Abstract: An automatic image capture station employing a pressure sensing pad to provide position signals to a controller for use directing the subject to appropriate position in the field of view of the camera or, alternatively, to control the camera operation to improve composition of the image to be captured.

Abstract: A low cost, compact light shutter apparatus for a photographic film scanner in which an elongate light shutter mechanism has a curvilinear surface nested in a mating, curvilinear recess formed in an opaque plate. The shutter mechanism preferably is comprised of an elongated blade of sufficient length and width to cover a light transmitting slot in the plate when the blade is in a light blocking position. The blade is attached to a rotary solenoid for movement between light blocking and light transmitting positions.

Abstract: An automatic photographic printer is programmed to determine, from image classification pixel scan data, the existence of panoramic image frames interspersed among full size image frames on a film strip. The printer is initially set to assume all image frames are panoramic images until any one of the following test conditions is found that then indicates the image is not panoramic: (a) an initial pixel value indicates the existence of film density, (b) differences in pixel density values in rows within the non-panoramic areas of the frame indicate the existence of film density or (c) pixel density values on opposite sides of a line separating panoramic from non-panoramic frame areas indicate the absence of a frame edge.

Abstract: Digital image signal data is applied to a film recorder to produce a pseudo-negative using high gamma transparency film as the negative. The image signal data is modified before application to the film recorder to insert signal values, positive for positive transparency film and negative for negative transparency film, such that upon photographic processing of the transparency film, a negative image is produced with a positive orange mask effect. The pseudo-negative is then used to produce multiple positive print images conventional negative-working print paper.

Abstract: Pixel data from bad photosites of a linear imaging device is suppressed and replaced with pixel data from the next available good photosite. The loss of pixel data blocks from the beginning of the scan line is made up at the end of the scan line by continuing to write to memory the end pixel data a requisite number of times needed to complete the full scan line data.

Abstract: In a photographic camera having a plurality of opto-sensors and a microprocessor-based controller, the opto-sensor output signals are coupled via a common bus connection to an input terminal of the controller. A programmably variable output impedance common to the opto-sensors is selectably set for each corresponding selected opto-sensor such that the output signal for each of the selected opto-sensors is at or above a predetermined threshold value at the input to the controller irrespective of differing current output performance of the individual opto-sensors.

Abstract: A camera of the prewind or normal wind type that writes data on a roll of film to indicate where specific frames on the roll of film have been exposed and unexposed and detects the presence of that data on the film to determine where additional exposures may be made on the roll of film. The camera writes data on the magnetically sensitive layer of the roll of film in bursts, wherein each burst is separated from each other burst with nonwritten portions of film. BY using one pattern of data and spaces for the marking of exposed frames and another pattern for unexposed frames, prewind and normal wind cameras can interchange partially exposed rolls of film without explicitly decoding magnetic data.

Abstract: A bipolar CCD signal processing circuit and method in which offset in a non-zero dark level of the CCD signal which is induced by pixel-to-pixel gain adjustment is compensated by applying a proportionate amount of the gain compensation component of the gain signal to the gain-adjusted CCD signal to compensate for the gain-induced offset whereby the dark level of the gain-adjusted CCD signal is substantially restored on a pixel-to-pixel basis to its predetermined non-zero value. When gain-induced offset compensation is employed, the range of any separately applied compensation for pixel-to-pixel offsets, other than those induced by gain compensation, is substantially reduced.

Abstract: An autofocus device for still projection apparatus employing a light source and dual photoreceiver. A signal generator applies variable current pulses to the light source. A signal processing circuit converts output signals from the dual photoreceiver into digital signals from which direction and speed control signals are derived and applied to focus control means. Alternative signal processing circuits are disclosed for driving either an analog on digital stepper focus drive motor.

Abstract: A CCD linear imager signal processor is dynamically controlled on a pixel-by-pixel and line-by-line basis by means of programmably variable control word bit maps to control the number of range and size of blocks of imaging pixel data that are accumulated to vary the imaging resolution and the format of the imaging process.

Abstract: A method and camera apparatus for magnetically recording data on a photographic film magnetic layer in dual parallel data tracks wherein a first data track is recorded as the film is transported in one direction and a second data track is recorded as the film is transported in the reverse direction. In this manner, recording is simplified since only one recording track of a recording head is needed for recording in the dual data tracks and memory requirements are minimized by recording high content data as each frame is exposed, leaving the low content data to be stored in memory for recording during rewind of film into the cassette.

Abstract: A CCD linear imager is dynamically controlled on a pixel-by-pixel basis by a line-related map of control words stored in memory with individual control words addressed by a pixel counter operating in synchronism with processing of each imaging pixel in the CCD. Multiple control word maps may be stored in memory for programmed selection "on the fly" to vary the operating control of the CCD on a line-by-line basis.

Abstract: A photographic camera having a logic and control circuit programmed to read a mode setting bar code imprinted on a disc mounted on the end of a cartridge adapted to fit in the cartridge receiving chamber of the camera. The disc may be snapped onto a real film cartridge by the camera operator or it may be provided on dummy cartridge specifically intended to program an operating mode of the camera. One dedicated character in the bar code indicative of an operating mode, such as "calibration", "test" or "custom program", causes another character code on the disc, which is normally assigned a meaning relating to film characteristics, to be referred to an alternate look-up table to determine a specific functional operating activity appropriate to the determined camera operating mode. A wide variety of pre-assigned operating mode activities is possible with this arrangement.

Abstract: A microprocessor system, including a central processing unit (CPU), data source device and data destination device electrically interconnected by first data bus lines, address bus lines and control bus lines of a system bus, is implemented with a transfer signal control line, and second data bus lines interconnecting the data source and data destination devices for direct background transfer of data between the devices. At least one of the devices includes individually sequentially addressable storage locations, and associated address and count registers. The data source device includes "ready" and "enable output" terminals, and the data destination device includes "ready" and "enable input" terminals, all connected in AND-gate configuration so that the devices are enabled for data transfer through the second data bus lines only when both device "ready" signals and the transfer control signal are all present.

Abstract: A line frequency is determined by interleaved sampling of ambient light to obtain analog voltage samples at predetermined sampling rates associated with two or more line frequencies. Where there are two line frequencies, one method separates the first samples by a time period at least equal to an analog-to-digital conversion time, and less than the earliest time when a sample associated with one line frequency would coincide with a sample from the other. There are n samples per flicker frequency period and Q samples for each line frequency are taken. In a second method, a first common sample is taken for all line frequencies, and a condition characterized by simultaneous samples for different line frequency sample groups triggers a common sample for all line frequencies. For both methods, digital sample values one through Q-1 for each group are operated on to obtain a result, and then two through Q are similarly operated on to obtain a second result.

Abstract: A system and method of image reproduction in color with preferential tone mapping in which the image reproduction is subjected to a scene parameter transformation which when taken in conjunction with untransformed characteristics of the image reproduction system and method results in a reproduced tone mapping having instantaneous gamma values of viewed reproduction density relative to density of the original scene which are greater than 1.0 and less than 1.0 plus 0.35 times scene exposure density over a scene exposure density range of from 0.6 to 1.45 as measured relative to a zero density, 100% diffuse reflector in the original scene. Preferably, the instantaneous gamma values within this scene exposure density range further lie substantially within a range of values subtended by an angle of 14.degree. as measured from a reference point at 0.0 scene exposure density and 1.0 viewed reproduction density gradient.

Abstract: The circuit according to the invention comprises a circuit for receiving an input signal, the amplitude of which is proportional to the frequency of input signal; amplifier for providing an amplified output signal; bandwidth tracking located between input circuit and amplifier and defining a low-pass filtering stage and a voltage divider network, bandwidth tracking being controlled by servo in response to the output of amplifier, so that the upper cutoff frequency of low-pass filtering stage varies in a proportionate manner with the frequency of input signal and so that the amplitude of amplified output signal remains substantially constant.

Abstract: A camera system is disclosed that optically records audio information on a photographic film containing corresponding image information. The camera system includes a user interface coupled to a camera control processor, a recording circuit coupled to the camera control processor and a microphone, an optical encoding circuit having an input coupled to the output of the recording circuit and an output coupled to an optical write head, a shutter mechanism, and a transport mechanism for advancing film past the shutter mechanism and the optical write head.

Abstract: A photographic film cartridge has one or more resistive elements formed on the exterior surface of the cartridge with associated visual indicator elements to indicate exposure status of film in the cartridge. The camera is provided with a drive circuit to change the resistance values of the resistive elements to provide an electrically sensed indication of the film exposure status when next the cartridge is placed in the camera. Provision can be made for both full exposure and mid-roll interrupt indications. At the same time, the heat generated by the resistive element during its change in resistance value is useful to change a characteristic of the associated visual indicator to provide a visual indication of the exposure status of the film in the cartridge.

Abstract: A method of bypassing film that is inadvertently fogged in a pre-wind camera includes detecting the opening of the camera back, storing the frame number corresponding to the opening of the camera back, determining which frames are fogged, and bypassing these fogged frames during the normal operation of the camera. A camera in accordance with the invention also can take into consideration the ambient light level, the film speed, and the length of time the door was open, and then select the appropriate number of frames to be advanced from a look-up table in order to bypass the fogged frames.