US3713733A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sensing fiducial markings from motion picture film
Assignee: Bell and Howell Co
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Filing: 1971-08-27
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Granted: 1973-01-30
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Expires: 1991-08-27
Abstract
Abstract Fiducial markings having different relative contrasts are sensed from films in continuous film feed motion picture apparatus. Different first electric signals corresponding, respectively, to the different relative contrasts are generated in response to the fiducial markings. Sensing signals indicative of the fiducial markings substantially independently of the different relative contrasts are produced by converting the different first electric signals into corresponding second electric signals having at least one common characteristic. A film motion compensator is controlled with these second electric signals.
Inventors
- 👤 R Johnston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:51
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B41/00; G03B41/02; G03B41/04; G03B41/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
In a method of controlling a film motion compensator in a continuous film feed motion picture apparatus with the aid of fiducial markings provided on motion picture film bases having different optical characteristics, the improvement comprising in combination: electrooptically sensing said fiducial markings and generating first electric signals having different amplitude values in accordance with said different optical characteristics; converting said first electric signals into corresponding second electric signals having substantially equal amplitude values substantially independent of said different optical characteristics; and controlling said film motion compensator with the aid of said second electric signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
In a method of controlling a film motion compensator in a continuous film feed motion picture apparatus with the aid of fiducial markings provided on motion picture film bases having different optical characteristics, the improvement comprising in combination: electrooptically sensing said fiducial markings and generating first electric signals having different amplitude values in accordance with said different optical characteristics; converting said first electric signals into corresponding second electric signals having substantially equal amplitude values substantially independent of said different optical characteristics; and controlling said film motion compensator with the aid of said second electric signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
95 words
In a method of controlling a film motion compensator in a continuous film feed motion picture apparatus with the aid of fiducial markings provided on motion picture film bases having different optical characteristics, the improvement comprising in combination: electrooptically sensing said fiducial markings and generating first electric signals having different amplitude values in accordance with said different optical characteristics; converting said first electric signals into corresponding second electric signals having substantially equal amplitude values substantially independent of said different optical characteristics; and controlling said film motion compensator with the aid of said second electric signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
95 words
In a method of controlling a film motion compensator in a continuous film feed motion picture apparatus with the aid of fiducial markings provided on motion picture film bases having different optical characteristics, the improvement comprising in combination: electrooptically sensing said fiducial markings and generating first electric signals having different amplitude values in accordance with said different optical characteristics; converting said first electric signals into corresponding second electric signals having substantially equal amplitude values substantially independent of said different optical characteristics; and controlling said film motion compensator with the aid of said second electric signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said different optical characteristics of said film bases are different transparency values; and said fiducial markings are sensed by projecting light through said fiducial markings and adjacent film bases and electrooptically generating said first electric signals in response to said projected light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said fiducial markings are sprocket holes; and said film bases are substantially transparent film bases and relatively opaque film bases.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
106 words
In apparatus for controlling a film motion compensator in a continuous film feed motion picture apparatus with the aid of fiducial markings provided on motion picture film bases having different optical characteristics, the improvement comprising in combination: electrooptical sensing means for generating first electric signals having different amplitude values in accordance with said different optical characteristics; means connected to said sensing means for converting said first electric signals into corresponding second electric signals having substantially equal amplitude values substantially independent of said different optical characteristics; and means connected to said converting means for controlling said film motion compensator with the aid of said second electric signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
106 words
In apparatus for controlling a film motion compensator in a continuous film feed motion picture apparatus with the aid of fiducial markings provided on motion picture film bases having different optical characteristics, the improvement comprising in combination: electrooptical sensing means for generating first electric signals having different amplitude values in accordance with said different optical characteristics; means connected to said sensing means for converting said first electric signals into corresponding second electric signals having substantially equal amplitude values substantially independent of said different optical characteristics; and means connected to said converting means for controlling said film motion compensator with the aid of said second electric signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein: said different optical characteristics of said film bases are different transparency values; and said sensing means include means for projecting light through said fiducial markings and adjacent film bases, and electrooptical signal generating means for generating said first electric signals in response to said projected light.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparAtus as claimed in claim 5, wherein: said electrooptical signal generating means include differential photocell means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein: said electrooptical signal generating means include differential phototransistor means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein: said differential phototransistor means include a PNP phototransistor, an NPN phototransistor and means for differentially interconnecting said PNP and NPN phototransistors.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein: said electrooptical signal generating means include a differential amplifier including a PNP transistor, an NPN transistor and means for differentially interconnecting said PNP and NPN transistors, and first photoelectric means connected to said PNP transistor and second photoelectric means connected to said NPN transistor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein: said electrooptical signal generating means include operational amplifier means having an inverted input, a non-inverting input, and an output, and first photoelectric means connected to said inverting input and second photoelectric means connected to said non-inverting input.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
107 words
In apparatus for controlling a film motion compensator in a continuous film feed motion picture apparatus with the aid of projected images of fiducial markings, comprising: electrooptical signal generating means including two spaced photocell means for generating two output signals in response to said projected images of fiducial markings and means connected to said two photocell means for providing a third signal corresponding to the difference between said two output signals; signal amplitude limiter means connected to said electrooptical signal generating means for amplitude limiting said third signal; and means connected to said limiter means for controlling said compensator in response to said amplitude limited third signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
107 words
In apparatus for controlling a film motion compensator in a continuous film feed motion picture apparatus with the aid of projected images of fiducial markings, comprising: electrooptical signal generating means including two spaced photocell means for generating two output signals in response to said projected images of fiducial markings and means connected to said two photocell means for providing a third signal corresponding to the difference between said two output signals; signal amplitude limiter means connected to said electrooptical signal generating means for amplitude limiting said third signal; and means connected to said limiter means for controlling said compensator in response to said amplitude limited third signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electrooptical sensor as claimed in claim 11, wherein: said two photocell means are two phototransistor means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrooptical sensor as claimed in claim 11, wherein: said two photocell means include a PNP phototransistor, and an NPN phototransistor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
60 words
An electrooptical sensor as claimed in claim 11, wherein: said means for providing a third signal include a differential amplifier including a PNP transistor, an NPN transistor and means for differentially interconnecting said PNP and NPN transistors; and said two photocell means include first photoelectric means connected to said PNP transistor and second photoelectric means connected to said NPN transistor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3459471A
Cited
US3539250A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-30 | 1976-07-31 | 1977-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-30 | 1980-07-31 | 1981-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-30 | 1984-07-31 | 1985-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |