Photographic printer with automatic positioning control

Claim 2

In a photographic arrangement for copying originals aRranged on elongated signal carrier means, said elongated signal carrier means also having a plurality of marks each arranged in a predetermined position relative to a corresponding one of said originals, said photographic arrangement having transport means for transporting said elongated signal carrier means along a predetermined path past a printing station, in combination, scanning means arranged a predetermined distance before said printing station in the direction of transport of said elongated signal carrier means, for scanning said predetermined portion of said elongated signal carrier means and furnishing a mark signal in response to each of said marks; distance measuring means coupled to said transport means for furnishing distance signals, each indicative of a predetermined incremental length of transport of said elongated signal carrier means along said predetermined path; and bistable circuit means connected to said scanning means and said distance measuring means and operative only upon receipt of one of said mark signals, for furnishing a stop signal for stopping said transport means following receipt of a plurality of said distance signals together signifying said predetermined distance between said scanning means and said printing station.

Claim 3

An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said marks comprise perforations in said elongated signal carrier means; and wherein said scanning means comprise a source of illumination, and photoreceiver means positioned relative to said source of illumination and said elongated signal carrier means in such a manner that said photoreceiver means receives light reflected by said elongated signal carrier means in the absence of said perforations.

Claim 4

An arrangement as set forth in claim 2, wherein said elongated signal carrier means is transported along a surface having an opening at said predetermined distance preceding said printing station in the direction of transport of said elongated signal carrier means; and wherein said scanning means further comprise a first and second group of light conductive elements respectively arranged between said source of illumination and said opening, and said photoreceiver means and said opening; wherein said first and second group of light conductive elements are formed into a raster-like bundle in the vicinity of said opening in such a manner that light passing through said first group of light conductive elements is reflected into said second group of light conductive elements in the absence of one of said perforations; further comprising a light trap arranged opposite said opening in such a manner that light from said first group of light conducting elements is absorbed by said light trap, thereby preventing light from entering said second group of light conductive elements in the presence of a perforation.

Claim 5

In a photographic arrangement for copying originals arranged on elongated signal carrier means, said elongated signal carrier means also having a plurality of perforations arranged in a predetermined portion thereof, each in a predetermined position relative to a corresponding one of said originals, in combination, transport means for transporting said elongated signal carrier means along a predetermined path including a surface having an opening, said predetermined path passing past a printing station situated along said predetermined path following said opening in the direction of transport of said elongated signal carrier means; scanning means arranged at said opening for scanning said predetermined portion of said elongated signal carrier means and furnishing a mark signal in response to each of said perforations, said scanning means comprising a source of illumination, photoreceiver means, and a first and second group of light conductive elements respectively arranged between said source of illumination and said opening and said photoreceiver means and said opening, said first and second group of light conductive elements each being formed into a raster-like bunDle in the vicinity of said opening in such a manner that light passing through said first group of light conductive elements is reflected into said second group of light conductive elements in the absence of one of said perforations, said scanning means further comprising a light trap arranged opposite said opening in such a manner that light from said first group light conductive elements is absorbed by said light trap, thereby preventing light from entering said second group of light conductive elements in the presence of a perforation; distance measuring means coupled to said transport means for furnishing distance signals, each indicative of a predetermined incremental length of transport of said elongated signal carrier means along said predetermined path; and output circuit means connected to said scanning means and said distance measuring means for furnishing a stop signal for stopping said transport means when said transport means has transported said elongated signal carrier means said predetermined distance following receipt of one of said mark signals.

Claim 6

In a photographic arrangement for copying originals arranged on elongated signal carrier means, said elongated signal carrier means also having a plurality of perforations arranged in a predetermined portion thereof, each in a predetermined position relative to a corresponding one of said originals, in combination, transport means for transporting said elongated signal carrier means along a predetermined path including a surface having an opening, said predetermined path passing past a printing station situated along said predetermined path following said opening in the direction of transport of said elongated signal carrier means; scanning means arranged at said opening for scanning said predetermined portion of said elongated signal carrier means and furnishing a mark signal in response to each of said perforations, said scanning means comprising a source of illumination, photoreceiver means, and a first and second group of light conductive elements respectively arranged between said source of illumination and said opening and said photoreceiver means and said opening, said first and second group of light conductive elements each being formed into a raster-like bunDle in the vicinity of said opening in such a manner that light passing through said first group of light conductive elements is reflected into said second group of light conductive elements in the absence of one of said perforations, said scanning means further comprising a light trap arranged opposite said opening in such a manner that light from said first group light conductive elements is absorbed by said light trap, thereby preventing light from entering said second group of light conductive elements in the presence of a perforation; distance measuring means coupled to said transport means for furnishing distance signals, each indicative of a predetermined incremental length of transport of said elongated signal carrier means along said predetermined path; and output circuit means connected to said scanning means and said distance measuring means for furnishing a stop signal for stopping said transport means when said transport means has transported said elongated signal carrier means said predetermined distance following receipt of one of said mark signals.

Claim 7

An arrangement as set forth in claim 4, wherein said light trap is a conical light trap having a matt black inner surface and having an apex offset relative to the center of said bundle of light conductive elements.

Claim 8

An arrangement as set forth in claim 4, wherein said surface is the top surface of the lower, stationary portion of a housing; wherein said transport means comprise a pair of friction rollers; wherein said distance measuring means comprise a friction roller; and wherein said pair of transport rollers, said friction roller and said light conductive elements are arranged in said lower portion.

Claim 9

An arrangement as set forth in claim 6, wherein said housing further comprises an upper portion movably mounted with respect to said lower portion; wherein said transport means further comprise a backup roller cooperating with said transport rollers; wherein said distance measuring means further comprise a backup roller cooperating with said friction roller; and wherein said backup rollers and said light trap are arranged in said upper portion of said housing.

Claim 10

An arrangement as set forth in claim 4, wherein said elongated signal carrier means comprise a plurality of elongated signal carrier sections joined at junctions with infra-red absorbing tape; and wherein said sensing means further comprise a source of infra-red energy and receiver means responsive to said infra-red energy arranged on said lower portion of said housing; wherein said surface has an opening arranged in the path of energy emitted by said source of infra-red energy; further comprising optical means arranged in said upper portion of said housing for reflecting at least a portion of said infra-red energy passing through said elongated signal carrier means in the absence of a junction towards said receiver means.

Claim 11

An arrangement as set forth in claim 8, wherein said optical means comprise a 90* prism.

Claim 12

An arrangement as set forth in claim 8, wherein said optical means comprise a 90* mirror.

Claim 13

An arrangement as set forth in claim 8, wherein said receiver means furnish a junction signal in the absence of receipt of said infra-red energy; further comprising means for connecting said receiver means to said output circuit means; and wherein said output circuit means comprise means for inhibiting the furnishing of said stop signal in the presence of said junction signal.

Claim 14

An arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bistable circuit means comprise shift register means having a shift input connected to said distance measuring means and a signal input connected to said scanning means; wherein said shift register has a plurality of stages corresponding in number to the number of distance signals signifying said predetermined distance between said scanning means and said printing station; wherein each of said shift signals shifts a mark signal present in a predetermined stage of said shift register to the next subsequent one of said stages of said shift register; and wherein a mark signal in the last of said stages of said shift register constitutes said stop signal.

Claim 15

An arrangement as set forth in claim 12, wherein each of said marks is a perforation in said elongated signal carrier means and wherein said scanning means furnish said mark signal in response to an absence of said elongated signal carrier means at said predetermined location, whereby a mark signal is furnished in response to a tear in said elongated signal carrier means; wherein said mark signal signifying a perforation has a predetermined duration; wherein said mark signals signifying a tear in said elongated signal carrier means have a duration long compared to the duration of said mark signals indicative of a perforation; wherein a signal is stored in at least the last two stages of said shift register following receipt of a mark signal signifying a tear; and wherein said output circuit means comprise a logic gate inhibiting the generation of said stop signal in the presence of a signal in said last two stages of said shift register.