DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] While the invention will hereafter be described in connection with preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0037] Hereafter, a detailed description of embodiments of the image reading apparatus of this invention is provided with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate like elements.

[0038] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of an image reading apparatus and a film cartridge and roll of film, respectively. Referring to FIG. 1, a lid 11 is shown in an open and closed position, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 2, a roll of film 61 in the new film system has an image memory area 62, two perforations 63 and 64 and a magnetic memory area 65 for each frame. The perforations 63 and 64 designate the start and end positions of the image memory area 62 in a lengthwise direction of the roll of film 61. In each magnetic memory area 65, information relating to the photograph, such as, the frame number, title, date the photograph was taken, conditions under which the photograph was taken and designated print size are recorded.

[0039] The cartridge 60, which houses the roll of film 61, is provided with a slitshaped opening 67 on the side of the cylindrical case 66. Furthermore, inside the case 66 is a cartridge spool 68 axially supported on both ends of the case 66 in a lengthwise direction so as to rotate freely. One end of the roll of film 61 is anchored to the cartridge spool 68, and the film 61 is housed in the case 66 by being wound around the cartridge spool 68. Additionally, the roll of film 61 enters and leaves the cartridge 60 through the opening 67 according to the forward or reverse rotation of the cartridge spool 68.

[0040] In addition, a disk (not shown) is provided on a side of the case 66. The disk is an indicator that displays film information in an optically readable manner (e.g., the disk can include a bar code). The film information includes, for example, the type of film and whether or not the roll of film 61 has been developed. The information indicating the type of film includes, for example, whether the film is negative or positive, color or monochrome, model number and film manufacturer.

[0041] With the new film system, the roll of film 61 is always completely housed in the cartridge 60 while being handled by the user. In fact, the film 61 is inserted into the insertion opening of the image reading apparatus while still housed in the cartridge 60. Only after the cartridge 60 has been inserted will the film 61 be extracted.

[0042] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3-4, a lid 11 is provided on the top surface of the image reading apparatus 10 to open and close a loading chamber 13 that is configured to match the external shape of the cartridge 60. A cartridge insertion opening 12 is provided in the loading chamber 13 and is visible when the lid 11 is opened, as shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 1. Alternatively, insertion and extraction of 35 mm film from the image reading apparatus 10 is accomplished while the 35 mm film is housed in a flat slide mount 14, or film holder 15, of predetermined thickness. Therefore, a separate insertion opening 16 is provided for the 35 mm film.

[0043] The 35 mm film insertion opening 16 is provided in the front surface of the image reading apparatus 10. The opening 16 is configured in the shape of a slit to match the shape of the slide mount 14 or film holder 15.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the image reading apparatus 10 has a film transport path 17 which forms the route of the slide mount 14, or film holder 15, once inserted into the opening 16. The film transport path 17 includes five pairs of rollers, 18a and 18b, 19a and 19b, 20a and 20b, 21a and 21b and 22a and 22b. Each roller pair 18-22 is arranged such that each roller pair 18-22 opposes each other on the upper and lower side of the film transport path 17. The lower side rollers 18a-22a will be hereinafter called the first rollers 18a-22a and the upper side rollers 18b-22b will hereinafter be called the second rollers 18b-22b .

[0045] The space between the first rollers 18a-22a and the second rollers 18b-22b is set to a constant value larger than the thickness of the film 61 in the roll of film and slightly narrower than the thinnest part of the slide mount 14 or film holder 15, having an approximate thickness of 1 mm. The space between the roller pairs 18-22 is set narrower than the thickness of the slide mount 14 or film holder 15, but since each roller 18a-22b is made of an elastic material, such as, for example, rubber, it is possible for the slide mount 14 or film holder 15 to be interposed between the roller pairs 18-22 through the deformation of the rollers 18a-22b.

[0046] The rotation shaft of each roller 18a-22b is anchored to the apparatus 10. The rotation shafts of the first rollers 18a-22a comprise drive shafts that are independently rotated (i.e., driven) in the forward or reverse direction. Contrarily, the rotation shafts of the second rollers 18b-22b are slave shafts. Therefore, when the first rollers 18a-22a are rotated in the forward direction, the slide mount 14 or film holder 15 is transported along the film transport path 17 from the opening 16 toward the image reading position. Additionally, when the first rollers 18a-22a are rotated in the reverse direction, the slide mount 14 or film holder 15 is transported along the film transport path 17 from the image reading position back toward the opening 16. The image reading position is the position where the line sensor 33 reads the film. The image reading position is where the film and the extension line of the optical axis of the projection lens 32 intersect.

[0047] The loading chamber 13 for the cartridge 60 is positioned above the film transport path 17. The loading chamber 13 is provided with a cartridge motor 23. The cartridge motor 23 is positioned in the chamber 13 so that the motor 23 engages the cartridge spool 68 after the cartridge 60 has been inserted into the loading chamber 13. Therefore, the roll of film 61 is scrolled from the cartridge 60 through the film transport path 17 by driving the cartridge motor 23 forward. Additionally, the roll of film 61 may be rewound into the cartridge 60 by driving the cartridge motor 23 in reverse.

[0048] A film information reading sensor 24 is also provided in the loading chamber 13. The film information reading sensor 24 detects the film information displayed on the disk (not shown) of the cartridge 60 that has been inserted into the loading chamber 13 prior to the apparatus 10 reading the images. The sensor 24 permits the image reading apparatus 10 to optimally set viewing conditions prior to reading the images on the roll of film 61.

[0049] A winding chamber 25 for the roll of film 61 is provided above the film transport path 17 and on the opposite side of the fifth roller pair 22a and 22b from the image reading position. A winding spool 26 and a DC motor (not shown) that rotationally drives the winding spool 26 are provided in the winding chamber 25. A gear mechanism (not shown) links the rotation shaft of the winding spool 26 to the rotation shaft of the cartridge motor 23. Therefore, after the tip of the roll of film 61 has been wound onto the winding spool 26, the remaining unwound portion of the roll of film 61 is transported along the film transport path 17 by the forward driving of the DC motor (not shown). The remaining portion of the roll of film 61 is then wound onto the rotation shaft of the winding spool 26 such that the roll of film 61 is housed inside the winding chamber 25.

[0050] It should be noted that the path over which the roll of film 61 is initially transported merges with the film transport path 17 for the slide mount 14 or film holder 15 in front of the roller pair 19a and 19b. From the point the two paths merge to the fifth roller pair 22a and 22b, the transport path 17 for both film types is the same.

[0051] In addition, magnetic sensors 27 and 28 and an optical sensor 29 are arranged along the film transport path 17. The magnetic sensors 27 and 28 read the information relating to the photograph that is stored in the magnetic memory area 65 of the roll of film 61. The information that is read is used in the image revision and setting of the scan conditions for each frame. The optical sensor 29 detects the perforations 63 and 64 in the roll of film 61 from which a central processing apparatus (not shown), or CPU, determines which frame the film 61 is currently positioned for reading. The CPU also controls the transporting of the film 61.

[0052] Furthermore, an illuminating light source 30 is provided between the third roller pair 20a and 20b and the fourth roller pair 21a and 21b and below the film transport path 17. The illuminating light source 30 is provided with light-emitting diodes, for example, in the colors red, green and blue. The illuminating light source 30 is also capable of alternately lighting the three color light-emitting diodes. When the roll of film 61 or the 35 mm film is positioned at the image reading position, the light from the illuminating light source 30 illuminates one line of the film's frame. The direction of the single line is orthogonal to the transport direction of the film, in other words, the direction orthogonal to the secondary scanning direction.

[0053] The light that illuminates the film undergoes an optical path change by means of a reflective mirror 31 provided above the film transport path 17. The light is then incident on a line sensor 33 by the projection lens 32. The sensor 33 functions as an imaging means. The light sensor can be a photoelectric converter such as, for example, a CCD, a photo-sensitive diode (PSD) or a CMOS device.

[0054] In the case where the illuminating light source 30 is provided with three colors of light-emitting diodes, the line sensor 33 is composed of an image accumulation unit (not shown) and a monochromatic image sensor (not shown). The image accumulation unit has a plurality of photoelectric conversion units lined up in a row, while the monochromatic image sensor is provided with a transfer unit that transfers the electric charge accumulated in the image accumulation unit.

[0055] The scanning direction of the electric charge accumulated in the line sensor 33 is the main (primary) scanning direction. The main scanning direction matches the direction of the photoelectric conversion units, which, in other words, is the lengthwise direction of the line sensor 33.

[0056] The one line illuminated by the illuminating light source 30 is read by the line sensor 33. In order to obtain the image of one frame, a line sequence is used where the same line position is read three times by alternating in sequence the emitted light color from the illuminating light source. In addition, the image is obtained by repeatedly moving the film one line at a time. Alternatively, a screen sequence may be used where an entire frame is read for each emitted light color.

[0057] Instead of using three different color emitters, the illuminating light source 30 may be designed to accomplish three color decomposition. The illuminating light source 30 can be provided with a white light source, filters in the three colors red, green and blue and a mechanism for alternating the three color filters. In this embodiment, the line sensor 33 may have a monochromatic image sensor. In addition, it would also be possible to have the illuminating light source 30 contain a white light source and the line sensor 33 have a color image sensor. This alternative makes it possible for the image reading apparatus to read the three colors simultaneously.

[0058] Although the disclosed imaging means is a line sensor 33, it is possible for the imaging means to have a two-dimensional area sensor. This alternative makes it possible to transport the film in frame units (rather than line-by-line).

[0059] The projection lens 32 is coupled to and supported by the rotation shaft of the motor 34. The lens 32 can move in the direction of its optical axis accompanying rotation of the rotation shaft. The line sensor 33 is coupled to and supported by the rotation shaft of the motor 35. The position of the light-receiving surface of the line sensor 33 can move in the direction of the optical axis of the projection lens 32 accompanying rotation of the rotation shaft. By controlling the motors 34 and 35 independently, it is possible to adjust the reading range and resolution.

[0060] Hereafter, the illuminating light source 30, reflective mirror 31, line sensor 33, and motors 34 and 35 together will be referred to as the image reading optical system 40.

[0061] A circuit board 36 is provided below the film transport path 17. Provided on the circuit board 36 is a circuit for controlling the rotational driving of the first rollers 18a-22a, a circuit for controlling the rotational driving of the cartridge motor 23 and winding spool 26, a circuit for driving the lighting of the illuminating light source 30, a circuit for driving the line sensor 33, a signal processing circuit and a CPU. The various driving circuits follow instructions from the CPU.

[0062] The operation of the image reading apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the invention will now be described.

[0063] A user wanting to read images on 35 mm film housed in a slide mount 14 first inserts the slide mount 14 into the 35 mm film opening 16 of the image reading apparatus 10, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3. When the tip of the slide mount 14 reaches the first roller pair 18a and 18b, the slide mount 14 is interposed between the roller pair 18a and 18b by the forward rotation of the first roller 18a. Upon reaching the second roller pair 19a and 19b, the slide mount 14 is moved along the film transport path 17 by the forward rotation of the first roller 19a. The slide mount 14 reaches the image reading position where it is also interposed between the third roller pair 20a and 20b. The images on the 35 mm film housed in the slide mount 14 are then read by the image reading optical system 40. The transport speed of the slide mount 14 is predetermined.

[0064] Upon finishing reading the images, the first rollers 18a-22a are successively driven in reverse such that each of the roller pairs 18-22 transports the slide mount 14 interposed between them, until the slide mount is ejected from the opening 16.

[0065] In addition, when reading the images of 35 mm film, the user may also place the 35 mm film in a special film holder 15 and insert the film holder 15 into the opening 16 of the image reading apparatus 10 in a manner similar to the film mount 14 described above. Hence, this film holder 15 is similarly interposed by each of the roller pairs 18-22 in succession and moved along the film transport path 17. Upon reaching the image reading position, the image on one frame of the 35 mm film is read. After the film images have been read, the film holder 15 is ejected from the opening 16.

[0066] Slide mounts 14 and film holders 15 may have various thicknesses. However, the space between the roller pairs 18-22 is set to be narrower than the mount 14 and holder 15. Consequently, the mount 14 and holder 15 are transported through the image reading apparatus 10 by the deformation of the rollers 18a-22b.

[0067] Alternatively, when images on a roll of film 61 housed in a cartridge 60 are to be read, the user opens the lid 11 of the image reading apparatus 10, as shown in FIG. 4, and inserts the cartridge 60, as-is, into the loading chamber 13 from the opening 12. The cartridge motor 23 then engages the cartridge spool 68 such that when the cartridge motor 23 is driven forward, the roll of film 61 is scrolled out from the cartridge 60. The roll of film 61 that has been scrolled out is then guided to the winding chamber 25 by passing between the first rollers 19a-22a and the second rollers 19b-22b until the tip of the film 61 winds around the winding spool 26. The remainder of the roll of film 61 follows by the forward rotation of the winding spool 26 as the film 61 presses against the second rollers 19b-22b. Additionally, the curling of the roll of film 61 is simultaneously corrected while the position of the roll of film 61 is determined to be in the direction of the optical axis of the image reading optical system 40. While the roll of film 61 is being wound, the roll film 61 and the first rollers 19a-22a do not make contact.

[0068] The roll of film 61 is moved along the film transport path 17 in accordance with the forward rotation of the winding spool 26 while making contact with the second rollers 19b-22b. When the optical sensor 29 detects that the frame to be read has reached the image reading position, the image on the frame is read by the image reading optical system 40. Upon completing reading the image of the frame, the next frame is transported to the image reading position as the roll of film 61 is wound around the winding spool 26. The image on that frame is then read. This step is repeated until all the frames to be read have been completed, at which point the roll of film 61 is rewound into the cartridge 60 through the reverse driving of the cartridge motor 23. Then, the user can remove the cartridge 60, as-is, from the loading chamber 13 through the opening 12 by opening the lid 11.

[0069] In this way, the opening 12 is provided as an insertion opening for enabling the insertion and removal of the roll of film 61 housed in the cartridge 60 and the opening 16 is provided as an insertion opening for enabling the insertion and removal of 35 mm film housed in the slide mount 14 or the film holder 15. Therefore, it is possible to insert a roll of film 61 or 35 mm film into the image reading apparatus 10 in a single operation through insertion openings 12 and 16, respectively.

[0070] Additionally, while the images on one film type are being read, the user can prepare to read images from the other film type by inserting the other film type into the insertion opening. Therefore, the apparatus 10 is easy to use regardless of the film type.

[0071] It is also possible to arrange the driving system to scroll the roll of film 61 from the cartridge 60 or to take in the 35 mm film by separating the various insertion openings, simplifying the structure of the insertion unit.

[0072] In addition, while the roller pairs 18-22, slide mount 14 or film holder 15 are provided as the mechanism for transporting the 35 mm film, the mechanism for transporting the roll of film 61 is the winding spool 26 and second rollers 18b-22b.

[0073] Thus, it is possible to transport the roll of film 61 and the 35 mm film to the image reading position without requiring a particularly complex mechanism. In addition, the second rollers 18b-22b are used by both film types, thereby simplifying the structure of the transport system.

[0074] Furthermore, at the image reading position, the transport path 17 for the roll of film 61 and the 35 mm film can be the same, making it possible to read the images from both using a single image reading optical system 40.

[0075] Accordingly, it is possible to handle both a roll of film 61 and 35 mm film with a simply constructed image reading apparatus 10 having good operability and the capability to read the images of both types of film.

[0076] Now, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0077] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the image reading apparatus according to the second embodiment of the invention illustrating when the images on 35 mm film being housed in a slide mount 14 are read.

[0078] The image reading apparatus 50 of the second embodiment differs from the image reading apparatus 10 of the first embodiment in that it is possible to change the space between the opposing first rollers 18a-22a and the second rollers 18b-22b. The rotation shafts of the second rollers 18b-22b are anchored to the apparatus 50, while the first rollers 18a-22a are movable in the vertical direction. Therefore, it is possible to change the space between opposing rollers 18a-22b.

[0079] A boring screw 53 attached to the rotation shaft of a motor 52, such as, for example, a stepping motor, is coupled to the horizontal part of the support member 51. The support member 51 is guided by engaging a guide groove (not shown) provided along the optical axis of the image reading optical system 40 intersecting the film. Therefore, by rotating the boring screw 53 by driving the motor 52, it is possible to move the support member 51 along the guide groove (not shown). As a result, the first rollers 18a-22a may move toward or away from the second rollers 18b-22b as the space between the roller pairs 18-22 is changed.

[0080] The operation of the image reading apparatus 50 according to the second embodiment of the invention will now be described.

[0081] To read the images on 35 mm film housed in a slide mount 14, the user first designates the thickness of the slide mount 14 through a host computer (not shown). The space between opposing roller pairs 18-22 is set to be slightly narrower than the designated thickness after receiving the thickness information by driving the motor 52. Then, the user inserts the slide mount 14 into the opening 16 of the image reading apparatus 50, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 5. Thus, it is possible to transport this slide mount 14 interposed with a suitable spacing.

[0082] In the case of reading images on a roll of film 61 housed in a cartridge 60, the user designates this fact beforehand through a host computer after which a motor 52 is driven, making it possible to set the space between the roller pairs 18-22 wider than the thickness of the roll of film 61. Then, the roll of film 61 is transported in a manner similar to the first embodiment. Thus, with the image reading apparatus 50 of the second embodiment, it is possible to alter the space between the opposing roller pairs 18-22.

[0083] Normally, the thickness of the roll of film 61 is thinner than the thickness of the slide mount 14. Therefore, when the images on a roll of film 61 are to be read after having read the images on 35 mm film, it is not necessary to adjust the space of the roller pairs 18-22 since they are already narrow enough.

[0084] In addition, even if the thickness of the slide mount 14 or film holder 15 housing the 35 mm film differs, it is possible to transport the holding member interposed between the roller pairs 18-22 with a suitable spacing. Thus, even if the holding means is too thick, it is still possible to transport the holding means appropriately without applying an excessive burden to the rotation shafts of the rollers 18a-22b. It is even possible to transport thin holding means.

[0085] Although the structure of the second embodiment required that the designation of the thickness of the slide mount 14 and film holder 15 be made by the user through a host computer, the present invention is not limited to this structure. For example, an apparatus can have sensors that detect a cartridge 60, slide mount 14 or film holder 15 being inserted into the apparatus. The sensors would be provided near the loading chamber 13 or the opening 16 of the image reading apparatus 50. Through this structure, a determination is made by the CPU as to whether a roll of film 61 or other film type has been inserted into the apparatus 50. The CPU would then control the motor 52 on the basis of the type of film determined.

[0086] In addition, with the second embodiment, the structure was such that the space between the roller pairs 18-22 was changed through driving the motor 52 in accordance with the thickness information indicating the thickness of the inserted slide mount 14. The present invention is not limited to this structure. For example, a structure can be conceived wherein the roller pairs 18-22 are linked by springs, and the space is adjusted by the elongation or compression of the springs in accordance with the thickness of the slide mount 14 interposed between the roller pairs 18-22.

[0087] While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations may be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.