Abstract: A photographic printer has a punch marking module for placing cut and end-of-order marks on the photographic paper. A quick connect/disconnect mounting assembly automatically centers the punch marking module properly with respect to a paper mask. The quick mounting assembly includes a pair of detent bars and registration pins on a mounting base attached to the paper mask. A rigid member and a pair of plate holders form the bottom of the punch marking module. A plurality of ball plungers engage a plurality of recesses in the detent bars and the end plate holders engage side edges of the mounting base. The ball plungers apply a force to the rigid member holding it against the registration pins in an engaging relationship.

Abstract: A photographic printer includes large area transmission density (LATD) sensors and a digital processor, such as a microprocessor, which calculates red, green and blue exposure times based upon the LATD sensor values. Prior to an exposure cycle, the LATD sensors are initialized, and LATD sensor readings are taken. From these initial sensor readings red, green, and blue initial exposure times are calculated, and an exposure cycle is initiated based upon these initial exposure times. During the exposure cycle, additional sensor readings continue to be taken on an asynchronous basis, and red, green, and blue exposure times are recalculated each time a reading is taken. The exposure times used during the exposure cycle are continuously modified and updated as a function of the recalculated exposure times. A running average of the sensor readings is maintained, and the modified exposure times are based upon a weighted average of the most recent sensor reading and the running average.

Abstract: A photographic printer has a punch marking system for placing cut and end-of-order marks on the photographic paper. The punch marking mechanism is adjustable to accommodate different widths of print paper. The punch marking mechanism includes guide rods which are positioned transverse to the path of the print paper. First and second carriage assemblies are movable along the guide path defined by the guide rods on opposite sides of the center line of the paper path. A lead screw moves both the first and second carriage assemblies along the guide path in an essentially symmetrical manner about the center line of the paper path. Interchangeable inserts of different widths may be inserted between the carriages to define a spacing between the first and second carriages for a desired paper width. The punches or other marking devices are carried on the first and second carriage assemblies.

Abstract: A photographic printer includes incremental correction buttons or keys to permit the operator to request incremental color or overall density corrections. In addition, preset correction keys are provided which allow the operator to request a correction for a recognizable cause of off-balance prints such as incandescent or fluorescent lighting or snow scenes. The preset correction keys represent the desired correction for these recognizable causes which represent a combination of more than one incremental color or density correction.

Abstract: A film or paper drive system for use in photographic film or paper cutters allows the operator to position the film or paper accurately and rapidly by actuating a switch. The film or paper is driven a predetermined distance at a first rate in response to actuation of the switch. If the switch remains actuated after a first period, the film or paper is driven at a second rate. If the switch still remains actuated after a second period, the film or paper is driven at a third, higher rate.

Abstract: An automatic photographic paper cutter cuts photographic prints from a strip of photographic paper which bears cut indicia indicating the locations of desired paper cuts. An indicia sensor is positioned in fixed relationship with respect to the paer cutter knife assembly at a distance less than the shortest length of print to be cut. The paper cutter derives and stores a feed-after-sense signal, which represents the length the paper strip must be fed after a cut indicium is sensed in order for the strip to be cut at the desired cut location represented by that cut indicum. During automatic operation of the paper cutter, the photographic paper strip is advanced until a cut indicium is sensed, is advanced by an additional distance determined by the feed-after-sense signal, is stopped, and is cut at the desired cut location.

Abstract: A film cleaning apparatus for cleaning the photographic film prior to printing includes special guides which permit the film cleaning apparatus to be used with both first-run production and tabbed reprint production. The film cleaning apparatus is of the type having a pair of support members in opposed relationship which define a nip which is disposed transverse to the path of the photographic film. Two lengths of soft, lint-free wiping cloth extend through the nip with the opposed surfaces of the cloth at the nip defining a part of the path. The guide includes first and second generally parallel guide plates having opposing surfaces defining an opening which is part of the path. The opening defined by the guide plates has an inlet end and an outlet end, and the plates are in fixed position with respect to the film cleaning apparatus with the outlet end of the opening proximate the nip.

Abstract: A management data system is used in conjunction with a photographic print cutting and sorting system. First and second storage means store two sets of data for each of a plurality of operators and printers. The two sets of data are independently resettable so that they reflect totals or percentages over two different time periods (for example, daily and monthly totals or percentages). A portable data retrieval device selects the particular operator or printer data from the two sets of data and displays operator totals, operator rates, printer totals or printer percentages based upon either the first or second set of data.

Abstract: A strip cutting apparatus such as a photographic paper cutter senses position of the blade which cuts segments from the strip. The strip is driven in a reverse direction by a predetermined number of steps after the blade has cut the strip and before the blade is retracted. This back step motion or reverse motion eliminates the occurrence of interference between the forward edge of the strip and the blade as the blade is retracted. Damage to the forward edge of the strip caused by interference with the retracting blade is thereby avoided.

Abstract: A photographic printer control system of the present invention separates the operation of the printer into first and second working levels. The first (or "operator") working level includes selecting the printing mode, loading or selecting one of a plurality of setup blocks, initiating printing, and applying color density button corrections. The second (or "manager") working level includes determination of printer operating parameters for each setup block, selection of automatic corrections to be applied, color balancing, calibration, and totalizing. A control panel supplies input signals which select and control operation on the first and second working levels. A security system is provided to limit access through the control panel to the first working level for all persons except authorized persons such as the lab manager.

Abstract: The photographic printer of the present invention stores measured gamma values for the photosensitive medium upon which prints are to be made. The gamma values modify exposure times so that the operator button corrections always correspond to a known increment in density. When the photosensitive medium is changed, new gamma values are entered and the printer again modifies exposure times by the appropriate amount so that button correction increments remain constant despite the change in paper gamma.

Abstract: A photographic printer includes a system for indicating the direction of movement of the dichroic filters required to re-establish color balance whenever a setup is changed. Signals are stored for each of the plurality of setups which are determinative of the desired filter position for achieving color balance with that setup. When one of the setups is selected, a parameter is sensed which is related to the filter position. The signals generated as a function of the sensed parameter are compared to the stored signals, and an indication of the direction of movement, if any, necessary to move the filters to the desired filter positions for that selected setup is provided.

Abstract: A photographic printer includes a RUN/TEST switch which, when in the TEST position, permits a test exposure cycle to be performed without exposing print paper. This allows the operator to test the functioning of the color and density controls and the print lamp prior to the printing operation without wasting print paper.

Abstract: In the photographic printer of the present invention, color balancing is performed through an interactive procedure with the user. A test print of a reference film negative is made and the densities of the test print are measured and entered into the printer by the user. The printer derives and displays modified exposure times for the reference negative from the density of the reference negative, the desired reference print density values and the measured density values of the test print. The printer then performs a series of density measuring and exposure time calculating cycles during which time, if the modified exposure times differ from desired reference exposure times, the user changes the color content of the print lamp light by moving subtractive filters. The calculated exposure times are displayed so that the operator can monitor the changes in exposure time for each color channel as the subtractive filters are adjusted.

Abstract: An automatic anti-oxidation fluid replenisher system for processors of photosensitive material has an improved, digital electronic control system. The control system includes a digital binary counter which is counted down if use-related chemical replenishment is not occurring in the processor, and is counted up (generally at a different rate) if use-related chemical replenishment is occurring in the processor. When the counter reaches a predetermined value (e.g. zero), a detection circuit triggers anti-oxidation replenishment and resets the counter to its original value for further operation. A special circuit protects against counter roll-over should the counter reach its maximum capacity due to frequent chemical replenishment activity.

Abstract: A photographic printer includes light sensors for measuring optical characteristics of photographic film to be printed. Prior to printing, the output signals of the light sensors are monitored under one or more reference condition, and calibration values based upon this monitoring are derived and stored. During normal operation of the photographic printer the sensors provide measurements of the optical characteristics of the film, and the output signals of the light sensors are calibrated based upon the stored calibration values. The exposures are then controlled as a function of the corrected output signals.

Abstract: An automatic photographic printer includes a sensor system for providing density signals indicative of measured optical density of a photographic film at a plurality of defined areas of the film. Photographic films containing landscape type scenes, snow/beach type scenes, and other scenes which might be incorrectly identified as subject density failures, are identified. The identified films are excluded from receiving a subject density failure exposure correction, while the remaining films are subjected to an automatic subject density failure exposure correction which is derived from the density signals.

Abstract: An automatic system for classifying photographic negatives containing snow or beach scenes measures the red, green, and blue densities of the negative to be printed. Signals indicative of red, green, and blue exposure times are derived from these measured densities, and the signal indicative of the blue exposure time is compared to the signals indicative of the red and green exposure times. The results of this comparison indicate whether a snow or beach scene is present. To determine the amount of density correction, if any, the densities of the negative at a plurality of points are measured. The extent of the density correction is determined by the number of points whose density is within a predetermined interval of the maximum density measured from any one of the points.

Abstract: A photographic printer includes an automatic film measurement system which provides measurements of a film negative at defined discrete or continuous areas. The measurement system includes a light source on one side of the film, an array of light sensors on the opposite side of the film, and a plurality of interchangeable first light-guiding modules. The interchangeable modules are used with different size film and are interposed between the film and the array of light sensors. Each module has a plurality of light-conducting channels which have their first ends exposed at the first surface proximate the film and have their second ends exposed at a second surface proximate the array. The pattern at the second surface corresponds to the array of light sensors so that the light sensors receive light from different portions of the film through the light-conducting channels. In preferred embodiments, a plurality of interchangeable second light-guiding modules are also provided for use with different size films.

Abstract: An automatic photographic paper cutter cuts photographic prints from a strip of photographic paper which bears cut indicia indicating the locations of desired paper cuts. An indicia sensor is positioned in fixed relationship with respect to the paper cutter knife assembly at a distance less than the shortest length of print to be cut. The paper cutter derives and stores a feed-after-sense signal, which represents the length the paper strip must be fed after a cut indicium is sensed in order for the strip to be cut at the desired cut location represented by that cut indicium. During automatic operation of the paper cutter, the photographic paper strip is advanced until a cut indicium is sensed, is advanced by an additional distance determined by the feed-after-sense signal, is stopped, and is cut at the desired cut location.