GB2184318A

GB2184318A - Transferring photographs to video tape

Info

Publication number: GB2184318A
Application number: GB08625735A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Samuel David Mousley; Marcus James Benton Brierley
Original assignee: TELESNAPS PLC
Current assignee: TELESNAPS PLC
Priority date: 1985-10-30
Filing date: 1986-10-28
Publication date: 1987-06-17
Also published as: GB8526708D0; GB8625735D0; GB2184318B

Abstract

Apparatus for transferring photographs onto video tape comprises a video camera 30 for generating image signals for input to a digital memory store. The stored signals can be displayed on a television monitor 44 for order selection before transfer onto video tape. The camera is focussed on a projected image of the photograph, generated by optical arrangement 34, 36, 38, 40, so that background flaws are obviated. Consecutive photographs may be dissolved one into the other and captions and background music may be added prior to recording on standard format tape. The operator console provides for optical preview 8 of the photographs which are preferably negatives. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Process and apparatus for transferring photographs to video tape DESCRIPTION This invention concerns a process for transferring photographs onto video tape and apparatus for carrying outthe process.

Now that many homes have video tape/recorders installed, there is much scope for putting pictures and information on video tape. One such possibility would be to put ordinary photographs onto video tape. This could be achieved by recording printed photographs using a video camera. This would, however, be a rathertimeconsuming process asthe camera would have to be stopped as each photograph was replaced.

The object ofthis invention isto provide a process and apparatusfortransferring photographs onto video tape in a relatively continuous process.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a process fortransferring photographs onto video tape, wherein the photographs preferably in negative form are recorded digitally and transferred onto video tape. Optionally, the stored photographs may be displayed to enable pre-selection ofthe order in which the photographs areto be transferred onto the video tape.

According to a second aspect ofthe invention there is provided apparatus for use in transferring photo graphs onto video tape, comprising means for record- ing the photographs, preferably from negative form, digitally and means for transferring the recorded photographs onto video tape. Optionally, the apparatus may include meansfor displaying the recorded photographs and meansforselectively recording the photographs onto video tape.

Preferably photographic negatives will be recorded on a digital memory store via a video camera. The negatives will preferably be converted to positives say at the camera outputfor recording purposes. The digitally stored photographs can then be viewed on a display screen, such as a television monitor, preferably in multiple blocks so thatthe order in which the photographs are to be transferred onto video tape can be chosen or alternatively transferred from the digital memory store in direct numerical sequence preferably dissolving from one to the next.

The digital storing of the photographs and recall and selection processes will preferably be computer controlled so that one person can record display, select and transfer the photographs to video tape.

Thusafterviewinga blockofphotographsonthe display screen the order selection of the photographs can be programmed ontothe digital I me mo ry sto re fo r the photographs to be transferred onto video tape in that order. Preferably the photographs will be transferred onto video tape from the digital memory store with a lap dissolve between each.

The video tape may also have titles and captions as welt as background music added These may be provided respectively by a caption generator and a random access audio cassette recorder/player preferably linked to the computer control so that selections can be stored ready fortransferring to the video tape with the photographs.

The most critical aspectofthe invention is probably the input ofthe photographs to the digital memory store. Thus, the negatives must be well and evenly illuminated. To this end it is proposed to employ a projection system wherein an image from the negative is projected aerially and it is this imagethat is recorded by the camera. An aerial image does not sufferfrom background flaws as could an image projected onto a screen.

It is envisaged that the process ofthe invention may be carried out by one person operating at a central computer console, the computer being used to control and operate the various components ofthe apparatus.

Thus a speedy and efficient process is anticipated whereby a customers photographic negatives are transferred to video tape in a quick and attractive manner. The customerwill be able to choose which type of video tape cassette he requires e.g. VHS or BETAMAX (RTM) as both types of recorder can be available and selected via the computer.

Whilst the invention has been described with reference to using photographic negatives, which is more convenient more or less straight after film processing, positive photographs could also be used.

The invention will now befurtherdescribed, byway of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows schematically apparatus fortrans- ferring photographic negatives to video tape; and Figure 2 is a section on line A-A of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing, apparatus for transferring photographic negatives to video tape is arranged in a console 10. An operator of the apparatus will sit at the central part of the console 10 where com puter keyboard 12 is situated. Leg space 14 is provided beneath the keyboard 12.

Starting at the left-hand end of the console 10 there is an in-tray 16 on top of the console into which the photograph negatives to be processed are first placed.

Nextonthetop ofthe console is a light box 18 on which negatives can be previewed. Also inthis partof the console area musiccentre such as an audio cassette recorder/player 20 and a video character (caption) generator 22. These are linked to the computer keyboard 12 so that they can be operated remotely.

Centrally of the console 10 is, of course, the computer keyboard 12 behind which is a light source 24 overwhich the negatives are passed to be recorded by camera 30. The camera 30 is actually situated behind the console nearthe base of an L-shaped box 32 behind but overhanging the console. The image from a negative is transmitted via a lens system 34 overthe light source 24, mirrors 36 and 38to a field lens 40abovethe camera 30. Thefield lensformsan image in space actually above the lens but on which the camera is focussed.

The overhang 39 of the box32 is supported by posts 42 and provides a platform for a television monitor 44.

The right-hand end ofthe console 10 has on its top two video cassette recorders/players 46 and 48, the upper46 being forVHS tapes and the lower 48 for Betamaxtapes. Within this part ofthe console will be the digital memory store and other computer hardware. Atthe front of the console is a drawer 50 holding bags 52 into which completed tapes will be packaged.

Atthe side ofthe console is a dispenser 54 of empty video tape cassettes.

Thus all ofthe requirementsfortransferring photographic negatives to video tape together with captions and background music, if desired, are arranged handily for single person operation. All ofthe electric- al/electronic components are linked to the computer which will be suitably programmed so that remote operation thereof is possible in orderto control the whole process from one position.

In operation, photographic negatives are firstly checked atthe light box and then stored on the digital memory store via the video camera which includes a negative to positive converter. The stored photographs can then either be transferred directly onto video tape preferably dissolving from one photograph tothenextorviewedonthetelevision monitor in multiples so that a running order can be selected. At this stage captions can be prepared and stored as well as background music.

The various selections will then be put into the computer which then handles transfer ofthe photographs onto video tape togetherwith the captions and background music. When the tape is completed it is removed from the recorder and packaged.

Claims

1. A process for transferring photographs onto video tape, wherein the photographs are recorded digitallythen transferred onto videotape.

2. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the photographs are in negative form.

3. A process as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the photographs are displayed to enable pre-selection ofthe order oftransfer.

4. Apparatus for use in transferring photographs onto video tape comprising means for recording the photographs digitally and meansfortransferring the stored photographs onto videotape.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, comprising a projection system wherein the photographs are projected aeriallyforrecordal.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5, further comprising means for displaying the recorded photographs singly or in multiple blocks.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said display means comprises a television monitor.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4to 7 further comprising means for selectively transferring the photographs onto the video tape.

9. Apparatus as claimed in anyoneofclaims4to8, wherein the means for recording the photographs comprises a digital memory storevia a video camera.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 including, for transferring negative photographs, means at the camera outputforconvertingthe negatives to positives.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims4 to 10 including means for transferring the photographs onto a video tape with a lap dissolve between photographs.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims4to ofclaims4 to 11 further including means for adding titles, captions and the like to the video tape.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said last means comprises a caption generator.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 13 further including means for adding sound to the video tape.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said means for adding sound comprises a random access audio cassette recorder/player.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 15 comprising computer control means.

17. A processfortransferring photographs onto video tape substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. Apparatusfortransferring photographs onto video tape substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.