Abstract: A camera embodying the invention includes a magnetic recording head adjacent the film and a processor which senses the lens focal length, the aperture size and shutter speed, and the film ISO number or film speed. The processor causes the scene brightness value sensed at the time of exposure of each film frame to be recorded by the magnetic head in a magnetic track adjacent or in registration with the current film frame. The processor senses the aperture size and shutter exposure time acutally employed by the camera in exposing the current film frame to compute an actual exposure value. It then determines whether this actual exposure value deviates significantly from the ideal exposure value and if so by how much. The deviation thus computed, if any, is also recorded in the same magnetic track in the film or one next to it.

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 virtually transparent magnetic layer is included as an additional layer in a color negative film. Information exchange between various users of the film--such as the camera user, the dealer and photofinisher--is carried via plural longitudinal magnetic tracks on the film, each track being dedicated to the writing and reading of a predetermined set of related parameters. The photofinisher13 dedicated track locations fill the exposed image area of each frame. The camera-dedicated tracks lie along the edges of the film between the film perforations, the perforations being widely spaced for this purpose. The order entry process of the invention responds to data on the dedicated magnetic tracks on the film to govern the process and to store data governing order entry and photofinishing.

Abstract: A system for simultaneous recording of a flash image on photographic film and video cameras in which flash operation during the process of image transfer out of an image sensor in the video camera is avoided by means of a simple synchronizing circuit. The synchronizing circuit operates in response to a flash request signal from the film camera to interrupt the transfer of image information out of the image sensor in the video camera for at least the duration of the flash illumination on the subject. Following conclusion of the flash illumination, the synchronizing circuit resets the image sensor processing circuits to restart transfer of the image information out of the image sensor at the beginning of an image field. The restart can coincide with conclusion of the flash illumination or can be delayed to coincide with a desired video frame in the composite video signal.

Abstract: A system for simultaneous recording of a flash image on photographic film and video cameras in which flash operation during transfer of image out of the image sensor in the video camera is avoided by means of a simple synchronizing circuit. The synchronizing circuit generates a flash valid signal which allows the flash to be initiated only during a limited portion of the video field signal ending sufficiently far in advance of the next vertical blanking interval to assure that any flash illumination will be completed before the beginning of the next vertical blanking interval in which the video image transfer process occurs.

Abstract: The camera of the invention includes a magnetic recording head adjacent the film and a processor which senses the lens focal length, the aperture size, the shutter speed and the film ISO number or film speed, and makes the following determinations: First, it determines from the scene brightness and film speed whether the ideal combination of shutter speed and aperture size, in terms of a required exposure value, falls within the range of maximum and minimum shutter exposure times and aperture sizes of which the camera is capable of providing, expressed in terms of a minimum camera exposure value and a maximum camera exposure value. If the ideal exposure value for that scene falls outside the range of camera exposure values, then the processor causes a magnetic recording head to magnetically record in or adjacent the current film frame a coded indication symbolic of the fact that the required exposure value was beyond the camera exposure value range.

Abstract: A virtually transparent magnetic layer is included as an additional layer in a color negative film. Information exchange between various users of the film--such as (for example) the film manufacturer, the camera user, the dealer and photofinisher--is carried via plural longitudinal magnetic tracks on the film that begin and end in individual frames. Each track is dedicated to the writing and reading of a predetermined set of parameters related to the corresponding frame. All data is recorded as N-bit character where N is preferably six. Each track is preceeded by certain six-bit character called an ID sentinel. On-film magnetic data recording by the film manufacturer uses an ID sentinel different from that employed in the camera. The camera automatically prevents exposure of any frame bearing a camera ID sentinel, thus providing protection from double exposures.

Abstract: In a print head that has a plurality of inline light beams for simultaneously writing a corresponding plurality of lines of an image on a photoreceptor surface, the imaged spot size and center-to-center spacing are independently settable by projecting the light beams onto a diffusion screen which is spaced from the light sources by an amount needed to achieve a desired spot size. The spots on the diffusion screen are then imaged onto the photoreceptor surface by imaging optics with a desired magnification to achieve a desired center-to-center spacing between spots on the photoreceptor surface. For a given magnification value the photoreceptor spot size can be set by the spacing between the light source and the diffusion screen independent of the center-to-center spacing between the spots.

Abstract: A series scene indication magnetically recorded adjacent appropriate frames in a strip of film by an autowind camera whenever it is in rapidfire mode are employed by a photofinishing station for using same print exposure value for one of the frames in the series to expose and print all of the frames in the same series. However, the photofinisher computes individual print exposure values for those frames in a series having photosensiometric data significantly different from the photosensiometric data of the rest of the frames in the series.

Abstract: A virtually transparent magnetic layer is included as an additional layer in a color negative film. Information exchange between various users of the film--such as (for example) the film manufacturer, the camera user, the dealer and photofinisher--is carried via plural longitudinal magnetic tracks on the film that begin and end in individual frames. Each track is dedicated to the writing and reading of a predetermined set of parameters related to the corresponding frame. The photofinisher-dedicated tracts fill the exposed image area of each frame. The camera-dedicated tracks lie along the edges of the film between the film perforations, the perforations being widely spaced for this purpose. All data is recorded on the film using a novel self-clocking code which is completely self-clocking, in order to provide automatic data synchronization between the various users without requiring that any of them to transport the film at the same speed or even at a uniform speed when reading and writing.

Abstract: A virtually transparent magnetic layer is included as an additional layer in a color negative film. Information exchange between various users of the film--such as the camera user, the dealer and photofinisher--is carried via plural longitudinal magnetic tracks on the film, each track being dedicated to the writing and reading of a predetermined set of related parameters. The photofinisher-dedicated track locations fill the exposed image area of each frame. The camera-dedicated tracks lie along the edges of the film between the film perforations, the perforations being widely spaced for this purpose. The film finishing process of the invention responds to data on the dedicated magnetic track on the film to govern the film finishing process.

Abstract: A virtually transparent magnetic layer is included as an additional layer in a color negative film. Information exchange between various users of the film--such as the camera user, the dealer, and the photofinishers film-to-video printer--is carried via plural longitudinal magnetic tracks on the film, each track being dedicated to the writing and reading of a predetermined set of related parameters. The photofinisher-dedicated track locations fill the exposed image area of each frame. The camera tracks lie along the edges of the film between the film perforations, the preforations being widely spaced for this purpose. All data, such as cropping, zooming, rotating or character superposition instructions, is recorded as individual pieces of information identified by virtual data identifiers to enable the film-to-video printer to quickly access and execute such instructions by altering the video signal produced from each frame of the developed film.

Abstract: A virtually transparent magnetic layer is included as an additional layer in a color negative film. Information exchange between various users of the film--such as the camera user, the dealer and photofinisher--is carried via plural longitudinal magnetic tracks on the film, each track being dedicated to the writing and reading of a predetermined set of related parameters. The printing and makeover process of the invention responds to data on the dedicated magnetic tracks on the film to govern the process and uses these tracks as a memory to write and retrieve data governing later steps in the process. The contents of a makeover/reorder instruction track on an initial frame of the film is determined and used, in conjunction with classification and makeover correction data contained in subsequent film tracks, in the printing and makeover process.

Abstract: Electrical circuits suitable for decoding binary information, in accordance with either of two novel modulation methods. The novel modulation methods are referenced in the instant case, and it is explained that the methods 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 either of the modulation methods.

Abstract: A method for modulating binary data into a format suitable for encoding and decoding information, that employs a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) technique. The modulating method includes: defining within a recording medium an event-cell as the time between two adjacent clock transitions having a similar, unique characteristic; and, selectively writing to the recording medium within the event-cell, at an arbitrary time, either a first or a second information. The selective writing step includes generating a first event and a corresponding first read signal in response to a first information and generating a second event and a corresponding second read signal in response to the second information. The method can be employed for a first situation where the information transfer rate during the modulating process is well-regulated, and is advantageously employed for a second situation where the information transfer rate is dependent on unpredictable and variable transfer rate velocities and accelerations.

Abstract: An electrical circuit suitable for encoding binary information, in accordance with a novel modulation method, is provided. The encoder circuit includes: a clock driver; an n-phase counter driven by the clock driver for producing a succession of event-cells, wherein each event-cell is demarcated by a pair of similar, unique clock transitions; first logic circuitry for generating a first transitional event in a first event-cell in response to a first information; and second logic circuitry for generating a second transitional event in a second event-cell in response to a second information, the first transitional event and the second transitional event differing by the number of transitions occurring per event-cell. A specific, preferred encoder circuit embodiment is set forth.

Abstract: A device (10) controls the focus in a film video player (11) for projection of at least a portion of a film image (F) onto a sensor (16) that generates a corresponding video signal from the sensor image. The film video player (11) has a fixed focal length lens (15) and includes a zoom motor (25) and related elements for changing the magnification of the sensor image with respect to the film image, sensor motor (34) and related elements for adjusting the focus of the sensor image, and a microprocessor (40) and related elements for determining the necessary adjustment to and for controlling the sensor motor to maintain the focus of the sensor image at any selected magnification without cam surfaces. Device (10) determines actual lens focal length upon power-up, eliminating focus variances due to manufacturing and installation, and maintains apparent zoom rate constant throughout the selected range of magnifications.

Abstract: An article surveillance marker suitable for use on computer magnetic data disks is disclosed in which the marker, a length of low coercivity, high magnetic permeability ferromagnetic material is integrally formed onto the data disk preferably so as to serve as the concentricity determining factor of the disk, whereby attempted removal or override of the marker renders the disk from unauthorized reproduction. A disk drive sytem is also disclosed with a built-in interrogation zone and write inhibit circuit that insures data originating from the host computer or copied from another marker-protected disk can only be written onto a disk having a marker-protected disk.

Abstract: An automatic equalizer and oscillation suppressor system utilizing phase lock loop circuits to detect oscillation candidates at identified frequencies and a low cost microprocessor to process corrective band gain action. Oscillation candidates are initially suppressed by incremental adjustment of band gains to a maximum point after which notch filters are assigned to the oscillating frequency and the band gain returned to its normal equalized value. Automatic equalization is achieved initially with a pink noise source and on an on-going real time basis with program content by use of a frequency addressable narrow band boost circuit which is selectively inserted at frequencies across the bandwidth and band gains adjusted until some oscillation has occurred in all bands or maximum master gain has been reached.

Abstract: A substantial reduction of free excess formaldehyde in formaldehyde laden wood panels is achieved by coating at least one side of the panel with a salt solution containing an ammonium cation such as a 10-15% aqueous solution of ammonium bicarbonate. After coating, a barrier is placed over the coated surface such as by stacking a plurality of similarly coated panels with the barrier being maintained sufficiently long to allow ammonia gas generated from normal degradation of the ammonium salt to migrate to the free formaldehyde zone where the ammonia gas reacts with the formaldehyde to produce a stable, low volatility reaction product. The treatment may be applied to raw or finished panels and the generated ammonia gas reacts in the stacked panels with formaldehyde in both the glue lines and the formaldehyde based finish topcoating.