Abstract: Apparatus and method for printing sound code icons on photographic prints produced from filmstrips having images with varying orientation, size and or format. A sound-on-print print gate includes a pair of selectable LED icon printers for printing a binary coded sound icon on either edge of the photographic print depending on normal or inverted image orientation. The icon printers are mounted for translational movement lengthwise of the print paper, the positioning being determined by the format of the print: panoramic, normal or HDTV aspect ratios. A computer controlled system is disclosed which determines the orientation, size and format and positions the icon printers in response thereto at the print gate.

Abstract: A quick disconnect filter assembly and manifold assembly for use in a photographic processor having a recirculating system designed for receiving a filter assembly in line. The filter assembly comprising: a housing having an internal chamber, a chamber inlet for allowing processing fluid to flow into the internal chamber and an chamber outlet for allowing processing solution to flow out of the internal chamber. The housing has a quick disconnect valve for allowing quick connection and disconnecting of the filter assembly with the recirculating system without any substantial loss of fluid. The manifold assembly comprising: a body having an inlet port and an outlet port and a fluid connecting passage therethrough connecting the inlet to the outlet. A wall member is provided for dividing the connecting passage into a first receiving section and an outer delivery section.

Abstract: A holder and a method of making an index print using the holder. The method comprising the steps of:1) providing a holder having at least one sleeve for holding a film, said film having at least one developed image therein;2) scanning the holder so as to obtain a digital record representative of the images present on said negative film; and3) printing the digital record so as to form an index print wherein said at least one image is placed in a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing photographic prints (10) with write-on borders (14) from filmstrips (26, 46, 48, 58) having images (28-34, 38, 42) with varying orientation from image to image or from filmstrip to filmstrip or both, includes a mechanism (56, 60, 86) for intermittently conveying a filmstrip (58) through a filmstrip print gate (62); a system (80-86; 180-280) for determining an orientation of each image on the filmstrip to identify a top (18), bottom (16), left (20) or right (22) edge of each image; a controller (86) for selecting for at least some images on a filmstrip a common edge on which to provide a write-on border on at least one photographic print of each image; a system (72, 76, 86) for intermittently conveying a photographic paper strip (74) through a paper print gate (78); at the photographic paper print gate, a mechanism (88-94; 96-116; 118-148) for masking at least one edge of the paper print gate which corresponds to the selected common edge; and an illuminator (64) for each image at the fi

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing and processing a color image onto photosensitive material. The apparatus includes a digital color printer, such as an LED, for printing an image onto a photographic material and a low volume thin tank processing section for processing the photosensitive material that has passed through the digital printer.

Abstract: A filter assembly for use in a photographic processing apparatus. The filter assembly comprising a housing having an internal chamber, a chamber inlet for allowing a processing solution to flow into the internal chamber, a chamber outlet for allowing processing solution to flow out of the internal chamber, an air bleed passage having a first connecting end in fluid communication with the receiving section and an outlet connecting end in fluid communication with the chamber outlet, the first connecting end being located with respect to the receiving section so that trapped air will be removed from the receiving section.

Abstract: A valve assemblage (10, 50) for controlling the flow between fast and second containerized systems (C.sub.1, C.sub.2) having first and second openings (A,B), respectively. The assemblage comprises a first valve assembly (12, 52) positioned at the first opening of the fast containerized system and a second valve assembly (14, 54) positioned at the second opening of the second containerized system. A piston (20, 84) in the first valve assembly, when in a first position opens an entrance port (18, 100) for receiving fluid from or passing fluid into the first containerized system; and correspondingly, a retractable sleeve (36, 136) in the second valve assembly (14, 54) opens an entrance port (30, 122) in a proboscis member (26, 110) having a channel (28, 118) and outlet (32, 142, 144) for passing fluid to or receiving fluid from the second containerized system.

Abstract: A method is described for communicating printing instructions on exposed photographic film to photo finishing equipment to enable imaging parameters to be set automatically which includes the steps of splicing a first exposed strip of film to a second exposed strip of film with a film-splicing label, encoding the label with low resolution indicia, and feeding the spliced first and second films to a film-splicing label reader for reading the code and automatically setting the parameters for printing. A film-splicing label encoded with indicia for identifying the scene orientation, the number of prints and/or whether sound is to be provided.

Abstract: An index print includes a recording sheet having a plurality of imagettes representing images stored on a motion picture image recording medium such as a video tape. The plurality of imagettes are less in number than an entire number of images stored on the video tape. An indicator, such as a time or count from the beginning of the video tape, is provided on the recording sheet adjacent the imagettes for indicating substantially where images, corresponding to the imagettes, are stored on the video tape.

Abstract: A photographic image can be viewed at a customers location on her personal computer and images selected for initial printing, reprinting and ordering related image services. Photographic negatives are provided to a scanner to obtain image data. The image data is manipulated to provide a positive image of the photographic negatives and sent to the customers personal computer. The desired prints are then selected and order information is provided, based on the positive image as displayed on the display of the personal computer. The order information is recorded to allow the desired prints and services to be created and the resulting order is sent to a designated addressee.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically processing photographic film disks immerses the disks in a plurality of baths of treatment solutions, one bath after another, spins the disks about a horizontal axis of rotation during successive immersions to agitate the disks in the baths, and spins the disks between successive immersions to remove excess solution from the disks. A horizontally supported spindle is used to accumulate the disks for high density processing, while a transport mechanism conveys the spindle between the baths and between first and second rotary drives to agitate and remove the excess solution from the disks, respectively, in accordance with an appropriate processing sequence.