Photographic film analyzer with simulator and film inspecting method

Abstract: Developed photographic film has frames of a 35 mm full size and of a panoramic size recorded thereon. A panoramic frame is detected in a photographic printer. A masking is set on the panoramic frame as detected so as to mask the frame. Photometry and pick-up of the panoramic frame is performed while the panoramic frame stands masked by the masking. Photometry of the panoramic frame as masked is performed. On the basis of the photometric value, exposure information is calculated. A finished image is simulated and displayed on a monitor CRT as picked up, in simulation according to the exposure information. The panoramic frame is inspected through the simulated finished image. The masking is retracted from the panoramic frame. The monitor CRT displays a simulated finished image while the masking stands retracted. For a frame of a wide-vision size and a frame designated for pseudo-zooming printing, similar operation is performed for simulation.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographic film analyzer and a film inspecting method, in which an image simulating an area to be printed is displayed on a display. More particularly, the present invention relates to a photographic film analyzer and a film inspecting method, in which automatic detection of areas to be printed can be confirmed visually. 2. Description Related to the Prior Art As is disclosed in U.S.P. 4,967,266, a photographic printer having a monitor display is known to public. A picture frame on developed film is set in a printing station. The printer incorporates a pick-up device for picking up the frame. To check the position of the frame in the printer and the density and color expected on a finished image of the frame, a subject image of the frame as picked up is processed and displayed on a monitor display for the purpose of visual simulation. There has been recent increase in use of panoramic photographs. A panoramic photograph is produced by recording a panoramic picture frame on 35 mm photographic film at the size of 13 x 36 mm, and printing the panoramic frame on photographic paper e.g. at the size of 89 x 254 mm. Such a panoramic photograph is twice as long horizontally as a usual photograph, namely a full size photograph having an L-size or E-size. To take a photographic subject to create the panoramic frame, a compact camera specialized for panoramic photography, or a lens-fitted photographic film unit, namely a single-use camera, specialized for panoramic photography, is used. In addition, a frame size changeable camera is now commercially available. The frame size changeable camera is provided with a manually operable member arranged inside the camera for changing over the frame size. Once the camera is loaded with film, the selected size cannot be changed over until the end of the use of the single strip of film. Nowadays, another changeable camera is marketed, which is provided with a manually operable changeover member arranged outside the camera. In the course of the use of the film, the frame size, either the full size or the panoramic size, can be selected as desired before each photograph is taken. After use of this camera, a single strip of exposed film is provided with full size frames and panoramic frames. A camera capable of pseudo-zooming photography is suggested for example in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 4-234027. For a pseudo-zooming photography, a camera is operated to expose a full size frame on photographic film. A portion inside the frame is designated while a photographer observes a photographic subject, e.g. by displaying of indication of a rectangular framing within a viewfinder, otherwise by construction of a zoom finder with which the photographer targets the subject while the viewfinder zooms it in. The camera checks the zooming magnification in correspondence with the targeted range, and records a printing magnification, derived from the zooming magnification, into recording medium, such as magnetic recording area on the photographic film or an IC card in the camera. To print a trimming-printed photograph according to pseudo-zooming information, the designated portion in the frame to be printed is enlarged according to the printing magnification as read out of the recording medium. The trimming-printed photograph as obtained has an image reproduced as if a photograph were taken in telephotography by zooming a zoom lens of a zoom camera. After use of a frame size changeable camera, a single strip of exposed film is provided with full size frames and panoramic frames, and requires discrimination of the two sizes, by means of either automatic discrimination or visual recognition of the frames, for the purpose of selection of a printing mode. However, there are cases in which even automatic discrimination of the frame sizes misjudges a panoramic frame as a full size frame: Firstly, a frame size changeable camera is provided with masking members projected into the light path in the camera so as to mask upper and lower horizontal portions off from a panoramic aperture. One or more portions of the masking members could fail to shielding light completely, so that the exposed area of the subject image of the panoramic frame is involved with unexpectedly exposed portion on the film in addition, in such forms as a horn-shaped small portion on the corner of the panoramic frame, or spots completely outside a panoramic frame. Secondly, a frame size changeable camera, provided with an automatic date recording mechanism, could record a date of the photography on the lower marginal horizontal area outside the panoramic frame. The image of the date could be excessively conspicuous, and could be misjudged as part of a full size frame, because a sensor for automatic discrimination of the frame sizes receives noises as high density from the extra exposed portions. Further there are frames of which either automatic discrimination or visual recognition of the frame sizes misjudges a panoramic frame and a full size frame, for example a frame in which the background scene is recorded at excessive underexposure while a principal subject is somewhat small, such as a scene of fireworks. The density and color expected on a finished image of pseudo-zooming could be checked and adjusted while simulating the finished image. With the simulated image observed, adjustment of exposure is visually estimated, so as to input exposure correcting data. Should a full size frame designated in pseudo-zooming photography for the trimming printing be measured in photometry for exposure correction, surrounding undesignated portions, outside the subject image as targeted, would be included in the area measured in photometry. This would affect photometry appropriate for adjustment of exposure in the trimming printing, because the photometry of the subject image as recorded would take into account the portions around the subject image. Photometry of the subject image would be low in fidelity. A monitor display in use for checking the finished image in simulation would show all the full size frame, either with or without indicating of the framing line designating the targeted subject image inside it. An operator would be required to estimate exposure adjustment for the subject image limited inside the full size frame while observing the full size frame as simulated. Such visual estimation tends to be influenced by the color and density in the apparently inseparable surrounding undesignated portions, outside the subject image as targeted, as shown in the monitor display. This is inconvenient for appropriate reproduction in the trimming printing. A photographic printer comprising a monitor display is disclosed in US-A-5,019,858. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a film analyzer and method of inspecting developed film, in which automatic detection of areas to be printed can be confirmed visually. Another object of the present invention is to provide a film analyzer and method of inspecting developed film, in which adjustment of a subject image to be reproduced can be performed with high precision. These objects can be achieved with a film analyser having the features of claim 1 and a film inspecting method having the features of claim 18. In order to achieve the above and other objects and advantages of this invention, developed photographic film is inspected, on which a plurality of frames are recorded which are different in printing image area to be printed on photographic paper. A size of the printing image area in an inspection-designated frame is detected in a first position. Masking means is operated in a course of movement of the inspection-designated frame to a second position downstream from the first position upon setting the inspection-designated frame in the second position, so as to form an opening corresponding to the size of the printing image area of the inspection designated frame. Photometry of the printing image area of the inspection-designated frame set in the second position is performed, photometry being performed with the masking means. Exposure information is calculated according to a photometric value from the photometry. The inspection-designated frame set in the second position is picked up so as to display a printing-finished image of the inspection-designated frame as simulated according to the exposure information. The masking means is displaced for an unmasked state after inspection. The inspection-designated frame in the unmasked state is picked up and displayed, in order to check exactitude of automatic size inspection of printing images. In accordance with the present invention, automatic detection of areas to be printed can be confirmed visually. In a preferred embodiment, the photographic film comprises at least two of frames of a full size printing image, a panoramic size printing image, and a wide-vision printing size printing image. The size detector measures the size of the frames optically. Adjustment of a subject image to be reproduced can be performed with high precision. Frames having a plurality of sizes recorded on the developed film can be prevented from erroneous discrimination. Further, the photographic film comprises a pseudo-zooming frame a portion of which is printed according to trimming printing. The size detector reads pseudo-zooming information recorded on the photographic film. Adjustment of a subject image to be printed as trimming-printed photograph can be performed without being affected by surrounding portions outside the subject image. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a novel photographic printer-processor equipped with a monitor display; Fig. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating a photo sensor array for detecting sizes of frames on developed film; Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a masking mechanism changeable between a panoramic opening and a full size opening; Figs. 4A and 4B are flow charts illustrating steps of inspection of panoramic frames and full size frames by use of the novel printer-processor; Fig. 5 is an explanatory view illustrating a photo sensor array for detecting full size, panoramic size and wide-vision size of frames on developed film; Fig. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a variable masking; Fig. 7 is a flow chart illustrating steps of inspection of wide-vision frames; Fig. 8 is a schematic view illustrating a masking mechanism changeable among the panoramic opening, a wide-vision opening, and a full size opening; Fig. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a variable masking for inspection of frames designated in pseudo-zooming photography for the trimming printing; Fig. 10 is a flow chart illustrating steps of inspection of the frames designated for the trimming printing; and Fig. 11 is a schematic view illustrating a structure for reading pseudo-zooming information out of the film. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION In Fig. 1 illustrating a photographic printer-processor equipped with a monitor display 17. A light source 10 emanates printing light, which is passed through three color filters 66 to 68 and a light diffusing box 12, and illuminates a negative film 14 positioned on a film carrier 13 so as to expose photographic color paper 15 to print a picture frame on the film 14. Referenced by 11 is a filter driver for driving the filters 66 to 68. The subject image on the frame is also picked up by a pick-up section 16 so as to display the image on a color cathode-ray tube (CRT) 17. The color paper 15 as exposed is sent to a paper processor 28, is developed in the paper processor 28, is cut off frame by frame, and is exited to a receptacle tray 29. The film carrier 13 is provided with a photo sensor array 18 for automatic discrimination of panoramic frames 23 recorded on the film carrier 13. In Fig. 2, the photo sensor array 18 is arranged between two rollers 19a and 19b, and constituted of an inner sensor 20 and two outer sensors 21a and 21b. The three photo sensors 20, 21a and 21b are aligned across the length of the film 14. The inner sensor 20 is arranged to correspond to the center of the width of the photographic film 14, and adapted to detection of transmittance density of the negative film 14 in a position located inside a full size frame 22 and a panoramic frame 23. The outer sensor 21a and 21b are arranged near the lateral edges of the negative photographic film 14, and adapted to detection of the density of the negative film 14 in a position located inside the full size frame 22 and outside the panoramic frame 23. Under the negative film 14 are arranged a light source 24 and a plate 25 having a slit. A light beam is thereby applied to the negative film 14. The photo sensors 20, 21a and 21b sense the light through the negative film 14, photoelectrically convert the light into the electrical output, so as to measure the light through the negative film 14, and to generate signals associated with density of the negative film 14. The output signals are sent to a size detector circuit 26. If the inner sensor 20 detects a sufficiently high density, and if the outer sensors 21a and 21b detect a density low enough to be in a density range corresponding to the base material of the negative film, namely an unexposed portion of the negative film, then the detected frame is judged as panoramic frame 23, which has a range narrowed in the direction along the film width. On the other hand, if the inner sensor 20 detects a sufficiently high density, and if the outer sensors 21a and 21b detect a density over the density range corresponding to the film base, then the detected frame is judged as a full size frame. The size signal, for either the panoramic size or the full size, is sent to a controller 27. The controller 27, according to the size signal, changes over a carrier masking 30 on the film carrier 13 from a full size aperture to a panoramic aperture. The carrier masking 30 is used for masking the frame to be printed, so that respective points within an portion of the frame remaining inside the carrier masking 30 is measured by three color separating photometry, and that the remaining portion of the frame is picked up for displaying simulation of the subject image to be reproduced. The carrier masking 30 is arranged in a printing position of the film carrier 13. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the carrier masking 30, before photometry and before printing, is lowered by a solenoid 31 to position the negative film 14 on a carrier base 32. In the carrier masking are formed a full size opening 30a and a panoramic opening 30b. A shifting mechanism 33 drives the carrier masking 30 to slide it horizontally so as to set either of the openings 30a and 30b into the printing station. Note that, instead of for the slidable carrier masking 30 changing over the opening size, a pair of L-shaped slidable arms may be arranged and slid to come nearer to, and farther from, each other (see Fig. 6). Normally, the carrier masking 30 is so set as to position the full size opening 30a in the printing station. If the panoramic frame 23 is detected by the size detector circuit 26 to be in the printing station, the panoramic opening 30b is positioned in the printing station. Photometry is performed with the panoramic opening 30b positioned. As is illustrated in Fig. 1, the negative film 14 and the color paper 15 are arranged to lie in a printing light path 39, along which a half mirror 40, a zoom lens 41 and a shutter 42 are also arranged. On the color paper 15 is arranged a variable paper masking 43 well known in the art. The paper masking 43 is changeable in the size of the opening in accordance with the printing size as designated. The focal length of the zoom lens 41 is adjusted by a motor driving the zoom lens 41, so as to change the printing magnification according to the printing size. The half mirror 40 is adapted to both transmission and reflection of the printing light. The half mirror 40 reflects the printing light aside for being incident on the pick-up section 16 and a scanner 46. Note that the half mirror 40 may be replaced with a movable mirror of a general type. Such a movable mirror may be either slidable or swingable, and be inserted into, and retracted from, the light path 39 to transmit directly the light or to reflect the light aside. To monitor the simulation of the subject image, the light reflected by the half mirror 40 is passed through a zoom lens 50, and is incident on a beam splitter 51. The light passed through the beam splitter 51 is incident on a color image sensor 52 of the scanner 46. The light reflected on the beam splitter 51 is incident on a color image sensor 53 of the pick-up section 16. The zoom lens 50 is driven by a motor and adjusted in the focal length. If the printing size is changed for each kind of the negative film, the monitor CRT 17 displays each simulated image 17a formed in one given size. The color image sensors 52 and 53 are for example of a MOS type or a CCD type. The color image sensor 52 performs three color separation photometry of 300 points in a frame to be printed, namely in fashion of a matrix of 20 x 15. The data obtained by photometry is sent to a characteristic calculator 56. The characteristic calculator 56, as is well known in the art, extracts a large-area transmittance density (LATD), and maximum and minimum densities, among other characteristics, so as to send them to an exposure amount calculator 57. The exposure amount calculator 57 calculates a fundamental exposure amount according to well-known exposure amount calculating equations, so as to send the exposure amount to the controller 27. The controller 27 drives the filter driver 11 according to the exposure amount, and adjust the quality and the intensity of the printing light. Thus the frame to be printed is illuminated with the printing light at the quality and intensity corresponding to the fundamental exposure amount based on the data from photometry. The video signal generated by the color image sensor 53 is sent into an image processing circuit 55 for processing the video image by converting the negative video signal into positive video signal and while simulating the characteristics of the color paper 15. The image processor circuit 55 is also provided with signals of other information as indication to be displayed on the monitor CRT 17 together with the subject image. The monitor CRT 17 displays the simulated image 17a simulating the printed image of the frame to be printed, and a set of indications 17b representing the position marks, printing size, and the printing magnification, among other information. The image processing circuit 55 is connected to a framing line generator 58, which generates signals representing two horizontal framing lines 59a and 59b to define the upper and lower limits of the panoramic frame 23. The precise procedure of displaying the simulated image 17a, the indications 17b and the horizontal framing lines is described in detail for example in the U.S.P. 4,927,266. An operator observes and checks the simulated image 17a on the monitor CRT 17, and visually estimates correction of exposure. With the exposure correcting data estimated, the operator operates correcting keys of a keyboard 65 to enter the exposure correcting data into the controller 27. With the correcting data entered, the controller 27 drives the filter driver 11 to move at least one of the red filter 66, green filter 67 and blue filter 68, so as to adjust the inserting amounts with respect to the light path 39 so as to change the quality and intensity of the printing light. Such operation of the correcting keys actuates the filter driver 11 and changes the printing light while the frame to be printed stands picked up. Upon the operation of the correcting keys, the color balance and density of the simulated density 17a are changed as observed in the monitor CRT 17. Checking the simulation as to exposure characteristics and position, the operator, if it is acceptable, confirms the simulated image 17a and operates a printing key in the keyboard 65. The operation of the printing key causes the controller 27 to control a shutter driver 70, and prints the printing-designated frame on the color paper 15. After printing, the negative film 14 is fed at a length of the one frame, to position another frame on the printing station. Note that the pick-up section 16 is so constructed as to stop picking up in response to actuating the printing key. The operation of the present embodiment is described with reference to Figs. 4A and 4B. The negative film 14, on which frames both of the full size and of the panoramic size are recorded, is set on the film carrier 13. The controller 27 feeds the negative film 14 to position the first frame on the printing station. During this feeding of the film 14, the film density is detected by the photo sensor array 18. The size detector circuit 26 automatically detects the size of the frame in accordance with the changes or differences in density, in the manner as described above. If the frame size is detected as panoramic, the carrier masking 30 is slid by the shifting mechanism 33 as illustrated in Fig. 3, so as to set the panoramic opening 30b in the printing station. Afterwards, the scanner 46 is actuated to perform three color separating photometry at each point in the frame to be printed. The pick-up section 16 is actuated to start picking up the panoramic frame 23 on the color image sensor 53. The panoramic frame 23 is processed in the image processing circuit 55, and is simulated on the monitor CRT 17 as the image 17a. Should photometry and pick-up are performed for the panoramic frame 23 in the conventional manners, the panoramic frame 23 would be masked on a masking, as left unmasked in a full size opening. The upper and lower unexposed portions, even having no part of a subject image, would be included in the area measured in photometry and picked up. This would affect the result of photometry and pick-up of the panoramic frame, because the photometry and pick-up of the panoramic frame would have taken into account the portions outside the subject image. Accordingly, the photometry would be incorrect, with low fidelity in picking up the subject image. However, in the present invention, the panoramic frame 23 is masked on the masking as left unmasked in the panoramic opening 30b. The upper and lower unexposed portions, having no part of a subject image, are excluded from the area measured in photometry and picked up. The photometry and pick-up of the panoramic frame 23 do not take into account the portions outside the subject image. Accordingly, the photometry is correct, with high fidelity in picking up the subject image. The simulated image 17a is observed, and visually checked. If necessary, exposure correcting data is inputted. In response to this, the positions of the color filters 66 to 68 are changed to adjust the quality and intensity of the printing light, so as to display the simulated image 17a on the monitor CRT 17 after exposure correction. The panoramic opening 30b is retracted from the printing position. Instead of this, the full size opening 30a is set into the printing position. The simulated image 17a is displayed like a full size frame, namely together with the upper and lower unexposed portions next to the subject image. At the same time as this, the horizontal framing lines 59a and 59b appear to show the panoramic range within the full size range. Should a full size frame of under-exposure be automatically judged as a panoramic frame, such a full size frame can be visually judged as full size correctly. To do this, with the under-exposure full size frame masked with the panoramic opening 30b, the exposure amount is corrected in view of the central panoramic range of the subject image. With the panoramic opening 30b retracted, the full size frame is simulated, so that the upper and lower horizontal portions masked at first appear on the monitor CRT 17. Although it is difficult visually to discriminate such upper and lower horizontal portions of under-exposure as part of a subject image, exposure correction makes it possible to judge the under-exposure full size frame exactly as such by use of the monitor CRT 17. Therefore, no error takes place such that the full size frame would be misprinted as panoramic size. To print the panoramic frame 23, the carrier masking 30 is again shifted to position the panoramic opening 30b on the panoramic frame 23, as illustrated in the flow chart of Fig. 4A. While the frame 23 is printed, the color paper 15 is masked to appear inside a corresponding panoramic opening at which the paper masking 43 is set. Note that, because the paper 15 is masked panoramically, it is possible to keep the panoramic opening 30b retracted from the panoramic frame 23 during printing operation, to leave the frame 23 unmasked fully. Such use of the masking 30 is advantageous in high efficiency in printing frames to produce photographs. If the frame is automatically judged as full size, the full size opening 30a is positioned in the printing station. The full size frame masked as such is picked up and measured in photometry. The simulated positive image of the subject image as picked up is displayed on the monitor CRT 17. The operator observes the simulated image to check the frame size. If the frame size is missed as full size automatically, the keyboard 65 is operated to position the panoramic opening 30b in the printing station. If the full size frame is confirmed on the monitor CRT 17 on the other hand, then correction of simulated image is estimated, and the correcting keys are operated to input the exposure correcting data. With the correcting data entered, positions of setting the color filters are adjusted. The simulated image after exposure correction is displayed on the monitor CRT 17. If the corrected simulation is acceptable, then the printing key is operated to print the printing-designated frame on the color paper. The negative film 14 is fed to position the following printing-designated frame in the printing station to produce another photograph. In above embodiment, the first or normal size is the full size, while the second or specialized size is the panoramic size. Alternatively, the first size may be a half size in which the horizontal range is half as long as the full size. The second size may be another long size in which the vertical range is narrowed, e.g. a wide-vision size having the aspect ratio of 1.78 the same as the format of high-definition television system, or a cinema size having the aspect ratio of 2.30. The second size may be a size in which the horizontal range is shortened, e.g. a square size having the aspect ratio of 1.0. Horizontal framing lines can be indicated for the wide-vision sizes, instead of which the shortened size can be associated with indication of vertical framing lines. Fig. 5 illustrates another preferred embodiment for a negative film 83, on which frames of three sizes are recorded, namely the frames 22 of the full size, the frames 23 of the panoramic size, and frames 82 of the wide-vision size. Elements similar to those in the former embodiments are designated with identical reference numerals. To produce photographs from the negative film 83, a photo sensor array 87 is used, in which an inner sensor 84, two intermediate sensors 85a and 85b and outer sensors 86a and 86b are arranged. The five photo sensors 84, 85a, 85b, 86a and 86b are aligned across the length of the film 83. The inner sensor 84 is arranged to correspond to the center of the width of the photographic film 83, and adapted to detection of transmittance density of the negative film 83 in a position located inside the full size frame 22, the wide-vision frame 82 and the panoramic frame 23. The intermediate sensors 85a and 85b are adapted to detection of the density of the negative film 83 in a position located inside the full size frame 22, inside the wide-vision frame 82, and outside the panoramic frame 23. The outer sensors 86a and 86b are arranged near the lateral edges of the negative photographic film 83, and adapted to detection of the density of the negative film 83 in a position located inside the full size frame 22, outside the wide-vision frame 82, and outside the panoramic frame 23. To mask the frames 22, 23 and 82 respectively, variable carrier masking 90 illustrated in Fig. 6 is used. The masking 90 is constituted of a pair of L-shaped slidable arms 91a and 91b and a pinion gear 92 for linking together the arms 91a and 91b. The arms 91a and 91b are provided with rack portion 93a and 93b extended in parallel and across the length of the film 83. The pinion 92 is in mesh with both of the racks 93a and 93b. When a motor 94 rotates the pinion 92, the arms 91a and 91b are slid in the direction along the film width, in the opposite direction to come nearer to, and farther from, each other. The motor 94 is stopped when the arms 91a and 91b come at respective intervals of a full size width WF, a wide-vision width WH, and a panoramic width WP, so as to appear the framing openings for the full size, wide-vision size and panoramic size. If the intermediate sensors 85a and 85b detects a sufficiently high density, and if the outer sensors 86a and 86b detect a density low enough to be in a density range corresponding to the base material of the negative film, then the detected frame is judged as wide-vision frame 82. The slidable arms 90 are slid at the interval of the wide-vision width WH, in order to pick up the frame and measure it in photometry. By following the process as illustrated in Fig. 7, the frame is checked, and printed. Instead of use of the variable masking 90, a carrier masking 95 may be used for masking, as illustrated in Fig. 8. In the carrier masking are formed a full size opening 95a and a panoramic opening 95b and a wide-vision opening 95c. A shifting mechanism 96 drives the carrier masking 95 to slide it so as to set any of the openings 95a to 95c into the printing station, in correspondence with one of the frames 22, 23 and 82. Instead of the above negative film 14 or 83, there can be a negative film on which frames are recorded, and pseudo-zooming information is recorded as associated with the frames with intention of printing photographs while enlarging a portion of the frames. Although the masking in the above embodiment is changed over according to frame sizes for photometry and pick-up, a similar masking in the embodiment below is changed over according to a limited range as designated in pseudo-zooming photography for the trimming printing. Fig. 9 illustrates such a variable masking 100. Elements similar to those in the former embodiments are designated with identical reference numerals. To mask the frame in the direction along the film width, slidable arms 96a and 91b are operated in the manner the same as the former embodiment. To mask the frame in the direction along the film length, the masking 100 has a pair of L-shaped slidable arms 101a and 101b. The arms 101a and 101b are provided with rack portion 102a and 102b extended in parallel and across the length of a negative film 110. The pinion 103 is in mesh with both of the racks 102a and 102b. When a motor 100b rotates a pinion 103, the arms 101a and 101b are slid in the direction along the film width, in the opposite direction to come nearer to, and farther from, each other. The pseudo-zooming information is recorded at the time of taking a photograph on magnetic recording area formed on the photographic film or an IC card contained in a camera taking the photograph with the film, and constitute photograph-taking information for the purpose of instruction for printing the photograph from the negative film. Note that such an information-recording camera is referred to for example in JP-A 4-113347. For a pseudo-zooming photography, a camera is operated to expose a full size frame on photographic film. However, a rectangular portion inside the frame is designated while a photographer is observes a photographic subject, e.g. by display of indication of a rectangular framing within a viewfinder, otherwise by construction of a zoom finder with which the photographer targets the subject while the viewfinder zooms it in. The camera checks the zooming magnification in correspondence with the targeted range, and records a printing magnification, derived from the zooming magnification, into recording medium, such as magnetic recording area on the photographic film or an IC card in the camera. To print a trimming-printed photograph, the designated portion in the frame to be printed is enlarged according to the printing magnification as read out of the recording medium. The trimming-printed photograph as obtained has an image reproduced as if a photograph were taken in telephotography by zooming a zoom lens. As illustrated in Fig. 10, the frame for the trimming printing is also measured in photography and picked up. The pseudo-zooming information is read out of a magnetic recording area 111 on the negative film 110 or the IC card. The photographic printer changes a variable opening 105 defined by the masking 100, so as to mask the frame around the pseudo-zooming portion having a subject image. As illustrated in Fig. 11, a reader incorporated in the printer for reading the pseudo-zooming information is constituted of a magnetic head 112 to come in contact with the magnetic recording area 111, and a data converter 113 for converting the output signal from the magnetic head 112 into a pseudo-zooming signal. Detailed construction of this information reader is suggested the commonly assigned co-pending application U.S. Ser. No. 07/753,770. The subject image designated for pseudo-zooming is measured in photometry and picked up for simulation, while the surrounding portions outside the subject image are masked by the variable masking 100. The surrounding undesignated portions, without being targeted as a subject image, are excluded from the area measured in photometry and picked up. The photometry and pick-up of the pseudo-zooming portion having the subject image do not take into account the portions outside the subject image. Accordingly, the photometry is correct, with high fidelity in picking up the subject image. The simulated image is observed, and visually checked. If necessary, exposure correcting data is inputted. In response to this, the positions of the color filters 66 to 68 are changed to adjust the printing light, so as to display the simulated image on the monitor CRT 17 after exposure correction. After the inspection, the variable masking 100 is shifted to have the full size opening 95a. The monitor CRT 17 displays the frame designating a trimming-printing area, which is so observed that the trimming-printing area within the frame can be checked. If the trimming-printing area is inappropriate or different from what is intended, it is possible to adjust, for example lessen the magnification of the zoom lens 50 so as to prevent the subject image from being missed partially in the photograph as printed. Note that the pseudo-zooming portion having the subject image can be enlarged for display on the monitor CRT 17, so that the exposure correction can be easily determined. All the embodiments above are described in relation to use in a printer processor. Alternatively, the present invention is applicable also to a film analyzer of a separate type. Although the present invention has been fully described by way of the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those having skill in this field. Therefore, unless otherwise these changes and modifications depart from the scope of the present invention as claimed, they should be construed as included therein.

Claims: A film analyzer for inspecting developed photographic film (14,83) comprising: photometric means (46) for performing photometry of an image frame (22,23) to be inspected; exposure calculating means (57) for calculating exposure information according to a photometric value from said photometric means (46); pick-up means (53) for picking up said image frame (22,23) to be inspected so as to output first image data; image processor means (55) for processing said first image data according to said exposure information to generate second image data, in order to simulate a printing finished image of said image frame to be inspected; display means (17) for displaying said printing finished image according to said second image data; characterized by size detecting means (26, 18,) for detecting the size of said image frame (22,23) to be inspected; said photometric means (46) being provided with a measuring range covering all possible size frames detected by said size detecting means (26,18); said pick-up means (53) being provided with a pick-up range covering all possible size frames being detected by said size detecting means (26,18); masking means (30,90,95,100) for masking said image frame (22,23) to be inspected so as to surround said frame (22,23) when said size detecting means (26,18) detects that said frame (22,23) is not of maximum size, said photometry being performed by said photometric means (46) while said frame to be inspected is masked by said masking means (30,90,95,100), said pick up means (53) picking up and displaying said image as masked for inspection and subsequently picking up and displaying said image with the masking means (30,90,95,100) displaced for checking the exactitude of automatic size inspection of said size detecting means (26,18). A film analyzer according to claim 1, characterized by said measuring range of said photometric means (46) covering a first size frame (22); said pick-up range of said pick-up means (53) covering said first size frame (22); said masking means (30,90) masking said frame to be inspected when said size detecting means (26;18,) detects that said frame to be inspected is a second size frame (23), being smaller than said first size frame (22). A film analyzer according to claim 1, characterized by said size detecting means (26,18) comprising reader means (112,113) for reading pseudo-zooming information being recorded as associated with a pseudo-zooming frame of which a portion is printed according to trimming printing; said masking means (100) masking said frame to be inspected so as to surround a trimming printing area when said reader means (112,113) detects that said frame is a pseudo-zooming frame. A film analyzer as defined in claim 3, wherein said display means (17) is arranged to display framing lines (59a,59b) for said trimming-printing area while said image frame to be inspected stands displayed on said display means (17) in an unmasked state, in order to confirm detection of said trimming-printing area by said reader means (100). A film analyzer as defined in one of claims 2 or 4, wherein said size detecting means (26,18) is arranged in a second position upstream from the first position where photometry and picking up are performed and said masking means (30,90,95,100) performs a masking operation during movement of said frame from said second position to said first position. A film analyzer as defined in claim 5, wherein said masking means (30,90,95,100) is arranged to form a first opening at a size covering the largest possible frame size when displaced for said unmasked state. A film analyzer as defined in claim 6, wherein said photometric means (46)is arranged to perform said photometry at one time upon the start of said inspection. A film analyzer as defined in claim 7, which further comprises inputting means (65) for inputting manual correcting information for correcting density and/or color balance of said printing-finished image, and wherein, when said manual correcting information is inputted, said exposure calculating means (57) calculates a new exposure information while considering said manual correcting information. A film analyzer as defined in claim 2, wherein said masking means (90,95,100) is slidable, and is constituted of a masking plate provided with a first opening and a second opening corresponding to said second size frame (23), and drive means (92,94,96) for sliding said masking plate. A film analyzer as defined in claim 2, wherein said masking means (90) is variable in a size for said unmasked state, and constituted of a pair of slidable masking arms (90) arranged in opposition to each other, and linked together so as to move symmetrically with respect to a center line of a width of said film, thereby defining said first and second openings. A film analyzer as defined in claim 8, wherein said first position is a position of printing in a photographic printer, which prints said inspected frame (22,23) on color paper when printing is instructed after said inspection. A film analyzer as defined in claim 10, wherein said size detecting means (26;18) includes a first photo sensor (20,84) arranged in a position at which a substantially central portion of said film (14,83) is passed, and a second photo sensor (21a,21b;86a,86b) arranged in a position which lies on at least one side of said photographic film and at which said first size frame (22) is passed. A film analyzer as defined in claim 12, wherein said first size frame (22) is full size frame, and said second size frame (23) is a panoramic size frame such that an upside and downside of said full size frame are cut off. A film analyzer as defined in claim 13, wherein said display means is arranged to display a framing line (59a,59b) for said second size frame (23) while said frame to be inspected stands displayed on said display means (17) in an unmasked state, in order to confirm detection of said second size frame (23) at said size detecting means (26,18). A film analyzer as defined in claim 14, wherein said size detecting means (26) further includes a third photo sensor (85a,85b) arranged in position which lies on at least one side of said photographic film (83) and at which said first (22) and a third size frame (82) only are passed, said third size frame (82) being a wide-vision size frame smaller than said first size frame (22) and larger than said second size frame (23) and said masking means (90,95) is arranged to mask said wide-vision size frame (82) so as to surround said wide-vision frame, and forms said first opening after said inspection. A film analyzer as defined in claim 4, wherein said masking means (100) is variable in a size for said unmasked state, and is constituted of: a first pair of slidable masking arms (91b,96a) arranged in opposition to each other, linked together so as to move symmetrically with respect to a center line of a width of said frame, thereby defining said designated opening with respect to said frame length. A film analyzer as defined in claim 16, wherein said reader means (112,113) includes a magnetic head coming in contact with a magnetic recording portion (111) formed on said film. A method for inspecting developed photographic film (14,83,110) on which a plurality of frames (22,23,82) are recorded which are different in printing image area to be printed on photographic paper, characterized by detecting the size of said printing image area in a frame (22,23,82) to be inspected in a first position; operating masking means (30,90,95,100) during movement of said frame (22,23,83) to be inspected to a second position downstream from said first position, so as to form an opening corresponding to the size of said printing image area of said frame (22,23,82); performing photometry of said printing image area of said frame (22,23,82) set in said second position, photometry being performed with said masking means (30,90,95,100) in place; calculating exposure information according to photometric value from said photometry; picking up said frame (22,23,82) to be inspected set in said second position so as to display a printing-finished image of said frame as simulated according to said exposure information; displacing said masking means (30,90,95,100) for an unmasked state after inspection; and picking up and displaying said frame in said unmasked state, in order to check exactitude of automatic size inspection of printing images. A film inspecting method as defined in claim 18, wherein said masking means (30,90,95,100) forms a first opening at a size covering a frame (22) of a printing image area of a full size when displaced for said unmasked state. A film inspecting method as defined in claim 19, wherein said photometry is performed at one time upon the start of said inspection. A film inspecting method as defined in claim 20, wherein when manual correcting information is inputted for correcting density and/or color balance of said printing-finished image, a new exposure information is calculated considering said manual correcting information. A film inspecting method as defined in claim 21, wherein said second position is a position of printing in a photographic printer, which prints said inspected frame on color paper if printing is instructed after said inspection. A film inspecting method as defined in claim 22, wherein said display means (17) displays a framing line (59a,59b) for a frame (23,82)having said printing image area smaller than said full size frame (22) while said frame to be inspected stands displayed on said display means (17) in an unmasked state, in order to confirm detection of said printing image size by said size detecting means (26,18). A film inspecting method as defined in claim 23, wherein said photographic film (14,83) comprises at least two of frames of a full size printing image (22), a panoramic size printing image (23), and a wide-vision printing size printing image (82), and said size detector (26;18) measuring a size of said frames optically. A film inspecting method as defined in claim 23, wherein said photographic film (14,83) comprises a pseudo-zooming frame of which a portion is printed according to trimming printing, and said size detector (26,18,112,113) reading said pseudo-zooming information recorded on said photographic film.

Inventors: SUZUKI KENJI, SUZUKI, KENJI, Suzuki, Kenji, c/o Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd.
Applicants: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO LTD, FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
Application year: 1993
Main classification: G03B27
IPC codes: G03B27