reserving a loop of an exposed color paper to absorb a processing speed difference is mounted at the position between a printer unit and paper processor unit. An addition of the loop forming unit makes it difficult to obtain a compact photographic printer. A conventional photographic printer prints a color paper with light passed through a negative film, posing a problem of color crosstalk and making difficult to obtain an image of high chroma. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a photographic printer of a simple structure and low cost, capable of performing fast trimming printing. It is another object of the present invention to provide a photographic printer capable of automatically performing trimming printing. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a photographic printer capable of making photoprints with less color crosstalk and of high chroma images. In order to achieve the above and other objects, a photographic printer according to the present invention comprises the features set out in claim 1. The trimming information inputting unit writes trimming information, for example, on a magnetic recording layer of a photographic film at the time of taking a photograph and reads it with a magnetic head at the time of printing. In alternative systems, not forming part of the invention, trimming information is entered from a keyboard at the time of inspecting a negative film, and written on the magnetic recording layer or in an LSI card. The image reading unit reads an original frame recorded on a photographic film, and outputs a first image data in an analog or digital form. This first image data is processed by the image processing unit in accordance with she trimming information, by enlarging the image so as to make a side of the trimmed image equal to a width of the photosensitive material. A second image data as obtained is sent to the line printer which prints the trimmed image on a photosensitive material. A mini-lab type photographic printer called a printer processor has a paper processor for developing an exposed photosensitive material. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, for at least two layers of the three layers, infrared photosensitive material sensitive to infrared rays other than visible light are used. The infrared photosensitive material has less color crosstalk, allowing to create an image of high chroma on an infrared photosensitive material. If infrared photosensitive material is used for the three layers, it is possible to print an image in a light room, without a light shielding structure for the photographic printer, simplifying the printer structure. According to the present invention, the photographic printer is integrally provided with a film processor unit. During the photographic process of a photographic film or immediately after this process, the image reading unit reads an image of an original frame. Such an integrated structure of the film processor and printer processor allows both to develop a negative film and to print an image on a color paper, by using the single apparatus, thereby saving the installation and maintenance cost of a laboratory. Moreover, the photographic processes for a negative film and color paper can be executed in parallel, making photoprints in a short time. According to the present invention, basing upon the image data read from a photographic film, a line printer is activated to create an image on a photosensitive material. Therefore, printing can be executed at the same speed as that of developing a photosensitive material. It is not necessary to provide a conventional loop forming unit for a photosensitive material which have been otherwise required for a frame exposure system, resulting in a compact printer of a simple structure. Since image data is electrically processed in accordance with trimming information, even a printer of a simple structure can make trimmed prints. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the detailed description of the embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings. Fig.1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a photographic printer according to the present invention. Fig.2 is a block diagram showing an example of the image processing unit. Fig.3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a line printer. Fig.4 shows a negative film and its trimming prints. Fig.5 is a schematic diagram showing a photographic printer having a negative film processor unit. Fig. 6 is perspective view of a film pull section according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the film pull section shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the layer structure of infrared photosensitive material. Fig. 9 is a graph showing the characteristics of a cyan coloring layer. Fig. 10 is a graph showing the characteristics of a magenta coloring layer. Fig. 11 is a graph showing the characteristics of a yellow coloring layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In Fig.1 showing a mini-lab type photographic printer having a paper processor unit, a developed photographic film such as a color negative film 10 is transported from a supply reel 14a to take-up reel 14b via feed roller pairs 11, 12, and 13. A plurality of the negative films are spliced one another for forming a long spliced film. The negative film 10 has a base 10a, a photosensitive emulsion layer 10b recorded with original frames and formed on one surface of the base 10a, and a magnetic recording layer 10c formed on the opposite surface of the base 10a. A magnetic head 15 is mounted in contact with the negative film 10 at the position between the feed roller pairs 11 and 12. While the negative film 10 is transported, the magnetic head 15 reads information recorded on the magnetic recording layer 10c. A trimming information read circuit 16 converts an electric signal from the magnetic head 15 into trimming information, and sends it to an image processing unit 17. A light source 20 is mounted at the position between the feed roller pairs 12 and 13, to apply light to the negative film 10 from the bottom surface side. An image pickup unit is mounted above the negative film 10 at the position corresponding to the light source 20. The image pickup unit may be a color image area sensor unit for picking up an original frame at a time, or a color image line sensor unit for reading an image one line after another synchronously with the transportation of the negative film 10. In this embodiment, as the image pickup unit, a color image line sensor unit is used. This sensor unit has a slit plate 21, a lens 22, and a CCD or MOS type image line sensor 23. The slit plate 21 is formed with a narrow slit 21a in the widthwise direction of the negative film 10. An original frame on the negative film 10 illuminated by the light source 20 is focussed as a line onto the image line sensor 23 via the slit 21a and lens 22. The image line sensor 23 has three pixel columns, and R, G, and B color filters mounted on each pixel column. An image read circuit 24 derives three color image data in the analog form of the original frame from the color line sensor 23, synchronously with the film advance, and sends the three color image data to the image processing unit 17. The image processing unit 17 receives the trimming information and image data. According to the trimming information, the image is enlarged so as to bring the upright side of the image to be trimmed equal to the width of the color paper 26. The image data as outputted from the image processing unit 17 is sent to a color line printer 25. The color line printer 25 modulates the intensities of three laser beams in accordance with the three color image data, and combines three laser beams into a single laser beam. This single laser beam is scanned in the main scanning direction or in the widthwise direction of a photosensitive material such as a color paper 26. The sub scanning is achieved by advancing the color paper 26 pulled out of a supply reel 30 by feed roller pairs 28 and 29, at the same speed as that of the processing speed of the paper processor unit 27. The printed color paper 26 is transported to the paper processor unit 27 to be developed. The developed color paper 26 is cut into frames and ejected out onto a tray 31 as well known in the art. If the image processing unit 17 has a plurality of frame memory, a transporting speed of the color paper 26 may differ with that of the negative film 10. Fig.2 is a block diagram showing the image processing unit 17. Three color image data from the image read circuit 24 is digitalized by an A/D converter 40, and inputted to a multiplier 41. The multiplier 41 multiplies the input three color image data by a coefficient (1 - K) for noise elimination. This image data is then inputted via a selector 42 to an adder 43 to be added to the data from a multiplier 44, the result being supplied to a three-port video memory 45. This video memory 45 outputs two types of image data each having a different transfer speed, so that the image data can be outputted at the same time at peripheral terminal apparatuses having different transfer speeds (e.g., a CRT display and a photographic printer, having a large transfer speed difference). The image data having a slower transfer speed is called an output 1, and that having a faster transfer speed is called an output 2. The output 1 is provided with two transfer speeds, one being the same as that of an input from the image pickup unit and the other being used for the printer. The output 2 is provided with a transfer speed being used for a CRT display. The image data output 1 is supplied to the multiplier 44, multiplied by a coefficient K for noise elimination, and inputted to the adder 43. The image data output 1 inputted to the multiplier 44 is the image data of one frame before the image data from the data selector 42. In this manner, noise components of the image data are eliminated. The coefficient K of the multiplier 44 may be set to "1" and the input data at a desired area may be set to "0" at the data selector 42. In this case, the selector 46 operates to select the output 1 only for the above-described desired area. If the transfer speed of the output 1 is doubled and the image data output 2 is thinned every second pixel and inputted to the adder 43, the image one frame before is reduced to a half size and superposed within the current frame image only at the above-described desired area (called a picture-in-picture). If the image data is not thinned and the write area is controlled, it is possible to display the same image side by side in one frame. The image data output 2 is subjected to gamma correction and the like at look-up table memories 50 and 51 (hereinafter called LUT). The corrected image data is then supplied via a selector 52 to a D/A converter 53, converted into an analog signal, and supplied to a monitor CRT 54. LUTs 50 and 51 are used independently for the color tone correction of the current frame image and inserted image during the picture-in-picture mode, to display them on the monitor CRT 54. In this manner, the image before color correction (image reduced in size) and the image after color correction can be compared in real time for the color correction. LUTs 50 and 51 are made of high speed memories, and written with data at each address in advance under the control of a microprocessor 55, to allow color tone conversion. In addition to the renewal of data in LUTs, the microprocessor 55 controls the renewal of coefficients of a color correction matrix and multipliers. Reference numeral 56 represents a memory and timing controller. In transferring the freeze image data to the line printer, this image data is read from the video memory 45 as the image data output 1. The image data output is sent from the selector 46 to a data selector 60. An area designating circuit 61 is connected to the data selector 60. The area designating circuit 61 receives the trimming information, and sends address information representing a trimmed area of the image data to the data selector 60. In accordance with the address information from the area designating circuit 61 and the image data from the video memory 45, the data selector 60 sends the image data within the designated area to an image interpolating circuit 62. The image interpolating circuit 62 interpolates and magnifies the image data from the data selector 60 so as to make the image size match the width of the color paper. The trimmed and magnified image data is stored in a frame memory 63. The image data from the frame memory 63 is subjected to tone conversion by correction data of an LUT 65. A correction data stored in this LUT 65 is renewed by input data from keyboard. The tone converted image data is corrected by a color correction matrix circuit 66 so as to match the color characteristics of a color paper or the like. The corrected image data is then supplied via a printer interface 67 to the line printer unit 25. Referring to Fig.3, the line printer unit 25 has a He-Ne laser 70 for radiating red light, He-Cd laser 71 for radiating green light, and Ar laser for radiating blue light. Laser beams from the laser devices 70 to 72 are modulated by light modulators 73, 74, and 75 in accordance with the image data from the image processing unit 17. In order to check at the start of printing whether the intensities of the laser beams are proper, some portions of the laser beams intensity-modulated in accordance with the standard image data are picked up by splitters 76 and fed back to the light modulators 73 to 75. Instead of gas laser, semiconductor laser may also be used. The laser beams modulated in accordance with the image data is converted into a single beam by means of a mirror 77, and dichroic mirrors 78 and 79. This single beam is changed to a parallel beam by a known collimator optical system (not shown), and thereafter applied to a polygon mirror 81 via a cylindrical lens 80. The polygon mirror 81 is rotated by a motor 82 at a high speed so that the laser beam is moved in the widthwise direction of the color paper 26, performing one main scanning per one face of the polygon mirror 81. The laser beam deflected by the polygon mirror 81 is converged to a spot having a beam diameter corresponding to the pixel density by a focussing optical system consisting of an f lens 83 and cylindrical lens 84, and applied to the color paper 26. A paper feed roller pair 29 rotated by a motor 86 feeds the color paper 26 in the sub scanning direction synchronously with the main scanning of the laser beam. The motors 82 and 86 are driven by drivers 87 and 88 and controlled by a controller 89. The controller 89 controls the rotation of the motors 82 and 86 in response to a synchronizing signal from the image processing unit 17. With the sub scanning by the paper feeding and the main scanning by the laser beam, the trimmed image is exposed on the color paper 26. Instead of printing an image on the color paper 26 by using the laser beam, a flat CRT or liquid crystal type line printer may also be used. As shown in Fig.4, in addition to printing an image on the color paper 26, the line printer unit 25 prints cut-marks 30 on the marginal areas between print frames of the color paper 26. Checking these cut marks 30, the paper processor unit 27 cuts the dried color paper 26 into print frames by using a cutter. Instead of the cut-marks, punched small holes may also be used as well known in the art. Fig.4 shows the original frames of a negative film and their print frames of a color paper. Trimming information in the form of code is recorded on the magnetic recording layer 10c of a negative film 10, when photographing a picture with a camera or accepting a DP order by using an order recording machine. Reference numeral 10d represents perforations for positioning and aligning a frame during photographing or printing exposure with an exposure opening. In this embodiment, used as the trimming information are a no-designation, an L size, a panorama size, and a Cinerama size. In accordance with the trimming information, the image processing unit 17 and line printer unit 25 create trimming images (print frames) 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d having a full width size on the color paper 26. In this embodiment, for the no-designation, a full size image is printed on the color paper 26 to create an image 26a having a high definition television (HDTV) size (89 x 158 mm, aspect ratio 1.46). For the L-size designation, an image surrounded by a trimming frame line B is printed on the color paper 26 to create an image 26b having a conventional L size (89 x 130 mm, aspect ratio 1.46). For the panorama size designation, an image surrounded by a trimming frame line C is printed on the color paper 26 to create an image 26c having a panorama size (89 x 254 mm, aspect ratio 2.85). For the Cinerama size designation, an image surrounded by a trimming frame line D is printed on the color paper 26 to create an image 26d having a Cinerama size (89 x 205 mm, aspect ratio 2.30). Other designations for creating a photoprint having a square size (89 x 89 mm, aspect ratio 1.0) or photoprints of other sizes may also be used. Furthermore, original frames having different sizes may be created on a single negative film, for which a changeable mask of a camera can be used, so as to bring the printing aspect ratio equal to the taking aspect ratio. Fig.5 shows a photographic printer having a film developing unit and paper developing unit integrally mounted. Like elements to those shown in Fig.1 are represented by using identical reference numerals. A film pull section 92 has a cover 93 which is pivotable in the direction indicated by an arrow so that a film cassette 94 can be loaded therein or dismounted therefrom. An exposed negative film 95 is pulled out of the film cassette 94, the trailing edge portion of the film being cut with a cutter. The negative film 95 is sent to a film processor unit 96 to be developed. The trimming information of the developed negative film 95 is read by the magnetic head 15 and the image data is read by the line sensor 24, and thereafter the negative film 95 is ejected out from an outlet 99 by means of rollers 97 and 98. A color paper 26 is pulled out of a paper magazine 100, and transported to the a paper processor unit 27 at a speed determined from the print magnification factor indicated by the trimming information and the transportation speed of the negative film 95. During this transportation, the color line printer unit 25 prints a trimmed area of the original frame on the color paper 26 at a predetermined print magnification factor. After this exposure, the color paper 26 is developed by the paper processor unit 27. The developed color paper 26 is transported to a cutter 103 via rollers 101 and 102 to be cut into frames and ejected out onto the tray 104. Reference numeral 105 represents an electric circuit such as a controller for controlling the image processing unit and other circuits. Reference numeral 106 represents a casing of the photographic printer. With this photographic printer, it is possible to deal with an urgent DP process order, reducing a customer waiting time. If the film processing system and paper processing system are disposed side by side, the length of the casing 106 can be shortened although the width becomes larger. Figs. 6 and 7 show a structure of a film pull section where a film cassette of a leader-advancing type is loaded. The film pull section 92 of Fig. 5 is replaced thereby. In Fig. 6, a film cassette 110A is constituted by a cassette shell 111, a spool 112 rotatably supported in the cassette shell 111, and exposed negative film 113 wound about the spool 112 with the film trailer fixed thereon. The cassette shell 111 is formed by joining shell halves 111a and 111b molded from synthetic resin. The cassette shell 111 is provided with a film passage mouth 114 for passing the photographic film 113, and openings 115 for supporting the spool 112 and for exposing a coupling end 112a to the outside. Plush or light trapping fabric 116 is attached to the film passage mouth 114. A film containing chamber 117 has two arcuate ridges formed on its inside. When the spool 112 is rotated, the roll of the negative film 113 as completely contained is kept from loosening. Alternatively the film roll may be nipped by a pair of flanges of the spool 112. When the spool 112 is rotated in the film unwinding direction by inserting a fork 122 in the coupling end 112a, a leading end of the negative film 113 is guided by the ridges, and is advanced to the outside of the film passage mouth 114. The film pull stage 145 is provided with the fork 122 which is slidable in the axial direction of the spool 112. A shifter 123 shifts the fork 122 in the axial direction to displace it from a retracted position to a position for engaging the fork 122 with the coupling end 112a of the spool 112. A motor 126 rotates when the engaging position is taken so as to rotate the spool 112 in the unwinding direction, and thus advance the film leader 113a outside the film cassette 110A. A plurality of perforations 118 are formed in a film leader 113a of the negative film 113 to engage a film threading member of the camera for feeding the film leader 113a to the take-up spool after being let out of the cassette shell 111. A film main portion of the negative film 113 is provided with positioning perforations 119, one for each of the frames 120 to be exposed. The perforations 119 are detected either mechanically or optically in order to position each of the frames 120 to be exposed on an aperture of the camera. The negative film 113 is provided with transparent magnetic recording layer, in which trimming data are recorded, and from which the data are read out by a magnetic head 121. Note that the magnetic layer may be formed alternatively in a form of a belt along a longitudinal edge of the negative film 113. The film cassette 110A may be provided further with a magnetic tape or IC memory such that the trimming data may be written therein during exposure. In Fig. 7, a cassette holder 130 is formed in the shape of rectangular elongated box, in which a plurality of film cassettes 110A to 110D are contained with their film passage mouth 114 directed in the same direction. The lower portion of the cassette holder 130 is provided with a cassette feeding mechanism 132 which includes lower and upper stopper pins 133, 134 which project retractably into the cassette holder 130. The stopper pins 133, 134 are supported swingably on both ends of an arm 135 by means of connecting members 136, and project alternately into the cassette holder 130 through guide holes 137 in correspondence with a displacement of the arm 135. A coiled spring 138 biases the arm 135 so that the lower stopper pins 133 project into the cassette holder 130. A solenoid 140, connected to the arm 135 by means of a plunger 141, displaces the arm 135 in excitation in order to alternate projection of the stopper pins 133, 134. A single film cassette 110B, positioned by itself between the lower and upper stopper pins 133 and 134, falls on a film pull stage 145. After the cassette falls, the solenoid 140 is deenergized to return the arm 135 to the home position indicated by the solid line by means of the coiled spring 138. Instead of using the stopper pins linked by the arm 135 to position the film cassette 110B alone, the stopper pins may be driven separately by using two solenoids or the like. In front of the cassette holder 130 is formed a film passage mouth 130a. In a lateral side of the cassette holder is formed an opening for ejecting laterally the film cassette 110E as emptied of the negative film. A cutter 146 is adapted to cut the film trailer. Drawing rollers 147 then start rotating to feed the exposed negative film 113 to the feeding rollers 148. The exposed negative film 113 is fed in a film processor unit 96 by the drawing and feeding rollers 147 and 148. A cassette ejecting mechanism, constituted by an ejecting bracket 127 and a shifter 124 for shifting the ejecting bracket 127 in the axial direction of the spool 112, ejects the emptied cassette 110E separated from the exposed negative film 113 to shift it from the film pull stage 145 to a cassette conveyor 149, which consists of conveyor belts for conveying the emptied cassette shell 110E to a hopper. The operation of the present embodiment now will be described. First, the film cassettes are inserted in the cassette holder 130 as shown in Fig. 7. A plurality of film cassettes 110A to 110D are lapped one over another in the cassette holder 130 in a state stopped by the lower stopper pins 133. The solenoid 140 of the cassette feeding mechanism 132 is actuated so that the single film cassette 110A between the stopper pins 133 and 134 is positioned in the film pull stage 145. The fork 122 is shifted axially by the shifter 123 as shown in Fig. 6. While the fork 122 is coupled with the coupling end 112a, the motor 126 is rotated to rotate the spool 112 in the unwinding direction to advance the film leader 113a. The exposed negative film 113 with the film leader 113a advanced is fed along the feeding passage as shown in Fig. 7. The rotation of the drawing and feeding rollers 147 and 148 is controlled in order to store the exposed negative film 113 between the rollers 147 and 148 at a length corresponding to the time necessary to cut the film trailer, and then in order to feed the exposed negative film 113 into the film processor unit 96. The emptied cassette shell 110E is ejected from the film pull stage 145 to the cassette conveyor 149 by the cassette ejecting mechanism. The emptied cassette shell 110E is fed to the hopper. The color paper of the above-mentioned embodiment has a multi-layer structure having red, green, and blue photosensitive layers respectively sensing visible red, green, and blue lights, as well known in the art. Such a conventional color paper generates color crosstalk because the wavelength ranges of photosensitive layers partially overlap each another. Color crosstalk makes it impossible to create an image with high chroma on a color paper. This problem can be solved by using a color paper of the layer structure that at least two layers of the three layers sense electromagnetic waves other than visible light. Fig. 8 shows the layer structure of a color paper having three layers sensitive to infrared light. This color paper 150 has a resin coating paper (RC paper) 150a on which layers 150b to 150h are formed in this order. Each sensitive layer has a different wavelength sensitive to light and a different exposure amount necessary for coloring. As a result, it is possible to eliminate color crosstalk by controlling the wavelengths and intensities of infrared light radiated from radiation sources. Such infrared photosensitive material is detailed in U.S. Patent No.4,619,892. As the three light sources shown in Fig.3, infrared light lamps or infrared light emitting diodes having light emission peaks at 780 nm, 830 nm, and 880 nm are used. 1st layer A chlorobromide silver emulsion layer 150b containing cyan coupler. As shown in Fig. 9, this first layer 150b is sensitive to infrared light of 880 nm, and develops cyan color in the exposure amount range from E5 to E6, due to development. 2nd layer A gelatin intermediate layer 150c. 3rd layer A chlorobromide silver emulsion layer 150d containing magenta coupler. As shown in Fig. 10, this third layer 150d is sensitive to infrared light of 830 nm, and develops magenta color in the exposure amount range from E3 to E4 due to development. With this exposure amount range from E3 to E4, cyan color also develops as indicated at C2 in Fig. 10. However this density is very small, and so color crosstalk occurs seldom. 4-th layer A gelatin intermediate layer 150e. 5-th layer A chlorobromide silver emulsion layer 150f containing yellow coupler. As shown in Fig. 11, this third layer 150f is sensitive to infrared light of 780 nm, and develops yellow color in the exposure amount range from E1 to E2 due to development. With this exposure amount range from E1 to E2, magenta and cyan color also develop as indicated at M1 and C1 in Fig. 11. However, color crosstalk can be neglected. 6-th layer A gelatin intermediate layer 150g 7-th layer A gelatin intermediate layer 150h. In the above embodiment, trimming information is recorded on the magnetic recording layer 10c of the negative film when taking images or receiving a DP order, and the trimming printing is automatically carried out in accordance with the trimming information. Alternatively, trimming information may be entered from a keyboard when inspecting the negative film or receiving a DP order. Such trimming information may be written in an LSI card which is later set to the photographic printer to perform the trimming printing. Furthermore, a keyboard may be mounted integrally with the photographic printer, in order to enter trimming information to each original frame. Trimming information may be optically recorded on a photosensitive emulsion layer outside the original frame in the form of bar codes or KARURA codes. In the above embodiment, the center of a trimming frame is fixed to the center of an original frame to perform trimming printing. Trimming printing may be performed by designating only the center of a trimming frame. In this case, as the trimming information, the trimming size designating information as well as the trimming frame center position information are recorded. The trimming area is determined by the area designating circuit 61 of the image processing unit 17, in accordance with the trimming frame position information. In the above embodiment, image data of each original frame is read from the developed negative film. Instead, image data may be read during the washing process or during the time period between the washing process and drying process. It is therefore possible to perform the print process and paper developing process in parallel with the washing process and drying process. Accordingly it is possible to reduce the total process time starting from receiving a DP order to giving finished photoprints. At a mini-lab, an urgent DP order by a customer can be handled in a shorter time, reducing a customer waiting time.

Claims: A photographic printer for making a photoprint by trimming an original frame on a photographic film (10) and printing a trimmed image on a photosensitive material (26), comprising: means (16) for inputting trimming information including a magnetic head (15), said magnetic head reading said trimming information recorded on a magnetic layer of said photographic film; an image reading means (20-24) for reading an original frame and outputting first image data; an image processing unit (17) for processing said first image data and outputting second image data of a trimmed image, defined in accordance with said trimming information; and a line printer unit (25) for printing said trimmed image one line after another on said photosensitive material (26), in accordance with said second image data, and a first processor unit (96) for developing said photographic film (10) is provided, said image reading means (20-24) and said magnetic head being located adjacent to and downstream of said first processor unit (96) to read said first image data and said trimming information during a development process of said photographic film (10) or immediately after the development process, characterized in that said image processing unit (17) is adapted to carry out a process of image trimming and enlargement such as to fill said photosensitive material to a maximum amount by making one side of a trimmed, printed image substantially equal to the width of said photosensitive material, wherein the frame length on the photosensitive material is variable and depends on the aspect ratio information recorded by the camera at the time of exposure and then stored on said magnetic layer, resulting in prints of variable aspect ratios (26, 26a-d). A photographic printer according to claim 1, wherein said first processor unit (96) has a film pull section (145) for pulling said photographic film (10) out of a film cassette (110A) as set in said film pull section (145). A photographic printer according to claim 2, wherein said film cassette (110A) includes a cassette (111) and a spool (112), and rotation of said spool causes a leader of said photographic film (10) to advance outward. A photographic printer according to claim 3, wherein said film pull section (145) further includes: a film cassette setting station where said spool (112) is rotated by being coupled with a drive shaft (122); means (132) for supplying said station with film cassettes one after another; and means (127, 124) for ejecting a film cassette as emptied of said film from said film cassette setting station. A photographic printer according to claim 1, wherein said image reading unit includes a colour line sensor for reading said original frame one line after another synchronously with the transportation of said photographic film, and outputting said first image data including red, green and blue image data. A photographic printer according to claim 5, wherein said line printer unit (25) includes three types of light sources for radiating three beams of different wavelength ranges, means for modulating the intensities of said three beams in accordance with said red, green and blue image data of said second image data, means for combining said modulated three beams into a single beam, and beam scanning means for scanning said combined single beam in the widthwise direction of said photosensitive material being transported at a constant speed, and recording said trimmed image one line after another on said photosensitive material. A photographic printer according to claim 6, wherein said three types of light sources are a red light laser for radiating a red laser beam, a green light laser for radiating a green laser beam, and a blue light laser for radiating a blue laser beam. A photographic printer according to claim 1, wherein of said photosensitive material, at least two layers among cyan, magneta, and yellow colouring layers are sensitive to electromagnetic waves other than visible light. A photographic printer according to claim 8 wherein said three layers are sensitive to infrared light at different wavelength ranges. A photographic printer according to claim 1, further comprising a first processor unit (27) for developing said photosensitive material exposed by said line printer.

Inventors: KIMURA TSUTOMU, KIMURA, TSUTOMU
Applicants: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO LTD, FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: H04N1
IPC codes: G03B27, H04N1