Abstract: Overhead and data loss are reduced when transferring data via magnetic recording in a magnetic layer of an elongate photographic filmstrip, by providing a trappable data sentinel at the beginning of a data field. The data sentinel comprises a pair of reserved characters which establish a data character boundary for data in the field and also identify the nature of this data. The data sentinel is trapped by an identity comparator and also read by a host computer or processor. Data fields employing the data sentinel format can be embedded within a start sentinel/end sentinel track architecture.

Abstract: Audio to be recorded in a photographic film camera in association with individual exposed frames is first digitized and stored in a temporary storage memory in the camera allowing playback through a speaker mounted in the camera to permit playback review and editing, as needed. When the film is advanced in the camera to the next exposure frame, the digital audio signal is recorded on a magnetic layer formed on the film. At the photofinisher, the digital audio signal is read and converted to suitable encodement format, such as bar code or binary coded blister marks which are impressed on the photoprint for subsequent playback.

Abstract: A virtually transparent magnetic layer is included as an additional layer in a photographic film. Information exchange between various users of the film, such as the film manufacturer, 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 tracks are divided into data fields. A data field includes a virtual identification code and a plurality of sub-fields representative of different parameters. The virtual identification code serves as an address to corresponding stored instructions which identify and interpret the data in the corresponding sub-fields. Look-up tables addressed by said virtual identification codes can include bit-map instructions, state identifier instructions, and/or scaling algorithm instructions.

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 vai plural longitudinal magnetic tracks on the film that being and end within each individual frame. Each track is dedicated to the writing and reading of a predetermined set of parameters relating to the corresponding frame. The photofinisher-dedicated tracks fill the image-bearing area of each frame. The film has only a single film perforation along one edge for each frame. The camera-dedicated tracks lie along the edges of the film between the film perforations. Each track begins and ends within a single frame, and is divided into a plurality of fields.

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 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 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 (for example) the film manufacturer, 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. All data is recorded as individual pieces of information individually identified by virtual data identifiers so as to minimize the recording overhead of non-information-bearing data.

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.