Abstract:
An automatic prereader for exposed and developed frames of a web of spliced-together photographic color films is preceded by a first station and followed by a second station at the first of which groups of successive frames are subjected to a first subjective examination by an attendant and at the second of which some of the frames are subjected to renewed subjective examination by the same attendant. The attendant actuates one or more pushbuttons upon examination of frames at the first station to produce signals which denote improperly oriented frames, frames which were exposed in artificial light and/or frames which are unfit for copying. Such signals are used to modify signals which are furnished by the automatic prereader. The modified and unmodified signals which are furnished by the prereader are examined for intensity, and those signals whose intensity is outside of a preselected range are displayed at the second station so that the attendant can observe such signals simultaneously with observation of the respective film frames and is in a position to initiate the generation of additional signals which are used to modify or erase the corresponding signals from the prereader before the signals are transmitted to the exposure controls of a copying machine.
Abstract:
A method of and printer for printing photographs on light-sensitive paper of a particular format from transparent masters on a roll of film by means of a projector. Both the film and a strip of the paper are advanced through a printing point. The paper is displaced across the direction the film travels in with the center of the prescribed paper format at a distance from the optical axis of the projector. The projector can be adjusted to project the image of the master larger or smaller than the paper format.
Abstract:
An exposed and developed photographic filmstrip having a series of image areas is conveyed along a path and is photoelectrically scanned at a first location of the path to detect regions characterized by marked density jumps. A signal is generated in response to detection of each such characteristic region and a first distance measuring device disposed near the first location assigns a first distance reading to each characteristic region upon detection thereof. The first distance readings are representative of the positions of the characteristic regions longitudinally of the filmstrip. Each signal is stored together with the respective first distance reading. The stored signals and first distance readings are used to calculate the positions of the image areas longitudinally of the filmstrip, and the calculated positions are likewise stored. From the first location, the filmstrip travels to a second location of the path where a notch is punched in the filmstrip adjacent to each image area. Immediately upstream of the second location, the filmstrip is photoelectrically scanned for a second time to again detect the characteristic regions.
Abstract:
A film has a series of exposed and developed negatives. Each negative is scanned at a multiplicity of regions, and the densities of each region in the three primary colors are measured. A blue/red density differential is derived for each region by subtracting the red density of a respective region from its blue density. The neutral density of each region is calculated, and every region is assigned a coordinate on a plot of blue/red density differential versus neutral density. According to one embodiment, the blue/red density differential for each region having a neutral density equal to or greater than a limiting value is then subtracted from the blue/red density differential given by a characteristic curve for the film. The differences obtained in this manner are analyzed, at least for selected negatives, and the minimum difference for each selected negative is determined. The region corresponding to the minimum difference is that region of a negative having the maximum blue density. The blue/red density differential for the region of maximum blue density is compared with a pair of reference values derived from respective reference curves representing blue/red density differential as a function of neutral density. Based on the results of this comparison, each selected negative is classified as to whether it was exposed by artificial light or natural light, and is assigned an appropriate color correction factor for copying. Another embodiment is employed if the characteristic curve is found to lie near one of the reference curves. Here, the steps of subtracting blue/red density differentials and analyzing the resulting differences are omitted, and all negatives of the film are immediately classified as having been exposed by artificial light.
Abstract:
A copying machine admits a web of freshly exposed photographic paper directly into a cassette whose core engages and convolutes the web therearound. The progress of engagement between the leader of the web and the core is monitored by comparing the peripheral speed of the core with the peripheral speed of a rotor forming part of an advancing roll for the web and receiving torque from a variable-speed motor which also drives the core. The peripheral speed of the rotor increases when the leader of the web is adequately attached to the core, and this is detected by a circuit having first and second photoelectronic monitoring devices which respectively monitor the peripheral speeds of the rotor and the core. The signals which are generated by the monitoring devices are processed, and the processed signals are used to change the speed of the variable-speed motor, to deactivate a catcher mechanism which directs the leader of the web toward the core and assists in the establishment of adequate engagement between the leader and the core, to change the supply of energy to the motor as the diameter of convoluted web on the core increases, and/or to actuate an alarm device when the completion of attachment of the leader to the core is unduly delayed.
Abstract:
Each original in a strip of such originals is scanned during longitudinal travel of the strip using a scanning spot which repeatedly traverses a stationary scan line extending transverse to the direction of strip travel. The scanning spot has a scanning speed such that the scanning spot travels from one to the other end of the stationary scan line in a time less than the time in which the strip travels a distance equal to the breadth of the scan line. The scanning spot which repeatedly traverses the scan line is generated using a light shield having a slit which delimits the scan line and a rotating disk having equiangularly spaced apertures which move through a stationary light beam passing through the moving strip of originals.
Abstract:
Apparatus for processing signals which are transmitted by the transducers of photoelectric cells scanning discrete marginal fields of square or rectangular film frames on a web of photographic film has relay-actuated switches which can connect the transducers of selected cells to each other and with the foreground and background inputs of a signal receiving circuit which is connected to the exposure controls of a copying machine or to a data carrier. The frames are examined by an attendant who energizes selected relays or several relays at a time to thereby cause the switches to transmit to the two inputs appropriate signals denoting the density and/or other characteristics of corresponding groups of neighboring marginal fields, depending upon whether the frame which is being inspected by attendant has been exposed in normal orientation, at right angles to normal orientation or upside down.
Abstract:
Apparatus for imaging photographic negatives onto light-sensitive photoprint material includes a platform (3) for the print material; a digital image projection system (2) with an electronic image generation unit; and an integrated analog image projection system (1) with an light source and a negative holder. The image generator of the digital image projection system is disposed outside the light ray path of the analog image projection system. The projection systems are so constructed and arranged that the photoprint material on the platform (3) can receive images from both projection systems simultaneously or consecutively. When a change is made for the projection of images by one projection system to the other, the two light ray paths remain unchanged.
Abstract:
There is disclosed a method for determining the amounts of individual copying light when copying color originals, particularly color negatives which are combined into films. The color originals are scanned photoelectrically and separately in the primary colors by region or by point, and the results of the measurement are used to control the amounts of copying light. For each scanned region a first difference is formed between the density values of two basic colors, a second difference is formed between the density values of one of these basic colors and the third basic color, and the average density is formed from the density measurements of the three basic colors. In each case, a functional relationship with the average density is produced, known as a color density difference curve, which describes the color behavior of the recording material on which the copy is to be made. This functional relationship supplies film-specific values for producing copies of the film, the film-specific values being used for the determination of the amounts of copying light for the original to be copied. For films of one type, the functional relationship between color density difference values and average densities describing the color behavior common to this are determined and stored as standard color density difference curves. When a film of this type appears, these stored standard color density difference curves are used to determine copying light quantities.
Abstract:
Film frames are scanned preparatory to copying and a set of density values is generated for each frame. When a frame exhibits excessive contrast, a mask is calculated using the respective set of density values. The calculated mask is formed on an LCD or LED matrix which is in register with the frame. An image of the masked frame is then projected onto copy paper by a zoom objective. The mask has a size which is a function of the magnification factor and/or the mask-to-frame distance.