Optical printer for motion picture film

Claim 2

In an optical printer for superimposing titles or the like on a motion picture film in a continuous operation, the combination comprising a first projecting means, a second projecting means and a camera means positioned in optical alignment; means for projecting a light beam through said first and second projecting means; a third projecting means arranged perpendicularly to the optical axis of said first and second projecting means; and optical means for superimposing an image from said third projecting means upon images from said first and second projecting means.

Claim 3

The combination as defined in claim 1 in which said first projecting means comprises a shadow matte projector, said second projecting means comprises a picture projector, and said third projecting means comprises a title projector.

Claim 4

The combination as defined in claim 2 wherein a cue means provides for predetermined operation of said first and third projectors in coordination with frames of a picture roll being projected from said second projector.

Claim 5

The combination as defined in claim 3 in which a plurality of filter means provide for controlling the light intensity of said light beam, and means including said cue means to effect predetermined selective operation of said filter means.

Claim 6

The combination as defined in claim 4 in which means including a plurality of preset switch means provides for selecting the filter means to be operated by said cue means.

Claim 7

The combination as defined in claim 3 in which means operated by said cue means provides for predetermined fade-in and/or fadeout of images being projected from said picture roll.

Claim 8

The combination as defined in claim 6 wherein said fade-in and/or fadeout means includes means for selectively varying the number of picture frames involved in said fading operations.

Claim 9

The combination as defined in claim 6 in which said fading means includes a shutter operating means, a holding circuit means, and means initiated by said cue means for effecting predetermined operation of said shutter and holding circuit means.

Claim 10

The combination as defined in claim 8 wherein means independent of said cue means provides for presetting said shutter operating means for either a fade-in or fadeout operation.

Claim 11

The combination as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for selectively varying the number of picture frames involved in a fading operation includes a shutter operating cam means, including a variable speed gear train and a plurality of magnetic clutches for rotating said cam means at different speeds, and means including a plurality of switch means for selectively energizing said magnetic clutches.

Claim 12

The combination as defined in claim 3 in which said cue means comprises a cue roll having cue markings thereon, switch means operated by said markings, and means for feeding said cue roll past said switch means at a rate coordinated with the feeding of a picture roll.

Claim 13

The combination as defined in claim 11 wherein said markings are arranged in a plurality of rows extending longitudinally of said cue roll, and said switch means comprises a plurality of switching devices each responsive to a different row of markings.

Claim 14

The combination as defined in claim 2 in which said optical means for superimposing images from said third projecting means comprises a segmental mirror and means for rotating said mirror in synchronism with motion picture frames being projected from said second projecting means.

Claim 15

The combination as defined in claim 1 in which said optical means for superimposing images from said third projecting means includes means for projecting images from said first and second projecting means onto a common viewing means in optical alignment with the third projecting means.

Claim 16

The combination as defined in claim 13 wherein said mirror is double faced to project images from said first and second projecting means onto a common viewing means.

Claim 17

In an optical printing apparatus for superimposing titles or the like on a motion picture film, the combination comprising a pair of optical printing units positioned side by side, each of said units comprising a first projecting means, a second projecting means, and a camera means arranged in optical alignment, a third projecting means arranged perpendicularly to the optical alignment of the aforesaid projecting means, means for optically projecting an image from said third projecting means into the camera means of both of said printing units to superimpose said image on images projected from said first and second projecting means, and means for coordinating transmission of images to said respective camera means in a continuous operation.

Claim 18

In an optical printing apparatus for superimposing titles or the like on a motion picture film, the combination comprising a pair of optical printing units positioned side by side, each of said units comprising a first projecting means, a second projecting means, and a camera means arranged in optical alignment, a third projecting means arranged perpendicularly to the optical alignment of the aforesaid projecting means, means for optically projecting an image from said third projecting means into the camera means of both of said printing units to superimpose said image on images projected from said first and second projecting means, and means for coordinating transmission of images to said respective camera means in a continuous operation.

Claim 19

The combination as defined in claim 16 wherein said means for coordinating the transmission of images includes a cue means common to both of said printing units and said third projecting means.

Claim 20

The combination as defined in claim 17 wherein said first projecting means comprises a shadow matte projector, said second projecting means comprises a picture projector, and said third projecting means comprises a title projector.

Claim 21

The combination as defined in claim 18 in which said cue means comprises a cue film advanced at the same rate as a picture film.

Claim 22

The combination as defined in claim 17 in which each of said printing units is provided with a plurality of filter means for controlling the intensity of light projected through said first and second projecting means, and means including said cue means provides predetermined selective operation of said filter means.

Claim 23

The combination as defined in claim 20 in which each of said printing units is provided with means including said cue means for effecting selective fade-in and/or fadeout of images being projected by the respective printing units.

Claim 24

The combination as defined in claim 16 in which optical means including said first mentioned optical means provides simultaneous viewing of images projected from each of said first and second projecting means and said third projecting means.