Arrangement for determining frame lengths on film strips

Claim 2

An arrangement for distinguishing between the lengths of frames on a film strip, wherein the frames are separated by frame lines and wherein said film strip includes frames of at least two different lengths, said arrangement comprising, in combination, means for advancing the film along a predetermined film path; a plurality of phototransducer means arranged on one side of said film path; light producing means arranged on the other side of said film path for generating discrete light beams each substantially having a width not greater than those of the aforementioned frame lines and directing the same at each of the phototransducer means, the latter means transforming the thus received light beams into corresponding frame line voltages, said transducer means including, for each different frame length, a group of at least two phototransducers spaced a distance from each other to correspond to a length of one of the frames, the phototransducers associated with a predetermined frame length receiving light beams substantially concurrently only when a film strip having frame lengths corresponding to said predetermined frame length is interposed between said light producing means and the associated phototransducers; and electrical evaluation means controlled by said frame line voltages and including means for detecting the groups whose transducers receive the light beams substantially concurrently for distinguishing between the frame lengths on said Film strip in dependence on said frame line voltages.

Claim 3

An arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said light producing means comprises a respective group of elongated light sources for each different length of frame, each group comprising at least three light sources, and a discrete phototransducer being aligned with each light source of a group, the phototransducers of the same group being connected in series and transforming light passing through said film strip into signals that include said frame line voltages when said film strip includes frame lengths corresponding to said group.

Claim 4

An arrangement as defined in claim 2, wherein said transducers are photoresistors, whereby the photoresistors of that group corresponding to the frame length detected can achieve the lowest series resistance when all the photoresistors of said group receive the light beams substantially concurrently in response to passage of a film frame with which said group is associated.

Claim 5

An arrangement for distinguishing between the lengths of frames on a strip, wherein the frames are separated by frame lines and wherein said film strip includes frames of at least two different lengths, said arrangement comprising, in combination, means for advancing the film along a predetermined film path; a single phototransducer means arranged on one side of said film path; light producing means arranged to produce a light beam having substantially a width not greater than those of the aforementioned frame lines and arranged on the other side of said film path for generating a discrete light beam and directing the same at said phototransducer means, the latter transforming the thus received light beam into a corresponding frame line voltage; and electrical evaluation means comprising timing means having pulses associated therewith and controlled by said frame line voltages for distinguishing between the frame lengths on said film strips in dependence on said frame line voltages and the time between two successive frame line pulses.

Claim 6

An arrangement for distinguishing between the lengths of frames on a strip, wherein the frames are separated by frame lines and wherein said film strip includes frames of at least two different lengths, said arrangement comprising, in combination, means for advancing the film along a predetermined film path; a single phototransducer means arranged on one side of said film path; light producing means arranged to produce a light beam having substantially a width not greater than those of the aforementioned frame lines and arranged on the other side of said film path for generating a discrete light beam and directing the same at said phototransducer means, the latter transforming the thus received light beam into a corresponding frame line voltage; and electrical evaluation means comprising timing means having pulses associated therewith and controlled by said frame line voltages for distinguishing between the frame lengths on said film strips in dependence on said frame line voltages and the time between two successive frame line pulses.

Claim 7

An arrangement for determining the length of frames separated by frame lines on a film strip, including, in combination, means for advancing the film along a predetermined film path; a group of elongated light sources for each different length of frame, each said group comprising at least three light sources with each arranged to produce a light beam substantially having a width not greater than those of the aforementioned frame lines phototransducer means arranged on the other side of said film path opposite said light sources for transforming light passing through said frame lines into corresponding frame line voltages; electric evaluation means controlled by said frame line voltages for determining the frame length on said film strip in dependence on said frame line voltages; a discrete phototransducer means being aligned with each light source of a group, the phototransducer means of the same said group being connected in series and transforming light passing through said film strip into signal voltages that include said frame line voltages when said film strip includes frame length corresponding to said group; including store means connected to each group of said phototransducer means for storing the maximum voltages of said signal voltages, of which said maximum voltages said frame line voltages usually are the largest; and comparator means for comparing between said groups of phototransducer means the stored maximum voltages to determine the frame line voltage and thereupon for delivering a frame line length signal at the end of said film strip.

Claim 8

An arrangement for determining the length of frames separated by frame lines on a film strip, including, in combination, means for advancing the film along a predetermined film path; a group of elongated light sources for each different length of frame, each said group comprising at least three light sources with each arranged to produce a light beam substantially having a width not greater than those of the aforementioned frame lines phototransducer means arranged on the other side of said film path opposite said light sources for transforming light passing through said frame lines into corresponding frame line voltages; electric evaluation means controlled by said frame line voltages for determining the frame length on said film strip in dependence on said frame line voltages; a discrete phototransducer means being aligned with each light source of a group, the phototransducer means of the same said group being connected in series and transforming light passing through said film strip into signal voltages that include said frame line voltages when said film strip includes frame length corresponding to said group; including store means connected to each group of said phototransducer means for storing the maximum voltages of said signal voltages, of which said maximum voltages said frame line voltages usually are the largest; and comparator means for comparing between said groups of phototransducer means the stored maximum voltages to determine the frame line voltage and thereupon for delivering a frame line length signal at the end of said film strip.

Claim 9

An arrangement as defined in claim 5, including store preventing means for preventing storage of said maximum voltages when the maximum voltages of said phototransducer means of at least two groups are approximately equal.

Claim 10

An arrangement as defined in claim 6, including means operated by the end of said film strip for erasing said store means.

Claim 11

An arrangement for determining the length of frames separated by frame lines on a film strip, including, in combination, means for advancing the film along a predetermined film path; at least one light source arranged to produce a light beam having substantially a width not greater than those of the aforementioned frame lines and arranged on one side of and aligned with said film path and extending transversely thereto; phototransducer means arranged on the other side of said film path opposite said light source for transforming light passing through said frame lines into corresponding frame line voltages; electric evaluation means controlled by said frame line voltages for determining the frame length on said film strip in dependence on said frame line voltages; wherein said phototransducer means comprises a first phototransducer and as may further phototransducers as there are different frame lengths to be determined, and an an individual said light source for said first phototransducers and each of said further phototransducers, each of said further phototransducers being spaced from said first phototransducer a distance corresponding to a respective frame length, and all of said phototransducers transforming light passing through said film strip into signal voltages including said frame line voltages; means for storing the maximum voltages of said signal voltages, of which said maximum voltages said frame line voltages usually are the largest; first comparator means for comparing said stored maximum voltages with said signal voltages associated with said first phototransducer; as many pulse generating further comparator means as there are different frame lengths to determine and controlled by said first comparator means to be connected to said further phototransducers to operate whenever the comparison, by said first comparator means, between said stored maximum voltages and said signal voltages shows approximate equality, for comparing signal voltages at locations on said film strip spaced at different possible frame lengths from said first phototransducer.

Claim 12

An arrangement for determining the length of frames separated by frame lines on a film strip, including, in combination, means for advancing the film along a predetermined film path; at least one light source arranged to produce a light beam having substantially a width not greater than those of the aforementioned frame lines and arranged on one side of and aligned with said film path and extending transversely thereto; phototransducer means arranged on the other side of said film path opposite said light source for transforming light passing through said frame lines into corresponding frame line voltages; electric evaluation means controlled by said frame line voltages for determining the frame length on said film strip in dependence on said frame line voltages; wherein said phototransducer means comprises a first phototransducer and as may further phototransducers as there are different frame lengths to be determined, and an an individual said light source for said first phototransducers and each of said further phototransducers, each of said further phototransducers being spaced from said first phototransducer a distance corresponding to a respective frame length, and all of said phototransducers transforming light passing through said film strip into signal voltages including said frame line voltages; means for storing the maximum voltages of said signal voltages, of which said maximum voltages said frame line voltages usually are the largest; first comparator means for comparing said stored maximum voltages with said signal voltages associated with said first phototransducer; as many pulse generating further comparator means as there are different frame lengths to determine and controlled by said first comparator means to be connected to said further phototransducers to operate whenever the comparison, by said first comparator means, between said stored maximum voltages and said signal voltages shows approximate equality, for comparing signal voltages at locations on said film strip spaced at different possible frame lengths from said first phototransducer.

Claim 13

An arrangement as defined in claim 8, wherein said first comparator means connects said further comparator means to respective ones of said further phototransducers and each said further comparator means is connected to receive said signal voltages associated with said first phototransducer, whereby each said further comparator means compares said signal voltages associated with said first phototransducer with the signal voltages associated with a respective one of said further phototransducers to produce a pulse when there is approximate equality between said signal voltages from said first and the respective one of said further phototransducers; and respective counting means connected to each of said further comparator means for counting the pulses therefrom.

Claim 14

An arrangement as defined in claim 9, including second comparator means connected to said counter means for comparing the store thereof at the end of said film strip and for causing a frame length signal in dependence on that one of said counter means that has received the greater number of pulses.

Claim 15

An arrangement as defined in claim 10, including relay means, operated by said first comparator means when said signal voltages and said stored maximum voltages are approximately equal, and having normally open contacts connected between respective ones of said further phototransducers and said further comparator means.

Claim 16

An arrangement for determining the length of frames separated by frame lines on a film strip, including, in combination, means for advancing the film along a predetermined film path; at least one light source arranged to produce a light beam having substantially a width not greater than those of the aforementioned frame lines and arranged on one side of and aligned with said film path and extending transversely thereto; phototransducer means arranged on the other side of said film path opposite said light source for transforming light passing through said frame lines into cOrresponding frame line voltages; electric evaluation means controlled by said frame line voltages for determining the frame length on said film strip in dependence on said frame line voltages; wherein said phototransducer means transforms the light passing through said film strip into signal voltages of which said frame line voltages are usually the maximum, and including means for storing the maximum voltages of said signal voltages; timing means for generating successive pulses; first counter means for each frame format to be determined connected to said timing means and arranged to receive said pulses as well as reset-to-zero pulses, and for delivering a further pulse upon being reset-to-zero wherever the interval between successive reset to zero pulses corresponds to the frame length of a respective counter means; comparator means for comparing said stored maximum voltages with said signal voltages and for delivering a reset to zero pulse to said first counter means whenever there is approximate equality; timing means for determining the interval between successive said pulses.

Claim 17

An arrangement for determining the length of frames separated by frame lines on a film strip, including, in combination, means for advancing the film along a predetermined film path; at least one light source arranged to produce a light beam having substantially a width not greater than those of the aforementioned frame lines and arranged on one side of and aligned with said film path and extending transversely thereto; phototransducer means arranged on the other side of said film path opposite said light source for transforming light passing through said frame lines into cOrresponding frame line voltages; electric evaluation means controlled by said frame line voltages for determining the frame length on said film strip in dependence on said frame line voltages; wherein said phototransducer means transforms the light passing through said film strip into signal voltages of which said frame line voltages are usually the maximum, and including means for storing the maximum voltages of said signal voltages; timing means for generating successive pulses; first counter means for each frame format to be determined connected to said timing means and arranged to receive said pulses as well as reset-to-zero pulses, and for delivering a further pulse upon being reset-to-zero wherever the interval between successive reset to zero pulses corresponds to the frame length of a respective counter means; comparator means for comparing said stored maximum voltages with said signal voltages and for delivering a reset to zero pulse to said first counter means whenever there is approximate equality; timing means for determining the interval between successive said pulses.

Claim 18

An arrangement as defined in claim 12, including a respective second counter means connected to each of said first counter means for receiving said further pulses therefrom; and means for interrogating said second counter means at the end of said film strip.

Claim 19

An arrangement as defined in claim 13, including format pulse means for delivering a format pulse in dependence on the interrogation of said second counter means showing which of the latter has received the greatest number of pulses, whereby said means for storing the maximum voltages is erased.

Claim 20

An arrangement as defined in claim 12, wherein said timing means is a pulse generator.

Claim 21

An arrangement for determining the length of frames separated by frame lines on a film strip, including, in combination, means for advancing the film along a predetermined film path; at least one light source arranged to produce a light beam having substantially a width not greater than those of the aforementioned frame lines and arranged on one side of and aligned with said film path and extending transversely thereto; phototransducer means arranged on the other side of said film path opposite said light source for transforming light passing through said frame lines into corresponding frame line voltages; electric evaluation means controlled by said frame line voltages for determining the frame length on said film strip in dependence on said frame line voltages; including engaging means for positively engaging said film strip located downstream of said light source; film strip splice detector means located upstream of said light source for releasing said engaging means; and slack compensating means located between said light source and engaging means for taking up the length of a film strip.

Claim 22

An arrangement for determining the length of frames separated by frame lines on a film strip, including, in combination, means for advancing the film along a predetermined film path; at least one light source arranged to produce a light beam having substantially a width not greater than those of the aforementioned frame lines and arranged on one side of and aligned with said film path and extending transversely thereto; phototransducer means arranged on the other side of said film path opposite said light source for transforming light passing through said frame lines into corresponding frame line voltages; electric evaluation means controlled by said frame line voltages for determining the frame length on said film strip in dependence on said frame line voltages; including engaging means for positively engaging said film strip located downstream of said light source; film strip splice detector means located upstream of said light source for releasing said engaging means; and slack compensating means located between said light source and engaging means for taking up the length of a film strip.

Claim 23

An arrangement for determining the length of frames separated by frame lines on a film strip, including, in combination, means for advancing the film along a predetermined film path; at least one light source arranged to produce a light beam having substantially a width not greater than those of the aforementioned frame lines and arranged on one side of and aligned with said film path and extending transversely thereto; phototransducer means arranged on the other side of said film path opposite said light source for transforming light passing through said frame lines into corresponding frame line voltages; electric evaluation means controlled by said frame line voltages for determining the frame length on said film strip in dependence on said frame line voltages; including engaging means for positively engaging said film strip; and marking means located next to said engaging means for marking, in dependence on said frame length voltage, said film strip near the forward end thereof with a format mark that can be detected.

Claim 24

An arrangement for determining the length of frames separated by frame lines on a film strip, including, in combination, means for advancing the film along a predetermined film path; at least one light source arranged to produce a light beam having substantially a width not greater than those of the aforementioned frame lines and arranged on one side of and aligned with said film path and extending transversely thereto; phototransducer means arranged on the other side of said film path opposite said light source for transforming light passing through said frame lines into corresponding frame line voltages; electric evaluation means controlled by said frame line voltages for determining the frame length on said film strip in dependence on said frame line voltages; including engaging means for positively engaging said film strip; and marking means located next to said engaging means for marking, in dependence on said frame length voltage, said film strip near the forward end thereof with a format mark that can be detected.

Claim 25

An arrangement for determining the length of frames separated by frame lines on a film strip, including, in combinatiOn, means for advancing the film along a predetermined film path; at least one light source arranged to produce a light beam having substantially a width not greater than those of the aforementioned frame lines and arranged on one side of and aligned with said film path and extending transversely thereto; phototransducer means arranged on the other side of said film path opposite said light source for transforming light passing through said frame lines into corresponding frame line voltages; electric evaluation means controlled by said frame line voltages for determining the frame length on said film strip in dependence on said frame line voltages; including automatic notching means connected to said evaluation means to notch said film strip in dependence on the frame length.

Claim 26

An arrangement for determining the length of frames separated by frame lines on a film strip, including, in combinatiOn, means for advancing the film along a predetermined film path; at least one light source arranged to produce a light beam having substantially a width not greater than those of the aforementioned frame lines and arranged on one side of and aligned with said film path and extending transversely thereto; phototransducer means arranged on the other side of said film path opposite said light source for transforming light passing through said frame lines into corresponding frame line voltages; electric evaluation means controlled by said frame line voltages for determining the frame length on said film strip in dependence on said frame line voltages; including automatic notching means connected to said evaluation means to notch said film strip in dependence on the frame length.