JPH01531A - Motion picture film transport mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-dimensional film transport mechanism used, for example, in telecine equipment.

Prior art multi-dimensional film transport mechanisms are advantageous in that they are more compact and economical than equivalent multi-dimensional film transport arrangements in which separate transport mechanisms are provided for different film size standards. Known means can be used to provide longitudinal film guide rollers and replaceable gate/lens assemblies. These means can easily accommodate different film widths, such as 16 m and 35 nm film size standards, and different frame sizes for these size standards. However, the different audio-image displacements or offsets used for different film size standards are difficult to accommodate. For example, considering an "optical" sound head with a size standard of 16 fields and 35 mm+, in the former case the offset of 26 frames is equal to 199 nm, while in the latter case the offset of 21 frames is equal to 39 nm.
Equal to 9m5+. These offset differences are accommodated by providing different film threading paths between the image scanning head and the audio reading head for each film size standard being handled. However, such a solution not only adversely affects the guiding system of the film to the audio drum, but also confuses the operator in that each film size standard must be threaded differently.

Structure of the Invention According to the present invention, a motion picture film transport mechanism is provided with means for passing the film between an audio gate 1- and an image gate 1-, the audio gates having at least two different dimensional standards. films of different size specifications are arranged to follow a common film threading path between the two gates, and further delay the audio signal generated by said audio gate. Also provided are delay means for at least one of the film size standards so that the audio signal is obtained in synchronization with the video signal generated by the image gate.

Audio gate refers to the position of the audio head. These heads have somewhat specific positions based on film size standards and whether they are magnetic or optical audio heads. The image gate is 1
It may be possible to handle only one film size standard,
In such cases, it may be interchangeable so that the appropriate image gate can be selected to meet the film size standards being used.

The present invention can be used in television movie systems where the video signal is derived from the motion picture film and broadcast as a television signal or simply displayed on a local television type monitor. When a soundtrack is combined with a picture, it is very important that the audio signal is obtained in sync with the video signal, which requires strict spacing between the audio and image gates. Therefore, the film threading path between the two gates must be exact and consistent for a given film size specification.

In the case of television movie systems capable of handling films of different size standards, this becomes a major problem and one that the present invention is intended to avoid.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the structure of a film transport mechanism, in this example a continuous motion transport mechanism having a charge coupled device (CCD) line array image scanning arrangement. However, other image scanning structures such as flying spots may be used, and the transport mechanism need not be of a continuous movement type; It will be clear that it can also be applied to advantage. Although only one image forming device is shown in this example for simplicity, additional devices with color separation optics may be used to form color images.

The film to be displayed is placed at the supply reel position S and is taken off via a guide roller G1 to a tension arm TAS, which adjusts the tension of the supply film by control of a supply reel motor (not shown). .

The film is then passed through two guide rollers G2 and G3
and sprocket counter SC (image game) - PG
Here, light is applied to the frames of the film by a lamp LP and lens system. The image gate PG is replaceable to suit the film size standard being used. The light passing through the film is collected by a projection lens PL and images a horizontal slice of 1a frames onto a CCD line array LA.

When the film leaves the image gate PG.

It is in a well-established lateral position offset to its reference edge within the image gate. This established lateral position is maintained when reaching the audio drum SD via the guide roller G4. The film that passes around the audio drum is
This well-established lateral position is maintained at the voice reading position SRL. In this example, the audio drum SD is a driven member that also serves the purpose of a capstan to drive the film through the transport mechanism.

At the audio reading position SRL, conventional means for reading the optical soundtrack of the film are provided. In this example, a system is shown consisting of a sound lamp LS and a sound optics SO for forming a slit beam image on film. Light passing through the soundtrack area of the film is collected by a sound cell SC conveniently attached to a transparent plate TP. Second or further audio optics and audio cells can be similarly arranged to image the optical soundtrack of other dimensions of film.

Additional audio lamps may be used, but generally the light from one audio lamp is directed to two or more audio optics, as is well known in the art. On leaving the audio drum SD, the film is sent via a further guide roller G5 to the take-up tension arm TUTA and then via a further guide roller G6 to the film take-up reel. The 0 take-up tension arm that is sent to the TU is connected to the take-up motor (not shown).
is arranged to control film tension on the take-up reel by control of the take-up reel.

Considering in detail the distance of the film between the picture gate PG and the sound drum SD, more specifically the distance of the film from the picture gate PG to the sound gate at the sound reading position SRL, conventionally this distance is used Constructed to closely match the image-to-audio offset distance for film size standards. In fact, heretofore, when films of different dimensions are to be used, this spacing distance must be changed and different film threading paths must be provided for different film dimensions. In the present invention, the same or similar spacing is used for all film size specifications, provided only that it matches or is less than the shortest image-to-sound offset distance of the film used. In this way, in the audio gate the audio is read before the image and electronically delayed by known techniques,
Appropriate synchronization of image and audio is obtained at the video and audio output connections of the device.

FIG. 2 depicts the signal processing system in block diagram form.

The optical image projected onto the COD line array optical sensor LA becomes a video signal and is sent to the converter SIc via the signal processing circuit SPC. This converter converts the sequential signal into an interlaced signal to form a standard broadcast video signal, as is well known.

In this example, each film size standard of 16m and 35mm is associated with its own sound cell sc, which are placed very close to each other within the sound drum SD. Because of the need to physically position these cells, they are offset from each other around the audio drum;
Therefore, even if the intervening film threading path is the same, the actual distance between each audio cell SC and image gate PG will be slightly different.

Two audio cells SCI and SC2 generate audio signals in response to varying optical signals produced by the optical soundtrack of the film, and these audio signals are passed through a preamplifier PA and a switch SWI to an audio signal processing circuit. ASP
sent to. Of course, only one sound cell is generated at a time, and the switch SWI is set based on the dimensional specifications of the film being used. The processed audio signal is sent to an audio delay circuit AD having a selectable output;
This circuit gives the audio signal the necessary delay.

This signal is output in synchronization with the video signal associated with it. In this example, the delay is determined by the tap point selected by switch SW2, but the audio may be delayed in other ways. For example, the system may be based on digital storage where the number of clock repetitions is varied to provide the required delay time. Image (video)
If the film threading distance between the gate and the audio gate is selected in this manner, the delay associated with one film size standard can be eliminated.

If the film speed changes, it is necessary to adjust the audio delay accordingly to maintain synchronization with the video signal. It is effective to allow one of the selectable delay times to be reduced as necessary, rather than being set to zero. The order in which the stages are placed is not important and is a matter of personal preference of the designer.

Select the audio source to use, as well as the video and audio
It will be apparent that selection by switches as shown is necessary to select the required value of the audio delay to ensure proper video-audio synchronization at the output connections.

The invention is not limited to optical audio reading, but equally applies to magnetic soundtrack reading, in which case a magnetic audio head is used to read the soundtrack first. The adapted degrees of freedom can be exploited to help optimally design the transfer mechanism.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the film threading path of a television movie apparatus according to the invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing part of the electrical system associated with the video and audio signals. S... Supply reel G1-06... Guide roller TAS... Tension arm SC... Sprocket counter PG... Image gate LP... Lamp L... Lens system PL-... Projection lens LA ... CCD line array SD ... Sound drum SRL ... Sound reading position LS ... Sound lamp SO ... Sound optical system SC ... Sound cell TUTA ... Winding tension arm TU. ...Take-up reel spc...Signal processing circuit SIC...Converter AD...Engraving of audio delay section (no change in %) Figure 1 Procedural amendment (method) Written by Yoshi, Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office 1) Mr. Tsuyoshi■, Indication of the case Patent Application No. 71689 of 1988 2, Title of the invention Motion picture film transport mechanism 3, Relationship with the person making the amendment case Applicant name Ze Marconi Company Limited 4
, agent

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) A means is provided for passing a film between an audio gate and an image gate, both gates being capable of handling films of at least two different dimensional standards, and the films of these different dimensional standards being further comprising delay means for delaying the audio signal generated by the audio gate, the delay means being arranged to follow a common film threading path between the two gates; a motion picture film transport mechanism, characterized in that the motion picture film transport mechanism is associated with at least one of the film dimension standards so as to be obtained in synchronization with the video signal generated by the image gate. 2. The transport mechanism of claim 1 forming part of a television movie apparatus. 3. The transport mechanism of claim 1 or 2, wherein the transport mechanism is of a continuously moving type, and the image gate includes a line array of optical sensors. (4) Claim 1, wherein the delay means is provided to delay audio signals related to each dimension standard of the film.
, 2 or 3. 5. A transport mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the delay provided by said delay means is adjustable to accommodate changes in the speed of the film through the transport mechanism.