EP0574136A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Photosensitive media and photographic recording of digital audio thereon
Assignee: Sony Electronics Inc
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Filing: 1993-05-12
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2013-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A motion picture film (20) has multiple digital audio soundtracks and an analog audio soundtrack photographically recorded thereon. Two or more channels (A,B,C) of digital audio information can be recorded in each digital soundtrack, along with additional digital information for clocking, tracking, and error detection and correction. Each digital soundtrack is recorded in an array of bit (3) areas (30) arranged in row and column order. Each row of digital audio bits may be recorded simultaneously by exposing the film to radiation that has been modulated by a linear shutter array. The radiation transmitted by each shutter array is projected onto a row of spots (30A). Each spot covers the full width of one of the bit areas in a row, but only part of the length of the bit area (30). As the medium is translated continuously (lengthwise) relative to the projected spots, each of the spots sweeps across the bit area, thereby recording a bit in the bit area which it sweeps in a manner analogous to painting the bit area with a paint brush.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Kohut
- 👤 Dana Wood
- 👤 Paul Wood
- 👤 Jeff Taylor
- 👤 Leroy Reese
- 👤 Aram Tanielian
- 👤 Jaye M. Waas
- 👤 Mark Waring
- 👤 George Carlsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:51
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/002; G11B7/003; G11B7/0032; G03; G03B; G03B31/00; G03B31/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for photographically recording digital audio bits in bit areas of a photosensitive medium, wherein each of the bit areas has a length U along a first axis, and a width V along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, including the steps of: (a) continuously translating the medium parallel to the first axis, at a rate R; and (b) while performing step (a), projecting radiation for a duration T onto a row of spots on the medium, wherein the radiation is encoded with said digital audio bits, wherein the row of spots is oriented substantially parallel to the second axis, wherein each of the spots has a width V along the second axis and a length C along the first axis, wherein C is less than U, and wherein the duration T and the rate R are selected so that their product, RT, is substantially equal to the length U.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the bit areas are located within three elongated soundtrack regions of the medium, wherein the elongated soundtrack regions are oriented substantially parallel to the first axis, and wherein the row of spots extends substantially parallel to the second axis across all of the three elongated soundtrack regions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the step of projecting the radiation onto the row of spots includes the steps of: generating a modulated beam of radiation for each of the elongated soundtrack regions, by transmitting an unmodulated beam through a linear shutter array; and projecting each said modulated beam onto a different one of the elongated soundtrack regions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
138 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the medium is a motion picture film through which a first column of sprocket holes and a second column of sprocket holes extend, wherein the motion picture film has a picture area between the first column of sprocket holes and the second column of sprocket holes, and wherein a first one of the elongated soundtrack regions extends substantially parallel to the first axis between the picture area and the first column of sprocket holes, a second one of the elongated soundtrack regions extends substantially parallel to the first axis between the picture area and the second column of sprocket holes, and a third one of the elongated soundtrack regions extends substantially parallel to the first axis between the second one of the elongated soundtrack regions and the second column of sprocket holes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 2, also including the step of: photographically recording an analog soundtrack on the medium in an analog soundtrack region oriented substantially parallel to the first axis,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
156 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the medium is a motion picture film through which a first column of sprocket holes and a second column of sprocket holes extend, wherein the motion picture film has a picture area between the first column of sprocket holes and the second column of sprocket holes, wherein a first one of the elongated soundtrack regions extends substantially parallel to the first axis between the picture area and the first column of sprocket holes, a second one of the elongated soundtrack regions extends substantially parallel to the first axis between the picture area and the second column of sprocket holes, and a third one of the elongated soundtrack regions extends substantially parallel to the first axis between the second one of the elongated soundtrack regions and the second column of sprocket holes, and wherein the analog soundtrack extends between the second one and the third one of the elongated soundtrack regions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the motion picture film is a black and white 35 millimeter motion picture film, and wherein the radiation is coherent radiation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the coherent radiation is green visible radiation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, also including the step of repeatedly performing step (b) to record digital audio bits in an array of bit areas arranged in rows and columns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the radiation is also encoded with additional digital bits.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the additional digital bits include at least one clocking bit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the additional digital bits include a bit for defining a tracking edge.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the additional digital bits include error code bits.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 1, also including the steps of repeatedly performing step (b) to record digital audio bits in an array of bit areas arranged in rows and columns, wherein the radiation is also encoded with additional digital bits, and wherein the additional digital bits are recorded in the array of bit areas with the digital audio bits.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the additional digital bits include error code bits representing blocks of the digital audio bits.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the digital audio bits and the error code bits are grouped into odd blocks and even blocks, and the odd blocks and the even blocks are recorded in the array of bit areas in an interleaved manner.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the additional digital bits include clock bits recorded in a first set of columns of the array of bit areas and marker bits recorded in the first set of columns, and each of the marker bits identifies a location of one of the odd blocks or the even blocks.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2, wherein at least two channels of digital audio bits are recorded in each of the elongated soundtrack regions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 18, wherein two sixteen-bit digital audio channels are recorded in a first one of the elongated soundtrack regions, four sixteen-bit digital audio channels are recorded in a second one of the elongated soundtrack regions, and two sixteen-bit digital audio channels are recorded in a third one of the elongated soundtrack regions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 19, wherein a sub-woofer channel and a right/center channel are recorded in the first one of the elongated soundtrack regions, surround left channel, a right channel, a center channel, and a left channel are recorded in the second one of the elongated soundtrack regions, and a surround right channel and a left/center channel are recorded in the third one of the elongated soundtrack regions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 4, wherein two sixteen-bit digital audio channels are recorded in the first one of the elongated soundtrack regions, four sixteen-bit digital audio channels are recorded in the second one of the elongated soundtrack regions, and two sixteen-bit digital audio channels are recorded in the third one of the elongated soundtrack regions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 21, wherein a sub-woofer channel and a right/center channel are recorded in the first one of the elongated soundtrack regions, surround left channel, a right channel, a center channel, and a left channel are recorded in the second one of the elongated soundtrack regions, and a surround right channel and a left/center channel are recorded in the third one of the elongated soundtrack regions.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for photographically recording digital audio bits in bit areas of a photosensitive medium, wherein each of the bit areas has a length U along a first axis, and a width V along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, including: a means for continuously translating the medium parallel to the first axis at a rate R; and radiation projection means for projecting radiation encoded with said digital audio bits for a duration T onto a row of spots on the medium, wherein the row of spots is oriented substantially parallel to the second axis, wherein each of the spots has a width V along the second axis and a length C along the first axis, wherein C is less than U, and wherein RT, the product of the duration T and the rate R, is substantially equal to the length U.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the radiation projection means includes: laser means for generating a beam of coherent radiation and directing the beam along a beam path; a linear shutter array positioned in the beam path, for encoding the beam with said digital audio bits as said beam propagates therethrough.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the linear shutter array is a linear array of magneto-optic cells.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
97 words
The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the linear shutter array includes a mask, wherein the mask defines an aperture dimensioned to truncate the beam to give the beam a first waist dimension as it propagates away from the linear shutter array, and wherein the radiation projection means includes: a lens means for receiving the beam having the first waist dimension, generating therefrom a compressed beam, and projecting the compressed beam on said row of spots, wherein the compressed beam has a second waist dimension smaller than the first waist dimension when projected on said row of spots.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the second waist dimension is substantially equal to 2.5 microns.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the first waist dimension is substantially equal to 76 microns.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
433 words
The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the medium is a motion picture film, wherein the bit areas are located within three elongated soundtrack regions of the film, wherein the elongated soundtrack regions are oriented substantially parallel to the first axis, and wherein the row of spots extends substantially parallel to the second axis across all of the three elongated soundtrack regions, wherein the film defines a first column of sprocket holes and a second column of sprocket holes, wherein the film has a picture area between the first column of sprocket holes and the second column of sprocket holes, and wherein a first one of the elongated soundtrack regions extends substantially parallel to the first axis between the picture area and the first column of sprocket holes, a second one of the elongated soundtrack regions extends substantially parallel to the first axis between the picture area and the second column of sprocket holes, and a third one of the elongated soundtrack regions extends substantially parallel to the first axis between the second one of the elongated soundtrack regions and the second column of sprocket holes, and wherein the radiation projection means includes: laser means for generating a first beam of coherent radiation, a second beam of coherent radiation, and a third beam of coherent radiation;, a first linear shutter array for receiving the first beam, and generating from the first beam a first encoded beam that is encoded with a first subset of the digital audio bits, as the first beam propagates therethrough; a second linear shutter array for receiving the second beam, and generating from the second beam a second encoded beam that is encoded with a second subset of the digital audio bits as the second beam propagates therethrough; a third linear shutter array for receiving the third beam, and generating from the third beam a third encoded beam that is encoded with a third subset of the digital audio bits as the third beam propagates therethrough; a first lens means for receiving the first encoded beam and generating therefrom a first compressed beam, and projecting the first compressed beam on a row of spots in the first one of the elongated soundtrack regions; a second lens means for receiving the second encoded beam and the third encoded beam and generating therefrom a second compressed beam and a third compressed beam, and projecting the second compressed beam on a row of spots in the second one of the elongated soundtrack regions, and projecting the third compressed beam on a row of spots in the third one of the elongated soundtrack regions.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the motion picture film is a black and white motion picture film, and wherein the first beam, the second beam, and the third beam have a wavelength in the green visible range.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
85 words
A photosensitive medium, having a left edge, a right edge, a longitudinal axis parallel to the left edge and the right edge, and including: three elongated soundtrack regions in which rows and columns of digital audio bits have been photographically recorded, wherein the elongated soundtrack regions, and the columns of the elongated soundtrack regions, are oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; and an analog soundtrack region in which an analog soundtrack has been photographically recorded in an orientation substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The photosensitive medium of claim 31, wherein the photosensitive medium is a thirty-five millimeter black and white film.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
140 words
The photosensitive medium of claim 31, wherein the photosensitive medium is a motion picture film through which a first column of sprocket holes and a second column of sprocket holes extend, wherein the motion picture film has a picture area between the first column of sprocket holes and the second column of sprocket holes, and wherein a first one of the elongated soundtrack regions extends substantially parallel to the first axis between the picture area and the first column of sprocket holes, a second one of the elongated soundtrack regions extends substantially parallel to the first axis between the picture area and the second column of sprocket holes, and a third one of the elongated soundtrack regions extends substantially parallel to the first axis between the second one of the elongated soundtrack regions and the second column of sprocket holes.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
99 words
The photosensitive medium of claim 33, wherein image frames are recorded the picture area, the analog soundtrack is indicative of an analog audio signal for each of the image frames, the digital audio bits are indicative of a digitized version of the audio signal for each of the image frames, and each portion of the analog soundtrack corresponding to one of the image frames is recorded a fixed distance along the longitudinal axis with respect to a block of the digital audio bits corresponding to the digitized version of the audio signal for said one of the image frames.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The photosensitive medium of claim 31, wherein at least two channels of digital audio bits are recorded in each of the elongated soundtrack regions.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
56 words
The photosensitive medium of claim 35, wherein two sixteen-bit digital audio channels are recorded in a first one of the elongated soundtrack regions, four sixteen-bit digital audio channels are recorded in a second one of the elongated soundtrack regions, and two sixteen-bit digital audio channels are recorded in a third one of the elongated soundtrack regions.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
69 words
The photosensitive medium of claim 36, wherein a sub-woofer channel and a right/center channel are recorded in the first one of the elongated soundtrack regions, surround left channel, a right channel, a center channel, and a left channel are recorded in the second one of the elongated soundtrack regions, and a surround right channel and a left/center channel are recorded in the third one of the elongated soundtrack regions.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
The photosensitive medium of claim 31, wherein additional digital bits have been photographically recorded in at least one of the three elongated soundtrack regions.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The photosensitive medium of claim 38, wherein the additional digital bits include at least one column of clocking bits.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The photosensitive medium of claim 38, wherein the additional digital bits include at least one column of bits which define a tracking edge.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
The photosensitive medium of claim 38, wherein the additional digital bits include error code bits.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The photosensitive medium of claim 38, wherein the additional digital bits include error code bits representing blocks of the digital audio bits.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
49 words
The photosensitive medium of claim 42, wherein the digital audio bits and the error code bits are grouped into odd blocks and even blocks, and wherein the odd blocks and the even blocks are recorded in at least one of the three elongated soundtrack regions in an interleaved manner.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
311 words
An apparatus for generating a print from a first negative film and a second negative film, wherein the first negative film has been exposed to a sequence of image frames, and wherein the second negative film has been exposed to an image encoded with audio information, said apparatus including: means for translating a print film along a first path; means for translating the first negative film along a second path, so that the print film is adjacent the first negative film at a first location along the second path; means for translating the second negative film along a third path, so that the print film is adjacent the second negative film at a first location along the third path; a light source positioned for transmitting light through the first negative film to the print film at the first location along the second path; a laser beam source positioned for transmitting a coherent beam of radiation through the second negative film to the print film at the first location along the third path; and an apertured member, having a first aperture extending therethrough and a set of second apertures extending therethrough, wherein the apertured member is movably mounted between the laser beam source and the first location along the third path, so that the apertured member can be moved between a first position in which a portion of the coherent beam is projected through the first aperture onto an analog soundtrack portion of the second negative film, and a second position in which a portion of she coherent beam is projected through the set of second apertures onto a first digital soundtrack area of the second negative film and a second soundtrack area of the second negative film, wherein at least one digital soundtrack and at least one analog soundtrack are recorded in the second soundtrack area of the second negative film.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
145 words
The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the second negative film has a left edge, a right edge, a longitudinal axis parallel to the left edge and the right edge, and includes: three elongated soundtrack regions in which rows and columns of digital audio bits have been photographically recorded, wherein the elongated soundtrack regions, and the columns of the elongated soundtrack regions, are oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; and an analog soundtrack region in which an analog soundtrack has been photographically recorded in an orientation substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein a first one of the elongated soundtrack regions is the first digital soundtrack area of the second negative film, and wherein the analog soundtrack, a second one of the elongated soundtrack regions, and a third one of the elongated Soundtrack regions together comprise the second soundtrack area of the second negative film.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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