Abstract: A method of copying a colored original involves measuring the transparency of localized regions of the original in each of the three primary colors. Three localized transparency ratios for each region are formed from the transparency values for the different colors. Three corresponding average transparency ratios for the original as a whole are computed from the localized transparency ratios. Each average transparency ratio is compared with a statistical average of similar ratios obtained from a large number of average originals. If an average transparency ratio of the original to be copied deviates from the corresponding statistical average by more than a predetermined amount, the number of each of the localized transparency ratios lying inside and outside of a predetermined range about the corresponding average transparency ratio of the original is counted. When the number outside of a predetermined range exceeds the number inside, a color dominant is assumed to be present in the original.

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.

Abstract: A negative whose printability is to be automatically ascertained is subdivided into a central zone, a foreground zone, and a background zone. Whole-zone density signals are produced for the foreground and background zones, and the central zone is scanned to generate a maximum-density signal indicating the density of the maximum-density point within the central zone. The negative is rejected for being underexposed when both of two conditions are met: first, the larger of the foreground and background whole-zone density signals fails to exceed a first limit value; and second, the difference between the central-zone maximum-density signal, on the one hand, and the smaller of the foregound and background whole-zone density signals, on the other hand, fails to exceed a second limit value. The negative is rejected as overexposed when the average of the foreground and background whole-zone density signals fails to exceed a third limit value, irrespective of the density of the central zone.

Abstract: Light from a light source is transmitted through an original at a scanning station to a light detector. A rotating scanning disk located in the path of this light is provided with equiangularly spaced radial scanning slots. A light-blocking plate located between the light source and the scanning disk defines a scanning slot extending transverse to the transport direction of the original. Light passing through both the original and the transverse scanning slot is projected as a slot image onto the surface of the scanning disk. The radial slots and the transverse slot cooperate to define a scanning spot which sweeps across the original, and thereby performs one line-scan operation, as one radial slot sweeps across the slot image on the scanning disk. The angular span between adjoining radial slot is greater than that of the slot image so that, during intermediate intervals between successive line-scan operations, light transmitted through the original does not reach the light detector.

Abstract: Successive frames of a web of photographic color film are subjected to objective examination during transport through an automatic evaluating circuit which may constitute a discrete prereader or a prereader which is integrated into a copying machine upstream of the copying station. The prereader furnishes signals which represent color and/or density correction data for reproduction of those film frames which can be properly copied only with a setting of exposure controls which deviates from the average setting for copying of the majority of film frames. The objective examination of all film frames is followed by a subjective examination which is performed by an attendant who inspects at least some of those film frames whose examination by the prereader resulted in the generation of correction signals.

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.

Abstract: Apparatus for the determination of light transmissivity of film frames preparatory to the making of prints in a copying machine has a plate-like locating device for successive film frames, a light source at one side of the locating device, a group of photosensitive signal-generating elements at the other side of the locating device, and a diaphragm which is interposed between the locating device and photosensitive elements and has a hollow truncated pyramid, plate-like partitions and tubular components which confine light passing through the film frame on the locating device in such a way that a centrally located photosensitive element receives light from the entire film frame and all of the light which has passed through the central field of the frame, whereas each of the other photosensitive elements receives only that light which has passed through a single one of four L-shaped peripheral fields surrounding the central field of the frame.

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.