Abstract: A photographic film cutter for cutting film segments from a web of photographic film includes a knife located along a web advancement path, a splice sensor located upstream from the knife, and a notch sensor located between the knife and the splice sensor. A stepper motor moves the web along the path in fixed length steps. A step counter counts the steps to determine the length that the web has advanced since the web was cut by the knife. When a splice is detected by the splice sensor, a maximum feed switch determines, based upon the count of the step counter, whether the distance from a leading cut edge to the splice sensor is greater than or equal to a predetermined maximum distance. If the length is less than the maximum, the web is advanced until a portion of the web adjacent the splice is positioned at the knife, and the web is cut. If the length from the cut edge to the splice is greater than the predetermined maximum length, an additional cut is made.

Abstract: A photographic film packing apparatus cuts film segments from a web of photographic film, partially overlaps the segments in a shingled manner, and conveys the segments in partially overlapping relationship into an insertion opening of a package, such as a customer order envelope. The apparatus advances the web a selected distance past a knife location, at which a knife assembly is located. The knife assembly severs a film segment from the web. The movement of the film segment is then reversed to cause a trailing edge of the film segment to be deflected downward out of the path of the leading edge of the web. The web is then advanced while the segment is maintained stationary until the web has overlapped the segment by a predetermined amount. The web and the film segment are then conveyed together toward the insertion opening until a desired cut location on the web is aligned with the knife location. The knife assembly then cuts another film segment from the web.

Abstract: A photographic print cutting and sorting apparatus cuts photographic prints from a continuous roll of processed photographic print paper and sorts the individual prints into good, remake and reject prints. The print sorter includes a main conveyor line or chute for good prints, a first branch conveyor line or chute for remake prints, and a second branch conveyor line or chute for reject prints. First and second diverters are provided for diverting the remake and reject prints into the first and second branch conveyor lines. The operation of the diverters is based upon remake and reject indicia marked on photographic prints and sensed by an indicia sensor. A print sensor located near the discharge ends of the main conveyor line and the first and second branch conveyor lines provides a signal when a trailing edge of a print passes the print sensor. A control circuit receives signals from the indicia sensor and the print sensor and controls the operation of the cutter and the first and second diverters.

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 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: 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.

Abstract: An automatic photographic paper cutter cuts photographic prints from a strip of photographic paper which bears cut marks indicating the locations of desired paper cuts. An automatic paper feed control allows a predetermined number of cut marks to be missing without halting the operation of the paper cutter. A total feed length for the last previous paper feed-and-cut cycle in which cut marks were sensed at both ends of the cycle is stored and continuously updated with each paper feed-and-cut cycle. If a cut mark is not sensed within a predetermined length or "window", the automatic paper feed control causes the paper to be driven the stored total feed length, stopped, and cut.

Abstract: A microprocessor controls the operation of a stepper motor. A look-up table containing a sequence of numbers is used to generate up ramp or down ramp speed control of the stepper motor. The microprocessor supplies numbers from the look-up table to a stepper motor speed control, which causes the stepper motor to step at rates determined by the numbers supplied by the microprocessor.

Abstract: An automatic photographic paper cutter cuts photographic prints from a roll of photographic paper which bears indicia indicating the location of desired cuts. The automatic photographic paper cutter has an improved indicia sensing system which includes a plurality of indicia sensors, each positioned to sense indicia on a different portion of the photographic paper. Prior to automatic operation of the paper cutter, an indicia bearing portion of the photographic paper is oscillated back and forth past the plurality of the indicia sensors. One of the sensors which provides an acceptable output signal is selected, and subsequent operation of the photographic paper cutter is controlled in response to signals from the selected sensor.

Abstract: The present invention is a strip feed control which is particularly useful in photographic systems such as film and paper cutters, film notchers, and printers. The photographic strip material is fed by a predetermined feed length during each operating cycle. The operator of the system visually monitors the position of the strip with respect to a reference position or indicator along the feed path and provides adjustment signal through an operator control knob. The strip position is moved in accordance with the desired adjustments, and the predetermined feed length for the next operating cycle is derived from the predetermined feed length of the just completed operating cycle, together with any adjustment in the strip position which was made by the operator.

Abstract: The operation of an automatic photographic paper cutter is controlled by a programmable digital processor such as the microprocessor. The microprocessor controls the paper feed, the knife assembly, the display, and other related operations of the automatic paper cutter as a function of a step status signal which indicates whether the stepper motor paper drive has taken a step, a cut status signal which indicates whether a cut mark on the paper has been sensed, and stored control information.

Abstract: An automatic photographic paper cutter includes a print and order totalizer system which stores information such as the number of prints cut and the number of orders which have been processed by the paper cutter. In one operating mode, the totalizer system counts the number of prints cut in each order. At the end of an order, the number of prints cut in that order is displayed and is maintained on the display until the next order is completed. This allows the operator time to record the number of prints in the previous order while the next order is being cut. In another mode, the totalizer system displays the total number of prints cut and total number of orders since operation of the paper cutter commenced. This information is particularly useful to management since it permits an accurate determination of the performance of both the automatic paper cutter and the particular operator of the cutter.

Abstract: A film advancement system for use in a photographic film cutter includes a movable cursor which indicates, by its position, a desired feed length. A cursor position sensor senses the position of the movable cursor with respect to a reference position and provides a feed length signal indicative of the feed length desired. The film is advanced by a distance determined by the feed length signal.

Abstract: An improvement for use with an automatic print cutter mechanism which is actuated by sensing control indicia positioned along a continuous strip of photographic prints, said improvement comprising a wide scanning angle sensor capable of detecting said indicia of numerous configurations when same are misaligned with respect to the center line of said sensor and means for independent lateral and transverse adjustment of said sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for reading machine-readable information from a carrier and printing information onto said carrier or other means is presented. The system comprises a reader means, storage means, printer means, enable means, read repeat means and annunciator means. Circuitry is provided fordetermining when an unsuccessful scan has resulted and thereafter commanding a rescan of the code until a successful scan is obtained or a predetermined limited number of unsuccessful rescans have been completed. The system may include means for modifying the relative position of the scanning means with respect to the carrier during successive rescans. When successful read and print cycles are completed, the carrier means is positioned appropriately for human retrieval. An annuciator means is employed to signal the human controller when the allowable number of rescans has been exhausted without successfully reading the coded information.