EP0022787A1 - Locating image areas on a filmstrip - Google Patents
Locating image areas on a filmstripInfo
- Publication number
- EP0022787A1 EP0022787A1 EP19790901251 EP79901251A EP0022787A1 EP 0022787 A1 EP0022787 A1 EP 0022787A1 EP 19790901251 EP19790901251 EP 19790901251 EP 79901251 A EP79901251 A EP 79901251A EP 0022787 A1 EP0022787 A1 EP 0022787A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- filmstrip
- film
- density
- image
- marking
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000002441 reversible effect Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 abstract description 10
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 abstract description 9
- 238000011156 evaluation Methods 0.000 abstract description 5
- 238000009432 framing Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 10
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 206010000210 abortion Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 231100000176 abortion Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007667 floating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005070 sampling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
- G03B27/00—Photographic printing apparatus
- G03B27/32—Projection printing apparatus, e.g. enlarger, copying camera
- G03B27/52—Details
- G03B27/521—Arrangements for applying a supplementary information onto the sensitive material, e.g. coding
Definitions
- the invention relates to an apparatus for locating and marking the position of a plurality of image frames on a strip of photographic film.
- Our invention is particularly useful when applied to the location of image frames of a filmstrip (not prenotched) and positioning of the located frames adjacent a marking station.
- the marking station can be a position for stopping the filmstrip whereby the image frame is accurately located at, e.g., a printing gate, a notching station or a cutting station.
- the filmstrip is that film which is normally received after having been exposed in a camera and which is joined end to end with other filmstrips onto a reel for processing by the printer.
- the filmstrip usually contains image frames (or areas) of from 20 to 40 exposures in the case of 35mm film.
- the marking of the filmstrip usually by means of a notch thereafter becomes a reference for the photographic printing apparatus with regard to the position of the image frame on each filmstrip as well as the position of border areas between adjacent frames.
- the notches are useful, in automatically centering the image frame in a printing gate aperture of a photographic printer but more importantly the notch can also be used to direct a film cutter to cut the frame border areas and not cut through an image.
- German Offenlegungsschrift 2,705,097 describes an apparatus for the automatic recognition of image areas located in a filmstrip. This automatic recognition of image areas occur between a pair of evaluation sites which are four frames apart.
- a sensing station is positioned to correspond with one site while the notching station corresponds with the other site.
- the light source opposite the sensing station emits light upon and through the film to a light receiver positioned adjacent the sensing station.
- Data which has been obtained with respect to the four frames is collected from the receiver and stored in a group of data collectors.
- the data in the collectors is organized and processed to estimate the location of the image edges based on a recognition of an observed portion of the filmstrip (a total data accumulation of e.g. four (4) image frames).
- the estimated image edges are then utilized to form a true image grid determined anew from each four frame section reflecting the actual image length found for the entire filmstrip.
- the location of the image edges are determined in the course of an analysis based on the following two steps:
- the system considers the edge combination of the frame closest to the notching station. If both edges of the frame are identified, then they may be compared with a true image grid to check for similarity. If one edge is not clearly recognized, but the other is, then the "true" image grid may be positioned adjacent the recognized edge to determine the position of the unrecognized edge.
- step 1 fails because neither edge can be recognized in the area of density near the evaluation site, then the system undertakes a renewed examination of the data by utilizing neighboring images.
- Three methods are suggested. a. If the unrecognized area is located between two recognized image frames within the four frame portion of film, the "true" image grid is used to interpolate the position of frame edges. b . If the unrecognized area extends from the sensing station to a recognized frame in a notching station then the "true" image grid is used to estimate the position of the frame edges up to the sensing station, using one edge of the recognized frame as a reference. c.
- German OLS 2,705,097 is limited therefore in that the decision regarding the location of image edges must be based on data gathered between the evaluation sites, which corresponds to only a portion of the filmstrip extending between the sensing station and a notching station.
- the apparatus is structurally limited to deciding image edge location based on data taken from a limited portion of the total filmstrip, said portion extending between the limited location of the sensing station and the notching station. Nowhere is it recognized or suggested in German OLS 2,705,097 that one could remove this limitation by an apparatus according to the present invention.
- the problem may only be resolved if a recognized frame or frames is found in the four frame portion of the filmstrip between the sensing station and the notching station. If no edges are recognized in this stretch, then the film must be left unmarked.
- the resolution of the problem of marking the entire filmstrip is therefore limited by the structure of the apparatus, and particularly by the location of the sensing station relative to the marking station.
- the inventors of the present, apparatus are the first to recognize the desirability and the advantage of collecting and evaluating data without being physically restrained by the layout of the apparatus. More particularly, they are the first to recognize the advantage of collecting sufficient data such that final image edge determination is postponed until the frame in question is bracketed between two recognized frames or between a recognized frame and the end of the filmstrip.
- the present invention is embodied in an apparatus which is not limited to evaluating data between a recognized frame and either a sensing station or the notching station.
- German OLS 2,705,097 are structually limited to estimating image edge location based on data taken from a small portion of the filmstrip between the sensing station and the notching station. Disclosure of the Invention
- a filmstrip having a plurality of image areas is moved along in a predetermined path, relative, to a sensing station and a marking station where such stations are spaced a distance at most equivalent to the length of the filmstrip for the purpose of identifying the location of the image areas.
- the sensing station senses densities to generate a density signal along at least a portion or a whole of the filmstrip and accummulates said density signals for actuating marking means at the marking station.
- the apparatus is further characterized by providing means for moving a filmstrip having at least one image area that has nonrecognizable border density adjacent a sensing station for accummulatlng said density signals until said image area as defined above is bracketed either a) between two identified frames having recognized border densities or b) between such an identified frame and one end of the filmstrip.
- the apparatus continues such analysis for conditions (a) and (b) above by accumulating density signals for the entire filmstrip if necessary.
- the filmstrip is advanced in a first direction along a predetermined path and beyond a marking station which is inactivated at the time.
- the sensing station senses densities to generate density signals to meet the conditions (a) and (b) to achieve the required data for locating nonrecognizable border density.
- the filmstrip is then reversed to position the leading identified border density relative to the marking station where the image areas are marked to indicate their location on the filmstrip. This reversing feature permits the sensing station to be located to within one image area distance from the marking station.
- the means for sensing densities to generate density signals along abortion of the filmstrip is facilitated by forming the filmstrip into a variable-sized loop between the sensing station and the marking station.
- the size of the loop is varied to accommodate the length of the portion of the filmstrip necessary to meet the conditions for locating nonrecognizable border density.
- Figure 1 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention
- Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the logical procedure used to generate a table of densities useful in implementing the invention
- Figures 3A, B and C are illustrations of several filmstrips, showing different arrangements of image and border densities and the density tables generated in connection with each arrangement in order to recognize an image area
- Figures 4A, B and C are schematic diagrams of several embodiments of the invention. Best Mode For Carrying Out This Invention
- Figures 4A and B illustrate schematically embodiments of the invention in which means are provided for placing a notching station 46 a sufficient distance D from a scanning station 44 to accommodate the maximum length of a customer order in the filpistrip 14 of the film size being scanned.
- Figure 4A depicts the extension of the physical linear separation between the scanning and notching stations 44 and 46 until the distance D, equals the length of the greatest customer order (e.g., 36-40 frames). Then all data can be collected and analyzed by a computer before the first frame in the order arrives at the notching station 46.
- Figure 4B shows apparatus having the filmstrip 14 pass through a loop L of controlled length to achieve the needed separation D 2 between the stations.
- a loop controller 38 responds to the computer to maintain a distance D 2 between stations appropriate for current scanning conditions.
- the distance D 2 may thus vary, due to the position of the controller from a few frames to the full length of the filmstrip.
- the filmstrip 14 is allowed to form a loop between the two stations 44 and 46 such that the notching station 46 may be actuated independently of the sensing operation, e.g., the loop may be of variable size.
- a separate stepping motor may be required to step the filmstrip 14 through the notching station 46 since tension in the filmstrip 14 will be released as the strip passes into the loop.
- FIG 4C schematically Illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which data may be gathered from portions of the filmstrip, including lengths ranging from a few frames to the full length of the customer order.
- This facility provides for the filmstrip 14 to be advanced in a first direction along a predetermined path and beyond a notching station 46 which is inactivated at the time.
- the sensing station 44 senses density signals to accumulate the required data for locating nonrecognizable border density.
- the filmstrip 14 is then reversed along the film path (P) until the first discerned image area (e.g., frame G in Figure 3B) is again adjacent the notching station 46.
- the notcher is enabled and places a notch 16 adjacent the frame 10. (See Figure 1).
- the distance D 3 is therefore constant and preferably a few frames in length - but a full filmstrip 14 can be handled within that distance.
- Figure 1 illustrates frame locating apparatus 1 in accordance with the invention for sensing photographic density in image areas or frames 10 and frame borders 12 on a processed strip 14 of photographic film and for placing notches 16 and 18 on the edge borders 11 of the film pursuant to analysis of the densities.
- the filmstrip 14 is typically composed of a number of discrete filmstrips that are attached together, e.g., by splices. Each discrete filmstrip corresponds to a single customer order or strip that is usually exposed in a single camera.
- frame or image area will be used interchangeably, depending on whether the emphasis is on definition of image shape (frame) or the densities in the image (image area) .
- a frame border is the non-image area between intervening frames while an edge border is the non-image area between a frame and the edge of the filmstrip.
- the notches are placed in the edge border 11 for use in later stages of the photofinishing operation.
- the notch 16 also referred to as a print notch
- the notch 18 is placed in the opposite edge border 11B of the filmstrip 14 to subsequently direct a film cutter (not shown) to cut precisely on the frame border 12 without damaging an adjacent frame 10.
- a print notch adjacent each frame deemed suitable for printing and a cut notch intermittently applied adjacent every third or fourth frame for cutting precisely in the frame border 12.
- the filmstrip 14 is unwound from a supply reel 20 operated by a DC supply motor 22 that is driven by a supply motor driver 24. After exiting the frame locating apparatus 1 of Figure 1, the filmstrip 14 is wound upon a take-up reel 26 operated by a DC take-up motor 28 that is driven by a take-up motor driver 30. Each driver 24 and 30 is disposed to reverse the polarity .of the driver current, and thereby reverse the rotary motion of the DC motors 22 and 28, by means of reversing relays 32 and 34, respectively.
- the filmstrip 14 - upon leaving the supply reel 20 - Is directed into a slack loop configuration 36 before reaching the frame locating apparatus 1.
- film leaving the apparatus 1 also passes through a slack loop 36 before winding upon the take-up reel 26.
- the size of each loop is centered at a predetermined length by conventional loop controllers 38, which are connected to microswitches that trigger whenever the loop deviates from the predetermined length by a given amount.
- the frame locating apparatus 1 has a separate drive mechanism comprising a set of film feed rollers 40 connected to a stepping motor 42 for incrementally advancing the filmstrip 14 through a film path including a scanning station 44 and a notching station 46.
- the stepping motor 42 is of conventional design; for example, a set of motor drivers 48A to D are respectively connected to a set of drive coils 50A-D surrounding the armature of the motor 42.
- the coils 50 are driven in appropriate sequence as each driver 48 is turned on and off in a predetermined order by the sequencer 52.
- rotary motion in opposing directions is provided by the stepping motor 42.
- the normal operation of the motor 42 consists of discrete angular motions of essentially uniform magnitude, thereby imparting uniform incremental advances in either direction (as selected) to the filmstrip 14.
- the scanning station 44 includes an array of photosensors 54 mounted on a support 56.
- Light from a light source 58 is emitted upon a mask having a narrow slit 60 disposed transversely of the ' •** filmstrip 14 passing underneath.
- the slit 60 restricts light impinging upon the filmstrip 14 to a narrow, stationary slit-like ribbon extending across the width of the film.
- the effect is to have .the narrow band of light scan the lengthwise dimension of the filmstrip 14.
- Light transmitting through the film is modulated by photographic density, and the modulated light strikes the photosensors 54.
- a preferred embodiment of the invention employs photodiodes.
- photosensors such as phototransistors
- phototransistors may be substituted. It will be noted that nine photosensors are illustrated in Figure 1. Eight photosensors 54-1 to 54-8, collect light transmitted through frames 10 and their intervening frame borders 12. One photosensor 54-E collects light transmitted through the edge border area 11 lying between an image frame 10 and the longitudinal edge of the filmstrip 14. If the filmstrip 14 contains edge perforations, the photosensor 54-E is disposed to intermittently overlie the perforations as the film is advanced.
- the analog transmission signals S from the photosensors 54 are connected to a multiplexer 62, from which the signals are passed individually through a logging amplifier 64 for conversion into analog density signals D.
- Each analog density signal corresponding to the analog transmission signals from photosensors 54 is converted into a digital signal by the converter 66 .
- the density signals are suitable for processing in a computer 68. Any conventional microcomputer or minicomputer including sufficient memory to store the required data is a suitable computer for this application. The logical process of the computation is illustrated In Figure 2 and will be described later in connection with the operation of the image locating apparatus.
- the computer 68 issues control commands to the supply and take-up drivers 24 and 30, and the sequencer 52, for driving the associated DC motors 22 and- 28; and the stepping motor 42, in forward or reverse directions.
- a notcher 70 located at the notching station 46, is driven by a notcher driver 72, also under control of the computer 68.
- the notcher 70 is of conventional design, for example, a punch-die set either driven directly from a solenoid or from a solenoid actuated cam.
- the supply driver 24 initially energizes the supply motor 22 and the supply loop controller 38 to pay out a length of filmstrip 14 for threading through the apparatus .
- the operating supply motor 22 continuously advances the filmstrip, thereby releasing tension on the filmstrip 14 so that the stepping motor 42, now energized, may increment the filmstrip 14 along the film path P.
- the stepping motor 42 is incremented by sequential instructions from the sequencer 52.
- the sequence of instructions energizes the drivers 48A to D in proper sequence, and therefore the coils 50A to D, so that the feed rollers 40 angularly increment a uniform distance for each instruction.
- This uniform angular rotation incrementally advances the filmstrip 14 a uniform and predetermined distance, for example, 0.020 inch per increment.
- the frequency of sequencer instructions is centrally controlled by the computer
- the filmstrip 14 As the filmstrip 14 passes along the film path P, it travels adjacent the scanning station 44 and through the slit-like ribbon of light emanating through the slit 60 from the light source 58. Since the photosensors 54 are positioned to receive this ribbon of light absent the intervening filmstrip 14, they will also record any variation in light caused by transmission through the advancing film, ⁇ n this manner film densities modulate the analog transmission signal S provided by the group of photosensors 54. As described earlier, eight of the photosensors 54 are lined up relative the filmstrip 14 so as to sense light transmission from both image areas 10 and intervening frame border areas 12 as the film advances adjacent the scanning station 44. One photosensor 54-E continuously senses edge border transmissions, unless interrupted by perforations. The individual transmission signals - now referred to as S 1 to S 8 and S E - are input on nine separate channels to the multiplexer 62.
- the multiplexer 62 sequentially feeds each signal S 1 to Sg and S E to the logging amplifier 64, where the transmission signals are transformed into analog density signals D 1 to D 8 and D E .
- Each analog density signal is then passed through an analog to digital converter 66 and stored for subsequent processing by the computer 68.
- the A/D converter 66 and the stepping motor sequencer 52 are actuated at corrresponding frequencies with the result that density data is sampled at a rate corresponding to each Increment of the filmstrip 14. Therefore, eight separate image spots and an edge border spot are examined across the width of the film for each incremental movement. As will be seen, each density spot is individually processed and becomes a component in a large array of densities corresponding to each Image area 10 and intervening frame border area 12.
- each column 8l represents density indicators from an Increment of film advance, e.g., 0.020 inch.
- Each row 82 represents Intermittent sampling of densities in a longitudinal direction of film advance and at a particular width-wise dimension. In this manner an entire order of customer film may be "mapped" before determining where to place the notch 16 or 18.
- FIG. 2 is illustrative of the logical procedure that is employed to process this data.
- Digital density data from one increment of advance enters a density comparator 83, where each density is compared to a minimum density (D min ).
- the minimum density (D min ) used by the comparator 83 is customized for each strip of film.
- the lowest density seen in the strip up to the scanning station 44 is taken to be the minimum density. This means that early in the scanning of a strip, as illustrated by Figure 3C, the photosensors will be responding to fog densities where the strip has been fully exposed across its entire width.
- the "minimum" density is therefore initially set at a high level.
- the previous D min is updated if the new densities are lower than the previous D min .
- the D min drops further and, further until it assumes an average value corresponding to the minimum densities of a given customer's strip of film. This facility is provided by the density update module 87.
- the computer 68 Since the timing of the stepping motor 42, and thereby the advance of the filmstrip 14 is controlled by the computer 68 (and all ' distances on the apparatus are known) the computer 68 is aware of the position of the film at any moment relative to the scanning and notching stations 44 and 46. Thus when the center of an image area is present within the notcher 70, the computer instructs the notcher driver 72 to place a notch 16 on the film, (see Figure 3A.)
- Figure 3B illustrates a situation where in the course of scanning a customer's order, the image densities begin to fall below D mln for several consecutive frames.
- the table of density values begins to look erratic and rather uninformative (based on the logic routines). More particularly, the border densities of certain frames become nonrecognizable and a decision regarding recognizable image borders cannot be made any longer by reference to a single frame. The succeeding adjacent frames in both directions must therefore be then considered.
- the computer continues to step the film past the photosensors 54, collecting data regarding additional images, e.g., areas A through G. In this example, areas A through F provide inconclusive data regarding image frame location but area G yields a correct or standard format, as illustrated in Figure 3A.
- the nonrecognizable border densities of, e.g., frames A through F are bracketed between two recognized or validated frames A' and G.
- the processing unit 86 based on the position of valid frames A' and G, recognizes the borders depicted by arrows FL as definite frame lines based upon a standard or expected increment determined from known frames A' and G.
- the processing unit 86 also estimates the phantom lines depicted by arrows FL' as frame lines, using the standard or expected increment. Then the positions of print notches 16 and cut notches 18 are finalized with regard to position. So it is seen that from the image density indicated by solid lines, the frame outline depicted in phantom is in effect, "constructed" by the computer.
- Figure 3C illustrates another situation, where in the course of scanning into the beginning of a customer filmstrip 14, border densities are nonrecognizable until, e.g., a recognized or validated frame E is reached. In this case, image borders are not finally determined until the nonrecognizable border densities are bracketed between a recognized frame, e.g., frame E, and one end of customer filmstrip 14. In effect, the maximum amount of density data is gathered before a decision on image edges is made. As in the case of Figure 3B, the processing unit 86 then verifies frame lines FL and estimates frame lines FL', based on a comparison with a standard or expected image frame increment.
- a converse situation will exist at the other end of the filmstrip 14, where the nonrecognizable borders will not be estimated until they are bracketed between another recognized or valid frame and the other end of the filmstrip.
- the filmstrip illustrated by Figure 3C is useful in discussing several other features of the frame locating apparatus in accordance with the invention.
- a splice S Is seen at the beginning of the filmstrip 14. The densities observed when the splice S passes over the photosensors 54 are found to be substantially higher than any photographic densities observed in the film. Consequently the comparator 83 also tests each density against a maximum photographic density. When this density is exceeded during an increment of advance, a bit is set in the code word generator 84 to Indicate that a splice is being observed.
- Figure 3C also illustrates a situation where a valid frame is not observed until well into the order (e.g., frame E). Since D min has been floating in the meantime, perhaps without relationship to true minimum density in the filmstrip, some of the entries in the memory table 80 may be based on wrongly estimated D min . To alleviate this problem, an average density generator 88 averages all the digital densities from each of a plurality of spots spanning the width of the filmstrip for each increment of film advance. The average is also stored as part of the code word by the generator 84. Once an image frame is recognized, based on the continuously updated D min , the computer 68 has the ability to go back and re-examine prior average density for each increment of film advance.
- D min has been floating in the meantime, perhaps without relationship to true minimum density in the filmstrip, some of the entries in the memory table 80 may be based on wrongly estimated D min .
- an average density generator 88 averages all the digital densities from each of a plurality of spots spanning the width of the films
- the table 80 is modified to indicate the presence of image density; where the average density is below the updated D min , a frame border 12 is indicated, in this way, the average density affords the capability of reconstructing the table, particularly where the D min used in the comparator 83 is found to be initially inaccurate.
- the notching station 46 is positioned a distance D from the scanning station 44. This spacing may vary but in conventional notching equipment it is normally no more than three or four Image frames in length. However, scanning situations will arise, as illustrated in Figures 3B and 3C, where the density quality of the filmstrip deteriorates but it is still possible to precisely recognize an image area with the level of tolerance necessary for automatic film cutting.
- the strip in Figure 3B was advanced seven frames (A to G) until the valid frame G was recognized and the prior frame positions were reconstructed.
- the initial frames e.g., A, B and C
- the entire order e.g., as many as 36 frames in 135 film, in order to gather enough information to locate the image areas and place the notches.
- an apparatus is provided for scanning the filmstrip (14) and then reversing the film movement to back up the filmstrip (14) prior to marking.
- the reversing movement is controlled by the computer 68, which coordinates the motion of DC motors 22 and 28 and the stepping motor 42.
- the reversing relays 32 and 34 are actuated by computer Instruction and reverse the polarity of the current with respect to the coils in the motors 22 and 28. This causes the supply reel 20 to take up film and the take-up reel 26 to pay out film.
- Precise incremental motion is controlled by instructing the sequencer 52 to reverse the actuation of the drivers 48A to 48D.
- the reverse sequence causes the film feed rollers 40 to step in an opposite angular direction, drawing the filmstrip 14 back through the notcher 70 and under the scanning slit 60 (scan data not being collected at this time).
- the computer 68 instructs the notcher driver 72 to drive the notcher 70 and place a notch on the edge of the filmstrip 14.
- the stepping motor 42 then advances the film in a forward direction for a second time, but this time notching the film in accordance with the retained data in the computer 68.
- the notch 16 is placed at the edge and centered relative to each image frame 10 such that a printer may key on the notch and automatically center the image frame 10 for printing.
- the notch 18 is a cut notch and is placed wherever it is desired that a cutter sever the filmstrip 14.
- the two notches 16 and 18 are opposite each other. Cut notch 18 is placed a predetermined number of increments from the center of the frame border area 12. The film cutter is then set up to chop the same number of increments from the sensed notch 18, i.e., in the frame border 12.
- the computer 68 recognizes that frame line FL at the beginning of frame C is too close to the frame line FL at the end of frame D for there to be a frame border in between. The center of each overlapped frame is estimated, and print notches 16 are provided. However, the cut notch 18, which would normally be adjacent frame C in this example, is omitted and the computer 68 drops the notch signal back to frame B so that a cut notch 18 is subsequently placed adjacent frame B by the notcher 70. Alternatively, the notch can be placed over the next complete frame E. If the computer 68 finds difficulty in locating a suitable position for the cut notch 18, It is programmed to inhibit the notch altogether, thereby causing the filmstrip to be set aside for manual cutting.
- a revolving optomechanical scanning drum may use a scanning hole to sweep across the filmstrip to generate the analog transmission signal S. After one line of the filmstrip has been scanned, the stepping motor 42 advances the film another increment to bring the next line on the strip into the scanning position. After each advance, the signal S is generated and passed to the A/D converter 66 for further processing by the computer 68.
- the sensor 54-E may be positioned overlying the path of the moving perforations. The number of perforations can be counted up during forward advance and counted down during reverse advance to assure that the filmstrip 14 is returned to the exact place at which notching was suspended.
- the sensor 54-E may further be used to separate fog portions of filmstrip 14 from portions having very dense Image areas. In such dense image areas, the border density therebetween may be fogged by extreme over exposure of the image. Since the position of the image areas may therefore be unrecognizable, it is desirable to prevent the cut notch from being made. But if the edge sensor 54-E provides a signal representative of heavy density, this portion of the filmstrip is recognized to be fogged overall and a cut notch may be made.
- Size 135 film has been mentioned for illustration only.
- the apparatus according to the invention is useful with any kind of .processed film that does not possess its own frame locating marks (as does for example, size 110 and 126 film).
- the apparatus is therefore of use with all types of roll film and, particularly, any film that depends on operator and camera variables for image placement.
- Optically readable or magnetic marks are examples of other frame location marks that can be used.
- the marking station may also consist of a locating position where at each frame is positioned with precision with regard, e.g., to the printing gate of a photographic printer.
- the apparatus according to this invention may be combined with density-responsive equipment for evaluating the quality of the image relative to subsequent operations, such as printing. If there is no discernible image, i.e., blank or fogged, or if the image densities are beyond certain density thresholds Indicative of minimally acceptable results, i.e., unprintable negatives, then the computer 68 may be instructed not to place a notch opposite such a frame. This image frame will then be ignored by the printer. Alternatively, a specially located notch may be placed on the filmstrip which indicates to the printer - by its location, e.g., relative other notches - that the negative is to be skipped.
- the illustrative filmstrip 14 notched in the disclosed embodiments of the invention is a negative filmstrip from which prints are made, e.g., by keying on the print notch 16, the method and apparatus here disclosed apply with equal force to notching of reversal films.
- the print notch 16 is omitted but the cut notch 18 - now placed adjacent each frame 10 - is positioned in accordance with the disclosed embodiments.
- the cut notch 18 is then keyed upon by apparatus for automatically severing each frame and loading the frames into slide mounts.
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Projection-Type Copiers In General (AREA)
- Photographic Processing Devices Using Wet Methods (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US94170478A | 1978-09-12 | 1978-09-12 | |
US941704 | 2010-11-08 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0022787A4 EP0022787A4 (en) | 1981-01-23 |
EP0022787A1 true EP0022787A1 (en) | 1981-01-28 |
Family
ID=25476932
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19790901251 Withdrawn EP0022787A1 (en) | 1978-09-12 | 1980-04-08 | Locating image areas on a filmstrip |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0022787A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) |
JP (1) | JPS55500639A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) |
WO (1) | WO1980000613A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE3205898A1 (de) * | 1982-02-18 | 1983-08-25 | Agfa-Gevaert Ag, 5090 Leverkusen | Verfahren und vorrichtung zur vorbereitung fotografischer vorlagenstreifen zum kopieren |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3402651A (en) * | 1965-06-28 | 1968-09-24 | Pieronek | Automatic film programmer |
US3435243A (en) * | 1966-01-03 | 1969-03-25 | Xerox Corp | Film frame detection system |
DE1953014C3 (de) * | 1969-10-22 | 1978-03-09 | Agfa-Gevaert Ag, 5090 Leverkusen | Vorrichtung zur Vorbereitung des Kopiervorganges |
US3867030A (en) * | 1970-06-09 | 1975-02-18 | Atsuyuki Tanaka | Film control system by picture frame edge signals of a film |
US3721495A (en) * | 1970-06-09 | 1973-03-20 | Minolta Camera Kk | Control apparatus for film travel actuated by picture frame edge signals |
CA1156966A (en) * | 1976-02-06 | 1983-11-15 | H.S.A. Reactors Limited | Electro-chemical treatment of lquid effluent |
DE2705097C3 (de) * | 1977-02-08 | 1981-05-21 | Agfa-Gevaert Ag, 5090 Leverkusen | Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum automatischen Erkennen der in einem Filmstreifen liegenden Bildfelder |
-
1979
- 1979-09-10 WO PCT/US1979/000711 patent/WO1980000613A1/en unknown
- 1979-09-10 JP JP50157079A patent/JPS55500639A/ja active Pending
-
1980
- 1980-04-08 EP EP19790901251 patent/EP0022787A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO8000613A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0022787A4 (en) | 1981-01-23 |
WO1980000613A1 (en) | 1980-04-03 |
JPS55500639A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) | 1980-09-11 |
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