Abstract: A diffusive optical element exploiting holography is designed in such a way that, the higher the intensity of incident light in a wavelength range, the lower the rate at which the intensity of diffused light in that wavelength range is reduced with increasing angle relative to the maximum intensity direction. Thus, the lower the intensity of incident light in a wavelength range, the narrower the range of angles at which light is diffused in that wavelength range. This makes it possible to use light diffused at angles within a predetermined range relative to the maximum intensity direction, and thereby enhance light use efficiency in a wavelength range in which light intensity is comparatively low. This diffusive optical element is employed in an illumination optical system, which is used to illuminate photographic film from which to read images.

Abstract: A method of recording and processing a digital motion image sequence, includes the steps of: recording a digital motion image sequence at a capture frame rate; determining different effective image content change rates as a function of the scene content changes in different portions of the image sequence; and processing the digital motion image sequence to produce a processed digital motion image sequence having portions with the selected effective change rates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image-decoding method and device thereof. The image-decoding device includes a memory, a modifying means, a decoding unit, an image reconstruction unit and a display controller. The image-decoding device includes the steps of capturing the B-frame data and the reference frame data form plural digital image data in the memory, decoding a first field data for obtaining a decoded first field data, and decoding a second field data by means of referring the decoded first field data and the reference frame data for obtaining a decoded second field data overwriting the decoded first field data.

Abstract: A pin-registered film transport assembly provides an interlacing motion for moving and guiding a photographic film through a film gate. The assembly includes a first carriage mounted for movement parallel to a direction of film travel and a first pin assembly including a first pair of registration pins which are engageable in oppositely disposed perforations of the film, where the first pin assembly is mounted on the first carriage for movement perpendicular to the direction of film travel for engaging and disengaging the film perforations. The assembly also includes a second carriage mounted for movement parallel to the direction of film travel and a second pin assembly including a second pair of registration pins which are engageable in oppositely disposed perforations of the film, where the second pin assembly is mounted on the second carriage for movement perpendicular to the direction of film travel.

Abstract: A television line doubler (interlaced to progressive scan converter) incorporating the following aspects—an improved field motion detector which does not treat low frequency vertical transitions as motion; a frame motion detector having an improved ability to differentiate motion from subcarrier signal components; a sawtooth artifact detector; a sawtooth artifact detector in combination with a film pattern detector, such that the artifact detector can take the film pattern detector out of film mode earlier than it would if it only were responsive to a break in the film pattern; tandem field motion detectors; an improved field based film detector; film pattern detectors and motion detectors used therewith which operate by performing end-of-field calculations; the combination of a field motion detector and a frame motion detector such that the frame motion detector provides a motion signal used as a verification by the field motion detector; an improved NTSC film detector requiring a minimum number of NTS

Abstract: A system for managing information on a carrier, and an image reading apparatus, which enable easy resetting of correction data. When a film carrier is mounted in an image reading apparatus main body, a control section reads the identification number of the film carrier from an EEPROM, and determines whether the identification number corresponds to any of the identification numbers stored in a RAM. When correspondence is not found, it determines that the film carrier is mounted in the main body for the first time, and correction data is read from the EEPROM and stored in the RAM with the identification number. Instead of losing the correction data if the substrate is replaced, the correction data stored in the RAM is read from the control section and written into a new EEPROM, thereby enabling easy resetting of the correction data.

Abstract: A motion estimator operating on a recursive mode reduces the number of operations per pixels required by the particular coding process being implemented. The coding process includes the MPEG standard. A method is based on the correlation existing among motion vectors associated to macroblocks in a common position in temporally adjacent images. The method is also associated to macroblocks belonging to the same picture and spatially adjacent to the current macroblock being processed. By using this double correlation, the calculation burden is reduced.

Abstract: There is disclosed a video camera which has a normal moving image sensing mode, and a still image sensing mode for sensing an image on a negative film set in a film adapter attached as a still image. An optical image of a subject is photoelectrically converted into an image signal, and whether or not the subject is a negative film is detected on the basis of a predetermined signal component in the image signal. If it is detected that the subject is the negative film, the still image sensing mode starts while setting signal processing in a negative/positive conversion mode and setting the focal length of the lens system at the wide-angle position.

Abstract: Method and arrangement to detect a picture repetition mode of film material with a series of consecutive fields, the arrangement having processing means and a memory (M), the processing means being arranged to carry out the following steps:

Abstract: A redundant picture detecting device includes: a calculator for calculating difference information indicating a difference between a unit picture and a subsequent unit picture having an identical phase for each of the unit pictures; a multiplier for multiplying the difference information of a unit picture preceding an object unit picture by a predetermined first constant to produce a preceding difference information and for multiplying the difference information of a unit picture following the object unit picture by the first constant to produce a following difference information, the first constant being greater than zero and smaller than 1; and a judging unit for judging that the object unit picture is a redundant picture if the difference information of the object information is smaller than both of the preceding difference information and the following difference information.

Abstract: A method for transferring images from cinematographic film to video media. The method uses a telecine machine which is associated with a digital storage device and a modification device is used to modify image data during transfer to video media. Accordingly, an operator may select a sequence of frames on the film and modify the image.

Abstract: A pattern analyzing portion analyzes a pattern of a detected repeat field and determines whether or not the pattern of the repeat field is continuous. An inverse pull-down controlling portion controls a memory to read video data in such a manner that the repeat field detected by a comparator is removed from input video data in a period that the pattern of the repeat field is continuous. The inverse pull-down controlling portion controls the memory to read video data in such a manner that a repeat field detected by the comparator is not removed from the input video data in a period that the pattern of the repeat field is discontinuous. In other words, an inverse 2:3 pull-down process is controlled corresponding to the continuity of a pattern of a repeat field. In addition, it is determined whether an input original material is a progressive-scanned video material or an interlace-scanned video material corresponding to the continuity of the pattern of the repetitive material.

Abstract: As to a telecine video signal (Sv), in a telecine video signal detector (Dtp) for detecting a scene-change part (SC) and deciding whether successive telecine conversion has been carried out, a motion detector (3) detects a motion between video signals (Sv) one field apart from each other; a first statistical processing unit (4) accumulates detection results (Sm) for one field; a first telecine decision unit (5) decides whether the field represents telecine-converted video; the second statistical processing unit (6) detects statistical information (Ss2) of the input signal (Sv); a scene-change detector (8) detects a scene-change in the output (Ss2) from the second statistical processing unit (6); a second telecine decision unit (9) decides field continuity from a detection result (Ssc) of the scene-change detector (8) and a result (St1) of the first decision unit (5); and then an AND circuit (10) carries out an AND operation on outputs (St1, St2) from the first and second decision units (5, 9).

Abstract: A system for scanning cinematographic film so as to produce digital images corresponding to the images on frames of the film is provided. The system includes means for scanning the film, means for displaying the digital images obtained by scanning the film, and image processing means. The image processing means includes means for adjusting the appearance attributes of the digital images obtained and further includes (a) means for displaying the output signal level versus time in graphical form for the images obtained, and/or (b) means for displaying the luminance, chrominance and saturation of the images obtained in graphical form on polar axes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for configuring a standard definition raster scanner telecine allows the standard definition telecine to produce an output at a faster than standard definition frame rate, but with a lower than standard definition resolution. This is achieved by configuring the film transport to move film past a light sensor at a multiple of a standard definition frame rate, and scanning the film at the multiple of the standard definition frame rate but with a reduced resolution.

Abstract: There are provided an image reading and reproducing apparatus comprising a scanner for photoelectrically reading an image carried on a film to obtain digital input image data; an image processing section for subjecting the digital input image data to specified image processing steps to obtain processed image data; a line image acquiring section for acquiring digital line image data of a line image; an image combining section for combining the processed image data with the digital line image data to create output composite image data and a printer for scanning and exposing a light-sensitive material in accordance with the output composite image data at one step to record a composite image en the light-sensitive material, as well as an image reading and reproducing method applied to the above apparatus. The apparatus and method are capable of simply inserting characters and pictures on the surface of a print in accordance with the designation by a user without obstructing an image.

Abstract: A scanning device optically scans picture information and further information provided on an original film and makes the information available as digitized data, the scanned information not being converted into the original information contents. A storage device stores the data obtained from the film scanner as digital data, and a display device separates data reproduced by the storage device in accordance with their original location on the original film and makes them available as separate data signals.

Abstract: This invention proposes an optical controller for dividing a predetermined source light into a plurality of optical paths, projecting the light of each of the optical paths onto corresponding optical shutters, and opening and closing the optical shutters so that the light of each of the optical paths is shut off, transmitted or adjusted for quantity of light, whereby the source light can be used further efficiently.

Abstract: An image reading system that reads long-type film images and displays the images on a monitor screen. The image reading system includes a display method having the capability to effectively utilize, on the monitor screen, all of the image information that is on the film, and which allows easy imaging capability of the final image when changes have been made to the original image. The image reading system creates first image data corresponding to roughly the entire body of the image storage region based on the image signal, and creates second image data corresponding to the image of the image storage region that has been trimmed based on trimming-related information included in the image signal and magnetic information. The image reading system displays the first image corresponding to the first image data and the second image corresponding to the second image data on the display.

Abstract: When an image scanner scans an image recorded on an advanced photo system™ film, it determines spectral transmittance of a portion of the film, which is not exposed but developed, then sets parameters, such as masking parameters and &ggr; correction parameters, to be used in image signal processes on the basis of the spectral characteristics. Thereafter, the image is read by a CCD and image data is outputted. The film scanner applies the image signal processes to the image data using the parameters set in accordance with the spectral transmittance.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a size detector for detecting a first size of a first image recorded on an original; an input device for inputting a second size of a second image to be recorded on a recording medium by an image recording apparatus; a determining device for determining a reading condition to read the first image according to the first and second sizes; and a reading device for reading the first image according to the reading condition to obtain information of the first image.

Abstract: A system for controlling the integrity of an image recorded on a first recording medium, for example, film, and transferred to a second recording medium, for example, videotape. The system includes a control chart having a set of chart control information and a plurality of control strips each having a set of strip control information. The control chart, which is for use by a cinematographer on a set, is recordable on the film under substantially the same conditions under which the image is recorded onto the film. Each of the control strips, which are for use by a telecine colorist at a transfer machine, is formatted to correspond to a different type of commercially available film so that one of the control strips corresponds to the film on which the image is recorded. The set of strip control information on each of the control strips includes information substantially the same as information included in the set of chart control information.

Abstract: A method for processing a moving picture in which input digital moving picture signals of a pre-set picture rate are processed in accordance with pre-set picture processing and the processed digital picture signal are transmitted. The input digital moving picture signal has plural field pictures.

Abstract: Especially for use in post-production, a “gateway” format of video signal represents material which is acquired or generated at a real-time rate, but which is in a 60 field/s format at 1.25 or 1.2 times the real-time rate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a film scanner comprising at least a first frame store (5) for storing the digitized pixel data of a scanned film frame, and at least a control device (6) for reading the relevant pixel data of a frame section of the stored film frame from the first frame store (5). To generate output frames in an arbitrary format and resolution, which may be used, for example for further processing in real-time multimedia applications, the control device (6) in the film scanner is provided with an arithmetic-logic unit for generating an output frame in a given size, a given aspect ratio and a given number of pixels per output frame line and lines per output frame by computing new pixels. By determining the format, particularly the resolution, for the output frame already during the scanning process, a direct further processing on computer panels or in multimedia applications is made possible. The transfer rate and the capacity required for storing the data are also reduced in this way.

Abstract: A method of controlling a telecine machine to produce an exposure log of cinematographic film, comprising the steps of: using a telecine machine to generate video images from the cinematographic film, and displaying the video images on a monitor; generating timecode data for frames of the cinematographic film; generating image adjustment control data to adjust image parameters of the video images generated by the telecine machine so as to produce video images of a desired quality; using the image adjustment control data to generate exposure level information for frames of the cinematographic film; and logging in a film exposure logging system timecode data and exposure level information for frames of the cinematographic film so as to provide the exposure log. In one arrangement the cinematographic film is negative cinematographic film and the exposure log is used to generate exposure compensation printing settings for frames of the negative cinematographic film.

Abstract: A image signal processing apparatus and method for static image display are provided. Deformation at an edge of an image can be reduced by eliminating a temporal factor and vertical resolution can be retained even after data supplementation. In the process of compressing and decompressing interlace-scanned image data, one of two fields of a frame is selected by a field selector, image data is supplemented and reproduced based on the selected field data by a supplementor, and image data is outputted as a static image without deformation. As a result, more bits can be allocated for encoding by selecting and compressing one field data only and it leads to a higher quality image display. Furthermore, display deformation can be reduced by supplementing high frequency components as zero in the decompression processing.

Abstract: A scanner, in which the contents of an film frame (1) are converted into a video signal by opto-electronic converters (4), this video signal being post-processed in a video processing stage (12). The operation of post-processing the video signal may be monitored by an oscilloscope (25). In order that this monitoring can be carried out in a simple manner, a scaling signal is inserted into the video signal before the video processing stage (12) so that the video signal to be monitored and a scaling signal line are simultaneously displayed on the screen of, for example, the oscilloscope (25).

Abstract: An image input apparatus is provided with an imaging section, a scanner, and a charge accumulation control section. The imaging section includes a line sensor and converts an image recorded on film into electric signals. The scanner mechanically scans the relative positional relationships between the film and the line sensor in an intermittent fashion. The charge accumulation control section controls the timings at which the line sensor starts a charge accumulation operation, and this control is executed in association with the intermittent scanning operation of the scanner.

Abstract: An electronic filing system which can record an image reproduced from a photographed image of a developed film together with a photographic information pertaining thereto on a recording medium such as an optical disk. The system includes a device for reproducing an image from the photographed image of the film, a reading device for reading the photographic information recorded on the film, and a writing device for writing the reproduced image and photographic information on the recording medium.

Abstract: A film image capturing method of reading a continuous developed film with a line sensor. This method comprises the steps of: pre-scanning for determining exposed conditions, including brightness, of each of the plurality of frames on the film; index scanning for capturing rough image data from each of the plurality of frames on the film under capturing conditions being adjusted according to the exposed conditions of the frame which are determined in the pre-scanning, and producing an index image showing all or selected frames of the plurality of frames on the film; main scanning for capturing fine image data from a desired frame of the plurality of frames on the film under the capturing conditions being adjusted according to the exposed conditions of the desired frame which are determined in at least one of the pre-scanning and the index scanning.

Abstract: A telecine system comprises a cathode ray tube 2 with a mixed phosphor 6. The phosphor 6 is composed of phosphor components each having a distinct spectral output. Primary photodetectors 16,20,22 are arranged to detect light from the cathode ray tube 2 which has been modulated by a film 10 and produce primary electrical signals including information about the color content of the modulated light. Secondary photodetectors 26a-26c detect unmodulated light from the cathode ray tube 2 and produce secondary electrical signals including information about the color content of the unmodulated light. The primary signals are divided by the secondary signals in a signal processor 28 to compensate for inhomogenities in the mixed phosphor 6.

Abstract: The gateway video signal is generated from inputted frames which represent a motion picture when reproduced at a real-time rate. The inputted frames are sped up to 1.2 or 1.25 times the real-time rate. The sped up frames are, then, converted to 60 field/second, thereby generating the gateway video signal.

Abstract: A digital film scanner interface obtains digital image data produced by projecting a motion picture film frame onto a sensor. The image data is transferred from the sensor to a Digital Signal Processor (“DSP”) block. The DSP block processes the image data to, for example, minify, magnify, enhance colors, or correct for errors in the image data. The DSP block comprises four DSPs. One of the DSPs receives the image data from the sensor and controls the flow of the image data to the other three DSPs. The processing tasks can then be distributed to the DSPs based on availability. Alternatively, the digital signal processing tasks can be allocated such that each DSP processes one color component of image data. After the image data is processed, it is transferred over a bus to a long term storage device.

Abstract: A film scanner is disclosed including a linear image sensor moveable to a scan position for scanning lines of image frames of an elongated film having a series of edge perforations including a reference perforation for each image frame.

Abstract: A method of adjusting the resolution of a scan based on the scan area or the scan window size. The smaller the scan window size, the higher the scan resolution would be. The final scan resolution is a function of an initial resolution, a resolution modifier, a printer factor, and an image factor. The resolution modifier, the printer factor and the image factor are dependent on the scan window size, the system printer, and the scan image type respectively.

Abstract: The memory capacity for photo film can be expanded with an external memory medium. In addition, lab service can be changed and/or added. A memory card 120 is arranged in the film player, and a small amount of information indicating the memory area of the memory card 120 which corresponds to each frame is recorded magnetically in a record track which corresponds to each frame of the photo film. A large amount of information related to each frame is recorded in the memory card 120. With this arrangement, the memory capacity for the photo film can be expanded. In addition, the memory card 120, in which the lab service program is recorded, can be used, and the lab service program can be loaded from the memory card 120 to the EEPROM 123 through the interface 124 by the film player. Therefore, although the service to the lab may be changed and/or added, a new lab service program can be entered and can give the order application to the lab with the new lab service.

Abstract: In a film scanner comprising a device for scanning sprocket holes, a projection device is proposed, by means of which the images of two sprocket holes are projected on one sensor. This provides the possibility of scanning two facing sprocket holes with only one camera.

Abstract: A method for processing a moving picture in which input digital moving picture signals of a pre-set picture rate are processed in accordance with pre-set picture processing and the processed digital picture signal are transmitted. The input digital moving picture signal has plural field pictures.

Abstract: A scanner for line-sequentially scanning a film frame by means of linear image sensors in which the charges of the light-sensitive pixels (1) are transferred to two shift registers (4, 5). To enhance the horizontal resolution in the picture display, the outputs of the two shift registers are line-sequentially and alternately connected (10) to the common input of the subsequent signal--processing channel for generating a progressive quincunx structure of the line-sequential pixel charges.

Abstract: A combination film gate for a continuous motion or real-time motion picture telecine that is also operative to pin register a frame of film for stationary scanning. A housing supports and transports a film in continuous motion past a frame aperture. A precision milled entry guide roller receives the film from a feed spool, edge-stabilizes the film, and directs the film to a precision milled entry sprocket. The entry sprocket is positioned prior to the frame aperture, pin registers the film, and directs the film across the frame aperture. A precision milled exit sprocket positioned subsequent to the frame aperture receives the film after it passes across the frame aperture and pin registers the film. The precision sprockets and rollers serve as film stabilizing means. Film jitter and weave are mechanically removed to less than about 20 nanoseconds without the use of complex expensive electronics.

Abstract: A film gate for transporting an elongated film therethrough, comprising:two spaced apart arcuate guide surfaces to engage against opposed edge margins of the film;a drive roller assembly, an idler roller assembly, and two elastic belts engaged around them to lie along respective arcuate surfaces from an entrance position, to an exit position defined by a nip between the drive roller assembly and the guide surfaces, so that upon rotation of the drive roller assembly opposite edge portions of the film can be transported in engagement between the belts and the arcuate guide surfaces from the entrance to exit positions. A scanner using such a film gate, and a method of scanning film using such a scanner, are also provided.

Abstract: A method of using telecine apparatus to scan cinematographic film made up of individual image frames. Each frame is scanned a number of times using detected light to generate corresponding image data. Each sub-scanned portion within a frame adjoins another sub-scanned portion to enable reproduction of the complete frame by piecing-together data from the sub-scanned portions to produce data corresponding to the complete frame. To help ensure that no positional anomalies are present between adjoining sub-scans, a correlation step is carried out to identify a correlated alignment in position between data corresponding to adjoining subscans. The data from the subscans used in the correlation step is then adjusted to optimize spatial alignment between the data corresponding to the sub-scans. The correlation and adjustment of the subscan data sets may be repeated so that all of the sub-scans in a frame are optimally aligned in space, enabling the sub-scans to be combined into the complete image frame.

Abstract: In a picture reading apparatus, in the pre-scan, an approach is employed to control a CCD line sensor 5 and a film carrying roller 103 so that plural pictures recorded on an optical film 1 are read at a predetermined sampling rate in order from the latest frame to generate frame position data indicating position of left and right ends of frame, etc. Further, in the main scan, an approach is employed such that, in controlling the CCD line sensor 5 and a film carrier 100 so that plural pictures recorded on the optical film are read at a sampling rate higher than the predetermined sampling rate in order from the oldest frame, the reading start and end timings of the CCD line sensor 5 are controlled on the basis of frame position data obtained by the pre-scan. As a result, in this picture reading apparatus, it is possible to precisely obtain picture data of picture of frame in the state where no positional shift takes place.

Abstract: A film image reproducing apparatus for reproducing images recorded on successive frames of a film includes: an illuminator which illuminates the film; a detector which detects an illuminating characteristic of the illuminator; a recorder which records the illuminating characteristic detected by the detector on the film; a reader which reads the recorded illuminating characteristic; a setter which sets based on the characteristic recorded on the film a condition for picking up a film image; and a picking-up device which picks up the film image at the set picking-up condition.

Abstract: An image reading system that reads long-type film images and displays the images on a monitor screen. The image reading system includes a display method having the capability to effectively utilize, on the monitor screen, all of the image information that is on the film, and which allows easy imaging capability of the final image when changes have been made to the original image. The image reading system creates first image data corresponding to roughly the entire body of the image storage region based on the image signal, and creates second image data corresponding to the image of the image storage region that has been trimmed based on trimming-related related information included in the image signal and magnetic information. The image reading system displays the first image corresponding to the first image data and the second image corresponding to the second image data on the display.

Abstract: A developed photographic film including a magnetic layer is transported up to an image reading part so as to read a film image thereon. The film images are sequentially displayed on a TV monitor in accordance with automatic regenerating information. The automatic regenerating information is previously input as information used for sequentially and automatically regenerating a plurality of the film images. Moreover, magnetic information is used as a part of the automatic regenerating information. This magnetic information is recorded in the magnetic layer by a camera at the time of photographing. As a result, an operation is simplified at the time of inputting the automatic regenerating information.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for transferring information from cinema film at a first speed to broadcast quality video signals at a second and different, predetermined speed which may be greater or less than the first speed in a telecine containing a capstan and an internal frame store. The device comprises (1) a mechanism for determining rotational phase and velocity of the capstan, and (2) a servo motor driven at a rate outside the frame store given range, including means to adjust the linear film rate to an integer multiple/submultiple of the framestore pulse rate.

Abstract: Shading data are captured in a state where there is no developed film between a light source and a line sensor. During calibration, a negative base area on the film is positioned between the light source and the line sensor, and signal levels of colors of color signal data corresponding to three primary colors transmitted through the negative base area are controlled to be substantially equal. While the film is transported, the color signal data indicating a frame image are obtained in the calibrated state, and shading correction is performed for the color signal data according to the obtained shading data.

Abstract: The present invention teaches an improved parallel telecine for converting a plurality of recorded images or frames of film, defined by a first and a second set of frames of film, to a digital data stream. The improved telecine comprises a plurality of image transfer or digitizing systems for respectively digitizing each of the recorded images or frames of film or groupings of frames of film. Each image transfer and digitizing system comprises an illuminator system for illuminating the respective frames or groupings of frames, and a camera system for converting the image of the respective frame or groupings of frames into a digital data stream. Each camera sensor additionally comprises a position sensor for detecting a first and a second pair of edges on a coordinated positional tag at the edge of the film frame. Further, each camera system comprises an aligning mechanism for aligning each camera system in response to the set of edges of the respective coordinated position tag detected by the position sensor.