Photographic printing apparatus

Abstract: A photographic printing apparatus comprises: an exposure station (6) disposed in a midway region of a transfer path (5) between a transfer inlet (3) and a transfer outlet (4) along which a negative film (2) having magnetic recording tracks provided thereon is transferred forward and backward; and a magnetic read head (7) disposed between the transfer inlet and the exposure station, said magnetic read head being spaced from the center line of the exposure station by a distance which is equal to a sum of an integer multiple of the pitch length of one frame on the negative film and a half of the same.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a photographic printing apparatus capable of reading and writing data on magnetic recording tracks on a negative film. A common photographic printing apparatus is designed for scanning and printing images on a negative film transferred at equal intervals of time. Also in the common photographic printing apparatus, the negative film has to be advanced at a constant speed for carrying out the reading and writing of data on its magnetic recording tracks without any fault. For allowing both the exposure and reading actions in parallel, the common photographic printing apparatus has a film loop section disposed between an exposure station and a magnetic head. The film loop section however requires a considerable size of space for installation in the photographic printing apparatus. This will increase the overall size of the common photographic printing apparatus thus limiting the applicable space of any small sized print shop. Another conventional photographic printing apparatus is provided with a means of forward and backward movements of a negative film so that the exposure and scanning actions are executed during the intermittent transfer of the film and the reading and writing actions of data are conducted during the constant speed transfer of the same. The forward and backward movements of the negative film will however take a considerable length of time although the film loop section of the previous apparatus is not needed. Those movements may also cause the negative film to be injured. A method of recording information onto a photographic film provided with a magnetic recording layer is disclosed in US-A-5 231 451, comprising reading once the information recorded on a predetermined track of the magnetic recording layer and recording it again onto the same track. In EP-A-0588309, an apparatus is described for driving a scanning gate of a photographic film scanning apparatus, comprising a motor, and means driven by the motor for moving the gate in a pendulum-like manner. It is an object of the present invention, in view of the above description, to provide an improved photographic printing apparatus in which the reading and writing of data on a negative film are carried out at accuracy without the use of a traditional film loop section but with a minimum number of forward and backward transfer movements. The invention provides a photographic printing apparatus comprising a linear transfer path between a transfer inlet and a transfer outlet for forward and backward transfer movements of a negative film having magnetic recording tracks longitudinally adjacent to each film frame, an exposure station disposed in a midway region of the transfer path, a magnetic read head for reading data from said magnetic recording tracks, a magnetic write head for writing data in said magnetic tracks; wherein the magnetic read head is disposed between the transfer inlet and the exposure station and is spaced from the centre line of the exposure station perpendicular to the transfer path by a distance measured in the direction of the transfer path, which is equal to an integer multiple of the pitch length of one frame on the negative film plus a half of the pitch length; an optical sensor for detecting negative film perforations and image frame information is disposed between the transfer inlet and the exposure station and is spaced from said centre line of the exposure station by a distance measured in the direction of the transfer path, which is equal to a different integer multiple of the pitch length of one frame on the negative film plus a half of the pitch length; and the magnetic write head is disposed between the exposure station and the transfer inlet or the transfer outlet and is spaced from said centre line of the exposure station by a distance which is equal to an integer multiple of the pitch length of one frame on the negative film plus a half of the pitch length. Preferably the magnetic write head may be disposed between the exposure station and the transfer outlet. The invention further provides a method of using the photographic printing apparatus wherein the negative film is scanned by the optical sensor during its intermittent forward transfer movement from the transfer inlet towards the exposure station and subjected to printing during its backward transfer movement towards the transfer inlet. The invention further provides another method of using the photographic printing apparatus wherein the resultant scanned data are processed to the end of its intermittent forward transfer movement during continuous backward transfer movement of the negative film towards the transfer inlet before the negative film being once again transferred forward in intermittent movement to the exposure station for printing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a front view of a photographic printing apparatus showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same; Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a variation of the intermittent transfer movement speed of a negative film with time; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the negative film; Fig. 5 is a front view of a photographic printing apparatus showing Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a plan view of the same; Fig. 7 is a diagram of major components in the photographic printing apparatus of Embodiment 2; Fig. 8 is a diagram of major components in a photographic printing apparatus showing Embodiment 3 of the present invention; Fig. 9 is a diagram of major components in a photographic printing apparatus showing Embodiment 4 of the present invention; Fig. 10 is a schematic view of a photographic printing apparatus showing Embodiment 5 of the present invention; Fig. 11 is a schematic view of a photographic printing apparatus showing Embodiment 6 of the present invention; Fig. 12 is a schematic view of a photographic printing apparatus showing Embodiment 7 of the present invention; Fig. 13 is a front view of a photographic printing apparatus showing Embodiment 8 of the present invention; and Fig. 14 is a plan view of the same. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS EMBODIMENT 1 A photographic printing apparatus of Embodiment 1 of the present invention comprises an exposure station 6, a magnetic read head 7, a magnetic write head 8, and an optical sensor 9 arranged along a transfer path 5 thereof which extends from a transfer inlet 3 to a transfer outlet 4 for forward and backward movements of a negative film 2 (Figs. 1 and 2). The transfer path 5 includes a pair of transfer rollers 5a disposed adjacent to the transfer inlet 3, a pair of transfer rollers 5b disposed on the inlet 3 side of the exposure station 6, and two pairs of transfer rollers 5c and 5d disposed adjacent to the transfer outlet 4. The transfer rollers 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d are driven by a motor M through a transmission means T for synchronous rotating actions. The transfer path 5 is arranged in which the negative film 2 is advanced from the inlet 3 to the outlet 4 by the forward rotation of the motor M and conveyed backward from the outlet 4 to the inlet 3 by the reverse rotation of the motor M. In the forward transfer, the negative film 2 is intermittently passed across the exposure station 6 on a frame-by-frame basis. After the negative film 2 is returned in the backward transfer movement, it is continuously conveyed towards the outlet 4 at a constant speed. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the negative film 2 on which the magnetic recording tracks 1 are aligned in a row. Each of the magnetic recording tracks 1 is assigned to one frame 2a and carries shooting data of the frame 2a such as the date and time. The negative film 2 has a series of perforations 2b disposed in one edge thereof. More particularly, each two perforations 2b are located on both ends of the recording track 1 and on one side of the frame 2a. A row of latent image patterns 10 are printed on the other edge of the negative film 2, each pattern assigning to the frame 2a. The magnetic read head 7 is provided for reading data recorded in the magnetic recording tracks 1 on the negative film 2 and located across the transfer path 5 between the transfer inlet 3 and the exposure station 6. The magnetic read head 7 is electrically connected by a read circuit 11 to a controller 12. A distance L1 between the center line C2 of the read head 7 and the center line C1 of the exposure station 6 is equal to a sum of an integer multiple of the pitch length of the frame 2a on the negative film 2 and a half of the same, and more particularly, is set to a length of 2.5 frames in this embodiment. The magnetic write head 8 is to write shooting data into the magnetic recording tracks 1 on the negative film 2 and is located across the transfer path 5 between the exposure station 6 and the transfer outlet 4. The magnetic write head 8 is electrically connected by a write circuit 13 to the controller 12. A distance L2 between the center line C1 of the exposure station 6 and the center line C3 of the write head 8 is equal to a sum of an integer multiple of the pitch length of the frame 2a on the negative film 2 and a half of the same, and more particularly, is set to a length of 1.5 frames in this embodiment. The optical sensor 9 is provided for detecting the perforations 2b and the latent image patterns 10 and located between the read head 7 and the exposure station 6. The optical sensor 9 is electrically connected by an amplifier circuit 9a to the controller 12. A distance L3 between the center line C4 of the optical sensor 9 and the center line C1 of the exposure station 6 is equal to a sum of an integer multiple of the pitch length of the frame 2a on the negative film 2 and a half of the same, and more particularly, is set to the length of 1.5 frames in this embodiment. The controller 12 is also connected to a keyboard 17 and a display 18. The exposure station 6 is to expose each frame 2a on the negative film 2 loaded to an exposure stage 6a to a beam of light for printing its image on a print paper (not shown). Fig. 3 illustrates a variation of the speed v of the intermittent transfer movement of the negative film 2 with time t, where t1 is a duration of advancing one frame, t2 is a period of movement at the constant speed, t3 is a period of acceleration for starting the frame advancing, t4 is a period of deceleration for stopping the frame advancing, and t5 is a duration of no movement of the frame advancing. The read action with the read head 7 and the write action with the write head 8 are carried out during the period t2 where the frames on the film 2 are advanced at the constant speed. There are a cartridge holder 15 for holding a film cartridge 14 and a film takeup 16 disposed on the start and finish ends of the transfer path 5 respectively. In addition, a film cleaner 17 is provided as shown in Fig. 1 or 2. The steps of action in the photographic printing apparatus of Embodiment 1 will now be explained where the reading and writing of data can be executed at a high accuracy while the exposure and scanning actions are conducted in a known manner. (1) As the negative film 2 is drawn out from its cartridge 14 and transferred forward at intervals of time, its shooting data are read by the magnetic read head 7 while its patterns are scanned by the optical sensor 9 . (2) Then, the negative film 2 is transferred backward at the constant speed while the read and write heads 7, 8 remain inactivated. (3) As the negative film 2 is transferred forward again at equal intervals of time, the printing action with the exposure station 6 and the writing of printing data into the magnetic recording tracks 1 with the write head 8 are carried out. The steps of action are completed when the negative film 2 has been transferred forward and backward in a 1.5 stroke movement. EMBODIMENT 2 A photographic printing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention comprises an exposure station 6, a magnetic read head 7, a magnetic write head 8, and an optical sensor 9 arranged along a transfer path 5 thereof which extends from a transfer inlet 3 to a transfer outlet 4 for forward and backward movements of a negative film 2 which has a row of magnetic recording tracks 1 provided thereon (Figs. 5 and 6). The transfer path 5 includes a pair of transfer rollers 5a disposed adjacent to the transfer inlet 3, a pair of transfer rollers 5b disposed on the inlet 3 side of the exposure station 6, and a pair of transfer rollers 5c disposed adjacent to the transfer outlet 4. The transfer rollers 5a, 5b, and 5c are driven by a motor M through a transmission means T for synchronous rotating actions. The transfer path 5, similar to that of Embodiment 1, is arranged in which the negative film 2 is advanced from the inlet 3 to the outlet 4 by the forward rotation of the motor M and conveyed backward from the outlet 4 to the inlet 3 by the reverse rotation of the motor M. In the forward transfer, the negative film 2 is passed intermittently to the exposure station 6 on a frame-by-frame basis. After the negative film 2 is returned in the backward transfer movement, it is continuously conveyed towards the outlet 4 at a constant speed. The motor M is electrically connected by a driver 20 to a controller 12. The negative film 2 is identical in construction to that shown in Fig. 4. The magnetic read head 7 is identical to that of Embodiment 1 for reading data recorded in the magnetic recording tracks 1 on the negative film 2 and located across the transfer path 5 between the transfer inlet 3 and the exposure station 6. The magnetic read head 7 is electrically connected by a read circuit 11 to the controller 12. A distance L1 between the center line C2 of the read head 7 and the center line C1 of the exposure station 6 is equal to a sum of an integer multiple the pitch length of the frame 2a on the negative film 2 and a half of the same, and more particularly, is set to a length of 3.5 frames in this embodiment. Equally, the magnetic write head 8 is provided for writing shooting data into the magnetic recording tracks 1 on the negative film 2 and is located across the transfer path 5 between the transfer inlet 3 and the exposure station 6. The magnetic write head 8 is electrically connected by a write circuit 13 to the controller 12. A distance L2 between the center line C3 of the write head 8 and the center line C1 of the exposure station 6 is equal to a sum of an integer multiple of the pitch length of the frame 2a on the negative film 2 and a half of the same, and more particularly, is set to the length of 2.5 frames in this embodiment. The optical sensor 9 is equally arranged for detecting the perforations 2b and the latent image patterns 10 of the negative film 2 and located between the read head 7 and the exposure station 6. The optical sensor 9 is electrically connected by an amplifier circuit 9a to the controller 12. A distance L3 between the center line C4 of the optical sensor 9 and the center line C1 of the exposure station 6 is equal to a sum of an integer multiple of the pitch length of the frame 2a on the negative film 2 and a half of the same, and more particularly, is set to the length of 1.5 frames in this embodiment. The controller 12 is also connected to a keyboard 17 and a display 18. The exposure station 6 is to expose each frame 2a on the negative film 2 loaded to its exposure stage 6a to a beam of light for printing its image on a print paper (not shown). There are a cartridge holder 15 for holding a film cartridge 14 and a film takeup 16 disposed on the start and finish ends of the transfer path 5 respectively. In addition, a film cleaner 17 is provided as shown in Fig. 5 or 6. The steps of action in the photographic printing apparatus of Embodiment 2 will be explained. (1) As the negative film 2 is drawn out from its cartridge 14 and transferred forward at intervals of time, the shooting data and the latent image pattern assigned to its target frame 2a are read by the magnetic read head 7 and the optical sensor 9 respectively. (2) Then, the negative film 2 is transferred backward in intermittent movement for printing, allowing relevant printing data to be written securely. The written printing data are then checked with the magnetic read head 7. If the checking of the printing data is unnecessary, the write head 8 may be located in the downstream (the transfer inlet 3 side) of the read head 7. EMBODIMENT 3 Embodiment 3 of the present invention is similar in the arrangement to Embodiment 2, except that the timing of the rotating movements of the motor M and the processing of scanned data controlled by the controller 12 is modified. Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing this embodiment. The action of a photographic printing apparatus of Embodiment 3 will now be explained. (1) As a negative film 2 is transferred forward from the transfer inlet 3 towards the exposure station 6 at intervals of time, its recorded data are scanned and read out. (2) Then, the negative film 2 is transferred backward in continuous movement towards the inlet 3. During the backward transfer movement, the scanned pattern data are processed and also, printing data are written into the magnetic recording tracks 1 on the film 2. (3) As the negative film 2 is transferred forward again towards the exposure station 6 at intervals of time, its frame images are printed. The written printing data are examined by the read head 7. If the checking of the written data is unnecessary, the magnetic write head 8 may be located in the downstream (the inlet 3 side) of the read 7. Since the write head 8 is actuated during the continuous backward transfer movement, its distance from the center line C1 of the exposure station 6 is not critical. EMBODIMENT 4 Embodiment 4 of the present invention is similar in the arrangement to Embodiment 1, except that the timing of the rotating movements of the motor M and the processing of scanned data controlled by the controller 12 is modified. Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing this embodiment. The action of a photographic printing apparatus of Embodiment 4 will be explained. (1) As a negative film 2 is transferred forward from the transfer inlet 3 towards the exposure station 6 at intervals of time, its recorded data are scanned and read out. (2) Then, the negative film 2 is transferred backward in continuous movement towards the inlet 3. During the backward transfer movement, the processing of the scanned pattern is completed. (3) As the negative film 2 is transferred forward again towards the exposure station 6 at intervals of time, its frame images are printed and simultaneously, printing data are written into the recording tracks 1 on the film 2. The written printing data are checked with the read head 7. If the checking of the written data is unnecessary, the magnetic write head 8 may be located in the downstream (the inlet 3 side) of the read 7. Since the write head 8 is actuated during the intermittent forward transfer movement, its distance from the center line C1 of the exposure station 6 is determined in the same manner as of Embodiment 1. EMBODIMENT 5 Embodiment 5 of the present invention is similar in the arrangement to Embodiment 1, except that the timing of the rotating movements of the motor M and the processing of scanned data controlled by the controller 12 is modified. Fig. 9 is a schematic view showing this embodiment. The action of a photographic printing apparatus of Embodiment 5 will be explained. (1) As a negative film 2 is transferred forward from the transfer inlet 3 towards the exposure station 6 at intervals of time, its recorded data are scanned and read out. (2) Then, the negative film 2 is transferred backward in continuous movement towards the inlet 3. During the backward transfer movement, the processing of the scanned pattern is completed. (3) As the negative film 2 is transferred forward again towards the exposure station 6 at intervals of time, its frame images are printed and simultaneously, printing data are written by the write head 8 into the recording tracks 1 on the film 2. The written printing data are checked with the read head 7. If the checking of the written data is unnecessary, the magnetic write head 8 may be located in the downstream (the inlet 3 side) of the read 7. In this case, the write head 8 is actuated during the continuous backward transfer movement and its distance from the center line C1 of the exposure station 6 is not critical. EMBODIMENT 6 Fig. 10 is a schematic view of this embodiment. There are a scanner unit 22 and a printer unit 23 disposed across a transfer path 5 along which a negative film 2 having magnetic recording tracks 1 provided thereon is transferred from a transfer inlet 3 to a transfer outlet 4. The scanner unit 22 includes a DX code detector 24 for detecting specific pattern data of a negative film 2, e.g. the size of frames and the type of a format, and an image detector 25 for detecting data of a frame by scanning with a beam of light emitted from a scanner light source 26. The printer unit 23 includes an exposure light source 27 and a color control filter 28 both actuated in response to detected data of the scanner unit 22. The DX code detector 24 is provided for reading with its photo sensor a DX code which carries relevant information including the type of the film 2 and the frame number of the frame and is recorded on both sides of a frame on the negative film 2. The image detector 25 measures the size of image in a frame on the negative film 2 for identifying the location of the image. There are a couple of loop sections 25 and 26 provided in the transfer path 5 between the scanner unit 22 and the printer unit 23. The beam of light emitted from the scanner light source 26 is passed through a target frame image in the film 2, collimated by a lens unit 28, separated into three primary color components by a color separator filter, and received by a color sensor disposed in a light detector 29 for measuring the optical density of the frame image. The printer unit 23 also includes a DX code detector 24a and an image detector 25a for identification of a frame to be printed. Also denoted by 29 and 30 are print papers and transfer rollers respectively. A magnetic read head 7 is disposed across the transfer path 5 in the scanner unit 22 for reading film data (Fig. 10). The distance between the read head 7 and the center line C5 of the scanner light source 26 is arranged equal to a sum of an integer multiple of the pitch length of one frame of the negative film 2 an a half of the same. This allows recorded data on the negative film 2 to be read by the read head 7 without failure during intermittent forward transfer movement of the film 2 across the light source center line C5, requiring no loop section between the head 7 and the center line C5. As no loop section is needed between the head 7 and the center line C5 of the scanner light source 26, the overall size of the scanner unit 22 can be minimized. Although the read head 7 is located in the upstream of the light source center line C5 in this embodiment, it may be disposed in the downstream of the same as denoted by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 10. EMBODIMENT 7 Fig. 11 is a schematic view showing Embodiment 7 in which the arrangement of components is similar to that of Embodiment 6 except that a magnetic write head 8 is added and will be explained in no more detail as like components being denoted by like numerals. The write head 8 is located across the transfer path 5 in the upstream of an exposure station 6 in the printer unit 23. It writes printing data of each print onto the negative film 2. The distance between the write head 8 and the center line C1 of the exposure station 6 is arranged equal to a sum of an integer multiple of the pitch length of one frame of the negative film 2 and a half of the same. This allows the printing data of a frame to be written onto the negative film 2 with the write head 8 without failure during intermittent forward transfer movement of the film 2 towards the exposure station 6. Accordingly, no loop section is needed between the write head 8 and the center line C1 of the exposure station 6, the overall size of the printer unit 23 can be minimized. EMBODIMENT 8 Fig. 12 is a schematic view showing Embodiment 8 in which the arrangement of components is similar to that of Embodiment 6 except that a magnetic write head 8 is added and will be explained in no more detail while like components being denoted by like numerals. The write head 8 is located across the transfer path 5 in the downstream of an exposure station 6 in the printer unit 23. It writes printing data and its modification of each print onto the negative film 2. The distance between the center line C1 of the exposure station 6 and the write head 8 is arranged equal to a sum of an integer multiple of the pitch length of one frame of the negative film 2 and a half of the same. This allows the printing data of a frame to be written onto the negative film 2 with the write head 8 without failure during intermittent forward transfer movement of the film 2 across the exposure station 6. Accordingly, no loop section is needed between the center line C1 of the exposure station 6 and the write head 8, the overall size of the printer unit 23 can be minimized. EMBODIMENT 9 A photographic printing apparatus of Embodiment 9 of the present invention comprises a transfer path 5 for transferring from a transfer inlet 3 to a transfer outlet 4 a negative film 2 which has rows of magnetic recording tracks 1 and latent image storages 10, an exposure station 6 disposed in a midway region of the transfer path 5, and a combination of a magnetic read head 7, a magnetic write head 8, and an optical sensor 9 disposed between the inlet 3 and the exposure station 6. More particularly, the read head 7, the write head 8, and the optical sensor 9 are aligned in this order from the inlet 3 (Figs. 13 and 14). The transfer path 5 includes a pair of transfer rollers 5a disposed adjacent to the transfer inlet 3, a pair of transfer rollers 5b disposed on the inlet 3 side of the exposure station 6, and a pair of transfer rollers 5c disposed adjacent to the transfer outlet 4. The transfer rollers 5a, 5b, and 5c are driven by a motor M through a transmission means T for synchronous rotating actions. The transfer path 5 is arranged, similar to that of Embodiment 1, in which the negative film 2 is advanced from the inlet 3 to the outlet 4 by the forward rotation of the motor M and conveyed backward from the outlet 4 to the inlet 3 by the reverse rotation of the motor M. In the forward transfer movement, the negative film 2 is passed to the exposure station 6 on a frame-by-frame basis. After the negative film 2 is returned in the backward transfer movement, it is continuously conveyed towards the outlet 4 at a constant speed. The negative film 2 is identical in the construction to that shown in Fig. 4. The magnetic read head 7 is identical to that of Embodiment 1 for reading data recorded in the magnetic recording tracks 1 on the negative film 2 and located across the transfer path 5 between the transfer inlet 3 and the exposure station 6. The magnetic read head 7 is electrically connected by a read circuit 11 to the controller 12. A distance L1 between the center line C2 of the read head 7 and the center line C1 of the exposure station 6 is equal to a sum of an integer multiple the pitch length of one frame on the negative film 2 and a half of the same, and more particularly, is set to a length of 2.5 frames in this embodiment. Equally, the magnetic write head 8 is provided for writing shooting data into the magnetic recording tracks 1 on the negative film 2 and is located across the transfer path 5 between the transfer inlet 3 and the exposure station 6. The magnetic write head 8 is electrically connected by a write circuit 13 to the controller 12. Similar to Embodiment 1, the optical sensor 9 is arranged for detecting the perforations 2b and the latent image patterns 10 on the negative film 2 and located between the read head 7 and the exposure station 6. The optical sensor 9 is electrically connected by an amplifier circuit 9a to the controller 12. A distance L2 between the center line C3 of the optical sensor 9 and the center line C1 of the exposure station 6 is equal to a sum of an integer multiple of the pitch length of one frame on the negative film 2 and a half of the same, and more particularly, is set to a length of 1.5 frames in this embodiment. Accordingly, a distance between the center line C2 of the read head 7 and the center line C3 of the optical sensor 9 is equal to the frame pitch length. The controller 12 is also connected to a keyboard 17 and a display 18. The exposure station 6 is to expose each frame 2a on the negative film 2 loaded to its exposure stage 6a to a beam of light for printing its image on a print paper (not shown). A variation of the speed of intermittent transfer movement of the negative film 2 with time is similar to the relation between the transfer movement speed v and the time t of Embodiment 1 shown in Fig. 1. The reading of data from the recording tracks 1 and the latent image patterns 10 with the read head 7 and the optical sensor 9 respectively is executed during the period t2 where the transfer speed is constant. There are a cartridge holder 15 for holding a film cartridge 14 and a film takeup 16 disposed on the start and finish ends of the transfer path 5 respectively. In addition, a film cleaner 17 is provided as shown in Fig. 13 or 14. A sequence of actions in the photographic printing apparatus of Embodiment 9 will be explained where the recorded data is correctly read. (1) As the negative film 2 is drawn out from its cartridge 14 and transferred forward at intervals of time, the shooting data and the latent image pattern assigned to its target frame 2a are read by the magnetic read head 7 and the optical sensor 9 respectively. (2) Then, while the negative film 2 is transferred backward in continuous movement, modified data are written by the write head 8 into the magnetic recording track 1 of the negative film 2. (3) As the negative film 2 is transferred forward again in intermittent movement for printing, the printing data is read with the read head 7 for checking whether it is correct or not. (4) The negative film 2 is reversed again in continuous movement at a constant speed and extra data are written with the write head 8. The extra data includes substitute data for fault data found at the step (3) or correction data. Another sequence of actions will now be explained. (1) As the negative film 2 is drawn out from its cartridge 14 and transferred forward at intervals of time, the shooting data and the latent image pattern assigned to its target frame 2a are read by the magnetic read head 7 and the optical sensor 9 respectively. (2) Then, while the negative film 2 is transferred backward in continuous movement at a constant speed, the shooting data are read once more by the read head 7 and compared with the previous data read at the step (1) for correctness. (3) The negative film 2 is transferred forward again in intermittent movement to the exposure station 6 for printing. (4) The negative film 2 is reversed again in continuous movement at a constant speed and extra data are written with the write head 8. The extra data includes data for the scanner action and the correction.

Claims: A photographic printing apparatus comprising a linear transfer path (5) between a transfer inlet (3) and a transfer outlet (4) for forward and backward transfer movements of a negative film (2) having a plurality of frames with a predetermined pitch length and magnetic recording tracks (1) longitudinally adjacent to each film frame an exposure station (6) disposed in a midway region of the transfer path, a magnetic read head (7) disposed between the transfer inlet and the exposure station for reading data from said magnetic recording tracks, a magnetic write head (8) for writing data in said magnetic tracks; characterised in that the magnetic read head (7) is spaced from the centre line of the exposure station (6) by a distance measured in the direction of the transfer path, which is equal to an integer multiple of the pitch length of one frame on the negative film (2) plus a half of the pitch length; in that an optical sensor (9) for detecting negative film perforations and image frame information is disposed between the transfer inlet (3) and the exposure station (6) and is spaced from said centre line of the exposure station (6) by a distance measured in the direction of the transfer path, which is equal to a different integer multiple of the pitch length of one frame on the negative film (2) plus a half of the pitch length; and in that the magnetic write head (8) is disposed between the exposure station (6) and the transfer inlet (3) or the transfer outlet (4) and is spaced from said centre line of the exposure station (6) by a distance which is equal to an integer multiple of the pitch length of one frame on the negative film (2) plus a half of the pitch length. A photographic printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic write head (8) is disposed between the exposure station (6) and the transfer outlet (4). A method of using the photographic printing apparatus of any one previous claim, wherein the negative film (2) is scanned by the optical sensor (9) during its intermittent forward transfer movement from the transfer inlet (3) towards the exposure station (6) and subjected to printing during its backward transfer movement towards the transfer inlet. A method of using the photographic printing apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the resultant scanned data are processed to the end of its intermittent forward transfer movement during continuous backward transfer movement of the negative film (2) towards the transfer inlet (3) before the negative film being once again transferred forward in intermittent movement to the exposure station (6) for printing.

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