Image reading apparatus

Abstract

An image reading apparatus can read images on film and is capable of alternating between 35 mm film and a roll of film. The apparatus includes a light source, a photoelectric converter, a film transport that transports film past a reading position to which the light is emitted and the photoelectric converter reads, and two insertion openings. The light source illuminates the film so that the photoelectric converter can read the illuminated images and output an image signal. The film transport transports the film to the reading position. A first insertion opening is used for inserting a roll of film (e.g., in a cartridge), while a second insertion opening is used for inserting 35 mm film (e.g., on a film mount).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An image reading apparatus for reading images on film, the apparatus comprising: 
 illumination means for illuminating film;    image reading means for reading images on said film illuminated by said illumination means at a reading position, said image reading means outputting an image signal;    a first insertion opening for inserting a first type of film;    a second insertion opening for inserting a second type of film that differs from said first type; and    transport means for transporting the first type of film from the first insertion opening to the reading position and for transporting the second type of film from the second insertion opening to the reading position.    
     
     
         2 . The image reading apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said transport means includes a first transport means and a second transport means, said first transport means including at least one pair of opposing rollers arrange on opposite sides of a transport path, said at least one pair of rollers having a spacing wider than a thickness of said film, said spacing for receiving a holding means for holding said first type of film between said pairs of rollers and transporting said first type of film and said holding means to said reading position of said image reading means, said second transport means including a winding means for winding said second type of film using a roller of said at least one pair of rollers for transporting said second type of film to said reading position of said image reading means.  
     
     
         3 . The image reading apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising: control means for adjusting said spacing between said at least one pair of rollers, said spacing including a first spacing accommodating said holding means and a second spacing accommodating said second type of film.  
     
     
         4 . The image reading apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said spacing is narrower than a thickness of said holding means.  
     
     
         5 . The image reading apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first type of film is 35 mm film.  
     
     
         6 . The image reading apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said second type of film is a roll of film housed in a cartridge.  
     
     
         7 . The image reading apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said holding means is a frame of a slide mount of one of a slide mount and a film holder for holding 35 mm strip film.  
     
     
         8 . An image reading apparatus for reading images on film, the apparatus comprising: 
 a light source that illuminates film;    a photoelectric converter that converts light images produced when the light source illuminates the film at a reading position into image signals;    a first insertion opening that receives a first type of film;    a second insertion opening that receives a second type of film; and    a film transport that extends from the first insertion opening to the reading position to transport the first type of film from the first insertion opening along a transport path to the reading position and that extends from the second insertion opening to the reading position to transport the second type of film from the second insertion opening to the reading position.    
     
     
         9 . The image reading apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said film transport includes at least one pair of opposing rollers having a spacing wider than a thickness of said film, said spacing receiving a holder that holds said first type of film between said at least one pair of rollers to transport said first type of film and said holder to said reading position and a winder that winds said second type of film using a roller of said at least one pair of rollers to transport said second type of film to said reading position.  
     
     
         10 . The image reading apparatus according to  claim 9 , further comprising: a controller coupled to said at least one pair of rollers to adjust said spacing between said at least one pair of rollers, said spacing including a first spacing accommodating said holder and a second spacing accommodating said second type of film.  
     
     
         11 . The image reading apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said spacing is narrower than a thickness of said holder.  
     
     
         12 . The image reading apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said first type of film is 35 mm film.  
     
     
         13 . The image reading apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said second type of film is a roll of film housed in a cartridge.  
     
     
         14 . The image reading apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said holder is a frame of one of a slide mount and a film holder for holding 35 mm strip film.  
     
     
         15 . An image reading apparatus for reading images on film, the apparatus comprising: 
 a light source that illuminates film;    a photoelectric converter that converts light images produced when the light source illuminates the film at a reading position into image signals;    a first conveyer including two rollers arranged opposite each other with a spacing wider than a thickness of a first type of film to receive a holder of the first type of film, which mounts the first type of film, between the two rollers to transport the holder to the reading position; and    a second conveyor including a winding mechanism that winds a second type of film, different from the first type of film, using one of the two rollers from the first conveyor to transport the second type of film to the reading position.    
     
     
         16 . The image reading apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said spacing is narrower than a thickness of said holder.  
     
     
         17 . The image reading apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said holder is a frame of one of a slide mount and a film holder for holding 35 mm strip film.  
     
     
         18 . An image reading apparatus for reading images on film, the apparatus comprising: 
 a light source that illuminates film;    a photoelectric converter that converts light images produced when the light source illuminates the film at a reading position into image signals;    a conveyor that selectively transports a holder that holds a first type of film to the reading position and a second type of film, different from the first type of film, to the reading position using at least one of two rollers arranged opposite from each other; and    a controller coupled to the conveyor to adjust the spacing between the two rollers, the spacing including a first spacing accommodating the holder and a second spacing accommodating the second type of film.    
     
     
         19 . The image reading apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said spacing is narrower than a thickness of said holder when the conveyor transports said holder.  
     
     
         20 . The image reading apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said holder is a frame of one of a slide mount and a film holder for holding 35 mm strip film.