Abstract: A shutter system for a movie camera or the like for controlling the film exposure including a main shutter wheel rotatably mounted on main drive shaft driven by a first motor and at least one adjustable shutter wheel positioned adjacent to and coaxially rotating with the main shutter wheel, the adjustable shutter wheel being mounted on a secondary shaft independently driven by a second motor. Both the aperture (determined by the relative positions of the shutter wheels of the main shutter wheel and adjustable shutter wheel) and the shutter speed are set by a controller which regulates the speed of each of the motors.

Abstract: Multi-dimensional lithographs which impart the illusions of depth and/or motion to a viewer are prepared by constructing and sequencing a plurality of electronic pages, preferably four or more; rasterizing, compressing and converting each page; interlacing the pages in a desired sequence; outputting the interlaced frames to an imaging device; and producing a lithographic separation from the imaging device. In the rasterization of each frame, nonbinary pixels are created that correspond to the resolution of the line count of the lenticular lens that will ultimately be applied to a print of the lithograph times the number of frames in the lithographic separation. The frames are compressed to an amount equal to the reciprocal of the number of frames from which the lithographic separation is prepared. In the converting step, the nonbinary pixels of the compressed frames are converted to individual color plates of binary pixels.

Abstract: A film feed control apparatus feeds film with an electrical feeding mechanism in a film feeding direction and stops the film at predetermined positions. The film includes a plurality of photo frames. A predetermined number of perforations having edges at leading and trailing sides of the film are defined at predetermined positions at the photo frames. An edge detector detects edges of the perforations of the film as the film is fed in the feeding direction. A physical amount detector detects a physical amount that relates to an amount of film that is fed from a time when the film feeding starts to a time when an edge of a predetermined perforation is detected. The physical amount detector also detects a physical amount that relates to an amount of film that is fed from the time when the edge of the predetermined perforation is detected to a time when another edge is detected.

Abstract: An electronic still video camera has an electro-developing recording medium. As soon as an optical image is formed on the medium, the image is recorded and developed as a visible image therein. The developed image is electronically read as image data by a line sensor, and the read image data may be stored in an IC memory card, a floppy disk, a hard disk or the like. Optionally, the read image data may be transferred from the camera to an external device such as a computer, a TV monitor or the like. The developed image can be thermally erased from the medium by using an electric heater. When one of: the formation of the optical image on the medium is carried out; the reading of the image data from the developed image of the medium: and the erasing of the developed image from the medium is carried out, the remaining operations are enabled.

Abstract: An electronic still video camera having an electro-developing recording medium includes a photographing optical system for forming an optical image on an image-forming plane of the recording medium to record and develop the optical image therein. An image reader is provided for optically reading the image-forming plane to obtain image data from the recorded image of the recording medium.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus which effects digital exposure while aiming for compactness. An exposure unit digitally exposes a photosensitive material successively while moving above a stage. An application unit moves from the rear side of the exposure unit and applies water successively to the photosensitive material. A superposing unit moves from the rear side of the application unit, and successively superposes an image-receiving material on the photosensitive material. Heat development transfer is carried out, and an image is obtained on the image-receiving material.

Abstract: A camera lens barrel, which is connectable to a camera, includes at least one photographic lens, a lens driving control device, a lens driving device, a memory device and a communications device. The photographic lens composes a photographic image at a designated position in the camera. The lens driving control device controls the lens driving control device to drive the photographic lens based on a lens driving control amount. The memory device stores lens driving capability data used to determine the lens driving control amount. The lens driving capability data include at least a characteristic lens driving amount relating to the photographic lens. The communications device is connectable to the camera such that the lens driving capability data can be communicated to the camera.

Abstract: In a camera of the kind setting information when a film cartridge is stowed in the camera by reading a pattern from a data disk disposed on the film cartridge, an information reading action on the pattern of the data disk is allowed to begin when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the film cartridge is stowed in the camera, so that the information reading action can be prevented from being performed while the film cartridge is still vibrating due to the stowing action.

Abstract: A mask and a mask supporting mechanism wherein the outside periphery of a mask frame, having a rectangular shape, which supports the mask, is supported at three supporting points which are substantially the same distance from the center line of a mask membrane, whereby the mask frame is positioned with respect to X, Y and .theta. directions. Two pressing mechanisms press the mask frame at two points substantially opposed to two of the supporting points. The mask is supported at three points on the bottom surface thereof for positioning in the Z direction.

Abstract: A control device for feeding and positioning a film precisely, in a camera, a printing apparatus, etc., includes a photo interrupter with a light emitter, a light detector for detecting a light emitted from the light emitter, and a holding member for keeping both the light emitter and the light detector in position; a frame with a guiding member for guiding a film having a longitudinal edge with a plurality of perforations which travels between the light emitter and the light detector of the photo interrupter; a perforation detector for detecting a perforation based upon a signal outputted from the light detector, which outputs the signal each time a perforation of the film edge passes a location corresponding to an optical axis existing between the light emitter and the light detector; and a controller for controlling a film feeding operation in accordance with the detection of a perforation by the perforation detector.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus provided with: an ink jet recording head having a pressurizing chamber communicated with a nozzle opening and a common ink chamber, and a piezoelectric vibrating plate which is formed at a surface of the pressurizing chamber and deflection-displaced, the head being caused to eject an ink drop by the deflection displacement of the piezoelectric vibrating plate; a charging circuit which supplies a current to the piezoelectric vibrating plate in response to a print signal, thereby producing the deflection displacement for ink ejection, and which outputs a signal for holding a charge final voltage during a fixed time period after an end of charge; and a discharging circuit which has a first discharge time constant suitable for sucking meniscus formed immediately after ink ejection toward the pressurizing chamber, thereby preventing the meniscus from being ejected from the nozzle opening, which stops discharge in a range which is (n+3/4) to (n+1) times (where n is 1, 2, 3, . . .

Abstract: A camera body constructed in such a manner that a front board unit, a shutter unit, and a main body unit are attached to a body plate unit from a rear face of the body plate unit. The body plate unit is a rigid board in a plane substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of a taking lens unit, which taking lens unit is attached to the body plate unit from a front face of the body plate unit.

Abstract: A motion-pictures and audio synchronization controller for extending and reproducing compressed motion-pictures and audio multiplexed data and outputting motion-pictures synchronously with audio comprises a selector for adjusting time between a system clock reference added to compressed motion-pictures and audio multiplexed data and picture time stamp, a system time counter for generating a system time clock output from an output of the time adjustment selector and a picture frame synchronization signal, an audio synchronization comparator for comparing a system time clock output from the system time counter with a delayed audio time stamp and outputting an audio output start signal, and a picture synchronization comparator for comparing the system time clock output from the system time counter with a delayed picture time stamp and outputting a picture output start signal.

Abstract: In a telecine film scanner having an aperture area setting servo loop to establish output light intensity in response to commanded light intensity settings followed by operation of a lamp current intensity servo loop during film scanning at the established aperture area position, the affect of the aperture area setting on the lamp current intensity servo loop gain is compensated for by means of a gain compensation circuit in the current intensity servo loop that operates to make the current intensity servo loop gain reciprocally proportional to the commanded light intensity settings, at least for settings above a minimum threshold setting. Any input gain adjustments, such as for different film types, in the commanded light intensity signal applied to the lamp current intensity servo loop are additionally compensated for by a reciprocal gain adjustment in the servo loop.

Abstract: A consumer interactive apparatus and method for ordering photofinishing services for a photosensitive film. The photosensitive film is provided with a device for indicating a prepaid amount of photofinishing services available. The apparatus includes an input device for allowing entry of a photofinishing order, a mechanism for receiving a film containing a magnetic media for indicating a prepaid amount of photofinishing services, and reading device for reading the magnetic media for determining the amount of prepaid photo services available. The input device allows the user to select the desired type of photofinishing services with respect to the film being supplied to the apparatus. The apparatus allows the customer to order photofinishing service as desired by the customer and also allows debiting of the magnetic layer such that the amount remaining after the placement of the order is placed on the magnetic layer.

Abstract: An electronic still video camera has an electro-developing recording medium. As soon as an optical image is formed on the medium, the image is recorded and developed as a visible image therein. The developed image is electronically read as image data by a line sensor, and the read image data may be stored in an IC memory card, a floppy disk, a hard disk or the like. Optionally, the read image data may be transferred from the camera to an external device such as a computer, a TV monitor or the like. The developed image can be thermally erased from the medium by using an electric heater. One of these operations is executed by a depression of a single switch in accordance with a mode-selection switch.

Abstract: The filmless method and printer for making 3D and animation pictures, using a matrix display to sequentially display a series of 2D views, and a projection lens to project the displayed images onto a lenticular print material, each at a different projection angle. In order to fill the image area underlying each lenticule on the lenticular print material with different 2D views, each 2D view must be projected onto the lenticular print material at different projection angle. Two methods can be used: 1) In the scanning method, two of the three elements including the matrix display, the projection lens and the lenticular print material are moved by mechanical means to different positions to change the projection angle; 2) In the non-scanning method, a large-aperture projection lens is used to project the 2D views sequentially displayed on the matrix display onto the lenticular print material such that each 2D view is projected through a different section the lens aperture.

Abstract: The filmless method and printer for making 3D and animation pictures using a digital reflection-type matrix display device such as a digital micro-mirror device to sequentially display a plurality of 2D views, a light source to illuminate the display device to produce a reflected beam, and a projection lens to form an image from the reflected beam and expose it on a lenticular print material. To fill the image area underlying each lenticule on the print material, each 2D view is projected at a different angle. Two methods can be used: 1) In the scanning method, two of the three elements including the display device, the projection lens and the print material are moved to different positions to change the projection angle; 2) In the non-scanning method, the projection lens has a large aperture sufficient for covering the total viewing angle of the lenticules.

Abstract: A theater sound processing system that provides preset configurations including parameters that can be modified by a user. Other setup parameters are modifiable by the manufacturer or a third party such as a sound technician who provides such parameters at installation time. The parameters allow control of equalization settings, gain, noise reduction processing, surround sound processing, and other audio characteristics. The designation of user modifiable parameters and non-user modifiable parameters insures that the user is given safe control over necessary parts of the system. User-modifiable parameters are changed via a user interface. Other parameters can be transferred to the sound processing system via a portable computer or by communications link. In a digital sound processing embodiment of the invention the entire sound processing ability of the system can be updated by downloading new signal processing software.

Abstract: A method for operating an ink jet printer that includes the steps of performing a printer turn-on printhead service on a printhead cartridge of the printer; resetting a page counter, an uncapped condition time counter, and an ink drop counter, wherein the page counter counts the number of pages printed, the uncapped condition time counter counts the amount of time that the printhead cartridge is in the uncapped condition, and the ink drop counter counts the number of ink drops emitted by the printhead cartridge; printing a plurality of pages of print media; after a page is printed performing a post-prime printhead service if the printhead cartridge was primed during the printing of the page; and after a page is printed performing a print time printhead service if the printhead cartridge was not primed during the printing of the page and if (a) the ink jet printer has printed at least a predetermined number of pages since the page count counter was reset, (b) the printhead cartridge has been uncapped for at le