DE2021494A1 - Method and device for marking a film located in a cassette - Google Patents

Description

Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, New York State, United States of America

Method and device for identifying one in one The film on the cassette

The invention relates to a device for automatic Identifying a film in a cassette with receiving devices for the cassette and for a license plate template as well as with a projection device for Projecting the license plate from the original onto the film.

For X-ray systems, for example those used by patients .Individual recordings can be made which will later be made together with Other recordings need to be developed by the individual Recordings are tagged so that they are lost or a mix-up of the recordings is avoided.

By British Patent No. 1,006,295 there is a device known, in which the individual X-ray images can be provided with a label. This device has an automatic cassette unloader,

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which has a mechanism for opening cassettes of exposed films and for conveying the films from the cassettes to a processor. This device also has a device for holding a license plate template in a specific position, a projection device for projecting the license plate onto the film while it is in the device, and a control device. This control device controls a projection process in time so that it takes place at a very specific point in time during the course of events, during which a cassette is open and the film is conveyed, whereby the identifier is projected onto a predetermined point on the film. The film is either still in the opened cassette or it is already being transported away from it. Although this device already represents an improvement over the marking of a film through the use of markings made of lead or another X-ray absorbing material, or by directly writing on the film, it still has certain disadvantages The timing between the projection process and the promotion of the film requires extensive and expensive control devices, so that the label is attached to the correct place on the film and the actual X-ray image and the label do not interfere with each other.

The invention is based on the object of providing a device for identifying a film located in a cassette create, in which no complex and expensive control is required.

In the case of a device, this task is the one mentioned at the beginning Kind according to the invention in that a © responding to the correct position of the cassette in its receiving device

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Switching device provided for the projection device is. Because in this device only the position of the film cassette in relation to the device with the projection device is detected and used to control the projection device, the device is very simple expanded, much cheaper to manufacture .. than the known Device and, moreover, to maintain with less effort and wait.

The cassettes used in the known device require it that the cassette to identify what is in it. Film is fully opened. Therefore, the license plate is projected onto the film at the point where the Film has to be removed from the cassette anyway, namely immediately before it is put into a developing system. However, this has the major disadvantage that the license plate template all the way up to the film cassette must accompany you to the entrance of the development facility. As a result, there is a very great risk that the film cassette and the associated License plate templates are separated from one another or they are swapped with others so that the relevant This makes x-rays practically worthless. This danger is particularly great when from a patient Several x-rays have been taken because there is usually only one template for each patient is. In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention it is therefore provided that a movement device for a movably arranged on the cassette cover is provided ^ by means of which one in the area of Marking point of the film in the cassette opening is closable. As a result, such cassettes can be used with great advantage in the device according to the invention which do not have to be opened in their entirety for identification, but only in the case of those in the device

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this cover is temporarily opened and then closed again after the film has been marked. This device can therefore be used at any point in the course of events from loading the cassette with the film to the entrance of the development system, that is to say at the most favorable point within the framework of the organization concerned. This means that the loss of X-ray images, be it due to loss or confusion of the associated license plate, can be practically eliminated.

The invention is also based on the object of specifying a method _f can be characterized by an in-a cassette film by projecting a plate from an original on the film in a simple and secure against confusion Art. In such a method, in which the cassette is inserted into a receiving device for projecting the label, this is achieved in that a lid closing a window of a cassette is opened and the label is projected onto the film through the opened window.

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The invention is illustrated in the description below of embodiments shown in the drawings explained in detail.

Show it:

Flg. 1 is a partially sectioned, perspective View of a first embodiment of the device;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a locking device of the device according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a partially illustrated longitudinal section of the device according to FIG. 1?

Fig. 4 shows a detail of a plan view of a switching device of the device according to Fig. 1; ,

5 shows a longitudinal section through the device according to FIG Fig. 1 with a different position of some of the Parts;

Fig. 6 is a partially sectioned, perspective View of a second embodiment of the device;

a longitudinal section through the device according to FIG. 6;

8 shows a cross section through the device according to FIG. 6,

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The first exemplary embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1 has a base plate 10 and a housing 12 arranged thereon. The base plate 10 has a recess 14, the front and right-hand sides of which, in relation to FIG. 1, are open. This recess 14 is adapted to receive a film cassette 16 _g having a window with a movable cover 18 is projected by the detector / flag to a toy in the cassette 20 · film sheet cassettes of this type have already been proposed ·

h The housing 12 is provided with a bar 22 which carries a light shield 24, which forms 16 eiae shielding against external light together with the top of the cassette.

The cover plate 26 of the housing 12 is provided with an opening which is covered by a plate 30 in order to receive a card 32.Di® i.arte 32 has identification data in the area covering the opening 28, which is in the area of the window 18 should be projected onto the film sheet 20f ⁿ The identifiers on the card 32 can relate to any matter and serve, for example, as an indication of a patient if the film sheet has been exposed by an X-ray during an examination of this patient «

A time slice 34 is mounted below the opening 28 and bears suitable ones on their underside, which cannot be seen Graduations in order to record the time on the film sheet 20 when the license plates were transmitted. The time slice 34 is driven by an electric motor 36.

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The housing 12 is divided by an intermediate floor 38, in which an opening 40 is present. A projection objective 42, which can be seen more clearly in FIG. 5, is located below the opening 40. A rotatable closure disk 44 is arranged above the opening 40 and with an exposure opening 46 is provided. The locking disc 44 is protected by a cover 48, which is one with the opening 40 has aligned opening 50.

A lamp 52 is arranged above the intermediate floor 38 in order to illuminate the card 32 through the opening 28. The lamp 52 is controlled by a circuit which by sliding the cassette 16 into the recess is switched on. A colored, translucent button 53 is located in the top plate 26 and shows visibly when the lamp 52 is lit.

In the following, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, the movement device for opening the cover 18, of the cassette 16 described. A carrier 54 is arranged on a floor 56 of the housing 12. This carrier carries two rods 58 and 60 on which a carriage 62 is mounted for reciprocating movement.

The carriage 62 is only rotated in one direction of rotation rotating electric motor 64 via a crank mechanism 66 powered. A carrier 68 is mounted on the slide 66 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis 70. On the carrier a coil spring 72 exerts a torque in the counterclockwise direction. This carrier 68 is with one when moving the Carriage 62 running onto the cassette 16 guide roller 74 is provided, the carrier 68 different from that shown in FIG. 5 in dashed lines position shown in the position shown with solid lines

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set position pivoted.

A U-shaped member 76 is rotatable on the carrier 68 stored / so that it can rotate clockwise compared to the position shown. The U-shaped one Member 76 is held in its position shown by a helical spring 78. A pen 80 stands from the U-shaped member 76 downwards and is in guided displaceably in its longitudinal direction. A coil spring 82 resiliently urges the pin 80 downward.

In some cases, the light protection 24 on the bar 22, together with the surface of the cassette 16, cannot offer complete shielding against extraneous light, for example when the cassette is warped. An additional light shield is therefore provided, which can best be seen in FIG. The additional light shielding is formed by an L-shaped member 84 which is pivotably mounted on the base plate 10 by means of a flexible spring joint 86 ". The L-shaped member 84 carries a cushion made of opaque material 88 which is inserted into an opening in the bottom 56 of the housing 12 fits into it. The upper part of the L-shaped member 84 forms an inclined plane 90, which projects with a roller 92 towards the slide 82 ^ if through the curbelraeahaai ledge <8 $

If the dachshund 18 is open, a lock shown in more detail in FIG. 2 is provided. The lock has a defibratable electromagnet 94 which pivotally supports an arm 96, at the free end of which a pin 98 is pivotally arranged. When the cassette 16 is inserted on the large plate 10, an electrical switch switches on the electromagnet 94, which lowers the pin 9 & into a hole in the cassette 16 and thereby locks the cassette 16 against any movement «

33er just mentioned switching process is now with reference «As described on Figure 4. Two switches 99 and 100 are arranged on the base plate 10 next to the recess 14 * The switch 99 is operated by a V-shaped slide 102 controlled by a spring 1O4 in the direction of the recess 14 is biased towards · The switch 99 is normally open. It will close when the corner the cassette 16 pushes the slide 102 to the left and upwards because the! switch does not close when the slide either only upwards or y? is moved to the left. Of the Switch 100 is provided to ensure that the correct corner of the cassette 16 inserted into the device let · On the cassette there is a scannable mark on it one side a groove; 106 integrally formed · The switch 100 is in selaer normal position closed. However, it remains Ge-Of feet until a shoe-like button 108 with the groove 106 in the cassette 16 is aligned. The motor 64, the lamp 52 and

the ι

The solenoid 94 is controlled by / switch 39 and 100, so both switches must be closed, before the device is put into operation

The description of the commissioning of the device begins

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in figure 4. There is a · Cassette 16 shown to the right of the shoe-shaped button 108 before being pushed into the device. If the Cassette 16 is inserted to the left up to its middle position shown with dashed lines, the shoe 108 is moved against the switch ioo and opens the circuit leading through this switch. the further insertion movement of the cassette 16 to the left moves the V-shaped slider 102 up and to the left and closes switch 99. At the same time, shoe 108 falls into groove 106 of cassette 16 and closes ™ the switch 100 again, whereby the circuit for the identification of the film sheet located in the cassette begins. The current flowing through switches 99 and 100 turns on electromagnet 94, which lowers locking pin 98 into a matching hole in cassette 16. Of course, the electromagnet 94 can also be omitted if it has been determined that the shoe 108 is sufficient in a certain operation to hold the cassette firmly against any movement.

The lamp 52 is now switched on in order to illuminate the card 32 serving as a license plate template, and the motor 64 ) is turned on to move the carriage 62 to the right pulling · When the carriage 62 is moved, the roller runs 92 along the inclined plane 90 of the L-shaped member 84 and lowers the cushion 88 serving as a light shield the surface of the cassette 16 from. At the same time, the roller 74 runs onto the surface of the cassette 16 and pivots the carrier 68 about its pivot axis 70, the pin 80 being inserted downwards into the hole in the cover 18 will. The further movement of the carriage 42 sees the pin 80 to the right and thereby opens the cover 18.

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While the lid 18 is opened, the motor 64 rotates the

Shutter disk 44, so that the exposure opening 46 with the Opening 40 in the intermediate floor 38 is aligned when the crank arm has rotated about 180 °. The exposure aperture 46 is the correct size to read the license plate number from the card 32 through to project the projection lens 42 onto the area of the film sheet which is exposed under the cover 18 Window lies. The size of the aperture 46 and the speed of rotation of the motor 64 are tuned so that a loading

■■■■ - ■■ a clearing time of 1/30 sec. Is achieved. When the motor 64 rotates one full revolution, the lid 18 is closed again, the pin 80 is pulled out of the hole in the cassette 16, the light-shielding pad 88 is raised and, by switching off the electromagnet 94, the pin 98 is also raised. The cassette 16 can now be pulled out.

In the event that a defective cartridge is in the device is used, the mechanism could jam, causing the motor 64 would be overloaded · Leshalb is a safety device provided against clamps. In the event that the pin 80 does not engage the hole in the lid 18, lift the pin opposite the U-shaped member 76 against the Force of spring 82 on. The whole thing then goes like above ~ described from, the cover 18 is not opened. In the event that the pin 80 is in the hole in the lid engages, but this cover does not want to open, then the carriage 62 is nevertheless moved to the right and the U-shaped member 76 pivots relative to it, causing the pin 80 to re-emerge from the hole and onto the surface can slide along the lid «Again, the above-described process takes place without the lid seeing

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The device described so far is intended for connection to the mains. It is known that the mains voltage differs from place to place and therefore a different brightness of lamp 52 would cause. Therefore, a voltage regulator 112 is switched into the circuit of the lamp 52, which as Variable resistor is formed. Two connection terminals 114 are connected to the connections of the lamp 52, so that a Voltmeter can be connected. When the device is set up for use, a voltmeter is used | connected to the terminals 114 and the voltage applied to the lamp 52 is adjusted by turning the voltage regulator 112 set by hand. To prevent the motor 64 from starting while the voltage is being measured, a switch is provided 116 is provided with which the lamp 52 is directly connected to the voltage source is connected, while the motor 64 is disconnected from the voltage source.

To mark films with different light sensitivity To be able to, a switch 118 with three switch positions is provided in the cover plate 26. The applied to lamp 52 Voltage is controlled by switch 118 so that the brightness of lamp 52 adapts to the photosensitivity of the film "in the cassette 16 can be adjusted.

The second exemplary embodiment of the device shown in FIGS. 6-8 has a housing 120 with a first Slot 122 into which a cassette 16 * can be inserted. A second slot 124 is provided into which a card 32 'can be used as a template. |

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In Figures 7 and 8 is a mechanism for clamping the

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Cassette 16 * shown in slot 122. The clamping mechanism has a fork 126 arranged on a wall of the housing 120 and one on this fork 126 about a pivot axis pivotable bracket 128 on. The end of the bracket 128 is through a crank mechanism 134 connected to a solenoid 132 so that when the solenoid is turned on / the Bracket 128 pivoted as a clamping bracket against the cassette 16 * will. A pressure pad 136 is pivotable about the pivot axis 137 *? bar is connected to the bracket 128 and clamps the cassette 16 'in the slot 122 firmly. The pressure pad 136 has two protrusions 136 a and 136 b, which determine the position of the cassette 16 *.

The cassette shown in Figures 6-8 is not so far same as the cassette shown in Figures 1-5, as it has a window sash 138 which thereby sets it aside is moved so that it is pulled to the left with reference to Figures 6 and 7. This window sash 138 is with a Flap 140 provided, which consists of magnetic material.

The mechanism for opening this type of window sash has a rotating electric motor 142 which is controlled by switches 143 a and 143 b on the projections 136 a and 136 b and to which a crank arm 144 is connected. That the other end of the crank arm 144 is connected to a carriage 146 which slides on two rods 148 and 150 which are attached to the Housing 120 are arranged. The carriage 146 carries one Electromagnet 151, which, when it has been excited by switches 143 a and 143 b, attracts the tab 140 of the window slide 138 and, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, after left pulls when motor 142 is turned on, causing the window slide 138 opens.

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The projection device for trying out the characteristics of the card 32 'on the film in the cassette 16' has two Lamps 152 and 154, two mirrors 156 and 158 and a projection lens 160. A disk 162 with time information is driven by an electric motor 164 and protrudes into the visible area. A closure mechanism 166 is provided above the projection lens 160, similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5.

W When the cassette 16 * is inserted into the slot 122, the switches 136 a and 136 b turn on the electromagnet 132 and thereby clamp the cassette 16 * by the bracket 128. Lights 152 and 154 illuminate and motor 142 turns on and pulls window sash 138 aside. The shutter mechanism 166 is briefly opened so that the identification numbers are transferred from the card 32 as an identification template to the film in the cassette 16 '. The further rotary movement of the motor 142 leads the window slide 138 back to its starting position in the cassette 16 *, whereupon the electromagnet 132 is switched off in order to release the cassette 16 *.

In Figures 6-8, some of the parts of this embodiment of the device have been omitted for the sake of clarity.These parts can be thought of as being constructed like those in the embodiment shown in Figures 1-5.

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Claims (19)

Pat e η tans ρ r ü c Ii e ' Device for the automatic identification of an in a cassette located film with receiving devices for the cassette and for a license plate template and with a projection device for projecting the identifier from the original onto the Film, characterized in that one on the correct Position of the cassette (16) in its receiving device (14) responsive switching device for the projection device is provided. 2) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that that the switching device has an electrical switch (99) with two switching positions, in the first of which Switching position the projection device cannot be operated and in its second switching position the Projection device is switched on, and by means of a button (102) when the correct insertion of the Cassette (16) in its receiving device (14) in his second switching position is movable. 3) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that that the switching device has two electrical switches (99, 100) each with two switching positions, wherein, the projection device in the first switching position of the first switch (99) cannot be operated and in the second switch position of this switch can be operated and in the first switch position of the second switch (100) can be actuated and this switch cannot be actuated in the second switch position, and the first Switch (99) by means of a first button (102) when 009882/1887 202H94 Insertion of the cassette (16) in its receiving device (14) in its second switch position and the second switch (100) by means of a second button (108) can be moved into its second switching position when the cassette (16) is incorrectly inserted. 4) Device according to claim 1, in particular for cassettes with a physically tangible mark, characterized in that that the switching device is a control W member (100), via which the projection device can only be actuated when a cassette (16) is correctly inserted into its receiving device (14), this control member (100) having a button (108) that shows the position of the physically perceptible Mark (106) of the inserted cassette (16) scans. 5) Device according to claim 4, characterized in that that the control element is a switch (lOO) with two switch positions, a switching element (108) and a button are provided, the projection device in the first switching position of the switch (100) can be actuated h and cannot be operated in its second switch position, the switch (100) being able to be switched to its second switch position by means of the switching element (108) when a cassette (16) is inserted into its receiving device (14) and the switching element also acts as a button (108 ) is designed, by means of which the switch (100) can only be switched from its second switch position to its first switch position when the cassette (16) is correctly inserted into its receiving device (14). 009 882/1 88 7 6) Device in particular according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a movement device for one on the cassette (16) is movable arranged cover (18) is provided, by means of which one in the area of the identification point of the. Film (20) in the cassette (16) existing opening is lockable. 7) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that that the movement device one by a drive (64, 66} to and fro movable carriage (62) with a driver which can be coupled to the cassette cover (18) (80). 8) Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the driver (80) on a pivotable with the Slide (62) connected carrier (68) is arranged. 9) Device according to claim 3, characterized in that for coupling the driver (80) with the cassette cover (18) of the carrier (68) with one when moving the carriage (62) to open the cassette cover (18) on the cassette (16 ) running and the carrier (68) against a restoring force pivoting guide roller (74) is provided. 10) Device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the pivot axis (70) of the carrier (68) is aligned perpendicular to the direction of movement of the carriage (62). 009882/1887 202H94 11) Device according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized characterized in that the driver is designed as a pin (80) or as an electromagnet (151). 12) Device according to claim 11, characterized in that that the pin (80) is displaceable in the longitudinal direction and about a pivot axis (70) of the carrier (68) parallel to aligned axis is pivotally connected to the carrier (68). 13) Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the drive has an electric motor (64). 14) Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that t ^f the drive has a crank mechanism (66). 15) Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized characterized in that a clamping device (126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 137) for the in their receiving device (122) inserted cassette (160 is provided. 16) Device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the receiving device (14) of the cassette (16) for this a light shield (84, 86, 88) is provided, which by means of a movement device (90, 92) before opening the cover (18) of the cassette (16) in external light-shielding contact with the cassette (16) can be brought. 009882/1887 202H94 17) Device according to claim 16, characterized in that that the movement device (90, 9.2) for the light shield (84, 86, 88) by a part / of the slide (62) can be actuated when moving. 18) Device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized characterized in that the projection device has a light source (52) for illuminating the original license plate (32) and a projection lens (42). 19) Method of marking an in a cassette> located film by projecting a mark from an original onto the film, with the cassette is inserted into a recording device before projecting the license plate, characterized in that that a lid closing a window of the cassette is opened and the license plate through the opened one Window on the. Movie is projected. 009882/1887