WO1991009342A1

WO1991009342A1 - Method and device for producing photos from black and white or colour prints

Info

Publication number: WO1991009342A1
Application number: PCT/FR1990/000926
Authority: WO
Inventors: André MILOVANOVICH
Original assignee: Caisse Regionale De Credit Agricole Mutuel De L'yonne
Priority date: 1989-12-20
Filing date: 1990-12-19
Publication date: 1991-06-27
Also published as: FR2656119B1; FR2656119A1; EP0458956A1

Abstract

Method for displaying the negative or even the diapositive as a positive on the CRT screen of a viewing device equipped with means of adjustment of the parameters of the image seen on screen, adjusting these parameters, recording the adjusted parameter values on a medium associated with the print, and making the print using an enlarger adjusted according to the parameter values recorded on the medium (34, C) in order to obtain a photograph complying with the image previously obtained on screen. Photographs can therefore be obtained which are to the customer's taste while at the same time reducing the time taken by the operator to make the prints.

Description

PROCESS AND DEVICE FOR MAKING PHOTOS FROM BLACK AND WHITE OR COLOR TESTS.

The present invention relates to a method and a device for producing photos from black and white or color prints, or even from positive slides.

In general, we know that in order to develop color photos, it has been proposed to view beforehand, on a television screen, positive images obtained from negatives, this result being obtained thanks to a optoelectronic assembly including projection optics and camcorder. By associating with the projection optics a system of optical filters and by establishing a correspondence between these filters and the filters used in the enlarger used for development, it was possible to obtain images on the screen exactly. to the taste of the operator and then prints corresponding exactly to the images previously viewed.

It turns out that the equipment used to achieve this result is relatively expensive and only suitable for professionals. In addition, this solution is slow since it involves a personalized adjustment by photo, and is, therefore, not very profitable. Besides, she _*

leads to the production of images to the taste of the operator and not to the taste of the customer who took the pictures.

The invention therefore more particularly aims to overcome these disadvantages.

It proposes a process according to which the parameters of the first original prints, then any reprints, (color balance, contrast, horizontal, vertical framing data, enlargement rate of this framing, paper type, paper size) are first recorded on a medium containing a removable individual memory linked to each negative or positive film, black or color, this memory can for example be of the electronic type, with optical reading, magnetic, with perforations, etc.

According to this method, all or part of the information stored on the medium results from the positive viewing of the images carried by the films on the cathodic screen of an electronic display device which can be used by the customer and not part of a photo printing machine.

Of course, the development apparatus used must include means for reading and memorizing the information carried by the support, as well as means making it possible to carry out a development sequence without dead time between the tests.

Thanks to these provisions, the customer will be able to obtain photos exactly to his liking, while the operator will increase his productivity since he will no longer have to make any adjustments.

These results are made possible and accessible to a large clientele because there are on the market - JW

relatively inexpensive devices intended solely for viewing on a television screen, in the form of an enlarged positive image, a negative color film or slides.

It suffices to adapt this machine, in particular by incorporating therein means for adjusting the color balance and means of insertion between the film to be viewed and the filter objective in correspondence with those of an enlarger used for print photos. This correspondence of the filters must be established so that the colors obtained on the enlargements are the same as those obtained on the television screen.

Furthermore, the development apparatus used may further comprise means making it possible to obtain, for each view, according to the information read on the support, the precise framing, the enlargement rate, the color balance, the contrast, the number of prints.

Modes of execution of apparatuses for implementing the method according to the invention will be described below, by way of nonlimiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a display machine commercially available under the brand name "Fotovix" from the Japanese company TA RON, suitable for implementing the method according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the control member used in the machine shown in Figure 1 for adjusting the color balance; Figure 3 shows schematically the machine and its filter carousel, top view;

Figure 4 is a representation similar to that of Figure 3, but in which the filter carousel does not surround the machine, as before;

FIG. 5 shows a program card on which are stored by the machine all the information intended for an automatic printing apparatus;

FIG. 6 shows a strip formed by a suction of filters, this strip being usable in the display machine and in the drawing apparatus;

Figure 7 is a partial representation of a machine of the type shown in Figure 1 but equipped with electronic control means;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic horizontal section of a device allowing the parameters to be recorded automatically to be recorded on a memory card;

Figure 9 is a schematic section of a film holder loader, with automatic film advance and automatic film rotation on operator command.

As previously mentioned, FIGS. 1 to 3 show schematically the apparatus "Fotovix III" from the company TAMRON, it being understood that the invention does not relate to mite not only this type of device but all functionally similar devices.

This apparatus, which is intended to be connected to a conventional television apparatus, comprises an optical system making it possible to project the images of a film in the field of an optoelectronic apparatus of the camcorder type.

More precisely, this device comprises a base 1 including a light source and the upper face 2 of which has a window 3 fitted with a film holder: Opposite this film holder 4 is an associated objective to a conventional type camcorder, this assembly being housed in a housing 5 which extends above the upper face 2 of the base 1.

Between the film holder 4 and the objective 9 (FIG. 3) are arranged three filtering assemblies 6, 7, 8 superimposed in the form of three coaxial flat crowns mounted to rotate independently of each other, these three crowns 10, 11, 12 each comprising a succession of windows fitted with colored filters 13. In this example, the three rings 10, 11, 12 pass around the body 14 of the apparatus and can be driven in rotation by means of three respective drive devices 15, 16, 17, manual or remote-controlled. Of course, the three rings 10, 11, 12 could be rotatably mounted around a vertical axis 18 offset relative to the structure of the device. Such a solution according to which the rings 10, 11, 12 do not pass around the upper part of the structure is illustrated in FIG. 4.

Of course, the previously described device comprises a plurality of adjustment members, namely, in particular: a joystick 20 controlling the contrast of the image seen from the television screen, with which is associated a graduation 21 indicating exposure times and / or diaphragm values of the objective of the enlarger (case where the exposure time is constant as in the case where the enlarger is incorporated in an automatic development machine); in all cases, the graduations are carried out so that the contrasts of the image seen on the television screen conform to the contrast of the final image on the paper; (whether it is a photographic paper or a paper for uses in so-called magnetic processes);

- A joystick 22 controlling a zoom, that is to say the ratio of the enlargement seen on television, this joystick being associated with a graduation 23 indicating the enlargement ratio.

Advantageously, the graduations 21 and 23 may be made on an adhesive tape then applied to the device, at the desired location.

Likewise, the graduations 21 and 23 may be replaced by an electronic position detection system which can involve, as shown in FIG. 8, a cursor 24 secured to the lever 20, 22 and a series of contact elements. 25 cooperating with the cursor 24.

In addition to the two previously mentioned adjustment members, there is further provided a member 26 for controlling the color balance, this control being in the form of a joystick 27 of a three-axis manipulator, that is to say movable in all directions. In view of the fact that, in the TAMRON machine, there is nothing to determine the position of the lever 27, the invention proposes a relatively simple solution which consists in extending the lever 27 by a rod 28 at the end of which is articulated, in the manner of a compass, an indicator rod 29, by virtue of an axis 30 perpendicular to the rod 28 (Figure 2).

Around the rod 28 is disposed a disc 31 carrying numbered graduations 32 and / or contacts on which the free end 33 of the rod 29 can come to bear.

Thus, at each of the positions of the lever 27, the end 33 of the rod 29 will indicate on the disc 31 a value representative of a color balance, this value being usable by the development machine, to obtain an image having the same shades of color as those of the image displayed on the television screen.

The information relating to the different settings of the display device can be transferred (for example by means able to perform perforations) on a program card 34 of the type shown in FIG. 5. In this example, this card includes:

- A series of perforations 35 intended to ensure the advance of the card in the development apparatus, and to locate the card 34 during its advance;

- Columns 36, 36 ', 36 "where the filtering values, the values read on the graduations and the values indicated on the disc 31 by the rod 29 are respectively checked or hidden.

- two columns 37 graduated from 0 to 9, making it possible to program the number of enlargements to be made from an image;

- an indication 38 of separation of the columns, so that an automatic reader can tell the difference between the meaning of the values in the same column, for example the number of enlargements to be made at the top of the map, and the filtering at the bottom of the map;

a mark 39 for indicating the contrast of the desired image;

a reference 40 allowing the framed enlargement ratio to be indicated;

- a reference 41 for indicating the framing data (vertical or horizontal);

- a reference 42 used to define the paper format always with the same framing (for example 10 x 15 cm or

20 x 30 cm);

- a cutout 43 for indicating the quality of the paper, for example glossy, matte, glossy, plastic, etc.

It is noted that thanks to the various additions previously mentioned which aim to determine the values of the adjustments made and of the filtering device, it becomes possible, using a simple machine intended solely for viewing negatives or slides, to '' save on a medium all the information that is necessary so that we can obtain, using a development device, photos substantially identical to the images viewed on the screen.

It is clear that the card 34 can be used by an operator to adjust a manual development apparatus or be designed so as to be read by a reader associated with an automatic development apparatus.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the display device using an electronic memory C of "chip card" type with a large memory capacity which is connected to a remote control unit of the apparatus in order to store information relating to the images viewed on the television screen. Once these parameters have been memorized, the smart card can be removed from the remote control unit and be inserted in a reader belonging to an automatic development machine. After use, the card memory can be erased for possible re-use.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the housing of the display device 1 has been associated with a detection and control module 50, connected by flexible cables 51 to the remote control housing 52.

This control module 50 is connected to motorization elements 53, 54, 55 of the crowns 10, 11, 12 carrying the optical filters 13, and to motorization elements of the film holder 3, namely, an element 56 for scrolling views by views and an element 57 (motor / pinion / rack) controlling the 90 ° rotation of the entire film holder (to allow horizontal or vertical reca¬ dredings). Furthermore, the control module 50 is connected to sensors detecting the position of the adjustment knobs 20, 22, 23 of the contrast, the zoom and the color balance.

The remote control unit 52 comprises, for its part, a series of keys, namely, in particular:

a key 60 for controlling the advance of a view of the film engaged in the film holder;

- two series of keys 61, 62 for programming the number of views desired; - two keys 63, 64 for controlling the orientation of the film holder;

- three keys 65, 66, 67 for advancing / returning the filters;

- a key 68 for recording the filtering chosen on the memory card C;

- two keys 69, 70 to save the desired format.

This box 52 further comprises display means, in particular an indicator 71 of the number of the view that is being passed and a memory aid indicator 72 which lights up when all the parameters relating to a view have been recorded, in order to indicate the transition to the next view. This passage can then be carried out automatically, or manually, for example by pressing a button.

The film carrier device used in the above-described viewing machine can comprise, as shown in FIG. 9, a cassette 80 substantially in the form of a C in which the two returns 81, 82 serve as respective housings for a supply reel 83 and a film take-up reel 84.

The receiving coil 84 is driven in rotation here by a substantially coaxial gear motor 85.

The flat core of the cassette has a double wall 86, 87 between which the film 88 is guided, these two walls 86, 87 having a rectangular opening situated in the axis XX 'of the objective.

The cassette 80 is rotatably mounted coaxially with the objective and can be rotated by a motor 89 / pinion 90 / rack 91 assembly. Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments previously described.

Thus, the carousels 10, 11, 12 carrying the filters could be replaced by bands 92.

In this case, each band could comprise, as shown in FIG. 6, a first series of filters Fi, F2, F3 ... intended for the display device and a second series of corresponding filters F'i, F'2, F ' 3 ... for the enlargement device. It is clear that this solution makes it possible to simply solve the problem of concordance of the filters between the display device and the development device.

Claims

claims

1. Method for producing at least one photo from a negative proof in black and white or in color, or even from a slide, characterized in that the parameters of the first original prints, then any reprints, such as the color balance, the contrast, the data of the horizontal, vertical framing, the enlargement rate of this framing, the type of paper, the paper size are first recorded on a support (34, C) containing a removable individual memory linked to each negative film on the black or color slide.

2. Storage method according to claim 1, characterized in that part of the information to be memorized is first seen on a cathode screen of an independent electronic display device, of any photo printing machine on paper.

3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus making it possible to carry out the enlargements one after the other, without dead time, between the views is controlled by this memory, first recording independently all the para ¬ meters of prints of each view of each negative, positive, or black or color slide.

4. Device for taking photos according to the method according to claim 1, characterized in that it involves, on the one hand, an electronic display device for films or slides equipped with means for adjusting parameters relating to the bright image displayed on the screen, as well as means capable of storing on supports (34, C) the parameters relating to the bright images of which one wishes to obtain the photos and, on the other hand, an straightener able to be adjusted from the parameters memorized on. said supports.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the aforesaid enlarger is equipped with means for reading the information stored on the aforesaid supports (34, C) and means making it possible to automatically carry out its own adjustment in function of the information read on the supports (34, C).

6. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the aforesaid display device of the type known under the brand "TAMRON - photovix", is equipped with means (21, 23, 28 to 33) for carrying out the above storage.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that to the controls of said display device are added precise indications and / or electrical contacts making it possible to enter the values of the above parameters, manually or automatically, on a card ( 34) provided for this purpose.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that said card is a memory card (C), which records the information provided by the above contacts.

9. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the above display device comprises, for adjusting the color balance, a rod (27) orientable in all directions, on which is fitted an amplifying rod (28), on 1 'free end of which is articulated an indicator rod (29).

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the said orientable rod (27) passes through a bore made in a plate (31) comprising indications (32) and / or contacts relating to filtering values needed on the enlarger.

11. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the above display device comprises an adjustment button (20, 22), for example for the zoom function, this button (20, 22) being provided with an element contact (24) which can pass over a series of fixed contacts (25).

12. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the above display device is provided with an optical filtering system (10, 11, 12) whose adjustable parameters are recorded on the above support so as to be able to ensure the adjustment of the enlarger.

13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the optical filters (Fi, F2, F3) used by the above display device and those (F'i, F'2, F'3) used by the above enlarger are mounted on the same strip (92).

14. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the above-mentioned supports (34) or the above-mentioned memory cards (C) each comprise means making it possible to record, for each view, relative data:

- automatic advance of the film, of a view after execution-recording of the program of the previous view;

- at the desired framing, horizontal, vertical;

- the rate of enlargement of the framing;

- contrast; and - Possibly the format and type of paper, these two pieces of information being indicated by two additional commands provided on the housing of the display device.

15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the aforesaid storage means comprise means able to perform perforations of said support (34).