Negative film masking apparatus

Abstract: A negative film masking apparatus for use in printing of a negative film which has patterns of latent image data recorded thereon outside of frames and which is designed to be held between a mask (1) and a mask cover (2) for exposure action, characterized in that: a view window (8) is provided in either of the mask and the mask cover for allowing each desired one of the latent image patterns of the negative film to be viewed; and a light emitter (10) is mounted on the other opposite to the view window.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improvement of negative film masking apparatus. Up-to-date negative films have latent image data recorded thereon in the form of bar codes including film manufacturers and ISO sensitivity numbers. Also, other identity data including film manufacturer logos, film types, and frame numbers, are written on the negative films in a visible mode and used for printing process. The latent image data are stored outside of the frames on the films and when having been loaded in a negative masking apparatus, will no more be viewed. For adjusting a desired frame of a negative film to an exposure gate position in reprinting process, there is needed either a sequence of counting a number of frames from the starting frame to the desired frame, and loading and advancing the negative film to the gate position by the number or advancing directly to the gate position the desired frame of which number has been identified and memorized. It may however be understood that the counting of the frames often produces a fault number. If two adjacent frames on a negative film look similar, they will hardly be distinguished from each other by viewing of an operator while their latent image data being out of view. It is an object of the present invention, in view of the above predicament, to provide a negative film masking apparatus capable of identifying and reading data of latent image record outside of frames on a negative film. A code data read apparatus is disclosed in EP-A-0655642 (published 31 May 1995 and having a priority date of 18 November 1993). A bar code which is recorded on a film is exposed to light from a light emitter and the enlarged optical image is projected by lenses onto the surface of a detector. JP-A-61255335 discloses a film carrier comprising an upper mask equipped with sensors for reading bar code information located outside the frames of a negative film. Another film carrier is disclosed in JP-A-04 204 928. The invention provides a negative film masking apparatus for use in printing of a negative film as defined in claim 1. In the apparatus according to claim 1, when the negative film is loaded between the mask and the mask cover, each desired one of its latent image data patterns is placed between the view window and the light emitter. As the result, the latent image data pattern when illuminated with the light emitter can easily be viewed by an operator of the apparatus. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a front view of Embodiment 1 of a negative masking apparatus of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of Embodiment 1 of the negative masking apparatus of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a printer provided with the negative masking apparatus of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a printer provided with the negative masking apparatus of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a front view of Embodiment 2 of the negative masking apparatus of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a front view of Embodiment 3 of the negative masking apparatus of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a front view of Embodiment 4 of the negative masking apparatus of the present invention; and Fig. 8 is a plan view of the same. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 A negative film masking apparatus comprises a mask 1 and a mask cover 2. The mask 1 has a film transfer path 3 provided therein for transferring a negative film F from a transfer inlet 4 to a transfer outlet 5 (Figs. 1 and 2). The negative film F has patterns of latent image data (not shown) recorded thereon outside of frames, each the pattern being assigned to a frame of picture. The latent image pattern carries relevant data such as ISO sensitivity numbers while other identity data including film manufacturer logos, film types, and frame numbers being written in a visible mode on the film F. There are also provided a pair of rollers 3a adjacent to the transfer inlet 4 of the transfer path 3, a pair of roller 3b on the inlet 4 side of an exposure station 6, and a pair of rollers 3c on the outlet 5 side of the same. The rollers 3a, 3b, and 3c are driven via a transmission means T by a motor M for synchronous rotating movements. As the motor M rotates, the negative film F is transferred on frame-by-frame basis along the path 3 from the transfer inlet 4 to the transfer outlet 5 (Figs. 1 and 2). The exposure station or gate 6 is located at an intermediate point of the transfer path 3. The mask cover 2 has a masking opening 7 provided therein opposite to the exposure gate 6 of the mask 1. A view window 8 is provided in the mask 1 adjacent to the exposure gate 6. In action, when a target frame of the negative film F is advanced to the exposure gate 6, its latent image data pattern is viewed through the window 8 (Figs. 1 and 2). The mask cover 2 has a mounting hole 9 provided therein opposite to the view window 8 of the mask 1. A light emitter 10 is installed in the mounting hole 9 (Fig. 1). The view window 8 may be in the form of either a through hole or a notch. The light emitter 10 is switched off automatically or manually when the measurement of density or exposure action on the negative film F is started. Its illumination is activated automatically or manually by a controller means (not shown) for allowing the latent image patterns on the film F to be identified and read. Accordingly, the illuminating action of the light emitter 10 for reading of the latent image patterns on the film F will never be permitted to disturb the measurement of density and the exposure action. The light emitter 10 is an LED or small-sized lamp for illuminating the negative film F. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a printer P in which denoted by 11 is a print size detecting aperture for allowing the operator to examine whether a frame of interest following a preceding frame located in the exposure gate 6 is of standard format or of panoramic format. The print size detecting aperture 11 is so located in the mask cover 2 that it allows an unexposed region of the frame of interest to be viewed together with the latent image pattern of the same when the frame is of panoramic format. In action, the frame of interest is judged that it is of panoramic format when its unexposed region is viewed through the print size detecting aperture 11. Otherwise, it is determined of standard format when no exposed region but an exposed region of the frame appears in the aperture 11. In either case, the latent image pattern of the frame is observed through the print size detecting aperture 11. Accordingly, the print size detecting aperture 11 allows the latent image pattern of a frame of interest on the film F following the preceding frame at the exposure gate 6 to be identified. Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the printer P. As shown, a negative film reading mirror 12 is provided on which an optical image of the latent image pattern is projected through the view window 8 by passing across the negative film F a beam of light emitted from the light emitter 10. The optical image of the pattern on the negative film reading mirror 12 is viewed through a negative film viewing window 8A of the printer. A beam of exposure light emitted from an exposure light source 14 is passed through a mirror tunnel 14A and fallen on the frame of the negative film F held at the exposure gate 6. In turn, an image of the frame is printed on a print paper 15 which is then subjected to development process of a development station 16. A lens may be mounted between the negative film F and the negative film reading mirror 12 for projecting an enlargement of the latent image pattern on the film F onto the negative film reading mirror 12. Embodiment 2 A view window 8 is provided adjacent to the exposure station 6 in the mask 1. When a target frame of a negative film F is loaded to the exposure station 6, its latent image pattern comes just above the view window 8 (Fig. 5). In place of the light emitter 10, a color back plate 17 painted in a highly bright color, e.g. white or metallic color, is mounted on the mask cover 2 opposite to and covering the view window 8 of the mask 1. As both the mask 1 and the mask cover 2 have a dark color such as black for preventing reflection of light, the negative film F on the brightly painted color back plate 17 can highly be distinguished from the dark background. The other components than the light emitter 10 are identical to those in Embodiment 1 as denoted by like numerals and will be explained in no more details. Embodiment 3 A view window 8 is provided at a location in the mask cover 2 where a succeeding frame of a negative film F (on the inlet side) is placed when the target frame stays at the exposure station 6. Also, a mounting hole 9 is provided in the mask 1 opposite to the view window 8 of the mask cover 2. A light emitter 10 is mounted in the mounting hole 9 (Fig. 6). When the target frame of the negative film F is loaded to the exposure station 6, a latent image pattern of the succeeding frame is viewed through the view window 8 for reading of its data. The other components are identical to those in Embodiment 1 as denoted by like numerals and will be explained in no more details. Embodiment 4 A view window 8 is provided at a location in the mask cover 2 where a succeeding frame of a negative film F (on the inlet side) is placed when the target frame stays at the exposure station 6 (Fig, 7). In place of the light emitter 10, a color back plate 17 painted in a highly bright color, e.g. white or metallic color is mounted on the mask cover 2 opposite to and covering the view window 8 of the mask 1. As both the mask 1 and the mask cover 2 have a dark color such as black for preventing reflection of light, the negative film F on the brightly painted color back plate 17 can highly be distinguished from the dark background. The other components are identical to those in Embodiment 1 as denoted by like numerals and will be explained in no more details. In other embodiments, any combination of the view window 8, light emitter 10, and color back plate 17 may be provided on the outlet 5 side of the exposure station 6.

Claims: A negative film masking apparatus for use in printing of a negative film (F) which has data areas outside of frames for recording patterns of image data thereon, the apparatus comprising: a mask (1) and a mask cover (2) adapted to hold a negative film there between for exposure action by an exposure light source, and a view window (8, 8A) in either of the mask or the mask cover for allowing each desired one of said areas of the negative film (F) to be viewed through the view window (8, 8A) by an operator; characterised by a light emitter (10) mounted on the other of the mask (1) or the mask cover (2) in a mounting hole (9) opposite to the view window, the light emitter being adapted to be switched on when each of said areas is being viewed and switched off when the exposure action is started; a negative film reading mirror (12) provided for projecting toward the user an image of a desired one of said data areas from said view window (8) by passing light from said emitter (10) across said data area; and in that a lens is mounted between said mask and mask cover and the negative film reading mirror (12) for projecting an enlargement of said image onto the negative film reading mirror. A negative film masking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light emitter (10) includes a LED or a small-sized lamp. A negative film masking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the light emitter (10) is switched off automatically when an exposure action on a negative film (F) is started. A negative film masking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the light emitter (10) is adapted to be switched off manually when an exposure action on a negative film (F) is started.

Inventors: MOTOOKA EIJI, OKU HIROSHI, MOTOOKA, EIJI, OKU, HIROSHI, MOTOOKA, EIJI, C/O NORITSU KOKI CO. LTD., OKU, HIROSHI, C/O NORITSU KOKI CO. LTD.
Applicants: NORITSU KOKI CO LTD, NORITSU KOKI CO., LTD.
Application year: 1995
Main classification: G03B27
IPC codes: G03B27