Patent Publication Number: US-2006011957-A1

Title: Information detecting device for photo film

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to an information detecting device for a photo film. More particularly, the present invention relates to an information detecting device for a photo film, in which information previously required for image reading can be precisely obtained even with a simple structure.  
      2. Description Related to the Prior Art  
      A photo film scanner is disclosed in JP-A 2004-118061 for optically reading an image from photo film. Examples of photo films include color negative photo film, monochromatic photo film, reversal photo film and the like. Light is applied to the photo film. The light passed through the photo film is picked up by a CCD image sensor or other image pickup devices, for photoelectric conversion. An image frame is read from the photo film, so the photo film scanner creates and records digital image data.  
      There is a photo film holder or carrier in the photo film scanner. A feeding path is formed through the photo film holder. The photo film is passed through the feeding path, moves to reach a reading position where opposed to the CCD image sensor, which reads the image frame in the photo film. For suitable reading of the image frame, it is necessary to detect a position of the frame on the photo film, and a size of the image. Therefore, at first, existence or lack of the photo film detected in a specific position in the feeding path before the reading of the image frame, so as to check suitability in the initial feeding of the photo film. After this, the position of the image frame with reference to a feeding direction is detected. Also, a size of the image frame in the photo film width direction is detected.  
      Such preliminary information of the image frame is detected by an information sensor unit. The information sensor unit includes a light source and a photo receptor. The light source applies illuminating light to the photo film. The information sensor unit is opposed to the light source, and receives the illuminating light passed through the photo film. A position of the frame on the photo film, and a size of the image are detected according to a difference between a support density of density of an unexposed portion of the photo film and density of the image frame as an exposed portion. One example of the light source is an LED light source, which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,260,740 (corresponding to JP-A 4-350640). An example of photo receptor is a CCD line sensor and PSD (position sensitive detector).  
      The feeding path in the photo film holder is provided with a plurality of information sensor units associated with the preliminary information of plural items. Examples of information sensor units include a photo film detecting sensor, a frame detecting sensor and a size detecting sensor. The photo film detecting sensor detects existence or lack of the photo film. The frame detecting sensor detects the image frame in the feeding direction on the photo film. The size detecting sensor detects a dimension of the image on the photo film width direction.  
      It is necessary suitably to select a wavelength of illuminating light according to a support color of the photo film for the purpose of obtaining high precision in detection of the information sensor unit. So JP-A 2004-118061 discloses a selected wavelength in view of suitability for color negative photo film. In the information sensor unit, the light source includes LEDs for light emission at the wavelength of 600-620 nm for the orange color.  
      Various types of photo films are known, including monochromatic photo film and reversal photo film. As those have a support being different in the support color between them. An optimized wavelength of light emission of illuminating light is different between the photo film types. In JP-A 2004-118061, a wavelength of illuminating light is selected for one particular type of photo film. However, it is impossible to optimize precision in the detection for nearly every type of photo film other than the particular type.  
      The preliminary information to be detected in reading the image frame is plural items as described above. A plurality of the information sensor unit must be installed for the purposes associated with the items. If the number of light sources is determined in consideration of the number of types of photo film, it will be extremely difficult to maintain a space for accommodation of the information sensor unit. An information detecting device must be complicated structurally, to raise the manufacturing cost seriously.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In view of the foregoing problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an information detecting device for a photo film, in which information previously required for image reading can be precisely obtained even with a simple structure.  
      In order to achieve the above and other objects and advantages of this invention, an information detecting device for a photo film scanner for reading an image frame on photo film is provided. At least one light source applies illuminating light to the photo film, the light source including a light-emitting element package having plural light-emitting elements of a chip type, packaged therein, for emitting the illuminating light at wavelengths different from one another. At least one photo receptor receives light from the photo film upon incidence of the illuminating light thereon, so as to retrieve at least any one of frame position information and frame size information of the image frame. A wavelength control unit controls an illuminating wavelength of the light-emitting elements of the chip type.  
      Specifically, an information detecting device for photo film having an image frame is provided. At least one light source applies illuminating light to the photo film, the light source including a light-emitting element package having plural light-emitting elements of a chip type, packaged therein, for emitting the illuminating light at wavelengths different from one another. At least one photo receptor receives light from the photo film upon incidence of the illuminating light thereon, so as to retrieve at least any one of frame position information and frame size information of the image frame. A wavelength control unit is responsive to setting of one detecting mode included in plural detecting modes, for driving a related light-emitting element within the light-emitting element package related to a predetermined wavelength, and for suppressing emission of an unrelated light-emitting element within the light-emitting element package unrelated to the predetermined wavelength, to restrict the illuminating light to the predetermined wavelength for the one detecting mode.  
      The information detecting device is used in a photo film scanner for reading the image frame on the photo film.  
      The light source includes a package array constituted by a plurality of the light-emitting element package.  
      Furthermore, a photo film feeding mechanism feeds the photo film longitudinally. The package array extends in a photo film width direction of the photo film, and the photo receptors scan the photo film by reception of light during feeding of the photo film.  
      The wavelength control unit selectively assigns the N wavelengths for respectively ones of the plural detecting modes different from one another.  
      The plural detecting modes include two detecting modes adapted to reading the photo film of first and second types.  
      The first type is color negative photo film, and a wavelength of a range of an orange color is assigned selectively among the N wavelengths.  
      The second type is at least one of reversal photo film and monochromatic photo film, and a wavelength of a range of a white color is assigned selectively among the N wavelengths.  
      The at least one photo receptor comprises first to Pth photo receptors associated with respective detecting modes different from one another among the plural detecting modes. The at least one light source comprises first to Pth light sources disposed in association with respectively the first to Pth photo receptors.  
      The first to Pth light sources include respectively a package array constituted by a plurality of the light-emitting element package. The wavelength control unit causes a plurality of the light-emitting element to illuminate together for an equal wavelength distribution in each of the first to Pth light sources.  
      In one preferred embodiment, furthermore, a type detector operates before the light source and the photo receptor, and retrieves type information of the photo film from the photo film. The wavelength control unit causes the light source to illuminate at the predetermined wavelength being selected according to a detection result of the type detector.  
      The at least one photo receptor comprises first and second photo receptors, the at least one light source comprises first and second light sources disposed in association with respectively the first and second photo receptors. The N wavelengths comprise first, second and third wavelengths. The first wavelength corresponds to a first one of the plural detecting modes, and is adapted to light emission of the first light source. The second wavelength corresponds to a second one of the plural detecting modes, and is adapted to light emission of the first light source. The third wavelength corresponds to a third one of the plural detecting modes, and is adapted to light emission of the second light source.  
      The second light source and the second photo receptor are driven before the first light source and the first photo receptor, and adapted to check of presence of the photo film.  
      The third wavelength is a wavelength range of a green color.  
      The light-emitting element package has a pedestal portion for securing of the light-emitting elements thereto, and the light source has a circuit board for keeping the plurality of the light-emitting element package arranged with the pedestal portion.  
      The light-emitting element package has a transparent cover, secured to the pedestal portion, for protecting the light-emitting elements by covering.  
      The N wavelengths comprise wavelengths of ranges of green, orange and white colors. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a digital laboratory system;  
       FIG. 2A  is a perspective view illustrating a package array where light-emitting element packages are arranged on a circuit board;  
       FIG. 2B  is a perspective view illustrating one of the light-emitting element packages having a pedestal and a transparent cover;  
       FIG. 2C  is a top plan illustrating the same as the  FIG. 2B ;  
       FIG. 3  is a table illustrating a relationship between plural detecting modes and colors of light;  
       FIG. 4A  is a graph illustrating an illuminating characteristic of a green light-emitting element;  
       FIGS. 4B and 4C  are graphs illustrating illuminating characteristics of orange and white light-emitting elements;  
       FIG. 5A  is a perspective view illustrating a preferred embodiment in which photo film types are automatically detected; and  
       FIG. 5B  is a flow chart illustrating operation of the structure of  FIG. 5A . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
      In  FIG. 1 , a digital laboratory system  10  is illustrated, and includes a photo film scanner  11 , an image processor  12  and image forming equipment or image output equipment  13 . The image forming equipment  13  includes a laser exposure unit  16  and a paper processor  17 . Photo film  18  is set into the photo film scanner  11 , which reads frames photoelectrically, and creates image data of a digital form to send the image data to the image processor  12 . The image processor  12  processes the image data, to produce printing data. The image processor  12  is on the basis of a personal computer, workstation or suitable electronic equipment, and operates as a controller for controlling the entirety of the digital laboratory system  10 .  
      The laser exposure unit  16  scans photographic paper by use of laser according to printing data, to expose an image on the photographic paper. The paper processor  17  processes the exposed photographic paper for development, to obtain a photographic print.  
      The photo film scanner  11  includes an image reader  30  and an information sensor group  40 . The image reader  30  includes a halogen lamp  21 , color separation filters  22 R,  22 G and  22 B, a diffusion box  23 , a photo film holder  24  or carrier, image pickup lenses  25  and  26 , a fine scan CCD image sensor  27 , and a pre-scan CCD image sensor  28 . The information sensor group  40  operates before image reading, and detects preliminary information which includes frame position information of a frame position on the photo film, and a frame size.  
      The halogen lamp  21  emits white light to read images of frames. A reflector  29  reflects light from the halogen lamp  21  toward the front. The color separation filters  22 R,  22 G and  22 B are disposed in a manner movable into and out of a light path of the halogen lamp  21 , and separate the white light into color light of Red color, Green color and Blue color. The three-color light is passed through the diffusion box  23 , and illuminates the photo film  18  one color after another. An inner surface of the diffusion box  23  is a reflection surface, which reflects incident light and diffuses it for the purpose of diffusion, to reduce irregularity in the light amount.  
      Light exiting from the diffusion box  23  is directed to first and second reading positions P 1  and P 2  on a feeding path of the photo film holder  24 . The first reading position P 1  is predetermined in front of the fine scan CCD image sensor  27 . The second reading position P 2  is predetermined in front of the pre-scan CCD image sensor  28 . The first reading position P 1  is on an extension of an exit of the diffusion box  23 , and receives direct passage of light from the diffusion box  23 . A mirror  31  is disposed between the diffusion box  23  and the photo film holder  24 , and reflects a partial component of light from the diffusion box  23  toward one side position. There is a mirror  32  to which light reflected by the mirror  31  is directed. The mirror  32  reflects the light additionally, and directs the same to the reading position P 2 .  
      Light passed through the photo film  18  in the reading positions P 1  and P 2  is focused by the image pickup lenses  25  and  26  on a detecting plane of the CCD image sensors  27  and  28 . An A/D converter  34  is connected with the CCD image sensors  27  and  28 , which convert image light photoelectrically, to supply the A/D converter  34  with an electric signal of an analog form according to a level of the received light. The A/D converter  34  converts the analog electric signal into a digital form of image data, which is sent to the image processor  12 . An object of the pre-scanning is to determine a reading condition, such as a charge storing time, prior to fine scanning to obtain main image data. Reading in the pre-scanning is at a smaller number of pixels than in fine scanning. Recording density of each image frame is measured according to the pre-scanning data obtained in the pre-scanning, to determine a condition of reading.  
      The photo film holder  24  includes a guide panel and a feed roller. The guide panel is disposed according to a width of the photo film  18 , and defines a feeding path for the photo film  18 . The feed roller supplies the photo film  18  to the reading positions P 1  and P 2  upon loading in the photo film holder  24 . The second reading position P 2  for the pre-scanning is upstream from the first reading position P 1  for the fine scanning as viewed in the feeding direction A of the photo film  18  indicated by the arrow. The number of pixels in the reading is small in the pre-scanning. So the feeding speed is higher in the pre-scanning than the fine scanning. A photo film reservoir or buffering mechanism  36  among feed rollers is disposed between the first and second reading positions P 1  and P 2 , and causes the photo film  18  partially to stay for reservation by forming a curve or loop of the photo film  18 , so as to absorb a difference in the feeding speed between a high speed for the pre-scanning and a low speed for the fine scanning.  
      It is necessary precisely to determine a frame position of a frame on the photo film, and a size of the frame on the photo film for the purpose of pre-scanning and fine scanning. The information sensor group  40  is positioned upstream from the image reader  30 , and detects preliminary information required for reading the image frame. Specifically, examples of the preliminary information are photo film detecting information, frame position information, and frame size information. The photo film detecting information is information of existence of the photo film  18  having reached a predetermined position in a feeding path. The frame position information is position information of the frame on the photo film in the feeding direction. The frame size information is size information of the frame on the photo film in the photo film width direction. In order to retrieve such information, the information sensor group  40  includes a photo film detecting sensor  41 , frame detecting sensor  42 , and size detecting sensor  43 .  
      The detecting sensors  41 ,  42  and  43  are respectively constituted by multi-purpose light sources  41   a,    42   a  and  43   a  and photo receptors  41   b,    42   b  and  43   b.  The multi-purpose light sources  41   a,    42   a  and  43   a  apply illuminating light to the photo film  18 . The photo receptors  41   b,    42   b  and  43   b,  in a form of line sensor, receive light from the photo film  18  upon transmission of the illuminating light. The photo film detecting sensor  41  is a first sensor, and detects a reach of a front end of the photo film  18  to the information sensor group  40  to check presence of the photo film  18 .  
      The frame detecting sensor  42  detects a position of a frame on the photo film by evaluating a density difference between a density of a portion of the image and a density of an unrecorded portion or photo film support density, so as to detect an edge of a frame on the photo film.  
      The size detecting sensor  43  is a third sensor to detect a size. Examples of a frame size include a full size, and a panoramic size different from the full size. The panoramic size has the same horizontal dimension (in the feeding direction) as that of the full size, but has a smaller vertical dimension in the photo film width direction. Upper and lower portions of a frame of the panoramic size frame are left blank and unexposed. The size detecting sensor  43  detects a density level of the portions that might be unexposed blank portions in the panoramic size. In the full size, an average density of the frame is high because an image is recorded fully. However, in the panoramic size, a level of measured density is low because of the unexposed blank portion. Thus, the high or low density level can be used for discerning a frame size.  
      In  FIG. 2A , a package array  51  is depicted, and used for each of the multi-purpose light sources  41   a,    42   a  and  43   a.  The package array  51  includes a plurality of light-emitting units  52  or multi-chip LED packages as light-emitting element packages, arranged on a substrate or circuit board  53  in a line shape. In  FIGS. 2B and 2C , each of the multi-chip LED packages  52  includes light-emitting elements  54 G,  54 O and  54 W or LEDs as chips for emitting light in different wavelengths, namely different colors. A support portion or pedestal  56  to define a light-emitting surface is adapted to mount the light-emitting elements  54 G,  54 O and  54 W. Examples of the light-emitting elements  54 G,  54 O and  54 W are light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in a rectangular parallelepipedic form of a chip type. The light-emitting elements  54 G,  54 O and  54 W are combined in a unified form of a package to obtain each of the multi-chip LED packages  52 .  
      A first surface of the support portion or pedestal  56  is provided with contact points and lands. The contact points are used for connection with one of electrodes of the light-emitting elements  54 G,  54 O and  54 W. The lands connect a remaining electrode of the light-emitting elements  54 G,  54 O and  54 W to the pedestal  56  by wire bonding. A second surface of the pedestal  56  has connection leads  57 , which connect the multi-chip LED packages  52  to the substrate  53 . Among the connection leads  57 , a first one is assigned to a positive electrode or common electrode of the light-emitting elements  54 G,  54 O and  54 W. A second, a third and a fourth of the connection leads  57  are assigned to a negative electrode or discrete electrode of the light-emitting elements  54 G,  54 O and  54 W. A transparent cover or dome  58  is fixed on the pedestal  56 , and covers and protects the light-emitting elements  54 G,  54 O and  54 W.  
       FIG. 3  is a table for a list of used colors of light. A green color is determined for illuminating light suitable for detecting existence of photo film. A white color is determined for illuminating light suitable for a frame position on the photo film and its size with respect to black-and-white photo film and reversal photo film. An orange color is determined for illuminating light suitable for a frame position on the photo film and its size with respect to color negative photo film. The light-emitting elements  54 G,  54 O and  54 W emit light of respectively green, orange and white colors.  
      In graphs of  FIGS. 4A-4C , characteristics of emission of the light-emitting elements  54 G,  54 O and  54 W are illustrated.  FIG. 4A  shows distribution in the wavelength of light emitted by the green light-emitting element  54 G.  FIG. 4B  shows distribution in the wavelength of light emitted by the orange light-emitting element  54 O.  FIG. 4C  shows distribution in the wavelength of light emitted by the white light-emitting element  54 W.  
      The multi-chip LED packages  52  are used in the same manner in the detecting sensors  41 - 43 . The photo film detecting sensor  41  operates only by turning on an array of the green light-emitting element  54 G among the three-color LEDs. In the frame detecting sensor  42  and the size detecting sensor  43 , the three-color LEDs are turned on selectively. The frame detecting sensor  42  and the size detecting sensor  43  illuminate for detection with the color negative photo film by turning on an array of the orange light-emitting element  54 O without the white light-emitting element  54 W. The frame detecting sensor  42  and the size detecting sensor  43  illuminate for detection with the black-and-white photo film and reversal photo film by turning on an array of the white light-emitting element  54 W without the orange light-emitting element  54 O. There is a light source driver  61  for driving the multi-chip LED packages  52  with a constant electric current.  
      The photo receptors  41   b,    42   b  and  43   b  receive illuminating light from the multi-purpose light sources  41   a,    42   a  and  43   a,  and output detection signals according to a level of a light amount. An example of each of the photo receptors  41   b,    42   b  and  43   b  is a CCD line sensor, PSD (position sensitive detector) or the like.  
      The image processor  12  includes a CPU  71  as a wavelength control unit, an image memory  72 , an image processing unit  73 , a RAM  74 , a ROM  75 , a LUT (look-up table memory)  76 , a display panel  77 , and an input key panel  78 . The display panel  77  as a user interface displays a menu pattern for inputting signals for operating the digital laboratory system  10 , and also displays image frames read by the photo film scanner  11 . The input key panel  78  includes a keyboard, but may be provided with a mouse or other pointing devices. An operator starts up the digital laboratory system  10  by use of the display panel  77  and the input key panel  78 .  
      The image memory  72  stores image data of an image frame output by the A/D converter  34 . The image processing unit  73  reads the image data from the image memory  72 , processes the image data by gradation correction, shading correction, and other image processing, and produces printing data. The laser exposure unit  16  is supplied with the printing data.  
      The CPU  71  controls the image processor  12  and the photo film scanner  11  connected with the image processor  12 . The ROM  75  stores various control programs and data of settings according to which the CPU  71  operates. The RAM  74  is a work memory to which data is written during running of the CPU  71 .  
      The CPU  71  causes the light source driver  61  to drive the light-emitting elements  54 G,  54 O and  54 W selectively, to set a selected one of preset wavelengths of the illuminating light. Also, the CPU  71  causes the light source driver  61  to adjust a light amount of the light-emitting elements  54 G,  54 O and  54 W according to PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control in which a duty factor of driving pulses between a pulse width and period is changed. A combination of the CPU  71  and the information sensor group  40  constitutes an information detecting device of the invention.  
      The LUT  76  is referred to by the CPU  71  in order to change over the illuminating light wavelength of the frame detecting sensor  42  and the size detecting sensor  43 . The LUT  76  stores information of photo film types an associated color of illuminating light, for example, color negative photo film and orange color, reversal photo film and white color, and white-and-black photo film and white color. An operator inputs one of the photo film types with the input key panel  78  by observing the photo film  18  with his or her eyes. The CPU  71  determines an illuminating light color by referring to the LUT  76  according to the input type, and causes the light source driver  61  to change over the frame detecting sensor  42  and the size detecting sensor  43  for one particular color. In the photo film detecting sensor  41 , the green light-emitting element  54 G is turned on for green light irrespective of a photo film type.  
      The operation of the above construction is described now. To read the photo film  18 , an operator sets the photo film  18  in the photo film holder  24  in the photo film scanner  11 , and operates the input key panel  78  to input a type of the photo film  18 . The photo film  18  starts being fed upon inputting of a command signal of starting the reading. The CPU  71 , responsive to the start of the feeding, evaluates the film type, and determines the color of light in the frame detecting sensor  42  and the size detecting sensor  43 , and drives the information sensor group  40 . When the photo film  18  reaches the photo film detecting sensor  41  in the feeding in a proper manner, the photo film detecting sensor  41  detects the photo film  18 , and sends a detection signal to the CPU  71 . The CPU  71  starts measuring a feeding amount of the photo film  18  with reference to the sensor position. Furthermore, the photo film  18  moves to reach the frame detecting sensor  42 . The frame detecting sensor  42  detects a front edge of a frame on the photo film, and sends a detection signal to the CPU  71 . The CPU  71 , responsive to this, determines the front edge of the frame on the photo film. After this, the size detecting sensor  43  detects the size information.  
      It is possible to detect necessary information precisely, because the colors of emitting light of the detecting sensors  41 - 43  can be determined suitably for photo film type and types of preliminary information. The use of the multi-chip LED packages  52  in the multi-purpose light sources  41   a,    42   a  and  43   a  having the light-emitting elements  54 G,  54 O and  54 W is effective in reducing a space of installation of multi-purpose light sources, simplifying the structure of the photo film scanner, and the like, as compared with a more complicated structure in which the detecting sensors  41 - 43  might be differently constructed.  
      The use of the multi-chip LED packages  52  common between the detecting sensors  41 - 43  is effective in facilitating the assembling process of the equipment or photo film scanner. Should different types of light sources having LEDs be assembled suitably without fail, occurrence of errors in the assembly will be more probable. However, the feature of the invention can make the assembly easy and free from such a problem. The problem is the more likely to occur according to a larger number of the sensors. However, the feature of the invention can be effective even in such a more serious problem.  
      Preliminary information is obtained by the information sensor group  40 , to determine a frame position on the photo film and its size. Then images are pre-scanned and then finely scanned. The image processor  12  subjects the image data to image processing, and creates printing data by conversion. The image forming equipment  13  exposes photographic paper according to the printing data, and processes the photographic paper, to obtain a photographic print.  
      In the above embodiment the three sensors  41 - 43  are installed. However, a fourth sensor can be used, for example a sensor for detecting DX code or bar code information recorded on photo film of IX240 type as an example of preliminary information. Also, the light-emitting elements  54 G,  54 O and  54 W are three in each one of the multi-chip LED packages  52 . However, two or four or more LEDs may be mounted in each of the multi-chip LED packages  52 . The number of the LEDs can be determined suitably according to kinds of preliminary information and photo film types.  
      Furthermore, light-emitting colors of the light-emitting elements  54 G,  54 O and  54 W in the multi-chip LED packages  52  can be other than the green, orange and white colors, as desired in suitably considering the type of the preliminary information and types of the photo film  18 . For example, for black-and-white photo film, illuminating light for detecting the frame position in a photo film and a frame size may be a blue color in addition to a white color.  
      Furthermore, colors of the light-emitting elements in the multi-chip LED packages  52  can be mixed to change over the colors of light. This is advantageous in that even a color difficult to obtain by a simple LED will be available by addition or mixture of plural colors of LEDs. Before the practical use of detection, it is preferable that the illuminating light is turned on experimentally. Mixed color of the illuminating light optimized for the photo film  18  can be checked and verified.  
      In the above embodiment, an operator manually determines and inputs photo film types. However, a photo film type can be determined automatically by use of reading of DX code or the like, to change over illuminating light colors automatically. Furthermore, a checking tape on an end of the photo film may be used for automatically detecting a photo film type.  
      In  FIG. 5A , checking tape  91  is attached to one front end of the photo film  92  by an adhesive tape or sticker. The checking tape  91  has been issued for each of customer orders for printing. A bar code  91   a  as photo film detection information is printed on the checking tape  91 , and has ordering information which is information of an ordering date, numbers of prints, photo film types. The photo film  92  is photographically processed together with the checking tape  91  attached thereto, and then loaded in the photo film holder  24  for photo film scanning.  
      There is a bar code reader  93  as type detector disposed on a feeding path. In  FIG. 5B , the bar code reader  93  reads the bar code  91   a  while the photo film  92  moves. Then the CPU  71  determines the type of the photo film  92  according to photo film type information included in data of the checking tape  91 , and determines a selected one of the plural colors for light emission of the multi-chip LED packages  52 . If the photo film  92  is color negative photo film, the color is determined orange color. If the photo film  92  is reversal photo film or black-and-white photo film, the color is determined white.  
      Also, known variants of multi-chip packages of light-emitting diodes can be used, for example, structures disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,266,817 and 6,737,801.  
      Furthermore, any types of light-emitting elements other than LEDs may be used, for example electroluminescence (EL) devices.  
      Although the present invention has been fully described by way of the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those having skill in this field. Therefore, unless otherwise these changes and modifications depart from the scope of the present invention, they should be construed as included therein.