Abstract: An event detection circuit and method of operation thereof in a calibration mode and in a normal operating mode particularly for use in photographic cameras in relation to the calibration of sensors and the detection of output signals therefrom for use in controlling camera operations. An event detection circuit comparator is used in the calibration mode with a successive approximation A/D converter register which generates test analog signals applied to a second input terminal of the comparator while the sensor test output signal generated under the calibration test conditions is applied to the first input terminal to measure and digitize the sensor test analog output signal level as a digital threshold. Then, in the normal operating mode, the digital threshold is retrieved and substituted for the successive approximation A/D converter register to generate a threshold analog signal applied to the second input terminal while the sensor analog output signal is applied to the first input terminal.

Abstract: An electronic flash device includes an illumination element, an actuation circuit having a flash capacitor providing energy releasable to illuminate the element, and a self-oscillating charging circuit, having a transistor, for charging the capacitor. The invention is characterized by a resistor located between a base of the transistor and ground for preventing the self-oscillating circuit from charging the capacitor when the flash device is exposed to an external static electric charge.

Abstract: A moving coil linear actuator including an elongated permanent magnet having a cross-sectional width substantially greater than its edge height and having an elongated length of soft magnetic material disposed along one or both edges of the permanent magnet to enhance the magnetic field strength in the gap through which the moving coil translates.

Abstract: Orientation of a removable film gate with a docking frame is accomplished by a releasable locator connector assembly in conjunction with a force-responsive clamp assembly. The locator connector assembly includes a male connector subassembly on the removable film gate and a female connector subassembly located on the docking frame. A spring-biased threaded screw in the male connector subassembly connects with a tapped end of a locator pin in the female connector subassembly. The threaded screw and tapped locator pin locate each other by a cone-shaped protrusion at the top of the locator pin in conjunction with a recessed area of a locator seat within the male connector subassembly. The force-responsive clamp assembly accepts a tab of the removable film gate when the film gate is pushed into the photographic film printer, and releases the tab when a pulling force is applied to the film gate.

Abstract: An improved automatic exposure control system for an electronic still camera which uses a variable amplifier to amplify the output signal of an image sensor. A low electrical gain is used when the scene is bright enough to provide a sufficiently fast shutter speed and depth of field in order to keep from blurring the image to be captured. The gain is increased as the scene illumination decreases. Some amount of increased gain is preferably used even before the aperture of the camera is fully opened. The gain of the variable gain amplifier is adjusted as the user changes the focal length (zoom) setting, as the required shutter speed and f-number needed to provide a blur-free image depends on the lens focal length. The gain may also be adjusted as a function of focus distance setting.

Abstract: Film image display method and apparatus adapted to display image frames on film normally stored in a cartridge in a user selected sequence. The film carries a magnetic recording layer and the apparatus is programmed to allow the user to view image frames and hear sound recorded in association with the frames in a pre-determined viewing sequence, that may be user-determined. The viewing sequence is different from the chronological sequence of frames on the film. The apparatus and method also records data on the film which identifies the viewing sequence. Sound may be recorded in association with frames in the viewing sequence during user selection of the viewing sequence. When viewed later, the recorded sequence data is read from the film and used to control the sequence in which the film images are displayed.

Abstract: Customized index prints incorporating user determined graphical representations and optional textual information is generated from user selectable digital index print description files having template data and bit-mapped graphical representations. Digital image data is provided from a film scanner along with frame number information and is resized using size instructions from the index print description file to fit the imagette areas in the index print template. Optional textual data is entered via a user interface to provide customized information to the customer. The processed imagette data and bit-mapped graphical representations (and optional textual information) is then merged into the index print template data to create a printable customized index print template file which can be sent directly to a digital printer or stored for subsequent off-line printing.

Abstract: A light metering device incorporates a light dependent resistor as a light sensing element, a network including a plurality of circuit elements, and a selection mechanism for selectively connecting the light dependent resistor to one of the plurality of circuit elements in the network. The selection mechanism is controlled to set a voltage measured at an output terminal of the light dependent resistor within a predetermined threshold level. The light metering device can be readily incorporated in both photographic and electronic cameras.

Abstract: In digital image processing, it is often necessary to alter the image by performing a zoom operation thereon. Such an operation is carried out with the use of a spatial interpolation unit. Described herein is a spatial interpolation unit which comprises a discrete set of filters for which at least some of the cut-off frequencies are logarithmically spaced.

Abstract: A rechargeable photographic camera includes an interlock circuit that automatically inhibits operation of the camera flash when the camera is mated with a charging cradle, regardless of the condition of a manual on-off flash switch. The rechargeable battery of the camera therefore is assured of receiving a full charging current even if the flash unit is left on when the camera is mated with the charging cradle.

Abstract: A combined shipping and dispensing package for fluid containers has an outer container and an internal packing. The internal packing has mating support members, each having a rib section with openings with extending, compliant jacket walls that form cavities to receive and support the fluid containers. Collar portions are formed in the rib section and upper cavity walls to provide support for dispensing conduits extending outwardly of the fluid containers. Compliant spacer walls extend laterally from the rib section to provide lateral support and shock absorption for the jacketed cavities. The package may be used for direct positioning of the fluid container dispensing conduits onto mating fluid receptacles on associated processing equipment without removing the fluid containers from the package.

Abstract: A position sensor having an opto sensor and an optical density gradient wedge photo interrupter in which the gradient wedge comprises a half tone dot pattern preferably photographically reproduced in a photosensitive medium. In a preferred embodiment, the half tone dots are formed with microdots that are cumulated to increase the density of the half tone dots. In regions of density variations where the half tone dots change shape between round and square (in both solid fill and open fill dots), a random fill pattern is employed to enhance the linearity of the sensor output signal. The beam width of the opto sensor is uncollimated and focused to cover at least three pixel widths of the half tone dot pattern where each pixel is formed of at least four half tone dot areas.

Abstract: An electronic flash device including a self-oscillating charging circuit, a momentary trigger for initiating oscillations of the circuit to charge a flash capacitor, and a voltage sensing device coupled directly between the circuit and the flash capacitor for arresting the oscillations when the capacitor is fully charged. The voltage sensor includes a zener diode in series with a neon ready-light, and switches on a transistor to ground the charging circuit and arrest the oscillations when the capacitor is fully charged. Actuation of the flash device automatically restarts the oscillations and recharges the flash capacitor. A process for recycling a single use camera having such an electronic flash device also is disclosed.

Abstract: Signal processing circuit for a multi-pixel scanner array is calibrated by establishing gain and offset correction factors from selected scanner signal measurements and known gain/offset settings that provide accurate calibration of the processing circuit on a pixel-by-pixel basis without concern for variations of component and response values within the signal processing circuit itself from nominal values. When used as a film scanner apparatus, measurements of signal responses taken at open gate conditions are compensated by adjusting exposure values for imager operation during film scanning to make the minimum response output of the apparatus for film D.sub.min equal to the minimum derived of open gate condition during the calibration process.

Abstract: An actuator position sensor employs a photo interrupter with an optical density gradient segment that has additional maximum and minimum density segments preceding the gradient segment. These preceding segments are sensed and sampled by a calibration circuit, preferably prior to each operation of the actuator, to generate high and low reference calibration values which are applied to a signal scaling circuit along with the gradient output signal. The scaling circuit is then able to generate a position output signal scaled between these reference values that is linearly proportional to the actuator position.

Abstract: System and method for rapid measurement of an exposure light source and calculation of filter selection for proper color balanced exposure of a light sensitive medium includes measurement of the light source with a spectroradiometer and calculation of color log exposure differences for successive filters taken from a database list with the filter selection being based on a minimum overall difference value derived from the summation of the absolute values of the individual color log exposure differences.

Abstract: A camera and method of camera operation for automatically determining usage condition of film in a cartridge utilizing a cartridge radial bar coded data disc to discriminate among a plurality of possible initial angular settings of the film spool during a film loading operation. The possible initial angular settings can be representative of exposed, partially exposed, fully exposed or processed film. At the start of film loading, the spool is rotated in the reverse direction and bar code element transition counts sensed by a pair of angularly spaced opto-sensors are accumulated. A count comparison between the two sensors is initially made to determine if the film is unexposed and, if so, film loading proceeds in normal manner, otherwise an alternative action is taken. In a simple camera, the loading is terminated.

Abstract: Recording of data segments on film in a photographic still camera continuously along a length of film spanning interframe locations between image frame regions is interrupted at predetermined intervals corresponding to multiples of image frames at which the film is normally cut into strip at a photofinishing facility. Codes are recorded at the beginning and end of a recorded segment and upon recommencement of recording following each interruption such that continuous, uninterrupted playback of the data segment is facilitated.

Abstract: In a digital film scanner, invalid image pixel data is identified by a logic circuit which responds jointly to an over range signal from the scanner analog to digital converter and the most significant bit of the pixel data. The logic circuit discriminates between input pixel analog voltages representing valid maximum or minimum pixel data values and values which are outside the conversion range of the A/D converter which correspond to invalid pixel data. An image processing computer selectively responds to these indications to substitute nearby valid pixel data for calculation and to provide appropriate operator warnings or even system shutdown depending on the number of successive invalid pixel data occurrences.

Abstract: A dual function read data circuit for a mid-roll interrupt capable photographic camera reads magnetically recorded data from a magnetic layer on photographic film and outputs either a data present signal or an actual converted data signal in response to a mode select command signal.