Abstract: Relatively short sections of photographic roll films (such sections can consist of a single film frame or of two or another small number of film frames) are provided with elongated strip-shaped extensions for convenient transport through a copying machine. Extensions are severed from the leader of a roll of convoluted flexible material having a width matching the desired length of an extension, and one end of a freshly severed extension is caused to overlap one end of a film section so that the extent of overlap is not more than the width of a frame line between two neighboring frames of a roll film. One side of each extension is fully coated with a layer of hotmelt, and the extension is sealed to the respective film section by a narrow elongated heating element which is moved against the overlapping ends of the film section and the properly oriented extension. The roll can be subdivided into wider or narrower extensions, depending upon the width of film sections which are to be connected with extensions.

Abstract: Apparatus for advancing roll films in a copying machine on a table which is located above the floor at a level less than the length of a film. The apparatus has a film channel and advancing rolls which can engage one end portion of a film to advance the film past a monitoring device preparatory to copying and/or past a copier subsequent to monitoring. The other end portion of the film is frictionally or clampingly held in a recess or on a supporting surface adjacent the inlet of the film channel so that the median portion of the film forms a loop which does not reach the floor beneath the table. A wiping device with two brushes can be installed adjacent the recess to wipe both sides of the film while the film advances into the channel so that the size of its looped portion is reduced.

Abstract: An exposed and developed photographic filmstrip having a series of image areas is conveyed along a path and is photoelectrically scanned at a first location of the path to detect regions characterized by marked density jumps. A signal is generated in response to detection of each such characteristic region and a first distance measuring device disposed near the first location assigns a first distance reading to each characteristic region upon detection thereof. The first distance readings are representative of the positions of the characteristic regions longitudinally of the filmstrip. Each signal is stored together with the respective first distance reading. The stored signals and first distance readings are used to calculate the positions of the image areas longitudinally of the filmstrip, and the calculated positions are likewise stored. From the first location, the filmstrip travels to a second location of the path where a notch is punched in the filmstrip adjacent to each image area.

Abstract: A filmstrip containing a series of images is conveyed along a path which passes by a copying station and a scanning station. The filmstrip is advanced in steps using transporting rolls and a narrow segment of the filmstrip is scanned at the scanning station after every step. A first set of measurements obtained upon scanning of the filmstrip is used to calculate the amounts of light and the exposure times required to properly reproduce the images. A second set of measurements is used to detect characteristic regions of the filmstrip having abrupt changes in density. The positions of the characteristic regions along the filmstrip are established by a counter which counts the steps undergone by the filmstrip and the measurement or measurements corresponding to each characteristic region are stored together with the respective position. The positions of the characteristic regions and the second set of measurements are used to calculate the positions of the images along the filmstrip.

Abstract: A photographic copying machine wherein the images of successive frames on a long roll of spliced-together exposed and developed customer films are copied while successive films are advanced stepwise from a supply reel on a first driven mandrel toward and is convoluted on a takeup reel on a second driven mandrel. The copying machine employs a third mandrel which can support a fresh roll in the plane of the roll on the first mandrel, and a fourth mandrel which can support an empty takeup reel in the plane of the rotating takeup reel. The leader of the fresh roll is located adjacent the film path ahead of the copying station and is automatically advanced into the range of an automatic attaching mechanism when the trailing end of the expiring roll has advanced beyond the copying station. The attaching mechanism secures the leader of the fresh roll to the core of the empty takeup reel, and the machine is then ready to make copies of frames forming part of the fresh roll.

Abstract: A photographic printer or developing machine has a station for processing photographic material. A station for accommodating a mobile, carriage-like cassette in an operative position is disposed adjacent to the processing station on either side thereof. One of the operative stations receives a take-off cassette carrying a reel of photographic material to be processed while the other operative station receives a take-up cassette. An additional station for holding a replacement cassette in a ready position is located next to each of the operative stations. A propelling mechansm for pushing a cassette out of its operative position is provided at each operative station as is a drawing mechanism for pulling a replacement cassette from the ready position to the operative position.

Abstract: A photographic printing or developing machine has a station for processing bands of photographic material. The processing station has an inlet side and an outlet side. A first station provided with several receiving areas for wheeled take-off cassettes carrying coild bands of photographic material is located adjacent to the inlet side. A second station provided with several receiving areas for wheeled, empty take-up cassettes is disposed adjacent to the outlet side. The first and second stations each have a mechanism for conveying and guiding bands of photographic material between the processing station and the various receiving areas. Furthermore, a detecting mechanism is located at each receiving area and the detecting mechanism, as well as the conveying and guiding mechanism, are connected to an electronic control unit. In operation, a loaded take-off cassette is positioned at each receiving area of the first station and an empty take-up cassette is positioned at each receiving area of the second station.

Abstract: A photographic roller copying apparatus for processing films of different sizes includes a scanning device for determining a size of the film to be processed, an illuminating device, a film-supporting platform having at least one aperture adjustable to the size of the film to be processed by a pivotable plate provided on the illuminating device, and two projection systems interchangeably movable into a path of light from the illuminating device. One of the projection systems includes a pair of porroprisms for rotating the image of an original positioned in the image aperture by 90.degree..

Abstract: In a threading arrangement for strip-shaped material with a timely operating overlapping of gaps of guiding for the material after a supply device for example at treatment locations, particularly at treatment devices for band-shaped photographic layer carrier, a guiding rail is provided for guiding the material at both flat sides and at a side edge, and the guiding rail is movable in the plane of the material transverse to its transporting direction with a guide for the side edge to an overlapping position and after threading from said position.

Abstract: A photographic roller copier apparatus for photographing original copies having different side lengths onto a ribbon form copier material, the ribbon width corresponding to a desired copy size. The original copies have various formats and are provided in ribbon form, one format lying lengthwise in the ribbon direction and the other format perpendicular thereto. The apparatus consisting of a lens having an adjustable focal length so that from both formats of originals it is possible to make copies that are equal in size and that fill the width of the copier material ribbon, and that in the area of a picture gate the ribbon of originals is provided in a plane parallel to the lens axis. Between the picture gate end of the lens is provided a deflecting part which deflects the beams of light from the picture gate through 90.degree. into a lens. The picture gate with the ribbon of originals, the illuminating apparatus and corresponding film rollers is rotatable around the lens axis through 90.degree.

Abstract: An exposed and developed film strip having a series of frames is conveyed by a copying station via a pair of rolls driven by a motor. Two or more photoelectric sensors upstream of the copying station generate signals indicative of the transparency of the film strip. The sensors are located on a reference line which extends normal to the longitudinal direction of the film strip. The signals from the sensors are processed to yield processed signals which are representative of significant transparency changes. The processed signals are evaluated to determine the definition of each frame and thereby determine whether a frame is worth copying. In order to locate the frames, the processed signals derived from each sensor are delivered to a common AND gate. The gate emits a pulse when processed signals from all sensors arrive at the gate simultaneously. This is a strong indication that an edge of a frame is in register with the reference line on which the sensors are located.

Abstract: A cassette for winding a band-like photographic material has housing with a slot for introducing the material, a driven winding core having an endless band tensioned by a plurality of rollers and arranged to place the front of the material onto the winding core, and two lever arms pivotable about pivot axes which are parallel to the winding core axis, carrying at their ends guiding rollers and coupled with one another via the endless band, wherein one of the lever arms is connected with a spring element so that the lever arms in an initial condition assume a first position in which said endless band widely embraces the winding spool, and during further winding upon overcoming a dead point of the spring element the lever arms assume a second position in which the endless band is brought out of the region of a greatest possible spool.

Abstract: A filtering arrangement for adjusting the color composition of the copying light in a color copier has three filters located upstream of an original to be copied as considered in the direction of light propagation. Each filter is divided into three filter sections which are rotatable in unison so as to project into the path of the copying light to larger or smaller degrees. A motor is provided for each filter and each motor has a rotatable drive shaft which is parallel to the path of the copying light. One of the filter sections of each filter is fixedly mounted on the shaft of the corresponding motor for rotation therewith. The remaining two filter sections of each filter are mounted on the shafts of the other motors via roller bearings so as to be rotatable relative to such shafts. The three filter sections of each filter are connected by a cable so that all three filter sections rotate when the motor corresponding to the filter is actuated.

Abstract: A device which removes dust and/or other impurities from photographic films, records or other data carriers has one or more brushes whose bristles sweep along the surface or surfaces of a data carrier while the data carrier moves relative to the bristles and/or vice versa. The electrostatic charge which develops as a result of frictional engagement between the data carrier and the bristles is led away by providing each brush with bristles at least some of which consist of conductive material and are grounded via electrodes which contact the tips of the bristles and/or by way of the core of each brush.

Abstract: Apparatus for winding webs of photographic film like onto the hub of a reel in a cassette has a flexible band one end of which is secured to the hub and the other end of which is connected to a coupling unit having a normally closed clamping mechanism for the leader of a web. The leader can be threaded through an inlet opening of the cassette and into the coupling unit when the clamping mechanism is held in open position by a permanent magnet which is installed in the cassette adjacent to the opening. When the hub is rotated in a direction to convolute the band and thereupon the web therearound, the coupling unit is withdrawn from the field to the permanent magnet and is confined in a peripheral recess of the reel. If the web is thereupon unwound, the coupling unit is withdrawn from the recess and is advanced toward the opening so that the magnet opens the clamping mechanism and the latter permits withdrawal of the leader of the web therefrom.

Abstract: A strip of negatives is transported over a slit extending transverse to transport, and the image of successive slit-like elements of each original is projected onto the row of photosensitive zones of a CCD image sensor unit. A photodetector also receives the image of each slit-like element, either simultaneously with the CCD image sensor unit or earlier at a more upstream location, and generates an output signal indicating the average transparency of the whole slit-like image element. The average-transparency signal is used to control the clocking frequency of the clock signal which drives the CCD image sensor unit, either by changing the clocking frequency for each read-out of the image sensor unit or by changing the clocking frequency once per original, in the latter case a peak detector circuit being used to ascertain the transparency of the maximum transparency slit-like element of each original.

Abstract: Light from a light source is transmitted through an original at a scanning station to a light detector. A rotating scanning disk located in the path of this light is provided with equiangularly spaced radial scanning slots. A light-blocking plate located between the light source and the scanning disk defines a scanning slot extending transverse to the transport direction of the original. Light passing through both the original and the transverse scanning slot is projected as a slot image onto the surface of the scanning disk. The radial slots and the transverse slot cooperate to define a scanning spot which sweeps across the original, and thereby performs one line-scan operation, as one radial slot sweeps across the slot image on the scanning disk. The angular span between adjoining radial slot is greater than that of the slot image so that, during intermediate intervals between successive line-scan operations, light transmitted through the original does not reach the light detector.

Abstract: Each original has a notch. A notch detector is located a distance Z upstream of the point at which the notch centerline is later to be stopped, and generates a notch-start and a notch-end pulse. A transducer generates strip-increment pulses during strip transport. In response to a notch-start pulse first and second counters start counting the strip-increment pulses, the first counting the Z distance, the second counting the notch length N. A divider ascertains the notch half-length N/2, which is then stored. When the counting of the Z-distance is finished, strip transport is not immediately stopped, and instead is stopped only after the counting of a further number of strip-increment pulses corresponding to the length N/2, whereupon transport is stopped. This references the system to the reliable centerlines of variable-length notches, instead of the leading ends of the notches, and assures correct positioning when transport is stopped.

Abstract: Apparatus for the determination of light transmissivity of film frames preparatory to the making of prints in a copying machine has a plate-like locating device for successive film frames, a light source at one side of the locating device, a group of photosensitive signal-generating elements at the other side of the locating device, and a diaphragm which is interposed between the locating device and photosensitive elements and has a hollow truncated pyramid, plate-like partitions and tubular components which confine light passing through the film frame on the locating device in such a way that a centrally located photosensitive element receives light from the entire film frame and all of the light which has passed through the central field of the frame, whereas each of the other photosensitive elements receives only that light which has passed through a single one of four L-shaped peripheral fields surrounding the central field of the frame.

Abstract: Each original in a strip of such originals is scanned during longitudinal travel of the strip using a scanning spot which repeatedly traverses a stationary scan line extending transverse to the direction of strip travel. The scanning spot has a scanning speed such that the scanning spot travels from one to the other end of the stationary scan line in a time less than the time in which the strip travels a distance equal to the breadth of the scan line. The scanning spot which repeatedly traverses the scan line is generated using a light shield having a slit which delimits the scan line and a rotating disk having equiangularly spaced apertures which move through a stationary light beam passing through the moving strip of originals.