Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for acquiring video signals with high resolution in the optical path of a photographic printing device for point-by-point color video signal generation by means of a video image sensor which receives the original negative image. For generation of the video signals, a sufficiently high-resolution black and white video sensor (27) is used. The three color separations are delivered separately to the video sensor by means of a plurality of color filters (4, 5, 6) which are present for printer illumination control and are brought consecutively into their active setting.

Abstract: A photographic copier has a station which serves as a scanning station and a copying station. The station includes a support for an image to be scanned and copied, and a single light source for scanning and copying. A light-diffusing member is disposed between the light source and the support, and the light-diffusing member has a first condition for copying and a second condition for scanning. Light undergoes a high degree of diffusion in the first condition and a lower degree of, or substantially no, diffusion in the second condition.

Abstract: A system for processing photographic material has a series of processing vessels containing different water-based processing baths. A reference vessel is mounted on one of the processing vessels and serves to compensate for the evaporation of water from the processing vessels. To this end, the reference vessel accommodates a body of water as well as a float switch having an upper contact and a lower contact. The reference vessel and processing vessels are open at the top and a feeding arrangement is provided to admit water into the respective vessels through their open tops. The feeding arrangement includes one or more pumps connected to a control unit which is further connected to the float switch. When evaporation causes the water in the reference vessel to fall to the level of the lower contact of the float switch, the control unit activates the pump or pumps to replace the water lost from each of the vessels by evaporation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing prints of different formats from negatives in the form of strips. The negative images are printed in one reproduction scale on one section of a strip of stock during a first pass of the strip through the printing mechanism, the printing mechanism is readjusted, and the negative images are then printed in another, different scale on a subsequent section of the strip of stock during another pass of the strip through the printing mechanism.

Abstract: A method of and printer for printing photographs on light-sensitive paper of a particular format from transparent masters on a roll of film by means of a projector. Both the film and a strip of the paper are advanced through a printing point. The paper is displaced across the direction the film travels in with the center of the prescribed paper format at a distance from the optical axis of the projector. The projector can be adjusted to project the image of the master larger or smaller than the paper format.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing films confined in cartridges has a lightproof housing which accommodates a developing bath. Two chambers are located in the housing upstream of the developing bath, and each has a holder for a film cartridge. Transporting rollers are associated with each chamber and serve to withdraw films from cartridges and convey the films toward the developing bath along respective paths. These paths merge into a third path which extends through the developing bath. A first film cartridge is placed in a first one of the chambers, and the chamber is closed with a cover to seal the chamber from light. A control unit locks the cover and activates the transporting rollers for the first chamber so that the film in the first cartridge is unwound and conveyed into the developing bath. Meanwhile, a second film cartridge is placed in the second chamber which is likewise closed with a cover. A sensor signals the control unit when the withdrawal of film from the first cartridge has been completed.

Abstract: A cassette for storage of a roll of convoluted web of photosensitive material which is to be fed to the copying station of a copying machine has a device for unwinding the web from the roll, rollers which advance selected lengths of the web into the copying station, and a mechanism which loosens or relaxes the web between the roll and the rollers so that the rollers need not overcome the inertia of the roll in order to advance selected lengths of the web from the housing of the cassette into the copying station. This can be achieved by driving the unwinding device and the rollers at different speeds so that the web forms a loop in the housing of the cassette between the outermost convolution of the roll and an outlet of the housing or by otherwise loosening the web between the roll and the outlet.

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: Strips of coherent, exposed and developed film frames are advanced past, and discrete frames are placed onto, a window at a monitoring station where successive increments of the film frames are monitored by a device having photocells forming at least one row which extends transversely of the path of advancement of strips. The monitoring device is at a standstill during advancement of strips but is transported past a discrete frame at the monitoring station. Such monitoring device can ascertain the density of film frames, and its photocells generate signals which are used to image the frames onto photographic paper.

Abstract: A strip of exposed and developed film has a series of exposures and corresponding exposure identification numbers. The strip is conveyed through a scanning station on its way to a printing station. The exposures and identification numbers are scanned in the scanning station to produce output signals indicative of density changes. The signals are processed to generate groups of data which are combined into a data set. Each group includes the position of a respective exposure on the strip, the identification number for the exposure and the position of the identification number on the strip. Film transport is carried out in such a manner that scanning of the strip and processing of the resulting signals are completed before arrival of the strip at the printing station. A control unit uses the data set to position the exposures in the printing station and to print the exposures. The control unit also uses the data set to mark a copy of an exposure with the identification number of the exposure.

Abstract: Apparatus for copying the images of selected frames on sections of exposed and developed roll films or of diapositives has a set of advancing rolls or a reciprocable pusher to move a film section or a diapositive from a discrete first portion of a first path into a second portion which terminates at the copying station, and thereupon from a first portion of a second path (such first portion is common to the second portion of the first path) into a discrete portion of the second path. A switching device is located at the junction of the first and second portions of the first path to prevent copied film sections or diapositives from reentering the first portion of the first path on their way away from the copying station. This renders it possible to introduce a fresh film section or a fresh diapositive into the first portion of the first path while a film section or a diapositive is located at the copying station or is on the way toward the discharge end of the second path.

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: A copying apparatus has a receiving station, an exposure unit, a developing unit, an inspection station and a pricing unit with a memory. A master to be reproduced arrives at the receiving station together with an order for the reproduction thereof. The order has a coded order number which is read by a scanner at the receiving station and entered in the memory to establish a data set. The exposure unit is inoperative upon arrival of the master at the receiving station and is activated only upon entry of the order number. The master is then drawn into the exposure unit where copy material is exposed to light which has illuminated the master. The copy material is developed in the developing unit and the resulting copies are delivered to the inspection station where they are inspected for quality. The number of copies made is entered in the memory and incorporated in the data set with the order number.

Abstract: A band of exposed and developed photographic film is transported longitudinally along a predetermined path. The film carries a series of images and each of the images has a pair of edges which are spaced longitudinally of the band and extend transversely of the latter. Transverse, strip-shaped segments of the band are photoelectrically scanned to detect abrupt density changes associated with the edges of the images. In addition, the band is sensed at a predetermined location of its path in order to ascertain the length of the band travelling by the predetermined location. The density and length data are sent to a microprocessor which uses the data to assign a position coordinate to each detected edge and its corresponding image. The position coordinates represent the positions of the images longitudinally of the band.

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 copier is designed to copy negatives of different sizes onto copying material of different widths. The negatives and copying material are supplied from rolls. The copier includes the following manually controlled components: (i) a set of interchangeable film guides which are used at a scanning station and are slotted to permit photoelectric scanning of the negatives; (ii) a set of interchangeable masks for masking the negatives during copying; (iii) a set of light shafts for illuminating the negatives during copying; and (iv) a movable guide unit for the copying material.

Abstract: Successive frames of an exposed and developed customer film are monitored during transport of the film in a first direction, and the information which is gathered during monitoring of discrete frames as well as of the entire film is stored in the memory of a microprocessor. The direction of travel of the film is then reversed and successive or selected frames of the film are copied during intervals between successive stepwise advances of the film in the second direction. Copying light which is used for the making of reproductions of images of the film frames is also used for illumination of film frames during monitoring. A mirror is provided to reflect light to the monitoring unit during travel of the film in the first direction, and such mirror is retracted preparatory to copying which starts with the last monitored frame and proceeds toward the first monitored frame of the film. The film is converted into a growing roll during monitoring of its frames.

Abstract: A series of exposed and developed film strips having various lengths are spliced end-to-end for copying. The resulting band passes through a density measuring station in which the densities of the negatives are measured in the three primary colors and next through a magazine of variable capacity in which a portion of the band accumulates before entering a negative copying station including an exposure control device which regulates the exposures of the negatives on the measured basis of the density values. To insure that values derived from a selected strip are transferred to the exposure control unit when the strip enters the copying station, the splice immediately downstream of the selected strip is arrested in the density measuring station. The band continues to be drawn through the copying station so that the portion which has accumulated in the magazine is fully withdrawn. The portion of the band between the arrested splice and a splice sensor in the copying station has a known length.