Abstract: An image holder such as a picture album (10) includes a plurality of pages (14) that receive printed images (18). The pages (14) also have markers (20) placed thereon, with each marker corresponding to one of the images. A memory (25) stores audio segments associated with the respective images. A user may place the printed images in any order in the image holder. A controller (22) performs an initialization routine to match the image locations with corresponding audio segments for future playback. Once the initialization is complete, whenever a user selects a marker associated with an image, the audio segment associated with that image is played back.

Abstract: A camera is enabled by film present and film door sensor switches to perform dry cycle operation for testing of camera operation only when film is not present and the film door sensor switch indicates that the film door is open. Provision is made to bypass a film rewind operation at the end of a dry cycle test operation.

Abstract: A method of setting chromatic correction in exposure determining algorithms of an automatic photographic printer using inferential illuminant detection derived from data recorded at a camera during picture taking. For scenes having a scene light level above a predetermined level, daylight chromatic correction is set at the printer. For scenes having a scene light level below this level, daylight chromatic correction is set at the printer if sufficient flash illuminant is determined from the recorded data to exist in the image otherwise a non-daylight chromatic correction corresponding to a high degree of chromatic correction is set at the printer.

Abstract: Camera apparatus and method with provision for selection of image annotations to be recorded with captured images. Camera user initiated keywords associated with groupings of annotations are inputted to the camera via voice recognition or handwriting recognition to search for related annotations using group codes which may also include hierarchical rank classification codes. Annotations pre-recorded in memory and having codes matching those of the inputted keywords are displayed on a camera display device to allow the camera user to rapidly select a desired annotation for recording of the associated code in connection with the captured image. The code is then utilized in known manner during photofinishing to print the selected annotation on the front or back of the reproduced image print.

Abstract: A film-based magnetic head cleaning medium in which the head cleaning areas are formed by puncturing the film all the way through with a plurality of sharp prongs to produce an area of projecting puncture edges which are raised from the surface of the film thereby creating roughened areas which scrape accumulated debris from the magnetic head as the film is passed between the magnetic head and facing load pressure pad.

Abstract: In a photographic film scanner having a film transport drive stepper motor, an illuminant head having a plurality of spectrally separate light source, a light sensor and data collection and transfer circuits, each operationally responsive to a programmed controller. The controller is provided with a common timer and is programmed with a plurality of lookup tables (LUT), each LUT is populated with a sequence of elements defining timing of an operating activity in a respective one of the illuminant head light sources, the stepper motor and the light sensor data transfer circuits. The program operates to use the common timer to step synchronously through the elements of the LUTs to output value states from the elements of each of the LUTs; to control the actuation timing of the respective light sources, stepper motor and data collection and transfer circuits.

Abstract: A dual speed film drive apparatus to achieve high speed and low speed film drive employs a limited speed range stepper motor with pinion input drive gear, and an output driven gear connected to a film advance mechanism. High and low speed drive is achieved by use of a pivoted intermediate gear drive module having high speed and low speed gear set positions to interconnect the stepper motor input drive gear to the output driven gear. Shifting of the gear module between gear set positions is accomplished by a DC motor operated cam drive mechanism which pivots the gear module selectively between the high speed and low speed gear set positions. The cam drive mechanism includes a camming slot having dwell segments at each end of the slot. An open loop control gear mesh procedure includes is also described for meshing the high speed and low speed intermediate gear drives with the input drive gear and output driven gear.

Abstract: An image and an associated audio segment are recorded on a film negative. The information on the film negative can be printed as encoded sound data on photographic paper or the like. For displaying, the sound data is scanned, decoded to create an audio segment data stream, and the data stream is played, typically by a computer while a monitor displays the image at the same time. More realistic sound playback is achieved by recording audio segments with plural microphones and playing back the audio segments recorded by the microphones from one or more of the sources based on a user-selected area of interest on the corresponding visual image.

Abstract: An album (100) for storing a collection of image prints (94). At least one of the image prints comprises an index print (20) that includes a memory unit (30) integral with the print to define an audio print for storing audio data. The album includes a print holder (90) having respective front and back covers and a plurality of pages (92) configured for mounting the collection. An audio unit (40) is mounted to the print holder. The audio unit includes a housing (42) and an image print processor (60), when the audio print is coupled to the audio unit, to communicate with the audio print memory unit and selectively process audio data related to the collection.

Abstract: Personalized story presentations, such as video movies, are prepared with the aid of a kit including a film camera, pose instruction set and chroma-key backdrop. The camera is preferably a special single-use camera having a visual aid strip seen in the viewfinder showing a series of poses associated with a selected story line. An optional audio accessory is provided to capture spoken phrases and other sounds to be associated with the presentation. The exposed film and sound recording are submitted to a photofinisher/image processor where the images and audio are digitized and incorporated into a preexisting digitized story using existing image processing programs. When completed, the personalized story is recorded on suitable playback media and returned to the customer. The same process can be used to create interactive game programs.

Abstract: The degree of wear of the paper transport roller (10) is checked by means of a reflected light barrier (40). To that end, the paper transport roller (10) comprises two layers (13 and 15) applied to the core of the paper transport roller (10). The two layers (13 and 15) differ in their degree of reflection for electromagnetic radiation. The layers (13 and 15) are applied to the paper transport roller (10) such that the inner layer (13) has a lower degree of reflection than the outer layer (15). The inner layer (13) is advantageously black and the outer layer (15) white. When the outer layer (15) is worn as a result of the friction between the single sheet (30) to be transported and the paper transport roller (10), the inner layer (13) gradually comes into contact with the single sheets. The degree of reflection of the surface of the paper transport roller (10) then also changes in the same way and is determined using a reflected light barrier (40).

Abstract: In a flash circuit for a single use camera, a minimum residual charge voltage level is maintained on a flash capacitor to ensure availability of an energy source to operate an auxiliary circuit, such as an optical data recording circuit, even after prolonged periods of non-use of the camera. This minimum charge voltage level is maintained by provision of a DC circuit path from the camera battery via the charger circuit and flash power rectifier diode to the flash capacitor. Automatic restart of the flash charging circuit upon closing of the flash trigger switch is assured by connecting the charging circuit start terminal to the trigger switch by means of a normally reverse biased re-start diode that isolates the start terminal from the flash capacitor voltage on the trigger circuit at all times when the flash trigger switch is open.

Abstract: A battery charging system detects if multiple battery cells to be recharged include rechargeable, secondary batteries or non-rechargeable, primary batteries. If the system detects that any one of the cells is a primary battery, then the charging system halts the charging operation. If all of the cells are secondary batteries, but the polarity of any battery cell is incorrect, then the charging system halts the charging process.

Abstract: An optical data recording circuit includes an optical recording device normally illuminated from a camera battery means in conjunction with initiation of flash illumination in the camera flash illumination circuit. The data recording circuit includes a first charging circuit path having a charging diode and an auxiliary charge storage capacitor for maintaining a charge voltage substantially equal to battery no-load voltage. The optical recording device, typically an LED, is connected to the charge voltage point of the first circuit and, through a switch device to a return terminal of the battery. When the switch device is closed in conjunction with initiating flash illumination, the LED is illuminated by the battery through the charging diode of the first circuit path.

Abstract: An optical data recording circuit suitably adapted for a low cost, one-time-use camera in which an LED optical recording device is connected via a switch device from one terminal of a battery supply to the base of an oscillator transistor in an oscillator charging circuit. The base of the oscillator transistor is connected via a resistor to the other terminal of the battery supply and via an oscillator charger circuit ON/OFF switch and secondary winding of the charger step-up transformer to the first terminal of the battery supply. The battery is such that its no-load output voltage is sufficient to illuminate the LED. When the switch device is closed to initiate recording of an optical data bit on film in the camera, the LED is illuminated from the battery no-load output voltage if the ON/OFF switch is open and the charging circuit is not running.

Abstract: A spoolless film takeup chamber with a pair of expandable film coiling springs. The springs are flat springs coiled generally in a spiral configuration. The thickness of the springs varies from the point at which the springs are attached to the inner takeup chamber out to the free, distal ends of the springs such that the thickness at the distal end is less than the thickness at end attached to chamber. Preferably the thickness decreases continuously from the attached ends to the distal ends of the spring. The effect is to reduce the spring rate at the outer ends of the springs thereby maintaining a relatively constant spring force on the film as the diameter of the film coil grows as compared to springs with a constant spring rate along the length of the springs.

Abstract: A digital image processor that establishes a boundary level of acceptable hardcopy print quality level based on selected image print size and printing magnification and provides a warning to the user prior to generation of the hardcopy print that alerts the user when the determined print image quality will be unsatisfactory.

Abstract: Film scanning apparatus having a film cartridge chamber for receiving a film cartridge containing photographic film having images to be scanned, a film takeup chamber and a film scan gate therebetween. The apparatus has an upstream nip roller set positioned between the film cartridge chamber and the film scan gate and includes at least one drive roller and pinch roller set in which the drive roller has a compliant film engagement surface. A downstream nip roller set is positioned between the film scan gate and the film takeup chamber and includes at least one drive roller and pinch roller set in which the drive roller has a compliant film engagement surface. The upstream nip roller set exerts constant tensioning force on film in the film scan gate buffering the film in the film scan gate against variable tensioning effects on the film caused by the film cartridge.

Abstract: A user interface is described for an image computing workstation for electronically arranging the components of a special effects job, such as image-compositing, from a plurality of image sequences obtained by the scanning of motion picture film. The interface controls the ordering of a plurality of image sequences into a hierarchy of background and foreground image sequences, with each sequence being composed of frames whose appearance imitates the frames of a motion picture film. The hierarchical image sequences are displayed adjacent to each other in a windowing environment so that the frames thereof visually align on a frame-to-frame basis. The interface includes means for varying the hierarchical order and the adjacency of the image sequences so that different frames thereof are brought into visual alignment with each other, whereby the image sequences are correctly ordered as to hierarchy and adjacency for a special effect.

Abstract: An electronic reproduction apparatus is provided with a modeling routine that includes the steps of identifying a portion of an electronic image to be modified; defining an optical axis, a projection point, a density contour shape and a density gradient profile within the portion of the electronic image to be modified; and calculating modified image data values based on the optical axis, projection point, density contour shape and density gradient profile; applying the modified image data values the portion of the electronic image to be modified. The modified image data is calculated using a cubic spline interpolation. The modeling routine enables the production of smooth and natural contours and gradients required to create common enhancement effects such as shadows, glows, highlights and vignettes.