JP2002006411A - Optical printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical printer which allows the proper selective use of instant films of plural formats varying in film sizes and prevents the use of the instant films expired of the validity. SOLUTION: A film pack in which the instant films are packed is provided with film codes indicating a print size, the date of the validity, etc. Such information is detected by a film code detecting section 73. The image data for printing is transferred to a work memory 75 by a system controller 55. The image data is subjected to conversion processing by an image conversion circuit 74 and is complied with the film size. The image data after the conversion is transferred by one line each to a line memory and is subjected to printing by an exposure head 35. When the system controller 55 judges that the present date indicated on a date counter circuit 69 is expired of the date of the validity, the controller emits an alarm to an LCD panel 20 or stops the printing operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical printer for performing conversion processing on image data and optically recording on an instant film.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A film pack containing an instant film is set in a printer, a recording head is driven to expose the instant film, and a portable printer for producing a print photograph, and such a printer is used as an electronic printer. An optical printer built in a still camera and capable of printing an image captured by an electronic still camera as a print photograph is manufactured and sold by the present applicant.

An instant film used as a recording medium is provided with a pod filled with a developing solution. The developing solution is developed inside by crushing the pod during feeding of the instant film, and the developing process is automatically performed. Done. For this reason, the user of the printer does not need any special operation other than setting the film pack, and can easily perform printing.

[0004]

In a conventional printer using an instant film as a recording medium, only one type of film pack is considered. However, recently, different types of film packs storing instant films having different sizes and sensitivities have been widely provided for dedicated instant cameras. In consideration of such circumstances, it is desirable that these different types of film packs can be shared as a printer that uses an instant film, and that they can be used properly according to the intended use. In addition, when an instant film whose expiration date has passed is used, a low-quality printed photograph is output. Therefore, it is desirable to prevent this.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to appropriately use instant films of a plurality of formats having different film sizes and sensitivities and to use an instant film whose expiration date has passed. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical printer which can prevent printing using the optical printer.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, an optical printer according to the present invention accommodates a photosensitive instant film, and a film pack set in a loading chamber formed in the printer. Detecting means for detecting the film size of the instant film, image processing means for reading out the image data in the storage device and converting the image data in accordance with the film size of the instant film, and Printing means for exposing the recording surface of the instant film to light.

In the optical printer of the present invention, a film code indicating the film size of the instant film is formed on the outer surface of the film pack, and the film code is read when the film pack is set. . In the film code, at least one of the light sensitivity and the latitude of the instant film is described, and it is preferable to determine the exposure time to the instant film based on this information. Adding it is also effective.

[0008] The date of manufacture of the instant film is recorded on the film code, and when the difference between the date set on the printer and the date of manufacture exceeds a certain value, it is determined that the film is expired. Thus, the warning display or the printing operation can be prohibited. Alternatively, the expiration date of the instant film may be described in the film code, and the expiration date may be determined when the date set on the printer has passed the expiration date. .

The film code can be constituted by a combination pattern of a conductive portion and a non-conductive portion, and it is convenient to read the combination pattern at an electrical contact provided on the printer side and detect instant film information. . Further, the film code can be formed by a bar code. In this case, the film code can be optically read using a photo sensor provided on the printer side.

Further, when the size of the instant film to be used for recording is not the maximum size, the film pack is held inside the pack size conversion adapter of the same size as the loading chamber so that it can be loaded into the printer. It is also possible to incorporate an image pickup device including an image sensor for picking up a subject image into a printer, write an image pickup signal obtained from the image sensor into a storage device as image data, and then print out the image signal. It is effective in enhancing the function of the printer of the invention.

[0011]

1 and 2 show appearances of a front side and a back side of an optical printer 10 embodying the present invention. The optical printer 10 incorporates various photographing mechanisms and has a function as a digital still camera. The optical printer 10 has an imaging mode in which a subject is imaged by an imaging mechanism, a reproduction mode in which image data stored in various memories is reproduced, and a print mode in which a hard copy of an image is recorded on a recording medium.

An image pickup lens 12 is incorporated on the front surface of a printer body 11 forming the external appearance of the optical printer 10, and a CCD image sensor 60 (see FIG. 7) is provided on the image forming surface. On the front of the printer body 11, there are provided a shutter button 13, a strobe light emitting unit 14, projection and light receiving windows 15a and 15b for distance measurement, a light measurement window 16, and a lock release button 17.

When the shutter button 13 is half-pressed,
A near-infrared range-finding light is emitted from the light projecting window 15a toward the subject, and the reflected light is transmitted to a PS provided in the back of the light receiving window 15b.
The object distance is measured by receiving light at D (Position Sensitive Device). Further, the photometric window 14
The brightness of the subject is measured by a light receiving element provided at the back of the camera. When the shutter button 13 is fully pressed, focusing of the imaging lens 12 is performed according to the subject distance, and when the subject brightness is equal to or less than a predetermined value, strobe light is emitted from the strobe light emitting unit 14 toward the subject.

An optical image picked up through the image pickup lens 12 is photoelectrically converted by the CCD image sensor 60 to become an image pickup signal. On the back surface of the printer body 11, an LCD panel 20 in which liquid crystal display elements are arranged in a matrix is provided. In the imaging mode, a subject image is displayed on the LCD panel 20 in real time based on the obtained imaging signal. Further, a still image is displayed on the LCD panel 20 in the reproduction mode and the print mode.

On the back of the printer body 11, a multi-operation button 21, a print button 22, and a power switch 23 are provided. The multi-operation button 21 is used for setting the number of prints, zooming the digital zoom, operating and reproducing in various shooting modes,
Used for operations such as frame selection during printing. When the print button 22 is pressed, the LCD panel 20 is pressed.
Printing of the image displayed in is started.

A slit-shaped outlet 24 is formed on the upper surface of the printer body 11. When the printing operation is performed, the exposed instant film 25 is discharged from the discharge port 24. A pair of developing rollers 26 (see FIG. 3) are provided at the back of the discharge port 24. The exposed instant film 25 undergoes a developing process when passing between the developing rollers 26, and a positive image appears on the instant film 25 after being discharged.

In the printer 10, a known mono-sheet type instant film 25 is used to obtain a hard copy of an image. The instant film 25 has been widely spread due to commercialization by the present applicant, and basically includes a photosensitive sheet, an image receiving sheet, and a pod containing a developing solution. After forming a latent image photochemically by exposing the photosensitive sheet,
The pod is broken when passing between the developing rollers 26,
By developing the developing solution between the photosensitive sheet and the image receiving sheet, a positive image is transferred to the image receiving sheet.

A plurality of instant films 25 are stacked and stored in a cartridge called a film pack 27. A loading chamber 30 is provided at the center of the front surface of the printer body 11, and a film pack 27 is set inside the loading chamber 30. A loading chamber lid 31 is provided at the front of the loading chamber 30 so as to be freely opened and closed. On the back surface of the film pack 27, an exposure opening 27a (see FIG. 4) for exposing the exposure surface of the instant film 30 is formed. A printing mechanism 32 for performing exposure is provided behind the loading chamber 30, and the film pack 27 is arranged such that the exposure opening 27 b faces the printing mechanism 32. Further, a discharge opening 27b for discharging the exposed instant film 25 to the outside is formed on the upper part of the film pack 27.

Above the loading chamber 30, a loading chamber open / close detection switch 33 and a lock mechanism 34 are provided. The loading chamber opening / closing detection switch 33 is turned on when the loading chamber 30 is closed and pressed, and turned off when the loading chamber 30 is opened and the pressure is released. The locking mechanism 34 has an engaging portion (not shown) incorporated therein when the loading chamber lid 31 is closed.
Engages with claws 31 a formed on the inner surface of the loading chamber lid 31. Therefore, the loading chamber lid 31 is locked at the closed position that covers the loading chamber 30 in a light-tight manner. When the lock release button 17 is pressed, the engagement between the lock mechanism 34 and the claw 31a is released, and the loading chamber lid 31 is biased by springs (not shown) incorporated in the hinge portions 31b and 31c. It pivots toward the open position shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the print mechanism 32. The printing mechanism 32 includes an exposure head 35, a stage 36 for supporting the film pack 27, a developing roller 26 and a claw member 37 for discharging the exposed instant film 25 from the discharge port 11, and the exposure head 3.
5 is configured by a head drive mechanism that drives the drive unit 5. The exposure head 35 is disposed behind the stage 36,
The printing film is printed on the exposed surface of the instant film 25 by facing the film pack 27 through an opening 38 formed in the center of the film 6.

The instant film 25 is prepared in four types having different sizes, and is stored in four types of film packs 27 having different sizes (referred to as A to D types in order of film size). .
The loading chamber 30 has the same area as the A-type film pack 27, and can accommodate the A-type film pack 27 without gaps.

On one side in the longitudinal direction of the stage 36, three movable partition members 40a to 40c are provided, and on one side in the short direction, three movable partition members 41a are movable.
To 41c. When a film pack 27 having a size other than the maximum size, that is, a film pack 27 of B to D type is loaded, the film pack 27 is held in contact with any of the partition plates. For example, when a C-type film pack 27 is loaded, the partition plates 40a and 41a are pushed down by the film pack 27, and the film pack 27 comes into contact with the side surfaces of the partition plates 40b and 41b and is placed on the stage 36. Will be retained.

FIG. 4 shows the back of the film pack 27. An exposure opening 27 for exposing the instant film 25 is provided in the center of the back of the film pack 27.
a discharge opening 2 for discharging the instant film 25 to the outside on the upper surface of the film pack 27.
7b is formed. On the lower surface side of the film pack 27, a notch 27c for passing the claw member 37 is formed.

A spring (not shown) is provided inside the film pack 27. The urging of the spring presses the instant film 25 so that the exposure surface of the instant film 25 is parallel to the exposure opening 27a. ing.

At the upper end of the back of the film pack 27,
A film code 42 indicating information such as the sensitivity and size of the instant film 25 is provided. The film code 42 is composed of two upper and lower layers, each of which represents information by a combination pattern of a conductive part and a non-conductive part. As shown in FIG. 5, a fiducial mark 43a and an instant film 25 are provided above the film code 42.
A film sensitivity code 44 indicating the sensitivity of the instant film 25, a print number code 45 indicating the number of stored instant films 25,
An exposure latitude code 46 representing the latitude of the instant film 25 and a film size code 47 representing the recording size of the instant film 25 are described. In the lower part of the film code 42, a reference mark 43b and a date code 48 representing the expiration date of the instant film 25 (for example, three years after the production date) are written. .

When the film pack 27 is set in the loading chamber 30, the film code 42
6 is in contact with an electrical contact 50 provided on a part of the same. The electrical contact 50 is formed of a conductive material such as a metal, and information written in each code is read by the printer body as bit information. The film sensitivity code 44, the number of shots code 45, the exposure latitude code 4
No. 6 conforms to the CAS code defined by the standard of the Photographic Materials Industry Association.

The film size code 47 is composed of 2-bit codes 47a and 47b.
The size of the film pack 27 is indicated by the combination shown in FIG. In the figure, “○” indicates a conductive portion, and “−” indicates a non-conductive portion. For example, when the cord 47a is conductive and the cord 47b is not conductive, it indicates that the film pack 27 is a B-type film pack.

The reference marks 43a and 43b are determined to be conductive parts regardless of the type of the instant film 25, and are always read by the printer body as the same value. Therefore, the reference marks 43a and 43b can be used to determine whether or not the film pack 27 is set at an appropriate position. For example, when the signals from the reference marks 43a and 43b cannot be read during printing, a warning is issued to the LCD panel 20 to prevent the film pack 27 from being erroneously loaded.

The exposure head 35 includes a liquid crystal array in which a number of transmission liquid crystals of dot segments are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction of transport of the film pack 27, a light emitter for illuminating these with white linear illumination light, and a liquid crystal array. And a color filter having three types of areas, a red transmission area, a green transmission area, and a blue transmission area, provided between the light emitting element and the light emitting element. The color filter is sequentially inserted between the light emitting body and the liquid crystal array every time the exposure head 35 scans the exposure surface. As a result, the red, green, and blue print lights are emitted from the exposure head 35 to the instant film 2.
5, and a full-color image is exposed sequentially in three color planes.

The exposure head 35 is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the main scanning direction perpendicular to the discharge direction of the instant film 25. At both ends of the exposure head 35, mounting shafts 35a and 35b are provided.
The shafts 35a and 35b are inserted through long openings (not shown) parallel to the discharge direction of the instant film 25. Therefore, the exposure head 35 is movable in the sub-scanning direction parallel to the discharge direction of the instant film 25.

The head moving mechanism comprises a scanning motor 51 rotatable in forward and reverse directions, a lead screw 52 rotated by the scanning motor 51, and a support member 53 for fixing one shaft 35a of the exposure head 35. Support member 53
Is attached to the lead screw 52, and when the lead screw 52 rotates, the support member 53 moves in the sub-scanning direction. Thus, when the scanning motor 51 rotates, the exposure head 35 moves in the sub-scanning direction.

While the exposure head 35 moves from the recording start position on the developing roller 26 side to the recording end position on the claw member 37 side, a one-color image is exposed line by line on the photosensitive sheet of the instant film 25, A color image is exposed in three color planes sequentially. The printing time can be reduced by exposing the next color image while the exposure head 35 moves from the recording end position to the recording start position.

On the recording end position side of the stage 36, a gap portion 36a for passing the claw member 37 is formed. When the developing motor 54 that drives the developing roller 26 rotates, the claw member 37 enters the cutout 27c of the film pack 27 through the gap 36a.
Then, the exposed instant film 25 is scraped up and enters between the pair of developing rollers 26. Thereafter, the rotation of the developing roller 26 causes the instant film 2 to rotate.
5 is discharged from the discharge port 24 to the outside. At this time, the pod in which the developer is sealed is crushed by the developing roller 26, and the developer is uniformly spread inside the instant film 25. After one to several minutes of development / fixing time,
The print image appears on the display surface.

FIG. 7 schematically shows the electrical configuration of the optical printer 10. The optical printer 10 includes an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject and a printing unit that performs optical recording of an image.
Is controlled by

A CCD image sensor 56 is provided behind the imaging lens 12. When the AF device 57 operates to focus the imaging lens 12, a subject image is formed on the photoelectric surface of the CCD image sensor 56. Imaged. CC
On the photoelectric surface of the D image sensor 56, R,
Micro color filters of G and B are arranged in a matrix, and the CCD driver 60 outputs an imaging signal for each color. This imaging signal is supplied to the amplifier 61
After being amplified to an appropriate level by the A / D converter 62
Digitally converted by

The digitally converted image data of each color is
The image data is input to the image data processing circuit 63. The image data processing circuit 63 performs signal processing such as white balance adjustment and gamma correction on the input image data. Further, the image data processing circuit 63 also generates a video signal corresponding to the NTSC composite signal from the processed image data. This video signal is output to a video signal output terminal 66 via a D / A converter 64 and an amplifier 65.

Therefore, if a home television monitor is connected to the output terminal 66, a continuous image picked up by the CCD image sensor 56 can be observed. Further, an LCD driver 67 is connected to the amplifier 65, and a video signal from the amplifier 65 is also output to the LCD panel 20 via the LCD driver 67. This allows the subject image to be displayed continuously, so that the LCD panel 20 can be used as an electronic viewfinder.

The system controller 55 has an EEPROM
M70, a main memory 71, a data decompression unit 72, a film code detection unit 73, an image conversion circuit 74, and a date count circuit 68 exchange data. EEPR
Various correction data and control data are written in the OM 70, and are read when the printer is operated according to a predetermined sequence. The main memory 71 has a storage capacity for recording, for example, 50 screens of image data. When the photographing is performed by the pressing operation of the shutter button 13, the one memory obtained from the image data processing circuit 63 is obtained. The image data for the screen is stored.

The film code detector 73 detects information such as the film size and film sensitivity of the instant film 25 from the film code 42 formed on the film pack 27 and sends the information to the system controller 55. The date count circuit 68 includes a timer and a counter, and calculates the current date. When printing is performed, the system controller 55 detects the expiration date of the instant film 25 from the date code 48 and compares it with the current date indicated in the date count circuit 68. If the current date has passed the expiration date, the system controller 55 determines that the instant film has expired and has deteriorated, and issues a warning to the LCD panel 20. Or
Prohibit printing operation.

After writing the image data displayed on the LCD panel to the work memory 75, the image conversion circuit 74 enlarges / reduces the image data so that the exposure range matches the film size of the instant film 25. Do. As shown in FIG. 8A, the image displayed on the LCD panel 20 includes image data 76 of A size (maximum size), and the image is printed using the A size film pack 27. When performing, the image data 76 is output as it is. Here, for example, when printing is performed using the C-size film pack 27, the image conversion circuit 74 performs image reduction processing so that the print size matches the C size. as a result,
The output data includes blank data 82 having no data in addition to the image data 81 of the C size as shown in FIG. 8B.

The system controller 55 is connected to a motor driver 83 for driving the scanning motor 51 and the developing motor 54, and a head driver 84 for driving the exposure head 35. At the time of printing, the image data written in the work memory 75 is read line by line, converted into print data for exposure based on the sensitivity information and the latitude information of the instant film 25, and written into the line memory 85. The head driver 84 drives the exposure head 35 in accordance with one line of print data written in the line memory 85 according to a command from the system controller 55, and performs exposure on the instant film 25.

An operation input section 86 such as the multi-operation button 21 and the print button 22 is provided with an I / O port 87.
Is connected to the system controller 55 via the. The system controller 55 constantly monitors an input signal from the operation input unit 86, and controls driving of the exposure head 35, the developing motor 54, and the like according to the input signal.

The optical printer 10 is provided with a card slot (not shown) for inserting a memory card 90, and exchanges data with the system controller 55 via an I / O port 87. Can be. In the memory card 90, image data captured by a digital camera and processed image data such as decorative frames are stored in a compressed state. The compressed image data is read by the system controller 55 and sent to the data decompression unit 72 to restore the data. The restored image data is sent to the image data processing circuit 63 to be subjected to image processing and displayed on the LCD panel 20.

Further, the optical printer 10 includes an external connection terminal group 91 and a communication interface 92.
It can be connected to external devices such as digital cameras and personal computers. These external devices are I
Data is exchanged with the system controller 55 via the / O port 87.

The operation of the above configuration will be described below. When using the optical printer 10 of the present invention, first, the power switch 23 is pressed to turn on the power of the printer. Then, by operating the multi-operation button 21, each mode of imaging / reproduction is selected.

In the imaging mode, the CCD image sensor 56 continuously captures the subject image, and the image is displayed on the LCD.
Displayed on panel 20. When the shutter button 13 is pressed after framing the subject, the image data displayed on the LCD panel 20 at that time is stored in the main memory 71.
Is written to. By repeating use in the imaging mode, the main memory 71 can store image data on still images for up to 50 screens.

The image displayed on the LCD panel 20 can be stored in the memory card 90 by operating the multi-operation button 21. At this time, the image data is sent to the data decompression unit 71, and after the data is compressed, the data is transferred to the memory card 9 via the I / O port 87.
Sent to 0.

In the reproduction mode, image data is read out from the main memory 71, the memory card 90, or the like and transferred to the image data processing circuit 63 by an input from the multi operation button 21, and the image is displayed on the LCD panel 20. You. At this time, it is also possible to read out the decorative frame written in the memory card 90 and display an image synthesized with the image data in the main memory 71.

In order to proceed to the printing process following the imaging / reproduction, the user presses the lock release button 17 to move the loading chamber cover 31 to the open position, and moves the film pack 27 into the loading chamber 30. set. When the film pack 27 is loaded, the film code 42 comes into contact with the electrical contact 50, and information such as the film size written on the film code 42 is read by the printer. Here, when the film code 42 cannot be read normally, or when the signals from the conductive portions 43a and 43b cannot be read, the system controller 55 does not set the film pack 27 to an appropriate position. And a warning to that effect is displayed on the LCD panel 20.

The user operates the multi operation button 2
1 to display an image to be printed on the LCD panel 20.
To be displayed. When the print button 22 is pressed after confirming the image, the mode is shifted to the print mode, and the print processing is started.

The operation at the time of printing is shown in the flowchart of FIG. When the printing process starts, the system controller 55 reads the film code 42 and detects the expiration date. Then, the date counting circuit 6
The current date indicated in 8 and the expiration date are compared. If the system controller 55 determines that the expiration date has passed, the system controller 55 issues a warning that the instant film 25 used for printing has expired and a new film pack 27 should be set. finish.

On the other hand, when the instant film 25 is judged to be within the expiration date, the system controller 5
5 detects the print size based on the film size code 47. Further, the image data displayed on the LCD panel 20 is transferred to the work memory 75, and the image data is converted so as to conform to the print size. The system controller 55 sequentially reads out the image data of the portion corresponding to the red color of the first line from the image data written in the work memory 75. Then, the exposure time is determined based on the film sensitivity and the latitude information, print data for one line is generated and transferred to the line memory 85.

When the exposure head 35 is detected to be at the recording start position by a photo sensor or the like (not shown), the system controller 55 drives the head driver 54 to insert the red filter into the print optical path. The print data in the line memory 85 is sent to the head driver 84. The print light from the exposure head 35 passes through the color filter to become red print light (R print light), and the red image (R image) on the first line is exposed to the instant film 25.

When the exposure of the first line is completed, the scanning motor 51 rotates by a predetermined amount to move the exposure head 35 to the recording position of the second line. Subsequently, the print data of the second line is transferred to the line memory 85, and similarly,
The R image of the line is exposed. Subsequently, the exposure with the R print light is performed for each line while the exposure head 35 is stepped to the developing roller 26 side, and the exposure with the R print light ends when the printing of the last line is completed.

Next, the system controller 55 sends a filter switching signal to the head driver 89 to cause a green filter to be inserted into the print optical path. The system controller 55 sequentially reads out the data corresponding to the green color of the last line from the image data recorded in the work memory 75 and transfers the data to the line memory 85.

Thereafter, similarly, exposure with green print light is performed from the last line position toward the first line position. After the completion of the green exposure, a blue filter is inserted into the print optical path, and exposure with the blue print light is performed in the same manner. When exposure with each of the R, G, and B print lights is completed, the exposure head 35
Moves to the retreat position closer to the developing roller 26 than the initial position.

After the exposure head 35 has moved to the retracted position,
The expansion motor 54 is driven by a signal from the system controller 55. Claw member 37 is film pack 2
7, the exposed instant film 25 is scraped out of the film pack 27 by entering through the notch 27c.

One end of the instant film 25 extruded by the claw member 37 enters between the developing rollers 26,
Thereafter, the instant film 25 is transported by the rotation of the developing roller 26, and at the same time, the pod is broken and the developing solution is developed to obtain a hard copy. When the claw member 37 moves to the end of the movement stroke, it returns to its original position and stops. When the claw member 37 returns to the original position, the scanning motor 51 is driven, and the exposure head 35 moves to the recording start position.

In the above embodiment, when loading the film pack 27 of B to D size, the partition members 40a to 40
Although the film pack 27 is held by using 40c and 41a to 41c, it may be attached to a pack size conversion adapter 93 as shown in FIG. The pack size conversion adapter 93 is formed according to the A size, and has an opening 93a for mounting the film pack 27, a discharge port 93b for discharging the instant film 25, and a notch 93c for passing the claw member 37. Have been.
The film pack 27 can be held by mounting the film pack 27 inside the opening 93a and loading the entire pack size conversion adapter 93 into the loading chamber 30. Here, if the position where the opening 93a is formed is determined so that the film cord 42 and the electric contact 50 are in contact with each other,
Various information of the instant film 25 can be transmitted to the printer.

In the above embodiment, all the film packs 27 are loaded in the same direction. However, when loading a small-sized film pack 27, the direction can be rotated by 90 ° and loaded. In this case, FIG.
As shown in (1), after reducing the image data, it is necessary to rotate the image data by 90 ° before printing. Accordingly, the longitudinal direction of the instant film 25 is parallel to the exposure head 35, and the range in which the exposure head 35 moves is narrowed, so that the printing time can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the film code 42 is formed by a combination of a conductive portion and a non-conductive portion. However, as shown in FIG. 12, the film code 42 is represented by a bar code, and the light projecting portion and the light receiving portion are formed. Photo sensor 9 including
5 may be provided on the printer body. By irradiating the film code 42 with the inspection light from the light projecting unit and detecting the reflected light by the light receiving unit, it is possible to read the information of the instant film 25.

In the above embodiment, when it is determined that the expiration date of the instant film 25 has expired, the printing operation is stopped after issuing a warning, but the printing operation may be continued by giving only a warning. Also, date code 4
8 may indicate the date of manufacture of the instant film 25 instead of the expiration date of the instant film 25. In this case, when the system controller 55 determines that the current date represented by the date count circuit 68 has passed a certain period (for example, three years or more) from the date of manufacture, the LCD panel 20 Is issued, or the printing operation is stopped.

In the above embodiment, information such as the sensitivity and print size of the instant film 25 is represented in the film code 42. However, a manual switching knob is provided on the printer body, and the user operates the switching knob to operate the switching knob. Settings such as a print size may be made.

In implementing the present invention, the configuration of the exposure head 35 is not limited to the above. For example, instead of a color filter, three types of minute light emitting diodes (LEDs) for emitting R, G, and B colors are arranged in a line for each pixel, and these LEDs are turned on in a plane-sequential manner. It may be exposed. Further, if the instant film 25 is scanned by the exposure head 35 while simultaneously turning on the LEDs of each color, printing can be performed by one scan instead of the three-color plane sequential type.

[0065]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Instant film size and sensitivity, latitude,
The expiration date is recorded on the film pack as code information, and the printer reads the information,
Since the printing is performed after the image data is converted according to the film size and the sensitivity, instant films of a plurality of formats having different film sizes can be used, and printing according to the application can be performed. Further, when an instant film whose expiration date has passed is used, a warning is issued or the printing operation is prohibited, so that the concern of outputting a low-quality print photograph is eliminated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the front appearance of an optical printer.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a rear side of the optical printer.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an exposure head and a moving mechanism thereof.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a back side appearance of the film pack.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a configuration of a film code.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a code pattern of a film size code.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an electrical configuration of the optical printer.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of conversion of image data;
(A) shows data before conversion, and (B) shows data after conversion.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation during printing.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing an example in which a film pack is attached to a pack size conversion adapter.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example in which image data is printed after being rotated by 90 ° after conversion. FIG. 11A illustrates data before conversion, and FIG. 11B illustrates data after conversion.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a film code formed of a bar code is read by a photo sensor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Optical printer 25 Instant film 27 Film pack 30 Loading chamber 35 Exposure head 42,94 Film code 47 Film size code 48 Date code 50 Electrical contact 55 System controller 74 Image conversion circuit 93 Pack size conversion adapter

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (Reference) G03B 17/26 G03B 17/26 2H106 17/28 17/28 C 2H110 D 2H112 E 5B057 Z 5C022 17/50 17/50 Z 5C052 17/52 17/52 F 5C076 B C DEZ 19/02 19/02 27/42 27/42 27/80 27/80 G03C 3/00 510 G03C 3/00 510Y 571 571D 572 572A 572C G03D 9 / 00 G03D 9/00 B G06T 3/40 G06T 3/40 A H04N 1/393 H04N 1/393 5/225 5/225 F 5/76 5/76 EF term (reference) 2H002 BB00 BB05 BB11 BB13 BB15 FB42 FB43 FB71 HA09 HA12 HA13 JA06 JA07 2H020 CA01 CA03 CA05 CA06 CA07 CA08 DB00 DB01 DC00 DD00 DD08 MA03 MA04 MC01 MC11 MC64 MC77 MC78 MC79 MC83 MC84 MC85 MC92 ME21 2H054 AA01 BB08 BB11 CD00 2H102 AA71 AA73 AA74 AB31 BA35 BA01 BA01 BA01 BB02 BC00 BC01 BC02 BC04 BC06 BC07 BC08 BC09 BC10 BC16 BC18 BC22 BC27 BC37 BC38 BC41 BC42 CB00 CB05 CB16 CC00 CC06 CD04 CD10 CE00 CE01 2H106 AA77 AB06 AB53 BA01 BA07 BA22 BA30 BA36 BA49 BA58 BH00 2H110 AA01 AA21 AB09 BA07 CB02 CB42 CB49 CE01 DA07 2H112 BB03 BC03 BC03 BC01 5B057 BA11 CA19 CD03 CD05 CH11 DA15 DA16 DC08 5C022 AA13 AC01 AC18 AC42 5C052 AA12 FA02 FA03 FA04 FA09 FB01 FB06 FC06 FD07 FE01 FE08 5C076 AA21 AA22 AA24 BA02 BA03 CB02

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A film pack containing a photosensitive instant film, which is set in a loading chamber formed in a printer, a detecting means for detecting a film size of the instant film, and an image data stored in a storage device. Image processing means for reading and converting the image data in accordance with the film size of the instant film; andprinting means for exposing the recording surface of the instant film based on the converted image data. Optical printer. 2. A film code indicating the film size of the instant film is formed on an outer surface of the film pack, and the film code is read when the film pack is set. 2. The optical printer according to 1. 3. The image code according to claim 1, wherein at least one of light sensitivity and latitude of the instant film is written, and an exposure time to the instant film is determined based on the information. 2. The optical printer according to 2. 4. An optical printer according to claim 2, wherein said film code includes information on the number of instant films stored in said film pack. 5. The manufacturing date of the instant film is described in the film code, and when the difference between the date set on the printer side and the manufacturing date exceeds a certain value. The optical printer according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the film has expired. 6. The expiration date of the instant film is written in the film code, and the expiration date is set when the expiration date is set on the printer side. The optical printer according to claim 1, wherein the optical printer is determined to be a film. 7. The optical printer according to claim 5, further comprising a display unit for displaying a warning when it is determined that the film has expired. 8. A prohibition means for prohibiting a printing operation when a film pack having the instant film is set when it is determined that the film has expired. 8. The optical printer according to claim 7. 9. The film code is represented by a combination pattern of a conductive portion and a non-conductive portion, and an electrical contact provided on a printer side reads the combination pattern to detect instant film information. An optical printer according to any one of claims 2 to 8. 10. The film code is formed by a bar code, and a photo sensor provided on a printer side detects reflected light from the bar code to detect instant film information. Item 10. The optical printer according to any one of Items 2 to 9. 11. When the film size of the instant film is not the maximum size, the film pack is fixed inside a pack size conversion adapter of the same size as the loading chamber and loaded in the printer. The optical printer according to claim 1. 12. An image capturing apparatus, comprising: an image sensor for capturing an image of a subject; and an image capturing apparatus for converting an image capturing signal obtained from the image sensor into image data and writing the image data in the storage device. An optical printer according to any one of claims 1 to 11.