Abstract: A shutter release cable adapter for connection to a mechanical shutter release of a film camera is provided with a bi-stable magnetic device to selectively position an internal shutter release plunger to either a translation blocking or unblocking position depending on an operating condition of the image capture system of which the film camera is a part. The magnetic device includes an electromagnet responsive to a system condition signal to generate a reversible magnetic field and a permanent magnet interactive with the electromagnetic field to position a projection mounted on the internal plunger to the respective blocking or unblocking position as determined by the condition of the image capture system. In the absence of an electromagnetic field the permanent magnet retains its assumed position by attraction of the permanent magnet field to the armature poles of the electromagnet.

Abstract: A simultaneous image capture system including a film camera and an electronic image capture system includes a shutter release cable adapter with means for generating an output signal in response to initiation of a picture taking event. If the electronic image capture system is not ready to accept a new image, an imaging system controller responds to the adapter output signal to generate a warning indication to alert the photographer not to continue with the picture-taking event. The cable adapter is preferably a two position electromechanical device having an input responsive to the imaging system controller. When the electronic image capture system is not prepared to accept a new image, the controller sends a system busy signal to the adapter to cause the adapter to assume a blocking setting that physically blocks the cable release from initiating a picture taking event.

Abstract: Apparatus in a simple low cost camera for encoding predetermined pseudo-formats of exposed image frames on film of the type having a magnetic layer thereon in which there is a data track prerecorded on the film. A user-operable selector means on the camera is set to establish the format of an image frame to be exposed on the film. In response to the selector means, a magnetic erasure means is activated by an erasure encodement signal generating means to selectively erase predetermined portions of a segment of the data track associated with a corresponding pseudo-format exposed image frame. Means are provided for inhibiting activation of the erasure means when the film is advanced in the camera in a direction opposite to the direction associated with frame-by-frame advance during the picture-taking process.

Abstract: Apparatus in a simple low cost camera for encoding predetermined formats of exposed image frames on film of the type having a magnetic layer thereon in which there are a plurality of parallel data tracks prerecorded on the film. A user-operable selector means on the camera is set to establish the format of an image frame to be exposed on the film. In response to the selector means, a magnetic means is translated laterally across the film to position a magnetic erasure field in the path of one or more of the prerecorded data tracks to cause erasure of a segment of the selected tracks associated with the image frame. Preferably, the erasure field is always in the path of a first of a plurality of tracks to simultaneously indicate both normal format and the extend of film usage. Movement of the erasure field into the path of one or more additional adjacent data tracks is used to indicate pseudo image formats such as pseudo-tele and pseudo-pan prints.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an accompanying method, for use in a photographic camera for selecting a lens aperture setting for a full flash exposure of a scene based upon re-assessed depth-of-field requirements for that scene. Specifically, full flash lighting will cause the exposure of both the primary and background subjects in a scene to increase. Inasmuch as increased background illumination attributable to the full flash will render the background subject increasingly visible in the flash exposure, a lens will need to provide additional depth-of-field in order to sharply photograph the entire scene including not only the primary subject but also the background subject.

Abstract: A dual still video/film portrait system in which the film has a virtually transparent magnetic layer, the camera and the photofinishing system used to develop the film each having magnetic read/write heads and a processor for controlling data recorded and played back in magnetic tracks on the film.

Abstract: An improved decoder circuit suitable for decoding an encoded binary data stream. The encoding is expected to generate a three-part code format, the format, in turn, comprising a pair of clock transitions that set-off a data transition. The improved decoder circuit establishes whether or not the expected format is in fact realized under arbitrary operating conditions, and in the event of a failure to realize the expected format, provides a suitable format for a subsequent decoding procedure.

Abstract: A web of photographic film or the like having an optical property to be inspected and measured (such as exposure density or reflectance) is transported through a flasher chamber at a predetermined nominal speed and is exposed to radiation in the flasher to produce a series of longitudinally spaced, transversely oriented exposure bands separated by unexposed bands on the web. The transport speed of the web through the exposure chamber is selected for a given exposure period for each band such that the web moves only a minor fraction of the longitudinal width of each band during exposure of the band. Subsequent inspection of the web, for example, in a densitometer, produces a pulsed output signal waveform in which the peak amplitudes of the pulses are proportional to the optical property being measured independent of any perturbations in transport speed of the web through the exposure chamber.

Abstract: A magnetic layer is included as an additional layer in a photographic film. Information exchange between various uses of the film, such as the camera user, the dealer and photofinisher, is facilitated by recording data in dedicated frame-limited longitudinal track(s) in said film. All data is recorded on the film using a self-clocking three-part code in order to provide automatic data synchronization between the various users without requiring film transport at the same speed or even a uniform speed when reading and writing data. Three-part encoded binary characters uniquely representing start and stop sentinels respectively, are recorded at the beginning and end of the track respectively and facilitate automatic detection of the direction of film strip transport.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an accompanying method, for use in a photographic camera for determining a lens aperture value for use during a fill flash exposure of a scene wherein the aperture value will impart a sufficient depth-of-field to a photographed image of the scene to capture both near and distant (background) subjects therein with pre-defined, typically ISO normal, exposures. Specifically, minimum and maximum aperture limit values are first determined from the permissible fastest and slowest shutter speeds that can be used to provide an ISO normal exposure of the distant subject. The fastest shutter speed is the fastest shutter speed to which a flash unit in use can be synchronized, while the slowest shutter speed is governed by the focal length of the lens in use.

Abstract: A method of making a card such as a business card or greeting card on photosensitive media using images photographically recorded in successive frames on photographic film, the photographic film including a magnetic layer. The method comprises magnetically recording at an order entry station instructions in the magnetic layer instructions specifying one of the frames, a graphic location and a source of a graphic image to be placed on the graphic location, magnetically reading the instructions from the magnetic layer, fetching the graphic image from the source specified by the recorded instructions and generating a graphic light source to project the graphic image fetched from the source, and exposing at a print station one portion of the photosensitive media to the frame on the film corresponding to the frame number specified by the recorded instructions and exposing another portion of the photosensitive media to the graphic light source.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring lateral charge distribution on a moving web includes a cylindrical roller having at least a pair of charge measuring segments on the cylinder surface which are electrically isolated from each other and aligned end-to-end in the direction of the axis of rotation of the cylinder. Each of the measurement segments is adapted to be connected to a separate electrometer. The cylinder is mounted on a support to move the cylinder in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of conveyance of the web over the surface of the cylinder. A measuring device for measuring lateral displacement of the cylinder is used for calculation of the proportion of web area in contact with one segment relative to the total web area in contact with both segments. The proportionate measured charge represents the integral charge on a fraction of the web and by taking periodic measurements as the cylinder is moved laterally across the web, a profile of lateral integral charge distribution is determined.

Abstract: Exposure control apparatus and methods for use in a photographic camera to improve the overall quality of photographed images over that obtainable by adherence to ISO/ANSI exposure standards. The quality improvement is attained through automatic selection of photographic exposure parameters primarily based upon scene requirements (including providing sufficient depth-of-field and avoiding image blur) and film exposure characteristics, rather than through use of the ISO/ANSI exposure standards. Specifically, the present invention: (a) determines the initial exposure settings, e.g. shutter speed and lens aperture size and, where appropriate, flash parameters, necessary to provide a baseline, typically an ISO normal exposure of a scene to be photographed; (b) ascertains corresponding exposure settings (and, where appropriate, flash parameters) that actually meet the scene requirements, such as e.g.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are described for determining the transmission factor or the density of a translucent element, such as an optical filter, using the cosine-to-the-fourth law. The apparatus includes a source of light of constant color and intensity. A detector is mounted on a track for movement along rectilinear path with the plane of the operative face of the detector parallel to the path. A reading of the intensity of light from the source sensed by the detector is taken in one position with the element in the light path and in another position with the element absent. The positions being such that the two readings are equal. The angles .THETA. and .alpha. of incidence of light on the detector in the two positions are determined and computer means determine value of ##EQU1## to give the value of the transmission factor.

Abstract: Reliability of bubble or particle detection in a flowing fluid is improved using a pulsed doppler frequency detector. When an echo signal is received, impliedly indicating the existence of a bubble or particle in the carrier fluid, then, based on the flow rate of the carrier fluid, a predetermined time interval is established following a second interrogating pulse during which the second interrogating pulse would be predicted to produce an echo if the first echo did, in fact, represent a real bubble or particle in the fluid. Detection of the second echo during this time interval confirms the existence of the bubble or particle. For fluid flows with cross section velocity profiles that are not constant, e.g. laminar flow, a plurality of different predicted time intervals are established for different points in the velocity profile spaced radially from the fluid conduit and multiple sensing cycles are employed to thereby detect bubbles or particles at different radial positions in the fluid cross section.

Abstract: A dual still video/film portrait system in which the film has a virtually transparent magnetic layer, the camera and the photofinishing system used to develop the film each having magnetic read/write heads and a processor for controlling data recorded and played back in magnetic tracks on the film.

Abstract: A radial bar code providing DX film information is disposed on a disc mounted at an axial end of a film cassette, the disc being rotatable with rotation of the film spool during film extraction and rewind. Film exposure status visual indicators are disposed on the disc and the cassette housing. A stationary optical reader in the camera in association with a logic and control circuit is provided to read the DX information from the rotating disc during film extraction for suitable control of exposure conditions in the camera. During film rewind the angular positioning of the disc can be measured from the bar code to cause the disc to be stopped at the end of rewind with appropriate ones of the status indicators aligned to provide a visual indication of the film exposure status to the camera user.

Abstract: A radial bar code providing DX film information is disposed on a disc mounted at an axial end of a film cassette, the disc being rotatable with rotation of the film spool during film extraction and rewind. Film exposure status visual indicators are disposed on the disc. A stationary optical reader in the camera in association with a logic and control circuit can thus read the DX information from the rotating disc during film extraction for suitable control of exposure conditions in the camera. During film rewind the angular positioning of the disc can be measured from the bar code to cause the disc to be stopped at the end of rewind with appropriate ones of the status indicators aligned to provide a visual indication to the camera user of the amount of film exposed in the cassette.

Abstract: A series scene indication is magnetically recorded adjacent appropriate frames in a strip of film by an autowind camera whenever it is in rapidfire mode. The camera includes a magnetic head positioned to record data in a magnetic layer of the film strip as the strip is transported by a take-up reel, and a processor which intelligently senses when the camera is in a rapidfire mode and instructs recording electronics to energize the magnetic head in order to record the series scene indication on the film strip.

Abstract: Electrical circuits suitable for decoding binary information, in accordance with a novel modulation method. The novel modulation method is referenced in the instant case, and it is explained that the method may be used when an encoding or decoding information transfer rate may be dependent on unpredictable and variable transfer rate velocities and accelerations. The present electrical circuits provide a novel means to realize the utility of the modulation method.