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US4344683A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Quality control method and apparatus for photographic pictures

Assignee: Agfa Gevaert AG
•
Filing: 1980-09-18
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Granted: 1982-08-17
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Expires: 2000-09-18
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Abstract

Abstract A test pattern in form of a raster or the like is imaged in a camera onto a margin of a film frame. When the film frame is subsequently converted into a negative which is thereafter printed as a positive, the test pattern is printed in the margin of the photographic image on the positive. Should the image be blurred, it is possible to determine whether the cause of blurring occurred in the camera or during printing, by examining the test pattern which, if blurring occurred in the camera, will be sharp but will itself be blurred if the blurring of the image occurred during printing. The pattern can also be applied to the film frame by the film manufacturer or else in a pre-splicer prior to developing of the exposed film. A method, an apparatus and a pattern carrier are disclosed.

Inventors

  • 👤 Otto Stemme

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 13:36
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/52; G03B17/00; G03B17/24; G03B17/245; G03B27/521; G03C; G03C11/00; G03C11/02; G03C5/00; G03C5/08; G03B2206/00; G03B2206/004; G03B2206/006

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim 123 words
A quality control method for photographic pictures, comprising the steps of imaging a test pattern onto a marginal area of a film frame, the test pattern being a raster pattern having zones of different raster frequency and including a component indicative of image sharpness; upon conversion of the film frame into a negative, printing the test pattern in a marginal area of a positive made from the negative so that, in the event the photographic image on the positive is blurred, the absence or presence of blurring of the printed test pattern indicates whether blurring of the photographic image occurred during picture-taking or during printing of the positive; and wherein the step of imaging is carried out during manufacture of the photographic film.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 123 words
A quality control method for photographic pictures, comprising the steps of imaging a test pattern onto a marginal area of a film frame, the test pattern being a raster pattern having zones of different raster frequency and including a component indicative of image sharpness; upon conversion of the film frame into a negative, printing the test pattern in a marginal area of a positive made from the negative so that, in the event the photographic image on the positive is blurred, the absence or presence of blurring of the printed test pattern indicates whether blurring of the photographic image occurred during picture-taking or during printing of the positive; and wherein the step of imaging is carried out during manufacture of the photographic film.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 26 words
Apparatus for carrying out the method of claim 1, comprising means for carrying a test pattern to be imaged; and an imaging station in a pre-splicer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 111 words
Apparatus for carrying out the method of claim 1, by imaging a test pattern onto a film frame in a photograhic camera having a film window in which the film frame is exposed, comprising first means for carrying a test pattern to be imaged, said first means being situated outside the film window; second means activatable for imaging the test pattern onto a portion of a film frame located in a marginal zone of the film window; and wherein said test pattern comprises a first component indicative of image sharpness, and a second component having at least three zones which are respectively colored in the three additive or substractive primary colors.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1849939A Cited
US2273876A Cited
US3242801A Cited
US3618495A Cited
US3736856A Cited
US3718074A Cited
US4025932A Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1985-08-16 1986-02-15 1986-08-17 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1989-08-16 1990-02-15 1990-08-17 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1993-08-16 1994-02-15 1994-08-17 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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