Abstract: In a photographic film scanner having a film transport drive stepper motor, an illuminant head having a plurality of spectrally separate light source, a light sensor and data collection and transfer circuits, each operationally responsive to a programmed controller. The controller is provided with a common timer and is programmed with a plurality of lookup tables (LUT), each LUT is populated with a sequence of elements defining timing of an operating activity in a respective one of the illuminant head light sources, the stepper motor and the light sensor data transfer circuits. The program operates to use the common timer to step synchronously through the elements of the LUTs to output value states from the elements of each of the LUTs; to control the actuation timing of the respective light sources, stepper motor and data collection and transfer circuits.

Abstract: A dual speed film drive apparatus to achieve high speed and low speed film drive employs a limited speed range stepper motor with pinion input drive gear, and an output driven gear connected to a film advance mechanism. High and low speed drive is achieved by use of a pivoted intermediate gear drive module having high speed and low speed gear set positions to interconnect the stepper motor input drive gear to the output driven gear. Shifting of the gear module between gear set positions is accomplished by a DC motor operated cam drive mechanism which pivots the gear module selectively between the high speed and low speed gear set positions. The cam drive mechanism includes a camming slot having dwell segments at each end of the slot. An open loop control gear mesh procedure includes is also described for meshing the high speed and low speed intermediate gear drives with the input drive gear and output driven gear.

Abstract: Film scanning apparatus having a film cartridge chamber for receiving a film cartridge containing photographic film having images to be scanned, a film takeup chamber and a film scan gate therebetween. The apparatus has an upstream nip roller set positioned between the film cartridge chamber and the film scan gate and includes at least one drive roller and pinch roller set in which the drive roller has a compliant film engagement surface. A downstream nip roller set is positioned between the film scan gate and the film takeup chamber and includes at least one drive roller and pinch roller set in which the drive roller has a compliant film engagement surface. The upstream nip roller set exerts constant tensioning force on film in the film scan gate buffering the film in the film scan gate against variable tensioning effects on the film caused by the film cartridge.

Abstract: A gimbaled load pad mounting arrangement in which a rigid load pad is detachably mounted on the spherical end of a spring-loaded mounting shaft. The load pad is provided on the side with flexible retention hooks with finger portions that engage the underside of the mounting frame to hold the load pad in position during assembly. Once the magnetic head is mounted in position, the pressure of the head against the load pad disengages the finger portions from contact with the underside of the frame thereby allowing the gimbaled load pad to assume its exact constraint position against the face of the magnetic head.

Abstract: A compact developing apparatus that can quickly modify processing chemistries is disclosed. A web coated with a photograph emulsion or other photosensitive material forms one wall of a processing chamber and processing chemicals are introduced sequentially into the stationary chamber. The heating of the processing chemicals to their required temperatures is accomplished by applying microwave energy to the chemicals upstream of the chamber. The heating is controlled by a programmed digital computer to provide forward and backward feedback control of the microwave output in response to temperature and flow rate measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the sensitometric characteristics of a photographic emulsion is disclosed. The emulsion to be tested may be in its fluid state or it may be a solid or semi-solid disposed on a substrate. The apparatus can mix, spread, set, dry and incubate a photographic emulsion, then expose, develop and evaluate the emulsion in an integrated, single operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for chilling, drying and incubating a photographic emulsion in an integrated process at a single locus includes a chamber, a platen and means for chilling and heating the platen and providing a flow of air of controlled temperature and humidity over the photographic emulsion.

Abstract: A liquids mixing and dispensing apparatus and method utilize a plurality of liquid supply modules to feed simultaneously charges of a plurality of admixable liquids at predetermined volume flow rates to a mixer to form a batch of a mixture of the liquids, such as a photographic emulsion mixture, in which the liquids are in a predetermined volume ratio. As it is formed, the mixture is delivered to a storage conduit connected to a dispenser, for later dispensing of a discrete volume thereof as a coating onto a moving web by feeding a purge liquid to the mixer. Each module has a piston and cylinder unit with an inlet and outlet (a cylinder port conduit) connected to one end of a tube having a volume at least as large as the maximum volume of the cylinder swept by its piston when driven by an associated motor. A valve selectively connects the other end of the tube either to a liquid source or to the mixer.