Abstract: A first film cassette for containing a photographic filmstrip has a first data recording portion formed thereon. Data as to the recording of a plurality of image frames are recorded on the first data recording portion when exposing the filmstrip. The filmstrip is separated from the first film cassette before development. The filmstrip is subjected to a motion-picture-film type developing process constituted by splicing, development and separation of a plurality of filmstrips. The separated filmstrip is wound up in a second film cassette, and thus is preserved in a convenient state. The image recording data stored in the first data recording portion are transferred to a second data recording portion formed on the second film cassette, and are utilized in a printing operation. In a preferred embodiment, the filmstrip has a data recording area formed thereon. The image recording data stored in the data recording area are transferred to a preservative film cassette on a data recording portion.

Abstract: A processed film is wound again into the film cassette that contained the film therein before processing. The film is subjected to development and/or printing with one end fixed to a spool of the film cassette. Using a film cassette constituted by a rotatable spool having on its peripheral surface capture members for engaging in perforations of the film, a film guide member for guiding the film from a film gate of the cassette to the spool, and an urging device for pressing the film guide member onto the spool and enabling the guided film to be engaged with the capture members, it is possible to separate the film from the film cassette for development and printing and thereafter to wind up the film into the film cassette.

Abstract: A processed film is wound again into the film cassette that contained the film therein before processing. The film is subjected to development and/or printing with one end fixed to a spool of the film cassette. Using a film cassette constituted by a rotatable spool having on its peripheral surface capture members for engaging in perforations of the film, a film guide member for guiding the film from a film gate of the cassette to the spool, and an urging device for pressing the film guide member onto the spool and enabling the guided film to be engaged with the capture members, it is possible to separate the film from the film cassette for development and printing and thereafter to wind up the film into the film cassette.

Abstract: A dot signal conversion method includes the steps of reading a color original for color separation by an image input device and converting the thus formed density signals of respective colors into equivalent neutral density signals and then into dot signals. The dot signals are then fed into an image output device wherein wedges of respective colors are prepared. Dot signal generating tables are then prepared from the relationship between the visual density and dot percentage of each wedge in record and the equivalent neutral density signals are color-processed according to a predetermined formula and then converted into the dot signals by using the dot signal generating tables of respective colors.

Abstract: An autofocusing apparatus suitable for use in a photographic printer is provided. The printer permits mounting of plural carriers for holding original films of different sizes thereon respectively and is capable of setting a focusing position on the basis of an AF curve determined when a reference carrier out of a plurality of carriers is mounted. The apparatus is also so constructed that the AF curve is compensated based on differences between the position of the original film upon mounting of the reference carrier and that of the original film upon mounting another carrier. Accordingly, an original film can be positioned at its optimal focusing position regardless of which of the plurality of carriers is used.

Abstract: A method of making a print by the use of a photographic printer in which a variable masking frame is changed in size by a pulse motor and a photographic paper is transported by a pulse motor. When taking .alpha..sub.c, .alpha..sub.p, K1 and K2, and P.sub.fo for a correction value common to all print sizes, a correction value for a specific print size, a constant, and a number of drive pulses obtained by dividing an acutally transported distance of the photographic paper by a distance d.sub.f of transportation per one pulse, respectively, the corrected number of drive pulses P.sub.f applied to the pulse motor for controlling the photographic paper is obtained by calculating the following expression:P.sub.f =(.alpha..sub.c /K1).times.(.alpha..sub.p /K2).times.P.sub.foWhen taking .beta..sub.c, .beta..sub.p, K3 or K4, and P.sub.

Abstract: A method of focusing a printer in which the focusing of a lens is effected in accordance with an AF curve, printing is effected at an every predetermined pitchs while the lens is being moved by predetermined pitchs each along an optical axis starting from an initial position of the lens and then a lens position is selected at which optimum focus is obtained on the basis of printed images. The printing is repeated while the predetermined pitch is sequentially being made finer, in a case where the predetermined pitch differs from a pitch corresponding to the minimum resolving power of the lens. Thus, the AF curve is compensated for on the basis of the lens position which was selected during the printing at the pitch corresponding to the aforesaid minimum resolving power. Accordingly, it is possible to select an optimum lens position with high accuracy.

Abstract: A color image signal processing method for a color image input/output system reads an original by an image input section and corrects the color and gradation of the thus obtained image signals and feeds output density signals for each color to an image output device. The processing method includes the steps of calculating differences between desired finished densities and the output density signals at specified points on the original which are obtained by converting input density signals on the specified points based upon reference gradation conversion curves and then prepares characteristic curves of the differences with respect to the output density signals using the same functions for the respective colors and then prepares corrected gradation conversion curves by adding the reference gradation conversion curves to the functions.

Abstract: An elongated photographic paper wound in the form of a roll is drawn from the front end portion thereof, an image is exposed an it in a printing portion, and is cut by a cutter. After it has been cut, the front end portion of the photographic paper is returned to the printing portion, and parts of the photographic paper are covered by a pair of mask heads. These mask heads are disposed above the photographic paper when a margin-less image is printed and when image is printed. However, in the case of a margin-less print, a larger area of the image is covered than the area in the case of a margin-provided print.

Abstract: Disclosed is a focusing method for a printer which comprises the steps of: calculating a lens position and a conjugate distance at a set magnification value on the basis of an equation, changing the lens position within a predetermined range including the calculated lens position which serves as an original position, and conducting printing at each of these lens positions, selecting a lens position which provides an optimal focusing, correcting the equation using the selected lens position and the actual magnification employed when the selection is made, and calculating a lens position and a conjugate distance at another magnification value using the equation corrected when the selected lens position coincides with the original position and then changing the lens position and the conjugate distance accordingly.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprising positive and negative original input signal processing sections respectively converting positive and negative signals obtained by photoelectric scanning of positive and negative originals into positive density signals, and a color processing section for color-processing the positive density signals. The circuits used in the positive original input signal processing section are preferably all included as well in the negative original input signal processing section, so that common circuits may be employed for the two processing sections. This is similarly the case with the positive and negative image output sections.

Abstract: An exposure determining device detects densities of a number of picture elements of a color original and displays an image of the color original on a color monitor. A part of a principal subject image of the color original is specified on the color monitor. Based on the measured color density of the specified part, picture elements by which the principal subject image is formed are detected to determine a principal subject image area. By using the detected densities of picture elements included in the prinipal subject image area, at least one image characteristic value is calculated and is used with one of a plurality of previously provided exposure calculating formulas selected according to scenes into which principal subject images are classified, in order to determine the proper exposure for reproducing color images of proper color balance and density.

Abstract: A method for automatically setting signal processing conditions for respective colors in an image input/output system where a color original is read for color separation by an image input device and input density signals from the input device are then inputted to a signal processing section to be processed in gradation for each color. Then, the process density signals are inputted to an image output device such that the conditions of the original in the form of optional parameters are selected from a set of options and characteristic point parameters which are selected by designating characteristic points on the original to be processed are selected as auxiliary input parameters. Prescanned data from the image input device is processed together with the auxiliary input parameters so as to thereby determine the processing conditions for respective color output density signals.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises positive and negative original input signal processing sections respectively converting positive and negative signals obtained by photoelectric scanning of positive and negative originals into positive density signals, and a color processing section for color-processing the positive density signals. The circuits used in the positive original input signal processing section are preferably all included as well in the negative original input signal processing section, so that common circuits may be employed for the two processing sections. This is similarly the case with the positive and negative image output sections.

Abstract: In a method of determining printing exposures, an original image to be printed is divided into at least two image extents, namely, a principal subject and a background, from each of which at least one image characteristic value is obtained based on the color densities thereof. On the basis of the obtained image characteristic values the proper exposure is determined for obtaining prints of proper densities. The proper exposure is performed by basic exposure control in which the basic exposure is obtained from the image characteristic value, or its artificially weighted value, of the principal subject image extent, and by color correction whose amount is determined either from the characteristic value of the background image extent or from the characteristic values of the both image extents.

Abstract: Color densities of a color original are measured for a number of picture elements into which the color original is divided. A part of the color original that includes at least one picture element is selected, with whose measured color densities the measured color densities of each picture element are compared to detect picture elements of color densities having a certain relation to the color densities of the selected part of the color original. The picture elements of sufficiently similar color densities can define an extent of image which determines a principal subject image and the remainder of which is background.