Abstract: Registration of an image with respect to a recording medium in a film recorder or the like is provided by first roughly positioning the recording medium in a support. A beam is then scanned across an unused portion of the recording medium until it impinges a fixed reference mark such as a sprocket hole edge. The coordinates of the beam are determined at the reference mark, and a registration signal is computed therefrom. The beam is then scanned across the recording medium in response to the registration signal to record information in registered relation to the reference mark. An intensity profile of the beam is calculated as it passes over an edge of the recording medium. The focus of the beam is then adjusted according to the intensity profile. Adjustment of both beam focus and lens focus is provided.

Abstract: Photographic apparatus, such as a film recorder, uses the scanning mechanism provided for imaging photographic film to read the DX bar code on the film cassette. The DX bar code indicates the film type, film speed, and roll length. The bar code information is used to automatically set one or more parameters necessary for the proper exposure of the film.