Abstract: An apparatus and related method for recording a continuous digital time code on motion picture film as it is advanced intermittently by a motion picture camera. The apparatus controllably adjusts the time durations of the successive bits of the signal it records, to compensate for the variable velocity profile of the intermittently advancing film. As a result, the apparatus records the time code signal as a continuous signal with a uniform time base, even though the film is being moved in an intermittent and non-uniform fashion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording a digital signal such as a modified SMPTE time code on motion picture film as it is being intermittently advanced by a motion picture camera. The recorded time code includes a set of timing bits followed immediately by a set of synchronization bits. In one embodiment, the time code is recorded as a continuous signal with the last bit recorded for each frame having an extended length, to ensure that uncertainties in the specific times at which the camera begins and ends its advancement of the film don't result in the recording of a bit that is shorter than a nominal bit duration. In a second embodiment, an addition set of synchronization bits is recorded at the beginning of each frame, so that a time code reader assumes it corresponds to the previous frame and properly decodes the following sets of timing bits and synchronization bits as corresponding to the current frame.