Film image input method and system thereof

A film imaging system, which uses a film cartridge in which a developed film for a still camera is wound about a single spool, wherein image data is read for every frame of the film conveyed between a supply part for storing the film cartridge and a winding part with a winding axis;

• said film image system comprising:
• first pre-scanning means for performing a first prescanning step, with the film conveyed at a first speed, including reading first image data of all of the frames of the film, and detecting brightness data and white balance adjustment data based on the first image data;
• second pre-scanning means for performing a second prescanning step, with the film conveyed at a second speed, including adjusting white balance and exposure values based on the brightness data and white balance adjustment data detected by the first pre-scanning means, reading second image data of all of the frames of the film to produce white balance and exposure adjusted image data, and detecting brightness data and white balance adjustment data based on the second image data;
• and
• scanning means for performing a scanning step, with the film conveyed at a third speed relatively slower than the first speed and the second speed, including adjusting white balance and exposure values based on the brightness data and white balance adjustment data detected by the second prescanning means and reading image data of a frame of the film to produce twice white balance and exposure adjusted image data.

A film imaging apparatus, which images developed film from a still camera, comprising:

• film conveying apparatus for conveying the film at one of a plurality of different speeds;
• film reader for imaging each of a plurality of frames of the developed film to produce image data;
• detector for detecting brightness data and white balance adjustment data based on the image data;
• adjustment device for white balance and exposure adjusting the image data based on the detected brightness data and white balance adjustment data;
• and
• a controller,
• for controlling the film conveying apparatus to convey the film at a first speed during a first prescanning such that the film reader images all of the plurality of frames of the developed film to produce first image data and the detector detects white balance adjustment data and brightness data based on the first image data,
• for controlling the adjustment device to adjust white balance and exposure values of the first image data based on the detected white balance adjustment data and brightness data and for controlling the film conveying apparatus to convey the film at a second speed during a second pre-scanning such that the film reader images all of the plurality of frames to produce white balance and exposure adjusted second image data and the detector again detects white balance adjustment data and brightness data based on the second image data, and
• for controlling the adjustment device to adjust white balance and exposure values of the second image data based on the again detected white balance adjustment data and brightness data, and for controlling the film conveying apparatus to convey the film at a third speed, relatively slower than the first speed and the second speed, such that the film reader images all of the plurality of frames to produce twice white balance and exposure adjusted image data.