US3592535A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sound-synchronized camera-projector
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-10-24
•
Granted: 1971-07-13
•
Expires: 1988-10-24
Abstract
Abstract The invention deals with the addition of sound to a still camera and to a still camera-projector combination. Two basic variations include in one case a sound tape which is stationary with a scanning head for producing the sound, and in another case where for each photographic frame a given distance of tape is used to record and reproduce the sound; the sound is synchronized with each photographic frame so that a predetermined length of tape is used for each frame. Another feature is the use of a mechanically synchronized cam gear which has a number of high portions to permit the head to move to a different height with respect to the sound tape so that in effect the length of tape is effectively multiplied by the number of high portions on the cam gear. This allows a large quantity of photographic slides with sound to be stored in a small cartridge which is part of the invention. The cartridge is in two parts which disconnect from each other for developing the film part of the cartridge.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin E Gerry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 03:34
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B31/00; G03B31/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
In a still image sound-synchronized camera-projector having optical and sound systems, comprising in combination; a cartridge having a film portion comprising a film transportable so as to provide a plurality of image frames, and having a sound track portion comprising a magnetic tape transportable independently of said film for providing a plurality of soundtracks wherein each soundtrack is related to a frame of the plurality of image frames on a one-for-one basis; means for translating said image frames one frame at a time and means for translating said tape one soundtrack portion thereof at a time; means for providing for completion of translation of any one of the image frames preceding translation of any one of the soundtrack portions corresponding to said any one of the image frames; and a soundtrack multiplier, comprising: a head contiguous to the magnetic tape; and means for positioning said head at a plurality of zones along the length of said tape and means for providing an additional plurality of soundtracks within the same zone comprising noniNterfering soundtrack configurations for recording a soundtrack in each said configuration or for reproducing said soundtrack therefrom, said means for positioning the head including means for positioning the head at each discrete soundtrack configuration comprising a driven cam having a plurality of elevated portions of different elevations, and a member linked to said head, one end thereof which cooperates with said elevated portions thereby causing said member to position said head at said plurality of zones.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
In a still image sound-synchronized camera-projector having optical and sound systems, comprising in combination; a cartridge having a film portion comprising a film transportable so as to provide a plurality of image frames, and having a sound track portion comprising a magnetic tape transportable independently of said film for providing a plurality of soundtracks wherein each soundtrack is related to a frame of the plurality of image frames on a one-for-one basis; means for translating said image frames one frame at a time and means for translating said tape one soundtrack portion thereof at a time; means for providing for completion of translation of any one of the image frames preceding translation of any one of the soundtrack portions corresponding to said any one of the image frames; and a soundtrack multiplier, comprising: a head contiguous to the magnetic tape; and means for positioning said head at a plurality of zones along the length of said tape and means for providing an additional plurality of soundtracks within the same zone comprising noniNterfering soundtrack configurations for recording a soundtrack in each said configuration or for reproducing said soundtrack therefrom, said means for positioning the head including means for positioning the head at each discrete soundtrack configuration comprising a driven cam having a plurality of elevated portions of different elevations, and a member linked to said head, one end thereof which cooperates with said elevated portions thereby causing said member to position said head at said plurality of zones.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
218 words
In combination, a still image camera-projector having optical and sound systems, comprising: cartridge means, comprising: a first cartridge; film-transporting means in said first cartridge; first guiding means in said first cartridge; an endless filmstrip on said film-transporting means and on said first guiding means, the flimstrip being adapted for guidance by the first guiding means and transportation by the film-transporting means; a second cartridge; tape-transporting means in said second cartridge; second guiding means in said second cartridge; and an endless magnetic tape on said tape-transporting means and on said second guiding means, the tape being adapted for guidance by the second guiding means and transportation by the tape-transporting means; and a light source injectable in an aperture of the first cartridge for providing illumination of images comprising photographic frames of the filmstrip for projection of the images through said optical system during the projection mode of the camera-projector; and a soundtrack multiplier, comprising: a head contiguous to the magnetic tape; and means for positioning said head at a plurality of locations in at least one direction transverse the width of said tape for providing a corresponding plurality of soundtrack zones on said tape, each said soundtrack zone being divided into soundtrack areas which are provided for recording soundtracks in said soundtrack areas or for reproducing said soundtracks therefrom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
218 words
In combination, a still image camera-projector having optical and sound systems, comprising: cartridge means, comprising: a first cartridge; film-transporting means in said first cartridge; first guiding means in said first cartridge; an endless filmstrip on said film-transporting means and on said first guiding means, the flimstrip being adapted for guidance by the first guiding means and transportation by the film-transporting means; a second cartridge; tape-transporting means in said second cartridge; second guiding means in said second cartridge; and an endless magnetic tape on said tape-transporting means and on said second guiding means, the tape being adapted for guidance by the second guiding means and transportation by the tape-transporting means; and a light source injectable in an aperture of the first cartridge for providing illumination of images comprising photographic frames of the filmstrip for projection of the images through said optical system during the projection mode of the camera-projector; and a soundtrack multiplier, comprising: a head contiguous to the magnetic tape; and means for positioning said head at a plurality of locations in at least one direction transverse the width of said tape for providing a corresponding plurality of soundtrack zones on said tape, each said soundtrack zone being divided into soundtrack areas which are provided for recording soundtracks in said soundtrack areas or for reproducing said soundtracks therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
169 words
The apparatus as stated in claim 2, including a linear scanner for transporting said head along a predetermined path and for returning said head to its initial starting point, comprising: a first pair of arms for guiding scanning motion of said scanner, one end of each thereof describing a circular path; a second pair of arms pivotably connected at each of their first ends to said head, and each of their second ends pivotably connected respectively to each of the other ends of said first pair of arms, so that upon activation of said scanner said head is displaced within a soundtrack area in proportion to the angular displacement of at least one of said first pair of arms; means for driving said scanner; means for automatically controlling a path of translation of said head and for providing for the return of said head to its initial start location consistent with said scanning motion; and means for automatically stopping said scanner at the termination of transportation of said head.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus as stated in claim 2, including: programming means for advancing said filmstrip, one of the photographic frames thereof at a time, and for advancing said tape, one of the soundtrack areas at a time, whereby each advancement of one of the soundtrack areas follows each advancement of one of the photographic frames.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as stated in claim 4, including: means for advancing a second of the photographic frames and a second of the corresponding soundtrack areas sequentially after advancing a first of said photographic frames and a first of the corresponding soundtrack areas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as stated in claim 5, including: means for driving said film and tape-transporting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
95 words
The apparatus as stated in claim 6, wherein: the first cartridge has an image communication window with a first registration mark thereon for alignment of the filmstrip with said first regIstration mark; the second cartridge has a head admitting window with a second registration mark thereon for alignment of the magnetic tape with the second registration mark; and the filmstrip has begin and end identifying frames and a filmstrip alignment frame between the begin and end frames for alignment with the image communication window and for identifying the starting and stopping locations of the filmstrip.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
81 words
The apparatus as stated in claim 2, including: a first removable cover retained by the first cartridge for providing closure of the aperture during the photographing mode of the camera-projector or when the cartridge is removed from the camera-projector, said first cartridge having an image communication window; and a second removable cover retained by the first cartridge for providing closure of the image communication window during the photographing mode of the camera-projector or when the cartridge is removed from the camera-projector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as stated in claim 8, including: means adapted to the first and second cartridges for interlocking same.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus as stated in claim 2, wherein the means for positioning said head comprises: means for guiding said head while being positioned; a driven cam having a plurality of elevated portions of different elevations; and a member linked to said head and having a follower at one end thereof which cooperates with said elevated portions thereby causing said member to be responsive to orientation of said member for positioning said head at said plurality of locations.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as stated in claim 9, wherein: the soundtrack area is transported past said head smoothly; and the photographic frame corresponding to the soundtrack area is transported periodically.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as stated in claim 9, wherein: the soundtrack area is transported past said head periodically; and the photographic frame corresponding to the soundtrack area is transported periodically.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
166 words
The apparatus as stated in claim 12, including means for scanning said head over the soundtrack area, comprising: a first pair of arms for guiding scanning motion of the scanning means, one end of each said arm describing a circular path; a second pair of arms pivotably connected at each of their first ends to said head and each of their second ends pivotably and slidably connected respectively to each of the other ends of said first pair of arms so that upon activation of the scanning means said head is displaced within the confines of the soundtrack area in proportion to the angular displacement of at least one of said first pair of arms; means for driving the scanning means; means for automatically controlling the path of translation of said head and for providing for the return of said head to its initial start location consistent with the scanning motion; and means for stopping the scanning means at the termination of transportation of said head.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as stated in claim 13, wherein said head includes: a multiaxial connecting member for providing the pivotable connection of the second pair of arms to said head.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US731915A
Cited
US2406152A
Cited
US3337694A
Cited
US3256775A
Cited
US3243250A
Cited
US3389953A
Cited
US3498703A
Cited
US3508817A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-12 | 1975-01-11 | 1975-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-12 | 1979-01-11 | 1979-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-12 | 1983-01-11 | 1983-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |