Automatic control system for X-ray film cassette loader and unloader apparatus

Claim 1

In an apparatus for automatically unloading exposed X-ray film from a cassette and reloading the cassette with unexposed film having a light-tight chamber having means for insertion and withdrawal of the cassettes; a film-holding magazine rack adapted to hold a plurality of film-holding magazines, each containing unexposed X-ray film sheets of a predetermined size, means to release on demand from one of the magazines a single sheet of predetermined size and/or type film; cassette-opening means to open the cassette, removing means to remove an exposed film from the open cassette, transfer means to transfer a sheet of film from one of the magazines to the open cassette, closing means to close the cassette, and control means responsive to a control signal to selectively actuate the release means, cassette opening means, film removing means, transfer means and closing means, the improvement comprising: indicia on the cassette denoting operations to be performed, based on film size and/or type, and/or the film therein; and means for sensing the indicia and providing the control signal in response thereto to the control means.