GB2164465A - Automatic cine projection - Google Patents

Abstract

In an automatic cine projection system, an endless loop film is fed to the projector from a container which also contains a programmable memory of film show times and dates, the operation of the projector as well as the lights, curtains, interval music, etc being controlled automatically by a microprocessor which is in remote communication with a centralised computer system which monitors operation, gives commands and raises an alarm when necessary (eg because of unauthorised use). Information re lights, curtains, etc is read from the film by a data track reading device. An opto-acoustic monitor enables the light and sound output of the projection system to be controlled.

Description

SPECIFICATION An improved process for exhibiting motion pictures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the increase in efficiency and security of exhibiting motion pictures whilst simultaneously reducing the costs thereof both as to efficiencies in the techniques of projection and maintenance and the reductiOn of print damage caused by handling and abuse.

The methods employed in the handling, projection and maintenance of motion picture film have remained relatively static over the history of the Motion Picture Industry. In the United States, a 35mm feature film for example, is usually mounted on 2000 foot reels at the processing laboratory, placed in containers and dispatched around the country, often via several depots, until it reaches its final destination, the exhibiting theater. It will then either be exhibited on two or more projectors, so as to give an uninterrupted performance, or remounted onto platters or reels that will accommodate the entire film by splicing the individual reels together. This method eliminates the necessity of using more than one projector and the services of a full-time projectionist. When the film has finished its run, it is necessary to dismount it and reassemble it onto its original reels.Clearly if a print is sent from one theater to another, it will lose several frames from the head and tail of each reel each time it is mounted or dismounted, since the splicing process is often done at the cost of removing frames. Therefore after a few uses, the print will be missing enough footage so as to make it worthless and only fit for scrap.

In theaters that use large reels or platters, it is usual to find one projectionist running more than one theater. Therefore, all too frequently, the exhibition suffers due to misalignment and bad focus of the picture on the screen. Additionally, it must be appreciated that due to the laws of physics, expansion and contraction of the equipment, including the lenses, will take place during its normal duty cycle.

For optimum performance, the equipment requires frequent adjustment. Many theaters employ some automation equipment to start the show at the correct time and to turn off the lights, etc: Consequently, it is quite common for the projectionist not to spend more than a few minutes in each theater during an entire performance.

Components such as sound exciter lamps that will age with time in a random fashion are used in projection equipment. Therefore, the equipment will go out of alignment and contribute to inferior performance. Furthermore very few service calls are made nowadays and theaters do not employ engineering personnel.

Thus, modern exhibition in the average theater leaves a lot to be desired.

In recent years, the film owners have complained of piracy which takes various forms.

At worst, prints are stolen. More frequently they are removed from an establishment that has them legitimately and are then copied onto video tape for unlawful sale. Cases have been found where a dishonest projectionist will place beam splitting optics onto a projector and a tap into the sound system. An illegal video tape copy will be made while exhibiting the film to the theater's audience legitimately. It will be appreciated that in the interest of the theater going public as well as those responsible for the making, exhibiting and maintenance of the films and the equipment, many improvements are desirable. This invention covers such improvements.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Figure 1 depicts schematically the components required for the invention. Figure 2 is an electronic flow diagram. 1 is a motion picture projection machine; la is a motion picture screen; 2 is a high intensity light source; 2a is the light beam; 3 is the sound and data track reading device; 3a are 1-n channels of loudspeaker amplification systems to suit the required presentation format; 3b is the sound track data inter-polation system; 4 is the image forming lens; 4a is the automatic focusing and positioning system; 5 is the endless loop film container; 6 is the programmable memory mounted within the film container; 7 is the microprocessor for operating the entire system; 7a is the switching device that controls the theater's lights, curtains, etc; 7b is an opto-acoustical monitor that reads the light and sound output and enables the system to be maintained in accordance with standards; 8 is the device that enables the system to communicate with the outside world; 8a is the management data system that utilizes the communications system; 8b is the communications link; Sc is the remote central computer and data processing system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The improved process of exhibiting motion pictures of the present invention in the preferred embodiment incorporates a motion picture projector, a long-life high intensity light source, a sophisticated combination sound and data track as is described in U.S. Patent No.

4,306,781, a track reading device as is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,124,784 which is capable of reading a plurality of audio and data tracks together with its associated electronics, means for holding optimum image focus position and size, a means of secure physical containment for the entire program in an endless loop arrangement together with a Programmable Memory codable to a specific pro jector, an electro-mechanical control system via a microprocessor for the fully automatic operation of the complete projection system and its associated theater's lights and curtains and a communications system that will enable the equipment to be interrogated by an external source such as a computer, and to have its operational parameters monitored and adjusted by said system.

It is a further feature of this invention that the equipment will be secured, interlocked and monitored so that it will only run at authorized times. The security system will contain devices that will detect any tap placed onto it and be able to make an intelligent decision as to shutting it down, alerting law enforcement authorities, etc:. However, security coded access to the Programmable Memory will be available in the field via the aforesaid communications link so that play dates and times can be altered.

It is a further feature of this invention that alignment of the equipment and the provision of accounting information will be accomplished over the communications link at times when the theater is closed and without anyone in attendance. An alarm system will be incorporated to call qut the person responsible for the equipment's maintenance in the event that human servicing is required. It is intended that the communications system will provide daily records that will show the theater's owners the state of all equipment and provide accurate running costs. The same communications link can be augmented so as to give the theater owner sales receipts, inventory control and such other accounting information that is deemed desirable for the more efficient running of the business.

It is a further feature of this invention that a plurality of theaters being geographically separated by any distance can be operated, controlled, maintained and accounted for by a central computing system.

It is a further feature of this invention that the endless loop film container will be constructed in such a manner so as to conform within the size and weight regulations of the postal authorities for an entire feature film.

Said container will not be openable in the field other than through a small keyed orifice which will expose only sufficient film for it to be threaded into a projector while at the same providing the means for the container to be physically locked onto the body of the projector, so securing it for the duration of its run.

PREFERRED EMBODYMENT OF INVENTION In the preferred embodyment of the invention a projector of massive construction will be used in order to give long life with continuous operation. Motion picture film of 16 mm width made in accordance with American National Standard PH.22-109 and corresponding ISO 26 will be used. The conventional focusing and framing devices used on all professional projectors will be augmented with servo mechanisms such as are used on better quality slide projectors, so that the film will be kept in proper focus and registration on the screen at all times. Furthermore, additional servos will be provided to alter the size of the film aperture to correspond to the requirements of the picture being projected while at the same time altering the focal lengh of the projection lens to keep the picture height constant on the screen.Data for the required picture ratio will come from the control track on the film. (See USP 4,306,781). The film path will be in conformity with the established standards so that synchronized talking pictures will be properly projected. However, in place of or in addition to conventional payout and takeup reels an endless loop container will be provided which will hold the entire program to be projected. This endless loop container will also act as an anti-theft device in that it will only permit the projector to be used in accordance with a Programmable Read Only Memory into which play times and dates have been placed, said "PROM" being an integral part of the aforesaid endless loop container.

The operation of the equipment will be controlled by a customized microprocessor which will deal with all aspects of the projector motion, light, sound and picture format as well as sending signals to operate the theater's lights, masking, curtains, interval music, etc: or where conventional automation devices exist such as are shown in USP 3,609,020 and 3,684,358 to provide compatibel signals for their operation. In order to start the show, the microprocessor will require a coded input from the PROM contained within the endless loop container, as well as a parity signal from a management data terminal. A combined light and sound sensor will be mounted at a point within the auditorium for the purpose of monitoring the levels of light and sound being emitted from the projection system and altering their respective levels in order to maintain the entire equipment in top form on a daily basis.

The electronics will contain a "Modem" which will communicate with a theater management data base as well as the projection system and will send data to and receive commands from a centralized computer system for the purpose of giving daily financial and technical data to the theater's management and receive commands relating to the running of the theater from the same system.

Claims (12)

1. A process of motion picture exhibition which includes over and above an image projector light and sound reproducer a system of electronic control that comprises a microprocessor or similar device for activating the projection equipment as well as the theater lights curtains and masking an interlocking program mable memory contained within an endless loop film container that sets the equipment in motion at the required times and dates and a computer controlled communications link that operates in conjunction with the aforesaid devices so as to operate maintain and keep account of the entire theater.

2. A process of motion picture exhibition described in claim 1 which contains a plurality of tracks in the defined soundtrack area containing both sound and data.

3. A process of motion picture exhibition described in claim 1 which incorporates devices for automatic focusing and framing the image and for adjusting it to the required projection ratio.

4. A process of motion picture exhibition described in claim 1 which utilizes the data contained in the soundtrack area for additional control of the projection ratio and the theater systems such as the lights and curtains.

5. A process of motion picture exhibition described in claim 1 which incorporates an acousto-optical monitoring device that detects changes of light and sound levels and will sound an alarm to local law enforcement agencies during exhibition signifying that the equipment may be being used for unlawful copying.

6. A process of motion picture exhibition described in claim 1 which incorporates an acoustic-optical monitoring device that detects changes of light and sound levels and an associated servo system that permits their adjustment to predetermined standards.

7. A process of motion picture exhibition described in claim 1 which is controlled by the feeds information to an external computer over a transmission link for the purposes of making technical adjustments alerting service personnel when necessary advising them of the nature and location of the fault and feeding back performance data.

8. An intra-theater link that feeds accounting and inventory data into the projector's transmission link described in claim 7 for processing by the same computer system for more efficient and economic operation of the theater.

9. A computer controlled system that runs any number of installations described in claim 1 regardless of their geographical location at the same time maintaining full accounting maintainance and performace data.

10. An endless loop film container which incorporates a programmable memory to make the film run on the designated projector only at the desired times and dates said memory being accessable over the transmission link described in claim 7 for coded modification to its operating instructions.

11. An endless loop film container that is manufactured to withstand rough handling encountered at the hands of common carriers and be within the specified weight and dimensions for dispatch by regular mail.

12. An endless loop film container that is sealed at the processing plant where it is filled and contains an orifice through which sufficient film is available for threading into the projector while at the same time providing means for it to be locked onto the body of the projector thereby securing it against unauthorized removal during the running engagement.