Abstract: A method of color balance determination for use by a color copying apparatus utilizing a gray estimate established as a functional relationship among at least three basic color density values measured from regions within multiple image frames of a film order. This functional relationship is preferably a fitted line to a set of measured density values from which density values from regions of high color saturation have been excluded. To discriminate these high color saturation regions, the color saturation is determined relative to a gray point calculated as a weighted average of minimum density and image average density values. Further improvement in the gray estimate is achieved by limiting the set of measured density values to regions of high modulance ("edge effect") within the image frames.

Abstract: In a low cost camera, film initialization to a first exposure frame by a time constant controlled drive circuit in which the time constant circuit is reset by a door sensor switch as a consequence of unloading and/or loading of film in the camera. This ensures that newly loaded film will be automatically initialized to the first exposure position without requiring the camera user to remember to actuate a shutter release button multiple times to achieve proper initialization. A film advance sensor switch is further employed to prevent subsequent frame advance if film initialization is for any reason not properly achieved.

Abstract: In a low cost camera, film initialization to a first exposure frame by a time constant controlled drive circuit in which the time constant circuit is reset by a "cartridge present" sensor switch as a consequence of removing a film cartridge from the camera. This ensures that newly loaded film will be automatically initialized to the first exposure position without requiring the camera user to remember to actuate a shutter release button multiple times to achieve proper initialization. A flash charger circuit in the camera is automatically started at the end of frame advance or at the end of film initialization by opening of a film metering sensor switch that allows discharge of a capacitor into the time constant circuit, capacitor discharge generating a starting pulse sent to the charger circuit.

Abstract: An interactive game apparatus in which players throw projectiles, such as soft balls, against a display panel on which a target image is projected and contact sensitive elements aligned with target areas in the projected image are activated by a hit from the thrown projectile to initiate a change in the projected image uniquely associated with the target area hit and the player who threw the projectile. An embodiment in the context of a tic-tac-toe game is described. A number of embodiments for identifying specific projectiles with a player responsible for throwing the projectile are described.

Abstract: Manually controlled semi-automatic apparatus for desplicing film strips particularly as part of a photofinishing process includes a desplicing station mounted on a rocking arm for automatically positioning the desplicing station at first and second splice regions of the splice tape for separation of successive film strips from the splice tape in successive desplicing cycles. A tensioning mechanism, including actuator operated tensioning rollers, is mounted entirely on one side of the desplicing mechanism and operates automatically to tension the splice film during the first desplicing cycle in which one film strip is removed from the splice tape and to tension a splice tape pickup web and remaining film strip during the second desplicing cycle, the tensioning mechanism minimizing operator handling of the film during the desplicing operation.

Abstract: A gimbaled load pad mounting arrangement in which a rigid load pad is detachably mounted on the spherical end of a spring-loaded mounting shaft. The load pad is provided on the side with flexible retention hooks with finger portions that engage the underside of the mounting frame to hold the load pad in position during assembly. Once the magnetic head is mounted in position, the pressure of the head against the load pad disengages the finger portions from contact with the underside of the frame thereby allowing the gimbaled load pad to assume its exact constraint position against the face of the magnetic head.

Abstract: Sound with still image film system, camera and cassette classifier apparatus wherein indicium such as a deformable tab on the film cassette is modified to indicate sound is or will be recorded in association with pictures taken on the film in the cassette. The camera includes a mechanism responsive to a control input such as actual recording of sound to cause the tab to be modified (bent inwards or broken off) to provide a visible indication that the cassette is to receive sound associated processing. Classifier apparatus at the retail order station includes a physical sensor to detect the modified tab condition and initiate a signal indicating a sound capable film cassette as well as possible order entry functions and recording of sound order associated on a film magnetic layer on the leader of the film.

Abstract: In a photoprinter having a bar code reader, a method is provided of automatically assigning a reference frame number to the last bar code on a film order. The reference number is the highest frame number associated with the detected film order length. The method includes a determination that the last bar code read is within specified distance from the end of the film order to ensure that it is, in fact, the last bar code on the order so that the position of the reference frame number is correctly determined. Once the reference frame number and its position is determined, a known frame number assignment algorithm is employed to map out the remaining frame numbers to the image frame notch locations on the film order.

Abstract: Data bits representing different aspect ratio formats of film image frames are optically recorded on photographic film by means of light emitting devices energized from the flash charge storage capacitor. The light emitting devices are driven by a constant current source control circuit, the control circuit and light emitting devices being coupled to the capacitor by the flash sync switch. Data bit format selection is achieved by either user operated light emitting device selection switches or by means of an optical bit forming mask having plural aperture selectable by means of a movable slide shutter.

Abstract: `X` shaped filters can be used as a basis for the enhancement of images derived by electronic scanning. However, whilst such filters offer the advantage that the horizontal and vertical edges of the image will be boosted in preference to the edges at 45.degree., they are not suitable for use where a different amount of enhancement is required horizontally and vertically as is the case when scanning an anamorphic film in a telecine. Described herein is a method of image processing in which the symmetry of the detail signal obtained from the `X` filter can be modified by using a supplementary detail signal obtained from a linear filter to compensate for any asymmetry in the horizontal or vertical resolution of the original image.

Abstract: A method of digital image processing for degraining (smoothing) of images based on selected averaging of pixels in a neighborhood of pixels surrounding a target pixel to be recalculated. Improvement in the application of the selected average method to images of higher graininess such as might be obtained from higher speed films is achieved by weighting the difference in code values between each neighborhood pixel and the target pixel in accordance with a function that is related to physical distance between the neighborhood pixel and the target pixel. After all target pixels are recalculated using a selected fraction of pixel elements based on their distance weighted difference values, the process is iterated for each target pixel "n" number of times to achieve a desired relative code value of the target pixel to surrounding background pixel code values whereupon a final unweighted averaging operation is performed to achieve the final recalculated value of the target pixel.

Abstract: Mounting of a solid state imaging sensor in a film scanner support body with an axis of the sensor in precision alignment with a scan axis of the scanner. The sensor is precision mounted on a support frame forming part of a sensor package with the sensor axis aligned with a line of sensor leads extending from the sensor support frame. The sensor package is then mounted on a scanner support body with the sensor leads abuting an insulator material reference datum surface that holds the sensor axis in precision alignment relative to a film scan axis.

Abstract: A photographic film camera adapted to receive a film cassette having a rotatable radial bar code data disk mounted at one end thereof is provided with a variable gain opto-sensor circuit responsive to the radial bar code for generating a sensor output signal having transitions through a logic threshold normally representative of transitions between data elements on the data disk. A microcontroller adapted to read the data from the data disk compensates for a noisy, corrupted by establishing a first gain setting and selectable other gain settings at the opto-sensor circuit during generation of the sensor output signal, and by counting logic threshold transitions in the output signal such that if the transition count for the first gain setting is other than a count corresponding to a fixed number of bar code data elements on the data disk, the opto-sensor gain is adjusted to one or more of the selectable other gain settings until the transition count corresponds to the fixed number of bar code data elements.

Abstract: A flash circuit for a low cost camera in which a voltage dependent resistor is employed as a flash capacitor charge voltage sensing device to perform a control effect in the flash circuit, such as turning on a flash ready indicator light or activating a oscillation terminating device to arrest self oscillations in a flash charging circuit.

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 semi automatic film de-splicer that non-destructively separates film strips from splice tapes attached to the film strips with thermal adhesive. A reciprocating heat shoe is operated in two de-splicing cycles to press and heat the splice tape adhesive separately in each adhesive region of the tape. In the first cycle, in which one film strip is restricted from movement, the other film strip is placed in tension by a tensioning device mounted on the film strip holding roller. When the adhesive is softened and the heat shoe is released, the tensioned pulls the film strip free of the splice tape. The heat shoe then presses and reheats the free end of the splice tape against an underlying pickup web to tack the splice tape to the web. The web is then advanced to place the remaining adhesive region attaching the splice tape to the other film strip under the heat shoe and the other film holding roller is placed in tension.