Abstract:
An image reading method and apparatus are provided to make it possible to reduce the time required for reading of a film image, and to reduce wear of a magnetic head and damage to a film which are caused by conveying of the film. There are provided a reading device which reads film images sequentially recorded on an elongated photographic film, a magnetically recorded data reading device which reads magnetically recorded data magnetically recorded on the photographic film, a conveying device for conveying the photographic film, and control device for controlling the reading device to carry out the preliminary reading of each of film images recorded on the photographic film while controlling the conveying device to convey the photographic film in a predetermined direction, and for controlling the magnetically recorded data reading device to read the first magnetically recorded date concurrently with the preliminary reading of the film images by the reading means.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an image reading method and apparatus, and particularly to an image reading method and apparatus in which preliminary reading of an image is carried out, and based on the results of the preliminary reading, a reading condition for the main reading of the image is determined, and further, the main reading for the image is carried out under the determined reading condition. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     There has conventionally been known an image processing system in which a film image recorded on a photographic film is read by an image reading apparatus having a reading sensor such as a CCD, and image data obtained by the reading of the film image is subjected to image processing including various types of correction and the like, and thereafter, an image is recorded onto a recording material or shown on a display. 
     Further, as the film image, there exist images which have various densities ranging from low density to high density. Accordingly, in order to obtain a recorded or a displayed image having a desired image quality, the image reading apparatus carried out a preliminary reading of a film image (so-called pre-scan), determines a reading condition corresponding to a density of the film image (for example, the amount of light irradiated on the film image, the charge accumulation time of a CCD, or the like), and further, reads the film image under the determined reading condition (so-called fine scan). 
     When a scanner having a unidimensional reading sensor such as a line CCD is used as the reading means of an image reading apparatus to read film images, reading of a film image, i.e., pre-scan and fine scan, is carried out while a photographic film is being conveyed in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system of the scanner at a predetermined speed. 
     Example of the photographic film to be read by the image reading apparatus are 135-size films, 240-size films, Brownie-size films, and the like. Among these films, 240-size films (which will be hereinafter referred to as APS films) have a magnetic layer formed thereon, and data which expresses photographing conditions (for example, photographing time, whether an electric flash was used, the amount of exposure during photographing, and the like) for each frame is magnetically recorded on the magnetic layer at the time of photographing. The magnetically recorded data which is magnetically recorded on the magnetic layer is necessary for calculation of the reading condition for fine scan and of the processing condition for image processing of the image data obtained by the fine scan. 
     Accordingly, when a film image recorded on the APS film is read, reading of the magnetically recorded data which is magnetically recorded on the magnetic layer must be carried out in addition to pre-scan and fine scan, and thus, one roll of APS film must be conveyed at least three times. Accordingly, there exists a drawback in that much time is required for reading of the film image and the processing capacity of the apparatus thereby deteriorates. 
     Further, the APS film set in the scanner is conveyed in a state of constantly contacting a magnetic head for reading the magnetically recorded data, which magnetic head is disposed close to a film conveying path of a film carrier for conveying the APS film. As described above, in the case of the APS film, the film is conveyed during reading of the film image, and therefore, wear of the magnetic head occurs at an early stage and the life duration of the magnetic head is shortened. There also exists a drawback in that the APS film conveyed in the state of contacting the magnetic head is apt to be damaged. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the above-described circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading method and apparatus which can reduce the time required for reading of a film image and can reduce wear of a magnetic head for reading magnetically recorded data and damage to a film. 
     When a film image is read by a scanner having a line CCD sensor or the like, a film conveying speed suitable for pre-scan is, for example, 150 to 250 mm/second and a film conveying speed suitable for fine scan is, for example, 36 mm/ second. Further, it is desired that a film be conveyed at a speed of 100 mm/second or more for stable reading of magnetically recorded data from the magnetic layer of the APS film. 
     The present inventors achieved the present invention by having come to the conclusion that, in consideration of the film conveying speeds suitable for pre-scan, reading of magnetically recorded data, and fine scan, pre-scan and reading of magnetically recorded data can be effected concurrently at the same conveying speed (for example, 150 to 200 mm/second), and preliminary reading of a film image and reading of magnetically recorded data can be effected concurrently during one film conveying operation, so as to reduce the number of film conveying operations. 
     According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus in which preliminary reading is carried out for a film image recorded on an elongated photographic film, and a main reading condition for main reading of the film image is determined based on results of the preliminary reading, and main reading of the film image is carried out under the main reading condition, comprising reading device which reads the film image recorded on the photographic film, magnetically recorded data reading device which reads first magnetically recorded data which is magnetically recorded on a magnetic recording layer of the photographic film, conveying device which conveys the photographic film and control device for controlling the reading device to carry out the preliminary reading of each of film images recorded on the photographic film while controlling the conveying device to convey the photographic film in a predetermined direction, and for controlling the magnetically recorded data reading device to read the first magnetically recorded date concurrently with the preliminary reading of the film images by the reading device. 
     According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus in which the film images sequentially recorded on the elongated photographic film are read by the scanner using line image sensor. 
     According to each of the first and second aspects of the present invention, the preliminary reading of a film image and the reading of magnetically recorded data are effected concurrently during one film conveying operation, and therefore, the number of times the film must be conveyed in order to read of the film image can be reduced and the time required for reading of the film image can be shortened. Further, wear of a magnetic head for reading magnetically recorded data and damage to the film, which are caused by the conveying of the film, can be lessened. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a digital laboratory system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an external view of the digital laboratory system. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of an optical system of a line CCD scanner. 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram which schematically shows the structure of an electric system of the line CCD scanner. 
     FIG. 5 is a block diagram which schematically shows the structure of an image processing section 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of an optical system of a laser printer section. 
     FIG. 7 is a block diagram which schematically shows the structure of the electric system of the laser printer section and the structure of the electric system of a processor section. 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a film carrier. 
     FIG. 9 is a flow chart which shows the details of reading condition calculation processing. 
     FIG. 10 is a flow chart which shows the details of film image reading processing. 
     FIG. 11 is a timing chart which shows an example of a sequence in which a photographic film is conveyed and a film image is read. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the attached drawings, an embodiment of the present invention will be hereinafter described in detail. First, a description will be given of a digital laboratory system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     Overview of an Entire System: 
     FIG. 1 shows a schematic structure of a digital laboratory system  10  according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the exterior appearance of the digital laboratory system  10 . As shown in FIG. 1, the laboratory system  10  is structured to include a line CCD scanner  14 , an image processing section  16 , a laser printer section  18 , and a processor section  20 . The line CCD scanner  14  and the image processing section  16  are integrated to form an input section  26  shown in FIG.  2  and the laser printer section  18  and the processor section  20  are integrated to form an output section  28  shown in FIG.  2 . The input section  26  corresponds to an image reading apparatus according to the present invention and the line CCD scanner  14  corresponds to reading means of the present invention. 
     The line CCD scanner  14  is used to read a film image recorded on a photographic film such as a negative film and a reversal film. Examples of the photographic film on which a film image to be read is recorded include a photographic film in 135 magazines, a photographic film in 110 magazines, and a photographic film with a transparent magnetic layer formed thereon (i.e., a photographic film in 240 magazines: a so-called APS film), and photographic films in 120 magazines and 220 magazines (Brownie size). The line CCD scanner  14  reads the film image to be read, as described above, by a line CCD and outputs image data. 
     The image processing section  16  is structured to allow input of image data outputted from the line CCD scanner  14  (i.e., scan image data) and also allow input of image data obtained by photographing using a digital camera, image data obtained by reading an original other than the film image (for example, an reflection original) by a scanner, image data generated by a computer, and the like (which will be generically referred to as file image data) from the outside (for example, input of image data via a storage medium such as a memory card or input of image data from the other information processing equipment via a communication line). 
     The image processing section  16  effects image processing including various corrections and the like for the input image data and outputs the image data, as recording image data, to the laser printer section  18 . Further, the image processing section  16  also can output the image data subjected to the image processing, as an image file, to the outside (for example, the image data can be outputted to a storage medium such as a memory card or transferred to the other information processing equipment via a communication line). 
     The laser printer section  18  includes laser light sources of R, G, and B and causes laser light modulated to correspond to the recording image data inputted from the image processing section  16  to be irradiated on a photographic printing paper so as to record an image on the photographic printing paper by scan exposure processing. Further, the processor section  20  effects various processes including color development, bleach-fix, washing, and drying for the photographic printing paper on which an image is recorded by scan exposure processing in the laser printer section  18 . As a result, an image is formed on the photographic printing paper. 
     Structure of Line CCD Scanner: 
     Next, a description will be given of the structure of the line CCD scanner  14 . FIG. 3 shows a schematic structure of an optical system of the line CCD scanner  14 . This optical system includes a light source  30  comprised of a halogen lamp or a metal halide lamp and applying light to the photographic film  22 . A light diffusion box  36  by which light to be irradiated on the photographic film  22  is made into diffused light is disposed at a light emission side of the light source  30 . 
     The photographic film  22  is conveyed by a film carrier  38  (shown in FIG. 5, but not shown in FIG. 3) disposed at a light emission side of the light diffusion box  36  such that film images sequentially pass through an optical-axis position. In FIG. 3, there is shown an elongated photographic film  22 . However, a film carrier used exclusively for slide films (reversal film) which are held in a holder for a slide for each frame and a film carrier used exclusively for APS films are also provided. (The film carrier used exclusively for APS films has a magnetic head for reading magnetically recorded data which is magnetically recorded on the magnetic layer of the film.) In this way, these photographic films can also be conveyed to the optical-axis position. 
     Light adjusting filters  114 C,  114 M, and  114 Y of cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) are disposed between the light source  30  and the light diffusion box  36  sequentially along the optical axis of emitted light. A lens unit  40  which allows imaging of light transmitted through the film image and a line CCD  116  are disposed, sequentially along the optical axis, at the side of the photographic film  22  opposite to the side at which the light source  30  is disposed. Although in FIG. 3 only a single lens is shown as the lens unit  40 , the lens unit  40  is actually a zoom lens formed from a plurality of lenses. 
     The line CCD  116  is structured in such a manner that a sensing portion, in which a large number of CCD cells and photoelectric conversion elements such as photodiode are disposed in one row and an electronic shutter mechanism is disposed, is provided in each of three lines which are parallel to each other at intervals and color separation filters of R, G, and B are respectively mounted on the light-incidence sides of the sensing portions (i.e., the line CCD  116  is a so-called three-line color CCD). The line CCD  116  is disposed in such a manner that a light receiving surface of each sensing portion coincides with the position of an imaging point of the lens unit  40 . Further, a transfer portion comprised of a large number of CCD cells is provided in the vicinity of each sensing portion so as to correspond to the sensing portion. The charge accumulated in each of the CCD cells of each sensing portion is sequentially transferred via a corresponding transfer portion. Although not illustrated, a shutter is provided between the line CCD  116  and the lens unit  40 . 
     FIG. 4 shows a schematic structure of an electric system of the line CCD scanner  14 . The line CCD scanner  14  includes a microprocessor  46  which effects control of the entire line CCD scanner  14 . RAM  64  (for example, SRAM), ROM  66  (for example, ROM which can rewrite the stored content) are connected via a bus  62  to the microprocessor  46 , and a motor driver  48  is also connected to the microprocessor  46 . A filter driving motor  54  is connected to the motor driver  48 . The filter driving motor  54  allows the light adjusting filters  114 C,  114 M, and  114 Y to slide-move independently. 
     The microprocessor  46  allows the light source  30  to be turned on and off in accordance with the on-off operation of a power source switch (not shown). Further, during reading of a film image by the line CCD  116  (i.e., photometric processing), the microprocessor  46  causes the filter driving motor  54  to slidingly move the light adjusting filters  114 C,  114 M, and  114 Y independently, so as to adjust the amount of light made incident on the line CCD  116  for each of the component color lights. 
     Also connected to the motor driver  48  are a zoom driving motor  70  and a lens driving motor  106 . The zoom driving motor  70  varies a zoom magnification of the lens unit  40  by relatively moving the positions of the plurality of lenses of the lens unit  40 . The lens driving motor  106  moves the position of an imaging point of the lens unit  40  by moving the entire lens unit  40  along the optical axis. The microprocessor  46  varies the zoom magnification of the lens unit  40  by the zoom driving motor  70  to a desired magnification in accordance with the size of the film image, in accordance with whether trimming is to be carried out, and the like. 
     Further, on the basis of data of a film image read by the line CCD  116 , the microprocessor  46  effects focusing control to move the position of the imaging point of the lens unit  40  by the lens driving motor  106  so that the contrast of the film image is made a maximum. As a result, the position of the imaging point of the lens unit  40  is made coincident with the light receiving surface of the line CCD  116 . The focusing control may also be effected based on a distance detected by a distance sensor in place of film-image data, the distance sensor being provided to measure the distance between the photographic film and the lens unit  40  (or the line CCD  116 ) by using infrared radiation or the like. 
     A timing generator  74  is connected to the line CCD  116 . The timing generator  74  generates various timing signals (clock signals) for operating the line CCD  116 , A/D converters  82 , which will be described later, and the like. Signal output ends of the line CCD  116  are connected to the A/D converters  82  via amplifiers  76  and the signals outputted from the line CCD  116  are amplified by the amplifiers  76  and are converted to digital data in the A/D converters  82 . 
     The output ends of the A/D converters  82  are each connected to an interface (I/F) circuit  90  via a correlated double sampling circuit (CDS)  88 . The CDS  88  effects sampling of feedthrough data which indicates the level of a feed-through signal and pixel data which indicates the level of a pixel signal and subtracts the feed-through data from the pixel data for each pixel. The calculated results (pixel data which respectively correspond correctly to the amounts of charge accumulated in the CCD cells) are sequentially outputted, as scan image data, to the image processing section  16  via the I/F circuit  90 . 
     Meanwhile, photometric signals of R, G, and B are outputted concurrently from the line CCD  116 , and therefore, three signal processing systems each including the amplifiers  76 , the A/D converters  82 , and CDSs  88  are provided and image data of R, G, and B are concurrently outputted, as scan image data, from the I/F circuit  90 . 
     Further, a shutter driving motor  92  which opens and closes the shutter is connected to the motor driver  48 . The dark output of the line CCD  116  is corrected in an image processing section  16  at a subsequent stage, and when reading of the film image is not effected, the dark output level can be obtained by the microprocessor  46  closing the shutter. 
     Structure of Image Processing Section: 
     Next, a description will be given of the structure of the image processing section  16  with reference to FIG.  5 . The image processing section  16  has a line scanner correcting portion  122  corresponding to the line CCD scanner  14 . The line scanner correcting portion  122  includes three signal processing systems each having a dark correcting circuit  124 , a defective-pixel correcting portion  128 , and a light correcting circuit  130 , correspondingly to image data of R, G, and B concurrently outputted from the line CCD scanner  14 . 
     The dark correcting circuit  124  effects correction by storing, for each of cells, data inputted from the line CCD scanner  14  (i.e., data which represents a dark output level of each of cells of the sensing portion of the line CCD  116 ) in the state in which the light made incident on the line CCD  116  is cut off by the shutter and by subtracting the dark output level of a cell corresponding to each pixel from scan image data inputted from the line CCD scanner  14 . 
     Further, the photoelectric conversion characteristic of the line CCD  116  varies for each of the cells. In the light correcting circuit  130  after the defective-pixel correcting portion  128 , with an adjusting film image whose entire image surface has a constant density being set on the line CCD scanner  14 , a gain is set for each of the cells based on image data of the adjusting film image inputted from the line CCD scanner  14  after the adjusting film image has been read by the line CCD  116  (the variation in density between pixels represented by the image data results from variations of the photoelectric conversion characteristics of the cells), and image data of a film image to be read inputted from the line CCD scanner  14  is corrected for each pixel in accordance with the gain set for each of the cells. 
     On the other hand, when the density of a specified pixel in the image data of the adjusting film image is greatly different from that of other pixels, there is some abnormality about the cell of the line CCD  116  corresponding to the specified pixel and it can be determined that the specified pixel is defective. The defective-pixel correcting portion  128  stores an address of the defective pixel based on the image data of the adjusting film image. Among the image data of the film image to be read which is inputted from the line CCD scanner  14 , data of the defective pixel is interpolated by data of peripheral pixels to allow generation of new data. 
     Further, the line CCD  116  is formed in three lines (rows of CCD cells) which are disposed along the conveying direction of the photographic film  22  at predetermined intervals, and therefore, there is the difference in time at which output of image data of each of component colors of R, G, and B from the line CCD scanner  14  starts between these component colors. The line scanner correcting portion  122  delays the image-data output timing based on different delay times of the component colors so that image data of R, G, and B of the same pixel on the film image are outputted simultaneously. 
     Output ends of the line scanner correcting portion  122  are connected to input ends of a selector  132  and image data outputted from the correcting portion  122  is inputted to the selector  132 . The input end of the selector  132  is also connected to a data output end of an input/output controller  134  and external-input film image data is inputted from the input/output controller  134  to the selector  132 . An output end of the selector  132  is connected to each data input end of the input/output controller  134  and image processor portions  136 A and  136 B. The selector  132  allows the inputted image data to be selectively outputted to each of the input/output controller  134  and the image processor portions  136 A and  136 B. 
     The image processor portion  136 A includes a memory controller  138 , an image processor  140 , and three frame memories  142 A,  142 B, and  142 C. The frame memories  142 A,  142 B, and  142 C each have a capacity which allows storage of image data of a film image of one frame. The image data inputted from the selector  132  is stored in any one of the three frame memories and the memory controller  138  controls an address when the image data is stored in the frame memory  142  so that the inputted image data respectively corresponding to pixels are stored in a storage region of the frame memory  142  in such a state as to be arranged in a fixed order. 
     The image processor  140  fetches image data stored in the frame memory  142  and effects various image processing including gradation conversion, color conversion, hyper-tone processing which compresses gradation of extra-low frequency luminance components of an image, hyper-sharpness processing which highlights sharpness while suppressing granularity, and the like. Meanwhile, the processing condition of the above-described image processing is automatically calculated by an automatic set-up engine  144  (which will be described later) and the image processing is effected in accordance with the calculated processing condition. The image processor  140  is connected to the input/output controller  134 , and after the image data subjected to the image processing is temporarily stored in the frame memory  142 , the image data is outputted to the input/output controller  134  at a predetermined timing. The image processor portion  136 B has the same structure as that of the above-described image processor portion  136 A, and a description thereof will be omitted. 
     In the present embodiment, two reading operations of different resolutions are effected for each film image in the line CCD scanner  14 . In the case of the first reading operation at a relatively low resolution (which will be referred to as “pre-scan”), even when the density of a film image is extremely low (for example, even when an overexposed negative image on a negative film is used), reading of the film image is effected under a reading condition which is determined so as to prevent occurrence of saturation of accumulated charge in the line CCD  116  (the amount of light irradiated on the photographic film for each wavelength of light of the colors R, G, and B, and the time of charge accumulated in the CCD). The data obtained by the pre-scan (i.e., pre-scan image data) is inputted from the selector  132  to the input/output controller  134  and is also outputted to the automatic set-up engine  144  connected to the input/output controller  134 . 
     The automatic set-up engine  144  includes CPU  146 , RAM  148  (for example, DRAM), ROM  150  (for example, ROM which can rewrite the stored content), and an input/output port  152 , which are connected together via a bus  154 . 
     The automatic set-up engine  144  calculates, based on pre-scan image data of film images of a plurality of frames inputted from the input/output controller  134 , a processing condition of the image processing for image data (fine-scan image data) obtained by the second reading operation by the line CCD scanner  14  at a relatively high resolution (which will be hereinafter referred to as “fine scan”) and outputs the calculated processing condition to the image processor  140  of the image processor portion  136 . In the calculation of the processing condition of the image processing, it is determined from an exposure amount during photographing, a type of a light source for photographing, and other characteristic amount, whether a plurality of film images with similar scenes photographed exists. When the plurality of film images with similar scenes photographed exists, the processing condition of image processing for fine-scan image data of these film images is determined so as to become identical or approximate. 
     Meanwhile, an optimum processing condition of image processing varies depending on whether image data after image processing is used for recording of an image on a photographic printing paper in the laser printer section  18  or is outputted externally. The image processing section  16  includes two image processor portions  136 A,  136 Bh, and therefore, for example, when image data is used for recording of an image on a photographic printing paper and is also outputted externally, the automatic set-up engine  144  calculates a processing condition most suitable for each of various purposes and outputs the calculated processing condition to the image processor portions  136 A,  136 B. As a result, in the image processor portions  136 A,  136 B, image processing is effected for the same fine-scan image data under different processing conditions. 
     Moreover, the automatic set-up engine  144  calculates, based on pre-scan image data of the film image inputted from the input/output controller  134 , an image-recording parameter which defines gray balance when an image is recorded on a photographic printing paper in the laser printer section  18 , and outputs the calculated parameter simultaneously with outputting of recording image data (described later) to the laser printer section  18 . Further, the automatic set-up engine  144  calculates a processing condition for image processing for file image data inputted from the outside in the same way as the aforementioned. 
     The input/output controller  134  is connected via an I/F circuit  156  to the laser printer section  18 . When the image data after image processing is used for recording of an image on a photographic printing paper, the image data subjected to image processing in the image processor portion  136  is outputted, as recording image data, from the input/output controller  134  to the laser printer section  18  via the I/F circuit  156 . Further, the automatic set-up engine  144  is connected to a personal computer  158 . When the image data subjected to image processing is outputted externally as an image file, the image data subjected to image processing in the image processor portion  136  is outputted from the input/output controller  134  to the personal computer  158  via the automatic set-up engine  144 . 
     The personal computer  158  includes a CPU  160 , a memory  162 , a display  164 , a keyboard  166  (also seen in FIG.  2 ), a hard disk  168 , a CD-ROM driver  170 , a conveying control portion  172 , an extension slot  174 , and an image compression/extension portion  176 . These components are connected together via a bus  178 . The conveying control portion  172  is connected to the film carrier  38  and controls conveying of the photographic film  22  effected by the film carrier  38 . Further, when an APS film is set in the film carrier  38 , magnetically recorded data read from the magnetic layer of the APS film by the film carrier  38  is inputted. 
     A driver (not shown) which effects data reading/writing for a storage medium such as a memory card, or a communication control device which communicates with other information processing equipment is connected via the extension slot  174  to the personal computer  158 . When image data to be outputted externally is inputted from the input/output controller  134 , the image data is outputted, as an image file, to the outside (for example, to the above-described driver or communication control device) via the extension slot  174 . Further, when file image data is inputted from the outside via the extension slot  174 , the inputted file image data is outputted to the input/output controller  134  via the automatic set-up engine  144 . In this case, the input/output controller  134  outputs the inputted file image data to the selector  132 . 
     Meanwhile, when the pre-scan image data or the like is outputted to the personal computer  158 , a film image read by the line CCD scanner  14  is shown on the display  164  or an image obtained by being recorded on the photographic printing paper is estimated and shown on the display  164 , and an instruction for correction of the image, or the like is given by an operator via the keyboard  166 , the image processing section  16  also allows the correction of an image to be reflected in the processing condition for image processing. Structures of laser printer section and processor section: 
     Next, a description will be given of the laser printer section  18  and the processor section  20 . FIG. 6 shows the structure of an optical system of the laser printer section  18 . The laser printer section  18  includes three laser light sources  210 R,  210 G, and  210 B. The laser light source  210 R is formed from a semiconductor laser (LD) which emits laser light having a wavelength of R. The laser light source  210 G is formed from an LD and a wavelength conversion element (SHG) which converts laser light emitted from the LD to laser light whose wavelength is a half thereof and an oscillation wavelength of the LD is determined so that laser light having a wavelength of G is emitted from the SHG. Similarly, the laser light source  210 B is also formed from the LD and SHG and the oscillation wavelength of the LD is determined so that laser light having a wavelength of B is emitted from the SHG. 
     A collimator lens  212  and an acoustooptic light modulation element (AOM)  214  are sequentially disposed at a laser light exit side of each of the laser light sources  210 R,  210 G, and  210 B. Each AOM  214  is disposed so as to allow incident laser light to be transmitted through an acoustooptic medium and is also connected to an AOM driver  216  (see FIG.  7 ). When a high-frequency signal is inputted from the AOM driver  216 , an ultrasonic wave corresponding to the high-frequency signal is propagated through the acoustooptic medium and an acoustooptic effect acts on laser light transmitted through the acoustooptic medium to cause diffraction. As a result, laser light having an intensity corresponding to the amplitude of the high-frequency signal is emitted, as diffracted light, from each AOM  214 . 
     A polygon mirror  218  is disposed at the side where diffracted light is emitted from each AOM  214 . Three laser light beams each having wavelengths of R, G, and B, which are emitted as diffracted light from the AOMs  214 , are irradiated on the reflecting surface of the polygon mirror  218  substantially at the same position and are further reflected by the polygon mirror  218 . An fθ lens  220  and a plane mirror  222  are disposed at the side where laser light is emitted from the polygon mirror  218  and the three laser light beams reflected by the polygon mirror  218  are transmitted through the fθ lens  220 , reflected by the plane mirror  222 , and is then irradiated on the photographic printing paper  224 . 
     FIG. 7 schematically shows the structures of electric systems of the laser printer section  18  and the processor section  20 . The laser printer section  18  includes a frame memory  230  which stores image data. The frame memory  230  is connected via an I/F circuit  232  to the image processing section  16  and recording image data inputted from the image processing section  16  (i.e., image data which represent densities of R, G, and B for each of pixels of an image to be recorded on the photographic printing paper  224 ) are temporarily stored in the frame memory  230  via the I/F circuit  232 . The frame memory  230  is connected via an D/A converter  234  to an exposure section  236  and is also connected to a printer-section control circuit  238 . 
     The exposure section  236  includes, as described above, three laser light sources  210  each formed from the LD (and the SHG) and three systems each including AOM  214  and AOM driver  216 , and also includes the polygon mirror  218  and a main-scan unit  240  having a motor for rotating the polygon mirror  218 . The exposure section  236  is connected to the printer-section control circuit  238  and the operation of each portion thereof is controlled by the printer-section control circuit  238 . 
     In order that an image represented by image data for recording is recorded on the photographic printing paper  224  by scan and exposure, the printer-section control circuit  238  effects, based on an image-recording parameter inputted from the image processing section  16 , various corrections for the recording image data to prepare image data for scan and exposure and stores the prepared image data in the frame memory  230 . Subsequently, the polygon mirror  218  of the exposure section  236  is rotated and laser light is emitted from each of the laser light sources  210 R,  210 G, and  210 B, and further, the prepared image data for scan and exposure is outputted from the frame memory  230  to the exposure section  236  via the D/A converter  234 . As a result, the image data for scan and exposure is converted to an analog signal and is further inputted to the exposure section  236 . 
     The AOM driver  216  varies the amplitude of an ultrasonic signal supplied for the AOM  214  in accordance with the level of the inputted analog signal and modulates the intensity of laser light emitted as diffracted light from the AOM  214  in accordance with the level of the analog signal (i.e., any one of densities of R, G, and B of each pixel of an image to be recorded on the photographic printing paper  224 ). Accordingly, laser light beams of R, G, and B, of which intensity is modulated in accordance with the densities of R, G, and B of the image to be recorded on the photographic printing paper  224  are emitted from the three AOMs  214  and these laser light beams are irradiated together on the photographic printing paper  224  via the polygon mirror  218 , the fθ lens  220 , and the mirror  222 . 
     The main scan is effected in such a manner that the position where each laser light beam is irradiated is scanned along the direction indicated by arrow B in FIG. 6 accompanied with the rotation of the polygon mirror  218  and sub-scan of laser light is effected in such a manner that the photographic printing paper  224  is conveyed at constant speed along the direction indicated by arrow C in FIG. 6, and therefore, an image is recorded on the photographic printing paper  224  by scan and exposure. The photographic printing paper  224  on which the image has been recorded by scan and exposure is transferred to the processor section  20 . 
     A printer-section driver  242  is connected to the printer-section control circuit  238 . Connected to the printer-section driver  242  are a fan  244  and a magazine motor  246 . The fan  244  blows air against the exposure section  236  and the magazine motor  246  is used to pull out the photographic printing paper accommodated in a magazine mounted in the laser printer section. Further, connected to the printer-section control circuit  238  is a back print portion  248  in which characters and the like are printed onto the rear surface of the photographic printing paper  224 . Each operation of the fan  244 , the magazine motor  246 , and the back print portion  248  is controlled by the printer-section control circuit  238 . 
     Further, also connected to the printer-section control circuit  238  are a magazine sensor  250 , an operation panel  252  (also seen in FIG.  2 ), a densitometer  254 , and a processor-section control circuit  256  of the process section  20 . The magazine sensor  250  detects a mounted/detached state of the magazine in which an unexposed photographic printing paper  224  is accommodated and the size of the photographic printing paper accommodated in the magazine, the operation panel  252  is used by an operator to input various instructions, the densitometer  254  measures the density of an image visualized after the image has been subjected to development and the like in the processor section  20 . 
     Connected to the processor-section control circuit  256  is a miscellaneous sensor  258  which detects passing of the photographic printing paper  224  conveyed on the conveying path within the machine body of the processor section  20  and the liquid-surface position of each of various processing solutions filled in a processing tank, and the like. 
     Further, connected to the processor-section control circuit  256  are a sorter  260  (also seen in FIG.  2 ), a replenishing system  262 , and an automatic washing system  264 . The sorter  260  is used to sort, every predetermined group, photographic printing papers subjected to development processing and the like and discharged from the machine body, the replenishing system  262  is used to replenish the processing tank of the replenishing solution, and the automatic washing system  264  allows washing of rollers and the like. Further, a miscellaneous pump/solenoid  268  is connected via a processor-section driver  266  to the processor-section control circuit  256 . Each operation of the sorter  260 , the replenishing system  262 , the automatic washing system  264 , and the miscellaneous pump/solenoid  268  is controlled by the processor-section control circuit  256 . 
     Structure of Film Carrier: 
     Next, a description will be given of the structure of the film carrier  38  for the APS film with reference to FIG.  8 . FIG. 8 shows the state in which the film carrier  38  is set in the line CCD scanner  14 . (In FIG. 8, the light adjusting filters  114 C,  114 M, and  114 Y, the light diffusion box  36 , and the like are not illustrated.) 
     The film carrier  38  includes conveying roller pairs  280  and  282  which are disposed at respective sides of an optical axis L of light emitted from the light source  30  with the optical axis L as the center. The conveying roller pairs  280  and  282  are rotated due to driving force of the motors  284  and  286  being transmitted thereto, and as the conveying roller pairs  280  and  282  rotate, the photographic film  22  nipped by the conveying roller pairs  280  and  282  is conveyed across the optical axis L. The motors  284  and  286  are connected to the conveying control portion  172  via drivers  288  and  290 , respectively. Disposed at the position where the conveying path of the photographic film  22  crosses the optical axis L is a mask  293  which blocks light emitted from the light source  30  and transmitted through regions other than the image recording range of the photographic film  22  and which can vary the range over which light is blocked off. 
     A magnetic head  292  used for reading magnetically recorded data which is magnetically recorded on a magnetic layer of the photographic film  22  (i.e., the APS film) is disposed close to the conveying path of the photographic film  22 . The magnetically recorded data represents a photographing condition at the time of photographing or the like, and includes data such as the photographing time, the amount of exposure at the time of photographing, the type of light source used for photographing, whether the image is a photographed backlit scene, and the like. The magnetically recorded data read by the magnetic head  292  is amplified by an amplifier (AMP)  294  to a predetermined level and converted to digital data by the A/D converter  296 , and further, is inputted to the conveying control portion  172 . 
     The magnetic head  292  corresponds to the magnetically recorded data-reading means of the present invention, and the film carrier  38  and the conveying control portion  172  each correspond to the conveying means of the present invention. 
     Operation: 
     As the operation of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, description will be given of reading condition calculation processing (see FIG.  9 ), which is executed by the automatic set-up engine  144  of the image processing section  16  when a film image recorded on the photographic film  22  is read, and film image reading processing (see FIG. 10) executed by the conveying control portion  172 . There will be hereinafter described a case in which a film image recorded on the APS film serving as the photographic film  22  is read and the reading of the film image is effected by the line CCD scanner  14  in which the film carrier  38  is set. The automatic set-up engine  144  and the conveying control portion  172  each correspond to the control means of the present invention. 
     In the reading condition calculation processing, first, in step  400 , a predetermined reading condition during pre-scan of a film image is notified to the line CCD scanner  14 , and an instruction to execute of pre-scan of the film image recorded on the photographic film  22  is given to the line CCD scanner  14  and the conveying control portion  172 . In step  402 , it is determined whether pre-scan image data and magnetically recorded data magnetically recorded on the magnetic layer of the photographic film  22  have been inputted. When the determination in step  402  is negative, the process proceeds to step  404 , where it is determined whether pre-scan image data and the magnetically recorded data of all of the film images recorded on one roll of photographic film have been inputted. When the determination in step  404  is also negative, the process returns to step  402 , and steps  402  and  404  are repeated. 
     On the other hand, in the film image reading processing, first, in step  500 , it is determined whether execution of pre-scan has been indicated, and the process is placed in a stand-by state until the decision of step  500  becomes affirmative. When execution of pre-scan is indicated, the determination in step  500  becomes affirmative. In subsequent step  502 , as also shown in FIG. 11, the film carrier  38  conveys the photographic film  22  in a predetermined direction (which will be hereinafter referred to as the forward direction) at a fixed conveying speed suitable for pre-scan and reading of magnetically recorded data. 
     In step  504 , it is determined whether a film image has arrived at the position where a film image is read by the line CCD  116 . When the determination in step  504  is negative, the process proceeds to step  506 , where it is determined whether reading of all of the film images recorded on one roll of photographic film and magnetically recorded data which represents photographing conditions at the time of photographing, and the like has been effected. When the determination in step  506  is negative, the process returns to step  502 , and steps  502  to  506  are repeated. When the determination in step  504  becomes affirmative in step  508 , the film image is read by the line CCD  116  o f the line CCD scanner  14  in accordance with the reading condition for pre-scan which was notified from the automatic set-up engine  144 , and simultaneously, the magnetically recorded data which is magnetically recorded on the magnetic layer of the photographic film  22  is also read. The image data obtained by the above reading is outputted, as pre-scan image data, to the image processing section  16  together with the magnetically recorded data. 
     When the above-described step  508  is repeated each time a film image arrives at the position where a film image is to be read by the line CCD  116 , film images are read sequentially from a leading side of the photographic film in the forward direction (in the order of frame numbers 1,2, . . . , n, assuming that frame numbers 1,2, . . . , n are respectively given to film images sequentially from the leading side in the forward direction), and the magnetically recorded data recorded in correspondence with each film image is also read. The image data (pre-scan image data) obtained by the above reading and the magnetically recorded data are sequentially outputted to the image processing section  16 . 
     As the reading condition at the pre-scan, a standard reading condition is used which is set such that the majority of the film images (film images whose densities fall in a predetermined range) can be read accurately and such that no saturation of charge accumulated in the line CCD  116  occurs even when a film image having a low density is read. 
     In the reading condition calculation processing (see FIG.  9 ), when pre-scan image data and magnetically recorded data are inputted, the determination in step  402  becomes affirmative, and the process proceeds to step  406  where based on the inputted pre-scan image data and magnetically recorded data which represents a photographing condition at the time of photographing or the like, a reading condition for carrying out fine scan of the same film image is calculated on the basis of a characteristic amount such as an average density of a film image and is stored in the RAM  148  or the like in correspondence with the frame number. 
     In subsequent step  408 , an amount of exposure of a film image at the time of photographing, a type of light source used for photographing, and other characteristic amounts are determined based on the inputted pre-scan image data and magnetically recorded data which represents a photographing condition at the time of photographing or the like. Based on the obtained characteristic amounts, a processing condition of image processing for fine scan image data obtained by carrying out fine scan on the same film image is calculated, and the calculated processing condition is stored in the RAM  148  in correspondence with the frame number, and thereafter, the process returns to step  402 . 
     When the determination in step  404  is affirmative, i.e., when it is determined that pre-scan image data and the magnetically recorded data which represents photographing conditions and the like of all of the film images recorded on one roll of photographic film  22  have been inputted, the process proceeds to step  410 , where the reading conditions at fine scan for each film image, which is calculated and stored in the RAM  148 , is notified to the line CCD scanner  14 , and an instruction to execute of fine scan is given to the line CCD scanner  14  and the conveying control portion  172 . Further, in subsequent step  412 , the processing conditions of image processing for fine scan image data of each film image, which has been calculated and stored in the RAM  148 , is notified to the image processor  140  of the image processor portion  136 . 
     On the other hand, in the film image reading processing (see FIG.  10 ), when reading of all of the film images is completed, the decision of step  506  is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step  510  where the photographic film  22  is conveyed by the film carrier  38  at a fixed conveying speed in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction (i.e., the photographic film  22  is conveyed in the reverse direction). 
     In step  512 , it is determined whether a film image has arrived at the position where a film image is to be read by the line CCD  116 . When the determination in step  512  is negative, the process proceeds to step  514  in which it is determined whether reading of all of the film images recorded on one roll of photographic film has been carried out. When the determination in step  514  is also negative, the process returns to step  510  and steps  510  to  514  are repeated. When the determination in step  512  is affirmative, the process proceeds to step  516  where the film image is read by the line CCD  116  in accordance with the reading condition for fine scan notified from the automatic set-up engine  144 , and the image data obtained by the above reading is outputted, as fine scan image data, to the image processing section  16 . 
     Accordingly, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, immediately after pre-scan of all film of the images has been completed, the film images are read by the line CCD  116  in accordance with the notified reading condition for fine scan sequentially from the final end in the forward direction (in the order of frame numbers n, n−1, . . . , 1), and the obtained image data is outputted, as fine scan image data, to the image processing section  16 . In the image processor portion  136 , the fine scan image data of each film image inputted from the line CCD scanner  14  to the image processing section  16  is subjected to image processing according to the processing condition calculated for that film image in the automatic set-up engine  144 , and is then outputted. 
     In the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, preliminary reading of a film image and reading of magnetically recorded data are effected concurrently during one film conveying operation, and therefore, the number of times a film must be conveyed in order to read a film image can be reduced, and wear of a magnetic head for reading magnetically recorded data and damage to the film, which accompany the conveying of the film, can be prevented. 
     The conveying speed of the APS film suitable for magnetic recording of data onto a magnetic layer of the APS film has a relatively high degree of freedom. Accordingly, for example, data such as the reading condition for fine scan calculated in step  406 , the processing condition for image processing of fine scan image data calculated in step  408 , and the like may be magnetically recorded on the magnetic layer of the photographic film  22  (i.e., the APS film) concurrently with the fine scan when the fine scan is effected while the photographic film  22  is conveyed in the reverse direction. As a result, when the film image recorded on the APS film is read again in order to be recorded on a recording material at a later date, fine scan and image processing of the fine scan image data can be effected under the same conditions as those of the previous processing.