The present invention relates to a cartridge film scanning system having a scanner and a cartridge film adapter which is inserted in the scanner.
Conventionally, a film scanner for scanning images formed on the film has been known. The scanned images are saved as image data and utilized in a computer, or the scanned images are converted into image signals and transmitted to a display system such as a television set for display.
When a scanner utilizes a 35 mm film, a developed film is directly inserted in the film scanner. In case of a film for the APS (Advanced Photographing System), however, the developed film is held in a film cartridge, and therefore, in order to scan the images formed on the APS film (hereinafter, referred to as a cartridge film), a particular adapter for the cartridge film should be utilized. The APS film is inserted in such a cartridge film adapter, and then the cartridge film adapter is inserted in a scanner.
In such a scanning system, when a scanning operation for scanning the images formed on the cartridge film is finished, the film is to be rewound and completely accommodated in the cartridge.
If the adapter is withdrawn from the scanner when the film is not rewound, and if an operator attempts to remove the film cartridge from the adapter, the cartridge may not be removed since the film is taken out from the cartridge and held by the adapter. Further, since the film is exposed to outside, especially at an opening for scanning, particles of dust may be adhered or scratches may be formed onto the film surface, which deteriorates quality of images when the images are printed or scanned again.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved cartridge film scanning system which is free from the above-described defects.
For the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a cartridge film adapter for a film scanner. A cartridge film to be scanned by the film scanner is loaded in the cartridge film adapter. The cartridge film adapter is then inserted in the film scanner. The cartridge film adapter is provided with:
a detection system that detects whether the cartridge film adapter is removed from the film scanner; and
a film rewinding system that rewinds the film only when removal of the cartridge film adapter is detected by the detection system.
Thus, it is ensured that the film is rewound when the cartridge film adapter is not inserted in the film scanner.
According to another aspect of the invention, the cartridge film adapter is provided with:
a film rewinding system;
a battery for the film rewinding system; and
a switch mechanism which connects the battery and the film rewinding system when the cartridge film adapter is removed from the film scanner.
Thus, also in this case, it is ensured that the film is rewound when the cartridge film adapter is not inserted in the film scanner.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a cartridge film scanning system, which includes a film scanner and a cartridge film adapter for the film scanner. A cartridge film to be scanned by the film scanner is loaded in the cartridge film adapter, and the cartridge film adapter is inserted in the film scanner.
The cartridge film adapter is provided with:
a film rewinding system;
a battery for the film rewinding system; and
a switch mechanism which connects the battery and the film rewinding system when the cartridge film adapter is removed from the film scanner.
Thus, it is ensured that the film is rewound when the cartridge film adapter is not inserted in the film scanner.
Optionally, the battery may be a rechargeable battery, and a charging circuit for charging the rechargeable battery is provided in the film scanner.
Preferably, the battery may be fully charged before scanning operation is performed. Then, whenever the cartridge film adapter is removed, it is ensured that the film will be completely rewound.
It is preferable that the rechargeable battery has capacity necessary for completely rewinding a fully extracted film.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a cartridge film scanning system, provided with:
a film scanner;
a cartridge film adapter for the film scanner, a cartridge film to be scanned by the film scanner being loaded in the cartridge film adapter, the cartridge film adapter being inserted in the film scanner when the film is scanned; and
an engaging mechanism for engaging the cartridge film adapter with the film scanner, engagement between the cartridge film adapter and the film scanner being released after the film is rewound.
Thus, it is ensured that the film has been rewound when the cartridge film adapter is withdrawn from the film scanner.
Optionally, the film scanner has a scanning window at which a frame of image formed on the film is to be located, and the cartridge film scanning system has a detector for detecting whether a film is located at the scanning window. Engagement between the cartridge film adapter and the film scanner is released if the detector detects that a film is absent at the scanning window.
In particular, the engaging mechanism may be provided with:
a solenoid provided with a movable rod; and
an engaging member which can be engaged with and released from the movable rod. Further, the solenoid is provided to one of the film scanner and the cartridge film adapter, and the engaging member is provided to the other of the film scanner and the cartridge film adapter.
Further preferably, the solenoid may be provided to the cartridge film adapter, and an opening to be engaged with the movable rod may be formed on a holder of the film scanner which receives the inserted adapter.